Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...

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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #540 on: March 01, 2018, 03:43:27 AM »
Also... there is one more thing when it comes to the 107HP only thing... I'm not planning on creating just ONE setup, and never change it... my plan is to continue to buy modules I find interesting, and then swap modules out when I start on a new project... it'll be a "one setup per project" kind of approach... that keep me from getting bored with a hardwired setup of modules, and will make every project a bit unique in that it's based on a restrained number of different modules... the moduels not used will just be stored for later use... maybe one day in the future I'll sort the modules into groups like oscillators, filters, amplifiers, modulation, effects and combi... then I'll pick a randomly chosen module from each group for a project, and use that for a project... might be a fun approach I think, and it'll force me to think more when using the setup :)

It's an interesting approach. The flexibility you get with modular is incredible. Your views will evolve as you go, if you stick with it for a while.

For example, if you get enough modules, you'll think about the best way to store them for easy access. In their boxes? At some point you may decide that the best way to "store" them is in an external rack case, so you can just grab them. And then you'll realize that, having "stored" them in a case, you might as well spend a hundred bucks for a little power supply... At which point, you have another synth! It sort of creeps up on people.
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #541 on: March 01, 2018, 04:50:25 AM »
Also... there is one more thing when it comes to the 107HP only thing... I'm not planning on creating just ONE setup, and never change it... my plan is to continue to buy modules I find interesting, and then swap modules out when I start on a new project... it'll be a "one setup per project" kind of approach... that keep me from getting bored with a hardwired setup of modules, and will make every project a bit unique in that it's based on a restrained number of different modules... the moduels not used will just be stored for later use... maybe one day in the future I'll sort the modules into groups like oscillators, filters, amplifiers, modulation, effects and combi... then I'll pick a randomly chosen module from each group for a project, and use that for a project... might be a fun approach I think, and it'll force me to think more when using the setup :)

It's an interesting approach. The flexibility you get with modular is incredible. Your views will evolve as you go, if you stick with it for a while.

For example, if you get enough modules, you'll think about the best way to store them for easy access. In their boxes? At some point you may decide that the best way to "store" them is in an external rack case, so you can just grab them. And then you'll realize that, having "stored" them in a case, you might as well spend a hundred bucks for a little power supply... At which point, you have another synth! It sort of creeps up on people.

Funny that you mention it, because I actually have been thinking about how to store the ones not in use... putting them back in their boxes will be rather tedious I think... Then I got the same idear that you mention... actually imagined a huge modular wooden rack hung on the wall, so that I could have a good view of them, both as a kind of "wall art", but also so that I could stand in front when picking them out for a project... I just did not think about putting a power rail in it as you say :D ... that would be very dangerous he he...

But I'd have to get A LOT of modules before this would become a "full painting on the wall"... still, it is the most intriguing way of storing them, and it might be how I end up storing them actually :) ...

I know that all I see talking about the modular world seems to have given up on the thought of controlling their GAS, and as such, they really want to impose that GAS on everyone else who want to enter the modular world... maybe they want someone to sympathize with? :D ... I won't say that "I can handle it"... because I've never been able to handle GAS in any other aspect, and frantically I'm one of the worst when it comes to GAS... but on the other hand, I'm therefore also one prone to wanting to END IT somehow... so maybe I have the knowledge and skills to do it now.... who knows :D
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #542 on: March 01, 2018, 05:00:52 AM »
Also... there is one more thing when it comes to the 107HP only thing... I'm not planning on creating just ONE setup, and never change it... my plan is to continue to buy modules I find interesting, and then swap modules out when I start on a new project... it'll be a "one setup per project" kind of approach... that keep me from getting bored with a hardwired setup of modules, and will make every project a bit unique in that it's based on a restrained number of different modules... the moduels not used will just be stored for later use... maybe one day in the future I'll sort the modules into groups like oscillators, filters, amplifiers, modulation, effects and combi... then I'll pick a randomly chosen module from each group for a project, and use that for a project... might be a fun approach I think, and it'll force me to think more when using the setup :)

It's an interesting approach. The flexibility you get with modular is incredible. Your views will evolve as you go, if you stick with it for a while.

For example, if you get enough modules, you'll think about the best way to store them for easy access. In their boxes? At some point you may decide that the best way to "store" them is in an external rack case, so you can just grab them. And then you'll realize that, having "stored" them in a case, you might as well spend a hundred bucks for a little power supply... At which point, you have another synth! It sort of creeps up on people.

