Modular 101 - Need Advice

infovore · 2016-08-14T20:41:52.671Z

I will also say: it’s OK for your reasons to be “just because”. I ended up with one because I’m interested in synthesizers, and I write music, and I went from there.

kisielk · 2016-08-14T20:44:03.265Z

In my experience the one certainty of modular is that once you get your modules you will realize you need something else I would say start small with the minimum that you find interesting and then see where you are running into limitation and then decide if/how you need to move beyond them. Get a bigger case so you can add a few more modules than your starting set.

infovore gave some great advice. I find it’s also interesting to figure out how you can use your existing modules in novel ways to perform functions that they aren’t explicitly tailored to.

iggrok · 2016-08-14T20:44:20.922Z

Hmmm…need versus want…that’s always the question. I guess I feel a bit constrained by the linear nature of an MPC / SP-1200. A little more background on me: I am a child of early 90s hip-hop, so sampling and looping is second nature to me. But I also feel that it’s had its moment in time, so I am looking for a way to make beats that incorporate something more modern / interesting / complex.

I know I am not giving enough direction, but that’s kind of where I am at. I think I just need to start somewhere.

iggrok · 2016-08-14T20:49:32.329Z

Yes - I’ve definitely come to realize that from others’ experiences. Question: what case would you get that does not break the bank?

elquinto · 2016-08-14T21:20:35.430Z

@c1t1zen’s battery-powered lunchbox

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kisielk · 2016-08-14T22:55:12.448Z

well, I’m a bit biased since I work for a euro manufacturer But I think the Intellijel 4U cases are are pretty reasonably priced. When I was starting out, I paid around $1000 US for a 6U 104 hp case.

infovore · 2016-08-15T10:01:29.588Z

Yep - the monome modules are very ‘efficient’ in that they push their UI out to the grid, and give you multiple outputs for sending gates/voltages (dependent on modules) - but also, because their complexity is in software, they let you do a lot with even a single trigger line.

And Rings is unusual in that it’s a resonator, rather than an oscillator, meaning that you don’t really need the traditional signal path after it - you can get away without a VCA/Envelope/Filter, and instead shape the sound entirely inside it. A particular range of sounds, sure, and you kind have to like plucking/ringing (which I do), but makes it an interesting source for tiny kits. Also: very much not your traditional “analogue” oscillator.

abalone · 2016-08-15T20:52:31.863Z

thanks! these issues are important in artistic creation,
modular or not
many times it seems like all the gear doesn’t fit into the rack → Teletype Studies Part 5 on Vimeo
imho, this is not important, the sounds/music are important
we set parameters for ourselves as 'composers/artists, and then create
ie. define your desire/project: album, ep, single, sounds, soundcloud, bandcamp, radio, show on the road…
then, based on what you’ve defined, plug it into your mixer and make it
personally, making a track, with just an sp12 and a moog sounds fun
and/or put a modular rack together:)
@disquiet has parameters for you every week, if you’d like

Music That Emerges from a Drone (Disquiet Junto Project 0240)

of course, it’s up to you…

beo:

i would ask myself ‘what do i want to do with it’ so i get a better view to get the tools i need to do what i want.

iggrok:

Ah, the big question: “what do I want to do with it?”

four tet droppin’ science…

'it sounds really, really nice to not just have everything coming from one source -four tet

iggrok · 2016-08-16T03:25:20.651Z

I just took my first step: purchased a Pittsburgh 90 case.

rbxbx · 2016-08-16T03:40:41.023Z

nice! I started with a 104hp 3u pittsburgh case - honestly more than enough room to experiment and get a better idea what you want/need from the system (which will almost certainly change from your initial vision).

It was full at one point, is half full currently. Still contemplating the future of (non-nord) modular in my studio.

infovore · 2016-08-16T13:04:10.166Z

great. that’s a really nice size to begin with - you’ll have easily enough space to play with for a bit.

iggrok · 2016-08-16T20:54:52.362Z

I know - very excited. The module shopping begins now.

shellfritsch · 2016-08-17T18:08:45.909Z

anon45924993:

@shellfritsch if you were to share a modulargrid rack, I imagine a lot of us could learn a lot from it!

don’t have a modgrid to share, but i’m thinking i would try and fit an osc, mutable streams, few filters… whole mess of cv / generating / processing / mixing utility tiles + ansible. add on a battery pack & you have a nice lil portable modular with the op-1 on sampling / sequencing / fx duties.

eh?

also i want to add in that the nice thing with modular is that, by nature, you don’t have to figure it all out at once. just get a couple mods at a time, give them a while to sink in, follow your whimsy. sell & trade what you don’t mesh with.

anon45924993 · 2016-08-17T18:12:03.476Z

shellfritsch:

sell & trade what you don’t mesh with

I find this to be a huge hassle. Probably why I have an empty case.

My OCD nature is making modular a challenge…

shellfritsch:

you don’t have to figure it all out at once

But but, that’s what I do!

sandy · 2016-08-17T18:28:47.653Z

anon45924993:

I find this to be a huge hassle. Probably why I have an empty case.

My OCD nature is making modular a challenge…

Think of it as renting modules for a while to try out. It’s inevitable with modulars. I’d learn to embrace it!

rbxbx · 2016-08-17T20:02:54.843Z

and if you get them used to begin with you’ll almost certainly only lose like 10% or so

iggrok · 2016-09-04T15:02:40.890Z

Hi - simple Q for the community here: any experience / thoughts on Dr. Octature module? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Ignacio

stephenvit · 2016-09-04T16:08:02.746Z

I really like it a lot. I do have to admit, I still return to the cheat-sheet pages to remember how to switch from filter, to LFOs to Oscillator. For a while, I was using the multiple LFOs mostly, lately, I’m mostly using it as a filter

sam · 2016-09-05T07:53:18.333Z

I’ve got 2 at the moment, a V1 and a V2, both bought second hand. For some reason they end up being a bit cheap on the second hand market. Not the latest shiny I guess.

I’ve never really used mine for VCO duties, but I’m usually torn between using it as an LFO or a VCF, and like @stephenvit I probably go through phases (sic) of using as either one or the other.

As a filter, it has a lot of range, but that comes with the downside of needing a lot of fine tweaks of the controls, particularly the Q control. Also there is a lot of bass drop off. I love the 3 pole output, 3 pole is my favourite and isn’t that common. The 1 pole is awesome too, particularly with a tiny bit of envelope into the Q. It has an input volume attenuator, which is important as gain staging makes a huge difference, especially towards the resonance behaviour. Ideally I like my filters to have 2 inputs with attenuators, so it’s not quite perfect (and ones without any input attenuator make me grumpy).

As an LFO it’s obviously pretty unique, the 45 degree phase separation on each output gives you a lot more scope for subtle phasing effects than the more common 90 degrees. There are 2 big downsides though, no reset, and if you turn the modular off and then on again, it can take a very very long time for the module to start self-oscillating when in LFO mode. You either need to ping it, or wiggle the frequency knob to start it up again.

@iggrok, what does the reset of your system look like?

iggrok · 2016-09-05T21:31:55.100Z

Thanks, both for your thoughts. To be honest, I don’t know about the reset switch. I am a total neophyte and am building my first modular synth. I know the basics I need to get started and had an opportunity to pick up a Dr. octature for $125 - so I did. I am now looking at a Tidal Wave and MI Rings. I’d also love a White Whale for sequencing.