I ended up going with MAFD 2hp eurorack version since I’ll be using an external sequencer (DigiTakt). The decision between the two, for me, came down to whether I will externally sequence DFAM with MIDI or if I want the extra features that D-Thing does (eg built-in sequencer and ability to sequence from CV).
Agreed! Ken offers great support, my DFAM thing from the 1st batch developed a fault…he happily replaced it. The firmware has received some fantastic updates too.
Amazing stuff. A friend & I built a crude version of the MAFD in VCV Rack using delay modules but this is super elegant! May have to look into this one. Man, I can’t believe you’re nearly at 10k subs. I remember congratulating you on 1k… Nice one dude!
This is witchcraft. How on earth does it do all this just from the Adv/Clock in? I can only assume specific voltages equate to the individual steps but it definitely opens up a whole new approach to the DFAM. Remarkable. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
It looks like it does very quick steps to advance the sequencer to the desired step. If I watch closely during the reversed sequence part of the video at 5-6 min you can see all LEDs flickering, as if it goes forward very quickly instead of backwards. I suspect that if you zoom in on the waveform of a very sharp attack sequence going backwards, the attack might be different because of the tiny steps before. This could affect timing of the step, depending on programming. If the engineers thought of this, they send the "ghost steps" before the actual step's timing so the real step triggers on the dot.
That was my thought too. I tried to identify it but couldn't quite see it. Regardless, the timing seemed spot on and considering you can adjust microtiming, I'm guessing the offset to make it perfect was accounted for. Seems pretty well designed!
@@braintree56 it is 100% microprocessor controlled super fast ticks to reach the appropriate steps. Confirmed by Ken himself. It’s CRAZY how accurate it is even with the tempo set into audio rates.
I don't have any of these other features, but I use an Ableton Link device to clock my DFAM. It always stops at the end of a bar, leaving the DFAM on the 8th step. That has been a tremendous usability game changer for me. It's great to have my audio aligned to the Ableton grid. This device/module looks way better for using the DFAM as a eurorack module first.
Oh yeah, that's what originally brought me to this. It was just such a PITA to constantly realign everything. The other features are just bonus. The CV mode and midi control are what ultimately sold me.
It has been solid for me for a couple years. I have it mounted on the side of the DFAM case, the size is great. Quirks are that it’s either channel 8 or 16, and the other conversion outputs are only midi velocity and pressure, sometimes i wish I could send a couple ccs instead. I like send DFAM Arps and matriceal sequences from my oxi one. What were the conflicting reports?
Do you have an 0-ctrl or another 8 step cv sequencer? It seems it would be easy to patch the dfam in parallel with one with the step trigger and have cv control over even more variables of the dfam on each step. I think you would want to skip the reset trigger so it functions exaclty the same as the dfam stepping
I have some other stuff. The SQ-64 has three separate channels of CV outs all with a Pitch and Mod amount. So I could - in addition to the CV controlling the steps - I could modulate 5 other inputs!
This definitely opens up the DFAM, however I'm curious on the Midi/CV voicing. It seems that you're locked into just a one octave C scale? I see you used the C scale as a default that pops up and on their website it shows only a C scale as well. Is this an actual limitation of the machine? Can you do more notes via midi?
That mode was to play the sequencer steps not actual notes. The midi/CV just aligns step 1-C, Step 2-B, etc. note the actual notes.... Yes, it's a limitation of the DFAM. You can control the pitch of the Oscillators through CV though, but you'd have to patch it in.
@Braintree56 If you’re syncing other modules with the d-thing, will the sequence modifications / modes set for the DFAM affect the other synced modules? Great video. Thanks!
I think the cycle trigger is the only thing that would change and it would give a trigger at the end of every cycle. So like the bounce/pendulum would obviously be longer. Beyond that, it should change because it's just a clock output and run/stop.
I looked at it when I was trying to decide between these two. It seemed to me that the sonic last was more focused on midi and this one seemed to integrate CV control better. But I haven't tried the other one.
