New mini-system

Without any planning at all, I bought some new eurorack after 12 years of finishing my 9U system.

First I got a Moog Subharmonicon for a good price, but it was just the module with no case. After some research, I decided to buy a NiftyCase, which had the best looks and features among similar options. I specifically wanted a small (84 hp) case to avoid going back to the eurorack-buying rabbit hole.

Once the Subharmonicon had a home, I still had 24hp left to fill. I decided to fill it with effect modules and specifically looked for dedicated delay and reverb modules, instead of a menu-based multi-effects module. Found the Erica Synths Stereo Delay 2 and Stereo Reverb, which not only sounded great in the demos, but also had a nice discount.

And suddenly, I had this nice eurorack skiff that is great for ambient textures, drones and sequences. It can be used standalone or as part of my (now 1/3 bigger) eurorack system.

Finished, finally!

Today I received two new modules from Synthesizers.com: a Q107A State Variable Filter and a Q127 Fixed Filter Bank. With these modules, my MU system is now complete. I don't really plan to expand it any further.

Here is a picture of both filters:

Many people complain that the Q127 lacks resonance at each band, and that the overall gain is a bit low. My first impressions sort of confirm these opinions, but once I fed back the output of the FFB into itself (using a mixer), I get all kinds of whistling resonances and plenty of gain. I don't have any experience with other FFBs (particularly, with inductor-based FFBs), so I cannot compare.

The Q107A is a good all-around filter. I plan to set this one to hard clipping and leave my other Q107 with soft clipping. The hard clipping setting on the Q107 makes it scream like crazy.

Earlier this year I also bought two multi-function modules: a Q155 Curver (waveshaping, inverter, slope detector and VCA), and a Q157 SH++ (noise source, LFO, sample & hold, slew limiter). Last year, I bought an STG Soundlabs Mankato Filter and an STG Mixer. These are pretty much the only modules I've bought in the past 4 or 5 years, since I moved my system to a slightly bigger cabinet which gave me 10 extra spaces. This is how the full system looks like:

I've placed some cheap rack effect boxes between the cabinets: Alesis Midiverb II, Lexicon MPX-100 and Zoom RFX-1000. The Alesis is used via the patchbay, and the others are connected to the aux send/returns of a Mackie 1202 VLZ mixer.


Finally, I've also added some dedicated effect boxes to the eurorack system: a Line6 DL4 delay and a TC Electronic Nova Reverb, connected in series. These are great for ambient/spacey sounds.

I consider both systems finished and I hope to spend the next few years exploring their possibilities.

Connections - my new modular album

My new album "Connections" is available for download. It mostly features the modular synths and Audiomulch.

Download it here: http://www.facproductions.net/music/connections/index.html

New family reunion - now with cousins

I finally got a picture of all my modulars.

- 92-space MU format modular: One 48-space cabinet plus two 22-space portable cabinets on top.
- 9U (252 hp) Eurorack format modular.
- Effects rack (with patchbay and attenuators for modular-like patching and feedback loops).
- FutureRetro XS Semi-modular w/ FutureRetro Mobius sequencer.
- Nord Modular G2 (expanded) in front of the MU system.
- Nord Micromodular on top of the G2.
- Audiomulch on the Macbook beside the Nord G2.
- VAZ Modular on a Dell XPS Ultrabook on top of the Eurorack.

Family reunion

I didn't know what to do with the old rack... then it came to me. It was only logical to use it for as an FX rack and to place the eurorack system on top. So here's the full modular rig.... well, almost full. I still have to add the FutureRetro Mobius. I'm going to need some longer patch cables.

Moving the old system into a new cabinet

I got tired of that ugly 22U rack that housed almost half of my MU system and didn't want to risk my gear again by having two 22-space portable cabinets in an unstable vertical stack that can easily fall and kill my modular and/or my cat. So I had someone make me a 44-space slanted studio cabinet similar to those from Synthesizers.com. Except the guy made it 24 spaces wide instead of 22 spaces, so I ended up with a 48-space studio cab and a little extra space for new modules.

