KVR Audio

nichttuntun · Post by **nichttuntun** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:15 pm

Hi everyone.

I am highly interested in MUX modular but I find very view informations about it.

I use Cubase8 under Windows 64bit and would use it as a VST. Does that work?

I didn't find the contained modules it offers and I am asking myself if it can compete with modular synth like ZEBRA 2 which I already have.

I am totally confused about the specs of MUX and the MuTool homepage doesn't help here much. On YouTube there is nothing important either and I don't find new review for version 7. Is this thing not used because it is not good or will it be abandoned?

I ask myself how many OSCs can you bring up and can you modulate them with each other?

Would be happy if you could help and bring some light into that matter or simply share your experiences with that software. Thank you in advance.

P.S.
Seems to have a granular sampler and can modulate in audio rate. Right?

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:19 pm

MUX is very good, and yes it does that.
The developer provides excellent support for MUX at the KVR Mutools forum:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=79

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:24 pm

nichttuntun wrote:I use Cubase8 under Windows 64bit and would use it as a VST. Does that work?

When it comes to asking about compatibility, the default answer is always to download the demo and check. No one can predict what software will do on your system.
It should work, and I cant see any reason why it wouldnt. But you'd have to confirm that, which you can do easily.

I didn't find the contained modules it offers and I am asking myself if it can compete with modular synth like ZEBRA 2 which I already have.

Yes it can compete, because its not a 1-for-1 replacement, it does plenty of stuff Zebra cant do.

Is this thing not used because it is not good or will it be abandoned?

Its not 'not used' for either of those reasons. Because it is used, is good, and almost certainly wont be abandoned.
And if you're looking for discussion of it, try the actual MuTools forum at KVR.

nichttuntun · Post by **nichttuntun** » Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:45 pm

Thank you for your quick replies. I didn't know that there was a form of MuTools and I posted my questions there. I have some more and would be happy if you check them too in that forum. Thank you

AlesisVi61 · Post by **AlesisVi61** » Fri Jun 29, 2018 11:06 pm

Hmmm....not a whole lot of love towards MuTool's MUX Modular(according to this desolate thread)...why?I for one,am utterly fascinated by it....so much so,that I made a firm decision to scrap my plan to buy Thorn next month,in favor of MUX Mod!

MUX Mod has to be the most feature-rich,powerful,versatile and value-priced synth module ever concieved(to my knowledge.)Equally confusing to me,is that there really isn't much in the way of YouTube vids on it(perhaps this is due in part,to MuTool's lackluster DAW?)

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Fri Jun 29, 2018 11:18 pm

I own MUX. Next to Reaktor, it is the biggest bottomless pit out there as far as possibilities. I haven't even scratched the surface with it yet.

Download the demo and make sure it works in Cubase 8. I can't say it will because I am still on Cubase 7.

As far as comparing it to Zebra 2, apples and oranges. Zebra 2 isn't as flexible. Aside from that, the sound engines are completely different. You'll never mistake Zebra 2 for MUX and vice versa.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Jun 29, 2018 11:33 pm

Apples and oranges IMO. MUX rather resembles Reaktor, and other fully modular environments for me than Zebra. And, yeah, i would say it is for a reason that it is not THAT popular, and that reason is that people prefer less complicated stuff, as simple as that. And, frankly, Reaktor is so high quality (the blocks are fantastic) that it's also hard to compete with that. Anyway, the good suggestion has already been made in this thread to demo it, then you'll see if it is for you.

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:20 am

Also check out the MuLib, a library of free synth and effect modules:
viewtopic.php?f=79&t=483718

YouTube has a bunch of videos by various users, but I found that taking apart the many Demo Projects was a more useful, hands-on way to learn:
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-downloads.html

I can learn from a video about a non-modular synth, but the best way to learn a modular system to play with it. The docs have great diagrams to start: https://www.mutools.com/info/docs/index.html

However, to really explore the multiple levels (sub-modules, popup windows, R-click context menus, keyboard shortcuts, midi maps) you need to play with it. MUX is made for learning-by-playing because the design is consistent across all modules. Once you learn the language, its super-fast to patch an idea.

nichttuntun · Post by **nichttuntun** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:47 am

Hi,
your are all right. Can´t compare to Zebra2 and you really have to play with it to learn it.