Ken Wesson is a one man concern building them at home. His communication and service are second to none. keeping you informed at every step of the way. I bought mine on hearing about them last month. When I told him about the forthcoming video, he responded that maybe he would have some orders coming now. I suspect he will be busy!
@braintree56 , first thanks for your content. You do a wonderful job. Next, I track to create songs so my needs are a bit different than yours and I keep all my things in the cases they were shipped with so hanging the MAFD off the side of my DFAM was a real plus. With MAFD midi step control I can use any step in any order. So, any time signature and I can change the order to create the reset you speak of. The DFAM has got a great vibe for making bass drum and snare just by opening the filter more as you demonstrated so sometimes I just use 2 steps in a song that are BD and Sn sounds for me in one pass and then come back again with HH programming the DFAM differently and the MAFD makes it a piece of cake.
I paid $250+shipping. Stand alone was 175. He said that he had some of the older ones still available for 150 (not sure of the features on that one) but it would be the final run.
Awesome! Glad you're here. I have a lot of stuff on the DFAM that might get you interested again. Check out this one! ruclips.net/video/8v54ax4dEGA/видео.html
I know. The reset is mind boggling. It's such a pain to have to scroll through the steps every time. I like the DFAM Thing - but it's basically a fix to problems that should have been addressed from the start. Since I've put my DFAM in my rack - I find I use the sequencer less and less. I've been just triggering it from an external source. Perhaps this will change things.... Maybe...
Nice, but what’s the price of this thing? Anyway, Moog really screwed up here. Separate VCO outputs are useless and “VCO2” should have been a “Reset” input. That would have made the difference, let alone a MIDI jack to play any of the 8 steps based on the input note. This would have made the DFAM an actual musical instrument rather than a toy.
Nice to see a proper overview of this. Been on the fence between this and the MAFD. Nice to see it in action!
Thanks. I didn't see anything on the MAFD out there. I was looking into both as well and landed with this one.
@ same. I’m surprised how little there is out there about either device, both of which greatly expand on the DFAMs usability.
I ended up going with MAFD 2hp eurorack version since I’ll be using an external sequencer (DigiTakt).
The decision between the two, for me, came down to whether I will externally sequence DFAM with MIDI or if I want the extra features that D-Thing does (eg built-in sequencer and ability to sequence from CV).
Ken is a super nice guy and yeah this makes the dfam so much more fun!
Agreed! Ken offers great support, my DFAM thing from the 1st batch developed a fault…he happily replaced it. The firmware has received some fantastic updates too.
He's got a cool DIY synth website too. I've read through it, but need to take a deeper dive. thewessens.net/synthbook/index.html
My Keystep Pro tames my DFAM in every way! Always great to have alternatives.
Keystep Pro is pretty awesome.
how so? got any links? I don´t own a keystep, so i am clueless. thanks.
forget it. found out .
Does the keystep pro do micro-timing?
Amazing stuff. A friend & I built a crude version of the MAFD in VCV Rack using delay modules but this is super elegant! May have to look into this one. Man, I can’t believe you’re nearly at 10k subs. I remember congratulating you on 1k… Nice one dude!
Ha! Yeah I remember that too. It blows my mind! :)
I got one of these years ago when he first started putting them together, brilliant and the main reason I never sold the DFAM.
This is witchcraft. How on earth does it do all this just from the Adv/Clock in? I can only assume specific voltages equate to the individual steps but it definitely opens up a whole new approach to the DFAM. Remarkable. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
It looks like it does very quick steps to advance the sequencer to the desired step. If I watch closely during the reversed sequence part of the video at 5-6 min you can see all LEDs flickering, as if it goes forward very quickly instead of backwards. I suspect that if you zoom in on the waveform of a very sharp attack sequence going backwards, the attack might be different because of the tiny steps before. This could affect timing of the step, depending on programming. If the engineers thought of this, they send the "ghost steps" before the actual step's timing so the real step triggers on the dot.
