Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[monsterthompson]

I just ran a quick test of the noise floor. It seems that when the signal going into the unit is completely silent, then there is no noise. However when the signal going into the unit is very low, the noise becomes very obvious. As the signal gets louder the noise becomes less noticeable. This is all with the mix dry. Adding wet signal covers things up.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I'm not even sure I like what it does, but I like how it makes me think.

I just gotta say, I love ^^^this philosophy!

 

[dukeorock]

I just ran a quick test of the noise floor. It seems that when the signal going into the unit is completely silent, then there is no noise. However when the signal going into the unit is very low, the noise becomes very obvious. As the signal gets louder the noise becomes less noticeable. This is all with the mix dry. Adding wet signal covers things up.

I've read folks that swear there's only any noise when the Mimeophon is completely dry and the noise disappears when you start adding 'wet' signal. Not sure if that's true, or if you just can't tell once stuff starts swimming around.
Either way, for me the Mimeophon is genius for a lot of uses. Awesome looper, has tons of useful cv inputs to get your random on. I've had a drum loop going through it for 24 hours or so and no two bars are alike, yet it stays syncopated. Killer Karplus-Strong sounds too that can be controlled like a vca

 

[monsterthompson]

I've read folks that swear there's only any noise when the Mimeophon is completely dry and the noise disappears when you start adding 'wet' signal. Not sure if that's true, or if you just can't tell once stuff starts swimming around.
Either way, for me the Mimeophon is genius for a lot of uses. Awesome looper, has tons of useful cv inputs to get your random on. I've had a drum loop going through it for 24 hours or so and no two bars are alike, yet it stays syncopated. Killer Karplus-Strong sounds too that can be controlled like a vca

Just called Perfect Circuit and their product specialist didn't know about the issue. She suggested taking it by the shop, which is what I expected would need to be done.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Just called Perfect Circuit and their product specialist didn't know about the issue. She suggested taking it by the shop, which is what I expected would need to be done.

They are processing my return atm....go kick em so they go faster.

I'm waiting on some tools for my power noise shiZZLE.

 

[monsterthompson]

They are processing my return atm....go kick em so they go faster.

I'm waiting on some tools for my power noise shiZZLE.

I'll get right on that.

 

[monsterthompson]

I've read folks that swear there's only any noise when the Mimeophon is completely dry and the noise disappears when you start adding 'wet' signal. Not sure if that's true, or if you just can't tell once stuff starts swimming around.

With my simple cello sample, I can hear the hiss from the Dry beyond a 50% mix. It fades away in your ears, until you bypass the unit and listen to the sample/signal raw, then it becomes obvious (in my headphones). Not sure if this is worth scrapping the whole skiff over, or if this is something i could live with and/or remedy with a different module.

I can filter the noise with the QPAS but then I'm forced to run it post-Mimeo as a LPF (set at about 3 o'clock).

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

With my simple cello sample, I can hear the hiss from the Dry beyond a 50% mix. It fades away in your ears, until you bypass the unit and listen to the sample/signal raw, then it becomes obvious (in my headphones). Not sure if this is worth scrapping the whole skiff over, or if this is something i could live with and/or remedy with a different module.

I say at that price....get a second opinion.

 

[monsterthompson]

I say at that price....get a second opinion.

Emailed Make Noise. I'll take it in to the shop on the weekend.

...I knew I shoulda bought the Black & Gold monster case system

 

[HotelX]

Emailed Make Noise. I'll take it in to the shop on the weekend.

...I knew I shoulda bought the Black & Gold monster case system

If you do get the shared system, ask for a discount. I got an offer on eBay from vintage king that was several hundred dollars reduced. Still didn't get it yet though.

 

[monsterthompson]

If you do get the shared system, ask for a discount. I got an offer on eBay from vintage king that was several hundred dollars reduced. Still didn't get it yet though.

It's a long shot for that upgrade. I'd hope I could weasel the same Black Friday % discount I got on the bigger purchase upgrade. Still not ready to go there yet.

 

[dukeorock]

Emailed Make Noise. I'll take it in to the shop on the weekend.

...I knew I shoulda bought the Black & Gold monster case system

let's take that learning curve to new extremes!

 

[rutrho]

uhhh, if one was interested in getting started with modular synths, were do you start module wise to build something that works and can take instrument/cv input?


I don't know squat about them other than the basics of |waveform/vco > filters > things > ??? > cool sounds| but I'm really good with a soldering iron and I like making -ish.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

uhhh, if one was interested in getting started with modular synths, were do you start module wise to build something that works and can take instrument/cv input?


I don't know squat about them other than the basics of |waveform/vco > filters > things > ??? > cool sounds| but I'm really good with a soldering iron and I like making -ish.

Get ready to go down the rabbit hole

 

[monsterthompson]

uhhh, if one was interested in getting started with modular synths, were do you start module wise to build something that works and can take instrument/cv input?