Here is a picture of the cab:

Here it is after installing the power components:

After the modules were installed I had 11 spaces left. A new SSL V-Gates module was already included:

Here is the full system with the two portable cabinets on top. I decided to keep the ugly 22U rack beside the modular for effects and other stuff. The eurorack system will be on top of the rack.

Those holes ain't gonna fill themselves, so stay tuned.

Last piece of the puzzle

My Xmas gift to myself: a Xaoc Devices Moskwa sequencer, which was the last eurorack module on my list. After two years, my euro system is now complete.

As an extra bonus, I finally purchased the VAZ Modular virtual synth. The demo version of this software introduced me to modular synthesis around 12 years ago, and I've wanted the full version ever since.

RotatingGeigerArdcoreClockCounterDivider

Just a vanity picture of the euro system with the newest modules: 4ms Rotating Clock Divider, SnazzyFX Ardcore, and WMD Geiger Counter.

Gimme some more

Already started adding a third row of Euro, which will be mostly dedicated to sequencing the other two rows. The first module I included is the most excellent Dave Jones O'Tool - a mini dual-channel oscilloscope, with VU-meters, spectral view, tuner, and some other functions. In the future, I'll try to add one to the 5U system. Also bought some Doepfer modules for pitch quantizing, a clock divider, and something I've always wanted: a WMD Geiger Counter.

Expensive Noise Machine

I've finally released my new album: Expensive Noise Machine. I started recording this album around November 2011, shortly after I finished my previous album (Hexagon). The idea was to do something based around my (then new) Malekko/Wiard modular system. It turned out to be mostly modular noises over Korg ER-1 beats.

Unfortunately, workload in the past 6 months was pretty heavy and the development of the album stalled. It was only a few days ago that I was able to work on it again. Recorded a couple of tracks, and then decided to release it as it was, and focus on a new project.

The album can be downloaded from http://www.facproductions.net

More Ardcore

Today I received a second 20Objects Ardcore 001 module, together with the OX digital output expansion. I have already programmed a few interesting sketches for the Ardcore, including a drum sample player, an FM oscillator, and some LFOs. But with two Ardcores and the output expansion, I finally expect to start implementing some algorithms for generative composition.

Convergence

It is very satisfying when things reach a stable state. This has just happened to my Eurorack system as the last two modules arrived a couple days ago.

The Mobius sequencer on top will be eventually replaced by another row of Malekko/Wiard modules, but this will keep me busy for a while.

Reorganizing the studio

I've spent a whole day reorganizing my studio and now the modulars are close together and ready to share some voltages.

From Russia with Transistors

I few weeks ago I finally received some modules I ordered around November from a new Russian manufacturer called Roman Filipov. His brand is called Sputnik and his first offering was a Dual Waveform Generator, which is basically a clone of the classic Buchla Model 258 triangle-core oscillator. I haven't had much time to test it, but it's supposed to be pretty good for FM.

Roman also sold me a Polivoks filter clone and a YuSynth Dual Gated Slew (this one will live next to my Ardcore 001). Below are pictures of the three modules:

 

Since I ran out of cabinet space, I also bought two more rack frames and a Ring Modulator from Synthesizers.com. I'm very close to filling my last cabinet and completing my modular synth. Only six spaces are left and they are already reserved for a Sputnik Dual Function Generator (2 spaces), another SSL Tap-Tempo LFO (2 spaces), an SSL Segwencer IV, and a second Ardcore.

Unfortunately, when installing and rearranging some modules something happened to my Synthesizers.com Q119 Sequencer (the largest and most expensive module I have) and it stopped working, so I have to send it back to Texas to have it fixed.

On Hard Mod Wild Semi Modular

On Hard Mod is a guy in Mexico City dedicated to circuit-bending. Recently, he decided to design a full analog synthesizer, which he calls the Wild. I just happened to receive one of the first units yesterday.