That was my thought too. I tried to identify it but couldn't quite see it. Regardless, the timing seemed spot on and considering you can adjust microtiming, I'm guessing the offset to make it perfect was accounted for. Seems pretty well designed!
@@braintree56 it is 100% microprocessor controlled super fast ticks to reach the appropriate steps. Confirmed by Ken himself. It’s CRAZY how accurate it is even with the tempo set into audio rates.
so is the adv/clk input expecting a dc and ac signal then or is this just a dc ramp or staircase?
@ should just be a momentary gate signal. It’s documented in the DFAM manual.
Love your dfam work! This is amazing...
Thanks! Hope you like it.
I ordered one. Thank you 😊
Glad you liked it.
Oh, hell yes! Sold to me. I'm in Australia. So should be easy to pick-up
Awesome!
Ken is such a great guy. You can thank me(and Ken for listening) for the alternate red UI.
Ha! I haven't tried out the different UIs! I'll check it out. :)
I don't have any of these other features, but I use an Ableton Link device to clock my DFAM. It always stops at the end of a bar, leaving the DFAM on the 8th step. That has been a tremendous usability game changer for me. It's great to have my audio aligned to the Ableton grid.
This device/module looks way better for using the DFAM as a eurorack module first.
Oh yeah, that's what originally brought me to this. It was just such a PITA to constantly realign everything. The other features are just bonus. The CV mode and midi control are what ultimately sold me.
Oh cool I didn’t realize there was this one out there I’ve got the MAFD, I love sequencing DFAM with Midi
What do you think about the MAFD? I've heard conflicting reports.
It has been solid for me for a couple years. I have it mounted on the side of the DFAM case, the size is great. Quirks are that it’s either channel 8 or 16, and the other conversion outputs are only midi velocity and pressure, sometimes i wish I could send a couple ccs instead. I like send DFAM Arps and matriceal sequences from my oxi one. What were the conflicting reports?
I've had the standalone for a few years and absolutely love it!!
Such a useful tool!
Amazing. It’s almost a new instrument. Mine should be arriving next week! 🎉
dude! thanks for this video.. I need to check this out!
Do you have an 0-ctrl or another 8 step cv sequencer? It seems it would be easy to patch the dfam in parallel with one with the step trigger and have cv control over even more variables of the dfam on each step. I think you would want to skip the reset trigger so it functions exaclty the same as the dfam stepping
I have some other stuff. The SQ-64 has three separate channels of CV outs all with a Pitch and Mod amount. So I could - in addition to the CV controlling the steps - I could modulate 5 other inputs!
This definitely opens up the DFAM, however I'm curious on the Midi/CV voicing. It seems that you're locked into just a one octave C scale? I see you used the C scale as a default that pops up and on their website it shows only a C scale as well. Is this an actual limitation of the machine? Can you do more notes via midi?
That mode was to play the sequencer steps not actual notes. The midi/CV just aligns step 1-C, Step 2-B, etc. note the actual notes....
Yes, it's a limitation of the DFAM. You can control the pitch of the Oscillators through CV though, but you'd have to patch it in.
Niiiiiice! 😁🙏👊
Thanks for watching! :)
@Braintree56
If you’re syncing other modules with the d-thing, will the sequence modifications / modes set for the DFAM affect the other synced modules?
Great video. Thanks!
I think the cycle trigger is the only thing that would change and it would give a trigger at the end of every cycle. So like the bounce/pendulum would obviously be longer. Beyond that, it should change because it's just a clock output and run/stop.
Their website doesn't say anything about the price. Does anyone know? Thanks!
I paid $250 + shipping.
And the original standalone DFAM Thing is $175. Lose out on cv control but gain some neat performance playability features if that suits you better.
@@leftcoastline too bad the standalone has fewer CV outs…
how much does this module cost?
I paid $250. There's also a stand alone one for cheaper. 175 I think.
have you tried the sonoclast
mfd ? does have the same functions/more than?
