Dotcomformat

In a few weeks, my two 22U cabinets will contain the following 
modules, leaving 5 spaces:

1  Q137	Power Control (rear)
1  Q103	DC Power Interface (rear)
1  Q142	Pedal Interface (rear)

1  Q104	Midi Interface
1  Q105	Slew Limiter
5  Q106	Oscillator+CRS
1  Zeroscillator
1  Q141	Oscillator Aid
1  Q161	Oscillator Mixer
1  Q107	State Variable Filter
1  Q150	Transistor Ladder Filter
4  Q109	Envelope Generator
2  Q108	Amplifier
1  Q110	Noise Source
1  Q111	Pan/Fade
2  Q112	4-Channel Mixer
1  Q116	Ring Modulator
1  Q117	Sample/Hold
1  Q118	Instrument Interface
1  Q123	Standards
2  Q124	Multiples
1  Q125	Signal Processor
1  Q130	Clipper/Rectifier

I had originally planned to fill the 5 spaces with the following 
modules, but have been wondering if I should go for some non-Dot Com 
modules instead. Are any of these modules must-haves in a 44 space 
system? I don't plan on using it in stereo or surround unless it 
grows at least one more 22U cabinet. Any suggestions / 
recommendations for or against 3rd party modules would be 
appreciated.
 
2  Q108	Amplifier (Is there an advantage to having 3 or 4 instead of 
only two?)
1  Q115	Reverb (I have an Alesis MicroVerb and a Premier 90, but 
they can only be used on the output)
1  Q125	Signal Processor (do I need more than one?)
1  Q147	Distributor (any advantage if I have two Multiples?)

Bernie

I agree with Morbius, you definitly need a few signal processors, and
a couple distributors can be quite handy.As for VCA's, I find that 2
or 3 are enough for most mono patches.
Experiment with the reverbs you have before committing to the dotcom
one, you might find that they will serve the perpose for now, and you
can allways pick up the dotcom one later.

Dave
www.dragonslair.ca

--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, "~Morbius~" <morbius@...> wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bernie
> To: dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 12:48 PM
> Subject: [dotcomformat] To 3rd party or not to 3rd party
>
> <snip>
> Any suggestions /
> recommendations for or against 3rd party modules would be
> appreciated.
>
> 2 Q108 Amplifier (Is there an advantage to having 3 or 4 instead of
> only two?)
> 1 Q115 Reverb (I have an Alesis MicroVerb and a Premier 90, but
> they can only be used on the output)
> 1 Q125 Signal Processor (do I need more than one?)
> 1 Q147 Distributor (any advantage if I have two Multiples?)
>
> Bernie
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------
>
> Q108 - Yes... there are advantages to having more than two. Don't just
think about audio, but control-voltages, too. And... the 108 inverts, as
well.
> Q115 - "Alesis MicroVerb and a Premier 90, but they can only be used
on the output" ..... ummmm.... what do ya mean? You cannot patch the
output of the Micro Verb back into the system? Either way... the 'spring
reverbs' usually have a particular sound quality... and I rarely, if
ever, use my two Q115's for final reverb. I usually patch them before
the final VCA, and keep it's release-time at or near zero. (just my
opinion)
> Q125 - I dunno what I'd do if I only had one Signal Processor... I've
got four, and sometimes still run short, and have to improvise.
> Q147 - Don't confuse the Distributors with mult.s.... they are not the
same. For one thing, the Dist. can be great voltages sources (pos. and
neg.)... and that can be with or without anything patched to the input.
Add some toggle-switches, and the Distributor can be very handy. I have
three, and use all three very often.
>
> None of this is meant to steer you away from 3rd party modules... but
somehow, (in a nice and friendly way) I don't get the impression that
you've totally explored the capabilities of some of the mentioned
modules. I could be wrong... looking at the calendar, I see that it's
scheduled for me to be wrong sometime this month... about something. : |
>
> ~Morb~
>

Morbius, you're correct that I haven't fully explored the capabilities
of these modules. As a modular novice, the functioning of common modules
like oscillators, envelope generators, etc. are clear enough to me, but
many of the others are a little over my head at the moment. I'm still
trying to understand little things like why I might want to invert a
signal. For this reason, I began configuring a modular that's similar to
the Studio-44 since it was configured by someone who knows a whole lot
more about modulars than I do, and it sounds like this still might be
the best way to go until I get some more experience and understanding
about some of the more "esoteric" (in my mind) modules. Still, I'd like
to get an idea of what 3rd part modules would be worthwhile getting at
some point in the near or distant future.

To answer your question about the Microverb, I don't believe it can be
inserted into the middle of a patch like the Q115 can, which is why I've
been considering the Q115.

Thanks for the tips. You've presented a convincing argument for the
inclusion of a Distributor, an additional Signal Processor and 2 more
VCAs. The world of modulars is certainly more complex than that of
pre-configured keyboard synths.

Bernie

--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, "David Vandenberg"
<dragonslair@...> wrote:
>
> I agree with Morbius, you definitly need a few signal processors, and
> a couple distributors can be quite handy.As for VCA's, I find that 2
> or 3 are enough for most mono patches.
> Experiment with the reverbs you have before committing to the dotcom
> one, you might find that they will serve the perpose for now, and you
> can allways pick up the dotcom one later.
>
> Dave
> www.dragonslair.ca
>


Thanks Dave. It's good to get some additional confirmation from another
knowledgeable person.

Bernie