Looking for a bit of help with modulars

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

Dear Forum,

I've been browsing and stalking for a bit of time, and I was just wondering if I could get a bit of help with assembling a modular.

For the past few months, I've saved my dish washing money for a synthesizer before I've got to pay for all my college (about 14 months). For some reason I got a TI2, which was in fact, a big mistake so I returned the darn thing.

The only thing is my budget is a tad limited (looking to keep it around 2k). I've been looking at the Doepfer A-100 Mini, but theres a few things Id like to have in my system that aren't included.

So I'm just kind of wondering how I can get the best of my money, and what are the basic modules that a good system should have. Id like to get the a-100p6 suitcase rack as well for transportation, leaving a little more than 1.4k for the modules themselves (or perhaps an a100p9? the extra money for the space might be worth it in the future) I've put together a list of modules below that hopefully are good enough.

ok so heres the list i composed...

doepfer
a190 midi/cv
a140 asdr envelope generator (perhaps 2? or mabey instead a maths?)
a106 vc lpf/hpf
a130 vca
a114 ring mod
a145 lfo
a147 vclfo
a138a mixer
a119 envelope follower

Synthesis Technology
e340 cloud generator (for a vco, would it be wise to get another such as dopfer a110 or a malekko oscillator?)

The Harvestman
malgorithm

excluding the case and cables, it comes out to about 1.6k .

my lasting questions are is there anything I should cut for the amount of funding i have. and are these relatively hard to assemble? (I plan to order from analog haven, unless there is somewhere better to get them in the us.)

I'm sorry i have so many questions, its just this stuff keeps my pondering mind up all night, and i was just looking for some help.

-04tm34l3

wmonk · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 3:05 am Post subject:

Hi 04tm34l3!

firstly, I don't know stuff about eurorack, but I can give some general comments on your list.
For a small system it would be wise to know if you're looking for drones, soundscapes, or more looking for bass and lead sounds. The midi2cv suggest the latter, the ringmod and e340 the first.

Then the comments on the list. For a ringmod to work you need two sound sources. So I would suggest at least another VCO.
For more modulation options, VCAs are very useful, for example to control the amount of modulation.
Different filters give a different character. I think it is wise to start with a multimode filter.

Cheers,
Woody

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 9:11 am Post subject:

Good advice!

There are some similar threads here that should contain information that applies in your case too.

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

hey! and thank you.

as far drones/soundscapes/leads/basses go i suppose im trying to get a a bit of everthing, however im more interested in drones and basses.

but do you think the maths could substitute the need for an lfo and an envelope generator?

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:39 am Post subject:

A software modular synth might be a good starting point in order to figure out what you need in order to build a basic system that makes sense to you.

The Clavia G2 demo software is free. You could try that one.

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

ok thanks, ive just downloaded it!

im still a bit curious about assembling these. is it relatively hard to get your head around? or should i have it assembled elsewhere? is there a good place were i could learn more about this (ive looked but could not find much)

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:22 pm Post subject:

Assembly is easy. We are talking about mounting modules in a frame and connecting a few cables. Don´t worry. There are people here who can help. Very Happy

DrJustice · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:23 pm Post subject:

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

ndkent · Joined: Jan 03, 2006 Posts: 66 Location: new york

a140 asdr envelope generator (perhaps 2? or mabey instead a maths?)
one adsr and one maths isn't a bad start. 2 ADSRs and Maths would be even better since you might use Maths for something like an LFO or slew besides 2 simple envelopes or one regular style envelope

a114 ring mod

it's a no frills dual ringmod and you have very few signal sources so other than processing external sounds you might be a bit lacking with gear to use it with. Also other ringmods may have more features, The Oakley one comes to mind for more options

a145 lfo
a147 vclfo

can't hurt but I wouldn't get 2 low frequency sources before you get more vcos. Maybe just the a147

Synthesis Technology
e340 cloud generator (for a vco, would it be wise to get another such as dopfer a110 or a malekko oscillator?)

No it's not a substitute for a proper VCO at all. It's a digital generator of some interesting specialized sounds. Generally 2 proper VCOs is a good idea for a wider variety of sounds and modulation options.

The Harvestman
malgorithm

Another specialized digital device. Certainly worth getting if it inspires you but it would not be part of a typical basic system.

You have no proper random sources like Noise.

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

well all, thank you for the realistic feedback (helped me alot)
also from working with the g2 i realized how my 'set up' was full of too many specialty stuff, yet was lacking basics

anyway, edited my list again, any sort of feedback would mean a lot

kept the a190 midi, a147vclfo, and a106 filter

vcos
tiptop z3000, and (questionably) pittsburgh modular oscillator (didnt really hear anything bad, seemed like a basic pitch accurate osc)

a140 adsr env (x2)

a130 mixer

a ring mod (oakley one the kent mentioned looked well, is krisp1.com is a fine site?[planning on ordering the rest from analog haven])

pittsburgh audiomixer attenuator (rather than an a138a, is the difference between a mixer and an attenuator far?[the pittsburgh attenuator doubles as both however])

and a pittsburgh outs (was gonna get this or the malekko one)

and a 4ms noise swash (rather than the malgorithm)

id like to include the maths in here, but id really prefer to keep the cost of the modules under 2k.

sorry for the lengthiness, just trying to get all of my questions out

BobTheDog · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject:

I have a Z3000, its not that great I think.

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

any alternative suggestions?

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject:

How about an AFG

http://www.livewire-synthesizers.com/

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

i've actually heard alot about this one!

my only concerns are if it has pitch accurate cv control (would that be the 1v oct cv input)

and ive heard these aren't regularly avaliable (in recent times atleast), is this true?

BobTheDog · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:00 pm Post subject:

Hi,

It has accurate pitch control for me but there have been some people complaining on the internet that it can go a bit wonky after a few hours, mine is fine though.

I got mine while they were in stock, from what I can see now you have to order one and then wait for it with baited breath!

Cheers

Andy

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

detuning mabey has something to do with the temperature, and the analog?

hmmmmmmmmmmm... alright. im planning to get this from analog haven, would it be worth it to shoot them an email about it? or should i just be more patient?

BobTheDog · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

I would look for some videos and sound clips first to make sure you like the sound of it first, after all it is not a cheap osc.

Maybe some others could chip in with some osc advise as well, I am not an expert Smile

I really like the afg though, you can get lots of different sounds out of it.

04tm34l3 · Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Kanto

yeah ive been watching some demos, and poking around on muffwiggler about this thing, still well, researcher.

im liking the maths alot more than i did before.

and for the second vco i was thinking the bubblesound ulfo? not sure, still thinking about that second vco

EATyourGuitar · Joined: Oct 28, 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Providence, RI

just respoding to the list in the OP. looks good. I'm building a similar system in MOTM built around a e340 cloud generator. I played with ring mods too much in my life so I wont be adding one for a while. some people in euro like to start with a dark energy so they get the USB + MIDI + power. check out flight of harmony for a super cheap power solution. about $60 for power. if you dont like the dark energy on the side, you can get the dark energy euro module and a midi module. maths is an awesome module but the versatility makes it less intuitive. most people never use them to the fullest of their potential. its also not in production anymore so the price is higher than it should be for what it is / was. dont forget to have one passive multiple, one buffered multiple, one or two mixers. lots of VCA's, a noise source, some kind of distortion or clipping or bit crushing. always build the attenuators, adapters, mixers, passive multiples from blank panels. these are easy as fuck to build.