I want to get into the modular world. Lil' help?

[chaseblissaudio]

Hey dudes,

I realize there are probably a lot of threads like this, but I'm looking for something kind of specific.

Basically, I'm interested in getting into the modular game, a bit. I don't want to spend a ton of money (right now) as I'm just looking for some fun CV out stuff to use with my pedals. Maybe just something like a random CV generator out for starters. I think it'd be fun to use something like that with my pedals.

I'm having some custom cables made up 1/8" to 1/4" to make interfacing with the CV input on my pedals easier.

Any suggestions for ways I might get started without breaking the bank?

[Inconuucl]

Mother 32? Depends, do you want a working system or just modular stuff as a proof of concept? For a full system the mother is your best bet. Or go hunting for used doepfer modules.

[chaseblissaudio]

Mother 32? Depends, do you want a working system or just modular stuff as a proof of concept? For a full system the mother is your best bet. Or go hunting for used doepfer modules.

Hmm... I don't think I want a full system.

I'm just starting to really learn, but I think I just want a case and a fun module or three... to interface with my pedals.

I'm just looking at something relatively simple like this.... http://pittsburghmodular.com/detect/

It'd give my pedals dynamic control over *any* parameter (via my dip switches). Fun as all heck, I'd imagine.

It seems there are a lot of manufacturers that make the cases (for the modules to go in)... are those all pretty much the same, functionality wise? I understand they are different aesthetically.

[chaseblissaudio]

You know, just looking at some of the other rad Pittsburgh Modular stuff. I might just try and get a blank "patch box" - looks like there are $349... and a few of their modules (like the detect) to play with. That should be a hoot.

[Inconuucl]

Look into the make noise empty case then. It's cheaper for a good quality case.

[chaseblissaudio]

Look into the make noise empty case then. It's cheaper for a good quality case.

oh perfect! thx for the tip!

[oscillateur]

What's your budget approximately ?
And are you just looking for control stuff or will you want to generate/process audio too ?

Anyway, a small skiff/case of 80-100HP is probably a good idea, something like the new Makenoise one mentioned previously or maybe the soon-announced new Intellijel ones. Both of these are probably better than the Pittsburgh Cell90 (I have one of these, they can be nice but the MN/Intellijel seem better). That way you can buy a few modules to do what you want now and have enough space to expand a bit.

If you're sure you just want a small system mostly to generate CVs, something like a PulpLogic Lunchbox case could be a good idea too (portable case for 54HP of modules)...
http://pulplogic.com/product/lunchbox-traveler-basic/

For the CV generators, are you looking for things with lots of hands-on controls, lots of different channels, anything else specific ?
There are a number of really nice options now, some more info would be useful to know what would suit you best .

The Pittsburgh module you mentioned is quite new so I don't know much about it but it seems to be a simple envelope follower, with separate rise and fall controls, which can be nice. If you want to use it with a guitar for example though you'll also need something to amplify your signal to modular level. In that case your best bet would probably be either the Sputnik Modular Preamp/EF or the classic Doepfer A119. Both of these modules have a preamp and an envelope follower.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/sputnik-modular-preamp-ef
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-119

[MrNovember]

I would hold out for the upcoming Intellijel cases if you can wait that long. They're expected to be released at NAMM I think. But they look pretty great and the 1U tiles will be pretty nice to have

Modules I'd recommend that I think fit what you're looking for (interesting CV stuff):
Make Noise Maths - definitely overhyped, but incredibly useful modulator and utility module. I would never give mine up.
Intellijel Planar - don't own one yet, but looks crazy useful
Expert Sleepers Disting - so many useful modes. Another essential module in my rack that I'll never give up
Xaoc Batumi - amazing quad LFO. Again, don't own one yet
Make Noise Pressure Points - amazing for controlling things
Anything Doepfer really, surprisingly cheap and great quality

[oscillateur]

And one other thing : if you're not in a hurry, post here before buying stuff. We can try to make sure that what you buy does what you really want (which might be a bit different from what you think you want, modulars can be tricky )...

[12XU2A3X3]

get doepfer. whimsical raps is pretty good for the price too, if not a little more cash.

[Ev_O)))]

Basically, I'm interested in getting into the modular game, a bit. I don't want to spend a ton of money (right now) as I'm just looking for some fun CV out stuff to use with my pedals. Maybe just something like a random CV generator out for starters.

For the random at a avriety of price points:

http://www.doepfer.de/A1491.htm
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/steady-st ... dom-analog
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/make-nois ... lebug-2014

Also tha aforementioned Maths is pretty awesome. You could also feed them some kind of clocked signal to reduce the randomness here and there.

[dub]

The moog freq box follows your envelope, and can output that as CV. It also uses it to modulate an internal oscillator. (it doesn't track your pitch, but it'd give you signals to work with). Could be an easier step than starting to work up a rack.

Only if you find one cheap though, which can happen quite often as they're pretty bewildering to most guitarists.

[Warpsmasher]

Wogglebug is so sensitive to even the slightest touch of the knobs. It has a reputation for being extremely lifelike, organic, and alive, that it absolutely lives up to. Something about the way it randomizes, like it breathes and jumps and flies around, still pretty tough for me to describe. Puts out 3 audio signals, 3 corresponding CV signals, random gate bursts, and clock, so it's capable of some serious multi-tasking, and can run complex patches all by itself if need be, and is even better as a more complimentary 'band member' type of module. The CVs all have different waveshapes and are adjustable, nice for quickly patching back and forth between. They can also be used as additional sounds if you plug them into an oscillating filter or a feedback loop. The Woggle out, especially, is a very funky and stylized kind of voltage signal, which is a big part of the module's appeal. Used as a modulation, it gives the circuit's lifelike qualities to whatever module you connect it to. It's these unique, oddball, particular, specific signals that really make it stand out from the rest.

[Invisible Man]

Wogglebug is so sensitive to even the slightest touch of the knobs. It has a reputation for being extremely lifelike, organic, and alive, that it absolutely lives up to. Something about the way it randomizes, like it breathes and jumps and flies around, still pretty tough for me to describe. Puts out 3 audio signals, 3 corresponding CV signals, random gate bursts, and clock, so it's capable of some serious multi-tasking, and can run complex patches all by itself if need be, and is even better as a more complimentary 'band member' type of module. The CVs all have different waveshapes and are adjustable, nice for quickly patching back and forth between. They can also be used as additional sounds if you plug them into an oscillating filter or a feedback loop. The Woggle out, especially, is a very funky and stylized kind of voltage signal, which is a big part of the module's appeal. Used as a modulation, it gives the circuit's lifelike qualities to whatever module you connect it to. It's these unique, oddball, particular, specific signals that really make it stand out from the rest.

Came here to post this. Also, not sure this is what you're after, but Make Noise's newly released System Concrete could be really interesting for this purpose.

http://www.makenoisemusic.com/systemconcrete.shtml

[oscillateur]

Not sure about the System Concrete, the main things in there are the Echophone and Phonogene, which are not really what chaseblissaudio said he was looking for. Same for the MMG.

Though the skiff (case) itself and the Maths/Wogglebug could be a good fit, individually.