Current state

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

Modulation Orgy

I just received a new module: the Synthetic Sound Labs (SSL) Tap Tempo LFO, aka, the Modulation Orgy. Although I haven't had any chance to use it, it looks like a very cool module: it's an LFO that syncs to a clock signal (e.g., from a sequencer or drum machine) and thus can sync to tempo, it has 8 different waveforms, which can be distorted by changing the ratio of the durations of each half-period (e.g., for the squarewave this amounts to classic PWM), and it also has a frequency multiplier. But the best thing is that each parameter is voltage-controlled, so this thing should be able to output some interesting modulating signals.

On the other hand, this module filled the remaining empty spaces on my portable cabinets, which means I'm unable to add any more modules until I buy first a couple of rack frames, and even then, I'll only have 8-12 spaces left! And no space for another cabinet.

New modular, new format

When I was going to buy my first modular, I really wanted a Wiard Series 300 system, but they were very expensive and out of production, so I went with a Synthesizers.com system instead.

A few years later, Malekko Heavy Industry started implementing Wiard designs in the (much cheaper) Eurorack format. I decided to sell some other gear and try the Malekko stuff. I plan to build only a couple rows (ok, maybe three), and this is what I have so far of the first row.

Modules are: Malekko Output, MakeNoise/Wiard Wogglebug, Malekko/Wiard Anti-Oscillator, Malekko/Wiard Envelator, and Malekko/Wiard Borg 1 Filter. All supported and powered by a Tiptop Audio Happy Ending Kit.

Some new modules

After a few weeks of waiting, I finally received the following modules:

- 20Objects Ardcore 001 (arduino-based programmable interface)
- STG Soundlabs Wavefolder
- STG Soundlabs Signal Amplifiers (triple VCA)
- Oakley Multimix

Two new recordings

Here are two recent recordings of my modular synth with some other gear:

andsti plam - Modular synth, Elektron Machinedrum, Nord Lead 3, Roland HD-1, Korg Monotron

xipci function - Modular synth, Elektron Machinedrum, Nord Modular G2

These will probably become part of an upcoming album.

I'm also looking at adding another modular format in the near future.

1st Quarter 2011

I found an excellent deal on a Moon Modular 563V2 Trigger Sequencer, so I was able to scratch that off from my list. My "sequencing section" is now finished and looks like this:

Top row: Q119 Sequencer.

Bottom row: Q962 Sequential Switch, Q128 Switch, Q171/172 Quantizer Bank, Moon 563V2 Trigger Sequencer.

I also found a rare MAM RS3 Resonator, which is a bank of three vactrol-based bandpass filters with integrated LFO, envelope follower and CV input. Works great as part of my modular FX rack:

My next purchase, if I get a decent tax refund, will be some STG modules: Mankato Filter, Wavefolder and a mixer.

At the end of 2010

It didn't took me long to choose new modules. I started with my first non-dotcom module: the Synthethic Sound Labs 1310 VC Digital Delay. I also added some Megaohm Audio modules (their filters are great), and of course some Synthesizers.com stuff, like the new quantizer bank, a couple oscillators, and a very much needed power supply.

This is how the modular looked on December, 2010 (sorry for the crappy quality iPod photo):

In the course of 2011, I plan to move the Mobius sequencer to the top of the left stack and fill the 14 spaces left with modules from STG Soundlabs, Grove Audio, and Synthesizers.com.

Here is a boring video of one of my new modules, the SSL Digital Delay: