Muff's Modules & More

nooneimportant

I wanna place this order already, but I'm worried I'm missing something (and yes I already ordered plenty of cables... so now I HAVE TO order the modules haha)

case - doepfer: a-100p6 with psu2

how I'll control the damn thing: Expert Sleepers: ES-3 MK2

VCO: Synthesis Technology: E340 Cloud Generator

filter: Flight Of Harmony: Plague Bearer R4

mixer: Pittsburgh Modular: AudioMixer Attenuator

crusher for fun: Doepfer: A-189-1

and a multiple.

I was really set on getting a cwejman vco-6 but nobody has them... So I might just settle for one VCO for now. I chose these units because they're something a little unique. I don't want just regular ol' oscillators, and filters (i've got a slim phatty), I want something with real character. Does it immediately look like I'm missing anything here? Will this work ok? Lastly, can anyone recommend another VCO that isn't crazy expensive? Thanks in advance, you guys are really helping me out lately!

super dumb question time: This all comes with like... the screws, and power cables I need yeah?

phasebash · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:54 pm Post subject:

Wait for a VCO-6, it's well worth it dude. Isn't the P9 just only slightly more cash too?

nooneimportant · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:04 pm Post subject:

Oh I'm totally going to get one as soon as they're in stock somewhere, but I'd rather not have that hold me up.

The P9 is like 140 more... and analog haven won't have em for a month, is there somewhere else I can get them, US spec?

mojopin · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:13 pm Post subject:

Stab Frenzy · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:02 pm Post subject:

Yep you need at least one VCA for the audio path. I'm not sure if the Plague Bearer would be ideal as the only filter in a system either.

nooneimportant · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:28 pm Post subject:

so should i swap the mixer for a VCA? I plan on running the audio into the Moog filter if I feel i need something smoother.

mojopin · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:33 pm Post subject:

well, you don't have much to mix. get a maths so you can have mixer, envelopes and attenuators plus much more in one. and of course some sort of vca.

nooneimportant · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:52 pm Post subject:

True, I don't have much to mix haha. Alright I'm gonna swap the mixer for a VCA. Although in theory couldn't that mixer be a VCA? Are we talking linear or exponential??? (newb here)

in terms of envelopes i'm going to let the expert sleepers take care of that for now. I think a maths is a little out of my league for now... I still don't totally get CV/Gate/Trigger/reset stuff ha!

can anyone recommend a VCA? or should I just get a simple ol' doepfer?

mojopin · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:58 pm Post subject:

i think you will end wanting some analog envelopes but for now that should do. i don't own this module but you could try the pittsburgh modular dual index. it is two vcas with a mix out. they are linear which is preferably when using a vca to modulate cv. and of course works great with audio. if the budget permits, i would get a cwejman vca-4mx which i do have and is great.

nooneimportant · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:03 pm Post subject:

in the end I'd like to be totally analog, but the expert sleepers stuff is necessary as I need very precise sync with a DAW, and it'll save me some money along the way, with envelopes and lfos and whatnot.

It's my understanding that linear is intended for CV, and exponential is intended for audio, but you can mix and match and it won't do any harm, but is this only true for VCAs/mixers?

I'll look into that pittsburgh, of course I'd love to get the cwejman, buuuutt I'm not so sure the budget allows that just yet. Right now I'm running about 1500 dollars, I could be talked into about 2500 total, but it'd have to be a good argument.

mojopin · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

lin vs. exp in describing a vca just means they respond differently to cv but you can get the same results with each one..just takes some tweaking. and yes, you can send cv or audio all over the place. and you should! always remember to FM ever cv input you have to hear what happens.

nooneimportant · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:15 pm Post subject:

Alright good to know! Now I need to sort out what the difference between a cv signal and a gate, or trigger signal is... feel free to inform me of the simplicity of that as well.

I suppose I'll go with the cwejman you recommended. I am a FIRM believer in "do it right the first time". Might as well invest in the quality pieces now.

I can use that as my final output yeah? running into my A/D converters to my DAW?

