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.
My Eurorack System.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U0iidaeb_1w/VqjQTGgZKQI/AAAAAAAAASo/S2fjVi_LqmE/s1600/DSC01054.JPG)
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.
Here are my two systems:
(https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_66262.jpg)
(https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_66276.jpg)
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.
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.....
My old Serge system from 2008 with graphics of each shop panel.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VooJ_pYFlsc/VqjWt7cxvAI/AAAAAAAAAS4/322zuv7ACXY/s1600/Serge.jpg)
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/panel_blue_voice_150dpi2.jpg)
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/panel_red_cv1_150dpi2.jpg)
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/panel_tkb_150dpi2.jpg)
The Touch Keyboard Sequencer may be available in eurorack.....protoype is being worked on now
(http://i.imgur.com/kQDyK9Y.jpg)
Here's the link https://muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152180&highlight= (https://muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152180&highlight=)
This pic of the ARP 2500 is comparable to the one I used when studying electronic music in school (sorry the res is low):
(http://www.synthmuseum.com/arp/arp250001.jpg)
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
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 06:22:35 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, 06:22:35 AMI 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, 06:22:35 AMThe 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, 06:22:35 AMAnd 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. ;D 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.
Quote from: LNerell on January 27, 2016, 09:18:58 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
Quote from: LNerell on January 27, 2016, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 27, 2016, 06:22:35 AMAnd 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. ;D 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.
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. ;D
(http://www.umop.com/art/packrat03.jpg)
Im happily broke, addicted and in therapy ;D :o
Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 01:50:24 PM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 28, 2016, 08:28:21 AM
Im happily broke, addicted and in therapy ;D :o
Me, too! ???
Actually I can't afford therapy now that I have a modular. ;D
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.
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.
Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 05:03:21 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.
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. :-[
Quote from: LNerell on January 28, 2016, 02:58:06 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.
Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 09:09:59 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 :)
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on January 29, 2016, 06:14:22 AM
Quote from: hdibrell on January 28, 2016, 09:09:59 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. :-[
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.
A couple of videos of a favorite module of mine for animation, the Make Noise RxMx plus their fixed filter...its a very unique mixer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL0jGFC0FWQshuwkSwc_Y1XPT7TE_LvYC4&v=jXzqw2hNYFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL0jGFC0FWQshuwkSwc_Y1XPT7TE_LvYC4&v=7C-2hKaYmcw
Morton Subotnick interview
I posted this elsewhere in the forum but feel its better suited here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3EdmRcRGbL0
I know that at least Loren has a surround sound system, so this seems an appropriate place to post this. Mode Recordings has released a series of DVD-A and DVD discs containing all of Subotnick's pieces recorded in quad - which began with Touch. Scroll down to the bottom of the link for links to each release. They also have visual components and interviews.
http://www.moderecords.com/profiles/mortonsubotnick.html
I have all three volumes and they're treasures. Volume 2, with Sidewinder and Until Spring, is a personal favourite but each is exquisite - modular synthesis with detailed spacial control as part of the composition. Highly recommended - and if you search a bit, also found through Amazon.
Here is a rather not so great photo of my current modular. I'll try to post something better later.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/My%20studio/photo-25_zpsphsuzw9h.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/My%20studio/photo-25_zpsphsuzw9h.jpg.html)
8)
Quote from: LNerell on February 04, 2016, 10:38:28 AM
Here is a rather not so great photo of my current modular. I'll try to post something better later.
The photo looks like it's producing a slightly blurry, slightly askew sound. ;)
Quote from: Scott M2 on February 04, 2016, 08:02:00 PM
Quote from: LNerell on February 04, 2016, 10:38:28 AM
Here is a rather not so great photo of my current modular. I'll try to post something better later.
The photo looks like it's producing a slightly blurry, slightly askew sound. ;)
That's what happens when you record at the speed of light. ;) ;D
Serge Modules in Eurorack format :)
Quote from Tip Top Audio who seem to be the future manufacturer
Ok fellows, I don't have any front panels to show you yet, but i can share some of the progress we've made on this project:
I have been talking to Serge for sometime now about making the Serge system in eurorack. It all started when I introduce him to our Stackcables, he loved it and said that very few people are aware of how shielded patchcords would enhance modules such as the SergeÃ, VCFs,Ã, VCAs, Ring Mod, which are already ultra low noise. He continued by saying that with shielded patchords, the modules will
attain studio quality performance. I guess that from that point Ã, it was obvious, we are going to start a new Serge system in the best format in town, eurocrack.
Guinness ftw!
So this is how it's going to work, all modules will be:
1. Original Serge designs
2. Serge color coded jacks
3. Serge original fonts and graphics, work flow
Or in other words; the whole Serge experience.
Those who have/had a Serge know what i'm talking about. This is fun!
For starters, we are looking at making the Smooth and Stepped Generator (SSG) with added randomization, the Dual Slope Generator (DUSG) and the Wilson Analog Delay (WAD).
The fact that we are going to design all these from scratch give us the option to add features, but it is totally up to Serge to decide that. Ã, It is going to be his system and his ideas.
On the WAD we are working directly with Dave Wilson and hopefully we could figure out how to implement it with available parts.
The whole thing takes a very long time; Serge is a busy man so please be patient. I'm sure it is going to be worth the wait. It's a great joy seeing Serge drawing schematics again, and I will do my best to make it available for all of us to use.
(https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/userpix/1065_euroserge991_1.jpg)
Heres the link to the discussion https://muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=79362&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 (https://muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=79362&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)
These are some really neat setups.
Slightly off topic: When someone--a friend or acquaintance--steps into your space for the first time, are they awestruck? Or do they think you're completely nuts?
All computers are in the studio so if I want to show a friend something on the computer got to go to the studio....first time peoples reaction is amusing to complete dismissal of the flashing lights et el...."is that an old patchable telephone operator station" referring to my modular or "what are you going to paint on all those canvas's" referring to the acoustic sound panel hung on the walls. It is strangers like someone come to do work in the house like a plumber or tiler that I get the "Wow" factor from. Those friends that say nothing I think feel Im completely nuts and avoid going there and if by some accident I play my music then there suspicions are definitely confirmed ;D
Quote from: chris23 on February 07, 2016, 07:52:15 AM
These are some really neat setups.
Slightly off topic: When someone--a friend or acquaintance--steps into your space for the first time, are they awestruck? Or do they think you're completely nuts?
They already know I'm completely nuts. :o ;D
It depends upon who they are, if they know nothing about this then I get a lot of wows, but my friends who have known me for a long time are use to it.
Not sure if this pic is any better but here's another view of my modular:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/My%20studio/IMGP6394_zpsgzb9yncj.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/My%20studio/IMGP6394_zpsgzb9yncj.jpg.html)
I just posted pics of my current studio in the studio thread so you can see the entire room there.
Looking good....Love distressed finish on the AS cabinet. 8)
This relates to Chris23's question. Your modular looks absolutely amazing... but I'm super impressed with what looks like two patch-cable combs screwed to a 2x4 and stuck on a mic stand. 8) ;D
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 09, 2016, 06:11:50 AM
Looking good....Love distressed finish on the AS cabinet. 8)
Well I bought that cabinet used and it came stained black for some reason. I read about how to remove the stain and get it back to the walnut finish so I started to sand it. Then I realized I needed to completely take it apart to go any further, so it was put in storage till I had more time. But then I pulled it out to move all the AS modules to it figuring I would get it back to walnut at some point when I'm feeling less lazy. ;D
Quote from: Scott M2 on February 09, 2016, 11:55:28 AM
This relates to Chris23's question. Your modular looks absolutely amazing... but I'm super impressed with what looks like two patch-cable combs screwed to a 2x4 and stuck on a mic stand. 8) ;D
That's exactly what it is, I needed something tall for my longer cables, so I took a 2x4 and cut it to the same length as the patch-cable holders, then routed out a hole big enough for the mic stand to fit in and screwed the cable holders to either side. It works pretty well. :)
A man and his Easel....Charles Cohen. Chuck van Zyl interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viwAEsSvac4
Quote from: LNerell on February 09, 2016, 01:48:02 PM
That's exactly what it is, I needed something tall for my longer cables, so I took a 2x4 and cut it to the same length as the patch-cable holders, then routed out a hole big enough for the mic stand to fit in and screwed the cable holders to either side. It works pretty well. :)
Adjustable height too. Very creative.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 09, 2016, 08:03:21 PM
A man and his Easel....Charles Cohen. Chuck van Zyl interview.
Nice ! Some great comments.
Thanks for posting this Julio.
Quote from: Scott M2 on February 09, 2016, 10:00:44 PM
Quote from: LNerell on February 09, 2016, 01:48:02 PM
That's exactly what it is, I needed something tall for my longer cables, so I took a 2x4 and cut it to the same length as the patch-cable holders, then routed out a hole big enough for the mic stand to fit in and screwed the cable holders to either side. It works pretty well. :)
Adjustable height too. Very creative.
I've got a third cable holder now, so I think I need to get a 4x4 so I can have all three on there. ;D Actually I will probably just end up attaching it to the front of the table for shorter cables.
A few pieces from around the web.....Bryan Noll's work is rather special, very soft, sensual and very musical.....a somewhat modest kit to boot for euroracks. Like most things, in the hands of a master you dont need so much.
http://vimeo.com/153947277
https://vimeo.com/137445865
And another...Severance, who Im a fan of and who is able to bridge the gap between experiment and melodic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0gZuv5lziQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMd_Plp3RQM
It was because of this work I got the Epoch Benjolin Module.....a natural at mayhem but so beautiful when you start to tame it.
I'm totally digging these Benjolin drones!
They are good !!
Hard to believe its not digital ;D
The Benjolin is a very unique module.....most use it for its insane off the richter noise or as commonly referred as "robot farts"....honestly if I had not stumbled upon the work of Severence I would have stayed well away from it. Which is and interesting point, there is huge amount of info at places like Muffwigglers but the large majority of forum members, or so it seems, are into this noise making so reading reviews about modules can be very misleading. Can be an expensive trial and error....but hey, whoops, Its the wrong module. Oh well just have to buy another one ::).
My first experience with the Benjolin was like having a mini CS-80, really, it was/is more analog and with a tone that surpassed any analog synths I have owed.....but this is just the beginning, and I dont use it like that though its nice to have. What it shines at is the way the Severance videos demonstrate as well as creating the most off world soundscapes that teeter on the edge of melody. I use it in almost every patch.
I hope this modular synth thread encourages the musicians here to look into this format for music making.....it does not have to be a huge investment to get started......ok, screw it, once you start your done for, you will start listening to module videos and get this psychic ability to patch your system through your mind and back out.....its futile to resist ;)
Korg Minilogue - this little synth has really grown on me for its sound and versatility.
I route it into my daw and feed its mono signal into a stereo generator to get some separation and widening.
Then add varying degrees of reverb depending what I'm after.
It's sounding really good !
No, one sequence. But you can record knob movements into the sequence, which makes it special.
Grab the pdf manual from the Korg site.
Really like this performance from Mr. Richard Devine.....a true master, blending all the chaos that modulars can conger up with a solid sense of musicality.
http://vimeo.com/139872178?from=outro-embed
For the well being of this thread I feel its a good thing to show modular performances rather than a 30 minute tutorial on the Steady State Fate Ultra Random Analog, a module that I have and is an amazing random generator that I am still learning about....watching this would put most people to sleep.
