Can we talk about modular synths?

[JTurbide]

I mean, at the price it's going to cost to build that entire set up and case, why not just get a Buchla Easel instead?

Because (if I'm right) It's gonna be double the price. My MG setup is estimated around 2K while a music easel is like 4.5k

[lordgalvar]

I agree with ST. Factor in case and cables and you are even closer in price. Also, I think the music easel would be more versitile (it can process outside sources more easily) and has midi.

I would just save for the easel. Kinda wish I had. If the easel is what you want, don't compromise...Save up and get a really nice instrument.

[JTurbide]

There's just no way I can justify a 6K (I'm in Canada) synth. I was thinking of a sputnik kinda clone because I could take my time building it.
Also I could buy used modules.. there's not much used music easel around here..

At first I wanted a Mother 32 but I probably would get tired of not being able to actually play it (yeah sequencer I know.. but..). I know I will get into modular so why not start with a real modular setup with a touch sensitive keyboard ? I'll probably end up building a SM rack like, I'm just a little scared I lack something but as I said I would take my time building it and build a little case on the side if I really lack something..
I will not gig or anything with my system so there's no hurry.

I'll definitely ask for some more help when I actually start the project, but let's say I have around 1-1.5K to start with, what should I get first? Case obviously, Dual oscillator, then? sequencer? keyboard? Quad VCA/VCF? Dual Envelope/Gate (which have two VCA/VCF) ? Multistep voltage source (which seems to do alot) ?
Thanks again guys

[lordgalvar]

Doepfer A-149 are really good Uncertainty modules for the price (-2 is the trigger add on). Don't over look doepfer in general. Their waveshapers get good reviews and they have a ton of Buchla inspired modules. Their LPG can be switched remotely between vcf and vca modes with triggers

Complex oscillators....I guess it's what features are most important to you. Verbos and Sputnik are going to be closer to Buchla style (but sound different), furthrrr probably has the most features (but is a different core), Feedback makes a pretty 1:1 clone, and DPO has a different feature set but it is kinda more dialed in from what I hear. There are more though.

Rampage, Maths, Toppobrillo...There are some function gens out there. Intellijel and Malekko I think both make quad function gens. The toppobillo is a straight clone pretty much.

I like RYO Aperture for my lpg, but LxD is great too.

DIY is really the way to go though. Most of the Buchla circuits are out there and some even given the good to go by Buchla for DIY in Eurorack.

That SM rack you posted had a lot of over lap...And you'll need at least a trigger generator to.emulate the pulser sequencer from the easel (I use befaco sampling modulator for that)

Disting has a Buchla to euro converter in it if you want to go hybrid.

BEMI also makes very basic Buchla voices for use with eurorack...Snoopy I think most basic boat is called and it comes with all the converters.

[Strange Tales]

You seem to really have your heart set on Sputnik Modular but honestly I'd agree with LG on picks, and avoid SM. They don't have a good enough track record for me to reliably say "Yea, go for them."

[JTurbide]

That SM rack you posted had a lot of over lap...

What do you mean by that ? Some modules are unnecessary because their function is already covered by other modules ?

Otherwise Thanks ! but I meant like, considering only SM modules, which ones would be musts ? like to start

NSFW: show

you are probably like: FUCKOFF WITH YOUR SPUTNIK MODULAR!

[lordgalvar]

6 low pass gates are way too many. For a small system, the dual Function/lpg would be plenty I think (and maybe add a small little utility vca on the side). I think the dual function/lpg or complex osc ain't bad fits for the system, just know that there are other options haha.

My problem with the west coast random is that the sample and hold seems redundant. Like I would find myself patching one or the other. The basic SOU already has four different outs, why have something that needs more CV control? Sample and hold is fine, just seems kinda overkill in a small system with limited mod sources which is why I think the doepfer would fit better. The Verbos version adds a shift register which is a better fit to me than a sample and hold (sample and holds are freaking every where...I've ended up with 3 in 104 hp...But two are also osc/slope/trig and one is osc/trig/seq). I rarely end up using the sample and hold and much prefer the SOU for that stuff when my doepfer a-145 is hooked up.

The Verbos, bemi, and futureretro keyboards can all be stand-alone giving you more case room too.

[JTurbide]

Thanks ! Perhaps better ? https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/m ... 430856.jpg

Can't figure out if Multistep voltage source would be a good addition As I said I'm trying to figure out what every module does, like what sample and hold mean ? slew limiter? etc

ST: yeah true.. I guess I'll build the best 94-114 HP Sputnik Modular setup I can on modulargrid and then maybe build another one with different companies and see what I would prefer

[Dark Barn]

I think one builder euro systems are good for noobs (not knocking noobs here) with a lot of cash, something like a Make Nise Shared System takes a lot of the guess work out of deciding where to start. But if you are building ala carte from the get go a single builder system makes less sense, as you'll find out, your needs will inevitably change as you progress and grow your rig. I agree it is hard to make sense of everything at the beginning and that lends a lot of appeal to a single builder system, but I bet you'll see it differently after you've gotten your bearings.

[MrNovember]

I'm going to also say you should really just save more and go with the Easel. Yes it's more expensive, but in the long run with euro, you're going to end up spending a ton more. You'll find you don't actually need/want/use certain modules, so you'll flip them for other modules that will suit your system better, which you also may or may not like, and overall it just won't be an Easel.

Another less expensive option would be to go with a Make Noise No Coast and something like a QuNexus

[oscillateur]

Yeah, people who have "one manufacturer" systems usually also have other systems and tend to use them as separate instruments.

[JTurbide]

Damnit you guys are ripping my idea appart

[Dark Barn]

Well, start with Sputnik if you like, I'd just be surprised if a year later you still wanted a pure Sputnik system. I started my system with mostly Intellijel bits, partly because I had a little fear regarding interoperability. I knew a few builders have some idiosyncratic designs, for example Harvestman being based on unipolar control voltages. So I didn't want my first steps to cause me any problems. Now I have a bunch of different stuff, and am glad I didn't try to go straight Intellijel like I had imagined at one point when I was trying to figure things out.

In other news Analogue Haven seems to be having a 10% off sale.

[Chankgeez]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyJRwG6JYPI[/youtube]

[Ev_O)))]

AY So I posted in here about picking up a Pittsburgh Modular SV-1 the other day and I went in to my local shop to pick one up only to find that they were out of stock. SO I ummed and arred a little and had a look about and I found a super cheap Elektron A4 on Gumtree. So yeah:



I fucking love this thing. Deeply in love. Yeah it aint modular, but the goal now is to build a wavetable based voice and buy a bunch of Euro FX, and control it all via the A4's Cv channel. Watch this space...