More questions about my first MOTM modular...

[zomgw00t]

Hey folks!
Okay, So I have decided to build my first MOTM modular into a 12U cabinet (with 3U at the back for a power supply.) Here is what I plan to include:

1xMOTM-900 (in the back)

1x MOTM-300
1x MOTM-320
1x MOTM-410
1x MOTM-800
1x Oakley midiDAC

Once I choose a VCA, that leaves me with 2U of space to fill. So here are my four questions:

(1) Any suggestion for a VCA? My thoughts are either the MOTM-190 or the CGS Tube VCA, though my heart is hardly set on either of those.

(2) That last 2U...I imagine what I put in there could really change what my modular can do. What do you recommend putting there and, perhaps more importantly, why?

(3) In chat, somebody recommended the Oakley VC LFO over the MOTM-320 because of it's smaller size. Besides sizes, are there any other differences between the two I need to consider?

(4) Finally, do you all have any alternatives to the above list that could save me another 1U?

Since I'm new to modular synths, I would really appreciate any explanations for what you suggest.


Thanks!

~Chappie

[haricots]

I highly recommend the Oakley ADSR/VCA (http://www.oakleysound.com/adsr.htm). You can use you MOTM-800 for other purposes. Plus it is only 1U wide.

[ach_gott]

1.) MOTM-190... one for CV and one for audio.

2.) See below

3.) I would do the same. I love the shape control on the MOTM-320 and the width control is cool sometimes, but you'll get more function for the space on the Oakley.

4.) Nope.

I would do something other than the 410 which is more of an effect. It's an effect I use all the time, but still not as effective as an MOTM-440 or 480.

Get a second MOTM-800.

In the remaining 2U, I'd put an MOTM-310 (so you can do synch and/or FM and/or tune at intervals) and an Oakley Equinoxe or an Oakley SVF. The former because it's just a great effect that can make everything livelier and the latter for a little more tonal variety (with 2 VCOs, you can filter one and mix it back in through the other filter, too).

[werock]

Also there is the MOTM-390 LFO, which would save 1 space over a 320 (and you get 2 separate LFOs, although not as fully featured as the 320).

As ach_gott says, a 410 is not your typical VCF, so in a smaller setup you should look at the 440 or 480. Or even the 420. Oakley also do some nice filters, mostly in 1U, so you could save more space there. Their COTA filter is particularly nice.

Keep us updated with what you decide!

[zomgw00t]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! This is giving me a much better idea of what to start off with. I guess the CGS Tube VCA gets no love?

The more I'm thinking about this, the more I want to go ahead and add an extra 6U to the row (or build cabinet of 2 rows of 12U ). I'll let you know what I decide when I'm a little closer to making that decision.

~Chappie

[dude]

[ach_gott]

I guess the CGS Tube VCA gets no love?

I think it looks mighty cool, but have not yet played with one myself. Pugix has built at least one. The advantage of the MOTM-190 is that it's 2 in one space and you'll want one for the main audio path and at least one to control CV. So let's say you want to fade in some FM... the patch starts with a straight up filtered saw wave. The second VCO (for example) would be patched to the VCA with an EG, slightly slower than the main EG, would be patched into the CV input and the output to the Lin FM of the main VCO.

You can get some neat effects that way.

The more I'm thinking about this, the more I want to go ahead and add an extra 6U to the row (or build cabinet of 2 rows of 12U ). I'll let you know what I decide when I'm a little closer to making that decision.

Now you're getting it!

[boothnavy]

welcome to the club... say goodbye to your old life...

[majesticbear]

i wouldn't get the CGS tube VCA as your first and only VCA. go with the oakley as suggested.

[JohnLRice]

dude makes normal fanboys seem indifferent!

[dude]

i forget the motm numbers on the stuff you lsted but if you have a separate mixer and vcas you might really consider the modcan 4vca. it is a vc-mixer as well as four very flexible linear vcas. that will save you space, and if cost freaks you out, price out the mixer and even a couple vcas. its a good fucking deal and space saver. if functional density is what you are looking for, motm is not the place to be focusing on.