Funny that you mention it, because I actually have been thinking about how to store the ones not in use... putting them back in their boxes will be rather tedious I think... Then I got the same idear that you mention... actually imagined a huge modular wooden rack hung on the wall, so that I could have a good view of them, both as a kind of "wall art", but also so that I could stand in front when picking them out for a project... I just did not think about putting a power rail in it as you say :D ... that would be very dangerous he he...

But I'd have to get A LOT of modules before this would become a "full painting on the wall"... still, it is the most intriguing way of storing them, and it might be how I end up storing them actually :) ...

I know that all I see talking about the modular world seems to have given up on the thought of controlling their GAS, and as such, they really want to impose that GAS on everyone else who want to enter the modular world... maybe they want someone to sympathize with? :D ... I won't say that "I can handle it"... because I've never been able to handle GAS in any other aspect, and frantically I'm one of the worst when it comes to GAS... but on the other hand, I'm therefore also one prone to wanting to END IT somehow... so maybe I have the knowledge and skills to do it now.... who knows :D
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #543 on: March 01, 2018, 05:06:19 AM »
Ohh... by the way, there is TWO things about the KB37 that irritates me... but I guess it's a luxury problem...

1. why the hell 107HP!? ... why not 106 or 108!? ... in all the setups I've been trying to make, that ONE HP seems to always be left with a 1HP blind panel because most modules are either 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 (you get the point) HP wide...

2. the PSU... Waldorf placed this in the right side making the max depth (of the last 18HP) no deeper than 25mm... that can be a problem in some cases... i know that they placed the MIDI module all to the left for a reason, and the output section to the right for a reason... but if those two sections was ganged together, they COULD have stuffed the PSU under there, preventing the 25mm depth problem on the far right of the case... this makes it a bit harder to fit the modules you want in there in a specifically laid out order, but I guess it's still a luxury problem...

Other than that, I have no more gripes with the KB37... but IF they ever do a 5 octave version... I'll certainly be on it without a doubt...
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #544 on: March 01, 2018, 05:07:59 AM »
Also... there is one more thing when it comes to the 107HP only thing... I'm not planning on creating just ONE setup, and never change it... my plan is to continue to buy modules I find interesting, and then swap modules out when I start on a new project... it'll be a "one setup per project" kind of approach... that keep me from getting bored with a hardwired setup of modules, and will make every project a bit unique in that it's based on a restrained number of different modules... the moduels not used will just be stored for later use... maybe one day in the future I'll sort the modules into groups like oscillators, filters, amplifiers, modulation, effects and combi... then I'll pick a randomly chosen module from each group for a project, and use that for a project... might be a fun approach I think, and it'll force me to think more when using the setup :)

It's an interesting approach. The flexibility you get with modular is incredible. Your views will evolve as you go, if you stick with it for a while.

For example, if you get enough modules, you'll think about the best way to store them for easy access. In their boxes? At some point you may decide that the best way to "store" them is in an external rack case, so you can just grab them. And then you'll realize that, having "stored" them in a case, you might as well spend a hundred bucks for a little power supply... At which point, you have another synth! It sort of creeps up on people.

Funny that you mention it, because I actually have been thinking about how to store the ones not in use... putting them back in their boxes will be rather tedious I think... Then I got the same idear that you mention... actually imagined a huge modular wooden rack hung on the wall, so that I could have a good view of them, both as a kind of "wall art", but also so that I could stand in front when picking them out for a project... I just did not think about putting a power rail in it as you say :D ... that would be very dangerous he he...

But I'd have to get A LOT of modules before this would become a "full painting on the wall"... still, it is the most intriguing way of storing them, and it might be how I end up storing them actually :) ...

