Muff's Modules & More

[AFormidableOpponent]

This is my first post here, so I figured I'd make it introductory. My name's Mike, and I'm a guitarist who's looking to expand his knowledge of synthesizers for the purpose of accomodating the music that I hear which I cannot acheive on guitar. I found out about this forum over at the Analogue Haven forum. Hopefully, it's a bit more active here.

[felix]

Hi Mike, welcome to the group.

I was the same way with getting into synthesizers. I can be a slippery slope (I don't think I've picked up my guitar in maybe 2 months ).

It's definitely very active here. I'm starting to have a hard time keeping up.

[AFormidableOpponent]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm just a bit worried that this forum is module-centered, and I have a load of questions regarding keyboard synths. I'm also looking for purchase suggestions, and I know many forums are packed with people asking, "What should I buy?," and I don't want to be a nuisance.

[Roycie Roller]

[Audio Resistance]

[AFormidableOpponent]

Thanks, Roycie and Rob. Good to hear. I think I need a firm ground on keyboard synths before I start with the patch cables, although I could very realistically wrong.

[timmah]

I've got pretty much no experience with keyboard synths, but I have had experience with software synths.

Modulars aren't really that difficult, just start with the basics of synthesis, work slowly and remember to have fun at all times.

[dkcg]

[JohnLRice]

Just WWWWAAAAIIIIITTTTT a darn minute here!

I thought we ALL agreed to ONLY discuss drum synthesizers (and maybe gong interfaces rrrrRRROOOWWWwww ) here on Muff's forum from now on!!!!

Welcome AFormidableOpponent! (uuhhhmm . . is your alias threatening me??? )

Don't worry, I'm new here too (since August). I've really been enjoying it here. Lots of interesting subjects and knowlefgeble and fun people! I'm mainly a drummer/percussionist and more of a "composer" not a performer when it comes to keyboards. (but i do consider myself to be a "synthesist"!) And I even own some guitars. They look nice on the wall. Sometimes I take them down and plug them into things to make noise!

Enjoy the forum!

[brandon daniel]

No worries, I'm sure there's plenty of us here who went through a whole shed-load of fixed-architecture synthesizers before catching the modular bug. Just because we're all fixated on patch-cables and power-supplies doesn't mean we don't have experience with other stuff, too.

[Audio Resistance]

Sorry if I came off as rude there, I was trying to be helpful.

Anyway, I would bet alot of people have synths around here. I for one have

Roland-V-synth
Access-Polar
DSI-Polyevolver k
Ensoniq-Fizmo
Waldorf-Microwave xt
Moog-Voyager rme
Oberhiem Matriix 1000
numerous EMU racks
Elektron- Machinedrum

probably some other shit I am forgetting, but that is my new and improved line up. So yes, I will answer any keyboard question I can.

On a sad note I do not like them as much anymore after my modular experience, if only my wife would let me take out a second mortgage for that Buchla I have been eye fucking.

Cheers,
Rob

[AFormidableOpponent]

Wow, I go out to eat, and this topic really opens up. Once again, I thank you all for your input. This board seems quite impassioned; I hope to learn a lot here. And brandon daniel, my friend: you are an observant poster.

[felix]

[thermionicjunky]

If you do start out with a keyboard synth, look for something that is extensively patchable, like a Moog Voyager OS. When you get your chops up, I can assure you that you'll want at least a semi-modular. My first synthesis happened on an Ensoniq ESQ-1 and a Sequential Circuits Pro-One (but the keyboard was broken). I've been playing keyboards for 24 of my 28 years, but I primarily synthesize without a keyboard. I also started with the vague notion of sounds that I couldn't create with my other instruments. I could see the sounds. In my case, it took several years before I had the modules that I needed to compose those sounds fully, but I was broke and completely commited to modular. Anyway, good luck.

[Kwote]

for all your non modular synthesis needs i highly recommend http://www.vintagesynth.com and their forum. it's a solid site.

i haven't ran through a long line of synths. i had an mfb II before going modular and prior to that i was messing with ableton/native instruments reaktor. what i will say which is already being mentioned is i've learned a hell of a lot more about synthesis with the modular than i did with the other stuff.

synthesis started with modulars so it makes sense to me.

[AFormidableOpponent]

I really want to get the most out of a synth, so I understand the desire to go modular, but I'd like something that will smooth the transition, as synths seem to be so foreign without a keyboard. Who knows, after some research, I might change my mind.

[Audio Resistance]

[parasitk]

[brandon daniel]

[parasitk]

[Kwote]

basically what we're saying is you can have your cake and eat it too!

even though the cake is a lie!!!

[Kent]

Hello AFO,

I'm a guitarist that went modular after dicking around with keyboards and such for a while. I pestered the hell out of a lot of fine folks (some here, some not) and finally settled on the Analogue Solutions Vostok.




I've been VERY happy with this synth and I still don't think that I've tapped it out in terms of its flexibility. I thought, for a while, that it could only do really aggressive sounds. I learned that it can even be soft and subtle (like Kwote's shaven backside...) as well as quite gnarly.
The built-in MIDI interface makes it a snap to integrate into an existing MIDI setup. I've played it with a keyboard and with a Roland VG-99 that is hooked up to my guitar.
The craziest shit is using the Doepfer MAQ and the internal sequencer at the same time.
The oscillators are rock solid and will remain in tune for days.
I've written ad nauseum about this synth on this forum. There are sound files and such on this forum as well.

At a lower price, and from the same fine company, you can investigate the Red Square which also has MIDI but works with CV/Gate as well. It is also black now for some reason...



The Red Square is somewhat like a Korg MS-20 in that it is pre-patched and you can make noise right away. If you wish to patch things around, then you can.

Keep in mind that the Vostok uses 1/8th inch jacks (Eurorack & Blacet style) whilst the Red Square uses 1/4 inch jacks (MOTM, Moog, etc. style)

[parasitk]

[Kwote]

ayo! that's a complete falsehood. i only do that once in a blue moon(pun fully intended) at my wife's request. some might call this a sign of being pussy whipped, but i see it more as i sign of properly whipping that pussy.

bottomline.. it gets her wet

[dkcg]

[Kwote]

[JohnLRice]