Are Modular Synthesizers the Future of Music Creation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around modular synthesizers, exploring their history, personal experiences, and the potential future of music creation using these instruments. Participants share anecdotes from the 1970s, details about their own modular setups, and the components they use.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express nostalgia for modular synthesizers, recalling their experiences with Moog synths and other equipment from the 1970s.
  • One participant shares a photo of their eurorack modular synth, indicating it is becoming overcrowded with modules.
  • There is a discussion about the types of modules used, including VCOs, VCFs, and various effects, with some participants detailing their custom designs and modifications.
  • Participants inquire about specific signal processors and their functionalities, such as envelope followers and pre-amps.
  • One participant mentions a digital controller they built, which is no longer functional, reflecting on the evolution of their equipment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a common interest in modular synthesizers and their history, but there is no consensus on the future implications of these instruments for music creation.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions include personal anecdotes and technical details that may depend on individual experiences and definitions of modular synthesizers. The conversation reflects a variety of approaches and opinions without resolving any specific technical claims.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in music production, electronic music, and the history of synthesizers may find this discussion relevant.

dustytretch
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Is anyone here into modular synths?
Does anyone here own a modular synth or has heard of them before?
 
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back in the 70s, i used to have fun with the Moog patchboard synth that our Music Department had. had a couple of Teac 3340 4-track tape decks also.
 
rbj said:
back in the 70s, i used to have fun with the Moog patchboard synth that our Music Department had. had a couple of Teac 3340 4-track tape decks also.

An actual moog modular, wow...
 
Here's a recent photo of my friend Sudhu attempting to refurbish the Moog I learned to build electronic circuits for, also in the early 70's. We had one of those Teac's and a Sony 4 track in our studio as well!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f....225886319911.136598.623064911&type=1&theater

I later built my own signal processor, using some commercial modules and a bunch of my own design. Last time I looked it still worked...

Did you have a question about them?
 
schip666! said:
Here's a recent photo of my friend Sudhu attempting to refurbish the Moog I learned to build electronic circuits for, also in the early 70's. We had one of those Teac's and a Sony 4 track in our studio as well!

(Not high enough post count for link in quoted post)

I later built my own signal processor, using some commercial modules and a bunch of my own design. Last time I looked it still worked...

Did you have a question about them?

What sort of signal processor?
Envelope follower, pre-amp, effect, audio-CV?
 
6374_img_20120518_180200_1.jpg


Here is my eurorack modular synth, it is starting to overflow somewhat.
 
Cool. Who makes those modules?

Here's a funky pic of mine:
modsynth.jpg

As you may see I never got around to labeling anything...but fortunately I made a map and color coded the in/out/control jacks...

Mostly from left to right:
One audio VCO and one fancy VCF, both from Serge Systems I think.
Two more VCF's of my own design, using chips from another synth company.
A ring (balanced) modulator.
Two analog CCD phase shift/delay lines (not very good but kinda fun).
A really crazy pitch shifter (also using CCD delay) hacked out of a cassette tape recorder
that was made to listen to tapes at double speed -- totally whack sound.
Two kinds of distortion circuits.
Four attack-release generators and VCAs
Slow function and noise generators, mixers, envelop followers, and other stuff I don't even remember...

I also made a similar digital controller box based on a (Radio Shack) Trash80. But it has gone the way of the dodo.

You can hear some of the results (circa 1982) here: http://www.etantdonnes.com/Mobsters/
 

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