I know that all I see talking about the modular world seems to have given up on the thought of controlling their GAS, and as such, they really want to impose that GAS on everyone else who want to enter the modular world... maybe they want someone to sympathize with? :D ... I won't say that "I can handle it"... because I've never been able to handle GAS in any other aspect, and frantically I'm one of the worst when it comes to GAS... but on the other hand, I'm therefore also one prone to wanting to END IT somehow... so maybe I have the knowledge and skills to do it now.... who knows :D
Not a “wooden box” but a good starter solution for, ahem, “storage”...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mantis2104Bu

Hehe... I've actually looked at that earlier when I wanted a desktop case... the thing that puts me off is that it's plastic really... but it probably does not matter much... but if only for storage, I'd probably considder something that can be hung on the wall... maybe even something DIY...
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #545 on: March 01, 2018, 05:43:34 AM »
I know that all I see talking about the modular world seems to have given up on the thought of controlling their GAS, and as such, they really want to impose that GAS on everyone else who want to enter the modular world... maybe they want someone to sympathize with? :D ... I won't say that "I can handle it"... because I've never been able to handle GAS in any other aspect, and frantically I'm one of the worst when it comes to GAS... but on the other hand, I'm therefore also one prone to wanting to END IT somehow... so maybe I have the knowledge and skills to do it now.... who knows :D

It's certainly a risk, given your plan to swap things out for each project. That plan essentially gives you unlimited space. I made it a point to avoid module accretion. I keep exactly what fits in my case. If something goes in, something has to come out, and the bar for replacement becomes higher and higher. Most recently, I swapped a 4HP dual VCA and a 4HP 3-channel mixer for an 8HP Tangle Quartet quad VCA, which also acts as a mixer. This gave me some cross-fading options that I didn't have before, which I considered a compelling reason to make the change. But I have to think that way, because I don't want to go crazy.

I might still go up to 168HP, which is one of the "standard" sizes. If I do, the Little Phatty has to go, in order to make physical room, and so I can shift the funds toward two extra modules. I also need to build a 6Ux84HP case. Building my own cabinetry is totally non-negotiable, and that's another mechanism to keep the size stable.

I've kept it pretty stable for almost two years, and I haven't lost interest in what I'm doing, so there's room for sanity in eurorack.

This is an interesting blog, specifically about the development of small eurorack systems. Adam's approach has a lot in common with mine. http://moonlitjourney.org/
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #546 on: March 01, 2018, 05:53:48 AM »
I know that all I see talking about the modular world seems to have given up on the thought of controlling their GAS, and as such, they really want to impose that GAS on everyone else who want to enter the modular world... maybe they want someone to sympathize with? :D ... I won't say that "I can handle it"... because I've never been able to handle GAS in any other aspect, and frantically I'm one of the worst when it comes to GAS... but on the other hand, I'm therefore also one prone to wanting to END IT somehow... so maybe I have the knowledge and skills to do it now.... who knows :D

It's certainly a risk, given your plan to swap things out for each project. That plan essentially gives you unlimited space. I made it a point to avoid module accretion. I keep exactly what fits in my case. If something goes in, something has to come out, and the bar for replacement becomes higher and higher. Most recently, I swapped a 4HP dual VCA and a 4HP 3-channel mixer for an 8HP Tangle Quartet quad VCA, which also acts as a mixer. This gave me some cross-fading options that I didn't have before, which I considered a compelling reason to make the change. But I have to think that way, because I don't want to go crazy.

I might still go up to 168HP, which is one of the "standard" sizes. If I do, the Little Phatty has to go, in order to make physical room, and so I can shift the funds toward two extra modules. I also need to build a 6Ux84HP case. Building my own cabinetry is totally non-negotiable, and that's another mechanism to keep the size stable.

I've kept it pretty stable for almost two years, and I haven't lost interest in what I'm doing, so there's room for sanity in eurorack.

This is an interesting blog, specifically about the development of small eurorack systems. Adam's approach has a lot in common with mine. http://moonlitjourney.org/

I guess anybody should just do it the way that works for them, and there are different routes to that end :)

In my case, the GAS is not a problem really... I'm not a materialist, and do not need my money to go to a lot of other stuff as well... i do not smoke, I rarely drink, I don't have a car or have great debt... so I do have the option to actually buy 1-2 modules a month if i want to... the alternative will be to spend the money on crap that I won't even have interest in, or really do not need... or they will be thrown away on other useless stuff really... the alternative is to save up... but for what!? so that my bank that gives me absolutely no rents can gamble them away in casino economics!? ... no...  thinking about it, buying modules is just an investment, and one that I actually use in the things that matter in my life; my music... so I do not really give a shit what others may think when they see a wall of modules in the future, it's my life, my choice :D

What matters to me though, and the reason I've hated GAS for many years is the fact that GAS has prevented me from actually making music... I've allways been "waiting for this or that" before I could feel ready to start making music... it is not the purchasing in itself that is my problem with it... it's that nothing gets done here really... this is why I go with the small 107HP scheme here... so the alfa omega in having unlimited number of modules but a restricted project setup is to DO something with it! ... as long as I make music, I'm fine with my module GAS in the future... if that all makes sense :)
« Last Edit: March 01, 2018, 05:56:41 AM by Razmo »
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chysn

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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #547 on: March 01, 2018, 07:51:46 AM »
Well I, for one, welcome another person on here with whom to shoot the $#!* about modules.

