Muff's Modules & More

donpuzo · Last edited by donpuzo on Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:01 pm; edited 3 times in total

I had planned to go modular at full gas, but recent changes in my economy have made imposible my initial idea, and I had to change all my initial plan.

With my economy in mind, I have found a reasonable priced Dark Energy I. I have been enjoying it and it is an easy solution to cover some (very) basic aspects of traditional synthesis. Just now I really wanted to start, and I like the machine (and I'm conscient that this is not full modular).

Now, I would like to expand my gear. I will do it slowly. Honestly I see lost of answers saying "you will fill the 6u in no time" etc. This is absolutely impossible for me right now.

I have made my homework reading many interesting threads (for example this, this, this, this or this!) and I'm very sorry to insist on the same topic, but I would like to have more specific help.

I would like to add some modules that add a non-east-cost synthesis experience. I will be able to invest little money so maybe one module every 3, 4 months, and cheap ones and second hand wil be great. Doepfer is welcomed. I like even the aesthetics of the firma. Also I'm interested in expensive modules if the price worth it.

So I would like to know which modules could open me more possibilities in other directions. More than a full system I would like to know which first 3 or 4 modules would you recommend me, and it would be interesting also to know in which order and what they would offer me.

Thank you again for taking the time to read again one of this threads, but you know how complicated is at the beginning.

donpuzo · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:18 pm Post subject:

Just for the record, the CV ins and outs of the Dark Energy (in addition to the CV outs of the Midi/Cv built conversor) are:

IN:
VCO F, VCO PW, VCF F, VCA A, Gate, Ext OUT

OUT:
LFO1, Envelope, Audio

(any attenuators...)

Spiritekkers · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:50 pm Post subject:

I started the same way with the dark energy, still use it all the time. What i did to expand was got the flame clockwork( has midi and cv, swing, random and gates), then to expand on the DE i added a wave folder and then filters and more a noise generator. doepfer makes much of this but there are many other manufacturers that offer similar modules at affordable prices. Learn what you have before you expand too far.

MindMachine · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:53 pm Post subject:

Well if power and housing are not a concern (build your own box out of anything and get cheap diy-ishpower):

As suggested, a wave folder would be great, but to make it real cool it requires a lot of modulation. It might require less additional modules to make work well, than an added vco would. From what I see w/ the Dark Energy, adding a VCO would require quite a few modules.

I would suggest a:
multiple (any one you like, which does not count as one of your modules hihi

),
mixer,
LFO/VCOBubblesound uLFO or Intellijel Dixie
Processor (Plague Bearer, Malgorithm, Doepfer A-103 and A-124 are my fave cheap Doepfer... there are a few very reasonably priced ones)
Multi Envelope type module (Maths, A-142-4 Quad Decay, A-143-1 Quad ADSR/LFO, etc.).

So that is four modules (not counting multiple). The Maths and maybe large Doepfer Envelope modules may be too pricey. The others are dirt cheap and the Malgorithm, Bubblesound and Dixie may be reasonable used.

Besides the multiple - my choices from those would be: MA Mixer, Plague Bearer, A-124 and a multi Envelope like A-143-1. Those are mostly cheap and the money saved on most could go to the A-143-1.

It depends on what else you have running and budget and space too.

donpuzo · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:46 am Post subject:

Thank you for the answers!

Well I'm in Europe, so Doepfer is always a good option regarding price.

Regarding the case, my idea is working with a 6u case. However, if I find a second hand smaller case and I think that I can resell it later without losing too much money, I would prefer this option, as I would prefer to work without the holes that reminds me that I cannot buy more modules. It depends on what I will find.

The Dark Energy doesn't have a VCO out, so if I use a wavefolder it must be from another vco right?

I like the idea of the uLFO, but wouldn't be wasted without having a VCO out? or it has enough tricks with the lfo1 out?

When you say MA mixer, you mean manhattan analog?

Of all this module, would the multi envelope (Maths, A-142-4 Quad Decay, A-143-1 Quad ADSR/LFO) be the most useful to buy first?

Would you recommend the new A-171-2 VCS? I have been reading that it shares some functionality with the maths, and the price is (in Europe at least) cheaper.