I hope anyone could come here and hopefully be amazed, curious and fascinated.
As Rex Probe, the man behind STS and the manufacturer of the Serge Modular system once said to me...."the modular synthesizer is an amusement park for electrons".... I feel we are so fortunate today to be able to entertain them because in their joy they give so much back.
Such a good quote, Julio.
It is what I'd call the 'electrical', rather than just electronic, nature of modulars that make them interesting and different.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 13, 2016, 09:29:03 PM
Really like this performance from Mr. Richard Devine.....a true master, blending all the chaos that modulars can conger up with a solid sense of musicality.
https://vimeo.com/139872178?from=outro-embed
I just can't get beyond all the wires!!! There is no interface left. ;)
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 13, 2016, 09:29:03 PM
Really like this performance from Mr. Richard Devine.....a true master, blending all the chaos that modulars can conger up with a solid sense of musicality.
https://vimeo.com/139872178?from=outro-embed
I just "listened" to this with the sound turned off and still enjoyed it. ;D
Quote from: APK on February 14, 2016, 08:06:45 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 13, 2016, 09:29:03 PM
Really like this performance from Mr. Richard Devine.....a true master, blending all the chaos that modulars can conger up with a solid sense of musicality.
https://vimeo.com/139872178?from=outro-embed
I just can't get beyond all the wires!!! There is no interface left. ;)
I know its crazy.....I saw a video recently of a set he did in Europe somewhere with 2 small cases of modules that were patched to create 8 different tracks/songs....no small feat. The man is a wizard. His early work I remember from around 2004 was pure glitch and although interesting was not my cup of tea but this has evolved so much.
Quote from: Scott M2 on February 14, 2016, 10:56:20 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on February 13, 2016, 09:29:03 PM
Really like this performance from Mr. Richard Devine.....a true master, blending all the chaos that modulars can conger up with a solid sense of musicality.
https://vimeo.com/139872178?from=outro-embed
I just "listened" to this with the sound turned off and still enjoyed it. ;D
Scott Im going to give that a view without the sound...the colours and lights are wonderful.
Heres the Richard Divine Video I was talking about...
Part one..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q1ykjfUsdQ
Part two.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4OSvQ2Isa4
What does this 500 series lunchbox unit....
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0698/2265/products/Colour_Palette_Mk_II_Face_1024x1024.jpg?v=1455223056)
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0698/2265/products/Colour_Palette_Mk_II_Side_1024x1024.jpg?v=1455315956)
Video :http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour?page=2 (http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour?page=2)
Have to do with modulars.....this, the eurorack version. A quick sequence of videos going into it and a more in depth look at the end. Loving this.
(http://www.schneidersladen.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/p/cp-front-angle.png)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNjvJraZCqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK9lO5EIGe0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZGPf3jh9a0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQXoyktItDU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bk0VzlTFFk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o59Wq1IiDw
I go away for a few weeks... and THIS HAPPENS!
Heaven.
Hi John,
As I recall you have a rack or two of Synthesizer.com.....lets have a look. We are all about show and tell. ;)
Roland is back with the System 500 analog modular synthesizer!
(http://soundgears.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13b666fb930fd3279a572fda43cbe891.jpeg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkN_IMnsBZ4
Been some turn around in my rig with a fair amount of Make Noise modules sold at ebay......heres some of the new eurorack modules that replaced them
Ieaskul F. Mobenthey.....Sprott
This is one crazy module, a filter thats not a filter thats an oscillator thats a.....each lp, hp, bp and chaos can be patched separately yet each effects the other and all manner of unexpected behavior....nothing gentle about this but further processing delivers. Still figuring it out but liking the results
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v292/4479.jpg)
Noise Engineering.....Loquelic Iteritas
A digital oscillator that sounds as wonderfully nuts as it looks ??? The timbres this produces is amazing, leaning towards aggressive in sound but again with further processing like through a filter bank the sound begs to be sculpted.
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v186/3576.jpg)
WMD Synchrodyne
This is an analog oscillator and some....more complexed than your typical triangle, saw, square and sine vco
(http://cdn3.volusion.com/nqrze.qngsf/v/vspfiles/photos/WMD-Synchrodyne-2.jpg?1362754248)
Mannequins....Three Sisters
Love this filter....four sound source coming together into a linked filter 8) This does not behave like your usual filter!
(http://www.schneidersladen.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/150215_1.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8IjFtznkp4
Here's my latest module, the Synthesis Technology Morphing Terrarium.
(https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a1198300723_16.jpg)
I need to pick up an attenuator now for it.
The Morphing Terrarium is a great sounding smooth wavetable oscillator thanks to Robert Rich and Synthesis Tech.....it pairs really well with the ST E355 Morphing Dual LFO.
Loren, what are your thoughts on the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator... lots of very positive comments abound but not heard any demos that really grab me, yet I like the synthesis idea behind it.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on March 17, 2016, 07:04:48 PM
Loren, what are your thoughts on the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator... lots of very positive comments abound but not heard any demos that really grab me, yet I like the synthesis idea behind it.
I've heard some great demos of it. It is on my short list of modules to get.
Quote from: LNerell on March 18, 2016, 08:41:55 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on March 17, 2016, 07:04:48 PM
Loren, what are your thoughts on the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator... lots of very positive comments abound but not heard any demos that really grab me, yet I like the synthesis idea behind it.
I've heard some great demos of it. It is on my short list of modules to get.
I ask about the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator as you show it in your modulargrid rack so I thought you had it.....often the only way to really know is to actually use the module.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on March 18, 2016, 07:54:34 PM
I ask about the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator as you show it in your modulargrid rack so I thought you had it.....often the only way to really know is to actually use the module.
You are right it is in my modulargrid rack. I see a few other modules that I don't have in there as well, I thought I took them all out, oh well. I sometimes put modules in my grid rack to see how they would fit if I were to purchase them so my grid is always changing. I mean that's really the beauty of it, you can test out things and move them around without having to actually move any real modules. My photos show what I actually have at the moment, except for the new module that I just purchased in the last few weeks.
Quote from: LNerell on March 19, 2016, 04:39:45 PM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on March 18, 2016, 07:54:34 PM
I ask about the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator as you show it in your modulargrid rack so I thought you had it.....often the only way to really know is to actually use the module.
You are right it is in my modulargrid rack. I see a few other modules that I don't have in there as well, I thought I took them all out, oh well. I sometimes put modules in my grid rack to see how they would fit if I were to purchase them so my grid is always changing. I mean that's really the beauty of it, you can test out things and move them around without having to actually move any real modules. My photos show what I actually have at the moment, except for the new module that I just purchased in the last few weeks.
Yes Loren, modulargrid is really good to play around with to sense what could work. I have two modulargrid wish list cases, one for Oscillators and another for filters, random, envelopes & fx....modules Im interested in but not definite must haves. It does change a lot but this helps me remember what modules I feel resonated with me
Oscillator case: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/225455 (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/225455)
Filter, Random, Envelope case: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/261303 (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/261303)
The late Richard Lainhart talks about modular synthesis, his Buchla 200e and the 3 year patch!
https://vimeo.com/34593269
Quote from: Ekstasis on March 27, 2016, 10:22:21 PM
one thing I wonder about this oceanic amount of modules, is does it sound as good as it looks ?
sure it is analog, but a lot of this module companies are pretty much made by people in the garage,
sure a lot have good functions , but it seem to be a lot about the eye candy stuff too..
Anyway I will jump on the modular train before I die to, but it is little bit too expensive for me right now.
Yes Ekstasis, they do sound as good as they look and sometimes they sound stranger than they look.
There was and still is a good part of the modular synth community that are DIY'ers...do it yourself builders that are responsible for the renaissance of modulars, mostly in the eurorack format. Back then I believe some of the build quality was questionable but they were experimenting, discovering and sharing ideas where function was the most important. That has changed though the garage workshop may still be common, the build quality is excellent and the sound is as good as any main stream electronic music manufacturer, analog or digital and usually the sounds are more interesting.
I think there is some eye candy stuff going on.....I recently saw a thread on Muffwigglers that was titled " How many people buy modules because of the lights" or something like that, for most the lights serve a function though design and ergonomics are very important within such a small format as eurorack.
When that day comes and you jump on the modular train you will be very happy about the audio quality. Already some of the pro audio sound requirements as found in high end mic preamps and such are become more common in module design as builders work to perfect their designs. This does increase the price but whats new.
This filter is on its way to me......from the creator of EMU :)
(http://www.rossum-electro.com/fqlzron/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Evolution.jpg)
Video link to eye candy description https://vimeo.com/152385871
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 02, 2016, 05:24:24 AM
This filter is on its way to me......from the creator of EMU :)
(http://www.rossum-electro.com/fqlzron/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Evolution.jpg)
Video link to eye candy description https://vimeo.com/152385871
Would be curious to hear it, Julio, once you've become more familiar with it. I'm a big fan of Emu's Z-plane filter.
Forrest
That would be fun to do Forrest.....yes, once I get a little time with it I will put up a demo that showcase the filter.
You mention the Z plane filter......
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v331/7808.jpg)
Not sure when its coming out but should be in the next few months, it debuted at the recent Namm but was not truly functional ....very exciting, though I never have used EMU gear in the past this seems to be a filter that works in a 3d sound stage axis. I have seen pictures of this filter that show a 3d square in the little lcd that graphically expresses the morphing patterns of the filter as it travels....well it was a picture so it was not actually moving ::)
Heres the original EMU modular
(http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/emu_modular3.jpg)
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith...a girl well worth listening to in the modular domain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95UvPlhjbE4
Interesting to see digital emulations of specific eurorack modules begin to appear.
Reaktor blocks is one example. Including integrating these with physical modulars.
This video is fairly technical, but contains fascinating ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL4TNaJm-3M
And now Softube are doing emulations: http://www.softube.com/index.php?id=news150
Be interesting to see that in action when released.
I think Reaktor Blocks is really an amazing interface and extremely inspiring. I was considering getting it until I found that my OS is outdated and does not support Reaktor 6, still could be possible as I have Reaktor 5 the upgrade is not that much. I cant change the OS due to Adobe CS4 issues so Im sort of stuck.
It would be very interesting processing external hardware through Reaktor as the video demonstrates, like that idea.
Not sure about the soft emulations of hardware Euroracks. When UA does an emulation of a Manley Massive Passive Eq when the hardware costs I forget how many thousands or a vintage Lexicon verb....that makes sense. These eurorack hardware modules are really coming along in build quality and components but I feel they are still not a match for the the quality of top end pro audio so why copy them.
What I picked up in the video is that apparently eurorack manufacturers are designing Reaktor Block modules, Noise Engineering was mentioned. This is cool, that real designers are pushing Reaktor and maybe besting their hardware digital capabilities.....
I'm beginning to like the look of a couple of Mother-32 units.
Having the patching all on the side, with a clean accessible control panel is attractive and practical.
Maybe even get the 3 tier with a moog case to put some non-moog modules in.
(http://www.moogmusic.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/730x490scale/product/Moog_Mother_32_2TierRack_Black.jpg)
Paul Vnuk posted some cool demos of his two units on FB a few weeks back. The location of the patch bay reminds me of the Korg MS-20!
