Time to get a modular

[Lux_Seeker]

I am not new to synthesis but I am new to modular synthesis. Recently, I bought a bunch of Moogerfooger modulars and fell in love with the whole concept of control voltage. I have a Korg M3 and I really like it but at times, despite its power, its also limiting. While simplifying things, it plays back samples and shapes sound with subtractive synthesis. OK, it can do some really complicated things and has incredible control options but still, it does not have the same feel as my foogers. There is something about plugging things in that is more tactile and creative. I guess it just works for me and creates sounds that frankly, I can't get from a Korg or any other digital.

OK, that said, I have decided on a hybrid. Doepfer (because they have a lot of modules), Plan B (because they have vactrols, I have to have vactrols and they have some interesting stuff as well), Cwejman (also interesting modules, out of the ordinary) and Cynthia (I like the oscillator). I would get some Buchla stuff from the 200e but its very expensive and I don't know if I can integrate it.

A few questions. OK, all of this stuff, with the exception of buchla, is Eurorack. I presume that means if I get a rack for it with a power supply and a bus then these three groups of modules will work together and I can supply all of them with power?

If so, what would you recommend for a rack? I want something big enough for expansion but not so big that it creates studio space problems. Any recommendations?

[EdisonRex]

The short answer is yes, all Eurorack modules will work in a Eurorack. If you get a prebuilt (i.e. Doepfer) rack with a PSU, you should be able to power everything in the rack. If you choose to build your own Eurorack enclosure, you'll have to find a power supply. It's probably a lot less bother to just buy an enclosure, especially if you can populate it with some basic modules when you do so.

btw the Buchla stuff is probably harder to integrate than you think. It uses a different control voltage standard, different connection media, it definitely does not fit in Eurorack, and it uses a different power connection scheme anyway.

[Antimon]

I'm in the same situation as Lux Seeker (hi there ), so maybe I can throw in a stupid newbie question here: does +-15V (as Curetronic uses which I'm about to buy) apply to both CV and audio jacks? If so - is there no problem plugging any audio output (VCO, VCF or VCA) on the modular into my sound interface, or do I need to take care to keep the module output low, or amplify it in some way?

/Stefan

[Lux_Seeker]

[thermionicjunky]

You should be aware that Plan B has been having severe delivery, quality, and PR problems. If a module is in-stock at Big City Music, then go ahead, but there have been huge problems with direct sales. A vactrol alternative is the Makenoise Quad Multimode Gate, which is a lowpass gate, lowpass filter, or highpass filter. That said, Plan B designs are quite interesting, so I'm hoping that they can get it together. The problems became unmanageable when they introduced a bunch of new, desirable modules at once and had to hire neophytes to build them. I'm tempted to get the upcoming Model 30 digital oscillator, which I think will be factory assembled (outsourced) and hopefully available through Big City Music. Cwejman has a great reputation and Doepfer has some modules that are crap and some that are brilliant.

To answer Antimon's Curetronic question, most modular output signals are 10 volts peak-to-peak (+5 to -5). CV may be +5 to -5, or +10 or +5 to 0. It depends. I run my outputs through a passive DI. Otherwise, you will have to attenuate. Passive attenuators, such as those in attenuator modules will do. It is also possible to keep the output of your VCA low enough to avoid clipping, but you want to take advantage of the full range of your modules. Voltmeters are very useful for voltage controlled systems.

[Antimon]

[Lux_Seeker]

Antimon:

Thanks again for the info. I have been using analogue haven for a distributer. I have ordered non modular stuff from them before and have had no problems. However, they don't have Plan B. They have just about everything else including Doepfer and Cwejman so I suspect the problem might be with a low volume of modules being made and probably poor quality as you have pointed out.

I agree that Plan B's modules look innovative which is what attracted me to them but if I never get them or they dont' work then its not worth it.

Thanks again.

[Funky40]

[a100user]

It's worth noting that not all Euro makers use the Doepfer standard for power cables, i.e. Analogue Systems modules (which are very nice) require a special ribbon cable if you want to use it with a Doepfer rack.