Building my 1st modular, eurorack

elemental · Joined: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 12 Location: London

Hi, 1st post!

Finallly, think I'm about to bite the bullet:

To begin with, I'm going for an Analogue Solutions AS1600 case, plus their BD99 909 kick module, and one of their envelopes.
Gonna go for a few Analogue Systems modules for basic stuff - Dual VCA, VCENV, VCLFO, and their MMF filter - I esp like the way your can patch another processor into the filter resonance loop. I already have an AS Filtered Coffee (MS20 copy) which has loads of patching options.

Think I will either go for 2 RS95 Oscillators from Analoge Systems, or a single Model 15 from Plan B. Also like the sound of their Model 12 Filter but that may have to wait till my finances recover..
Also been lusting over the Zeroscillator, but a bit pricey for me right now! Better to get a basic system going before I get that I think..

I currently use a modified MC-202, and the Filtered Coffee as a semi-modular system, got some great sounds out of those but looking to expand the pallette a bit more! I have been looking at modulars for about 3 years now...

I'm based in the UK, I've tried to find the best balance of price/quality available here.

Any comments / suggestions welcome!

Cheers
Adam.

Jari Jokinen

elemental · Joined: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 12 Location: London

Thanks for the info.

Think i'll be ok with the 1600, will make sure though.

The main thing I can't decide is which oscillator(s) to go for.

From what i've read & heard the Plan B has a really nice sound to it, but for the price of one of those I can get 2 ASystems RS-95, which seems to be a good choice from what i've read.

I would also be willing to save up a bit more and get the zeroscillator instead, if its as good as people say it is... shame there isnt anywhere local I can try them all out.

If anyone has had experience with any of these would be great to here some views..

Thx

Jari Jokinen · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:56 am Post subject:

bubblechamber · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject:

the livewire osc should be out soon...
i'd probably wait.

robles · Joined: May 20, 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Takoma Park, MD

If you're going for mostly ASys modules with just a couple ASol modules, I'd suggest getting an ASys case, because they come with ASys and Doepfer style plugs (ASol uses Doepfer plugs). The ASol case only comes with Doepfer style plugs and I think you need an adapter cable for every ASys module you stick in there.

Key:

ASys= Analogue Systems
ASol= Analogue Solutions

Per · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject: VCO choise

I have two types of Doepfer VCOs, as well as Plan B, Analogue Systems, Cwejman,l Metasonix and Zerooscillators in my rack.
And with price compared to performance, I think the AS is the winner The basic sound is very good, the FM sounds are among the best and they have a natural warmth. The only back side is that they have a problem to stay in tune, and the lack of a common octave switch. But still, If I did know what I know today, I had bought more AS VCOs and less Doepfer to my modular. The AS can stand alone without any filtering, but the Doepfer A-110 (the cheaper of the Doepfer VCO) is too buzzy for my taste.
I have no experience in Analogue Solution VCOs, but I know they are the cheapest in the market.
The price of the ZO is ridiculous. On the other hand, they are wonderful. But to use them, you need at least on modulation VCO dedicated to that module. And with the good FM sounds of the AS VCO, you can get pretty close to that expensive high end module.
Generally, I think Doepfer has the best bang for the bucks when it gets to CV modules. But it filters and VCOs, others are often preforming better.
But if you are building a small start system, do not forget the Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol Low Pass Gate. They copies an old Buchla circuit and do double job as LPF and VCA, with a nice woody and organic sound.
Per Wikstrom

elemental · Joined: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 12 Location: London

Thanks -

In the end I went for 2x AS95E oscillators. I think the tuning issue may be solved in the AS95E as it has a fine tune knob.
So far the sound is decent, esp when modulating the waveshape of one with the output of the other... really nice harmonics coming through!

Also got a VCA, Multimode filter (nice), VCLFO and Divider (which is not as useful as I hoped for getting sub oscillator sounds..) all from ASys.

From ASol I got an Attenuator, Mixer and Multiple, plus their BD99 kick drum module.

I have a Plan B Model 10 Polyphonic Env Generator awaiting a long enough power lead so I can fit it into the AS1600 case (Analogue Solutions).

I have been looking at the PLan B Model 13 Dual Timbral Gate as well as the Doepfer Low Pass Gate - from what I've read the Plan B one sounds better but I may still go for the Doepfer if it is comparable.

Thanks for the info about FM on the AS Osc... I have been lusting after the Zeroscillator, but the price is silly! Havent yet experimented with FM on the RS95.

Next up - Low Pass/Dual Timbral Gate, Doepfer Phaser, Ring mod, Slew Limiter and the A-137 Wave Multiplier

Per · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

The Plan B timbral gates may sound good, I don't know, but they have no resonce control, so the sonic possibilities are smaller. As they both are vactrole based, they are much slower than a VCA, but it i9s a part of the charm.
The Plan B envelope generator works great with my Doepfer Low Pass Gates and together they reminds of real old school Buchla sounds.
Per

PS. I have (at last) got a myspace area. So I add it proudly www.myspace.com/ratstudiossoutheast

z_ecoustics · Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Massachusetts

I've heard cwejman makes the most stable VCOs. Especially good for use with a persaphone or wire controller. I'm in a similar boat with building a system and struggle with the price of cwejmans. I'll likely get the VCO no matter what (and perhaps the ADSR) but for other modules such as filter MMF-1 or external audio input AP-1, those are $600+ each and for that amount of money you could really get two or three times the number of ASys modules. I'm trying to figure out what the smart buy is for cwejman as far as which module they make that has the biggest quality difference from the rest... maybe it's their 4 channel stero mixer, suppose to be very low distortion and something something..

Funky40 · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject:

Per · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

I guess it is a matter of taste, but doing an A/B test, to me the Plan B is slightly better (meaning smoother and and less buzzy) than the AS, but they preform nearly the same. That means that when it comes to price and performance the AS is a better buy. The plain waveforms of the Plan B is smoother and with a slightly more warmth than all other VCOs I use, and maybe it is due to it´s triangle core. It has more of the classic old school, but that is chritical only when they ar without filtering.
In handling, the Plan B has nice bipolar inputs, but lack the octave switch of the AS.
Per

Scott Stites · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:37 am Post subject:

Hey Per,

I recall Peter G. expounding on one of the lists (either SDIY or AH) about the difference in FM you will get between a triangle core and a sawtooth core VCO. Can't remember the details, but the gist of it was that a triangle core will generally render more pleasing results, or at least more Buchla-like results.

Cheers,
Scott

Per · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

Yes, and he is probably right. On the other hand, the white trash low status Doepfer A-110 preform well in their own way: Reliable, always in tune, a wide range octave switch, and a lot of aggressive waveforms, waiting to be filtered. So it not a question of good and bad, really, it is more of different personalities, suited for different purposes. I have five A-110 in my rig, and they never let me down with the things they are good at.
Per