Forrest
My Mini MiniMoog,
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/img_13701.jpg?w=787&h=590)
Had this mother for a few days so its still new to me but its really straight forward as far as tweaking sounds.....it sounds very very good and its reasonable priced, actually its a great deal when you consider what your getting, oh and the build quality is first rate.
Ran the sequencer a few times and re clocked it externally which gave it some interesting patterns. Also functions as a keyboard.
Have not explored the patch bay in much depth yet other than taking the direct pulse and square wave outs and patching them into the main modular.
This is a great piece of kit whether a part of a larger modular system or just by itself hooked up to a midi or cv controller.
Sounds good, Julio. Be interested to hear your thoughts as you spend more time with it.
This thread has been a bit of a droolfest for me. My modular is a small Moog system (and I have a relationship with it) but if I was starting now I'd definitely go Euro with all those crazy, kinky modules! 8)
Quote from: Scott M2 on April 12, 2016, 12:31:10 PM
This thread has been a bit of a droolfest for me. My modular is a small Moog system (and I have a relationship with it) but if I was starting now I'd definitely go Euro with all those crazy, kinky modules! 8)
Yeah. When I took an EM class in the 70s, we were working off a massive Moog Mark V and an ARP 2500, while our teacher had this cool little collection of Serge modules. I was very envious. :)
Forrest
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 11, 2016, 04:01:44 PM
My Mini MiniMoog,
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/img_13701.jpg?w=787&h=590)
Had this mother for a few days so its still new to me but its really straight forward as far as tweaking sounds.....it sounds very very good and its reasonable priced, actually its a great deal when you consider what your getting, oh and the build quality is first rate.
Ran the sequencer a few times and re clocked it externally which gave it some interesting patterns. Also functions as a keyboard.
Have not explored the patch bay in much depth yet other than taking the direct pulse and square wave outs and patching them into the main modular.
This is a great piece of kit whether a part of a larger modular system or just by itself hooked up to a midi or cv controller.
Why the QuNexus vs a Midi keyboard? Just curious if there are obvious benefits that I am missing.
Quote from: Paul Vnuk (Ma Ja Le) on April 12, 2016, 04:28:23 PM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 11, 2016, 04:01:44 PM
My Mini MiniMoog,
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/img_13701.jpg?w=787&h=590)
Had this mother for a few days so its still new to me but its really straight forward as far as tweaking sounds.....it sounds very very good and its reasonable priced, actually its a great deal when you consider what your getting, oh and the build quality is first rate.
Ran the sequencer a few times and re clocked it externally which gave it some interesting patterns. Also functions as a keyboard.
Have not explored the patch bay in much depth yet other than taking the direct pulse and square wave outs and patching them into the main modular.
This is a great piece of kit whether a part of a larger modular system or just by itself hooked up to a midi or cv controller.
Why the QuNexus vs a Midi keyboard? Just curious if there are obvious benefits that I am missing.
Hi Paul,
Space is one reason...I have very little left on the table that holds my 2 cases, a skiff an now the mother, and its a really small controller. Actually I have a midi adapter that came with QuNexus so it could be midi if need be. Granted Im sure there are some really small midi controllers as well.
More importantly as the QuNexus puts out CV & gate I plan to use it to trigger other oscillators in my modular system to create polyphony or rather multi tones by splitting the voltage and sending it around the system. So for me in this case midi is not implemented in the system.
As to the Mother....cant see any reason that cv would be more beneficial over midi as a direct interface except that in a control voltage environment I prefer to keep it within the dominant form of communication.
Are you enjoying using 2 Mothers? Forrest mentioned some music demos you posted on Facebook.....perhaps you could post them here as well!
Yesterday I tried for the first time to run an external sound source through the Moog Mother 32 Ladder filter. I was rather impressed with the results which I recorded. Closed down the filter has a lovely woolliness to it but opened up theres a quality to it that really shimmers. The wavetable oscillator does not sound like this running through any other of my eurorack filters.
https://soundcloud.com/digitalvoices/moog-mother-external-audio-patch?in=digitalvoices/sets/modular-musings
Patch notes......I ran audio from a e350 Morphing Terrarium wavetable oscillator modulated by and e355 dual lfo into the Moog Mother 32 external audio input. The mix knob on the Mother 32 pans between VCO and noise, once the external audio is patched in the noise is replaced with the external audio source and is run through the Moog Ladder filter. During the recording Im panning between the Moog triangle oscillator and the external wavetable oscillator using the mix knob, opening and closing the cutoff & res, occasionally switching through the wavetable banks on the e 350. Processing is an Eventide Eclipse
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on May 03, 2016, 04:47:55 AM
Yesterday I tried for the first time to run an external sound source through the Moog Mother 32 Ladder filter. I was rather impressed with the results which I recorded. Closed down the filter has a lovely woolliness to it but opened up theres a quality to it that really shimmers. The wavetable oscillator does not sound like this running through any other of my eurorack filters.
https://soundcloud.com/digitalvoices/moog-mother-external-audio-patch?in=digitalvoices/sets/modular-musings
Hi Julio,
Reminds me of the fun I had processing external audio through my Korg MS-20 many, many moons ago. :)
Forrest
This seems like an appropriate place to slip this in... I paid over a hundred times more for my Moog Modular System 15.
http://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/1183/listenwatch-moogs-new-model-15-modular-synth-ios-app/57895
Quote from: ffcal on May 03, 2016, 10:21:51 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on May 03, 2016, 04:47:55 AM
Yesterday I tried for the first time to run an external sound source through the Moog Mother 32 Ladder filter. I was rather impressed with the results which I recorded. Closed down the filter has a lovely woolliness to it but opened up theres a quality to it that really shimmers. The wavetable oscillator does not sound like this running through any other of my eurorack filters.
https://soundcloud.com/digitalvoices/moog-mother-external-audio-patch?in=digitalvoices/sets/modular-musings
Hi Julio,
Reminds me of the fun I had processing external audio through my Korg MS-20 many, many moons ago. :)
Forrest
Yes Forrest....as much as the merits of the Korg MS20 have been praised for its historic sound, just as many accolades have gone to its external processing capabilities
Quote from: Scott M2 on May 03, 2016, 05:30:29 PM
This seems like an appropriate place to slip this in... I paid over a hundred times more for my Moog Modular System 15.
http://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/1183/listenwatch-moogs-new-model-15-modular-synth-ios-app/57895
Scott you have been holding out on us....Moog Model 15 modular. That sir is no small potatoes. Come on, dont you be shy.....post some pictures sir. Theres no room for modesty here, lets show it all and swoon with desire. :) :o :-*
Alright Julio. I'll take some proper snaps soon. This is a screen grab from Netflix of my system's brief cameo in I Dream Of Wires. :)
Quote from: Scott M2 on May 03, 2016, 09:22:55 PM
Alright Julio. I'll take some proper snaps soon. This is a screen grab from Netflix of my system's brief cameo in I Dream Of Wires. :)
Thats cool that you were part of "I dream of wires".....a movie star in are midst 8). I have only watched parts of it so I will stream it off netflix.
Your Moog is an early(vintage) Model 15? I know Moog has reissued the Model 15 and larger systems.
Back in the 1980s I owned both a Moog 15 and an Arp 2600. Here are a couple pictures of them around the time I was making my second album:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/My%20studio/My%20studio07%201988_zpsgi6iwpi5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/My%20studio/My%20studio07%201988_zpsgi6iwpi5.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/My%20studio/My%20studio%201988_zpshx8isnxy.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/My%20studio/My%20studio%201988_zpshx8isnxy.jpg.html)
I think the only thing I have left from those pictures is that a-frame keyboard stand lol.
A nicely varied array of machines Loren! I used to have strong desires for the ARP sequencer because of the quantizing. My little PAIA sequencer was very tedious to tune up - and the knobs interacted - probably due to me building it. :o
I had access to an ARP 2600 when I was a student, but I had a hard time getting interesting sounds. I think I was too used to the matrix-pin architecture of the ARP 2500, which really spoiled me. The Moog Mark V was fun (especially the ribbon controller), but it took me too long to set up patches, and I'd have to dismantle them at the end of each session, so that the next person who had reserved time could start from scratch.
Not sure what a Moog Mark V is, they called their modulars different names depending on the era they were made. My school had a Moog model 55 with two sequencers, that's what I originally learned on. Then later when I transferred to a different school they had a large Buchla 100 system that I spend a great deal of time on, it was too imitating for most folks. Each had their own thing that made them cool. I loved the touch plates on the Buchla, and the complex sequencers on the Moog.
Yeah the arp sequencer was a great one, I should have kept the two I had at one time. I wish someone would just copy it, most sequencers I have seen just seem to miss what it could do.
Its really great that you 3(Loren, Forrest & Scott) have or at some point had or learned on these amazing machines. I would love to play a Buchla 100 or 200 or a 200e. I look for eurorack modules that are inspired by Buchla design. If you want to play Buchla get Buchla but the price is a big deterrent. $1600 for a 261e complexed waveform generator (oscillator).
Good to read some of your history with these machines.
Heres the Buchla 259 Complex Waveform Generator from the 200 Series
(http://toddbarton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/buchla259small.jpg)
These are the eurorack complexed oscillators inspired by the original Buchla 259
Make Noise Dual Prismatic Oscillator
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZAID6gfako/UpbV8LLtZfI/AAAAAAAH0fY/zVYUDVhP6Q8/s1600/2599_MakeNoise_DPO.jpg)
The Sputnik Dual Oscillator
(http://smhttp-ssl-46969.nexcesscdn.net/media/catalog/product/s/p/sputnik_dualoscillator_01.jpg)
The Verbos Complex Oscillator
(http://postmodular.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Complex-Oscillator-sml.jpg)
Endorphines Furthrrr Generator
(http://www.schneidersladen.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/2/120557_1_1_1.jpg)
This wild and crazy looking oscillator is the closest to the original Buchla 259 in function.
I have had the DPO and currently use the Sputnik.
Here is a link to an overview of the 259 by Todd Barton.....simple videos explaining a complicated oscillator. I found them very helpful
https://vimeo.com/album/3542094 (https://vimeo.com/album/3542094)
Loren, I think the Moog unit at my school's studio was made in the late 60s and was similar to the unit Klaus Schulze acquired from Florian Fricke. I remember the big sound of the oscillators' sawtooths. Keeping them in tune was a little iffy, though.
Julio, Never got to play with an original Buchla unit, but saw one up close when the Exploratorium had a Buchla exhibit years back. I interviewed Morton Subotnick when I was in college for an article that never came out and he was crazy about Buchla gear back then.
Forrest
Quote from: ffcal on May 05, 2016, 09:04:28 PM
Julio, Never got to play with an original Buchla unit, but saw one up close when the Exploratorium had a Buchla exhibit years back. I interviewed Morton Subotnick when I was in college for an article that never came out and he was crazy about Buchla gear back then.
Forrest
Buchla exists because of Subotnick...well Im sure Buchla would come out with his modular in some shape or form but it was Subotnick and the San Francisco Tape Music Center that was the driving energy. I always like that Buchla was fist a Nasa engineer that went on to build a modular synthesizer. He's helped many people travel the galaxy.
What an experience for you to have interviewed the man. Happen to have the transcript handy? I enjoy watching interviews of him.....his energy at 81 yrs old is wonderful.
I Dream of Wires really does cover the whole modular history and the rise of the east coast, west coast philosophy. Good to see you in action Scott!