You seem to be a lot like me in this sense: You sort of swing back and forth between wanting comprehensive geek-out control of a system and then the compositional simplicity of a musical instrument. I'd keep swapping gear because I wanted to do complex curated programming, and then I wanted a simple instrument that I could just dial something up on the fly. But my paradigm didn't change daily; it changed maybe annually, which gave me the opportunity to decide that (for example) I didn't really want something as complex as a Wavestation, but what I really wanted was a digital piano. And then the digital piano wasn't enough, so it's time to get a Kurzweil K2000, and so swung the pendulum for years. So now modular seems to satisfy both of those paradigms, and it's survived a few of my cycles without loss of interest. The geek and the musician can each find something to like.
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #548 on: March 01, 2018, 09:37:49 AM »
Well I, for one, welcome another person on here with whom to shoot the $#!* about modules.

You seem to be a lot like me in this sense: You sort of swing back and forth between wanting comprehensive geek-out control of a system and then the compositional simplicity of a musical instrument. I'd keep swapping gear because I wanted to do complex curated programming, and then I wanted a simple instrument that I could just dial something up on the fly. But my paradigm didn't change daily; it changed maybe annually, which gave me the opportunity to decide that (for example) I didn't really want something as complex as a Wavestation, but what I really wanted was a digital piano. And then the digital piano wasn't enough, so it's time to get a Kurzweil K2000, and so swung the pendulum for years. So now modular seems to satisfy both of those paradigms, and it's survived a few of my cycles without loss of interest. The geek and the musician can each find something to like.

Yes... that basically sums it up pretty neat actually... I myself have a background in assembly programming on C64 and AMIGA, and loved to work under those constraints these machines had... I also have suffered depression and stress for so many years that my "battery" has been damaged mentally, which means that I cannot focus on things that get too comprehensive anymore... thus i need things to be fast, small and intuitive at the same time, which unfortunately is a diametrical opposition to nerdy, deep and enormously flexible which is what I did when I was younger... I really have no choice but to go for small, fast and intuitive, but often forget it in my amazement of new giga machines...

I have many times thought, that what I really SHOULD be doing, was start learning the guitar... or any other instrument that has no programing, is simple, and then just pick up and play... but my old love for "comprehensive, deep etc." is impossible to shake off... this is why my focus is now on the modular and small setup because I'm trying to make a sort of "modular guitar" if you get me meaning :) ... I really hope it works this time because otherwise, I've tried it all... litterally...
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #549 on: March 01, 2018, 10:27:52 AM »
Well I, for one, welcome another person on here with whom to shoot the $#!* about modules.


If you're thinking about modular, I would suggest watching this first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwxvUofenC4

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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #550 on: March 01, 2018, 03:45:40 PM »
Eurorack? Good luck with it, Razmo! :-X . o O ( GAO )

May I suggest that you get external cases for ready to use storage of your modules that you do not want to have on front row on the controller? If I were to go modular I would go for cases such as the 4ms modular rows.

What I don't like about eurorack is that all the modulation modules are so expensive and that building up a complex DSI style voice would be extremely expensive.
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #551 on: March 01, 2018, 04:28:08 PM »
What I don't like about eurorack is that all the modulation modules are so expensive and that building up a complex DSI style voice would be extremely expensive.

Yeah, I tried to price out an Evolver-style voice in ModularGrid, and it was way up there (around $6500USD), although there are better options now* than when I put that together.

On the other hand, I built a Buchla-style voice for around the price of a Minimoog D, so it doesn't have to be obscenely expensive.

________________
* I think the digital oscillators have gotten nicer, for example. Razmo was talking about the Erica Black Wavetable oscillator, which sounds amazing and is on the short list of things I'd get with more space.
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #552 on: March 01, 2018, 06:01:25 PM »
Eurorack? Good luck with it, Razmo! :-X . o O ( GAO )

May I suggest that you get external cases for ready to use storage of your modules that you do not want to have on front row on the controller? If I were to go modular I would go for cases such as the 4ms modular rows.

