The Modular Synthesizer Thread

[Julio Di Benedetto]

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.

[LNerell]

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.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

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

Filter, Random, Envelope case: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/261303

[Julio Di Benedetto]

The late Richard Lainhart talks about modular synthesis, his Buchla 200e and the 3 year patch!

https://vimeo.com/34593269

[Julio Di Benedetto]

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.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

This filter is on its way to me......from the creator of EMU  :)



Video link to eye candy description https://vimeo.com/152385871

[ffcal]

This filter is on its way to me......from the creator of EMU  :)



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

[Julio Di Benedetto]

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......



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  ::)

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Heres the original EMU modular

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith...a girl well worth listening to in the modular domain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95UvPlhjbE4

[APK]

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.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

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.....

[APK]

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.

[ffcal]

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

[Julio Di Benedetto]

My Mini MiniMoog,



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.

[APK]

Sounds good, Julio. Be interested to hear your thoughts as you spend more time with it.

[Scott M2]

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)

[ffcal]

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

[Paul Vnuk (Ma Ja Le)]

My Mini MiniMoog,



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.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

My Mini MiniMoog,



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!