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on May 04, 2016, 05:45:47 AM
Quote from: Scott M2 on May 03, 2016, 09:22:55 PM
Alright Julio. I'll take some proper snaps soon. This is a screen grab from Netflix of my system's brief cameo in I Dream Of Wires. :)
Thats cool that you were part of "I dream of wires".....a movie star in are midst 8). I have only watched parts of it so I will stream it off netflix.
Your Moog is an early(vintage) Model 15? I know Moog has reissued the Model 15 and larger systems.
Julio, Mine is from the seventies and so is "vintage" but not one of the earliest models. I bought it bit by bit from my friend Eric Hopper (Sylken) but that's another story.
The earlier Moogs had 901 series oscillators which were known for pitch instabilities and they're probably the ones that Forrest suffered with. Moog improved the stability greatly with the 921 series - which is what Loren and I have/had.
Since we're discussing oscillators, I snapped this with my iPhone.
(http://www.dreamstate.to/images/photos/921-Oscs.jpg)
The main 921 is the gem... super-wide frequency range, clamping (to reset where the waveform starts) plus a waveform switch and dedicated attenuator for fast realtime changes. I waste its extreme high-range by primarily using it as an LFO, which its very good at. You might spot the LED I built in which glows red to green depending on the polarity and yellow in the audio range. A simple thing that I've found really useful.
The Sync is not the more typical kind you find in a Prophet 5 where you can create those agressive timbres when detuning one oscillator. The Moog ones just snap out of tune when you push them a bit. I think their sync is intended more for preventing any drift between oscillators when that suits your sound design.
The main tidbit I can pass on is that the 921 oscillators are super-stable if you don't use the Moog keyboard - which I believe is the main cause of drift (from a lackluster sample/hold circuit (probably just a capacitor) and glitches from dirty j-wire/bus-bar contacts (which needed cleaning more than once a year). Once I switched to using a Roland MPU-101 MIDI to CV interface the oscillators became very reliable. :)
Very fine set of oscillators Scott, and still looking good.
I have been staring at them for 20 minutes imagining the sound. The Moog speak is interesting....Clamp trig, clamp point, rectangular which would be square wave or is this something unique to Moogs and is really a rectangle in shape. Strong & weak sync.....who would dare to put the word "weak" on a product electronic or not, today, though it describes what it does it perfectly.
The 921A....Oscillator Driver.... 8), What is it? Rectangle LFO, yet there are only inputs no outs. Is it internally wired?
THe 921 has a lot going on and good job on the led, looks like it was supposed to be there. Aux outputs with selectable waveforms - or +, interesting.
Thanks for sharing this special instrument with us......perhaps at some point when your patching the Moog you might record a phrase or two...would love to hear it.
Not modular related but Moog related......Noisebug in Pomona announced that production of the Voyager was ending....and of course they had plenty in stock to sell. ;D ::)
Buchlas and Moogs and ARPs, Oh my!! Forrest, Scott and Loren, I envy you guys and the gear you had access to back then. I attended Trinity University in San Antonio and there wasn't much interest in electronic music there. Luckily the head of the music department was interested, so we had a small electronic music studio which shared a room with overflow file cabinets of sheet music. My electronic music class was basically an intro class concentrating on history and hands on experience with the gear which consisted of a EMS Synthi AKS, a EML Elecrocomp 101 and a EML 400/401 sequencer. We also had 2 Revox 2-tracks and a stereo system for playback. Like I said there wasn't much interest. My class only had eight students and they hardly ever signed up to use the studio, so my professor pretty much gave me a key so I could use it whenever I wanted. Even after I graduated. He retired a few years later and the university sold everything! :-[ I do have great memories of playing and learning on that gear, though. BTW, this was around 1973 to 1976.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on May 07, 2016, 03:05:11 PM
The 921A....Oscillator Driver.... 8), What is it? Rectangle LFO, yet there are only inputs no outs. Is it internally wired?
Yes it is internally wired to the 921B Oscillators. It basically controls them giving them the same voltages.
I didn't fully appreciate the access I had to Moog and ARP gear when I was a student, probably because I was more caught up in understanding the analog fundamentals then. Oddly enough, I often found myself bringing in my Korg MS-20 into the EM studio to record because I spent more time programming it and was more comfortable with it. The ARP 2500 made very cool sounds, but the oscillators tended to sound reedy and thin to me. The Moog sound was much fatter, of course, but the monster Moog was much harder for me to program (and I tended to run out of cables!). I did make liberal use of the Otari two-track machines for tape delay, though. :)
Sorry, Julio, no transcripts from my Subotnick interview. I was only a student!
Forrest
Came across this today....really good quiet ambient, for a modular. Love the secret agent man brief case 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0TTWcGhOzg
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on May 07, 2016, 03:05:11 PM
I have been staring at them for 20 minutes imagining the sound. The Moog speak is interesting....Clamp trig, clamp point, rectangular which would be square wave or is this something unique to Moogs and is really a rectangle in shape. Strong & weak sync.....who would dare to put the word "weak" on a product electronic or not, today, though it describes what it does it perfectly.
The 921A....Oscillator Driver.... 8), What is it? Rectangle LFO, yet there are only inputs no outs. Is it internally wired?
Re- the 921A, as Loren said, is wired to the 921Bs at the back of the modules. In the larger Moog systems you'll find three 921Bs attached to each 921A. I think it's meant save patching into each individual oscillator to save multiples and wires.
And because they were pretty much the first, the "common" nomenclature was not standardized yet. Yes, the "rectangular" wave is commonly called a "pulse" wave now and with the Width knob at 12 o'clock it's a square wave. The Minimoog had some unique naming too. Emphasis for Resonance (Q) on the VCF and the Envelopes were called Contours. On the Modulars they were called Envelope Generators but instead of the now-common ADSR layout they used T1 (Time1), T2, T3, Esus or effectively ADRS. They also used the uncommon "S-Trigger" instead of an incoming voltage to trigger them. It made it easy to use an simple external switch to trigger them.
Here's a photo of my 911 Envelopes (which I also build LEDs into) and a less common 911A Dual Trigger Delay to which I added a 1/4" jack with a voltage to S-trigger converter and a switch to bypass the delays - which add a tiny delay even at their lowest setting. I use an MPU-101 MIDI to CV converter which uses voltage triggers, so the converter is always used. It's also handy for triggering from an LFO. (This is kind of fun revisiting little mods made decades ago - which I just take for granted now.)
(http://www.dreamstate.to/images/photos/911-Envelopes.jpg)
Last year the Obsolete Components label (which is all about the old hardware) asked if I had an ambient track which featured my Moog on it for a chilled compilation they were assembling. I didn't, but decided to make one with the Moog as the only sound source plus copious use of my Eventide H9. It was named ADRS as the envelopes were a significant factor in its creation - and now you'll get the joke Julio. ;)
https://obsoletecomponents.bandcamp.com/track/adrs (https://obsoletecomponents.bandcamp.com/track/adrs)
Fascinating look into your Moog Model 15, Scott......I understand now when you said you have a relationship with this instrument and a very long one.
Im quite happy staring at Oscillators, Envelopes et el, but then I need to get a life....no this is my life ;D
Theres all sorts of unique modular speak appearing on eurorack modules......Air, Span, Quality, Influence, Texture, Structure, just glanced over at the modular and read these off. However there is still something unique about the Moog language and it was created alone though Buchla's modular was being created around the same time on the other coast.
Gorgeous track Scott...love the way you took this powerful monophonic instrument and created so much deep space, textures and delicate timbres.
Im enjoying how the Modular thread is becoming more personal and historic and not just a gear fest.
I picked up one of these last week:
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v301/5444.jpg)
So far it seems pretty cool.
Loren, I was in the Moog Audio store in Toronto where they have a very good collection of Euro for sale. The staff are always screwing around in the modular section, which is great because they can speak with more knowlege about them. Some great sonics attracted my ears and I went over to enquire. It was this module generating the main sound and it's always been in my imaginary eurorack system ever since. ;D 8)
Yeah I saw one really cheap on ebay, so I went out to Noisebug for something else and while there did some playing around with the waldorf while in the shop. That's when I knew I had to have it, it does some pretty interesting things. Now I need to go back to Noisebug and purchase some other modules they had that I also tested out and now can't live without. ;D
I'm doing a show in a few weeks (I mentioned it over in my thread in the Forum members projects). I thought I would share with you what I plan to use in my modular. Here's a rendering from modulargrid of what I will have in the system:
(https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_285737.jpg)
I haven't started on any patches yet, that will come this weekend.
With all that, you won't need visuals Loren!
Been away on vacation and stayed off the net intentionally...
Its encouraging that you both have good things to say about the Waldorf NW1 wavetable module as I have disliked every demo I have heard and that may speak more about the demos than the module. I have the iPad app Nave which as I understand the nw1 is related. I liked using Nave but it was very brittle in sound which seems to carry over into the nw1, again these is based on net demos so.....it would seem this module really needs to be experienced in the flesh from what you are both saying. Always been a waldorf wavetable fan so Im interested.
Loren, any chance your live set will be recorded?
Heres a podcast and poor quality unfortunately with Mark Verbos talking about all things random with emphasis on Don Buchla's genius and how it arrives into the new Verbos Random Sampling module. Some interesting history. Its long and demanding but well worth the headache, but then I love randomness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I2PfWKT_aY
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v216/7844.jpg)
I get a little excited every time I look in this thread. :o
Quote from: jkn on June 15, 2016, 08:13:18 AM
I get a little excited every time I look in this thread. :o
Yes, I'm getting some vicarious enjoyment out of it, too. Makes me wants to plug patch cords into things. ;)
It made me buy Reaktor 6 for the Blocks modules.
(http://www.native-instruments.com/typo3temp/pics/img-ce-gallery-_reaktor_6_blocks_blocks_image-gallery_09-quadropolis-1bbbe508968e28973d7b5407843b66b7-d.jpg)
quote author=Julio Di Benedetto link=topic=8473.msg50744#msg50744 date=1465939283]
Heres a podcast and poor quality unfortunately with Mark Verbos talking about all things random with emphasis on Don Buchla's genius and how it arrives into the new Verbos Random Sampling module. [/quote]
I already have Doepfer's A-149-1 and A-149-2 which is basically the top part of the Verbos module. Here's a video of how it works
https://youtu.be/l59lAQ0ihmI
What you may ask does an Akai APC 40 Mk2 Ableton controller have to do with modulars...well nothing, but for me it does because each on of those colored soft buttons represents a patch or part of a patch.
I saw Morton Subotnik talking on a video about how he uses Ableton live and a few controllers for his live performance. What this meant was that he could have a small Buchla system and use Ableton to record, process and send back out into the live system while performing.... at least thats my understanding of it. This idea appealed to me to expand the system without adding more modules and use the daw in a live and spontaneous manner. This has completely opened up Live for me in very new way.
I dont use the APC with the computer, that is, it's connected but located as part of the modular system. As a patch evolves its sections are recorded into Live. The patch is dismantled and a new one created as a continuation or the first patch. Then this patch is recorded and spread across the controller. This patch is taken down and a new......you see the pattern. I have 10 channels coming out of the system so technically I can have 10 separate events (not voices) happening simultaneously.
I had wanted to only produce/perform music from the modular with just the modular and its limitations and keep it "alive" and spontaneous as was expressed with the "Modular Musings" thread, so this maybe a compromise if one could call it that but Im hoping the music will be that much more.
