Can we talk about modular synths?

Deltaphoenix · Post by **Deltaphoenix** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 4:30 pm

That Everything Ends Here Vid with Don Buchla and Alessandro Cortini is Fucking GREAT.

Muse FTW · Post by **Muse FTW** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:19 pm

I've been watching so many of these videos my Modular GAS has been increasing exponentially.

MrNovember · Post by **MrNovember** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 12:20 pm

Deltaphoenix wrote:That Everything Ends Here Vid with Don Buchla and Alessandro Cortini is Fucking GREAT.

Shit was that ever awesome!
Fucking gas attack now. I want that whole set up

Edit:
This is definitely the noise I want to make with modulars.
I'm not even close to having the money or time for them but still.
This.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ155KLFoQM[/youtube]

smallsnd/bigsnd · Post by **smallsnd/bigsnd** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:03 pm

nice performance. :joy:

also totally rad - richard devine just sitting on the floor behind alessandro.

12XU2A3X3 · Post by **12XU2A3X3** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:28 pm

looks like jason butcher in the background too

kbit · Post by **kbit** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 1:51 pm

That was awesome, but I kept wanting him to hit that god damn C.
THAT LINEAR BUILD WOULD HAVE SOUNDED SO TRIUMPHANT.

modernage · Post by **modernage** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:25 pm

Alessandro is my boy. I'd say he's one of the main influences that got me into synths.
Here's another little diddy that makes my heart and my pants happy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyxvcOP2-ho[/youtube]

sp3k · Post by **sp3k** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:41 pm

I'm thinking of getting into this sort of thing, but I want to go the diy route, because I'm way to broke. Any tips? where should I buy pcbs and what should I build first? Is there any site/forum you guys can recommend me more focused on the diy aspect of modules/eurorack?

Deltaphoenix · Post by **Deltaphoenix** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:47 pm

CGS has a lot PCBS, 4MS has some, there are more.

Muffwiggler has a pretty awesome DIY forum

kbit · Post by **kbit** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 5:36 pm

modernage wrote:Alessandro is my boy. I'd say he's one of the main influences that got me into synths.
Here's another little diddy that makes my heart and my pants happy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyxvcOP2-ho[/youtube]

Incredible.

Muse FTW · Post by **Muse FTW** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:24 am

I've started compiling a shortlist of modules I want on my rack, but sadly it's not short at all.

So far...

Some sequencer - possibly the Pittsburgh Modular 8-step but I'm really open to anything at this point

An oscillator - Mutable Instruments Braids intrigues me the most, edges is a close second

A filter - Mutable Instruments Ripples is a sure thing for me at this point

A shit ton of drum modules - TipTop Audio makes a ton of individual modules, though I may shy away from these because I'd need to buy at least 3 separate modules just for a basic drum sequence

A dedicated drum sequencer - only if I get some drum modules obviously, but I like the Mutable Instruments Grids because of it's "fills" when you turn the knobs

Probably some sort of LFO for modulations

A delay - Pittsburgh Modular analog delay seems tasty

A mixer - so I can hear everything

A case - which I'm extremely lost on because most of them are way too big and I need that extra 5V voltage supply for the Mutable gear

Still not sold on whether to go for straight up dedicated drum modules or just get some other oscillators/noise generators and make the bleeps bloops myself but I don't know if my budget can handle anything like that. As a matter of fact, I don't know if my budget can handle any of this shit because I've been delaying adding up the prices for all these modules even though I have a very high ballpark...

Deltaphoenix · Post by **Deltaphoenix** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:45 am

The Braids seems awesome. Before I switched formats, I was sure that I was going to get one.
Some stuff is missing though from your list:
VCA- you gotta have them
Envelope Generator- One for filter, one for a VCA
Multiple- or Stackable patch cords

I also think that I would hold off the individual drum modules and drum sequencer until I was happy with my ability to use the synth, A modular synth takes some time with it to get results that you like, also buying everything at once may keep you from exploring each module and getting to know it well. IF Drums are crucial to you for starting then I suggest you check out this site (http://delptronics.com), a few modules of interest for you (Trigger Man, LDB1-e and expander) that are cheaper to start out with than all of those TipTop modules and take up less space.

Cases…Like it or not, these modulars tend to grow faster than we think. I think at least a 6U case is the way to go. Cases and power, for the most part, are not cheap. A Cheaper way to go is to get a Bento Box and a Happy ending kit (with uZeus for power) or two. You could just buy one Happy Ending Kit and buy the second when you fill the first.

The good thing about the Braids is that it really has a lot of different sounds inside of it and would be great to use to build a smaller system around. Not sure that the Pittsburgh sequencer is what I would want to use, Pittsburgh stuff is good for sure, but the sequencer seems a little bland, priced nicely but bland. I would suggest waiting on the delay (you have delay pedals right?, use it instead) and adding that money to the sequencer fund. For $360, i would get the Critter and Guitari Melody Mill (http://www.critterandguitari.com/products/melody-mill), it does SO MUCH for that amount of money, midi to cv convertor, arpeggiator, sequencer, has cute keys on it. So here is what I would do if was in your shoes:
Bento and HEK
Braids, Melody Mill, Ripples, Pittsburgh LFO2, Pittsburgh ADSR, Doepfer A-131 (VCA), some sort of multiple (buffered, they are cheap), the Delptronics modules, and a Pittsburgh Mixer.
That would get you going. Of course, eventually you would want to change out some of the modules, it is how it goes. I tried to keep the prices down except for the Melody Mill, Braids and Ripples. I would want those to be the center of my set-up and the rest support them, so Pittsburgh and Doepfer, they are workhorses, the Doepfer VCA is a dual one. I have heard good stuff about the Delptronics but it obviously isn't as amazing as the TipTop (or Jomox) drum modules. Side note- the Melody mill has a square wave oscillator inside it so you could patch it right into the VCA or Filter and have Duophonic possibilities immediately.

12XU2A3X3 · Post by **12XU2A3X3** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:19 am

build your own case, save dat cash, believe in braids

Deltaphoenix · Post by **Deltaphoenix** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:28 am

12XU2A3X3 wrote:build your own case, save dat cash, believe in braids

So true.

MrNovember · Post by **MrNovember** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:04 pm

So this thread is awesome because I have a much better understanding of what I want from modular synths.
But this thread also really sucks because I have a much better understanding of what I want from modular synths.
Why must all my hobbies be so expensive?

Thanks to all of the suggestions above, I want to start with these: Tiptop HEK, Braids, Ripple, Maths, Doepfer A131, Pittsburgh Audio LFO2 and Sequencer
And eventually get more: Melody Mill, Make Noise Echophon, Pressure Points x2, and Brains, WMD Geiger Counter

I don't have the money for this, but at least I have a plan I guess.

ilovefuzz.com

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