Expert Sleepers — ES-9

• Manual PDF

Expert Sleepers ES-9 Firmware v1.3 Manual PDF

Creative Uses for the Expert Sleepers ES-9 in Eurorack

The Expert Sleepers ES-9 is a highly flexible multi-channel audio interface and mixer for Eurorack, connecting your modular system to a DAW or iOS device via USB. Here are some creative strategies and module combos to expand its capabilities, drawing on its deep integration options:

1. Hybrid CV & Audio Recording (“Eurorack Tape Recorder”)

• Setup: Connect modular audio and CV signals to ES-9 inputs. Route to your DAW via USB.
• Use: Record both audio and control voltage (CV) tracks. Later, route the CVs back out for patch recall, generative playback, or post-recorded modulation of modules (e.g., modulating a filter with your previously recorded CV performance).
• Complementary modules:
• Any modulation or sequencer module (e.g., Make Noise Maths, Intellijel Quadrax, Mutable Instruments Stages).
• Audio signal generators (VCOs, drum voices, etc.).

2. Complex Processing Loops (DAW FX Integration or iOS FX Chains)

• Setup: Use the ES-9’s multiple ins and outs as inserts between your modular and a DAW or iOS device (such as an iPad running AUM/AudiaUnit FX).
• Use: Patch signals out from modular, process with VST/iOS effects (convolution, granular, unique reverbs, wild delays), and return them to the rack.
• Complementary modules:
• Classic hardware processors in your rack (e.g., Z-DSP, FX Aid) for parallel blends.
• Matrix mixers (e.g., Doepfer A-138m, Mutable Instruments Frames) to blend processed/unprocessed signals.
• Send/Return modules (e.g., Intellijel Audio Interface II) for additional routing flexibility.

3. Multichannel Modular Performance and Quadraphonic Sound

• Setup: Use ES-9’s many outputs to send up to 8 discrete channels (audio or CV) to speaker arrays or spatialization systems.
• Use: Design quadraphonic (or octaphonic) textures, spatial panning of modular voices, or immersive live setups.
• Recommended modules:
• Eurorack panning/spatialization: 4ms VCA Matrix, Joranalogue Mix 3, Doepfer A-134-1.
• Quad/Hex speakers or surround panning modules/software.

4. CV-to-DAW Automation and MIDI Feedback Loops

• Setup: Use ES-9 inputs for CV-to-DAW translation to automate plugins, record envelopes/LFOs, or create feedback/auto-pilot generative patches controlled by your computer software.
• Use: Write automation from your case and let your DAW control lighting/video/MIDI gear, or route DAW MIDI and automation data back for real-time control of envelopes, LFOs, or sequencers.
• Recommended modules:
• MIDI-to-CV (e.g., Expert Sleepers FH-2, Mutable Instruments Yarns), for bi-directional MIDI integration.
• CV recorders/samplers (e.g., Tiptop Audio Z8000, Mordax Data for visualization).

5. Native Modular Mixer: Use of Internal Mixing and EQ

• Setup: Use the ES-9’s onboard mixer to combine VCOs and drums directly in the case, applying the internal EQ per channel—no extra rack space needed for basic mixing/EQ.
• Use: Set up cue mixes (for live performance monitoring), send submixes to outputs for further processing or crossfading.
• Complementary modules:
• Standalone rack mixers for submixing before the ES-9 (e.g., Befaco Hexmix, WMD Performance Mixer).
• Stereo image enhancers, spatial modules (Mimeophon, Erica Synths Black Stereo Delay).

6. Digital and Optical Expansion

• Setup: Patch digital audio via S/PDIF (TOSlink) to or from modular, for clean multirack or long-cable runs.
• Use: Connect to other S/PDIF-enabled gear (Octatrack, audio interfaces), or to digital Eurorack modules (e.g., Endorphines.es modules with SPDIF, or ADAT-connected expansion like ES-3/ES-6).
• Recommended modules:
• Digital-to-CV/CV-to-digital converters (e.g., ES-3, ES-6 for ADAT I/O with Silent Way/Max/MSP).

7. MIDI Control of Modular Mixer (Performance-Optimized Mixing)

• Setup: Assign a MIDI controller (e.g., fader box or iPad touch controller) to ES-9's internal mixer via MIDI CC.
• Use: Perform live hands-on mixing or fast changes, automate mixing fades, pan, and FX sends without tying up other modular real estate.
• Complementary modules:
• External MIDI controllers (Novation Launch Control XL, Faderfox MX12, iPad running TouchOSC/AUM).
• MIDI utilities in Eurorack, for creative feedback routing (ALM Busy Circuits Pamela’s New Workout with MIDI expander).

8. Feedback Experiments & No-input Mixing

• Setup: Take advantage of ES-9’s internal mixer routing and summing buses to create controlled feedback loops (audio or CV) for chaotic/noise-based synthesis or Karplus-Strong physical modeling.
• Use: Patch outputs back into inputs, use DAW automation or MIDI CC to control feedback amount/routing in real-time for dynamic self-oscillating networks.
• Complementary modules:
• Signal routers (Intellijel Planar 2, Doepfer A-182-2), VCAs to modulate feedback paths under CV or DAW control.
• Distortion/waveshaper modules to mangle the feedback path (Doepfer A-137, Erica Synths Fusion VCF).

9. Expand Polyphonic CV/Gate/Audio Control

• Setup: Use ES-9’s multiple ins/outs to patch polyphonic modular voices into DAW for multitrack recording, or to receive multiple CV/gate tracks from DAW for polyphonic control.
• Use: Create lush chords or layered sequences with software sequencers controlling analog oscillators via the ES-9.
• Recommended modules:
• Polyphonic oscillators (Verbos Harmonic Oscillator, Mutable Instruments Plaits in multi output mode).
• Poly-to-unity mixer modules for summing voices before FX.

10. Eurorack as Outboard Processor

• Setup: Route DAW signals into ES-9, through analog modules (filters, VCAs, distortion, compressors), then back to DAW.
• Use: Use your favorite modular processors on guitar, vocals, or software instruments. Automate parameter sweeps using the ES-9 and DAW MIDI CC.
• Complementary modules:
• Character filters (Rossum Morpheus, Mutable Ripples, Bastl Cinnamon).
• Compressors (WMD MSCL, SSF Autodyne), analog distortion (Mutable Warps, AJH Wave Swarm).
• VCAs for automated gain riding (ALM Tangle Quartet, Intellijel Quad VCA).

The ES-9 unlocks your modular for rich hybrid workflows, complex multicore I/O, live performance flexibility, and seamless digital/analog blending. Its onboard mixer, MIDI CC, and digital options make it the flagship heart of a modern modular/DAW/iOS-driven studio.

Generated With Eurorack Processor