the lineup changes again

ok, this is getting ridiculous now...I cannot make up my mind on some of these modules.

Today, however, after playing my Moog MF-102 ring mod with the newly arrived QuadADSR, I've decided to withdraw the Livewire Dalek Modulator (ring mod) and replace it with the Vulcan Modulator. The fact that the Moog has a CV controllable Mix amount is a big plus in my book.

On a side note...I have never used an envelope to modulate a ring mod carrier's pitch before! It's very very cool. A very easy way to create a more unique sounding electro drum or just give a cool/gritty (when carrier is a lower frequency) dynamic shift to the sound.

A brief example of this is at the end of my demo video from the last post. I forgot how new gear can bring a new angle to how one uses their current gear. I guess that applies exponentially to modular gear :D I'm really stoked on this modular system coming together.

Speaking of which, next modules on the order block are as follows:
-Livewire Vulcan Modulator
-Doepfer A-119 Envelope Follower
-Doepfer A-131 Exponential VCA

ETA, sometime after the 15th.

QuadADSR and Dual Timbral Gate demo

My first video demo of the first two modules.

Enjoy.

matrixsynth

I got blogged on Matrixsynth last night :D

Doepfer A-143-2 and Plan B Model 13

The first two modules have arrived from Analogue Haven!

The Doepfer A-143-2 is a "QuadADSR"; 4 independent standard ADSR envelopes that are switchable for 3 different time ranges (low, medium, high). They are special, however, because each ADSR also has pulse/trigger outputs which fire at the end of stages of the envelope; end of attack, decay, and release. These can be used to trigger another envelope (or any event) or to re-trigger itself, creating an LFO. The Gate (trigger) inputs of each envelope are normalled to each other, so it only requires a single gate signal on one of the envelopes to trigger them all.

The Plan B Dual Timbral Gate is a dual low-pass gate which has independent gates which can be switchable between amplitude gates (like a linear VCA), low-pass filter, or both. There is also a separate SUM output and balance control for the two gates. In this way, it also acts as a 2 channel mixer. This is apparently an improvement off of the original Buchla low-pass gates so I'm very excited to try it out.

I had a long day at work, so I'm not going to get to playing around with these until tomorrow. I do plan to make some video demos showing off the two new modules this weekend though.

One final note...I didn't realize the modules didn't come with screws for the case (most likely the new cases ship with screws) so I can't screw them in yet. No big deal, more stuff for the list ;D

The module list

Ok, so here's what I've got worked out now...in no particular order

-Livewire Audio Frequency Generator (when it's released)
-Livewire Vulcan Modulator
-Livewire Dalek Modulator
-Livewire Frequensteiner
-Livewire Dual Bissell Generator

-Plan B Model 13 Dual Timbral Gate
-Plan B Model 24 Heisenberg Generator

-Doepfer A-131 Exp. VCA
-Doepfer A-133 Dual VC Polarizer
-Dopefer A-138c Polarizing Mixer
-Doepfer A-143-2 Quad ADSR (this thing is super cool)
-Doepfer A-175 Dual Voltage Inverter
-Dopefer A-180 Multiples
-Dopefer A-181 Multiples 2
-Doepfer A-190 MIDI-CV Interface

Hmm...I thought I had more Livewire than that...at this point, if they make it, I'll probably buy it (Dual Cyclotron is on the list for the *next* case).

Livewire Oscillator!?!

Well shit... Livewire is making an oscillator! It was shown off @ NAMM and somehow I missed it when I browsed past the Livewire rack. With a name like "Audio Frequency Generator" I'm quite embarrassed that I missed it. In fact, I'm pretty sure I actually saw it and didn't grok what it was then.

:P

Anyway, it kinda throws a wrench in my gears of modular purchase. Based on what I have seen in this sonicstate coverage of the AH booth (check the Livewire video) the Livewire OSC looks bad ass! It also looks big. Based on what I can tell from the video, it's the same size as a Dual Cyclotron...a whopping 28HP.

I may just end up with a 1 OSC modular...I have decided the Dalek and Vulcan Modulators, so I'll have audio rate modulation available, but I don't know at this point if I really *need* them. Based on what the Livewire OSC is apparently capable of, I may not need it.

What's cool is the modular may now consist mostly of Livewire parts...something I wanted from the beginning because the look so cool!

Livewire is also releasing two "expander" modules to accompany the OSC. One of which is an 8 input CV controlled bi-polar audio mixer, designed primarily to mix the 8 possible waveform outputs on the Livewire OSC. Yes that's right, 8 POSSIBLE WAVEFORM OUTPUTS!

Sick.

The case is here

Doepfer A-100p
Originally uploaded by felixinferious.

The genesis begins...

I found a slightly used (actually in really great shape) Doepfer A-100p case on eBay for a good deal and it saves me around $200 compared to buying a new one when factoring in shipping and CA sales tax...and that means more $$$ for modules!

Unfortunately the case will remain empty for a few weeks until I determine just how much expendable cash I have for next month which was when I officially planned to start buying everything.

The first month was originally budgeted for just the case and the A-190 MIDI-CV converter but since I've saved so much buying this case, I may actually get a couple more modules the first month.

Stay tuned.

Modular Rig Mock-up

ModularRig
Originally uploaded by felixinferious.

So this is the final mock-up / plan of my modular rig...the start of it anyway. I've already begun on the second case which will consist mostly of additional control voltage sources like sequencers, LFOs, slope generators / slew limiters / etc.

I'm stoked and can't wait to get started on it. I found a used Doepfer 100p case on ebay and that has saved a decent amount of $. It will still take ~4 months to complete based on my current budget. I need to wait and see on some bills and of course taxes to see exactly how much expendable income I have currently. I'm committed to it though...I can't wait.

Stay tuned for more info as I build the system.

two words

modular synth. It was bound to happen.

I must say that I do miss many aspects of the Nord G2 now that it is gone and while I love my voyager, I keep wishing I could do more when I'm working on patches...plus I have this thing for patch cords...

Plan B, Livewire, Doepfer all on the way in the next few months. I'll be spreading it out for obvious cost reasons, however, I should have enough to make sounds after two months.

I of course plan to journal the process here. Stay tuned.