Muff's Modules & More

tonnu

hi there,

like in the earlier thread i'm starting a modular. i've had lots of really useful advice. my aim: '70's vintagey sounds--not necessarily moogy, but that's sure a good place to start.

so i'm planning to buy either MOS-Lab or COTK as i understand that they should be the most authentic.

the thing is, MOS-Lab's output for VCO's are 5vpp and also it's VCF input is also 5vpp.

COTK output is 7vpp but i don't know what's the input for the VCF is.

i would like to use it with other DotCom / MU modules. So i want to use the VCO's with other manufacturers filters. Also, i'd want to run other VCO's (that run at 10vpp) into the VCF.

has anyone ever done this? has anyone ever tried, say, running a 10vpp Oakley / DotCom whatever VCO's into MOS-Lab's VCF?

has anyone ever run COTK / Mos-Lab VCO's into, say, STG's Mixer, or Oakley / DotCom filters?

what i'm worried most is that i am a firm believer of "the sum is more than its part" and believe that gain staging, and hitting the mixers and the VCA's at the right levels is very important.

will this mean interfacing 5vpp / 7vpp / and 10vpp outputs will create problems?

many thanks!

rezzn8r · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:22 pm Post subject:

If you're going to mix systems like this, then it's a good idea to pick up a good DMM, or scope. You can use VCAs and attenuators to match signal levels.

tonnu · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject:

rezzn8r · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject:

not first-hand with MOS-LAB/COTK, but between my Frac and Modcan systems. I don't think it's a pain, but YMMV. I have a Blacet Bar Gaph in my Frac rig for this purpose.

emc2 · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:01 pm Post subject:

Yes output levels matter a lot, but overdriving the Moslab filter can sound really good. It would be beat to stick with one make of modules. Attenuating and amplifying everything would get old quickly.

modularfreak · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject:

I just checked the sawtooth output levels of a C921, Oakley SVCO and Q106 with a mixer and by ear only.

Oakley SVCO and Q106 have roughly the same level, the C921 has a little bit less level but nothing major. Mixed together there is a "love parade"...

tonnu · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:23 am Post subject:

wyrtti · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:45 am Post subject:

Alot of the attenuation can be done by ear, which makes it FUN! It changes the character in interesting ways. It is not a problem. But, YMMV anyway. Just a point of view.

And modulars are ALWAYS fun! Don't worry too much!

It's motherfucking bacon yo

tonnu · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:28 am Post subject:

wyrtti · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:49 am Post subject:

Ah, ok, I see your point. It can get messy.

Enginear · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:11 am Post subject:

You could build simple fixed resistive dividers into your patch leads and colour-code the leads for given purposes (with heat shrink on the jacks).

Just an idea...

tonnu · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject:

sduck · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject:

So you want your modular system to sound the same all the time. That what it sounds like anyway. And experimenting and wiggling knobs is not going to be fun for you. Maybe mixing and matching isn't what you should be doing? Just get a moslab setup and forget about all the rest of the stuff - they just make things interesting, after all. Wouldn't want that.

edit - sorry, that sure sounds much more snarky than I usually let stuff out. Please take it with the good humor I actually intended.

tonnu · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:47 pm Post subject:

sduck · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject:

Sounds good!

BTW, So many filters! I feel your pain. The motm 490 really nails *that* sound. ALthough if the 440 ever comes out in MU format, just get it. You'll love it. Trust me. Would I lie to you? No.

tec · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject:

JohnLRice · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

I really should work smarter by being aware of which modules put out what levels and expect what levels but . . . I usually just plug shit into each other and if it sounds "bad", I'll just turn knobs, flip switches and/or plug some different stuff in until it sounds good enough to me! thumbs up

tonnu · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:46 am Post subject:

CZ Rider · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject:

pugix · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject:

The level differences between 5, 7 and 10 volts for module inputs shouldn't be much of a problem, as long as you have attenuator pots on your signal inputs to prevent over-driving them. If a module doesn't have a built in attenuator, then you can use an outboard one. Remember, too, that filters especially can generate large peak outputs over 20 volts peak to peak. Any well-designed module can handle input voltages up to the level of its power supplies, though it might distort like crazy and what's wrong with that? If your main concern is preventing unwanted distortion, then passive input attenuators should be all you need.

I agree with the JLR method. Plug shit together and tweak until it sounds good. thumbs up

A few judiciously patched mixers or attenuators will help.

As to the hassles with adjusting levels, all I can say is get used to it. It comes with the territory.