RE: [cgs_synth] Module Selection
2006-01-13 by rdrake
scott,
you're right, there are a lot of options available, and it's a good problem to have figuring out priorities. for most folks who get into modulars, it's a constant evolution... i've said "just one more rack's worth" more than once.
but, given your parameters (paia as a starting system, add one rack, more "interesting" sounds, solid building skills) here's a completely subjective list of suggestions:
*1 CGS VCO, implementing as many options as you can cram into 1 full panel (won't be all possible options)
*1 CGS dual LFO (likely to take a full panel unless you cut options)
*1 Blacet Improbability Drive--noise plus sample/hold
*1 Wiard filter, either the Borg or Boogie... or a Blacet Filthy
*1 CGS Steiner filter, without attenuators on the inputs so you can fit it into 1/2 rack
*1 CGS Megamixer, as much as you can fit on 1/2 rack--i think i could squeeze in 4 inputs/no master
Close seconds would be a Blacet dual linear VCA (instead of the mixer?); Blacet VCO or Blacet/Wiard Miniwave (instead of CGS VCO?); Wiard Noise Ring (instead of the Improbability Drive); CGS Real Ring modulator (1/2 space, built w/ opamp buffers on ins & outs); CGS Psycho LFO (1/2 space)... Blacet VCADSR (or, if there was a 1/2space AR generator, maybe Metalbox did one once)... and, and... man, this is tuff.
again, this is COMPLETELY 100% subjective, based on my own experience. obviously, a lot depends on your what you're musical aims are... i'm more of a textural/noizy/westcost kind of a guy; electro/sequency of melodic folks would have very different opinions.
have fun!
bbob
you're right, there are a lot of options available, and it's a good problem to have figuring out priorities. for most folks who get into modulars, it's a constant evolution... i've said "just one more rack's worth" more than once.
but, given your parameters (paia as a starting system, add one rack, more "interesting" sounds, solid building skills) here's a completely subjective list of suggestions:
*1 CGS VCO, implementing as many options as you can cram into 1 full panel (won't be all possible options)
*1 CGS dual LFO (likely to take a full panel unless you cut options)
*1 Blacet Improbability Drive--noise plus sample/hold
*1 Wiard filter, either the Borg or Boogie... or a Blacet Filthy
*1 CGS Steiner filter, without attenuators on the inputs so you can fit it into 1/2 rack
*1 CGS Megamixer, as much as you can fit on 1/2 rack--i think i could squeeze in 4 inputs/no master
Close seconds would be a Blacet dual linear VCA (instead of the mixer?); Blacet VCO or Blacet/Wiard Miniwave (instead of CGS VCO?); Wiard Noise Ring (instead of the Improbability Drive); CGS Real Ring modulator (1/2 space, built w/ opamp buffers on ins & outs); CGS Psycho LFO (1/2 space)... Blacet VCADSR (or, if there was a 1/2space AR generator, maybe Metalbox did one once)... and, and... man, this is tuff.
again, this is COMPLETELY 100% subjective, based on my own experience. obviously, a lot depends on your what you're musical aims are... i'm more of a textural/noizy/westcost kind of a guy; electro/sequency of melodic folks would have very different opinions.
have fun!
bbob
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:27:27 -0000
> From: "c10h14no2i" <c10h14no2i@...>
>Subject: Module Selection
>
>Hello,
>I need some help selecting some modules. I know
>its a person thing,
>but I was wondering what other people think are
>some essentials.
>
>Right now Ive got the little PAiA 9700 modular.
>Its got 2 ok VCO's, 2
>2 pole filters, 2 very basic lfo's, 1 envelope, 1
>vca. Im definately
>going to get another filter. The one its got is
>ok, but I want one w/
>a more standard sound. Other than that, I dont
>know what to get. Ive
>been reading and researching for weeks, and the
>more I learn, the more
>I want!
>I want to limit myslef to one more frac rack
>enclosure (thats what
>paia calls its case.. not sure if thats a standard
>or not)
>Basically I could fit about 3 or 4 large modules,
>or a bunch of
>smaller ones.
>
>What I want are some better sounds, and a lot of
>modulation options.
>The paia alone can't make any complex sounds.
>Basic bass lines, or
>some strange ripped up tones (like from modulating
>one osc w/ the
>other one) are about all I get. Nothing very good
>or interesting.
>
>My brain is about to explode from all the synth
>reading Ive been doing
>lately, so any advice to get me started w/ building
>would be a great help!
>
>Thanks
>scott
>
>