Can we talk about modular synths?

[aen]

i dunno. i feel like good module design, which is obviously subjective, for me includes attenuation, for cv's and for audio. as for mults, stackable banannas and now 3.5 mms should negate the need for these. i remember as a kid hating my PAiA 4700 because i had to use so many of my precious patch cables in multing stuff up. unity gain mixers are an awesome utility for a system that might be super dense with sound generation and modification more than mixing, a good balance might negate using these too.

I like the stackable idea, but they seem to be insanely expensive. This is SO much cheaper for me. It's just 2 groups of passive multiples, and one attenuator/mult combo.

[MrNovember]

I use my regular amps, nothing special

Awesome, that's what I was planning. Thanks
I've decided if I can get a good summer job I'm just going to pull the trigger on a modular....4 more months to wait....

[bigchiefbc]

I kinda depends on what sounds you're going for. If you want beeps and bloops and sequenced shit, I'd generally go for as clean and flat an amp as possible.

I like getting phat Moog'y bass sounds, so I used my bass amp.

[MrNovember]

I'm into drone-y stuff. Not super interested in sequenced stuff, which is why I love the idea of that Intellijel uStep, I don't want to waste space on something I might not use much.
I'll probably just go with my Excelsior, it seems like it would fit the bill for what I'm going for.
If that's not deep enough, I'll switch to my bass amp.

[space6oy]

i dunno. i feel like good module design, which is obviously subjective, for me includes attenuation, for cv's and for audio. as for mults, stackable banannas and now 3.5 mms should negate the need for these. i remember as a kid hating my PAiA 4700 because i had to use so many of my precious patch cables in multing stuff up. unity gain mixers are an awesome utility for a system that might be super dense with sound generation and modification more than mixing, a good balance might negate using these too.

I like the stackable idea, but they seem to be insanely expensive. This is SO much cheaper for me. It's just 2 groups of passive multiples, and one attenuator/mult combo.

stackcables don't take up hp like multiples though, makes 'em priceless!

[bigchiefbc]

If they ever make stackable 1/4" cables, I'm in

[space6oy]

w/ pedz though 1/4s would still take up a lot of board room...
if stackable pancakes were possible, that would be sick. it'd have to be a different tip that went into the first in the chain though to not have them sticking out annoyingly... (TWSS)

[Deltaphoenix]

Dudes! Very soon I will be getting a Serge Creature to go with the Serge Audio Interface that I have!

[Deltaphoenix]

I paid off the Creature, it is going to be here next week!!!!!!!!!!

[skullservant]

I have so much stuff going on in my apartment. After I finish up this tube amp I want to sit down with my modular again and actually record. It's been a few weeks since I've been able to sit down with it.

[MrNovember]

I'm starting to like the idea of buying a Pittsburgh Complete System
http://pittsburghmodular.com/cell-48-complete-system/
I'd be getting a lot more modules for the money and it would definitely be a good place to start, but I'd also probably end up replacing a lot of the modules
I'm just thinking out loud here though
I still have no idea what I'll do or when I'll be able to afford any of this

[skullservant]

If you plan on swapping stuff out you might as well just hold off on buying a system. Pittsburgh stuff doesn't resell for very much honestly, and if you're trying to upgrade modules you're gonna want more money.

Start with something simple that still can be productive. You can get away with a VCO and a Filter and still have fun before adding onto it

[Deltaphoenix]

I have so much stuff going on in my apartment. After I finish up this tube amp I want to sit down with my modular again and actually record. It's been a few weeks since I've been able to sit down with it.

I have been kind of on hold, waiting for this Creature to come so that I can really get the modular going again. I will be recording stuff very soon too. again, SO EXCITED!

I have a couple of plans for what I have put together, the Audio Interface has a really amazing resonant EQ that is kind of unique, all of the frequencies are 7 steps apart which is supposed to really give an acoustic quality to sounds. The AI also has a preamp, envelope follower, Dual Universal Slope Generator and VCA/Comparator. So I can run a drum machine (or even just the bass drum from my Tempest or whatever) into the preamp take the signal to the ResEQ and EnvFollower, then use the EnvFollower to trigger other things in time with the beat. The Dual Universal Slope Generator is pretty much what the Make Noise Maths is based of off, this module can be an LFO, Envelope Generator, Oscillator,portamento, pulse delay, subharmonic divider, Non Linear Audio Processor… The Creature is a full Serge Voice and is pretty unique. It has a CrossFader, Variable Q Voltage Controlled Filter, TimeGen Oscillator, Smooth/Stepped Generator. The CrossFader has 2 inputs, can be voltage controlled, has the 1/4"out. The VCFQ is THE Serge filter (there are 3 types I think) that is part of the Iconic sound, it has low, high, band, notch outputs that can be used simultaneously, it can be an oscillator. The VC TimeGen Oscillator is wild, it can be 2 oscillators, or it can be 1 oscillator and the rich side can be a Non-linear lowpass filter, Envelope follower, Sub-harmonic generator, Linear/Exponential portamento, Linear/Explonential AR envelope generator, Linear/Exponential ASR envelope generator, Voltage controlled LFO with either triangular or pulse waveforms and lots more. The SSG is also unique, it is a complex multi-functional module to provide various slew and sample functions, S&H, and a ton more like the TimeGen Oscillator.

I have a TON to learn with this little modular, the Serge philosophy is pretty different to most modulars. Instead of mostly fixed function modules Serge is made of smaller "Function Blocks" that are patched into the modules that I want. It is very wide-open, makes no distinction between CV and Audio (meaning I can use stuff that is normally used to control CV to affect audio signal flow, and I believe vice versa). In this small system, depending on how I patch I have 6 oscillators, 4 or 5 filters, 4 or 5 LFOs, at least 4 EGs, 3 env. followers.

I seriously should be learning new tricks with this set-up for years.

[skullservant]

Seems like Serge is worth the money then. I didn't understand why it was so expensive, but it seems like with those modules you can do A LOT more than with euro which is nice. And it's also cool that you can use audio as CV as well.

[MrNovember]

If you plan on swapping stuff out you might as well just hold off on buying a system. Pittsburgh stuff doesn't resell for very much honestly, and if you're trying to upgrade modules you're gonna want more money.

Start with something simple that still can be productive. You can get away with a VCO and a Filter and still have fun before adding onto it

Good to know, thanks
I'll probably just stick with my previous plan of a couple Make Noise, Intellijel, Malekko, and Harvestman modules
Much more expensive but way nicer


Also when you guys get back to your synths you should record some videos; this thread needs more of them
I'd especially be interested in some videos of your Serge setup Delta (because I really don't know anything about Serge)