I used the demo couple of hours now and I am impressed (for this price) and overwhelmed at the same time. I especially liked the TelFunk VCO3 module which is great. But then I looked behind the fassade and thought "okay, you never get to the point where you could design such a synth yourself". I tried to move the single modules to so how they are connected and I found total chaos. I couldn´t made out anything the display is to small for such things and the wires are looking all the same. That could be made more clearer and tracebale.

I am very interested in Granular synthesis and already got stuff like Palindrome, Bio Tek2, Dust, The Mangle and Padshop Pro, MGranular, KAIVO, Quanta and so on. I was happy to see that MUX has a granular module but it is so downsized in features I find nothing standing out here against all the named products.

I also think that each modules could need more modulation inputs for deeper and more controlles mod-mangling. But most modules just have 2 or maybe 3 inputs for that purpose and I didn´t find a functionallity like "every cable goes everywhere", for feedback und such things.

A further thing I found is that it is not so simple to start from scratch where everything is blank. Maybe I just didn´t find an init patch?

Last thing is the sound. It´s very low on CPU what is great but I think this is the reason why the basic sound didn´t catch me at first glance.

All in all it is a veeery great system especially regarded the price. For what you can do with it 60 Euros are a steal. I am just uncertain if it is the right system for me althought I´ll like to delve further into it.

I got a last questions:
Do I need to use these pre-made polyphonic synth-modules or can I simply build my own systems? I couln´t figure out how. I could build something but I didn´t find a way to convert this into a usable GUI-synth-surface. I have a MS20 which is semi-modular but I am totally new to such deep complex VST-modular systems. Sorry.

What do you say? Where is MUX really standing out for you and provides things cannot be achieved with other VSTs? As said the Granulator module is already disappointing and all the presets and demos I heard offer nothing new or unheard to me (I use all the U-He stuff, all the Glitchmachines-tools, BioTek2, Waverazor2.0, all the Palms PPG and some other Wavetable-synth, pure FM synths, Hybrid Synths like some Rob Papen material plus having a nice collection of hardware analog and digital synth from waldorf to doepfer to cazio to korg etc. Thank you in advance.

Eauson · Post by **Eauson** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:55 am

Music made only with MUX

Cache
https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/osc-80-mux

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 11:12 am

nichttuntun wrote:I could build something but I didn´t find a way to convert this into a usable GUI-synth-surface.

You can design your own front panel:
https://www.mutools.com/info/docs/mux/m ... anels.html

Also, you can modulate any parameter using MUX modulators like LFO, ADSR, Multi-Point Envelope, etc. Check out the Docs, particularly the two "Introduction"
http://www.mutools.com/info/docs/index.html

However, you have quite a lot of gear, so beware of GAS:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_Acquisition_Syndrome

focusrite · Post by **focusrite** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 11:26 am

Its way more than a modular synth.

I've built gates, triggered gating fx using my own vst library, mastering chains - you name it. It's used in every production for something.

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 11:30 am

nichttuntun wrote:I am very interested in Granular synthesis and already got stuff like Palindrome, Bio Tek2, Dust, The Mangle and Padshop Pro, MGranular, KAIVO, Quanta and so on. I was happy to see that MUX has a granular module but it is so downsized in features I find nothing standing out here against all the named products.

Again, not exactly comparing like with like. Remember, it's a modular. You're meant to be building from scratch to suit the way you work. If you want to buy something off the peg and just use it within set limits, MUX may not be what you're looking for.

That said, there are a lot of pre-built effects and synths there already, plus MuLib - and the community are often more than eager to jump to a challenge on "how to" do something.

pekbro · Post by **pekbro** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:39 pm

Mux is great for granular experimentation. In addition to the grain player, you
can achieve it via Wavetable and probably FM synthesis as well. Although, I
never tried the latter.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:49 pm

I did this for an OSC using only MUX. It was my best finishing OSC ever.

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... has-landed

Mux modular system by MuTools - your experience? Offers other things than ZEBRA 2?