KVR Audio

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 3:48 pm

Hi Guys

Harking back to the early days of analogue when synths notoriously drifted out of tune, I was wondering if that still happens with modern modules? And do they still take a few minutes to 'warm up'?

I know there's this thing about genuine analogue vs digital synths, but I'm more interested in the workflow - so if you can patch it, that's fine!

- and stability/reliability. My inexpert electrical knowledge suggests that digital might be better.

So are there any issues with analogue modules that you don't get with digital ones?

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:09 pm

Just for clarity, are you asking about digital hardware modules, or softsynth modulars?

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 5:05 pm

Ah, hardware modules

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Thu Feb 25, 2016 5:15 pm

The digital oscillators I use in my eurorack system (Hertz Donut, Piston Honda, Tides) don't have any issues with tuning stability. A lot of analog oscillators are now designed for stability and tight tracking across many octaves. In fact the only time I have had a problem with oscillators going out of tune was when I was having a problem with my power supply.
Also, if you plan to use a modular synth with a computer, you can use Silent Way to calibrate your oscillators.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:38 pm

I think it tended to be the early Moogs that drifted. Early unmodded EMS too.

But I find modern analogue VCOs are pretty stable.

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 1:28 pm

With so many modules out there, I was just thinking that taking a digital-only route would cut down on choice

and possibly eliminate any analogue modules that might potentially have tuning/stability problems.

I'm not sure how many digital vs analogue modules there are out there so perhaps it's not a viable - or sensible

- way to go.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 4:14 pm

I think with a modern modular you don't really have to worry about tuning issues much

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:22 pm

I would hope not as modern technology is certainly up to it, but with so many manufacturers and modules on the market, and many new companies, untried and tested, springing up, I thought it might eliminate any potential problems.

I also tent to think - and I could be totally wrong here - that digital is likely to be more stable in the long term, as if analogue components 'wear' or deteriorate in any way, that would affect performance. I'm assuming that digital wouldn't have that problem (although they could probably go wrong in other ways).

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:28 pm

I think well built analogue might have a longer lifespan.

Certainly in the past that is so. Analogue is generally repairable but digital has a habit of becoming obsolete and the parts are hard/ impossible to get. Assuming you can find what the problem is.

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:46 pm

Ah... I thought there was a prob getting exact parts for old analogue gear

Anyway, I don't have a 30-year horizon on this so a good ten years would probably do

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 6:03 pm

I have analogue hardware I bought 35 yrs ago and apart from one service they are fine (touch wood).

IanT · Post by **IanT** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 6:16 pm

Wow! Brilliant. What instrument is that?

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:27 pm

Roland SH2. I have a Roland SH101 that I was given that's a little bit younger.

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:52 pm

ChamomileShark wrote:I think with a modern modular you don't really have to worry about tuning issues much

Well I wouldn't go that far. I mean there are still oscillators out there which don't track perfectly over a wide range. The tuning stability is good but if you are playing over a range greater than 3-5 octaves tuning might go flat on the higher notes. My Make Noise DPO for instance, starts going noticeably flat after about 4 octaves.
Using Silent Way to calibrate oscillators makes life easier but that can require a lot of setup.

Really, I think it comes down to expectations. If you are expecting rock solid tuning over 10 octaves and for oscillators to be tuned to the same note as it was when you turned off your system, you may be disappointed with modular synths in general. Honestly, I just stopped caring about tuning. I just tune my oscillators to each other now, so they are "in tune" within my modular but not necessarily with anything else.

There are fewer digital modules than analogue out there and a lot of the digital stuff is focused on a lo-fi sound. If you want clean oscillators with a wide octave range and stable tuning, take a look at SynthTech.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:50 pm

Good quality oscillators will track ok. I've not noticed any tracking issues with the VCOs I have here. If you need tuning to be absolute you need to worry about things like buffered mults but that issue affects digital also.

That's my experience anyway.

Analogue vs Digital Modular