(https://digitalvoices.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/fullsizerender41.jpg?w=460)
Interesting, I wonder it that would work with Mainstage instead of Live? :o
BTW here is a pic of me from my live show last week, with my modular as you can see:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/Concerts/13521871_10154259623421944_4884644223956613060_n_zpsw8vgcla4.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/Concerts/13521871_10154259623421944_4884644223956613060_n_zpsw8vgcla4.jpg.html)
Here are a couple of other shots of modulars that were at the show.
This one is actually the synth I first learned synthesis on 35 years ago:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/Concerts/13521904_10207952925195574_9070359049150327142_n_zps788vw7r6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/Concerts/13521904_10207952925195574_9070359049150327142_n_zps788vw7r6.jpg.html)
It's the moog 35 that Long Beach City College owns. It sat in a storage room for over 20 years not being used (I almost bought this thing off of them at an auction in 1987, but they pulled it out before the auction ended). Two math professor heard about it, the music department gave it to them, they sent it back to moog who refurbished it to this condition. Nice to see it in use again after all these years.
This is my friend Rychards modular synth, he likes LED lights ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/Concerts/13516465_10154259626101944_397543233939488926_n_zpsy3ftkfdq.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/Concerts/13516465_10154259626101944_397543233939488926_n_zpsy3ftkfdq.jpg.html)
This guy named Matt brought his smallish system, it does a lot for it's size:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/Concerts/13521984_10154259626311944_2610239882526870803_n_zpsquapwspv.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/Concerts/13521984_10154259626311944_2610239882526870803_n_zpsquapwspv.jpg.html)
Lastly a closer picture of my system:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/lnerell/Concerts/13532882_10154259624036944_530525169501670376_n_zpsid8kerei.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lnerell/media/Concerts/13532882_10154259624036944_530525169501670376_n_zpsid8kerei.jpg.html)
Fantastic pictures Loren....how did the performance go?
It seems the mixer is a focal point for you...could you explain the performance process and how each part of your setup interacted. Im very interested in what is involved in a modular performance and making it all come together in a live situation.
Was a recording made?
Questions, questions, questions.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on June 29, 2016, 07:37:47 PM
Fantastic pictures Loren....how did the performance go?
It went well I thought.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on June 29, 2016, 07:37:47 PMIt seems the mixer is a focal point for you...could you explain the performance process and how each part of your setup interacted. Im very interested in what is involved in a modular performance and making it all come together in a live situation.
Well the mixer is kind of the focal point since everything goes through it. It looks like that because of the two side tables that attach to the mixer rack. I think more central was the computer. I was doing a short (20 minutes) version of my album Taksu, so I ended up using a lot of samples. The modular I had programmed with six different patches that I could play, so it wasn't all samples.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on June 29, 2016, 07:37:47 PMWas a recording made?
Yes and a video as well, it should be done shortly, I will let everyone know when it is up.
Thanks for the info Loren.....post like yours really make this modular thread a living breathing personal experience :).
Yes your mixer is front and center but I understand how the computer is really the core.
From my own experience Im beginning to realize how the Akai APC 40 just shines for live performance, well, my own studio performance that is but still I can envision this out in a live situation. One Apc may not be enough. I believe they can be daisy chained so one could almost ignore the computer.
Staring at all the eye candy I was distracted and missed the story about the Moog 35....thought it was a Synthesizer.com, they do share a resemblance. Damn Maths teachers....stick to fractal and algorithmic music ;D
Looking forward to the video of your performance.
A new module added to my system...Iron Ether Pithoprakta, a probabilistic rhythm generator. Basically a very random gate sequencer
(http://ironether.com/wp-content/uploads/pithopraktapaneledited-315x500.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z2FY7tDqH0
FYI....Iron Ether is primarily a guitar pedal manufacturer out of Lafayette Louisiana with just this one astonishing eurorack module
Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:
https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA (https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA)
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on July 04, 2016, 09:05:29 PM
A new module added to my system...Iron Ether Pithoprakta, a probabilistic rhythm generator. Basically a very random gate sequencer
(http://ironether.com/wp-content/uploads/pithopraktapaneledited-315x500.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z2FY7tDqH0
FYI....Iron Ether is primarily a guitar pedal manufacturer out of Lafayette Louisiana with just this one astonishing eurorack module
Wow, I didn't know that Iron Ether was from Louisiana, let alone 40 minutes away from where I live. Thanks for posting about that.
Quote from: LNerell on July 06, 2016, 03:30:40 PM
Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:
https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA (https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA)
Excellent performance Loren....what a beautiful kaleidoscope of tone and texture. Really enjoyed it.
Might be an idea to repost this in the members projects section so others who want nothing to do with us gearheadz ;D can experience the piece.
Quote from: LNerell on July 06, 2016, 03:30:40 PM
Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:
https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA (https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA)
You have to use it in this way --> starting with www. and
not using the given short https
Like this (I typed the first "w" in brackets otherwise the video would be visible but not the link) --> (w)ww.youtube.com/watch?v=I37auFrlFNA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37auFrlFNA
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on July 07, 2016, 03:37:08 AM
Quote from: LNerell on July 06, 2016, 03:30:40 PM
Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:
https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA (https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA)
Excellent performance Loren....what a beautiful kaleidoscope of tone and texture. Really enjoyed it.
Might be an idea to repost this in the members projects section so others who want nothing to do with us gearheadz ;D can experience the piece.
Thanks Julio, yes I posted it in my Loren Nerell news thread and also updated it so it now appears not as a link.
Speaking of links I guess you have to change everything so it reads "(w)ww.youtube.com/watch?v=" and then add the "I37auFrlFNA" for it to work. Thanks for that info.
Heres a new module recently added to my system....The Modcan Touch Sequencer
(http://www.analoguehaven.com/modcan/touchsequencer/touchsequencer.jpg)
This is the eurorack version of the Modcan Series B Touch Sequencer from their large format Modular system pictured below.
Both modules behave the same way. The eurorack version has to be the smallest 4 track sequencer I have come across. It is so straight forward and simple to use and yet deep and complex results come out from it.
(http://www.modcan.com/bmodules/touch.jpg)
These are the video manual for both units for those curious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS9IUQl_380
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwJ8Ir3E44A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRkAmFTRp3U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FQiutD6K0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLBsS5rvLBQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRoI2A1zhtQ
Came across this video of the history of the Modular Music and the East coast / West coast paradigm give by Tony Rolando, the man behind Make Noise. Its short and has an interesting selection of music that demonstrates the 2 coasts and the Moog & Buchla philosophies. Ultimately he gets to his main purpose of exhibiting his new and about to be released Make Noise "0 Coast" or No Coast synth voice.....like the Moog Mother 32 this is a great place to start for anyone looking to get into modulars or add it to your existing system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ97tOfU6Io
(https://www.idesignsound.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/0-coast.jpg)
Robin Rimbaud....aka Scanner talks about his live modular setup. I always enjoy listening to artist discuss their gear and method if any. Its slutty and education ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-EoJ97dXGQ
And here is what I believe is the pre performance practice run.....I cant be 100% sure but its the same setup ???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfrWxACXkzs
Julio, How do you like the Modcan Touch Sequencer? Love the display. Reminds me of my Atari ST from the old days.
Forrest
Quote from: ffcal on July 31, 2016, 10:28:26 AM
Julio, How do you like the Modcan Touch Sequencer? Love the display. Reminds me of my Atari ST from the old days.
Forrest
Hi Forrest,
The Modcan Touch Sequencer is quite amazing. Only had it a few weeks, yet it is so straight forward to program via the touch screen. I have been looking for a 4 track sequence that has 4 individual clocks, this sort of does in that it has 4 independent clock dividers. Sort of the same thing though I dont think I could elaborate more....its a bit beyond me.
For something this powerful it has rather a small foot print. Initially I was a bit apprehensive of having to menu dive....it could not be more pleasurable to work with. Its just one of those piece of kit that reaches out so far into a system that it changes the way you work and makes the music that much more exciting to create.
I see the similarity to the Atari ST.....Its something to look back on those old yet special machines. They offered the possibility for the future!
Quote from: Ekstasis on August 04, 2016, 05:57:45 PM
How come I always see these guy with these huge modulars but they never release any actual music dispite often superior sound..
it feels like it is only a plaything for them like toys..
If I had more analouge stuff I would make good music.. but right now I have been forced to sell off my converter so I do not even have sound in my speakers anymore.. that sucks
You definitely get the modular=lego set vibe from watching I Dream of Wires and I think that collecting modules and making weird sounds is a pretty great hobby compared to most. I suppose the guitar collectors with great instruments who never release albums would be a good comparison (although they're kind of taking the vintage instruments away from the non-wealthy players).
There's still lots of folks wielding their modulars to make good music though. Living in Toronto, I get to see lots of shows with artists carting in modulars small and large. I love how much weird firepower people can pack into a choice Eurorack.
I'm very sorry to hear you've been parted from your converter. I know how much pure sound means to you. Perhaps you can find a reasonable smaller used unit to keep you working on music until you can connect with your dream unit(s) again. Good luck...
Quote from: Ekstasis on August 04, 2016, 05:57:45 PM
it feels like it is only a plaything for them like toys..
For many that is the case.....it is a hobby and they have no intention of making recordings other than to share with friends and demonstrate sounds of new modules. Keep in mind the eurorack modular system has taken about the last ten years to reach this zenith where it is now. How many Moog's, Buchla's, Serge's and Arp's have appeared on records....many but they have been around 40 years or more and could only be bought by successful recording artist due to the insane cost. The eurorack format by contrast is for the people.....there are a lot of people in this world.
So here is a successful musician with lots of modular toys......Oxygen was the first electronic music I had heard, guess I was about 12 years old when it came out. Still love to this day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctOhwRGdVvo
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 05, 2016, 10:04:36 AM
So here is a successful musician with lots of modular toys......Oxygen was the first electronic music I had heard, guess I was about 12 years old when it came out. Still love to this day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctOhwRGdVvo
Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature but due to their size and the limited selection of modules closer to hard-wired synthesisers like an Odyssey or Mini Moog. Patching is a nice bonus but not the main purpose of a 2600.
It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.
Stephen
Quote from: doombient on August 08, 2016, 02:31:24 AM
Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature
The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.
Quote from: doombient on August 08, 2016, 02:31:24 AM
It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.
They are hardly toys, I would say they are great synths, maybe a bit more limited then a full modular synth.
Quote from: LNerell on August 08, 2016, 10:57:43 AM
Quote from: doombient on August 08, 2016, 02:31:24 AM
Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature
The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.
Quote from: doombient on August 08, 2016, 02:31:24 AM
It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.
They are hardly toys, I would say they are great synths, maybe a bit more limited then a full modular synth.
I probably should not of used the word toy in the Jarre post....bad sarcasm though following Ekstasis's lead, so it is his fault ;D
Quote from: LNerell on August 08, 2016, 10:57:43 AM
Quote from: doombient on August 08, 2016, 02:31:24 AM
Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature
The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.
[...]
They are not internally pre-wired and ready to be played (unlike a 2600 or a Mini Moog), that's true, but "modular" in a sense of "give me three of these modules and four of those" they are not. They are fairly limited in terms of options and you're stuck with what you've got (they don't even have a proper envelope generator, for a start).
