thawkins

Pure Data is also written in C, so it should be possible to get good performance out of that. Python can actually be good, because it's written in C. I think the jitters on the Pi might easily be caused by the OS itself if it's not running on a realtime kernel. I wouldn't attempt writing low level code like that myself, it's better to use stuff already made by people who know what they're doing.

In GAS news though I found a Pure Data "clone" of Moog Werkstatt which I copied over the weekend. I still don't understand all of it, but it sounds pretty good to me and it was an interesting experience to build. Unfortunately doesn't work on the Raspberry Pi yet because the blosc externals seem to not work.

Keep me posted guys :) I am gearing up to get my own first semi-modular (not counting the microbrute because it's frankly a little boring for that purpose). This seems like a fine time to brush up on Arduino. I did some googling and found an ADC-DAC for Raspberry Pi. Electronics noob me is thinking that a maximum sample rate of 100k/s and 12 bits should be pretty good for starters. It does say with a Pi 2 and Python the max rate is only 12k/s though. Maybe it's possible to do better with a Pi 3, a some C code for GPIO support in Pure Data. In any case, if my mathematics are correct, 12k samples per second should be good enough for signals up to 6kHz, and that's the lower bound. Only 2 inputs and 2 outputs though, and I don't even know where to start with trying to convert all the voltages to Eurorack format in order to properly interface with a real modular. The OWL modular open source schematics might be a good start. All this seems so far out of my depth though, I think I'll probably stick to a USB interface or an Audio Injector for my Raspberry Pi and leave the microscheming to experts.

I found some tutorials on how to do analog input and analog output. Not sure about how to adapt this stuff so that it'll work with Eurorack voltages though. :)

https://github.com/AudioMorphology/Europi/wiki Wait, it's possible to send CV from the GPIO outs on the Raspberry Pi?! The GPIO documentation seems to show that there's 5V, 3.3V pins, ground and I/O pins, but it says that the I/O pins are momentary. I'm wracking what little I know about electrics stuff and it kind of seems that it might be possible with some soldering. Going to google some stuff now, but if it's really possible, then *this changes everything*! Pretty sure you can use those digital I/O pins to drive DACs. Otherwise you could low pass filter them to smooth out the voltage. If I remember right this is how the Shruthi-1 worked (and probably countless other Arduino projects). So that'll take care of 0-5v, and then I'm sure there's some voltage multiplier thing that'd give you more range. Yeah, I found something called the Europi, which claims to be a Eurorack compatible step sequencer built around the Pi, but the wiki is not very informative with pictures or instructions, but it seems it's being updated and there's probably interesting stuff in the files. I need a noob's tutorial though. :)

Wait, it's possible to send CV from the GPIO outs on the Raspberry Pi?! The GPIO documentation seems to show that there's 5V, 3.3V pins, ground and I/O pins, but it says that the I/O pins are momentary. I'm wracking what little I know about electrics stuff and it kind of seems that it might be possible with some soldering. Going to google some stuff now, but if it's really possible, then *this changes everything*!

Sure, go ahead. I have an idea to publish the whole thing once I feel it's usable enough so that people can pick it up and modify without too much hassle. Edit: actually forgot to attach. :) bikeshed-brute.zip

To counteract the GAS from all these little and nice mini-modular noise boxes I ended up ordering an MPK mini last week, which I then hooked up to my Raspberry Pi and my bikeshedded Pure Data implementation of a MicroBrute. I got this weird idea that I don't actually have to spend money on modular gear if I just build the stuff in PD.. of course it won't sound anything like the same thing, but it's great as a mental exercise and probably it will still sound good. I'm already excited about building some step-sequencer to control with the akai's 8 knobs, random generators and midi mangling. I have to say I am really happy with the Akai.. 2 years ago I was looking for a small midi keyboard and I ended up getting a M-Audio Air32 (or whatever it's called), which is a total and utter piece of flimsy shit compared to the Akai and I wish I could go back in time to tell my dumbass self not to get it. The MIDI mappings and features are so nicely thought out and usable already without having to code up scripts for paging in order to actually use more than 8 parameters at a time. And the fact that it has an arpeggiator which can receive MIDI clock is perfect for some very simple fucking around. It's got some software to go with it as well, but I don't really care about that stuff (besides the MPC essentials, which might be a good way to try the fabled "MPC workflow"?). I recorded some experimentation too if anyone's interested: https://clyp.it/xte2ppjy

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-veteran-ice-agent-disillusioned-with-the-trump-era-speaks-out It seems the concentration camp thing is kind of happening as well.