The Wild is a semi-modular noise/drone synthesizer with 3 VCO's, 4 LFO's, one resonant lowpass filter, one 8-step pseudo-sequencer, a 3-channel mixer, and one attenuator (he calls it VCA, although the gain cannot be voltage-controlled). All this for the unbelievable price of around $350 USD (plus shipping). Of course, for this price I didn't expect any bells and whistles - in fact, the Wild is described and demonstrated mostly as a noise/drone machine.

Here are some pictures taken while unpacking the unit and making a first patch:

These are my first impressions:

Pros:

• The Wild was nicely packed in a ton of bubblewrap (although the box itself is made of thin cardboard).
• It is a bit smaller than I thought (about 64 cm wide), which is good since I didn't know where I was going to put it.
• The oscillators and filter are capable of tons of bass. 
• Resonance on the filter is crazy (but one must be careful with the speakers/ears).
• The filter can be easily and nicely overdriven. Basically, the filter makes this thing worth it.
• I tried to sync the sequencer and LFOs on the Wild with an external clock (from my dotcom modular), and it just worked as expected. This is a big plus for me.
• The power switch key is a nice touch.

Cons (which, given the price, shouldn't stop anyone from buying it):

• This is, IMO, the main issue: The Wild just doesn't get wild enough. You have all these modulators: four LFO's and a sequencer, but the depth of the modulations is very mild. An LFO applied to a VCO barely produces a vibrato, especially if you use the triangle LFO waveform. Similarly, the sequencer only produces small changes in pitch. Moreover, you cannot apply simultaneously the sequencer and some LFO to the same VCO, so everything becomes quite predictable (unless, of course, you tweak the knobs).
• The oscillators have a very low amplitude. I had to turn up the preamps on my mixer to hear them. Maybe this is the reason the modulation depths are very mild, given that the modulators themselves have very low amplitudes. If this is the case, using an external amplifier may solve most of these issues.
• I don't really see the need for three pitch controls for each VCO. Coarse and fine tuning knobs would have been more than enough, and for this kind of instrument (where you don't expect precise tuning), even one coarse knob would be enough. Also, the pitch of the VCO's doesn't seem to go very high (although that's not a big deal).

The veredict is this: although the modulation depth issue does limit the tonal range, I am still happy with my purchase - mainly because I do have the tools to increase the amplitude of modulators externally (although I don't know how much voltage the Wild can take), and the fact that it easily syncs to the rest of my gear makes it more interesting. 

The next step is trying to pre-amplify the modulators and run the Wild output through some effects. This will be my weekend project.

Some Wiard for Xmas

A few days ago I received three new Malekko/Wiard modules: the "Unkle" Oscillator, the Boogie filter, and the Noisering. The first stage of my euro modular is now almost complete.

Here is a picture of the system in its current context:

Top to bottom, left to right: Tascam US-800 USB audio interface, rack case with FutureRetro Mobius sequencer and Malekko/Wiard eurorack modular system, Korg EA-1, Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro mixer, Korg ER-1 with Korg Monotron, Nord Lead 3, and iPad 2 with Multitrack DAW.

Samplecorder in da house

This module allows one to record audio snippets and play them back at any speed/pitch. I can't wait to try some sequencer-controlled resampling.

Also, I've run out of cabinet space and had to take out one module to try the samplecorder. I will fix that as soon as posible.

New album featuring the modular synth

My new album Hexagon has been finished and it has modular sounds all over it.

Visit my music site www.facproductions.net to download it.

More euro stuff

I sold my Waldorf XT (superb synth but had not used it for a couple years) and Allen&Heath ZED-14 mixer, and purchased a few more eurorack modules: second Anti-Oscillator, second Envelator, VCA and 8NU8R (attenuator). This is how the little euro guy looks right now:

The Wiard modules behave quite differently from the dotcom stuff. I can't wait to start recording music with these.

Current state

I have not posted any recent pictures of the full 5U modular, so here it is: