#64

For me it’s been quite obvious that the stuff they make deserves a good amount of knowledge. When I started out about three years ago I had Maths, MMG and STO from the beginning. I can’t remember why I bought these modules, but there must’ve been a much cooler person than myself that were using them and tickled my attention. I sold or traded them rather quick just because of frustration for not being cool.
It took me two years to get a Maths again and I couldn’t understand why I had so much problem with it in the first place.
Nowadays I have no problem with their design at all and would trade my setup for a shared system with no hesitation what so ever.

3 Likes
#65

When I started out, I can clearly remember seeing Maths and QMMG in a case at an event for the first time. It l was such a revelation and a challenge: they seemed so alien, such a different way to look at the world. And Maths in particular has been, as I learned it, another revelation, realising envelope shapes can have such a profound influence on sound, and how much you can patch with simple building blocks. I’m currently playing with Maths + Graphic EQ, which is a world of weird feedback loops and benjolin-like chaos.

14 Likes
#66

That sounds amazing! And a great reminder that I need to pick one of those up. Easy soldering? Got any sound samples of that feedback loop?

#67

gotta love 'em

12 Likes
#68

I have just decided to get into Modular Synths, having become frustrated and fed up with trying to make music through a computer. And,having spent a loooong time researching all the possible modules to start with, I dived head first into buying a Shared System Plus.

I like the idea that all the modules speak the same ‘language’, and so provide a great path into learning modular piecemeal, with each of their modules leading neatly into the next. I think it is a very innovative architecture and ecosystem that they are building, with each new module very much a part of the system, and I’m excited to know that my System will be gradually evolving over the years, with each new module they bring out.

This also has the added bonus of being a great time saver too, as I won’t be spending hours having to research new modules to add to a basic setup, but can invest some serious time into learning this ‘instrument’, and Modular in general.

And the fact that they have such a great learning channel via their youtube channel was the final influencer for me, as I’m quite daunted at the whole process, and this provides a safe and loving electronic hand to hold as I take the plunge. This Instagram post above mine is a brilliant example of their thoughtful and inspiring ideas.

I also think that their System guides you down quite a unique musical path, and so you don’t end up composing more generic synth music that’s been done time and time again. I like the way it forces you down a more West Coast route, as that is the path less trodden, and so you’re forced to think for yourself a bit more, and produce more individual music.

And I’m also very excited to have joined this wonderful little Modular community too!

14 Likes
#69

Tony knows the what, the why, the how.

Making noise results in the common good.

The human soul degrades itself. To be disgruntled (at anything) is a kind of secession from Nature.

Desires: the soul, or, why I love the big knob on Echophon.

Treat everything around you as a dream. Miniscule, transitory, insignificant.

We shold let Make Noise decide for itself.

I once sold an Optomix.

10 Likes
#70

Is anyone using a RxMx? Having ankthetook at Make Noise and that one seems intriguing.

3 Likes
#71

I am, and I really really like it. Even more than I thought I would. Got it cheap so I had to try it out and it turned out to be a keeper.

#72

A friend of mine picked up a RxMx and LOVES it with the DPO.

1 Like
#73

RxMx is one of the few modules (in general) would really, really like to take for a spin

#74

I have RxMx and love it. Very versatile module. FxDf is a good companion module.

3 Likes
#75

Man, already have DPO, fxdf…really want to try a Rxmx (and maybe Control file) but it’s a big and expensive module to try on a whim. Too bad there’s not a ton of material out there to give a better idea of the combo.

#76

Here’s the latest Modular Podcast, featuring Walker from MakeNoise:

6 Likes
#78

The damp control affects the response of the gate.

It will be most obvious if you ‘ping’ the gates strike input with a trigger.

Think of it a bit like a decay control for the gates response to cv.

#79

I think the dampening control is a high pass filter, so as you turn it up your signal should have less low end response and volume (I do this often to remove competiting low end between voices). More damping will also affect the response of signals to the control and strike inputs. You can route and envelope or other signal here for “sidechain” type effects.

FWIW, I use a v2 Optomix.

1 Like
#80

Hi nutritionalzero, I had a similar experience with my Optomix damp controls. Optomix uses vactrols, which have a wide component-level variation, so my Optomix v1 may or may not be similar to others. My damp control is subtle.

But here’s what I found with my unit:

  • Patch a broadband sound into the input (like a low frequency saw wave) and listen to the output.
  • If CTRL is set to knob fully clockwise (8V), then DAMP seems to do nothing. I’m pretty sure that’s intentional.
  • CTRL is set half way (4V) plus DAMP full clockwise (8V) makes the sound mostly quieter.
  • CTRL is set half way (4V) plus DAMP half way (4V) makes the sound quieter and a bit darker.
  • CTRL is set half way (4V) plus DAMP full clockwise (0V) makes the sound quieter and darker.
  • CTRL is set full clockwise (0V) plus DAMP full clockwise (8V) makes the sound very quiet, but a tiny amount of the signal bleeds through, at most frequencies
  • CTRL is set full clockwise (0V) plus DAMP half way (4V) makes the sound very quiet, but a tiny amount of the signal bleeds through, but mostly at low frequencies
  • CTRL is set full clockwise (0V) plus DAMP full clockwise (0V) makes almost no sound get through

(I am writing from experience; I haven’t verified this with my unit directly yet. Forgive me if I am in error.)

I feel like DAMP kind of moves the Optomix to different combinations of VCA and low pass filter. This is a subtle effect, definitely, compared to many of the other knobs in my modular system which change things from music to noise in a quarter turn.

5 Likes
#82

For what it’s worth, if you don’t feel like you need the damp for that subtle filter and you don’t use the mixing capabilities of the Optomix, I feel like the LxD is a fantastic module for the core features (LPG) of the Optomix. I never even really looked into it until I got it for a little mini case and I realized it does everything I need from the Opto in half the space.

Both sound great and do what I want, but if the mixing and filtering/damping isn’t critical - you can save 4 hp :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#84

just adding a great big +1 to the above praise from @sellanraa and @nutritionalzero for the LxD. really love mine, kinda want another. straightforward and smart design.

#85

From what I understand (at least for the V2 Optomix) doesn’t damp effect the vactrol’s response? Not sure if it’s the case with V1 but in the videos I’ve seen it seems like you can get a natural AD envelope and damp will effect the length of the decay. I’m thinking of picking one up for that reason, seems like a compact dual VCA with natural EG’s.

#86

Eggzellent. Yeah, I’m hanging onto my Optomix just in case I decide I miss the mixing capabilities, but in that 8 hp in my case I’m doing an LxD and Vac Vac for 4 VCA/LPGs, so far I haven’t worked much in my case after getting home from a tour and making a few changes though.

Both definitely have a place depending on your goals and space.

1 Like