September 2023

Everything has been delayed.

The SAMPLYR module has been sent to a few beta testers who really put it through its paces and found some issues and gave very good suggestions for additional features which we need to get added into the firmware first before sending it out to all customers. Production and order fulfilment has been seriously delayed lately because of alternating illness of staff. Development of new products has been on hold while I was organising a private move out of the apartment my partner and I  have been living in for some years, which took much more time and energy than I thought.

In short .. for a small company like ours, when life gets in the way, it affects business more than it would a bigger one. 

Unfortunately this affects you, our dear customers, and for that I am deeply sorry! And in order to make it up to you I would like to announce our ….

Autumn Discount of 15% 
from now until the 31st October. 
Just use the discount code: HAELLOWEEN23

On another note we are working on a strategy of continuous improvements which will affect many aspects and the overall quality of the AE Modular system over the next 6-12 months:

• New case options including the new quick-mount case developed by Kyaa
• Improved front panels as standard
• New and revised/improved standard modules
• Slower development with a focus on more rigorous testing before releasing new modules

These changes will take time and we will report on them over the next few months. However if you have any comments or questions, please get in touch either via the forum:
https://forum.aemodular.com/board/4/tangible-waves-ae-modular

or via the contact form on our website:
https://www.tangiblewaves.com/contact.html 

New Products

MIDI Modules from Wonkystuff
These were already covered in the July Newsletter but they are now officially for sale on the Wonkystuff website!

The new MIDI system consists of the 1U base module mb/1 which is a MIDI multiplexer: it accepts MIDI signals via a 3.5mm socket and then transmits all 16 MIDI channels on individual output sockets for consumption by the other MIDI modules in this system. It's important to understand that the outputs transmit MIDI serial data and not CV!

The other modules in this system are micro modules for which you would need a uBase to install them in your system: 

• mco/1 is an oscillator which is fully controlled via MIDI signals 
• mcc/4 translates 4 MIDI CC messages to CV
• m/tr8 translates MIDI key presses to trigger signals which can be used to trigger drums or envelopes in the AE system

The website has much more information about this, you should definitely check it out!
https://wonkystuff.net/midi-a-new-signal-type-for-ae/ 

Also here is a short video which shows how the mco/1 works:

We at tangible waves  are also preparing an extended integration of MIDI functionality into AE modular, e.g. to handle polyphony easily, and getting comprehensive modulation possibilities via MIDI.

Music from the Community

Call for submissions: AEther Waves Vol. 5
It's time for another community album! The last 4 albums were a blast and why stop? Please send in your tracks by the 23rd of October. More information on the forum:
​​https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2812/aetherwaves-vol-5-submissions-wanted

Live Performances

Namke Communications has performed with a minimal AE Modular setup in a beautiful setting and luckily for us it was all filmed and recorded! Check it out:

The 5th Volt was invited to play at a small synth gathering with the theme "Deep Ocean". The recording of this all AE Modular composition can be seen here:

New Albums
​
It's always exciting to see complete albums being made with the AE Modular. And the ones below are 

Dead City - Foxermod has dropped his very first full EP made completely with the AE Modular system. It's clearly a work of love and just an outstanding achievement musically and for the AE Modular eco system. Please check it out and purchase it on Bandcamp:
https://foxermod.bandcamp.com/album/dead-city-ep 

Hills like Drops of Blood - Many Small Functions made his debut on Bandcamp with this ambient, drone and percussion focused album. It's a real treat and you should check it out:
https://manysmallfunctions.bandcamp.com/album/hills-like-drops-of-blood

The Vibes of Prime - Black Warrior Lures aka funbun has produced a new album using his new found "solo" voice consisting of a combination of a random bit shift sequencer, sample and hold and the SLOTH module from Keurslager Kurt. This sounds really good and you should check it out:
https://blackwarriorlures.bandcamp.com/album/the-vibes-of-prime ​

On Youtube

Chariots on Fire - 101 (Dolittle)
This was made with the AE Modular and the Yamaha TX81 for pads.

Vingerlik - Keurslager Kurt is "fingerlicking" good and shows how you can make big sounds with a small synth setup and a powerful effects pedal (in this case the Hologram Microcosm) ​

VCASE-7 adventures

L+R Studies for Stereo - Keurslager Kurt shows off his new mini case with a few modules to great effect in this forum post.
https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2781/studies-stereo

​DIY

GRAINSurgery … adding MIDI to GRAINS
This hack looks dangerous and will definitely void any warranty for your GRAINS, but the benefits are immense in that it adds full MIDI functionality to GRAINS. Obviously you will need to load firmware which can make use of this functionality, but that may be forthcoming. More info at: https://forum.aemodular.com/thread/2835/grainsurgery-midi-input

Events and Meetups

Zoom Meetups are still happening typically on the last Saturday of each month with a growing number of attendees. Everyone who is a member of the forum is invited to join for a fund discussion of anything related to AE Modular, electronic music and music production in general.

More information here:
https://forum.aemodular.com/board/29/online-meetups

Knobcon - September 8-10 in Chicago
Kyaa had a stall there and reportedly had a lot of fun showing off the AE Modular system, SAMPLYR, Quickswap (including the new powdercoat finish, and the suitcase hinge), Euclid Grid in Eurorack-format and a specially made Euclid Grid in a Tin-Can!

​UPCOMING Synthfest UK - October 7th in Sheffield
If you are nearby, you should definitely go to this year's Synthfest UK and visit John from Wonkystuff who will be eager to show you the new MIDI modules!

More info: https://www.synthfest.co.uk/ ​