I think it's legitimately scary what's happening. For better or worse, a lot of things in the world depend on the US, it can't be a good thing if it's not managed at all or whatever is actually going on. I also read that reporters are being forced to delete footage or protests filmed within Congress or Senate, which should kind of be a big deal.

Thanks for this! Another reason why I should have done an ounce of more research before I got the Pi, because the Axoloti is actually very much what I initially wanted. Not so keen on DIY yet, I did build a Doepfer PE, but there's something glitchy going on with one of the pots, it keeps sending midi without me touching anything and I can't figure out what's wrong. I totally want to build a Kastle or something like that in the future though.

Ordered a MPK Mini mk2 today to feed the GAS and fever dreams of building a laptop-less noise/ambient/looping/whatever Pure Data and Raspberry Pi experiment to couple with the Koma Field Kit. The puzzle is almost complete.. if only there was some way to feed Eurorack style CV into some USB interface and back out, making it possible for the Raspberry Pi to act as a makeshift module. I know there's the Expert Sleepers and OWL Modular modules, but they're way too expensive and I'm not prepared to actually buy a modular case outright, that would blow my cover of "unintentionally" sliding down the slippery slope of a modular addiction.* If there's no easy and cheap way to get CV into a Raspberry Pi, I guess I'll have to settle for some small USB audio interface with at least 4in4out so there's a way to use the Pi as an effects module too. * note that I haven't actually recorded anything using the Pi yet

However, I do still want that Bit Ranger lol. Holy shit that article. I don't think I have spent even half of that sum on all my gear ever. I think this man is deluded if he thinks he can excuse away GAS with "trying to explore all the sonic possibilities" - you can do that just as easily with a decent laptop and any number of freely available software. It's probably the blinking lights or some illogical devotion to "analog tubes". I do sympathize with the constant need to reorganize my desk so that all the knobs and things are in accordance with the Perfect Feng Shui. I can achieve this without actually buying any new stuff, I just need to stare at my dangling cable mess long enough. However, I didn't know that Bit Ranger is compatible with Eurorack, does that mean all of the zillion patch points are compatible?

I got that Koma Elektronik Field Kit a while back and while there's lots of used/new modular stuff floating around here, my game plan is basically to interface it with a Raspberry Pi or a Axoloti Core. Both could be basically programmed to act as whatever synths and effects anyways (especially with that free Automationism Pure Data library). I got the Pi, but for input/output patching I need to get a USB interface and I haven't got around to that yet. It's also pretty easy to build a PD patch and create a TouchOSC interface to control it with your smartphone or tablet, and since most people already have smartphones, then it's essentially a fully customisable modular sort of setup under the price of one real eurorack module. There's also some interesting cheap gear like Bastl Kastle (DIY like 70€) which could be plugged into it all. So this is what I am doing to avoid heading straight to eurorack land and spending all my savings on the blinky lights. I'm also trying to restrict my new gear purchases (which only happen if I can't work my existing gear to do something) under 150€ and not buy any brand new things. So far it's working out although I am feeling the need for a MPK mini because of drum pads and portability.. hopefully this too shall pass. :)

Thanks! I hope this terrible block I am having goes away soon though.

I have the thinner Ivar shelves, and I use it to store anything I'm not using in my setup, pedals and stuff. It's perfect for that. Not the best desk, tho I thought of doing the same thing. It's not actually that bad, the vertical beams only get in the way because my gear is sprawling like some out of control oil spill. I've seen a lot of inspiring minimal clutter setups here and I thought that restricting myself in this way would force me not to buy too much (bulky) gear and learn to use whatever I've got efficiently. In retrospect the microkey 61 might have been overkill. :)

I totally agree, working with real people in a real room is the best way for creating amazing stuff. I have had more fun and excitement making music with a cheap midi keyboard and some single loop waveforms loaded into Live's Simpler and playing along with other people than tweaking knobs at home. And that's also true that sometimes when I listen to some ancient render I find on my hard drive it sounds really amazingly good even though I thought it was shit at the time. Basically I think that the discipline I need is some means to fool myself into this playful mood that's much easier to get into when you're playing with other people. Currently I do have some collaboration (the physical, not fileshare) going on, but that mainly involves me playing drums.

