Have we reached a 'tipping point' in modular synthesis?

[kisielk]

Another way of looking at this… is it more expensive to pay someone to solder some pots & sockets to a board, or to pay someone to put those pots and sockets into bags, label them, and provide customer service?

Even if you solder the pots and sockets to the board, you have to (well, you probably should…) provide customer service.

[kisielk]

Rambling a bit here, but: thinking about the surprise release of Tides 2018, I wonder how tempted Olivier is to release a new Rings version that has no internal exciter but offers, say, stereo inputs, additional models, more DSP power etc. I also wonder why there’s so little competition in modular for physical modeling beyond basic Karplus-Strong and closed stuff like Mysteron and Plonk. I believe Rings is where it is because of that lack, and Plonk was an attempt to move in on that space but missed Rings’ best feature.

Actually we deliberately tried to avoid making Plonk anything like Rings or Elements. Despite using the same kind of technology, we wanted to try something different.
It’s also been one of the best selling Intellijel modules of all time, so I would would say it was a success.

[Jonny]

My impression was that Rings was something Olivier was happy with, whereas Clouds wasn’t.

[Starthief]

Actually we deliberately tried to avoid making Plonk anything like Rings or Elements.

Okay, I’ll amend what I said The direction Plonk went didn’t appeal to me personally.

Based on playing with things like Chromaphone, Prism, Modelonia, Kaivo, etc. as well as Rings, I have the general sense that we have a wealth of exciter sources in modular that we can patch ourselves, but a relative famine in “the back end” of physical modeling that we could apply that to – and to me that is the exciting thing that Rings does (pun unintended until I noticed it ).

Even among delays there aren’t many that can track 1V/OCT beyond bass frequencies and sound good doing it. I’d love to have a delay similar to the one in Aalto, for instance.

My impression was that Rings was something Olivier was happy with, whereas Clouds wasn’t.

He’s said that Rings and Tides were his favorite modules, and he did just update Tides. He’s also expressed some frustration at how typical Rings owners rarely seem to use it to the fullest and maybe including the exciter was a strategic error.

That said, my thought about a “new Rings” was wishful thinking on my part.

[Jonny]

That said, my thought about a “new Rings” was wishful thinking on my part.

Hey, you never know. Seeing that Rings was part of Elements, I guess it’s possible. I hope we finally see the new Clouds soon.

[jasonloeffler]

I’ve very excited about the Supercollider bubble the Norns is about to inspire!

[xenus_dad]

He’s said that Rings and Tides were his favorite modules, and he did just update Tides.

Since the man himself does drop in from time to time, he might speak to that, but knowing that quote and seeing how Tides 2018 is laid out, I kind of wonder if he was talking about the at-the-time-unannounced new Tides when he said that.

[hamildad]

This thread has reached its tipping point… I wonder if there is any subject this forum can’t turn into consumerism and lusting after new objects.

[alanza]

the Democracy thread doesn’t seem to have gone there ^-^

[hamildad]

…yet.

[soggybag]

I’m not sure Gibson is going bankrupt but Fender is beating expectations.

[weepwow]

yes there is a saturation happening in eurorack.

[sakul]

can’t wait for the next big music thing(s)

https://www.musicthing.co.uk/modulegenerator.html

[hamildad]

Coming next from Music Thing Modular is a noise-reducing sample and hold module that is inspired by John Cage, with vactrols.

[TomWhitwell]

[GoneCaving]

Fat vape? I think you’ve been beaten to that by the Soma PIPE!

[andrew]

guitar music.

[s_hamann]

And I think I have a good idea what it sounds like without ever hearing it.

[Gregg]

I agree. I’m not a fan of the cramped Eurorack format or (lack of) power, and hate that it has become a byword for modular synthesis in general, but there’s never been a better or cheaper time to get into modular than now.

[kuorinki]

Personally I’ve noticed that modules seem harder and harder to sell these days… one needs to really drop prices down to be able to sell (at least with “less exciting” modules). Once those 50€ behringer eurorack modules come out…