Re: [motm] Moving into Modulars
2000-04-10 by improv@peak.org
Hi John, welcome to the wacky world of modular synthesis! It sounds like the MOTM you're getting is fairly minimal, but a pretty complete place to start. Of course, it'll grow as the modular worm creeps into your brain, and the news of a VC lag processor keeps you awake in a cold sweat in the middle of the night contemplating which of your children could be sold. But I digress. I understand all too well the need to clear some stuff out to pay for the MOTM, but in a perfect world, you may want to keep some of your VA stuff along with the modular. One of the coolest things about modular synthesis is that, with a little pre-amping, just about anything that puts out a signal can be patched into it. The MOTM filters can do wonderful things to digital synths, the 410 is great for adding warmth and motion to any pad (I love it on DX-7), and, as JH pointed out recently, the 440 sounds very cool on polysynths. And these are just the more "conventional" applications, you could use a VA pad as an audio-rate FM source on a VCO (very cool way of adding "harmonic noise" to a patch), run a pad into the sub-oct mux for low-end ring-mod grunge, anything really. >I do like the variety of sounds in my Jp8080 and Audity 2000 (which >is a software modular set-up--like it A LOT) ; the sound >designers have done a fab job but.....its still "someone else's >sound, when I really want to make my own. I completely understand this feeling! I was contemplating getting a Yamaha FS1r on their recent blowout, but chose to get a Micromodular instead. I've been told that the FS1r really makes some entirely new sounds, but at this point in my life, I don't want another box with a million presets and an indecipherable operating system, I want a system that lets me create my sounds without an enormous learning curve > >Now, I could sample the patches I have created of course, and use >them from the Mac so I wouldn't lose "everything" I like >about the VA's. I guess I'm asking, is the process of working on a >true modular "too" minimal for me (miss my lush pads?), >or can I arrive at the same fullness and beauty with simply, more >elbow grease (gallons??) and creativity >on a mod. The modular will open up entirely new ways of working with sound, at least it did for me. The MOTM will also make some wonderful "conventional" synth sounds, I actually have to keep reminding myself of this fact! Recently, I was looking for a certain kind of analog bass sound, nothing really special, just warm and deep. Went to the BassStation, the Nord Lead, etc, nothing quite sounded right. Patched up a "normal" 2-osc/filter/VCA/2EG synth voice on the MOTM, and there it was. We're lucky to have all the tools we have today, hard-disk recording is a perfect complement to the modular, once you get a sound that works, record it to disc and it's there. When I think about Subotnick/Carlos et al working with splicing analog tape and primitive modulars, I'm even more in awe of the music they produced. So anyway, yeah, you will get sounds that move you from the MOTM, I can almost guarantee it. Whether you'll get the same lush pads you love from the VA synths, I dunno, my usual work method is is that when I set out to get one thing, I end up with something else entirely. And that's the beauty of modular synthesis. ____________________________________________ Dave Trenkel : improv@... Minus Web Site: http://listen.to/minusmusic Minus MP3's: http://www.mp3.com/-minus- ____________________________________________