I looked at it when I was trying to decide between these two. It seemed to me that the sonic last was more focused on midi and this one seemed to integrate CV control better. But I haven't tried the other one.
i’ve been using the labyrinth to sequence the dfam 👍🏽
Nice. Are you using something like this? Or are you sending it to the pitch?
we also have PlayDFAM for daw users
I'll have to check that out! Thanks for sharing.
That is crazy.
If they're trying to sell it they should include a way to buy it on their website.
Ken Wesson is a one man concern building them at home. His communication and service are second to none. keeping you informed at every step of the way. I bought mine on hearing about them last month. When I told him about the forthcoming video, he responded that maybe he would have some orders coming now. I suspect he will be busy!
Yeah - I've had pretty good interactions with him. Seems like the response to this module was more than he expected! Which is awesome. :)
Unit is awesome. Have had one for two months. Amazing... Check out his M-thing if you can. Another gem...
I might do that!
I might buy both and actually have to get a tiny eurorack case for accessory modules. Maybe the 60hp moog and a uzeus.
"I'm kinda over that". Same.
Hopefully they add a swanky mode.
Definitely needs a Swanky mode!!!
Been using MAFD from the start.
How do you think it compares to the DFAM Thing? Didn't seem as full featured to me. I was debating both of those.
@braintree56 , first thanks for your content. You do a wonderful job. Next, I track to create songs so my needs are a bit different than yours and I keep all my things in the cases they were shipped with so hanging the MAFD off the side of my DFAM was a real plus. With MAFD midi step control I can use any step in any order. So, any time signature and I can change the order to create the reset you speak of.
The DFAM has got a great vibe for making bass drum and snare just by opening the filter more as you demonstrated so sometimes I just use 2 steps in a song that are BD and Sn sounds for me in one pass and then come back again with HH programming the DFAM differently and the MAFD makes it a piece of cake.
id like to know price before i waste dudes time w an email.. can ya give us a round about?
I paid $250+shipping. Stand alone was 175. He said that he had some of the older ones still available for 150 (not sure of the features on that one) but it would be the final run.
This video wasn't sponsored. I paid for it out of my own money. :)
@@braintree56for sure.. thank u, definitely want to snag one tho
Subbed. Look forward to your channel content. DFAM has me bored at moment….
Awesome! Glad you're here. I have a lot of stuff on the DFAM that might get you interested again. Check out this one! ruclips.net/video/8v54ax4dEGA/видео.html
Wow. Dthing just saved moog
lol, sure.
What the hell where thinking with no reset and step length.
I know. The reset is mind boggling. It's such a pain to have to scroll through the steps every time. I like the DFAM Thing - but it's basically a fix to problems that should have been addressed from the start. Since I've put my DFAM in my rack - I find I use the sequencer less and less. I've been just triggering it from an external source. Perhaps this will change things.... Maybe...
Nice, but what’s the price of this thing?
Anyway, Moog really screwed up here. Separate VCO outputs are useless and “VCO2” should have been a “Reset” input. That would have made the difference, let alone a MIDI jack to play any of the 8 steps based on the input note. This would have made the DFAM an actual musical instrument rather than a toy.
I wish it had been included too. I paid $250 for mine. Standalone unit is $175.
ResetClk - sequencing helper for DFAM in Phaserville Suite für Ornament & Crime ;DDDD
Interesting! I have do idea o_c had this. Thanks for the tip.
OR, hear me out, for the price of the MFAD you could just get a Behringer Edge, and for the price of the DFAM you could get another 3 Behringer Edges
04:00 justified in this feature alone.
I know. The single most annoying thing about the DFAM is having to scroll through the steps every time you want to reset the sequencer....
DFAM 🔈🔉🔊🔊🔊🚀👾👾👾moogy , but in Kombination with Korg Volca Drum and Nts1 , all Gears You need , crazy Times for SoundDesign , lets Oszillator 🎉🌀🎛️
Yeah - there's so much out there.