Model D

Yes, I bought one. I knew I would eventually so decided not to wait, especially as I gave in and did another review and thought the cash should be used for something neat. Funnily enough the review was an actual Moog too.

I don't know if I posted a link to the Magical Smoke Bag but here tis - seems to have worked out well but we'll see if anyone agrees.
And I also worked some more on the track I decided to use on the minimal album, which isn't really all that minimal now I come to think about it. I reckon it's complete but as I don't have titles and need to listen a few more times to be sure I like the running order, more about that anon.

You want to know what I think about the Behringer? Actually my assessment at last year's Superbooth is pretty much unchanged - for the money it would be insane not to have one, assuming you like the sound of Minimoogs anyway. I had a little initial teething trouble because my Analog Four was set to some weird voltages (and the Model D manual is a bit shit, doesn't really suggest a good place to set 0 volts, or perhaps it does and I missed it). Anyway, had a bit of time today and sussed it out well enough. Still doesn't seem to trigger as perfectly from the Analog Four as my modular stuff but it fits so well as a 5th voice that it's staying with the Elektron, its input, its effects.

Here's a thought: the A4 now seems a much more useful thing. Its voices sound pale and weak next to the Model D and it takes ages to get a decent sound compared to seconds, but in a supporting role they work well. Indeed, one of the things I did today was replace a sequenced A4 bassline with a track copy to the Model D. Perhaps my only gripe is that the glide knob doesn't work unless you're running it from MIDI but I can add glide from the A4 if I have to, and per-step of the sequencer.

The Behringer's small knobs feel fine, the overdrive works well (using the built-in routing) and the oscillators sound rich and full. The high pass filter is useful, even if I keep switching it thinking I'm turning on filter modulation, and the LFO is handy to have. Funnily enough it's easier to add vibrato with the tiny knob than a Minimoog's mod wheel, mostly because Minis have that stupid scaling thing whereby you end up trying to use just a few millimeters at the start of travel. Noise modulation sounds as it should, bubbling and fizzing, and audio-rate modulation from VCO3 is groovy also.

I think they should have normalled the envelope inputs though so that one connected served both but could be overriden if necessary. Similarly, the mod wheel at Superbooth worked but now doesn't - I guess I'll need to look at that further, not that I care too much as it'll be sequencing only.

My Minimoog doesn't have to do sequencing ever again, although I will inevitably try sequencing them both at once from the A4 (one of its talents).

Tally ho! This week I will make a start on a new modular track, already got some ideas festering.

Turns out it's Saturday already. I recorded a new modular piece yesterday and have just spent a while patching up with the system powered off, hoping for something interesting. Patching before you switch on is actually recommended because you are not diverted with something on the way to where you planned to go. Of course you might make a mistake and only realise when you try and play...

Anyway, here's today's!

Recorded a thing which, I think, completes yesterday's modular track. Will see how it survives a few listens.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhRQUTQA1iO/