yep, quite frequently. its a nice little quantizer for the price and the space. isn't perfect, but does the job just fine.


Thread: Heather

Modulargrid tells you how much current from each rail you will be drawing, but don't rely 100% on that. In any case, it's a maximum draw number, IE with everything on there pulling it's max.
In any case, it's pretty helpful. The manuals for most modules, or at least their webpage from the manufacturer, should also tell you how much current it will draw.


Thread: Heather

Ooo, this looks fun


That definitely would make sense to design something they would be familiar with. Just put a different application.
Ah, early transistorized stuff, that odd in-between time. In general, analog computers seem pretty fascinating. Maybe I'll try to get my hands on one some day.
Wow, they made that one that late? I assume someone must have been using them then, even into the early 2000's. I suppose they do have their own niche uses.
Perhaps some intrepid hobbyist will come up with a more modern one, that works similarly to some of those.
Sounds interesting, to see what sort of potential these old machines could have for synth usage. Or really anything beyond their intended purpose.


Ah, looked it up and found a brochure for that machine. Surprising how much it looks like a modular. I've actually not seen many like that. Is that one in particular a tube unit? Would explain the +/- 100V.
Definitely would be interested to see how it all turns out, especially how you implement the voltage shifts.

Ah, yea that would make sense then, with not being able to access all the inputs and outputs you would need to really dig into analog circuits on a lower level.
Would be fun to see it done though. Maths is definitely a module I want to learn a bit more about; it's on my "to-get" list.
Is it the Comdyna GP-6 that you are referring to? That was one of the first things that came up when I looked it up.
Might just have to find some of these old analog machines; they look really fascinating, and not just from a synthesizer point of view.


Right, I figure that most people are looking more at the oscillators and noise makers more than anything else when they first get started, and don't think about how they are going to control them. It makes sense really. But like most things, I suppose you have to get the "unsexy" things out of the way, and figure out how to make everything work. Fortunately, I already had that in mind, for the most part; just a matter of getting everything together and working.

Oh, that sounds really fascinating. I'd like to see how that turns out. What particular analog computers are you working with?
How are the architectures of modular synths restrictive in that regard?


I see, its starting to make more sense. That sort of setup seems really interesting. I can see how just that control chain is capable of making completely random outputs. The sloth looks pretty interesting by the way.
That does get pretty crazy; limitless possibilities, definitely something that I like about modular.

Gonna have to dig more into those, and polish up on my C++. It isn't stellar, but I can use all this as a really good excuse to learn more of it.
In fact, that's the fun of all this; not only applying things I already know, but using it as an opportunity to learn even more.


That does sound pretty interesting. I can see how it can get out of hand quickly, though I cannot imagine that is a bad thing.
When you say chained LFOs, do you mean one LFO modulating another's frequency/rate? If so, that is actually a really interesting concept and I can see how that could create chaotic and interesting waveforms. Sampling it with a quantizer would make it all the more interesting.
I assume that S&H's can be worked into this in a similar fashion as a quantizer, no?

Yea, merging digital and analog is definitely really awesome. It really brings the best of both worlds and blending them together really makes for some neat results. Interesting you mention Arduino, that is something I had gotten into in the past; I'm not superb coder, but I can get by sort of. Using it for synthesis would be really fun.
There's a company called Bleep Labs that makes standalone synths and devices, a few of them use Arduino now that I think of it.
I might try implementing some of their ideas and designs into a Eurorack format.


Spooky.
I like it. Reminds me a little of old 80's horror soundtracks, with the sequencer line


Awesome, definitely going to look into more of those.
It's interesting, I had learned quite a bit about digital logic, and had never really applied it to much outside of controlling stuff. I'm thrilled to see that it can be applied here for all kinds of really interesting sound generation.

I had seen the Turing Machine mentioned several times; it is another on my "to get" list.

That's actually really true; like I said, it's really crazy to see concepts that I had learned about used in these really cool ways. I like that Eurorack has really become more than just VCO, VCA, VCF, envelopes and all that. If it's changed that much since the 70's, I can only imagine what it will be like in another 40 years.


Thanks for the feedback.
The size is temporary; I figured I would start small, get a feel for things and not get too overwhelmed. As of now, I have just an 84HP panel. I do intend to expand to something a little larger, or add another 84HP panel. When I do, it will likely consist of more control/modulation modules, perhaps another voice or two, as you suggested.
I'll have to check out Time's Arrow.
Maths is definitely a module I am considering, pairing it with various logic as you suggested sounds pretty interesting.
Are there modules with quantizers and shift registers? I know there are plenty of logic functions out there. I am definitely not against making some myself as well; would be a really good use for the random IC's I have floating around in drawers.


Here it is. I have a few of the modules already (braids, kinks, the LFO and BRST, the power supply and uJack) and have already had a blast experimenting with what little I can.

Overall, I am interested in generative patches, particularly ambient and noise.
The Mutable Instruments modules are pretty awesome in general; played a lot with the ones available in VCV.
This rack has mostly been inspired by Comparative Irrelevance over on YT. His three module series has helped me learn a lot and shown me that less = more.
Some background: I have some experience with mostly virtual synths through Reason; took some courses on MIDI and synthesizers in college, so I have a general idea of what it is all about.
I'm an electronics major and computer guy, definitely something that makes modular appealing to me, along with watching a machine make music with little to no human interaction. Random patterns and all that sort of thing have always fascinated me.