Roland GAIA has no mod matrix....best way to work around it?

[kosmasepsilon]

don't own the synth, just found a picture on the net... does it really say 'bit crash' instead of 'bit crush'???
can't help you on the matter you ask tho, maybe you can only assign the lfo to amp/filter/pitch?

[soundxplorer]

In before the smartass below says "buy a different synth".

Anyway, you have limited options and the only "workaround" would be to look up the MIDI implementation chart in the manual and find out which MIDI CC# corresponds to the parameter you want to modulate. Then you can send MIDI data from a sequencer or another synth to modulate that parameter. It won't be nearly the same as having dedicated modulation within the synth - MIDI data can't be sent that fast comparatively. Truth is you're pretty much stuck with whatever the GAIA gives you (envelope and LFO to send to Filter Cutoff).

[StephenWiley]

Damn. That's too bad because I've created some really nice patches with this thing, but not being able to use just basic modulation routing is going to be a pain. Guess I'll have to look up the MIDI CC#'s and control what I want to modulate with my novation 49 midi controller.

I love my GAIA, and I know Roland wanted to make it a very hands on synth and avoid menu/button diving as much as possible. Unfortunately a mod matrix wasn't included because of this. Regardless, still like the synth. I have been able to create some GREAT patches with the multiple variations of the sine, saw, and supersaw waveforms. Have made some awesome arps, pads, and leads.

[StephenWiley]

Originally Posted by kosmasepsilon

does it really say 'bit crash' instead of 'bit crush'???

Yes, it does. The distortion FX on the synth is very good tho. The reverb is solid as well. Don't care for the delay at all which sucks because I always put my delays before my reverbs so I can't use the synths reverb. It's not really a big deal though as I use the EMT Plate 140 on 99.9% of my work

[WDM]

Originally Posted by StephenWiley

I use Ableton Live 8. The GAIA has no modulation matrix, and I am wanting to modulate some things (the usual stuff, filter cut off etc) - Was wondering what the best work around or approach to this would be. Any ideas/suggestions?

Why you just can't record an audio clip from GAIA in Ableton and modulate that audio later with Ableton Effects and automation? If you think it's limited - look what DJs are doing in Ableton with the whole tracks.

Another approach would be to use just GAIA knobs at a time of audio clip recording. You can always set a loop with length appropriate to required control movements and just move those knobs, sliders
Make several takes, until you're completely happy.

That's pretty much what guys with very expensive old analog synths are doing. Those didn't have midi at all.

Don't forget that you could always use internal LFO for filter sweep, etc.

[Yoozer]

Mod matrices are for synthesizers that allow you to route anything to anything. The Gaia is hardwired - e.g. it's already determined where what kind of modulation goes to, and you get to say the amount, perhaps the polarity, and that's it.

Otherwise, yes, use automation.

LFO, envelope, it doesn't matter. It's a little robot that moves the sliders for you and can do so at an inhuman tempo. In the case of an envelope, every time you hit the key and always ONLY up or ONLY down - in the case of an LFO, it doesn't care if you hit the key and moves up and down around a common center.

It does not matter if you draw this in Live or let the LFO handle it - the effect can be completely the same. Though in-synth modulation is usually at a higher resolution than incoming MIDI control signals. USB may be faster, though.

[Dave Peck]

Just be aware that there is another limitation when using Midi automation instead of internal modulation - midi cc modulation will apply the exact same modulation to all voices simultaneously, whereas internal modulation typically allows independant modulation of each voice. So for examples if you want all voices to sweep up & down in sync, from one LFO, or if you want all voices to have the same modulation from a Sample/Hold type of signal, midi cc will work. But if you want each voice in a chord to be modulated by it's own LFO or S/H, so that each voice is 'moving' separately from the others, you must use modulation sources that are built into the synth within each voice.

[Hypnocil]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

Just be aware that there is another limitation when using Midi automation instead of internal modulation - midi cc modulation will apply the exact same modulation to all voices simultaneously, whereas internal modulation typically allows independant modulation of each voice. So for examples if you want all voices to sweep up & down in sync, from one LFO, or if you want all voices to have the same modulation from a Sample/Hold type of signal, midi cc will work. But if you want each voice in a chord to be modulated by it's own LFO or S/H, so that each voice is 'moving' separately from the others, you must use modulation sources that are built into the synth within each voice.

A workaround (if the synth is multitimbral) is to use separate midi channels for each voice in the chord. Then the midi cc modulation for that channel will only affect that voice.