The Cyndustries List

Hi everyone, I'm new here and to modular analogs. I've emailed Cynthia
with some questions, which she graciously answered, but then I found
out about this group, so I thought I'd ask some questions here.

I want to put together a modular synth that is a reasonable instrument
to start and can be evolved and expanded over time. Now I realize that
'reasonable system' is a very subjective term, but by that I mean
something that is not ridiculously expensive, has enough modules to
produce useful sounds with, etc. What I think would be out of scope
would be a $10,000 instrument with 50 modules in it (at least to
start)....=:-) Hopefully that gives you some idea of what I'm getting
at....

I want to buy this system already assembled and working (if I touch a
soldering iron, everything within 10 miles of me tends to turn to crap
=:-) ).

Does Cyndustries sell beasts like this (preassembled) ?

How do I figure out what size power supply I would need to support x
number of modules?

Does Cyndustries make a MIDI interface module that will let me trigger
sound from the modular from a MIDI device?

Before anybody yells at me, I HAVE looked at the web site many
times...if these questions are answered there, I'm not recognizing
them due to my inexperience with this type of hardware, so please be
patient. =:-)

thanks,

bigtiny

--- In The_Cyndustries_List@yahoogroups.com, "krh7c" <krh7c@...> 
wrote:
>
> Hi everyone, I'm new here and to modular analogs. I've emailed 
Cynthia
> with some questions, which she graciously answered, but then I found
> out about this group, so I thought I'd ask some questions here.
> 
> I want to put together a modular synth that is a reasonable 
instrument
> to start and can be evolved and expanded over time. Now I realize 
that
> 'reasonable system' is a very subjective term, but by that I mean
> something that is not ridiculously expensive, has enough modules to
> produce useful sounds with, etc. What I think would be out of scope
> would be a $10,000 instrument with 50 modules in it (at least to
> start)....=:-) Hopefully that gives you some idea of what I'm 
getting
> at....
> 
> I want to buy this system already assembled and working (if I touch 
a
> soldering iron, everything within 10 miles of me tends to turn to 
crap
> =:-) ).
> 
> Does Cyndustries sell beasts like this (preassembled) ?
> 
> How do I figure out what size power supply I would need to support x
> number of modules?
> 
> Does Cyndustries make a MIDI interface module that will let me 
trigger
> sound from the modular from a MIDI device?
> 
> Before anybody yells at me, I HAVE looked at the web site many
> times...if these questions are answered there, I'm not recognizing
> them due to my inexperience with this type of hardware, so please be
> patient. =:-)
> 
> thanks,
> 
> bigtiny
>
Hey, BIGTINY
I would bet there are many who read this Forum and wonder the same 
thing...  what modules to consider for a useable "beginners" analog 
synth ?  My particular goal is for quite a bit less than you have in 
mind since I need something portable and midi-keyboard controlled.
The learning curve in chosing and assembling a modular is too steep 
for many of us... where do you find a tutorial for such a procedure 
using current modules ?
Still,  if we are to receive practical guidance tempered with 
compassionate patience... this will be the place !!

How about this?

<http://www.moogmusic.com/detail.php?main_product_id=227>

If you want a small portable synthesizer with a MIDI keyboard, and you 
don't want to build anything, there are lots of choices out there.  
Personally, I like something big, and the MIDI keyboard is optional.  
That's why I have a mix of many different modules.  I waited four years 
to add MIDI.

To each his (or her) own...

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

Richard M. wrote:

> My particular goal is for quite a bit less than you have in 
> mind since I need something portable and midi-keyboard controlled.
>
>

just to offer another approach -- I started small and I've tried to keep
it that way. I bought one of the Doepfer suitcase style frames with their
basic set of modules. Slowly, I've replaced the modules that offered me
less with other Eurorack modules from other companies -- two Synthi
related ones from Analogue Systems, the Serge WVX classic wave multiplier
from Banalogue... It all stays portable for travel and fits my very small
studio space. Good luck. Stephen

> Hi everyone, I'm new here and to modular analogs. I've emailed Cynthia
> with some questions, which she graciously answered, but then I found
> out about this group, so I thought I'd ask some questions here.
>
> I want to put together a modular synth that is a reasonable instrument
> to start and can be evolved and expanded over time. Now I realize that
> 'reasonable system' is a very subjective term, but by that I mean
> something that is not ridiculously expensive, has enough modules to
> produce useful sounds with, etc. What I think would be out of scope
> would be a $10,000 instrument with 50 modules in it (at least to
> start)....=:-) Hopefully that gives you some idea of what I'm getting
> at....
>
> I want to buy this system already assembled and working (if I touch a
> soldering iron, everything within 10 miles of me tends to turn to crap
> =:-) ).
>
> Does Cyndustries sell beasts like this (preassembled) ?
>
> How do I figure out what size power supply I would need to support x
> number of modules?
>
> Does Cyndustries make a MIDI interface module that will let me trigger
> sound from the modular from a MIDI device?
>
> Before anybody yells at me, I HAVE looked at the web site many
> times...if these questions are answered there, I'm not recognizing
> them due to my inexperience with this type of hardware, so please be
> patient. =:-)
>
> thanks,
>
> bigtiny
>
>

as someone whose modular grew too fast (the "crack" effect) and which 
as a result has had more direction changes than if i'd thought about 
it beforehand, i'd DEFINITELY advise starting small. that way you'll 
learn to do more with less, and you'll know your modules really well.

it's amazing what some people can do with just a few modules, and 
there's no real incentive to get creative if you have too much gear.

