Muff's Modules & More

defenestration · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:26 am Post subject:

I did a couple of my shruthi-1s in a 10x6" hammond enclosure that I combined with ponoko-laser cut bamboo ply - the PCBs are flush against each other inside the case

still not sure what I want to use the extra room for, and I still need to raise the LEDs (designed case after I soldered boards) - and should trim the pot shafts a little (also take note of my beautiful cardboard and tape angled stand)

a similar case sure would be nice for an ambika - I definitely want to pick up a midipal with metal enclosure

Isaiah · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:09 am Post subject:

So, I've been thinking about this thing enough that I reckon I'll buy it as soon as it's released!

I'm trying to decide which voiceboards to get.

It'll be used as monotimbral polysynth most of the time, alongside:
*Tom Oberheim SEM.
*Steiner Synthasystem (DIY, my main modular at the moment).
*MS-20 'clone' semi-modular (DIY, not started yet).
*Serge-inspired 4U modular (DIY, not started yet).

All of which have multi-mode 12dB VCFs.
I don't have any 24dB VCFs in my modular, though I may build an ARP 4072 as an auxillary VCF for the Steiner, and a Mankato when I build the 4U (but this will likely be used as a VCO/modulation source most of the time).

The SVF voiceboard sounds like the most flexible, but I have an awful lot of 12dB filtering going on already.
Maybe I shouldn't worry, all the VCFs I have sound different.
The 4-pole VCFs would be great for 'deeper'/darker pads, a la Roland Juno 60 & Korg Polysix.
But, I think I might find just 24db LP response a little frustrating with a synth as flexible as Ambika.
But, with 12dB VCFs everywhere, will everything sound a bit 'bright'?

Hmmm..

gwaidan · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:34 am Post subject:

I think the 4P card would be the best of the lot, all other things being equal-SSM2164 based, sweet and precise-exactly like 4P mode on the 4 Pole Mission.

The SMR circuit was modified to fit in the Ambika, Olivier mentioned the change to the sound made it unacceptable for the Shruthi, but fine and even a slight improvement for a Poly (thinner resonance that didn't overpower the sound)-so might even be better for your purpose.

The SVF is a really good sounding circuit (I've got the dual SVF Shruthi) but Olivier said he had to kludge the VCA DAC response on that card to linearise the VCA response (2164 has expo gain cells) so might have quantisation/zipper noise on the VCA.

I'm leaning to the 4P myself but waiting for more comprehenive demos of each one...

Boofin Moonrocks · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:12 am Post subject:

Yeah, I believe the current demos are for the 4P (which I'm leaning towards myself), but I'd like to hear the other voice cards doing some poly stuff.

Isaiah · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:18 am Post subject:

You know, I had listened to the samples (and been thoroughly impressed!), but hadn't even taken notice of which VCF had been used.
If the samples on Soundcloud used the 4-Pole Mission VCF, I'm gravitating towards that or the SMR.

Thinking about it, a 4-pole VCF makes more sense for my purposes.
If there was a Dual SVF voiceboard with serial/parallel modes (like the Shruthri-1), it might be a different story hihi

So, the SMR has thinner Resonance?
Maybe that would be good for polysynth use, as you suggested. It's a Cascaded-OTA, right?
That seems to suggest Roland-like tones.

The 4-Pole Mission did sound great though.
Could anyone describe their experiences with the 4-Pole LPF response on the Shruthri-1's 4-Pole Mission VCF, please?

Thanks!

lysander · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:34 am Post subject:

gwaidan · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 6:28 am Post subject:

mOBiTh · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:07 am Post subject:

Isaiah · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:18 am Post subject:

defenestration
Fantastic work on the case!

gwaidan
Ah, that would be why I didn't notice which VCF was used! hihi

Thanks for your description.
I'll reserve judgement until I hear some recordings, but the 4-Pole Mission VCF seems attractive.

I'd like to have some less aggressive, sweeter filters in my sonic palette.
Of course, I'm sure the synthesis engine can produce particularly nasty, aggressive sounds before it even reaches the VCF, for what it's worth.

Does the Shruthri-1 have Ambika's Sub-Oscillator/Click generator?
If so, can the Click be used to 'ping' filter (with the other VCOs turned off)?

Peake · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:21 am Post subject:

The Mutable stuff is highly interesting. Kudos to him/them.

gwaidan · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:56 am Post subject:

kjackman · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject:

dude · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject:

that is a sexy polysynth.

Christopher Winkels · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:59 am Post subject:

Perhaps I missed this somewhere in the discussion, but is this (from a purely VCF standpoint) a true polyphonic or a paraphonic synth?

That is to say is there one filter that all voices get sent through, or is there one filter per voice?

oootini · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:07 am Post subject:

1 filter per voice.

gwaidan · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:09 am Post subject:

True poly-each voice card has its own VCF and VCA. Possible to have a mix of voicecards with different filters in the same system. 3 Global LFOs per patch but 1 LFO and all EGs are on the voicecard as well.

bkbirge · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject:

hpsounds · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:16 pm Post subject:

Here are some videos (only in french ...) where Olivier Gillet (Mutable Instruments) was presenting his latest works:

- overview of the Shruthi-1;
- Ambika : the new polysynth;
- Anushri (Little Miss Sunshine) : the Monotron and Monotribe killer.

Hédi K.

lysander · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:51 am Post subject:

These vids are great ( I'm french though smile

)
I can't wait for both the ambika and the fully analogue synth to be released.

djs · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

someone should take the voice boards from the phutney (vcs 3 clone) and modify them to go into the ambika and make a poly vcs3

ok,i know it's pretty impossible, but one could dream.