Author Topic: The Modular Synthesizer Thread (Read 140124 times)

Julio Di Benedetto · « **on:** January 26, 2016, 05:59:14 AM »

With the most incredible explosion of popularity in the history of the modular synthesizer primarily driven recently by the Eurorack system its time for a dedicated modular synth thread.

All modulars are welcome here.....what you had, what you have and what you dream of having.

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2016, 06:37:44 AM »

My Eurorack System.

Heres a few more modules i have but dont have a skiff yet to put them in.....Make Noise Rene, Echophone, Erbeverb, Pressure Points & Brains. These modules were pulled to make space in the cases as they were my least favorite modules that came with the Make Noise System

This complete 2 case system came together mid November 2015.

Ordered the Make Noise Shared System which is based around their case that has the CV bus bar running down the middle of the case to distribute control voltage.....brilliant invention. The Shared system had a lot of delays because of the case manufacturer so while I waited I started a second case of modules that I wanted rather than a pre determined system. Ultimately I had to order the Make Noise system from Analogue Haven....these are not custom orders, you can buy them off the rack so to speak. The cases have modules coming in and going out and switched around so the original Make Noise Shared System is not there as it arrived.

LNerell · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2016, 12:26:51 PM »

Here are my two systems:

So the smaller system is just Analogue Systems modules, that was the system I started with. The other system is a mixture of everything else that I have. I use to have most of my AS modules in the larger case, but I decided recently to move them out and put them back in the smaller case since I don't think I will be expanding that system anymore. I also want to get more modules from other companies too, so now my larger system has some room the grow.

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM »

Health mix of modules Loren......AS case looks like a complete and solid system.

I see you have 2 Verbos Multi Envelopes .....interesting

The Grendel filter caught my eye as Im interested in the Drone Commander 2.

And now with all that space where will you go next.....

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2016, 07:52:38 AM »

My old Serge system from 2008 with graphics of each shop panel.

The Touch Keyboard Sequencer may be available in eurorack.....protoype is being worked on now

Here's the link https://muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152180&highlight=

ffcal · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2016, 09:12:50 AM »

This pic of the ARP 2500 is comparable to the one I used when studying electronic music in school (sorry the res is low):

No patchcords! But the oscillators would constantly drift out of tune. Its sequencer was a gas. I think Richard Pinhas (Heldon) used one. I didn't use the Moog Mark V that much because it was cumbersome, though I loved the ribbon controller.

Forrest

LNerell · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2016, 10:18:58 AM »

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM

Health mix of modules Loren......AS case looks like a complete and solid system.

I'm missing some VCOs for it to be complete. I had some RS90s but they didn't have any fine tuning so were a pain to us so I sold them. I might replace them with the newer RS95s which do have fine tuning now.

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM

I see you have 2 Verbos Multi Envelopes .....interesting

I bought those to replace a quad ADSR that I had that I never used. I figured two dual ADSRs might be a bit more useful.

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM

The Grendel filter caught my eye as Im interested in the Drone Commander 2.

The Grendel filter is a bit of a one trick pony, so just be aware of that when having a smaller system.

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM

And now with all that space where will you go next.....

So much stuff out there now, next purchase will probably be something sexy like a 4 into 1 mixer.

I've been looking at some of the ADDAC System modules, I see you have a few, what do you think of them?

Forrest, I never got a chance to play with a 2500, I bet that was fun. I learn synthesis on a Moog 35 and a giant Buchla 100. It was interesting as they both had different approaches. I really liked the tune-able touch keypad on the Buchla. I'd love to get something like that or the Serge system one.

ffcal · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2016, 10:27:00 AM »

Quote from: LNerell on January 27, 2016, 10:18:58 AM

Forrest, I never got a chance to play with a 2500, I bet that was fun. I learn synthesis on a Moog 35 and a giant Buchla 100. It was interesting as they both had different approaches. I really liked the tune-able touch keypad on the Buchla. I'd love to get something like that or the Serge system one.

Buchla! I was a fan of Morton Subonick's 70s albums on Buchla's Electric Music Box (Four Butterflies, Until Spring) and was lucky enough to have interviewed Subotnick for a campus magazine. Finally got to see a Buchla up close at the Exploratorium in the early 90s. The touch plates look cool. I like the fact that they weren't tied to a Western-style keyboard. My electronic music teacher, Tom Hamilton, had a Serge, which seemed much more portable than the synth monsters in the campus studio.

Forrest

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2016, 06:58:42 AM »

Quote from: LNerell on January 27, 2016, 10:18:58 AM

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 07:22:35 AM
And now with all that space where will you go next.....

So much stuff out there now, next purchase will probably be something sexy like a 4 into 1 mixer. I've been looking at some of the ADDAC System modules, I see you have a few, what do you think of them?

I do have 5 addac modules, 501 Complexed Random, 101 Wav Player, 601 Fixed Filter, 402 4 Voice Heuristic Rhythm Generator and 2 802 Quintet Mixing Console. The build quality is the best I have seen, absolutely solid.

The 2 802 mixing consoles are the heart of my system and its here that I interact the most "riding the faders" during a recording or taming some unexpected sonic surge. I use the 5 individual outputs X2 a total of 10 which go out to 10 inputs on the mixer where I do panning. The mixer does have a mix output but its mono a drawback for some where stereo is preferred. Smooth pots and excellent sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdLWotAOGKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M21YpDqHGu0

The 4 Voice Heuristic Generator is very new to my system so I let the video speak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpLPBW8JfhM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HsiztgvuXw

Love the Fixed Filter for sculpting sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZWdhBpBNcY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDr3l_z3nnI

Have not got into the Wav player yet and the complexed random does random very well. The addac pots can be strange using 12 oclock as zero.