[JohnLRice]

1xMOTM-900 (in the back)
1x MOTM-300
1x MOTM-320
1x MOTM-410
1x MOTM-800
1x Oakley midiDAC

here is what i would do (at the moment at least! )

one thought against conventional wisdom, dont worry about space so much. get the full sized modules now if you system is mainly to be a home setup

1xMOTM-900 (in the back on rails so you have some temp overflow space until you can get your second case built! 8_) )

1x MOTM-300
1x MOTM-320
1x MOTM-440 (you will not be sorry!)
2x MOTM-800
1x Oakley midiDAC
1xmotm-190
1x motm-101

[ach_gott]

i wouldn't get the CGS tube VCA as your first and only VCA. go with the oakley as suggested.

iirc, the VCA and EG aren't separable on that unit. I won't argue that it's not a fantastic combo (though I'd go with the VC version myself... not for everyone's playing style). The one (and only) advantage to having them separate is that a four pole filter can act as its own VCA if you don't mind a little audio seepage (not a big deal if you have a noise gate), thereby freeing up a VCA on a small system. In that scenario you'd feed the EG to the V/Oct input and attenuate as you see fit.

Correct me if I'm wrong re the separability on that module, working from memory...

[zomgw00t]

i forget the motm numbers on the stuff you lsted but if you have a separate mixer and vcas you might really consider the modcan 4vca. it is a vc-mixer as well as four very flexible linear vcas. that will save you space, and if cost freaks you out, price out the mixer and even a couple vcas. its a good fucking deal and space saver. if functional density is what you are looking for, motm is not the place to be focusing on.

I want to go DIY with this modular as much as possible...so modcan isn't really what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the suggestion though!


~Chappie

[dude]

oh shit, i didn't realize you were looking for all diy. yeah nevermind about the modcan then .

[patchdub]

don't set limits on what your making by how big your case is. because no matter what, you are going to out grow what ever case you build, just ask anyone here. i built a smaller case at first to house my first builds and then tried to figure out the maximum number of modules i could use with my motm 900 and built a case that size. now i need to get another 900 and build another case.

when i first started building my system i built i started with filters so that i had something to use when messing with audio right away. then an lfo then a vca then an eg so that when i finished my vco i had a working synth.

[ach_gott]

don't set limits on what your making by how big your case is. because no matter what, you are going to out grow what ever case you build, just ask anyone here. i built a smaller case at first to house my first builds and then tried to figure out the maximum number of modules i could use with my motm 900 and built a case that size. now i need to get another 900 and build another case.

Wtf are you talking about? I swear I kept to my original $1600 plan, I merely tripped and spilled many times that and all those cabinets merely fell into my possession through financial transactions I sleep-Paypalled!

Seriously, though, I recommend trying to resist the urge to own everything because it's all so pretty (and it is) and urge you to acquire each new DIY project by need. In the end, I bought too many nifty filters too early because they all sounded so unique (and they do/did) and years later am still low on VCAs.

I have no regrets on the PCBs I've bought... soldering is a zen pursuit (wiring is not), but the least sexy stuff is often the most useful in terms of actual music creation.

[discomicke]

Consider a YU Synth Complete Sample & Hold for the spaces you have left. You can buy a kit from Bridechamber: http://www.bridechamber.com/bridechambe ... andom.html

A lot of functionality in 1U. You get a clock, a sample & hold, a slew plus white and pink noise.

[JohnLRice]

Consider a YU Synth Complete Sample & Hold for the spaces you have left. You can buy a kit from Bridechamber: http://www.bridechamber.com/bridechambe ... andom.html

A lot of functionality in 1U. You get a clock, a sample & hold, a slew plus white and pink noise.

I haven't tried one of these yet but they look great to me and I plan to get one for my "realistically portable" modular! ;-)

Then, if the OP gets that he can then put a MOTM-310 in the spare space!

[pugix]

After reading through this thread, I agree with the following sentiments:

MOTM-440 over the 410 in a starter system. It also serves as a mixer, a VCO, and a kind of VCA.

MOTM-190 dual VCA rather than the CGS Tube VCA. You get two VCAs in 1U. The CGS Tube VCA is better used as distortion device.
http://pugix.com/synth/dual-cgs-65-tube ... bral-gate/

Oakley VC LFO over the MOTM-320 for space savings.

YU Synth Complete Sample and Hold.

You will need more than one envelope generator, so I recommend the new cycling Oakley ADSR/VCA (1U) in addition to a MOTM-800.

[Tronketz]

Why are people suggesting modules I am trying to sell yet I make no sale?

I have a yusynth complete sample and hold and a VC-ADSR/VCA among other things for sale. http://electro-music.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43847

[sduck]

Because the person that the suggestions are being made to hasn't made a decision to buy yet? And perhaps the fact that he wants to go DIY as much as possible? Patience, grasshopper!

[zomgw00t]

Hey folks!

Just wanted to give an update to my plan and see if you all had any thoughts about it...

