Electronic music producer and sound designer Richard Devine discusses integrating the Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV into his modular synthesizer setup.
In this video created by our US partners Synthax Inc, electronic music producer, composer and sound designer Richard Devine demonstrates how the Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV provides control voltages to his modular synthesisers using his DAW and an RME Fireface 802.
Announced late in 2020, the Pulse 16 CV adds DC-coupled outputs to the already impressive I/O options available on Ferrofish’s 1U, 16-channel AD/DA Converter series. With its 16 balanced inputs and outputs, the Pulse 16 is the perfect expansion for musicians, composers and producers working with a large number of analogue synthesizers and drum machines.
In the video, Richard takes us through using Ableton Live 11’s CV Tools for sending an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) to the CV pitch of his modular synthesizer.
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Ferrofish Pulse 16 Series – High-Quality, Affordable AD/DA Conversion
The standard Ferrofish Pulse 16 series has proved a popular choice for producers, musicians and engineers looking for high-quality, high-channel count AD/DA converters at an affordable price point. This is something that immediately caught Richard’s attention, given the amount of gear that he uses.
“I have a ton of drum machines and analogue synthesizers,” Richard says. “So I mainly use my RME UFX+ and 802 interfaces for tracking and recording, but I needed to find a way to get more physical inputs and outputs to my interfaces.”
The 16 balanced line-level inputs and 16 balanced line-level outputs offer a flexible solution for producers like Richard, working with large number of keyboards, drum machines and synthesisers.
ADAT I/O makes it simple to connect the Pulse 16 to any existing setup, whilst the four ADAT inputs and four ADAT outputs mean it is possible to send and receive all 16 input and output channels of the Pulse 16 at 96kHz sample rate via S/MUX.
ADAT, MADI and Dante
As well as the base Pulse 16, the 16-channel converter is also available in MADI and Dante-capable units, perfect for integrating into MADI and Dante systems.
The Pulse 16 MX builds on the impressive input and output options of the Pulse 16, by adding MADI connectivity via an SFP module. This additional I/O makes the Pulse 16 MX a great choice for high channel count applications. Thanks to delay compensation, it is also possible to daisy-chain up to four units for a full 64-channel MADI stream. 192 kHz recording of all 16 channels is also possible via S/MUX. Users of the Pulse 16 can upgrade their unit to include MADI connectivity with an additional MADI SFP Module and download code.
Finally, the Pulse 16 DX further builds on the I/O of the Pulse 16 MX by adding 64 channels of Audinate’s Dante audio networking format.
To learn more about the Pulse 16 series, watch our overview video.
Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV – 16 x 16 AD/DA Converter with DC-coupled Outputs
Announced in 2020 as an expansion to the Pulse 16 range, the Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV takes the flexible, cost-effective conversion of the Pulse 16 series and adds DC-coupling to the 16 analogue outputs channels.
Modular synthesizers rely on Control Voltage, or CV, to adjust parameters in synthesizer modules. This includes oscillators, filters, envelopes and LFOs. CV is a DC electrical signal, something which is commonly filtered out at the output of devices like audio interfaces, making it difficult to control modular synthesizers and other equipment that relies on CV.
The Pulse 16 CV’s DC-coupled outputs makes it possible to send to Control Voltages from DAW’s such as Bitwig, Ableton Live or Reason, as well as software like Native Instruments’ Reaktor and Cycling 74’s Max/MSP when connected to an audio interface via ADAT.
Alongside the Pulse 16 CV, the CV Series also features DC-coupled versions of the Pulse 16 MX and the Pulse 16 DX. This offers the ability to integrate CV-capable gear into MADI and Dante-equipped setups.
Learn more about Ferrofish’s full range of AD/DA Converters
“It’s just a beautiful piece of gear” – Molten Music Technology Review
The Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV has previously been reviewed by Robin Vincent of Molten Music Technology, a website and YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things modular synthesis. Pairing the Pulse 16 CV with Bitwig Studio, Robin gave viewers a look at the Pulse 16 CV and how it can be used to effect modular and analogue synthesizers.
