Ooh, I like This Modular Rack...

[ghettosynth]

Oops, slotted in the high pass filter instead of the multi mode I meant to
Added some LFOs and an alternative mixer as advised.
Still trying to keep the cost down.

I m thinking some noise and S&H should be in there somewhere...

It's to exapand the 2600 which has that covered.

I am now thinking VCAs so I can sequence the three 2600 oscillators and the Brains separately. I am using a Korg SQ 64 with its 3 tracks with CV and Gate outs plus the drum track with 8 gates. But only one VCA on the 2600.
Not sure I’ve got my head around Envelopes, VCAs and Gates, it’s all sorted for you on non modular synths.

Brains has its own gate and a trigger input. You will need some VCAs if you want to sequence individual oscillators, perhaps fed into different filters, separately from the 2600 output.

VCA = Voltage Controlled Amplifier, i.e., whatever value is on the VC input controls the level of amplification. So, no voltage = no sound. Often there is an initial gain control that puts some voltage on the control input so that some sound bleeds through.

EGs are voltage generators. Feed the output of an EG into a VCA's control input and the volume follows the envelope.

You can get simple VCAs, or a LPG that can be a VCA or a LPG/Filter. You can use a (some) ring modulators as a VCA by just feeding DC, e.g., an EG, into one input. VCAs can be used to do more than control the output, they give you voltage control over the level of any signal.

[vurt]

i have some very basic doepfer vcas, only a small module.
just has ins and outs, no attenuation.
which is where attenucables ftw! happens.
im on my way out now but ill check the a---- code when lm back later.

[Stefken]

Ok, newbie question as the VCA stuff is not clear to me also.
Can an external mixer process the output from a filter ( so e.g osc > filter > external mixer ) ? Or does the path need a separate VCA in there before going into the external mixer ?
I am looking to use an external mixer to integrate other instruments like a beatbox.

[whyterabbyt]

Ok, newbie question as the VCA stuff is not clear to me also.
Can an external mixer process the output from a filter ( so e.g osc > filter > external mixer ) ? Or does the path need a separate VCA in there before going into the external mixer ?
I am looking to use an external mixer to integrate other instruments like a beatbox.

Technically you can output any modular output to an external mixer, or any other external device, whether its a CV, gate or audio. Its all just voltages.

However what you'll need to consider is matching the voltage levels of those signals. Modular synth modules could be outputting up to 5V, 8V, 10V or possibly more depending on the module, which is higher than what you'd find as a line level signal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level)

Whatever the external device is, you'll potentially need to ensure the modular signal is scaled to something that's in its usable range. On a mixer that's kinda easy since its a mixer, ie with attentuation of its inputs. Maybe for some other devices you'd need something else doing attenuation.

Similarly, if you want to output from something like a mixer into a modular, you need to match levels going that way. That's generally going to require gain.

As always, there are modules which specifically do that sort of thing eg Doepfer A-119 o Befac Instrument Interface for input into a modular. Adaptor modules for sending in a loop to/from guitar pedals are a thing too.

[vurt]

yup, i use those doepfer loops for pedals as outputs too, when im not using them for fx.
also rosie as a stereo out (nice for stereo fx out etc...)

[Stefken]

Ok, newbie question as the VCA stuff is not clear to me also.
Can an external mixer process the output from a filter ( so e.g osc > filter > external mixer ) ? Or does the path need a separate VCA in there before going into the external mixer ?
I am looking to use an external mixer to integrate other instruments like a beatbox.

Technically you can output any modular output to an external mixer, or any other external device, whether its a CV, gate or audio. Its all just voltages.

However what you'll need to consider is matching the voltage levels of those signals. Modular synth modules could be outputting up to 5V, 8V, 10V or possibly more depending on the module, which is higher than what you'd find as a line level signal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level)

Whatever the external device is, you'll potentially need to ensure the modular signal is scaled to something that's in its usable range. On a mixer that's kinda easy since its a mixer, ie with attentuation of its inputs. Maybe for some other devices you'd need something else doing attenuation.

Similarly, if you want to output from something like a mixer into a modular, you need to match levels going that way. That's generally going to require gain.

As always, there are modules which specifically do that sort of thing eg Doepfer A-119 o Befac Instrument Interface for input into a modular. Adaptor modules for sending in a loop to/from guitar pedals are a thing too.

Thx . That was a great explanation.

[Stefken]

So this is for all you wavefolder lovers out here




The overfolder has some of that Front242 vibe in it.
Not sure that s how they did it.
It might also be DX7 bases but it has quite a bit of that EBM sound in it.



https://soundcloud.com/loorenzo-blicharski/wavefolders


















https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=235815


.

[SHall1000]

i have some very basic doepfer vcas, only a small module.
just has ins and outs, no attenuation.
which is where attenucables ftw! happens.
im on my way out now but ill check the a---- code when lm back later.

Sorry Vurt, are you speaking in code? Are attenucables a thing?

[vurt]

i have some very basic doepfer vcas, only a small module.
just has ins and outs, no attenuation.
which is where attenucables ftw! happens.
im on my way out now but ill check the a---- code when lm back later.

Sorry Vurt, are you speaking in code? Are attenucables a thing?

https://koma-elektronik.com/?product=ko ... WVEALw_wcB

looks like they've gone up in price, but there are other off case options for attenuation

[SHall1000]

Thanks Vurt. Is this your Doepfer by any chance?

[vurt]

Thanks Vurt. Is this your Doepfer by any chance?

no, dunno why i didn't just do this?

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-132-4

[vurt]

thinking on, the cables may seem a tad expensive, but, for a quad vca, you only need 4 really, and i imagine modules would cost similar and take up space to do the same job. or even if you went for the vca mixer with built in attenuation, the cost would be similar again, and also take up a lot of space in a small rack.
so they can work out ok, it just feels "feck!" spending nearly a tenner on 3 inches of cable

[vurt]

also, apologies if this seems condescending, but you both said you were newbs with vcas, and this didn't occur to me at first ...
vcas are great for mixing lfos too.
you want a fast sine that rises and falls in a saw, you got it!

[Stefken]

it just feels "feck!" spending nearly a tenner on 3 inches of cable

I m starting to get used to it that everything modular is expensive.
I m getting used to it that somewhat decent a model cost 300 euro and upwards.
That isn t cheap.

You can get a simple synth for that money, and in the case of Behringer actually a fully featured desktop synth.

[vurt]

it just feels "feck!" spending nearly a tenner on 3 inches of cable

I m starting to get used to it that everything modular is expensive.
I m getting used to it that somewhat decent a model cost 300 euro and upwards.
That isn t cheap.

You can get a simple synth for that money, and in the case of Behringer actually a fully featured desktop synth.

i get you sure, but then you have one synth, you want a different flavour of filter, you got to buy another synth.
then you hear a sound you like, and try to design it on your two synths, grrr one only has one envelope, the other only has two oscillators and one lfo

you're building a custom synth, that can do all the things you want. to have even behringer build you a custom synth, would not be cheap.

the other thing, it can be built over time, it doesn't have to be a one off outlay.

it can feel like this early on, as your rack isn't so full, you aren't trying anything new as there's few connections to be made. once it opens up and you start patching weird ideas, it gets exciting, and you realise the expense is reasonable for what you are getting back.