I do love my educational toys but I don't refer to them as "my modular rig". That would be a bit pathetic.
Stephen
The VCS3 is still in production......over at muffwigglers one person said they joined the wait list in 2010 @#74. April of 2016 that person was @#11.
You got to really want one of these and have patience.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 14, 2016, 08:41:41 PM
[...] You got to really want one of these and have patience.
As much as I like the VCS-3 for what it does, there are better and more instantly available options around today.
More cost-effective, too.
Stephen
A Synthi AKS (VCS-3 in a case) was my second synth (bought from David Pritchard - "Noctural Earthworm Stew" - if that means anything to you). I really appreciated all the basic synth power in a small briefcase and I felt like a secret agent (with a case full of gadgetry) when taking it home on the bus from Toronto to Ottawa the first time. I think that nowdays you could cook up a similar small, shallow Eurorack system in a briefcase (though without the speakers).
It's one of the synths I regret selling years later because it is so self-contained. Besides the basic 3 VCOs, Noise, VCF, Envelope and VCAs, it also had a great ring modulator, spring reverb and powered stereo speakers plus the wacky keyboard/sequencer. If I still owned it, it would hang on a hook in my kitchen wall like art and I'd twiddle up strange sounds while waiting for water to boil and for listening while washing dishes. Could just grab it from the hook to take to a jam.
Its self-contained nature was also the reason I sold it. Everything was non-standard. The control voltages were not 1V/octave. The Trapezoid had a linear output instead of exponential (which I prefer most of the time). The sequencer could not be synced with other instruments. I really wished for octave switches on the VCOs when I was using with my rock band. I usually just set up one patch per set during breaks and my Minimoog did the heavy lifting, as it was fast to tweak. You can wire up pins to 1/4" jacks to interface with other gear but you have to be careful about scaling, polarities and such. (The built in meter was a huge help though, for understanding what's going on. I eventually built a meter into a Moog cabinet but it didn't have the nice zero volts at 12 o'clock response to observe voltages moving through both polarities.) When I needed money to buy my first proper half-track, it was the logical instrument to go because I couldn't get it to play along with my other voltage controlled synths without convoluted patches involving the patch bay in my Korg 3100 (which had some handy modules available).
I've recently bought a VCS-3 app for my iPad which sounds very good and adds more capabilities to the original but in a confusing fashion. I believe it will reward more time spent learning its new elements and configurations.
Here's a recent interview with Peter Zinovieff (who designed the VCS-3). His history with electronic music reveals the VCS-3's "modular" roots as a wall of oscillators and such.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHsX8L4qVI0
And another, kind of fun, interview:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/20/peter-zinovieff-ringo-ems-synths-interview
Zinovieff has actually given his approval to the iVCS3 app for iPads.
He even wrote the preface to the manual, and in what seems typical Zinovieff style, after stating "Personally I cannot criticize it in any way." concludes with "To cast myself completely back to the 1960's I would like to see a couple of random voltage generators developed next year as an add-on module." ;D I would not be surprized to see Apesoft do just that as they're great app developers and do take the designs further with updates on a regular basis.
The app even has rather insanely detailed options such as 6 different spring reverb algorithms (with various cpu consumption) and 3 different ring modulator algorithms with a slider for "Ring Modulator Leakage"!
Here's a couple of reviews/overviews:
http://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/1183/apesoft-ivcs-reviewed-the-ems-putney-synth-on-your-ipad/52186
https://www.warpacademy.com/ivcs3/
According to Dave Cockerell, the abbreviation "VCS 3" stands for "Very Crappy Synthesiser, third attempt".
Stephen
Thanks for the in depth look Scott at the VCS 3 and your personal history with Synthi AKS
Heres Mr Cortini performing with the Synthi AKS......and now we know the meaning of VCS3, I wonder what AKS stands for ::) ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ155KLFoQM
Quote from: Scott M2 on August 16, 2016, 09:23:45 AM
Here's a recent interview with Peter Zinovieff (who designed the VCS-3). His history with electronic music reveals the VCS-3's "modular" roots as a wall of oscillators and such.
Fascinating video.....interesting how younger musicians today and I say younger compared to Peter Zinovieff and Subotnik who totally embrace the computer and Daw, whereas these younger musicians, myself included tend to treat the computer and Daw as a multi track tape machine and performances are live with little post manipulation. Many would prefer to record direct to tape if those machines were more readily available and some people still do.
A lot to think about!
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 17, 2016, 06:33:15 AM
[...] and now we know the meaning of VCS3, I wonder what AKS stands for ::) ;D
A krappy sequencer.
Aye, kool shite.
Just an idea...
Stephen
Quote from: doombient on August 17, 2016, 08:26:21 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 17, 2016, 06:33:15 AM
[...] and now we know the meaning of VCS3, I wonder what AKS stands for ::) ;D
A krappy sequencer.
Aye, kool shite.
Just an idea...
Stephen
Good one!
Quote from: Scott M2 on August 17, 2016, 09:28:03 AM
Quote from: doombient on August 17, 2016, 08:26:21 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 17, 2016, 06:33:15 AM
[...] and now we know the meaning of VCS3, I wonder what AKS stands for ::) ;D
A krappy sequencer.
Aye, kool shite.
Just an idea...
Stephen
Good one!
Trying to bring this thread back on focus and leaving EMS non virtues behind.....kind of funny but not really.
I thought we might gloat at Mr Cortini's Buchla Rig.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o4yFxumAuA
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 17, 2016, 06:33:15 AM
I wonder what AKS stands for ::) ;D
The Synthesizer was the Synthi A, I guess A stood for the first model? You could order just the Synthi A if you liked, and most early models were just the A. The KS stood for Keyboard and Sequencer that they later designed that sat in the top lid. Here's a picture of an Synthi AKS:
(http://www.ronpellegrinoselectronicartsproductions.org/Pages/OhNineSiteExtensionB/AKSfull.jpg)
I use to own two Synthi As with a cricklewood keyboard That I bought off of Richard Burmer (if you know who that is), here's a picture of a Synthi with that keyboard:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2502953819_41559f72b1.jpg)
The cricklewood had an extra oscillator that you could use as an LFO. I use to hook both of them up together and make all kinds of strange noises. They weren't very good at playing melodic stuff as the voltages drifted too much, but they could make really cool sounds, most of the weird sounds on my first album were from the Synthis. :D
The layout of the Synthi is very appealing.....would love to have had the chance to play one. I enjoy making music with synths or modules that make odd abstract sounds and then attempt to coax them into more musical compositions.
I've found the VCS3 is great for processing stuff, I particularly like running external synths through the ring mod -> filter -> spring reverb, using the oscillators as to modulate stuff (and each other), rather than as sound sources, can get pretty wild, but can also be musical too
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 17, 2016, 08:57:22 PM
[...]
Trying to bring this thread back on focus and leaving EMS non virtues behind.....kind of funny but not really.
I thought we might gloat at Mr Cortini's Buchla Rig.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o4yFxumAuA
Cortini's Buchla stuff is among the few listenable (and enjoyable) Buchla performances on the net.
I sometimes can't help the feeling that most people seem to mistake the Buchla for an expensive whoopee cushion.
"There is nothing more satisfying than making a synthesiser sound like a fart." (Vince Clarke)
Nothing wrong with the EMS. Its price is just a bit out of proportion.
The first incarnation of the Synthi-A was to be called
The Portabella.
Stephen
We had a Synthi AKS in our small electronic music studio at Trinity University back in the early to mid '70's.I loved playing with it. I never felt I was totally in control, but I came up with some great sounds on it. Often accidentally, but that was okay with me.
Its been some two months since I stopped the Modular Musings thread as I wanted to get serious and make a "serious studio recording".....well its turning out being serious in the modular dominion is not very productive or a good way to work. Most of what I have produced is rubbish and I have come to realize why.....the modular synth, at least me with mine does not like being forced to do something or put another way, it will not bend to my will. It is not so aggressive as it sounds but having composed ambient electronic music for 16 plus years I have never found myself in this position before where traditional synths and keyboards with black and white keys have always been willing to fashion music at will. This doesn't mean mistakes weren't made and bad music created but the instruments was not in the way, the problem was always me.
This is a temporary phase thats been a challenge and a lesson.....and with only 8 months into this modular adventure I really am still learning.
The APC 40 MK2 controller for Live 9 that I was excited to incorporate into my modular production was going really well until I did my first bounce from session to arrange. The session part is so abstract that trying to get or control the bounce via the APC 40 was terrible. I had thought its randomness might yield something unexpected but it did not. Live Session view is really a creative canvas to work with but once it becomes audio in the arrange view it does not happen for me the way Logic does or any other traditional daw for controlling and manipulating audio.....but there is a work around called Soundflower from Cycling 74, the people that brought us Max and Max for Live.
I used Soundflower extensively in my last cd, Original Light as a bridge between Live 9 and Logic Pro. A good deal of processing of the audio was done through Live using Max for Live plugins and was recorded straight into logic in one pass through Live using Soundflower. This video will explain how this works....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2-z1TFR7RU
Soundflower is up to 64 channels now so Logic really has become a multitrack and is an environment I am very comfortable to work with audio in. Its the best of both worlds and works with all Daws I believe in Mac OSX
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on August 28, 2016, 08:51:21 PM
the modular synth, at least me with mine does not like being forced to do something or put another way, it will not bend to my will.
Hi Julio,
Maybe your modular output could be used in a different way. I like to keep my unused material in a subdirectory as "odds and sods" material that might find its way into a future project if I want to depart from my existing musical palette. I've been doing this for the past 15 years, and have found it an especially interesting way to work when I'm exploring new ways to process sounds.
Forrest
Hi Forrest,
That is a very good idea.....the problem is me trying to write music, not really the machine. I have my lets compose a serious piece of music hat on and need to take it off and put on the experimental fun hat again. Just build some sounds and have fun and record those structures for a future day. That is the way to go.
Thanks for the direction Forrest!
(http://www.schneidersladen.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/150257_1.jpg)
ALM/Busy Circuits.....Akemie's Castle is a four operator, 2 oscillator FM synth module that us new old stock yamaha chip set. Details here...http://busycircuits.com/alm011/ (http://busycircuits.com/alm011/)
Sending cv to the wave jack and into the multiplier jack does amazing things as it sort of scans the shapes as we have come to know from wavetable synth, its mot the same but has that effect. The chord feature really works well. The module has some digital bite to it, in a good way that filtering smooths out beautifully if need be.
Heres a good demo....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY2WlWrhSJc
RIP...Don Buchla. April 18, 1937 - September 16, 2016
(http://s1082004.instanturl.net/buchla.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/buchlaabuchlasys.l1.jpg) (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2494/4105430124_a43989fccd_z.jpg?zz=1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Xaw5r43n0
Modular Synths Mimic Life In Suzanne Ciani & Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's 'Sunergy'
September 15, 2016 by LARS GOTRICH • There is life in the modular synth, which ripples and gurgles in ways that can feel human or otherwise. Sunergy brings together two synthesists of different generations for a stunning album that feels deeply conversational. Suzanne Ciani was a classically trained pianist before meeting musical inventor Don Buchla in the early '70s, radically altering her creative path. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is a more recent convert to modular synths, but has already discovered a voice of her own, especially with this year's gorgeous EARS.
