Advice starting in hardware modular

[ghettosynth]

use virtual modulars more first, both to figure out if its worth getting the hardware and to help learn which modules you need/decide which modules you want. It's not worth it just for basses

You'd need to spend like 1000 just to get started

You need to spend that after you spend a grand buying the wrong things.

[Stefken]

See how you like VCV Rack or Bitwig Grid first maybe.... though hardware modular doesn't feel the same and you'll probably want to do different things with it.

I agree that semi-modulars are a good place to start.

* Behringer Brains
* Cre8audio Capt’n Big-O analog VCO with waveshaping (the Pitssburgh oscillator)
* Make Noise Math
* Mutable instruments Clouds
* MS-20 filter clones as Steve's MS-22 (not available)
I do have a MS-20 Mini so maybe I can patch this into my modular setup?

Generally decent choices IMHO. I'd pick Plaits or one of the other clones over Brains personally -- if you like the idea of the scope on Brains, get a separate scope -- being able to see control signals or other modules' output is a lot more useful that just having eye candy for one module.

Maths is great.

Rather than Clouds I'd recommend one of the clones that doesn't combine several functions on the Blend knob, or go for Beads. A more standard delay is probably a good idea too, which you can use not just for echoes but for a few other synthesis techniques. (Beads can do this, though not granular and delay at the same time.)

I could be wrong but I think MS-20 Mini uses the Korg modular Hz/Volt rather than 1V/Octave Eurorack standard, so you might want something to convert pitch. If it's just for the filter though it'd probably be fine.

Disting can do a lot (including the pitch conversion) and is a good way to figure out what other modules you might want to get for specific functions, but personally I thought it was pretty unfun to work with.

What would I like to do?

I m not completely sure.
On the limited experiments I did on Virtual modular I tend to go for fat, nasty monobasses combing west coast wave folding with east coast screaming filters like the MS-20 filter for example.
But to go for the expensive modular hardware route just for some fat monobasses seems like a waste??
I guess i am most impressed with generative, modulating sequences in the modular world (some really nice ambient sequences out there). That seems like something unique that would be worthy of the investment.

Have you looked into the Arturia Minibrute 2 / 2S? It's got a bit of that east/west combo going on, maybe more than it seems at first glance, and makes a solid starting point to add other modules to (using a Rackbrute case or not). Or a Make Noise 0-Coast and 0-Ctrl plus a small case for additional filter etc.

Thanks for the detailed suggestions.
No, I have not looked at the Minibrute in detail. I ll check it out.

[Stefken]

use virtual modulars more first, both to figure out if its worth getting the hardware and to help learn which modules you need/decide which modules you want. It's not worth it just for basses

You'd need to spend like 1000 just to get started

Ok, i guess I will spent some more time on my virtual modulars first.

A cheapo Neutron might be interesting too. Can 't go very wrong with that. On a modular forum several people mentioned that they started out with Neutron.

[Stefken]

Thanks for the remarks so far guys. Keep them coming.
Each of them presents interesting information. I m letting it all sink in.

The journey of discovering stuff is at least as interesting as getting the stuff. Actually, for me, the journey is more interesting than the endgoal.

[vurt]

if you do start a rack, best advice i can give, add every other modular user at kvr to your foes list
that way you won't be tempted by all the modules everyone buys, veering you way off the original idea you had

[j wazza]

Why do you want an analog modular?

For subtractive stuff, sample-based virtual analogs like omnisphere sound pretty much indistinguishable from analog, so the main reason I wanted a hardware modular isn't for subtractive, its for audio rate modulation like fm, which doesnt sound the same in software. Thats why I got an intellijel dixie, but I think you need to have a good reason to get into modular

If you haven't tried virtual modulars yet you might not even like modular. Eurorack is much more hassle than software. good virtual modulars: vcv rack, softube modular, voltage modular, multiphonics cv1, uhe bazille + ace, reaktor blocks + toybox

[ghettosynth]

use virtual modulars more first, both to figure out if its worth getting the hardware and to help learn which modules you need/decide which modules you want. It's not worth it just for basses

You'd need to spend like 1000 just to get started

Ok, i guess I will spent some more time on my virtual modulars first.

A cheapo Neutron might be interesting too. Can 't go very wrong with that. On a modular forum several people mentioned that they started out with Neutron.

See, the Neutron is great value per/function, but, it can be irritating. The envelopes are too short, the VCOs are irritating, and IIRC there are limitations regarding settings that change whenever you power it down. It's annoying that you have to go out of your way to not route audio through the shit delay.

Also, little thing, but the front panel is hard to read. Given that you like the MS-20, I feel that you might get more out of the K2 as a way to wet your appetite.

[vurt]

join us! join us! join us!

[Stefken]

Why do you want an analog modular?

I m a synth nerd and I like quirky stuff. Just not sure i want to pay two grand for it.

If you haven't tried virtual modulars yet you might not even like modular. Eurorack is much more hassle than software. good virtual modulars: vcv rack, softube modular, voltage modular, multiphonics cv1, uhe bazille + ace, reaktor blocks + toybox

I have vcv, softube modular and voltage modular. Recently they have been getting quite a bit of love and then the hardware portal opened right in front of my eyes.
There is a very nice looking girl waving at me to come in.
(But what are these red lights all about ? )

[Stefken]

the VCOs are irritating.

Irritating?
They sound quite nice and beefy to my ears.

[ghettosynth]

the VCOs are irritating.

Irritating?
They sound quite nice and beefy to my ears.

They sound great, they are irritating to use.

[pekbro]

My advise would be don't do it, unless youre sure. Speaking as a guy who is into it for about $20k

[ghettosynth]

Why do you want an analog modular?

I m a synth nerd and I like quirky stuff. Just not sure i want to pay two grand for it.

Two grand is a gentle introduction to the justification of expenditures to follow. At one point it was pretty easy to just spend two grand and know that you had the core of what was viewed as "modular." A Doepfer starter system gave you all the basics. It's exploded now though, and the variety and perspective has changed dramatically. This is why you need some focus and reasoning, especially if you want to keep the cost to a minimum.

IMNSHO, if you don't know what you want, and you want something that gets you most of the experience at a reasonable price and will not get in the way later, the Behringer ARP-2600 is the way to go. It's not cramped and hard to work with like the Neutron and it sounds great.

[Shabdahbriah]

Thanks for the remarks so far guys. Keep them coming.
Each of them presents interesting information. I m letting it all sink in.

The journey of discovering stuff is at least as interesting as getting the stuff. Actually, for me, the journey is more interesting than the end-goal.

As someone-else who is (un-regrettably) :

Speaking as a guy who is into it for about $20k

That is something important to know, and remember before committing to Eurorack (in particular), or even semi-modular. Though the latter will save you the expense of cases/rails and power supplies. That said. Discovering and exploring the modular world is fascinating, and can certainly be its own reward.

When you find interesting module/patching examples, see what you can do within your software modular environments to duplicate it, or expand on it. Establishing a decent motor 'sense' (not just "knowledge") of what does what with what, and why, will prove invaluable should you actually take the plunge, and make no mistake... it IS a plunge, that more often than not proves highly addictive, regardless of how strong/resistant or focused, you believe yourself to be. [2c]


+1 Behringer ARP-2600

[vurt]

My advise would be don't do it, unless youre sure. Speaking as a guy who is into it for about $20k

lets be honest here though, it may set you back some, over "period of time, related to wealth", but in my case, id have only spent it on weed otherwise