I don't know squat about them other than the basics of |waveform/vco > filters > things > ??? > cool sounds| but I'm really good with a soldering iron and I like making -ish.

You're gonna need a rack and a power supply. Brace for the cost.

For a synth, you'll need a variety of modules. An oscillator, a filter / envelope generator (ADSR), a VCA, and an output module. You'll likely want an LFO. The signal output of a euro unit is not line-level so you'll need a mixer/converter unit.

You'll need a controller. Something like a keyboard that outputs CV. If you have a MIDI keyboard, you can get a module to convert the MIDI to CV. You could also use a sequencer. There are rack mount sequencers, rack mount keys, and various outboard keys like Keystep or Keith McMillen which send CV pitch & gate signals.

For effects only, you'd need a module that converts inst/line to euro levels (and a 1/4 to 1/8) so you can get your instrument going in. Then you'll want whatever effects modules you desire, and a unit to get then out. There are a bunch of effects modules out now, and some are mini DSP digital units. You might also consider a Bored Brain converter unit. The Transmutron will send instrument to euro level. They also have a converter box I forgot the name of.

Something like a Make Noise Cartesian skiff is a good starter. Pittsburgh Modular has a few pre-built units worth considering.

 

[rutrho]

Get ready to go down the rabbit hole

yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'm half way down it already as I've built a ton of standalone analog synths and modules that sort of live on their own... the modular rabbit hole is just a door over so i don't have far to go, LOL.

Hm. I should go see whats in my op-amp stash, I bet have enough junk to get a VCO prototyped. Doubt it'd be able to be calibrated accurately enough to do 1v/octave but it might work for some lo-fi sillyness.

You're gonna need a rack and a power supply. Brace for the cost.

For a synth, you'll need a variety of modules. An oscillator, a filter / envelope generator (ADSR), a VCA, and an output module. You'll likely want an LFO. The signal output of a euro unit is not line-level so you'll need a mixer/converter unit.

You'll need a controller. Something like a keyboard that outputs CV. If you have a MIDI keyboard, you can get a module to convert the MIDI to CV. You could also use a sequencer. There are rack mount sequencers, rack mount keys, and various outboard keys like Keystep or Keith McMillen which send CV pitch & gate signals.

For effects only, you'd need a module that converts inst/line to euro levels (and a 1/4 to 1/8) so you can get your instrument going in. Then you'll want whatever effects modules you desire, and a unit to get then out. There are a bunch of effects modules out now, and some are mini DSP digital units. You might also consider a Bored Brain converter unit. The Transmutron will send instrument to euro level. They also have a converter box I forgot the name of.

Something like a Make Noise Cartesian skiff is a good starter. Pittsburgh Modular has a few pre-built units worth considering.

dude, this helps a ton. Theres like an overwhelming amount of stuff out there from my limited scoping out of this world...

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'm half way down it already as I've built a ton of standalone analog synths and modules that sort of live on their own... the modular rabbit hole is just a door over so i don't have far to go, LOL.

Hm. I should go see whats in my op-amp stash, I bet have enough junk to get a VCO prototyped. Doubt it'd be able to be calibrated accurately enough to do 1v/octave but it might work for some lo-fi sillyness.

Nothing to loose by trying. You seem to get the voltage inputs and CV concepts down so...off you go now....$$$$

Euro racks are waiting. You already seem to know more than me about modular synthesis.

I know there is an awesome book and about the concepts and fundaments of modular synthesis. Gimme a few to look this up.

 

[monsterthompson]

Well. A good friend came by and gave the Mimeophon a listen.

First response at moderate volume in a room with the gas heater on and the power amp fans going - I don't hear anything, but I don't know what I'm listening for.

Second response with closed back headphones on - I hear it.

Third response under same conditions as the first test - That's unacceptable at that price. You must return it.

Further testing reveals there's a poor quality gate effect going on when the delay triggers. The hiss noise goes on/off as the levels rise and fall.

It was also noticed that if the Mimeophon has no input patched but the output is patched to the headphone mixer it still passes hiss.

Boxing it up.

 

[monsterthompson]

Looking at a few options for swapping the funds on the Make Noise skiff. Checking some Pittsburgh Modular gear.
Stumbled onto this. Some of the euro rack fans will find interesting elements in this.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Well. A good friend came by and gave the Mimeophon a listen.

First response at moderate volume in a room with the gas heater on and the power amp fans going - I don't hear anything, but I don't know what I'm listening for.

Second response with closed back headphones on - I hear it.

Third response under same conditions as the first test - That's unacceptable at that price. You must return it.

Further testing reveals there's a poor quality gate effect going on when the delay triggers. The hiss noise goes on/off as the levels rise and fall.

It was also noticed that if the Mimeophon has no input patched but the output is patched to the headphone mixer it still passes hiss.

Boxing it up.

Wise you are