What I don't like about eurorack is that all the modulation modules are so expensive and that building up a complex DSI style voice would be extremely expensive.

Yes... modulation modules are important, and they are pricey... that is exactly why I chose the LIFEFORMS SV-1 synth-voice module... because it has 13 modules build in to 48HP... it has most of what the stand alone LIFEFORMS modules has to offer, except their functionality is maybe a bit downsized in the SV-1, but if you look closely at them, it's not that much...

I tried to create a setup from the stand alone modules too... ended up with 10 modules costing about 2000 Euros... four times the price of the SV-1... compared to the SV-1 it would be better, no doubt, but what about TWO SV-1's!? ... that gives you a completely different beast... double up on everything... 4 VCOs, 4 sub oscillators, 2 noise generators, 2 sample and hold generators, 2 4channel mixers, 2 state variabel filters, 2 VCAs, 4 Mult sections, two digital LFOs, 2 arpeggiators and two EGs... all of that for less than half of the 10 standalone modules... and on top of that it gives the nice option of plugging each one into it's own output (L/R) for extreme stereo FX, or using them both combined as one huge monophonic synth... also two SV-1 only take up 96HP.

This is why I intend on getting two of them as my first purchases, in addition to a single module more or two... it gives me most bang for the buck in my startup phase... and i will probably look at other synth-voice modules in the future to work as the "nerve center" in my setups.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2018, 06:03:07 PM by Razmo »
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #553 on: March 01, 2018, 06:13:11 PM »
Another setup I'd like to try out in the future, is the complete "Fusion" series from Erica Synths... they all work with tubes, and they do not have that many patching points, but I'd REALLY like to play with these in the traditional subtractive synthesis fashion... but it'll be some time before I have the money for that insane purchase though...

Other modules I've seen that I find interesting are a small clone of the Electro Harmonix SmallStone phaser... I'm a fan of the old Jarre sound and that phaser is just so special in it's tone I have to have this one at some point... but other than that, the Eurorack market is so huge that I simply have no clue to what I want next... I need to read about the modules closely, and in most cases it's hard to figure out where a module may "fit in", or where it will work it's wonders... thus I will NOT be buying any modules just because they sound cool "stand alone"... I'll have to be able to see, where a certain module will fit into something I'd like to accomplish within a setup... if that makes any sense...
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #554 on: March 01, 2018, 06:18:24 PM »
I essence, what I'll do is sit with the two SV-1's, and just get started... then at some point when I want to do something, and find that I lack something to do what I want, I'll be out on "Modular Grid" to hunt for whatever can fix the problem... I think that is the wisest way to purchase new modules most of the time, especially when it comes to modulation modules, tool modules and other features that you simply run out of like VCA's, Mults etc... with other types of modules it may be a different matter, but in many cases I believe it'll be the best way for me.
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #555 on: March 01, 2018, 07:51:55 PM »
Other modules I've seen that I find interesting are a small clone of the Electro Harmonix SmallStone phaser... I'm a fan of the old Jarre sound and that phaser is just so special in it's tone I have to have this one at some point...

Look into Intellijel Polaris, too, which is a multimode filter with a phaser.

Quote
but other than that, the Eurorack market is so huge that I simply have no clue to what I want next...I need to read about the modules closely, and in most cases it's hard to figure out where a module may "fit in", or where it will work it's wonders... thus I will NOT be buying any modules just because they sound cool "stand alone"... I'll have to be able to see, where a certain module will fit into something I'd like to accomplish within a setup... if that makes any sense...

Sure, it makes sense, but don't be afraid to screw up. I got a low pass gate just out of curiosity and it changed my life. Expect to sort of grope in the dark for a while to find the things you love.

I essence, what I'll do is sit with the two SV-1's, and just get started...

Consider an SV-1 and a Morphagene for the same cash. You'll have way more fun. You've used SV-1s your whole life.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2018, 08:00:09 PM by chysn »
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #556 on: March 02, 2018, 02:15:08 AM »
Yeah, you may be right... I do see an advantage in having double of all in the SV-1, but on the other hand, many of my setups to come will not include two of these... there is no space left for anything else when they are in the case, and when I think of it, setting up stereo sounds when used in tandem will be rather tedious ... so it's probably best to get something else, and the Morphagene looks promising... guess I'll take a very close look at that module today... also, stereo stuff is better handled with digital FX in my DAW, and then maybe some sort of panner in a module to move the sound around etc...