Thank you!

Taco Belly · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:46 am Post subject:

A171-2 is released?

donpuzo · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:06 am Post subject:

Spring 2013

felixer

donpuzo · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject:

Yes, definitively I will do myself the multiples / attenuators.

MindMachine · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 1:50 am Post subject:

Yes MA is Manhatten analog. The uLFO could be put into the DE for modulations or used parallel or in series (so to speak) w/ DE as VCO. Damn I looked at the DE the whole time I posted and did not even see that there is no VCO out. That is okay though. You can mult the audio out to whatever audio processor and then use a mixer module for the original and processed sound or send them individually to two mixer channels or? It is not an'ideal' or 'standard' method, but this is modular experimental stuff, so it would be an option.

Plus if you opted for a uLFO or Dixie as VCO, then you could control them with the same voltages as the DE for pitch and then mix them w/ the mixer module or at the mixer. Without an additional VCA to control the Dixies path output, you could just keep the audio processor controls on the low side and use CV to open and close that seperate Dixie signal path. I hope that makes sense.

As for the new Doepfer Serge thing, it would be a good one for the Envelope function that I was suggesting. I do not know the cost, Maths and those big Doepfers I suggested are a little pricey, but they offer a lot for the price. The new Dopefer Serge will need a double 1x4 mult all to itself to get a little more function out of it. If you go with an Envelope module for your expansion, I think it might depend on how many cv's on other modules you want to control. If you get a module w/ a lot of cv ins (Doepfer BBD, Plague Bearer, etc) then you will want more modulators.

strettara

Spiritekkers · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:25 am Post subject:

[quote="donpuzo"]

The Dark Energy doesn't have a VCO out, so if I use a wavefolder it must be from another vco right?

I like the idea of the uLFO, but wouldn't be wasted without having a VCO out? or it has enough tricks with the lfo1 out?

You could use the wavefolder on the audio out chain.

The ulfo could be used to modulate many of the inputs, for example the vcof, vcf f, or even the vca.

donpuzo · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:36 am Post subject:

Spiritekkers · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:45 am Post subject:

donpuzo · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

Normally I connect a keyboard controller, and sometimes a DAW. However I enjoy more and more starting without it, with the lfo, or simply with the VCA knob maxed and "searching" inside the sound of one note, etc. Right now, my intention is not to reproduce what I know but learning. I have a hard jazz/classical/contemporary musical education, and I work regularly as a composer (table, paper and pencil) which leads me to the "keyboard" approach, but I also enjoy the fact that I can approach and experience the sound in a different way thumbs up

Mefistophelees · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject:

I think Doepfer, MFB and Flight of Harmony will be your friends. They all do good low cost modules.

The Dark energy seems a bit lacking in outs so you'll need some basic modules. Have a look at the MFB Kraftzwerg. It'll give you 2 LFOs, 3 VCOs, VCF, VCA, 2 ADSR envelopes. You can use it as a synth on it's own but it's also fully patchable so you can use it as individual modules.

It is as east coast design but that doesn't mean you have to use it that way. You can use the VCOs as modulation sources for the dark energy or use it to process the Dark Energy or variations thereof.

They're currently out of production but I seen one go cheaply on eBay the other day.

For more experimental modules have a look at wave folders/shapers and maybe some of the more exotic filters. There's also ring mods which can be interesting depending on what you feed into them.

Everyone will say get Maths because it's so useful, you should but also look at the new A171-2 when it arrives, it'll do similar things.

Other basics like multiples will be useful as you grow as will attenuverters and offsets. Maths does both as does the Circuit abbey Invy.

You'll probably need a mixer at some point, Doepfer do an attenuverting mixer (A138-C) which I find very useful as it lets you mix in a negative versions of signals. This can give good tonal changes and with the right patching you can use it to turn a low pass filter into a high pass filer.

There are also options that might be worth looking at:

Guitar processors and pedals. Some can be very good and incredibly cheap.

Software modulars - powerful and cheap

iPad synths - not necessarily modular but there are some really good synths out there for next to nothing.

felixer