>just to offer another approach -- I started small and I've tried to keep
>it that way. I bought one of the Doepfer suitcase style frames with their
>basic set of modules. Slowly, I've replaced the modules that offered me
>less with other Eurorack modules from other companies -- two Synthi
>related ones from Analogue Systems, the Serge WVX classic wave multiplier
>from Banalogue... It all stays portable for travel and fits my very small
>studio space. Good luck. Stephen

I second Jason on the start small, you will learn and grow with your system
I was lucky that I had 20 odd years of synth knowledge, but the Modular 
world is still a learning curve, I bought a Serge Modular first as I 
knew I wanted to be able to do more off the beaten track sounds, then 
slowly started to buy some other modules like Plan B, Livewire, and 
Doepfer, all eurorrack format. I would love to go Cynthia modular one 
day :-)

On 2/1/07, krh7c <krh7c@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone, I'm new here and to modular analogs.

Welcome to the addiction!  ;-)

> I want to put together a modular synth that is a reasonable instrument
> to start and can be evolved and expanded over time.

You can get started with only a few modules.  I think I know the
answer to this, but do you want to build a modular that can make
sounds on its own, or do you want to trigger things from a keyboard or
some other controller?  (Since you ask about a MIDI converter, I'm
guessing the second one...)

So, you'll need some kind of noise generation device (oscillator -
"VCO") and something to control the volume of the sound (voltage
controlled attenuator - "VCA").  If you want the sound to get louder
and then softer, you'll need an envelope generator ("EG" or "ADSR",
which stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) to control the VCA.
With a MIDI/CV Gate converter, you'll be able to press a key and
trigger a single note that swells and then fades out.  So, with only
four modules, you'll get a basic tone - not a bad start, eh?  :-)

I'm guessing that will get old very quickly, so you'll probably want
to add some kind of filter to modify the sound of the VCO.  You can
get a manually controlled filter that you twist the knob on, or you
can get a voltage controlled one ("VCF") and get another EG to control
it.  There are basically four types of filter, but I'd suggest
starting with a low pass ("LP") one first.  If you want to have a
repeating cycle of volume and filter changes, you can use a low
frequency oscillator ("LFO") on either, or both, the VCA and/or VCF
for some fun.

At this point, seven modules or so, you basically have an "analog
monosynth"!  :-)  After this, you can decide if you want to expand to
more notes (basically just duplicating things - more VCOs, more VCAs,
more EGs) so you can play chords or multiple lines, or you might want
to expand your system to different sound qualities or different ways
to manipulate those sounds.  Ask away when you have questions...

One thing I'd suggest is to take a look at the different manufacturers
and decide what format you want to start with.  There are three main
sizes - euro rack, frac rack and MOTM, with a couple other formats
used by some manufacturers.  Euro and frac rack both use 3U (a "U" is
1.75") high panels, but they aren't really interchangeable.
MOTM-style modules use 5U tall panels.  Along with panel size, you'll
also find that knobs and cable connections are smaller and more
closely spaced on euro and frac modules, and larger on MOTM.  Don't
worry too much about making a "wrong" decision here - if you decide to
get more than one format, you can get cables with different ends
and/or get a patch panel with the different sizes.  Please remember
that modulars can become a "religion" and you'll hear different things
about different formats and different manufacturers.  Try to find out
as much as you can before you make the plunge.

Take a look at my web site (listed below) and you'll get a little idea
of what is available.  Send me a private email if you want to know
more about my own rig...

Doug

http://www.analognotes.com

On the other hand * and I too speak as a modular owner whose synth has
changed pretty radically over time * there is a healthy resale market
at the moment and modules that other people really like, may not work
for you.  I had a whole Doepfer Vocoder system that didn't work out and
I've gradually replaced all the modules for it.  I've also swapped in
and out other modules from time to time and, while not (aherm)
particularly cost-effective, it has given me exposure to more gear that
I would have otherwise had.

I guess this is by way of saying the it is, of course, best to do some
research and try to ascertain what you want ahead of time, but if you
end up not liking something, it's easy to replace with something else. 
For the research part the Analogue Heaven archive at
http://search.retrosynth.com/ah/ is particularly useful.

Bryan

PS: Many people like the Doepfer vocoder system and I like and own many
of their other modules. The vocoder just gave me a headache.

>>> Jason Proctor <jason@redfish.net> 02/01/07 8:24 PM >>>
as someone whose modular grew too fast (the "crack" effect) and which 
as a result has had more direction changes than if i'd thought about 
it beforehand, i'd DEFINITELY advise starting small. that way you'll 
learn to do more with less, and you'll know your modules really well.

it's amazing what some people can do with just a few modules, and 
there's no real incentive to get creative if you have too much gear.


>just to offer another approach -- I started small and I've tried to
keep
>it that way. I bought one of the Doepfer suitcase style frames with
their
>basic set of modules. Slowly, I've replaced the modules that offered
me
>less with other Eurorack modules from other companies -- two Synthi
>related ones from Analogue Systems, the Serge WVX classic wave
multiplier
>from Banalogue... It all stays portable for travel and fits my very
small
>studio space. Good luck. Stephen