I have been slowing purchasing kits and components and actually had a chance to start soldering on Friday. I'm waiting until winter break to get the bulk of my work done, though.

Right now my plan is to build a 12U cabinet and buy an Audiophile 6 or 8 space case to use for overflow and, eventually, a utility rack.

The modules I have so far:

1x MOTM-300 VCO
2x MOTM-800 ADSR
1x MOTM-120 Sub-Octave Multiplexer

In the 12U cabinet, I plan on having the MOTM-300, a MOTM-310 uVCO, the two MOTM-800s, a MOTM-190 uVCA, a YuSynth Complete Sample & Hold, a MOTM-440 filter, and some sort of LFO (I haven't quite decided, but I'm leaning towards two MOTM-390 uLFOs or one MOTM-390 and a MOTM-380 Quad LFO). In the 6 or 8 space case, I plan on placing a 1U row of multiples or else something like the 1U utility rack on krisp1's website, Oakley MidiDAC, and the MOTM-120. That leaves me with 2U in the original cabinet. I haven't quite decided what to place in that 2U, but I am thinking about the Buchla LoPass Gate from Bridechamber or the YuSynth Diode Ladder Filter.

Thoughts?




~Chappie

[JohnLRice]

Hey folks!

Just wanted to give an update to my plan and see if you all had any thoughts about it...

I have been slowing purchasing kits and components and actually had a chance to start soldering on Friday. I'm waiting until winter break to get the bulk of my work done, though.

Right now my plan is to build a 12U cabinet and buy an Audiophile 6 or 8 space case to use for overflow and, eventually, a utility rack.

The modules I have so far:

1x MOTM-300 VCO
2x MOTM-800 ADSR
1x MOTM-120 Sub-Octave Multiplexer

In the 12U cabinet, I plan on having the MOTM-300, a MOTM-310 uVCO, the two MOTM-800s, a MOTM-190 uVCA, a YuSynth Complete Sample & Hold, a MOTM-440 filter, and some sort of LFO (I haven't quite decided, but I'm leaning towards two MOTM-390 uLFOs or one MOTM-390 and a MOTM-380 Quad LFO). In the 6 or 8 space case, I plan on placing a 1U row of multiples or else something like the 1U utility rack on krisp1's website, Oakley MidiDAC, and the MOTM-120. That leaves me with 2U in the original cabinet. I haven't quite decided what to place in that 2U, but I am thinking about the Buchla LoPass Gate from Bridechamber or the YuSynth Diode Ladder Filter.

Thoughts?




~Chappie

Hi Chappie,

Sounds cool but . . . I'm worried you are getting U cornfused? Slap me if I'm wrong though!

The "U" refered to for standard equipment racks is for how tall the cabinet is. MOTM modules are 5U high and come in 1U, 2U and 3U widths typically.

A 12U cabinet EWI cabinet from Audiopile (did I mention I highly recommend thouse! ) will hold 20U of MOTM modules plu two standard 19" rackmount units. The modules you listed for your 12U rack only takes up 11U of width so you have 9U of MOTM width still available plus the 2U for 19" audio or custom gear. Do you really need the second cabinet . . . at least yet? 8_)

[zomgw00t]

Hi Chappie,

Sounds cool but . . . I'm worried you are getting U cornfused? Slap me if I'm wrong though!

The "U" refered to for standard equipment racks is for how tall the cabinet is. MOTM modules are 5U high and come in 1U, 2U and 3U widths typically.

A 12U cabinet EWI cabinet from Audiopile (did I mention I highly recommend thouse! ) will hold 20U of MOTM modules plu two standard 19" rackmount units. The modules you listed for your 12U rack only takes up 11U of width so you have 9U of MOTM width still available plus the 2U for 19" audio or custom gear. Do you really need the second cabinet . . . at least yet? 8_)

I think my wording probably just got a bit confusing with all those U's. I am building a cabinet that will hold 12U of modules (it's 12U wide). Because that cabinet will fill up rather quickly but I'm not quite ready to go for an entire 12 rack space EWI case, I plan to get a 6 space or an 8 space EWI case. That case will be overflow for a while until I do get a 12 space EWI case, at which point I plan to use it for things like MIDI interfaces, multiples, and other utility modules. The idea is that if I ever build something like your little portable system, I won't have to worry about fitting a midi interface and multiples in it; the midi interface and other utility modules would already be in their own self-contained, easily-moved unit.

In short, I want the cabinets for my modular to be modular.


~Chappie