I'm not quite sure how to get into modular units

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:29 am

I've started saving for a machinedrum, but I'm starting to think that I would enjoy a small modular unit much much more. but the ones on the market by doepfer or others are very very very expensive. I'm thinking of something small to compliment my modular mc-202.

really I'm just thinking 1 osc (saw, sqr, pulse) 1 attack release, 1 noise gen, 1 lfo and 1 filter for starters. at some point it would probably expand to 2 osc, 2 attack release, and 2 lfo's and probably a sample hold module. what would be the best way to start? I don't want to actually install the power supply into a box as I'd probably foul that up, but are there small racks with power already hooked up that you just buy modules for?

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:34 am

http://www.analoguehaven.com/doepfer/a100g3/

looks like that might be the best way to get started...

what do I need to know about powering modules? are all modules going to be compatible with a rack like that? if not would I be able to simply adapt them?

dj_huck · Post by **dj_huck** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:40 am

check http://synthesizers.com/system-entry1.html

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:08 am

I considered that one, but I want to start smaller than that and work up from there. I don't want to do that payment plan either I'd rather buy the rack and then buy modules as I please.

personally I'm interested in mix and match module style, I want it to look like frankenstein

leonard · Post by **leonard** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:19 am

are you talking diy?
http://yusynth.net/Modular/index.html <-stacks of arp/moog modules, pcb's, board layouts
cgs.synth.net/ <-stacks of stuff, +/-15V power suplply is simple and apparently works, also schems/board layouts etc
http://www.synthdiy.com/

and of course google..
synth diy list has alot of stuff, lots of tech stuff over my head atm, but still lots of resources esp for circuit layout/simulation software, pcb manufacture etc..

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:33 am

I'm not looking to actually build anything, I just want to buy a rack with power and buy separate modules to fit my needs as I go. doepfer makes a 16 space rack, I'm wondering if anyone makes an 8 space to get me started and then maybe later I would upgrade. the only reason I don't want the 16 is cause I don't want to be looking at dead space in the rack for ages and it would make me more likely to blow cash on modules just cause I had space for them.

dj superflat · Post by **dj superflat** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:44 am

not responsive to your question, but i had similar ideas, ended up going with the MD nonetheless, could not be happier (as in, in 30 years of buying gear of all sorts, i have not been happier with a purchase than i've been with the MD). YMMV, obviously.

dj_huck · Post by **dj_huck** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:47 am

you could knock together a case in no time flat. and the dot coms you can buy a piece at a time too. but they are large format. there are some other cool manufaturers out there the wiard are cool and i know that motm is coming out with small format soon or has already.

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:56 am

dj_huck wrote:you could knock together a case in no time flat. and the dot coms you can buy a piece at a time too. but they are large format. there are some other cool manufaturers out there the wiard are cool and i know that motm is coming out with small format soon or has already.

so I'm really new to the whole concept of modular, although I have a general idea of how modulars work through working with the micro modular, but could you explain the large format small format you're talking about? I that new..

my mc-202 has a modular breakout box on it, yet it does lack of few things that I've missed like tunable oscillators and a noise source, I was thinking to start I might just get 1 tunable oscillator and a noise source and run those through the mc-202 via the vcf and vca inputs. that would be a first step for me and I'd be pretty happy right there, but I'd like to eventually build a pretty funky system too.

leonard · Post by **leonard** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:12 am

paia sells a frac case:
http://www.paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=FR%2D7&cat=44
looks like you may be able to get a powersupply to bolt to it too..
might have to put that together yourself though.

CITYSTATE · Post by **CITYSTATE** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:34 am

get the machinedrum!

i was thinking of getting into the modular game but ultimately decided against it. for me it is totally counterproductive for increasing my musical output. it would be fun and cost lots of money and would be a cool hobby, but is separate from making music.

other cool options are a moog voyager rack with the expansion units, semi modular but still way powerful. also maybe check out the cwejman all in one semi modular, that looks cool.

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:42 am

truly learn operator. the only difference between it and learning a modular synth is the TAB key to see the cables. it's not 100% flexible but routing is routing. there's a reason those boxes are dinosaurs.

not that I've had the cathartic feel of wrestling with a modular synth.

chrisedmo · Post by **chrisedmo** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:02 am

They work out about £50...

Im getting one of these and going to make it a mini modular guitar processor.. then over time buy a few spares, then buy a rack and fill it..

i think.

subbasshead · Post by **subbasshead** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:28 am

this isnt advice to you, just personal experience....

a doepfer suitcase came up for sale on the local equivalent of ebay
turned out the same guy i bought FM8 secondhand off had it for sale...
so i thought hmmmm.... if i was gonna go there is this the best way?
i own an mc202... & an MS10 & a bunch of outboard... & the more i
researched the more interesting the doepfer became... so i bought it
i ordered a bunch of modules... got half of them & started messing around
& fck! i was totally blown away
i've lived with analog synths for years eg my juno 106 i got early 90s
& still have it - oberheim amtrix 6, sequential circuits pro one & sixtrak etc
they're great but its a drop in the ocean comapred with what i'm doing now...

WARNING if budget is an issue DO NOT GO THERE!
that little case that can only fit a few modules is like giiving a reformed
crack addict a taste for old times sake....

in a dozen years of working with music & sound in analog & digital
my doepfer suitcase is letting me create sounds that just were not
either possible or as honestly beautiful....

i own lots of syth vsts etc & can i make music with them?
yes, of course
how do they compare with real analog?
well u own a 202, u already know the answer to that
put a sine thru an LPF, crank up the resonance & sweep it
making/hearing it analog, to me it is like religion
emulating it digital its like looking at some one else tourist photos
as in, "i've never been to Tokyo, but i've seen photos of it'

you must GO to Tokyo to experience Tokyo

/end rant

funky shit · Post by **funky shit** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:35 am

subbasshead wrote:this isnt advice to you, just personal experience....

a doepfer suitcase came up for sale on the local equivalent of ebay
turned out the same guy i bought FM8 secondhand off had it for sale...
so i thought hmmmm.... if i was gonna go there is this the best way?
i own an mc202... & an MS10 & a bunch of outboard... & the more i
researched the more interesting the doepfer became... so i bought it
i ordered a bunch of modules... got half of them & started messing around
& fck! i was totally blown away
i've lived with analog synths for years eg my juno 106 i got early 90s
& still have it - oberheim amtrix 6, sequential circuits pro one & sixtrak etc
they're great but its a drop in the ocean comapred with what i'm doing now...

WARNING if budget is an issue DO NOT GO THERE!
that little case that can only fit a few modules is like giiving a reformed
crack addict a taste for old times sake....

in a dozen years of working with music & sound in analog & digital
my doepfer suitcase is letting me create sounds that just were not
either possible or as honestly beautiful....

i own lots of syth vsts etc & can i make music with them?
yes, of course
how do they compare with real analog?
well u own a 202, u already know the answer to that
put a sine thru an LPF, crank up the resonance & sweep it
making/hearing it analog, to me it is like religion
emulating it digital its like looking at some one else tourist photos
as in, "i've never been to Tokyo, but i've seen photos of it'

you must GO to Tokyo to experience Tokyo

/end rant

congrats. Im going modular