EDIT: I'm losing the bit crusher for now too. I can do that with a plugin far more complexly for now.

causticlogic · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:38 am Post subject:

Well CV is just voltage. The signal is just how much voltage you are sending through the module.
Think of a gate as just that, a gate that opens/closes when triggered.
Triggering can happen in many ways, but is most often achieved through some type of interface like MIDI>CV or through some type of "hands-on" module like the Synthwerks stuff (and others) or a synth with CV output.
If gating/triggering is still confusing, think about a key on a keyboard. You press the key and a note plays, right? Well that event triggered a gate to open to allow voltage in so that note could play. The length and brevity of that note then depends on the envelope.

nooneimportant · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:29 am Post subject:

so there's no difference between CV and gate? just different ways of using the cv?

Is there somewhere I can read all this stuff? I looked in the various "noob" stickies, but that all seems to be stuff explaining waves, and how modulation works, which I have an ok understanding of.

My last question remains- can I use the cwejman vca-4mx as my final output module?

phasebash · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:39 am Post subject:

nooneimportant · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:53 am Post subject:

Right now I've got no plans to gig with this kit, all recording. After .2 seconds of investigative work the maths isn't available right now either (at analog haven), so I'll have to wait on that weather or not it fits my budget.

Could I run the 4MX into a DI box and just plug it into a mic preamp? I've got a fairly well stocked studio so there's a good chance I've got gear around to aid in getting the modular back in the box.

nooneimportant · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:54 am Post subject:

so there's no difference between CV and gate? just different ways of using the cv?

Is there somewhere I can read all this stuff? I looked in the various "noob" stickies, but that all seems to be stuff explaining waves, and how modulation works, which I have an ok understanding of.

My last question remains- can I use the cwejman vca-4mx as my final output module?

causticlogic · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:16 am Post subject:

CV and gate are two different things.
Think of CV as a signal in a circuit that can have different values that will produce different results depending on its path.
A gate is like like a switch in a way. If you press a key or touch a sensor or something it open up that gate to allow the signal through.

I don't know much about Cwejman, but I know that a lot of VCAs can be used as makeshift mixers so I would think there would be some sort of audio output, especially on something like Cwejman.

nooneimportant · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

I understand the different uses for CV and gate, I didn't really explain my question very well.

Does a gate signal use a control voltage? The jack is just labeled "gate" for identification? My real question is- can I sent a gate/trigger signal out of the expert sleepers unit, to sync up something like a sequencer to the DAW?
EDIT: looks like I'll have to wait till the end of the month for the ES-5?

I'm not sure why I can't retain this info, and this must be getting old...

This would overall solve my output concerns yeah?
http://www.analoguehaven.com/pittsburghmodular/outs/

phasebash · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 11:19 am Post subject:

It would. I like Outs b/c it's cheap and has two independent volume controls. If you have an extra attenuator free, you could use that in between your VCA-4MX out and your preamp. Your preamp might suffice too.

A gate is just a voltage held over a given threshold for a period of time. Typically, gates are +5V, but I guess that's not necessary (just so long as a voltage is held above a threshold).

If you're looking at a studio setup, why not try the LC9 low cost case? It's actually the cheapest per HP available (maybe only $30 more than DIY).

If Maths is out of stock, it should be in stock "soon". Waiting is something I've had to get painfully used to, but it's worth it.

nooneimportant · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 11:40 am Post subject:

I'd like the rugged case, something just puts me off about the wood case. Also I feel like I'd use up that single power supply before I fill up a case that big.

EDIT: ORDERED! let the money pit begin to dig its self w00t

mojopin · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:09 pm Post subject:

nooneimportant · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:15 am Post subject:

Thanks for that link, will read.

What am I recording with like software? I'm using Logic.

What am I recording with like, the dirty inside scoop- a motu 828 mk3 is my interface, but in the case of the DI- if I had to use a DI I'd use a channel from my Universal Audio 4-710d, but if I don't have to use a DI (I got the outs so...) I'll use the built in high-z input on the front of the 4-710.

sandyb · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:22 am Post subject:

nooneimportant · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:14 am Post subject:

We're both wrong, my excuse is I was drunk haha

I would NOT use a hi-z input on the front of the UA preamps, I'd use a line in on the back, coming out of the "outs" module. Hi-z inputs do not require a DI box, low-z ones do- to convert instrument impedance to mic impedance. Though I'm pretty sure I've got one that handles line level too.

mojopin · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject:

that UA unit looks really nice! i would definitely plug into that. you will only need attenuation to go into it.