Smith and Ciani's collaborative LP is documented here by director Sean Hellfritsch, whose 25-minute film was shot in Ciani's Northern California home. There, the duo makes music that evokes the motion of ocean waves and sea life, with the synths perfectly in tune with the natural world.
"When I was invited to make a film about a collaboration between Kaitlyn and Suzanne, the modular synth geek in me jumped for joy," Hellfritsch tells NPR. "I didn't hold any expectations over the film, though I was certain it wouldn't be a classic documentary — i.e., no interviews intercut with behind-the-scenes footage. As the recordings came to life, I felt more and more that what I was making should simply serve as a visual layer to the sounds — another channel for listeners to experience.
"The music of Sunergy is an ode to the sun and the sea, so I thought it natural to look to those elements for my inspiration, as well. I took a camera to the intertidal zone of Duxbury Reef and was very fortunate to find it in such a dynamic state. As I was shooting, I could see the sounds of Kaitlyn and Suzanne's synths dancing in the water and light. I thought to myself, 'Aha! This is it!'"
Sunergy comes out Sept. 16 on RVNG Intl.
http://kaitlynaureliasmith.bandcamp.com/album/frkwys-vol-13-sunergy (http://kaitlynaureliasmith.bandcamp.com/album/frkwys-vol-13-sunergy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oV6-shZpI
Incredibly small. And inexpensive. And a surprisingly good sound ... if you are into that thing. :o
Cool little synth Anthony.....especially when paired with other sound devices.
Tennis with a module :o ;D
Think I'd go for this neat looking semi if I were to buy another analog.
It has some depth and a nice design:
(http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/images/synthesizers/phenol-700.jpg)
http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/?p=phenol
Anyone here given it a try? Scott M2 ? It's made in Toronto.
I've never tried it Anthony - but I went to see a dance piece where a friend was performing his score live and he played one as his main instrument. I was really impressed with the sound. A solid, tight bass sound even in a concrete room. A nice touch was one of the dancers holding his notebook while he patched up the synth on the side of the stage before the piece, so that it felt like a part of the performance.
Another friend (a modular synthesist who I respect as an experimental musician, and who works at Long & McQuade) had recommended it to him for his needs.
Anthony I have had my eye on this from the beginning of my modular journey.....I still am very interested in it and its a phenomenal modular synth. It has many features in it that I love and have not seen implemented in such a compact entity.
If I think what you are think....this would be an no looking back place to jump in and its a well priced piece of kit
Also its banana plug...how I miss my Serge.....remember on Star Trek how they played I think chess on multiply layers so you could take a piece above. Not sure thats the best example but I hope you get the idea. Banana plugs allow you to stack multiple cable outputs to various inputs.....but you can't stack multiple outputs into one input....just a banana fact.
FYI Pomona make some solid banana cables you see on Buchla's and Serge modulars.
Heres a excellent walk through from a Canadian music store.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UVguohNNDs
Its a year since I embarked on my modular synth adventure.
When i started I did not know it mean't that I would actually be building a synthesizer, not in a DIY manner but selecting the parts that form a complete system if thats possible with eurorack. A fair amount of choices along the way turned out to be short term as the system grew and now I feel the modular has evolved far enough.
I will never think of filters, lfo's, Sample & holds, Random generators etc...along with gates, triggers & envelopes to name a few in the same way again. Composing with a modular system liberates one from the fixed method of traditional synthesis and with that liberty comes the real challenge of sonic freedom.... you are on your own with nothing to fall back on which is both exciting and daunting.
The modular synth requires a different set of operating skills, at least for me it does...you can't approach it with past knowledge. Not acceptable. It demands that you be open and not try to conform it to your will, eventually, yes, a partnership will come into being but you have to pay you sonic dues.
The quote below really reflects what I have been suggesting and carries the main sentiment.
"It is comforting to be in a situation and do what you know. You can rely on past experiences to guide you through the process, even as difficulties pop up. The challenge is making the time and space to work on what we don't know. Where the falls are harder and the successes are smaller. I'm constantly looking at the balance between what we know and what we want to learn. How do we continue to pursue new as we rely on refining what we have? What amount of resources do we apply to each? As soon as we try something for the first time we know something about it. We get the initial jitters out of the way. After that, the unknown becomes the possible.".....Chef Alex Talbot
A dedication to Buchla on the Moog website.
(https://www.moogmusic.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/news/news/Don_Buchla.jpg)
Dear Don,
There are no words that can accurately portray the profound impact you have had on our lives. We are deeply inspired by your artistry, and your ground-breaking achievements will always inform the work we hold most closely to our hearts. You and Bob, through your distinctive styles, collaboration and friendship, have laid the foundation for our future. Your influence endures in our minds, hearts and hands as we craft tools that give rise to joyful experimentations. We will never truly capture the elegance and beauty that you and Bob achieved, but we promise to never stop trying.
From everyone at Moog, thank you for inspiring us and giving meaning to our life's work.
Love,
Your Friends At Moog
Which reminds me that I'd love on of these Music Easels:
(https://buchla.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/easel_rogan.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhtar8FlgzU
8)
Quote from: APK on December 15, 2016, 08:57:21 AM
Which reminds me that I'd love on of these Music Easels:
(https://buchla.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/easel_rogan.jpg)
I'm really enjoying mine. At first I got sort of frustrated with it as there is a learning curve like most synths. I found myself trying to force my will upon it and not accomplishing much. Recently I've been letting it take me where it wants and experimenting from there. I've been copying patches from others and using them as starting points and getting better results. Lots of fun.
Harry....you have an Easel! You been holding out on us? ;)
I have been listening, watching, reading, you name it. Prices is daunting and availability a bit sketchy however to experience a Buchla without a second mortgage, this seems to be the way. From my understanding its so much more than just a patchable monophonic synth.....you enter the mind of its creator.
Harry !!! we are coming over to play with it ... right now ! 8)
Okay, but bring beer and pizza. ;D
This thread has been asleep a while.....time to wake up.
(https://www.blipcvshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/BitBox-WEb.jpg)
The Bitbox is a 24bit 48k stereo sampler for eurorack. You can record 16 track / loops from your modular and then have them triggered as you please, by contact on the touch sensitive screen or by cv triggers and gates. 16 independent sonic events. Also as a sample playback of externally recorded material to be processed by the modular.
Its like having a DAW within your modular system. It can also export via the micro sd card into Ableton Live and open as a ready to go session.
For live performance its potential is huge.
I have had the Bitbox for a short time but I am very excited to be able to extend a modular patch into many sonic events simultaneously. Create a massive piece of music without having to commit anything to disk until performance ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amoxQ3KxvZs
So interesting modules coming soon or currently available....
(https://www.modulargrid.net/img/modules/v2/11004.jpg)
The original MT module is some 7 years old and this new design is available this coming September, possibly the king of wavetables with many created by Robert Rich. Not sure if the screen has functions beyond eye candy. Can import your own wavetables.
(https://media.sweetwater.com/images/items/750/Morpheus-large.jpg?dc73cc3178)
Remember the E-MU Morpheus Z Plane Synth.....the famous filter inside that is now reborn in eurorack format!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_mgPq9SWi8
And while Im at it, here's my eurorack system now......consolidated to about half of its former size.
(https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_352187.jpg)
That is a gorgeous looking box of tricks you have there, Julio. 8)
I sense that eurorack is becoming more and more digital.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 15, 2017, 06:09:23 AM
The Bitbox is a 24bit 48k stereo sampler for eurorack.
Damn, I was waiting for the Rossum sampler module but this may be better for live use. I'll be checking this one out soon.
Quote from: APK on April 20, 2017, 09:27:59 AM
That is a gorgeous looking box of tricks you have there, Julio. 8)
I sense that eurorack is becoming more and more digital.
Hi Anthony.....It is becoming more digital. My system is about 50 /50 analog and digital. The most exciting modules do seem to be coming from the digital side, oscillators, processors and Fx. An analog oscillator will be just that and much needed but a digital oscillator does not have to operated by analogs guidelines that still have not really changed over the years both in design and circuitry. Perhaps electricity has its limits.
Even though my system is half of its former size it is still very capable and with the addition of the Bitbox sampler now has actually more potential than when it was a larger system. :) 8)
Quote from: LNerell on April 21, 2017, 09:49:58 AM
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 15, 2017, 06:09:23 AM
The Bitbox is a 24bit 48k stereo sampler for eurorack.
Damn, I was waiting for the Rossum sampler module but this may be better for live use. I'll be checking this one out soon.
Dave Rossum showed his sample at Superbooth in Berlin. Seems it maybe more powerful for sound manipulation. Loren I do think for live performance the Bitbox maybe it. Im using the Bitbox more like a Daw but it would be so straight forward to record parts of a set prior to a performance and trigger those sounds live as well as the unit has 12 presets available so that actually is 12 x16=192 possible sounds depending on micro sd memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYvJnpckSI
A few interesting modules from Superbooth 2017 in Berlin
4MS 6 Oscillator Wavetable Module
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t5ck9B8Bx0
Audio Damage recreation of their Eos Reverb plugin into eurorack
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1550/9885/products/ADM23_GS_grande.png?v=1491976944)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0JD3EWyvo
Yes, I read about the Audio Damage Eos Reverb --
a $45 reverb plugin (a nice one too), becomes a $500 eurorack module !!! :o
Compare that to Behringer coming out with a complete 3 osc Model D synth clone in eurorack format for around $400.
Quote from: APK on April 22, 2017, 07:27:51 AM
Yes, I read about the Audio Damage Eos Reverb --
a $45 reverb plugin (a nice one too), becomes a $500 eurorack module !!! :o
Compare that to Behringer coming out with a complete 3 osc Model D synth clone in eurorack format for around $400.
Yeah things do get more expensive once you put on a nice suit and tie....Sean Costello of Valhalla DSP is the coder for the Eos soft verb for Audio Damage. Not sure if there was any new coding for the eurorack module. Halls of Valhalla dsp card for the $500 Tiptop audio Z-DSP FX module was $75 and Shimmer was $75. I have had them.
Generally Im not that fond of reverb within the eurorack format....but this seems a lot more focused.
As to the Behringer Model D....from what I have seen it sounds very good but a Moog model D....No. Better to have the Moog Mother 32. I sense this is Berhringer trying to prove some sort of point.
Hopefully this might spark Moog to enter the eurorack market and do it right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOic2lk0CuQ
APK posted in the "currently listening" r Beny's, Full Blossom of the Evening...a mostly eurorack modular recording so I thought id post some of his modular video performances here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0we7tkr-jh4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGhaCkhqne8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e5FhmuGtcQ
There are quite a few more videos that you can track through youtube.
Yes, he has some fine youtube videos.
Also videos on the Electribe 2 ... solo, and with other instruments. As in third one above.
It's his work that made me pick one up.
Quote from: Julio Di Benedetto on April 22, 2017, 05:58:16 AM
Quote from: LNerell on April 21, 2017, 09:49:58 AM
Damn, I was waiting for the Rossum sampler module but this may be better for live use. I'll be checking this one out soon.
Dave Rossum showed his sample at Superbooth in Berlin. Seems it maybe more powerful for sound manipulation. Loren I do think for live performance the Bitbox maybe it. Im using the Bitbox more like a Daw but it would be so straight forward to record parts of a set prior to a performance and trigger those sounds live as well as the unit has 12 presets available so that actually is 12 x16=192 possible sounds depending on micro sd memory.
