Syncing a modular system using Ableton Live / Saffire Pro 40

[coldstonegroove]

Hi everybody , hope ur all happy , I'm exstatic , I have just begun my modular system with an Intelligel Metropolis , GREAT .

But I dont know how to sync it with Live , I've heard it can be done from live via my Saffire Pro 40 . an audio pulse or something like that , all I want to do is keep it time with Ableton and the rest of my outboard . clock/sync/whatever.

all help appreciated.

C.S.G.

[memes_33]

there's this: http://www.expert-sleepers.co.uk/silentway.html, but i don't see the saffire in the list of compatible devices, so you will probably need the custom cable if you wanted to use this.

i use a doepfer A119 to get clock in to my modular sometimes- i make a click track or use live's metrodome and turn that audio into a gate signal that can be used for clocking.

also, most midi-to-CV interfaces have clock/sync outputs. doepfer makes a few, and a bunch of others do too. go to modulargrid.net and look at MIDI-to-CV interfaces and there will be an abundance of options if you want to go that route.

[coldstonegroove]

Thanks for that post , I have seen a few options of midi to cv interface , the Kenton modular solo looks interesting .. the guy from intelligel said there is a way to clock using an audio pulse from Live via an output on my audio interface .. I'mm gonna keep trying to do it as it will cost nothing to get going immeadiately ... I will probably go for the Kenton when payday comes around , but if i get it going in the mean time , I will share the knowledge

Cheers . C.S.G.

[memes_33]

i think i've been able to do that as well- just send very loud click track audio to a eurorack clock input and it worked. have fun!

[coldstonegroove]

I think I may have done it with the silent way "sync " plugin, tho I wont know till tomorrow when i get into my studio. the plugin sends a click/pulse ,so heres hoping .

[coldstonegroove]

It works though my saffire , though I'm not exactly sure how , some interesting rhythms generated , watch this space .

[chapelier fou]

Several simple solutions :
- send a short pulse with the soundcard (in combination with follow actions, you can make cool rotating clock effects)
- use any of the many midi interfaces for eurorack
- expert sleepers just for sync would be a waste of money

[coldstonegroove]

thanks , I like the sound of rotating clocks with follow the actions , I got the silent way sync to work , but I wonder if any audio pulse would work ???
I'll keep tryng and see what i come up with . I have just started into the wonderful world of modular , but I have quite a nice collection of old hardware in my studio , and it will be great when it is all talking to eachother --- even if they are not speaking the same langauge.

[chapelier fou]

To be exact, what you would need is a single cycle of a pulse wave at full volume. Pulse width can matter.
You know what, here's what i would do :

use one of your lfos or anything from your modular that actually triggers your clock. Then sample it, then edit it and then play it loud.

alternatively the metropolis might specify what kind of pulse (polarity and length) it needs.

[coldstonegroove]

Yes I'm gonna try the sample thing and play back into metropolis . Good Idea . But the Metropolis is my first module . I have only a Minitaur and a SH 101 with cv/gate in ..... so far .... but I can make a click with anything , so i'll share the knowhow when it happens .

[chapelier fou]

Alternatively you can use the minitaur gate output.

[chapelier fou]

oh, reading your last message again,
i definitely would sample the minitaur's gate (assuming it work with the metropolis).

[coldstonegroove]

sadly there is no gate output from Minitaur

[chapelier fou]

i guess you can find an impulse sample on the internet.

[Saranac]

I've had good results synching my SH101 to live7 using a midi pattern playing a Simpler loaded with "Digital Square.aif" found in the Live7 library (i tried a bunch, others from the same Spectral folder worked as well). Adjust volume and sample length to one cycle if needed.