APK · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2016, 07:29:48 AM »

Yep, it's like having a synth that is in a permanent state of change, always unfinished, always growing ....
I'd be broke and starving if I got into it.

APK · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2016, 09:21:07 AM »

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2016, 09:28:21 AM »

Im happily broke, addicted and in therapy

hdibrell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2016, 02:50:24 PM »

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 28, 2016, 09:28:21 AM

Im happily broke, addicted and in therapy

Me, too!

LNerell · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:58:06 PM »

Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 02:50:24 PM

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 28, 2016, 09:28:21 AM
Im happily broke, addicted and in therapy
Me, too!

Actually I can't afford therapy now that I have a modular.

Julio, I've been looking at addac's 111 wav player and also their fixed filter bank, they look cool. I've even considered selling my Plan B VCOs and replacing the with their 701 VCOs, they are based on the 921 Moog VCO. One advantage they have over other VCOs is that they have octave switches on the module.

hdibrell · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2016, 06:03:21 PM »

I've been trying to load a picture from Modulargrid.net of my current modular, but I just can't figure it out. For now I'll just say that I have a MU system with 22 synthesizer.com modules, a couple of MOTM modules and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. I will keep trying to figure out how to load a pic of mine. I enjoy looking at other's systems.

LNerell · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2016, 08:41:22 PM »

Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 06:03:21 PM

For now I'll just say that I have a MU system with 22 synthesizer.com modules, a couple of MOTM modules and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. I will keep trying to figure out how to load a pic of mine. I enjoy looking at other's systems.

I use to have a Dark Star Chaos, fun module. At the top of the left side of the page where you made your modular it says "show." Click on that and select "screenshot." Another page will pop up of your moduar, just copy the url and past it here.

hdibrell · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2016, 10:09:59 PM »

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_254323.jpg This is my present system with the blank panels representing a MOTM-440 in MU format, a MOTM Quad LFO and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. The order of modules is fairly random as I haven't decided on the final layout yet. This modular has been disassembled for a while now because I'm going to paint the mdf cabinets. Unfortuntely , I am a great procrastinator, because this project just keeps getting pushed back.

is my present system with the blank panels representing a MOTM-440 in MU format, a MOTM Quad LFO and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. The order of modules is fairly random as I haven't decided on the final layout yet. This modular has been disassembled for a while now because I'm going to paint the mdf cabinets. Unfortuntely , I am a great procrastinator, because this project just keeps getting pushed back.

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2016, 07:12:34 AM »

Quote from: LNerell on January 28, 2016, 03:58:06 PM

Julio, I've been looking at addac's 111 wav player and also their fixed filter bank, they look cool. I've even considered selling my Plan B VCOs and replacing the with their 701 VCOs, they are based on the 921 Moog VCO. One advantage they have over other VCOs is that they have octave switches on the module.

Yeah the addac 111 looks good and full featured.....the addac 101 I have was purchased from Taylor Deupree and he was kind enough to include an SD card with his samples so I could get a sense of the module but I have not recorded any of my own yet . Their file naming system for the SD card is a little strange Im told.

How's the Qu-Bit Nebulae?

I do love the addac fixed filter, it serves as a sculpting tool and 8 band equalizer and adding cv to certain or all bands makes for a very creative module.

I past through Lisbon this summer but then I had never heard of addac or I would have tried to find them and pay a visit.

Julio Di Benedetto · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2016, 07:14:22 AM »

Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 10:09:59 PM

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_254323.jpg This is my present system with the blank panels representing a MOTM-440 in MU format, a MOTM Quad LFO and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. The order of modules is fairly random as I haven't decided on the final layout yet. This modular has been disassembled for a while now because I'm going to paint the mdf cabinets. Unfortuntely , I am a great procrastinator, because this project just keeps getting pushed back. is my present system with the blank panels representing a MOTM-440 in MU format, a MOTM Quad LFO and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. The order of modules is fairly random as I haven't decided on the final layout yet. This modular has been disassembled for a while now because I'm going to paint the mdf cabinets. Unfortuntely , I am a great procrastinator, because this project just keeps getting pushed back.

Nice system Harry.....perhaps this thread will help inspire you to move forward

LNerell · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2016, 10:16:31 AM »

Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 29, 2016, 07:14:22 AM

Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 10:09:59 PM
This is my present system with the blank panels representing a MOTM-440 in MU format, a MOTM Quad LFO and a Blacet Dark Star Chaos. The order of modules is fairly random as I haven't decided on the final layout yet. This modular has been disassembled for a while now because I'm going to paint the mdf cabinets. Unfortuntely , I am a great procrastinator, because this project just keeps getting pushed back.

Nice system Harry.....perhaps this thread will help inspire you to move forward

Yes now you have incentive to get on it and get your modular done this weekend.

I was just looking at modular grid and its kind of strange that you can't add MOTM modules to a .com rack. I know lots of people who have both systems. Anyway, great looking system you have there, I can hardly wait to hear what you do with it.

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Author Topic: The Modular Synthesizer Thread (Read 140124 times)