#268

I feel like I’ve posted this rig a lot 'round these parts, but this is my “Mostly Shared System”. The big difference is that I pulled out control / sequencing to separate modules, mostly the KB-1 pictures and an SQ-1.

The STO / DPO combination is great, I’ve made whole albums with just those as the sound sources (and noise). Having the STO there is great because the DPO can be two sound sources but really shines when you let the two oscillators act as one voice.

With two Maths I found I had more than enough modulation. Oddly enough, even with the RxMx I was still always hurting for mixing capabilities, something the Shared System could probably do better at. If I were to expand this some more I would probably replace the RxMx with a Veils or Intellijel Quad VCA and then add in another “fun” module.

#269

I could see myself replacing Echophon with QPAS. I too am a big filter fan and I have no problem using outboard delays.

You were using Kria for sequencing before René 2 correct? Any fun comparisons for those of us who have only used one or the other?

#271

I’m enjoying this little system as my only synth. It started with 0-coast and to prevent unavoidable deep debts I decided to constrain myself to one manufacturer and 6U case. Also unique faceplates design keeps me from ruining the aesthetics.

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#272

Optomix is one of my favourite modules, sounds lovely, many features for the HP with damp, strike and an aux for mixing.

I have an original one and have thought about adding a second. What does the 2016 version add apart from sidechain?

I recently bought a LxD for the second time, but I expect I will get annoyed with the lack of attenuverters and damp control again.

#275

There’s some different normalling going on. Positive DC on the inputs and something else, I think. A couple of strange but cool patches people have shared with the second version just didn’t work with the original one I had.

Edit: uh, I was thinking of ModDemix. :blush:

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#276

Thanks for the response :slight_smile:.

I actually had a dream about Tony once, seems like a pleasant guy.

I’d heard the vactrols were on boards, would be good to see some comparisons.

The Optomix I think was my third ever module (behind a DPO and Maths), I’ve since had a LxD and DPLPG, and found neither as useful.

The DPO, Maths and Optomix combination is powerful and great sounding, I used to have an 84HP 6U mini Shared System (Wogglebug, Pressure Points, Rene etc.), mounted in a wooden easel case, 40mm deep. All I needed. The purchase of a 50mm deep module put an end to that :confused:.

3 Likes
#277

I’m really loving that so many people here have/pine for a mostly-Make Noise setup. I wonder how the numbers compare to Mutable (:raised_hand:) or Mannequins superusers around here.

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#278

I also got a 0-Coast first, and then assembled a mostly-Make Noise system:

I don’t fully understand TelHarmonic and it has been in and out of my rack a few times.
I also have a Contour, another STO, plus a NLC Timbre, Doepfer S&H, Intelligel Passive OR and a PICO Mix to find a home for. I think it’s time for a bigger case! :slight_smile:

#279

The only way you’re going to get there is to focus on it for a while. Watch the videos, read the docs as necessary, and patch patch patch. And modulate modulate modulate. It’s a deep module.

Beware! :laughing:

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#280

The MMG has always caught my eye but I’ve never tried one. Anyone have any thoughts to share? Likes/dislikes? I’m a real sucker for vactrols.

#281

The MMG is probably my favorite sounding filter. It was one of a handful of modules to survive my downsizing from 12U to isms. Since then I’ve parted ways with even more of that handful, but the MMG remains.

This video is pretty old by internet standards, but is still the definitive resource (there’s a “Part 2” video as well).

Where the module really shines is the Mode control, and to me is probably among the most clever of Make Noise’s “modeless” module designs. Obviously, the main blue knob morphs the response from lowpass thru bandpass to highpass. But, less obvious is the fact that when nothing is patched into the Mode CV input, the Cutoff frequency is normalled to the mode control, including all the modulation inputs for Cutoff, which is possibly more interesting than just patching an LFO or something into Mode CV.

With that in mind, and considering the cutoff frequency has two CV inputs and two strike inputs (Strike pings cutoff, Accent pings resonance too), it’s super easy to patch in complex and dynamic modulation without needing another module to mix CV sources.

The MMG is almost constantly in my system because I love being able to freely shift a harmonically rich voice/sound/texture from muffled and rumbly lowpass to a faint whispery highpass. It makes for great contrast in performances.

6 Likes
#282

I’ve owned a few MMGs before. One of them was my favorite filter ever, one was probably the worst filter I’ve owned. The best one was able to achieve resonance consistently and had a beautiful smooth character. The worst one was able to resonate for the first few minutes after powering up but lost this ability as well as almost all of the character after about 5-10 minutes. Read somewhere (maybe on MW) that some of the MMGs due to the nature of the vactrols had that issue. I had another one that fell somewhere in the middle. I would probably not buy another one unless demoing the exact one before buying.

#283

Woah, this is awesome and something I haven’t realized about the MMG. My Shared System came with an MMG and it was a module I kind of expected to flip, but I have grown to love the sound and it will not leave the rack. The saturation at higher gain settings is great.

1 Like
#284

TH in shift register mode is one of the essential sounds in my setup. It’s hard to control and has a narrow sweet spot, but when dialed in correctly boy does it sound amazing :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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#285

I had a Telharmonic and it wasn’t for me. I agree that it has sweet spots and is a difficult module. Maybe if I have it again with a little more experience…
Here’s an old patch with it :

1 Like
#287

Bit the bullet and snagged an MMG for cheap, and must say I have really been enjoying it so far, even more than I thought I would- maybe I got lucky with the vactrol, who knows. The normalization of cutoff to mode with the attenuverter is so fun and playable. The ability to saturate the input adds another layer of timbre control as it can push mellower waves into having higher harmonic content for the filter to chew on. Tons of character. I’m still not certain what it is but these Make Noise designs just resonate with me and give me such joy to use.

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#290

(staff notice: to keep this thread on-topic, covering the philosophy & design of make noise modules, offtopic discussion of modular marketing without social media has been moved to the existing thread.)

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#291

ugh stop that’s exactly what i do / don’t need to hear about a module with a good price second hand

#292

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I’ve gone all in on Make Noise. The music I make is generally on the ambient side and I find it works very well for that use. There is a softer side in these modules.

Online discourse sometimes labels single manufacturer systems as boring, since some of the appeal is your own custom synth individually tailored to your preferences. I find it freeing though, less to think about. Also I appreciate the unified aesthetics and how well they work together.

There is a playful spirit and appreciation for chaos embedded in these. I like to ride the edges and find the beauty in those spaces.

I would like to get a skiff or expand to a larger case at some point, but definitely not in the immediate future (maybe 2020 into 2021). I imagine adding another v1 Rene, Echophon, Opto, and Maths plus STO and Tempi. It will be my more budget Buchla/Serge system.

23 Likes
#293

I apologize if this has been covered before, but I thought I read somewhere that there may be a new 3U system coming from MN, probably to replace or offset the retiring of the System Concrete. Do we know any more about that? Or is that the fevered dream of a madman that I’m pulling out of nowhere?

3 Likes