Doepfer

> These are all things I figured I'd really want pretty fast, and I  
> got good deals on them.

Nothing wrong with the quad LFO for more LFO sources but it's useful  
to have some LFOs you can modulate the speed of

>
> Obviously I'll need some VCOs, a noise generator, a mixer, etc. Can  
> someone point me straight?

The VX-351 will put out the Voyager noise source at all times so  
that's a start since it's just split off so it doesn't change when the  
Voyager is also using it too. Colored noise is filtered or slewed  
noise so it's a matter of processing with other modules or getting  
noise module with features built in. But then there are dedicated  
random and semi random generating modules (Wogglebug, Sources of  
Uncertainty, etc.) that would take a large number of other modules to  
more or less duplicate.


>
> Are the Doefer basic VCOs worth it?

Yes. Obviously there is a big range of prices and capabilities.

> Is the Darkstar module a nice alternative?

I think you mean Dark Energy (and there is an A-100 mountable  
version). It's mainly if you want a more or less modular synth voice  
in one package. As with anything there are strengths or weaknesses. I  
wouldn't really consider it a VCO substitute since you are paying for  
a whole synth and the VCO portion is quite basic.

> What's the best way to mix my signals (and output them to the board/ 
> headphones)?

Mixer modules come in Audio and Control Voltage flavors. One built for  
a modular can use either kind of input. The difference is much in the  
pot markings. Say a 50% setting on CV into an audio modular mixer  
won't sound like 50% like audio into it would, same with audio into a  
CV mixer. But it will still sound okay. You could mix your modular  
audio in a regular non-modular mixer though as mentioned it may be a  
very hot signal. You do not want to send CV into a regular non-modular  
mixer though it won't necessarily break it


> What's the easiest way to bring external audio into the system?


Someone did bring up a good point that a modular uses hotter than  
usual but typically not damaging hot unbalanced line signals. If your  
setup happens to be balanced then you'll need some conversion. But  
then again you've surely used a lot of line level synths, so you  
already have that down. Generally a decent unbalanced line level in is  
all you need to process external audio, so you can likely use what you  
have to say preamp a mic or get a guitar up to a line level or maybe a  
balanced signal to an unbalanced line properly. There are also modules  
available  to preamp lower signals.

So basically it's unlikely you can fry too much bearing in mind things  
like super low frequency hot signals can come out of a modular and  
perhaps some DIY kinds of devices have crazy spikes or summed voltages  
that could fry anything, not just a modular. Some things that can  
reduce lingering doubt is a voltmeter.

A small decent regular mixer is great to have. That way you have a  
familiar channel in between the modular and something like a monitor  
or a AD converter

> How do I know I'm not bringing in too hot a signal?
> How do I lock LFO cycles etc to Midi clock, and what the hell is a  
> CV clock divider?

There really aren't many or any analog modules that lock from the get  
go. Generally a MIDI to CV converter will generate LFOs though  
different converters have different capabilities. There are also  
elaborate patches or ways to get sort of tempo sync that are not very  
flexible. For instance LFO reset isn't tempo sync but with some waves  
if you get close in tempo the sync effect will give you good timing  
but imperfect waves. Or one could generate separate events to a beat  
and slew them into an LFO or use them to trigger envelopes that would  
form an LFO.

A clock divider in it's basic form counts voltage events going in (an  
"on" followed by an "off)  and only sends out the division it's set up  
for. Like a divide by 4 clock would only send out every 4th clock  
going in

>
> And most importantly, how do I make that wonderful Buchla BOINK! Lol.

Look for a lowpass gate module. There are several including Doepfer.  
I'd say the favorite is the QMMG because you get 4 nice ones. All the  
brands sound different and even the same model will vary due to analog  
parts. It uses light inside a sealed plastic container. A super short  
envelope will output a rounded behavior that is more "organic" than a  
slew. Then you get an optional lowpass filter mode that adds a  
dampened effect to an otherwise short event. A regular envelope works  
too, but the classic sound is usually a very simple short CV
>
> Manuals and product brochures are great, but I want to tap into the  
> huge amount of hands on experience that this group has! People sell  
> used modules all the time. Must be a good reason. I appreciate your  
> patience and you'll find that some of my knowledge is quite  
> sophisticated, while certain obvious things have totally eluded me!

Though a big factor for selling modules is there are only a half dozen  
shops at most to even attempt to try something out plus resale prices  
are great compared to say buying expensive digital gear and wanting to  
sell it later.

The best thing is to try stuff out and then ask around about specific  
questions.




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