Can we talk about modular synths?

[coldbrightsunlight]

Good review of the Reflex, looks like a really cool piece of gear. Find myself thinking it could do less and be cleaner, or be a bit bigger to make the interface with those different behaviours more obvious, but what do I know.

[coupleonapkins]

FYI a restored edition of Allen Strange's Electronic Music is being officially reissued via kickstarter & is fully funded

[codetocontra]

https://codetocontra.bandcamp.com/album/radiant-lines

All modular synth here. Modules used: BIA, Desmodus Versio, Rene, QPAS, Mimephon, Morphagene, Tempi, Maths, Wogglebug, Compare 2, Rings, Beads, Just Friends, Planar 2, Pressure Points, and others that escape my brain.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Cool! I like the track Velocity a lot

[codetocontra]

Thanks for taking the time to listen.

[behndy]

ugh. that SUCKS that WMD is closing down. they were one of my favorite builders, and if it was an All One Manufacturer rack, could not go wrong with their loots.

they're doing 30 percent off everything.

sad times.

[gila_crisis]

I'm new to modular and started to get interested into this since few weeks, but have years of experience with guitars, pedals, synth, noise machines, etc.

My possible approach to a modular system would be to have something that I can both use stand alone (like in a drone/noise/ambient manner) or together with my guitar and synths and made so that I can implement/interface it also with instruments levels so that I can rout it thru my guitar pedalboard for example.

I did some experiments with VCV Rack, and found very powerful a combination of Plaits and a second VCO/oscillator combined with a quad LFO to generate sounds and drones.
I also started to have a look on Modular Grid (what and evil rabbit hole eheheheh), and after talking and with a friend and try out few his modules, I also got very interested about Schlappi and Noise Engineering modules. For example I like a lot the Desmodus series, since the same module can be loaded with all firmwares available. Boundary looks like I swiss army knife that I can use as VCO, envelope, etc...
But I also find Doepfer modules to be super cool, simple and utile to what you need them for.

I would like to keep it as small and compact as possible, like 64HP. After few mindstorms, I came up with this first idea:

5836C8C6-FBEA-4FE0-8BAA-E46DF1C419B3.jpeg (92.61 KiB) Viewed 1158 times

My only concern at the moment is the Strymon AA.1: are there any other alternatives out there for such "guitar interfaces", so that, as said, I can insert my guitar (or another synth) into this system and then go out back into my pedalboard?

What modules to you use? Otherwise any other advices?

[coldbrightsunlight]

I am with you on Schlappi modules looking very fun.

In that system, my initial thoughts are that having two distortion modules, with only four LFO (and boundary, and audio rate modulation to be fair), is a bit limiting in terms of the sound possibility. I'd think it would be cool to get some stepped/smooth random in there, or a little multi-envelope, or some LFOs with wackier shapes or modulation inputs. I think the quad LFO is a good pick I'd just want to see it supplemented? I think the case could be cooler with one distortion, and a bit more modulation and maybe a filter.

Regarding guitar inputs, there's a fair few options of differing sizes. Do you need the stereo in the Strymon? To me it seems like not having a volume control on the input module is just wasting a VCA or attenuator elsewhere, but you do have a decent number of those for a small system so it's not a dealbreaker.

I am by no means an expert. Your idea could be more fun to you. It's all about experimenting and finding the things that make you happy

[gila_crisis]

Thanks for the comments!

Yes that Quad LFO looks cool on paper, and beside it there's this 4 inputs attenuator/mini-mixer by noise engineering (Sync Defero) so that in case I can trim those signals.
In the picture I took the Ruina Versio yes, but I am pondering also the Electus Versio which is more delay and reverbs (but since in these Versio modules you can upload any firmware of the Versio family, I think it doesn't matter which to get...).
The 100 Grit if not pushed can also be a very cool LP filter.

I stayed very basic, but for example I already own a Korg SQ1, so in case I can use that to have a bit more movement.
I am also still considering which case... a friend highly advised me the Niftycase, but I am kind of scared to start with a 84HP.

Guitar inputs: I took the Strymon as it was the first which came in mind, and it has also an output which is very welcome. Stereo is also welcome, especially on the output side.
I saw there are option (like the Doepfer A119) which allows to drive the input and use it also as an envelope generator, but for now I would like to have only 1 4HP module for these IO duties.

[coldbrightsunlight]

ah I forgot the grit was also a filter, duh. Comment about that rescinded haha, it looks super fun. Didn't realise the thing about the firmware in the versio (I know you said this already but I've never heard of them so didn't associate it with the module )

Nifty case is pretty... nifty for beginning! Very cheap compared to other options and has neat features like MIDI that usually you'd need a module for.

In 4hp I can't think of a better IO, though I'm not mega clued up on them so there might be something. I like having an envelope/gate from it (I have Sewastopol) but if that's not essential to you, yeah Strymon looks dope.

Sounds like you've thought everything through fairly well.

[gila_crisis]

I forgot I have also a Keystep, so I have already devices to trigger or sequence notes into that system.

But I'm still scared about the money...

[codetocontra]

I have not had good luck running guitar > modular > guitar amps. This is just my experience. Lots of noise from the modular, like hearing LEDs ticking in the signal, and the shared non-isolated power supply is an obvious source for a culprit. Even tried a Strymon AA.1 output module, which is probably fine as as send/return for effect pedals. Not trying to discourage you, just a warning. Some people have done it but I don't know their magic tricks. Guitar/modular wasn't a goal, just an experiment, so I have not pursued solving the issues I've had. Just know it might not be easy.

[gila_crisis]

I forgot to say; check out sport modulator 2, it's 2 x - LFO's or track/hold or simple oscillator duties.

Regarding price I'd say this would go for 1500$ which is a lot of money - but it's also a hella capable instrument. I'd definitely advice building it up with 3 modules to start with, maybe oscillator + grit + VCA/mixer, then go from there to see how you dig it.

Thanks a lot for the may hint and tricks! Yes I was also thinking to start small, at least oscillator+LFOs+mixer, which are the basic.

These days, as said, I did a lot of experiments with VCV Rack, and I always tried to use and keep a very basic setup: 1 Oscillator, 1 Plaits, a quad LFO, and a pair of VCA/mixers (plus a filter, delay and a fuzz to kind "fake the Grit and Desmodus). You go places!

[coldbrightsunlight]

I have not had good luck running guitar > modular > guitar amps. This is just my experience. Lots of noise from the modular, like hearing LEDs ticking in the signal, and the shared non-isolated power supply is an obvious source for a culprit. Even tried a Strymon AA.1 output module, which is probably fine as as send/return for effect pedals. Not trying to discourage you, just a warning. Some people have done it but I don't know their magic tricks. Guitar/modular wasn't a goal, just an experiment, so I have not pursued solving the issues I've had. Just know it might not be easy.

I play modular like this most of the time and have no significant issues. Using either Sewastopol or Intellijel 1u output modules to send the signal to 1/4" and attenuate it to amp levels. There is definitely a bit of noise but not significantly more than if I kicked on a crazy fuzz pedal. Probably changes a lot based on your power supply and the output. I am probably fairly tolerant to a bit of noise though in this situation so YMMV

[gila_crisis]

I found somebody in my city who was selling a Makenoise Skiff (powered) for less than 200usd, so I went for that case.
This means that today... I've ordered my first modules!
While I wait the modules to be shipped, I just need to buy some cables, that's the only part I totally forgot about