Modular by Tim Exile

[c0nsilience]

Seems like a fairly interesting Reaktor instrument:





$66
https://nms.timexile.com/

[mcbpete]

I'm not 100% sure how this is different to the Reaktor Blocks way of doing things, particularly when using a collection like Toybox's Tangle Pack

[Gamma-UT]

I'm not 100% sure how this is different to the Reaktor Blocks way of doing things, particularly when using a collection like Toybox's Tangle Pack

I think it's meant to be more about generative modules where the performer adapts and layers patterns on the fly after wiring them up. The trouble with the website is that the list of modules makes it looks like a bunch of regular FM, subtractive and physmod modules, much like other Blocks collections.

What I can't work out is how the control over the pattern generators really works in practice rather than twisting some knobs and hoping for the best.

But at 49 quid I might give it a whirl

[c0nsilience]

I'm not 100% sure how this is different to the Reaktor Blocks way of doing things, particularly when using a collection like Toybox's Tangle Pack

I think it's meant to be more about generative modules where the performer adapts and layers patterns on the fly after wiring them up. The trouble with the website is that the list of modules makes it looks like a bunch of regular FM, subtractive and physmod modules, much like other Blocks collections.

What I can't work out is how the control over the pattern generators really works in practice rather than twisting some knobs and hoping for the best.

But at 49 quid I might give it a whirl

This^

I can't speak for Toybox's Tangle Pack, but compared to Reaktor's Blocks, this is all about the performance workflow and generative synthesis, not building from scratch. I think Tim's projects lean heavily toward certain genres and this likely speaks to that. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to do so soon.

[Ah_Dziz]

I might have missed it, but is there any way to actually sequence all that stuff rather than randomizing shit?

I'll still give him 66 bucks. It seems like more of a way to kill time though.

[Gamma-UT]

I went for the early access/WIP option and have had a cursory look. The current demos and modules seem to be all generative: so randomising shit is where it's currently at.

I think Tim's intention is people customise it to suit their own needs, which is probably going to involve some Reaktor plumbing as the current set is designed for generative knob-twiddling. But, in principle, I think it's going to be possible, if not exactly easy, to do things like program in gesture response. That is, you set up some pattern or phrase options and a few puffs on the old breath controller triggers some flourishes or a swell or whatever.

The architecture is quite different to yer regular Reaktor or Blocks setup. The big, big difference is that it's built around a global event bus or broadcast protocol: modules don't have to be explicitly wired together (though you do have to do some basic plumbing just to connect the Brain and the output mixer to any modules you drag in).

I think for sound installations, it could be pretty nifty, and for live sets where it's a bit of a DJ/performer setup. Given the number of DJ sets you now get at festivals, I think with the right set of add ons it could be interesting for that crowd. For music production, it's more of a happy accident thing right now. I'm not sure how many levels you have to go into the .ism modules to tweak the patterns and stuff. However, it looks as though Tim plans some builder tools that I assume will offer that level of access without having to dig through the wiring.

[Shabdahbriah]

Nicely done ^^^ thanks.