I'll have the money for it tomorrow actually (Morphagene), as I've just sold my PCM-92 hardware FX unit...
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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #557 on: March 02, 2018, 03:32:33 AM »
Quote
and the Morphagene looks promising... guess I'll take a very close look at that module today...

There's a topic on MuffWiggler devoted to Morphagene compositions (the thread is called "Morphagene Compositions"), and that's worth checking out. It's kind of hard to grok until you've tried it for a little while, but it has a huge palette. Phonogene, like DSM03, was something I tried and didn't like for a couple weeks, after which I couldn't see my synth without it.

Quote
setting up stereo sounds when used in tandem will be rather tedious ...

There are few absolutes in modular, so I'm not going to make a sweeping statement like "forget about a stereo signal path in 107HP," but I'd come pretty close to saying that. If I wanted a stereo signal path in 144HP, I probably could have it, but it would be at the expense of other things I'd rather do. Like you said... tedious. Probably best done in the DAW.

But, hey, Morphagene is stereo!
« Last Edit: March 02, 2018, 03:34:44 AM by chysn »
Prophet 5 Rev 4 #2711

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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #558 on: March 03, 2018, 01:15:05 PM »
What I don't like about eurorack is that all the modulation modules are so expensive and that building up a complex DSI style voice would be extremely expensive.

Yeah, I tried to price out an Evolver-style voice in ModularGrid, and it was way up there (around $6500USD), although there are better options now* than when I put that together.

I think the purpose of Eurorack can't be to rebuilt an already existing architecture like the Evolver. I mean if money isn't an issue that may be fine, but one could rather get an actual Evolver for what it does well and then build a Eurorack system around it with modules that do things an Evolver—or any other enclosed system for that matter—can't provide. I would even go so far to apply that to basically any system that builds upon the classic subtractive synthesis architecture. For that ingredient and workflow there are many desktop options that can be had for a lot less money than their Eurorack equivalents. So apart from the usual utilities modules that should guarantee the independent operation of a Eurorack system, I would rather look for the digital and tube-driven stuff that isn't and probably won't be available anywhere else in hardware format because it's too esoteric or niche. If it turns out that one ends up feeling more comfy with the Eurorack approach in general, one could still always convert completely after a while. But even then I guess it would be more productive to use Eurorack for what it actually is instead of using it to emulate already existing synth engines.

One thing that is I think essential before buying any module or synth, though—and that ties in again with the latter discussion—, is knowing what it will or should be used for. In other words: a goal-driven approach, even if one cannot always grasp the full functionality of a certain module immediately and exploration is always necessary.

@Razmo: I don't know whether you know of Bo Beats' YouTube channel, but before Christmas he did an episode about when to acquire new gear and why. One of the most important rules he mentioned seemed to me (I paraphrase), "don't buy anything new unless you're already pretty productive with what you have." I point this out because over particularly the past months you've gone through a massive gear-related upheaval. And while I can certainly relate to not always being 100% inspired, I always found that this was never related to what was actually available in my studio. Of course the gear you choose should be somewhat in accordance with your workflow preferences. And most certainly new gear will always provide you with that little extra kick for a couple of days. But in the end I'm also convinced that most of us could also create something we would enjoy with a cheap Casio keyboard, an amp, and some stomp boxes, or an iPad app for example—at least if we had no other option. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is try not to look for creativity or productivity in objects and don't force it. If inspiration is lacking in anything related to music making, try to get input from elsewhere, read or watch something, go to an exhibition, take walks, or talk to friends. You'll know when you're ready again. And if you have the urge to create something new and blocks occur, stay persistent with what's available. Solutions only occur throughout a steady process, none of your tools can come up with an answer—at least as long as you don't invest in some AI devices that can serve as your studio assistants.  ;)

Razmo

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Re: Razmo's Gear Rant Thread...
« Reply #559 on: March 04, 2018, 02:26:59 AM »
What I don't like about eurorack is that all the modulation modules are so expensive and that building up a complex DSI style voice would be extremely expensive.

Yeah, I tried to price out an Evolver-style voice in ModularGrid, and it was way up there (around $6500USD), although there are better options now* than when I put that together.