One of the biggest benefits that Robin found from using the Pulse 16 CV in his setup was the ability to create multi-track recordings, thanks to the converter’s vast number of analogue inputs available. Individual channels from modular and analogue synthesizers can be sent into the Pulse 16 CV and to an audio interface for recording. Alongside this, using the Pulse 16 CV for multi-track recording means that it’s possible to add other effects, like reverb or delay, to your modular compositions.
“Very often when I’m making music on my modular, I just end up with a stereo mix and that’s good enough for putting up with a video,” Robin stated. “But once you start introducing multitrack recording you suddenly realise you can put individual oscillators and individual voices onto individual tracks and then you could actually do a bit of mixing, so you don’t need to do it on the spot.”
Watch the full Molten Music Technology review
RME Fireface 802 – 60 Channel USB/Firewire Audio Interface
A long-time user of RME, Richard Devine’s studio features both the Fireface 802 and the flagship 188-channel Fireface UFX+ audio interfaces. Rack-mounted and ready to slide seamlessly into any professional recording setup, the 802 and UFX+ offer the flexibility, connectivity, and reliability that RME have become known for.
The RME Fireface 802 is a 60-channel USB and Firewire audio interface, developed from the popular Fireface 800 series of interfaces. Equipped with four microphone/instrument preamps, a further eight balanced line level inputs and outputs on the back panel, and a range of digital I/O, the Fireface 802 packs a whole host of I/O into 1U of rack space.
Richard Devine chose the 802 to demonstrate the CV-capabilities of the Ferrofish Pulse 16 CV. With its dual ADAT I/O, the Fireface 802 serves as a great fit for the Pulse 16 CV, allowing the full 16 inputs and 16 outputs to be recorded at 96kHz sample rate.
RME Fireface UFX+ – 188 Channel USB/Thunderbolt Audio Interface
The Fireface UFX+ is RME’s flagship audio interface, bringing 188-channels to any professional audio setup, as well as front panel controls, Direct USB Recording and Thunderbolt connectivity.
The high channel count of the UFX+ is possible thanks to optical MADI I/O, adding 64 channels of MADI in each direction for an incredible 128 channels of digital audio. This makes it possible to pair the UFX+ with other MADI gear, like RME’s range of microphone preamps or Ferrofish’s MADI-ready Pulse 16 MX and their flagship 32-channel AD/DA Converter, the A32pro.
Near-full control of the UFX+ is possible from the front panel’s user interface and TFT display, which also serves as a handy level meter for all 188 channels. Parameters like microphone gains and output levels can be controlled directly from the interface.
The Fireface UFX+ also includes DURec, RME’s Direct USB Recording technology. This makes it possible to record any input or output channels from the UFX+ directly to a USB thumb drive or external hard drive. This makes the UFX+ incredibly useful for performing virtual soundchecks or simply for recording jam sessions. The Fireface UFX+ can even operate in Stand-Alone Mode, making it a fantastic option as a field recorder when paired with DURec.
Interested in learning more about Audio Interfaces? Check out the first in our brand new “Synthax Explains” series, where we answer the question “what is an audio interface?”
See the full range of RME Audio Interfaces
About Richard Devine
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard Devine is an electronic musician, composer, and sound designer, best known for his synthesizer-based experimental sound.
His first release came 27 years ago, before 1997’s self-titled EP and a remix of Aphex Twin’s “Come to Daddy” resulted in a joint release with British independent Electronic label Warp Records. Six releases followed, with his most recent Systik unveiled in 2020.
Alongside his recorded works, Richard has also created sounds for products and devices used throughout the world, including smartphones and electric cards. Richard’s compositions have also been featured in advertisements, with a clients list that includes Sony, Microsoft, Google, Jaguar, BMW, and Nike. He has also contributed additional music to the video games Doom and Cyberpunk 2077.
Working with software giants like Reason Studios and Native Instruments, he has created patches for plug-ins like Absynth, Reaktor and Massive, as well as providing sounds for Moog’s mobile application Animoog.
Richard has amassed a large following online through his various social media accounts. Over 142,000 accounts follow his Instagram page, where he posts short clips of his compositions which are regularly viewed in the thousands.
Follow Richard Devine on Instagram
If you’d like to know more about Ferrofish AD/DA and format converters, give us a call on 01727 821 870 to speak to one of our team or to arrange a demo. You can also contact us.