Can we talk about modular synths?

[lordgalvar]

Whatcha want to do?

Moogerfoogers, Koma, Lightning Wave, etc are out there with CV options.

You could get a nice fraq diy setup from paia for under $600. Pretty flexible setup too.

Sequencers: future retro zillion is something like the turing machine in inspiration and function (just random versus scales).

Frequency generators (test equipment) can be had cheap...just attenuate.

Sq-1 as a modulator or sequencer. I also prefer keystep to beatstep, but both could work together (one almost like an lfo, or set voltage thing)

Passive ring mod also helps make new out of old mod sources.

Also, there are a ton of cheap modular synth boards out there....just get a cheap power supply and case them in whatever you want. I ran two 9v batteries and have a LPG in my guitar setup. some give flexible power options and connectors.

Also, some eurorack modules run at 5vdc...so that is easy to adapt to a new case, esp if a diy board.

[Dark Barn]

Non - modular gear that have CV inputs are less common, but there is stuff out there, check out the new Make Noise 0-coast maybe. You also have a USB MIDI out, lots of tabletop devices have USB MIDI inputs.

[lordgalvar]

Cheap midi recorders from the 1980s are out there too. I got a Yamaha qy for $16

Boss, RMA, WMD, MASF, etc all have stuff that work with cv. Copilot makes cool stuff too that integrates no problem.

Lots of boss trigger and foot switch ins work on +5v pulses (lfos, pulses, gates, all work).

Also, with a vactrol (or diy ldr/led) you can interface with stuff that has exp in.

[JonnyAngle]

Thanks dudes. I need to look up what all that stuff is!

[MrNovember]

Drum section in my rack currently is RCD+BO and Plog for clock dividing and logic and Basimilus Iteritas Alter and Dunst for drums (plus I can make a bunch of other drums with VCAs and oscillators). I'm planning on adding Shakmat Knights Gallop and possibly their Four Bricks Rook for more trigger sequencing and a Pico drum or two eventually.

[Faldoe]

How are people feeling about the Moog Mother 32 now that it's been out for some time. I know a lot of you here have modular setups and are seasoned in the area. I'm new to Modular and the Mother 32 seems like the cheapest/value point of entry.

I'm wondering now that the 32 has been out for some time and people have had a chance to use/buy it, does it still seem like a good point of entry for a modular noob?

[fcknoise]

So close to putting together a modular as an drum machine setup. I want to build my own rack and DIY the modules. Found one for a tr-808 kick which I like. Talk me out of this pls

(Or recommend other cheapo stuff I can start with)

I think some idea of what you want to do will help. Like, beats usable in a normal musical context? Or weird glitchy beats that aren't just x0x clones? If the latter, I'm doing something similar. For perc, you def want envelopes and VCAs and noise sources or evenlopes and just dedicated drum modules. A clock divider will be very help. I'm dedicating a corner of my rig to weird drums and am planning/have a 4ms RCD clock divider, a Malekko noise, a Synthrotek DS-M, a Pico Drums, a Make Noise Maths and a Make Noise Moddemix, as well as some logic (like a simple passive OR). That should get me making some cool rhythms.

Thanks! I want weird glitchy beats, that can run clocked with more standard kinds of drum machines. Thanks for mentioning specifics. Might be a long time til I actually pull the trigger but it would be cool

[Inconuucl]

So close to putting together a modular as an drum machine setup. I want to build my own rack and DIY the modules. Found one for a tr-808 kick which I like. Talk me out of this pls

(Or recommend other cheapo stuff I can start with)

I think some idea of what you want to do will help. Like, beats usable in a normal musical context? Or weird glitchy beats that aren't just x0x clones? If the latter, I'm doing something similar. For perc, you def want envelopes and VCAs and noise sources or evenlopes and just dedicated drum modules. A clock divider will be very help. I'm dedicating a corner of my rig to weird drums and am planning/have a 4ms RCD clock divider, a Malekko noise, a Synthrotek DS-M, a Pico Drums, a Make Noise Maths and a Make Noise Moddemix, as well as some logic (like a simple passive OR). That should get me making some cool rhythms.

Thanks! I want weird glitchy beats, that can run clocked with more standard kinds of drum machines. Thanks for mentioning specifics. Might be a long time til I actually pull the trigger but it would be cool

Q-bit Wave, Pamela's workout and Phonogene.

[fcknoise]

Thanks mate im gonna be addicted before even buying anything

[oscillateur]

Cheaper options than the QuBit module : Radio Music (wonderful module for tons of other things, and is DIY) and Erica PicoDrums (you can put your own samples in there with an adapter).
For sequencing, there are tons of options. Not just sequencers, anything that can create/manipulate triggers or gates is usable...

[Strange Tales]

How are people feeling about the Moog Mother 32 now that it's been out for some time. I know a lot of you here have modular setups and are seasoned in the area. I'm new to Modular and the Mother 32 seems like the cheapest/value point of entry.

I'm wondering now that the 32 has been out for some time and people have had a chance to use/buy it, does it still seem like a good point of entry for a modular noob?

It sounded fantastic but I could never dial in a level of modulation I was happy with which was a huge selling point for me. Sounded fat as shit and the sequencer was mad simple to use. Fantastic entry point for modular beginnings.

[D.o.S.]

Yeah I think the Mother and the 0 Coast would be great places to start to see if Modular was something you're interested in.

[Warpsmasher]

Surely these will push a few more lurkers over the edge...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QwxoMFhGBc[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I634H2IRMW0[/youtube]

I think I'm going to get the Fuzz Factory first instead of the junky now. Looks to be the best version ever.

[popvulture]

I just ordered a Lifeforms SV-1 Black Box today. Plunge taken.

[Invisible Man]

How are people feeling about the Moog Mother 32 now that it's been out for some time. I know a lot of you here have modular setups and are seasoned in the area. I'm new to Modular and the Mother 32 seems like the cheapest/value point of entry.

I'm wondering now that the 32 has been out for some time and people have had a chance to use/buy it, does it still seem like a good point of entry for a modular noob?

It sounded fantastic but I could never dial in a level of modulation I was happy with which was a huge selling point for me. Sounded fat as shit and the sequencer was mad simple to use. Fantastic entry point for modular beginnings.

Yeah. Great for bread-and-butter synthery, but you'll want to add some stuff to get weirder. MN stuff + Mother = the bone zone.