Doepfer

Hey guys, I've ordered the kit to build me a DIY rack for a Doepfer
setup, and I'm going to be building it piece by piece.  I was curious
what would be a good first module that can get me playing with it? 
I'll probably be aiming towards Doepfer's reccommended basic system
#2, but first building the pieces of the mini basic 3U system before I
go to the full 6U setup.  I'm about ready to make the plunge and start
ordering modules, but what I'm considering to be the meat and potatoes
of my setup, the A-190 and A-110 modules, are fairly expensive on
their own.  So, if I were to order just one module, what would be a
good starting point, something I can actually start playing with?  I
was thinking of getting the A-190, but it's pretty much useless on its
own.  Is there something fun to play with that can maybe make sound
without any incoming CV signal?  Or, maybe if there are a few
under-$100 modules, maybe I can then afford to buy 2 or 3.  I guess
for my first purchase, I'm working with a budget of about $250.  Any
reccommendations?  I'm totally new to modulars, and want to start
being able to use my new toy as soon as possible.  :)  If it helps, I
do have some digital synths already, my favorite one being a Yamaha
CS1x, plus I just built a $5000 Mac Pro setup complete with Logic, so
I can definitely make sounds already...so maybe something that will
let me do some signal processing, distortion, etc with what I already
have would be cool.  I just need some ideas.  If it helps, I'm looking
to make more of an industrial type of sound, and just want that fat,
mean sound that I know these things can do.  I've been looking at the
A-137 module, it looks to do really good wave shaping that can create
some insane sounding distortion.

Also, as I said before, I'm pretty much aiming at going for Doepfer's
basic system #2, which fits in a 6U case.  I'm already looking at a
module (A-137) that isn't part of that system, and there's no room
left in those 2 rows for that module.  Are there any modules in that
setup that might not be neccessary for the type of music I am looking
to make?  I'm mostly interested in more harsh sounds, like triangle
and square/rectangle waves, especially for use as a bass synth.  But
we all know it does much more than that.  I know this is getting long,
so I'll end it before it gets worse.  I just need help, this stuff is
expensive and I'd hate to make an expensive mistake.  :)

Thanks,
Chris

If you're only going to have one module to start out with, I would go
for a filter.  You can use that to process all your other gear, even
without the A190... just make sure you have some other way of
controlling the level of signal your sending to it.  Filters are
pretty essential, and there are a lot of different ones to choose
from.  If you get one that self-oscillates, you can also use it as a
simple sound source.

At the most basic level, you're going to need an oscillator, an lfo,
an envelope, a vca, and a filter just to have a single complete synth
voice (with no direct way of controlling it).  Since your budget is
rather restricted, perhaps you should consider sticking with sound
processing modules for now, and later expand with vco's and modulation
sources.  Look at filters, waveshaper, frequency shifter, ring
modulator, waveform processor, wave multiplier, BBD, etc.

A ring mod will be a cheap first module as well. Together with a filter (for
a pure sine carrier wave) might be a nice combination. Even without a filter
a ringmod can create some weird effects.

Robbert

On Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 9:45 AM, deastman2 <deastman2@yahoo.com> wrote:

>   If you're only going to have one module to start out with, I would go
> for a filter. You can use that to process all your other gear, even
> without the A190... just make sure you have some other way of
> controlling the level of signal your sending to it. Filters are
> pretty essential, and there are a lot of different ones to choose
> from. If you get one that self-oscillates, you can also use it as a
> simple sound source.
>
> At the most basic level, you're going to need an oscillator, an lfo,
> an envelope, a vca, and a filter just to have a single complete synth
> voice (with no direct way of controlling it). Since your budget is
> rather restricted, perhaps you should consider sticking with sound
> processing modules for now, and later expand with vco's and modulation
> sources. Look at filters, waveshaper, frequency shifter, ring
> modulator, waveform processor, wave multiplier, BBD, etc.
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I ended up going for an A-137 module...  I've heard what it can do and
I think it will be a fun first module.  :)

--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, "Robbert Jan Rink"
<robbertrink@...> wrote:
>
> A ring mod will be a cheap first module as well. Together with a
filter (for
> a pure sine carrier wave) might be a nice combination. Even without
a filter
> a ringmod can create some weird effects.
> 
> Robbert
> 
> On Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 9:45 AM, deastman2 <deastman2@...> wrote:
> 
> >   If you're only going to have one module to start out with, I
would go

> > for a filter. You can use that to process all your other gear, even
> > without the A190... just make sure you have some other way of
> > controlling the level of signal your sending to it. Filters are
> > pretty essential, and there are a lot of different ones to choose
> > from. If you get one that self-oscillates, you can also use it as a
> > simple sound source.
> >
> > At the most basic level, you're going to need an oscillator, an lfo,
> > an envelope, a vca, and a filter just to have a single complete synth
> > voice (with no direct way of controlling it). Since your budget is
> > rather restricted, perhaps you should consider sticking with sound
> > processing modules for now, and later expand with vco's and modulation
> > sources. Look at filters, waveshaper, frequency shifter, ring
> > modulator, waveform processor, wave multiplier, BBD, etc.
> >
> >  
> >
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>