ES-3, ADAT, Ableton Live, and MS-20 + MS-50

[sempervirent]

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I got a Eurorack enclosure just so I could try out Silent Way with an ES-3, but after several hours I still can't get things working.

I'm using a TC Electronic Impact Twin with ADAT out. I have the Live template provided by Expert Sleepers, and I've also followed the VST tutorial closely and reproduced the template in Live. Still no results. I'm running Mac OS X (10.6.7) on a recent MacBook Pro with Ableton 8.1.4.

I haven't used ADAT before. I'm pretty sure I have the right cable (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LT2C5W (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LT2C5W)). However, none of the LEDs on the ES-3 illuminate when I send signals - they only illuminate when I turn the ES-3 on/off by plugging in the Euro PSU (so at least I know the ES-3 is getting power).

For troubleshooting purposes, I tried sending arbitrary audio signals to the ES-3 to see if the LEDs illuminate. I set up a loop in Live, and cycled through all available outputs, but the ES-3 never seems to be getting a signal. I'm not sure if this is a valid way to test things out, but since SW works on audio signals I thought it was worth a try.

All of the possible outputs from the Impact Twin are enabled. See http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9346/tccp.png (http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9346/tccp.png) - channels 7-8 in Live are channels 1-2 in ADAT. As I mentioned, I cycled through all available outputs and never see any signals on the ES-3.

Before I get into potential issues with my Live settings or the Silent Way plugins, I want to make sure my system is actually sending audio signals to the ES-3 and that the ES-3 is working properly. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[os]

Looking at your screenshot, compare it to page 13 of the Impact Twin manual. Look at the patchbay settings. You seem to have ADAT channels routed to themselves, whereas in the manual they're shown patched to the FW channels.

If that doesn't help, take the ES-3 out of the equation by plugging both ends of the cable into the Impact Twin, and see if you can send audio out of the ADAT port and get it back in from the ADAT in.

[sempervirent]

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Yes, it was definitely the software patchbay. Argh. Always something simple.

Thanks for taking time to actually check the Impact Twin manual. It's not the first time that patchbay has been a source of confusion.

Here's a short sequence:
http://hotfile.com/dl/124176689/4623a4b ... y.mp3.html

Same sequence with the MS-50 (no problems there either):
http://hotfile.com/dl/124178527/9782637 ... y.mp3.html

Just a note for anyone else who might be setting up their MS-20... There's another thread on KVR that mentions reversing the polarity of the Gate. You have to do this with both the Gate Open/Closed and the Trig On/Off. If you don't change the Trig polarity the MS-20 will get a constant signal and won't stop making sound even when you stop your sequencer. See screenshot:
http://oi54.tinypic.com/2hhg2tg.jpg (http://oi54.tinypic.com/2hhg2tg.jpg)

Thanks Andrew - this hardware/software setup really opens up some new possibilities with my Korg gear. Timing is excellent too. Thanks for the great invention.

[os]

Cool, glad it works now.

[edoosx]

Hi all!

I'd just need a confirmation:

I plan to drive my MS-20/MS-50 using Silent Way and an ES-3.
I still don't have Silent Way and the ES-3 and before I proceed with my order I'd like to ask if there are any issues.

I'd like to ask if Silent Way and ES-3 can handle Hz/V AND V/Oct signals and how this is done. Is it possible to use both formats on the same ES-3?

Thank you!

Edo

[os]

Yes, it can do both Hz/V and V/Octave calibrations. You can use any combination of the two on the same device.

The Silent Way manual from
http://expert-sleepers.co.uk/downloads.html

might answer some questions for you.

[edoosx]

Great! Downloading now!

I saw there is an MkII version of the ES-3. Will I get this version/should I try to get this version when I order at Schneidersbuero/Berlin?

Thanks!

Edo

[os]

Schneiders currently have no stock - when they do, it will be all mk2s.

[edoosx]

OK, I will place my order there and wait patiently...

In the meanwhile I can buy Silent Way. What kind of copy protection do you use? My music computer is not connected to the internet, is it possible to authorise the software offline?

Thanks again!

Edo

[os]

As long as you have another computer that is connected, then you can authorise.

[edoosx]

Great! Thank you very much!

Edo