Can we talk about modular synths?

[behndy]

also, anybody used a Pitts Mod Game System? the quirkiness SPEAKS TO ME.

[worra]

Can I get some recommendations on drum modules?

There are so many ways to go about it...I think Pico Drums is just a perfect sample module. Compact, efficient as fuck, and unlimited potential for a lifetime of heavy use. You can even load whole songs onto it. The CV'd pitch shifting alone is worth the buying price, which is a bargain already. It is not whammy-style pitch shifting though, it's the kind that slows down and speeds up the sample. So cool when you use it on drum loops instead of oneshots. It can also be used as a time stretching (& shrinking) pitch delay effect, by playing the same sample in both banks, and pitch shifting one of them.
The Tiptop Audio One is really quite an interesting alternative, with some pretty major differences...and the Qu-Bit Wave is basically the jumbo quadbeast version, but you can only load 16 samples to each bank in the Wave, vs. having the run of all 64 for each bank in the Pico. The Wave does offer the best set of control features though, I think. Separate CV for pitch and sample selection of each channel. They nailed it there, where the others missed.

Noise sources into VCAs and/or filters is the standard means for lots of drum sounds. Meng Qi DPLPG or Make Noise LxD is great for this...simple lowpass gates that decay just like a drum when you hit it with a trigger. Noise sources tend to vary a lot in volume, so it's good to have some distortion and/or mixer space available to sort things out. And other effects...for me, I think modular drum machine heaven is filled with separate reverbs, delays, freezes, phasers, pitch shifting, fuzzes and everything else, for as many separate sounds as you may want to apply it to. This is where small wonders like the Disting and Pico DSP come in really handy.
Hexinverter stuff is nice, and available for DIY. I like the whole mutant series, Jupiter Storm & Galilean Moons, really cool stuff.
Audio Damage Proton, Neuron, and BoomTschak are also some very nice drum synths. Nothing quite like them on the market. The Enso is also going to be crazy awesome, uber-deluxe granular buffer override stutter effect thing with CV over all the right bits, and a nice display screen...I could see this one being gassy enough to make even more people start diving in. Imagine it amidst some Rossum modules, and the new Morphing Terrarium.

This is some serious research fodder. Thanks so much!

[behndy]

woot! now time to NOT KNOW WHAT I'M DOING AT ALL.

[behndy]

hurm. fun as butts, but i'm getting a hum coming out of it. going out the Mix 4's output into a channel on a M Audio M Track 8, tried all 8 different inputs.

i am using a 1/8 to 1/4 inch trs cable? could that be problematic?

whaaaaat am i doing wrong?

[oscillateur]

What exactly did you connect ?

Can you interface handle modular level signals (i.e. enough headroom) ?

[Ruiner]

I may be wrong but i think you should be using TS cables.

[oscillateur]

Aaah, I missed that. Yeah, the mixer module you use has a mono out.

[Inconuucl]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfpigtg6ULQ[/youtube]

[Warpsmasher]

Black 4ms, fuck me.

also, anybody used a Pitts Mod Game System? the quirkiness SPEAKS TO ME.

I got it because it looks cool as hell, no shame.
It's really a secondary/backup sequencer/modulator for me now, but every once in a while it's fun to clock a whole patch from it, that changes drastically when you play with the tap tempo. Never even considered flipping it, despite some lengths of non-use...and I now have plenty of other modules that are hungry for it's CV...it's a good sequencer that doesn't take up too much space in a big rack, so yeah. A keeper. The tap tempo is probably the most fun hands-on thing...the joystick is just for editing and playing with the programs in the module, and can't be patched out to control anything externally. I have other joystick plans brewing anyway...

[behndy]

Aaah, I missed that. Yeah, the mixer module you use has a mono out.

cooooool. so just going to a ts out cable should fix thingies?

I TRY. I TRY NOW.

SmashyWarpZones - sweet! yeah, i didna think it would be a Main Manbajamba, but it looks quirky and fun. want a Pam's New Workout sooooooo bad. SOON.

[behndy]

hurm. i apparently have NO mono 1/4 to 1/8 options at the house. weird. have some adapters coming tomorrow.

it does sound like a power/ground loop type hum. like, a constant tone like i've heard with a pedalboard wired with digital and analog pedz in the same power line.

i did listen to the output of each and every module as an out into the audio interface, always the same tone. so, not specifically a problem with the Malekko mixer. the tone starts as soon as the output cable touches the jack on any module, or any jack, not just after its plugged in fully

is there a possibility of a power problem? i read that the power supply on the Pittsburgh Modular cases is good times good stuff, but do i have to plug different types of modules into different rows?

[MrNovember]

Also, how's the 1U Intellijel reverb ? I'm seriously considering that one too but I haven't found any proper demo/review...

I haven't spent too much time with it, so can't really give you a full review, but it's super simple and sounds pretty decent. It's also a great price. I just spent a bit sending radio signals from the Field Kit into it and it sounded pretty great

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfpigtg6ULQ[/youtube]

Well shit, can someone build a mini-rack with this thing and a SMR so I don't have to? Throw in a silver Batumi for the SMR and a black Batumi for the SWN too please to satisfy my need for symmetry?

[Strange Tales]

FUCKING FINALLY

[$harkToootth]

I'm not sure if I want an OP-1 or a O|D ER-301. I think 301 though.

As the resident non-modular, modular fan, I can make that decision for you...the 301...that thing looks unreal.

Budget wise though, can't you score an OP-1 for almost 25% off list price now? The only reason I would say OP-1 is because it is so portable but you're working mostly on your modular anyway so to me it is no contest...the 301.

[Strange Tales]

Haven't seen an OP-1 up for a hot minute now. See them get listed sometimes at $650 but usually $700, everyone is out of new ones and no one is selling their used ones, so sort of fucked on that front right now.

OP-1 seems easier and more intuitive to get working on, ER-301 seems way deeper and better though. I really think I'm gonna go for a ER-301 once I sell my Sampleslicer.