Good to know, that was what I was thinking about using if for. Right now I use Mainstage on my laptop for that, it works pretty well. I actually just bought a newer but used (mid 2012 model, the last with firewire) Macbook Pro to use Mainstage 3 for my upcoming performance on June 3rd. I guess if I do some sort of modular only show I could get a bitbox and use that instead, not sure if that would be considered cheating though. ;D
Yes, modular used to be totally hands on 100% analog tweaking. No presets, no cheating :D
Now it appears that everything that digital can offer is being ported over to it, and you see more SD cards hanging out of the modules. :o
It had to happen I guess.
I did pick up the little Make Noise 0-coast recently.
Certainly fun to play with. Flexible architecture.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/35/20/89/352089ce642c45c368ef61b3a9a7e30c.jpg)
Nice! I'm thinking about a 0-Coast myself, cause I like small these days. Ants seems like a good partner for it, so I'm pondering this one too.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planktonelectronics/ants-analog-modular-synthesizer
Yep, Ants looks interesting. Was not so keen on the sound in the demo vids though.
I do like the Pittsburg Lifeforms SV-1 :
http://pittsburghmodular.com/lifeforms-sv-1
But its the wrong color to sit with the 0-coast! :(
I agree that the sound in the Ants demo did not encourage me
and I agree that the Lifeforms SV-1 while sounding better in their demo,
does not match the 0-Coast colouring, while the Ants even have the same knob style.
It's interesting how the visual appeal is important to us as artists too.
I can see the Ants as 4 LFOs, 2 ARs and sundry modules for an 0_Coast, that also can make sound on its own, as a bonus. ;)
I can also image it as all of the above plus more Oscs for my MicroBrute - so it's still tempting.
I'm bumping this to make it a little easier for me to find. I've finally started a small Eurorack system and I'll peruse everybody's suggestions and their modules. I plan to keep it small (and black) for as long as I can!
Happy for you new sonic journey.....it is an amazing adventure. I had a lot of modules come through my system while I had it. I don't recall any module that was not good, some could be one trick ponies when they seemed like they could do more, some took up to much real estate for their function but all did what they were designed for and the sound and build quality was always excellent.
Well... after a few years of getting going with Eurorack, I've finally started a modular only performance series. There's overhead views for us gearheads. 2021/09/23 - I just updated the link from the 1st video to a playlist for the whole Springscapes series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBifQzMsNZg&list=PLQnC43raIspzPytLk6qQb8CVCP36RfiWI
Bumping this so I can find it more easily.
I started exploring the modular world in earnest about a month ago. I'll share some stuff when I'm ready, but, in the meantime, I want to be able to go back and re-read this thread on a regular basis.
If anyone has new input, ideas, acquisitions that they're excited about, please post. :D
Congratulations on launching your serious modular voyage Chris!
It's not a new insight, but granular modules are perfect for ambient manipulations.
I currently have the Nebulae 2 and a Morphagene and plans for an eventual Arbhar - which was last on my list because of the mono input.
Morphagene gets lots of love out there but the Nebulae has the very valuable ability to treat pitch and time separately - so samples can be slowed and stretched without lowering the pitch - or the pitch raised and then the speed slowed back down. There's also some great hidden randomization functions that are rarely talked about. It's an excellent module for creating and manipulating an ambient layer.
Very exciting for you Chris.....it is a bizarre and wonderfully crazy journey that will assist you in making sonic poetry.
I had a lot of eurorack modules during my journey, many more than my three cases could hold so be vigilant about buying and selling as it is gloriously addictive.
Please post modules that interest you and if I / forum members know we might be able to suggest.....naturally there are no bad modules.
I first got a Make Noise system and learnt from there. 12 years back I had a 3 panel Serge Modular system so I was not a stranger when I got into eurorack.
If I was going to get back into it I most likely would get a system. One system I would look into would be Verbos. I had a few of his modules and they were special.
for you Chris a system might be a go place to start......Pittsburgh Modular are doing good things. Mutable Instruments is another I would like to make a system of. I had quite a few of theirs.
Haha, thanks for the input and suggestions, all. Scott: I did end up getting an Arbhar. It is probably my favorite toy right now. And the mono-in doesn't trouble me too much given that it will bounce grains across the stereo field as output. Thus, it sounds rich and lush when all is said and done. I'm tempted to pick up the Nebulae too because I think "my style" is more along the lines of working with textures rather than bleeps and bloops. And, as you noted, the potential for elastic audio options in a rack is very tempting.
Julio, I messed around with VCV Rack for a long time before diving in and was able to figure out fairly well what I would need in order to create the kinds of atmospheres in which I was interested. But, of course, VCV Rack is an approximation to real systems, and there are some key modules (e.g., Arbhar) that don't exist in that space. So there is still a lot to discover, and many experiments in what fits and what doesn't lay ahead.
Having said that, my approach has been to go "all in" rather than to slowly build something over the course of months or years. I don't mind a bit of trial and error, especially since the resell market it excellent. I've already started selling things back that didn't quite work the way I had hoped. Most surprisingly, I ended up selling my MI Beads. It is a cool module, but I wasn't connecting with the sounds I was getting from it. I don't have Clouds either.
My goal is ultimately to settle upon a system that is well-suited to generative, drifting ambient. I want it to be self-contained so I can take it on adventures and use it. Technically, I could take my laptop on adventures too, but there is something special and mysterious about modular that I had to finally stop resisting.
Julio, your post implies that you ended your eurorack journey. I might have missed that explanation in a previous thread. Do you mind sharing?
Quote from: chris23 on September 25, 2021, 04:04:33 PM
Julio, your post implies that you ended your eurorack journey. I might have missed that explanation in a previous thread. Do you mind sharing?
Yes Chris I did end my Eurorack journey. I sold all 3 cases of modules......everything about 3 years ago. The primary reason was that I realized that I was not a very good synth builder and what I strived to create was physically and financially unattainable. What I needed was a wall of modules for the sounds I wanted to create and I wanted polyphony. Perhaps I was being greedy but I could hear the possibilities and this was leading into "module acquisition syndrome" which is ok as you can really get to fine tune a system as modules go out and come in but after a while you want to keep them all because each on has a special function that adds to the "the sound".
It was a wonderful voyage and one I may go on again with a much better understanding now.
Also the collaboration I did with APK, if you did not hear it.......https://dataobscura.bandcamp.com/album/falling-into-place (https://dataobscura.bandcamp.com/album/falling-into-place).... was an interesting experience and I was very happy with how it came out, yet I was happier with Anthony's ambience and pads etc than my own modular contribution. He did wonders with my sounds.....how he responded to the abstract bleeps and noises was very special but it was something I could not do myself very well. I had a hard time integrating those modular sounds with my other synths that are the foundation of my music. Probably a contributing factor to my decision to move away from Eurorack. I don't think a single eurorack performance ever made it onto a release of mine other than the Dataobsura release with APK. Of course I have not been very prolific.
I believe a single case of well chosen module can be more than enough and for myself as I said I would go with a system designed by a maker who I believe knows what they are doing.
Well, that's a bummer to hear. But, at the same time, it seems like a very mature way to handle what is undoubtedly a complex set of creative decisions.
I'm also finding that it is hard to create the kinds of atmospheres that I can create fairly easily in my normal software/DAW workflow. But, at least for now, I'm really enjoying the challenge. And there is so much to learn, which makes this endlessly entertaining.
I did hear the collaboration with APK. You two paired well in that album!
Quote from: chris23 on October 02, 2021, 10:47:30 AM
I'm also finding that it is hard to create the kinds of atmospheres that I can create fairly easily in my normal software/DAW workflow. But, at least for now, I'm really enjoying the challenge. And there is so much to learn, which makes this endlessly entertaining.
With your music talent Chris you will tame and entice these wild natured instruments. Rex Probe the man behind Serge Modular said and I bet I already quoted this in the thread " Modular synths are playgrounds for electrons". It really is true, much like a child in a playground who's appetite for discovery is limitless. It also runs true for us as the operators of these machines. I would work on a patch for days often loosing it and rebuilding it to arrive at something unexpected or quite often create just a bunch of nonmusical noise but oh it was never dull and a wonderful way to learn electronic synthesis.
As great a time as it is in the world of hardware synths with analog, digital and hybrids, probably software too though Im not that familiar......nothing still can touch imho the sonic world of modular synthesis especially the eurorack system where module designers are bring so many amazing, crazy and innovative concepts to market.
I just released an E.P. on Dewtone Recordings that contains a few of my modular experiments. It is "name your price" if anyone is interested in checking it out on Bandcamp.
https://dewtonerecordings.com/album/drifting
I tend to be drawn to ethereal, drifting ambient that doesn't have a lot of structure. So my system is designed to be more of a generative one than is typical in the modular domain. I'm not necessarily trying to "create" or synthesize new sounds so much as I'm trying to find aural "spaces" and moods that I like and find ways to allow those to evolve in interesting ways.
(https://yourpersonality.net/innesti-system2.jpg)
I'm using a combination of Mutable Instruments Marbles and random triggers to Hermod for sequencing; Arbhar for granular looping and playback; Rings, Plaits, Chord v2, and samples (via Bitbox micro) for sources; FX Aid for reverb; Pam's and Ochd for modulation; QPAS, and scattered utilities for attenuation, mixing, etc. I also uploaded a few videos if you're into the "eurorack and succulents" style scene (haha): https://www.youtube.com/c/InnestiAmbient
Enjoyed listen to the release and your youtube videos. You have created generative soundscapes of quiet gentle complexity and I agree it is a difference quality of music that usually emanates form modulars.
Not sure if you ever use modular grid to plan out your system but it is a good way to post the system for others to see if you are so inclined.
Modular Grid:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1723788
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1735955
I've been picking some things up to explore with the intent of treating this system as a "used book store" of sorts: Buy some things, play with them, keep the ones that are special, and resell those that are less so. So, some of the things in there may not be around much longer.
Thanks Chris for posting the mod grid links to your system. I like the used book store idea. My own bookstore was very busy!
Very interesting selection of modules. I was a fan of Mutable Instruments, still am though I don't have any modules anymore. My system was based around subtractive synthesis with a big nod to self generation which was achieved through random generators, multiple LFO's and odd CV generation that really all came together in my 2 ADDAC Quintet mixers that excepted lots of CV for modulating/manipulating 10 channels of audio.
Memories.
Odd CV generation, eh? Have you seen this?
https://www.clank.eu/chaos
Very intriguing. Apparently Clank can't keep up with the demand.
Well, the videos I think don't do it justice or perhaps Im not fond of that type of sounds the demos express, perhaps the second one....however I really like the possibilities. At a quick glance I can realize its potential. in your hands it would shine. The design and look of the module is very nice.
I often think back to Eno and his generative music, actually not so far back as its quite recent.....a possible repeat music scenario in maybe 2000 years. I can't remember if its that long but that stuff messes with the mind in a wonderful way and I wonder how hard it is to commit to complete self generation and the natural human element to want to interact. We are all drums in some shape or form. That was the original shared instrument and it is our nature to interact. Its in the DNA and it does not require one to be good at it, drumming
Hard to keep the hands behind the back. ;)
Hi Chris, I just visited your YouTube channel for a while and was enjoying your soundspaces and appreciated the thorough patch notes too. Wonderful ambience!
Thanks!