I think the purpose of Eurorack can't be to rebuilt an already existing architecture like the Evolver. I mean if money isn't an issue that may be fine, but one could rather get an actual Evolver for what it does well and then build a Eurorack system around it with modules that do things an Evolver—or any other enclosed system for that matter—can't provide. I would even go so far to apply that to basically any system that builds upon the classic subtractive synthesis architecture. For that ingredient and workflow there are many desktop options that can be had for a lot less money than their Eurorack equivalents. So apart from the usual utilities modules that should guarantee the independent operation of a Eurorack system, I would rather look for the digital and tube-driven stuff that isn't and probably won't be available anywhere else in hardware format because it's too esoteric or niche. If it turns out that one ends up feeling more comfy with the Eurorack approach in general, one could still always convert completely after a while. But even then I guess it would be more productive to use Eurorack for what it actually is instead of using it to emulate already existing synth engines.

One thing that is I think essential before buying any module or synth, though—and that ties in again with the latter discussion—, is knowing what it will or should be used for. In other words: a goal-driven approach, even if one cannot always grasp the full functionality of a certain module immediately and exploration is always necessary.

@Razmo: I don't know whether you know of Bo Beats' YouTube channel, but before Christmas he did an episode about when to acquire new gear and why. One of the most important rules he mentioned seemed to me (I paraphrase), "don't buy anything new unless you're already pretty productive with what you have." I point this out because over particularly the past months you've gone through a massive gear-related upheaval. And while I can certainly relate to not always being 100% inspired, I always found that this was never related to what was actually available in my studio. Of course the gear you choose should be somewhat in accordance with your workflow preferences. And most certainly new gear will always provide you with that little extra kick for a couple of days. But in the end I'm also convinced that most of us could also create something we would enjoy with a cheap Casio keyboard, an amp, and some stomp boxes, or an iPad app for example—at least if we had no other option. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is try not to look for creativity or productivity in objects and don't force it. If inspiration is lacking in anything related to music making, try to get input from elsewhere, read or watch something, go to an exhibition, take walks, or talk to friends. You'll know when you're ready again. And if you have the urge to create something new and blocks occur, stay persistent with what's available. Solutions only occur throughout a steady process, none of your tools can come up with an answer—at least as long as you don't invest in some AI devices that can serve as your studio assistants.  ;)

About your first section:

Both yes and no... it depend on who you are, and what you really want... I have decided that what I really wanted is in fact, a 100% hands on subtractive analog synth, and I cannot find the one I want in those small desktop semi-modular ones... I tried this already with both Hades, Erebus, Nyx, Abyss and Dark Energy... they are fine sounding, but the sounds I could get out of them was way too limited... and they took up way too much space for me to be able to sit comfortably with them really.

Thus I've decided that the only way I can get the functionality I need, is to build one myself using eurorack modules... that will give me what I need.. .a middle-sized monophonic 100% hands-on (one knob per function) analog synth... if I want something contained with the same amount of options, I'd have to go for the larger ones like Subsequent 37, Pro2 or the like, but then I'll be way into menu-hell and double function knobs... so there really ARE no alternative to the eurorack world in my case... and if you begin to include the few digital oscillator that I also want with hands on control and one knob per function, it states my point even further.

regarding what you wrote to me:

Yes, I've heard Jarre say something in the same way... that you should buy a synth, and then buy nothing more for the next 6 months... which is basically the same... but in my case (right now) it's rather simple... i have absolutely NOTHING in my studio right now, but my DAW and a pair of ADAM A3X monitors ;) ... so I'm going to get something, and I have decided what it will end up being... an analog synth in the traditional sense, like I wrote about above... I've decided that the LIFEFORMS SV-1 will be sent back to the dealer, and instead I'll place their single-module LIFEFORMS system in the KB37... it will work as my "analog nervecenter", and I intend on using this setup for a long time before I buy any more modules.... later I WILL buy extra modules, but they will be placed in a few MOOG 60HP cases, as add-ons to the KB37 system, and maintain modtly digital oscillators, analog filters and FX... and a few modulation modules as well... but I've not decided on anything on which modules it'll be yet.

Here is a picture of the setup... anyone may comment on it if you like, but I think I've made a wise choice in modules... I'll explain the choices later.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2018, 02:30:27 AM by Razmo »
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