I hope it works out well for you. I think it's sort of the same thing that "limitations make you creative", as in that if you've got a lot of time on your hands and no small concrete goals, you end up sprawling with your stuff all over the place because there's no apparent limits to work against. But I guess what these periods really help with is building technical skill that you can call upon when necessary.

Yeah I have been thinking that if I had a regular gig commitment or just a rehearsal of some sort, it would ground me down and force me to learn to use my existing gear, because if you're jamming or playing with other people there's no way to digress into improving some pure data patch or scripting Python in the middle of it. Right now my lack of discipline for actually practicing on my existing gear is showing pretty badly. :)

Well I guess it's the sort of thing you will always realize *after* you've poured a lot of time into it. Definitely what I've gained is an understanding into how Ableton scripting, pure data, touchosc and stuff like that works. I guess what distresses me the most that I feel I'm no closer to mastering my music creation workflow than I was before I did all this. It's like GAS in the sense that the hunger to improve something by way of getting or building a new piece of equipment or software is never satisfied. :)

Here's my attempt. I'm currently not happy at all with the feng shui of gear placement. Because it's an IKEA shelf, I've only got like 50cm of depth room and I can't figure out a nice way to place the things so they're both easy to use and not cramped/placed precariously all over the place.

This is what I am dealing with the most now. I think I have spent the last year trying to put together software so I could have a nice workflow using my laptop and a few controllers, but even though I have a completely workable setup, I keep thinking about changing or improving the workflow instead of learning how to use it. It's terrible - after having finished getting my DIY Doepfer Pocket Electronic project to work and setting up a template Live set, I almost immediately lost interest and started building a Pure Data midi looper to use on a Raspberry Pi. That's basically finished now too, but instead of using it to experiment getting away from Live and the laptop, I lost interest AGAIN.

Rumors are circulating that CNN has intercepts of calls from Bannon and Kushner talking treason with Russian officials and The Washington Post has the haymaker: Trump dead to rights. They have been asked by the intelligence community to wait until the methods and sources of these intercepts are safe from being discovered after the info is revealed. Hence his recent retardation. He's preparing his base to not accept the truth. Fox News and pro-Trump pundits are already floating the trial balloon of "collusion isn't illegal. It's not going to work. Mueller and his team are the illest in the bizness. I am skeptical about this Russia stuff. It feels like it could inevitably take Trump out, but.. the process is going to take months, maybe more than a year and in the end, the Republican party will still be in charge. I mean yeah it's cool to watch Trump crash and burn, but the US is involved in loads of stuff - both good and bad - all over the world, without a proper government to manage these things it can't end well. And with internal things - every other day I read about some fucked up shit like right wing militias being officially deputized or that health care/tax repeal and it's not looking good. Edit: in a nutshell, I mean stuff like this: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/06/naomi-klein-how-power-profits-from-disaster

So with all those government positions still not even nominated, Trump being retarded, the Republicans being straight up evil and the Democrats trying to act more like Republicans, does anyone in the US actually seem like they're actually going to do something to clean up the mess? It's fun and all laughing at Trump all day, but the people actually running things behind his back seem more scarier every day. I'm seeing this Democratic Socialists of America thing showing up on Twitter, they seem like an OK bunch. Do you think they have a chance before Civil War 2?

Nice! I got one as well, mine arrived two weeks ago. I'm still only beginning to learn what it can do, so far my favorite is playing the spring reverb with the DC motor (which is run by the envelope generator, which in turn is fed by a square wave bassline). It's kind of tricky but I got really cool industrial kind of techno drum sounds out of it, and you could change the character of the sound and rhythm by turning the env generator and tone knobs. I am also thinking of starting a DIY addiction just to slowly build some modular-compatible kit to play around with it. I already have a soldering iron.. this can get out of hand. :)