I’m in no position to undertake this project, but I do think I’ll be subject to it, down the line.
Someday, I wish to own a true modular synth, no matter who manufactures it. (The Voyager withstanding, because I don’t know if that really counts.) What I’d like to know is how many patch cords are neccesary for a basic patch. More than two? Less than twenty? How long should they be for a Moog System 15, for instance? (BTW, can that synth be expanded? I believe it only contains two VCOs.)
I know I’ve asked that before, but I wanted to give it another go.
well, i’m at work at the moment so i can’t count how many patch cords i’ve got hooked up, but i’d say you would usually use about…15? for a basic patch. i have cords that a 1-2 feet.
Okay, let’s assume a ‘basic patch’ is an oscillator, a filter and a VCA (simple example). You need three patch cords to connect these three devices:
Osc out–> Filter → VCA → Amplifier or Monitor speaker
You need one more patch cord to connect the oscillator to the keyboard CV. Now add two more patch cords to connect an Envelope Generator to the VCA and Filter. And one more patch cord to trigger the EG. That’s seven cords total for a patch that isn’t even as complex as a basic Minimoog.
Wanna get a real feel for how many cords you might need? Download the Arturia Modular software demo and spend a few minutes going through the presets. You’ll find that most patches use many more than the seven cords just accounted for.
Owners of modular systems (and also those who have a Voyager/CP-251/VX-351 combo) know that you can’t have too many patch cords of various lengths at your disposal. As soon as you think you have enough, you come up with a patch that uses one or two more than what you’ve got. Besides that, cords go bad, which is yet another reason to have extras on hand.
As to your last question about the expandability of a Moog System 15, all modulars are inherently expandable. You might have to buy a new cabinet and power supply, but there’s really no limit to how large a modular system can grow, as evidenced by Keith Emerson’s modular beast or some of the Synth Tech systems shown here:
I used to have a Korg MS-20/MS-50 combination, and I was ASTOUNDED how many patch cables I’d use. I’d often run several different sounds at once, which meant it was basically presets. I sold that, and now I have a dot com modular… I use WAY more patch cables now. I actually have to buy more… it’s insane.
I’m not really answering the question, just babbling about the joy of patching. : )
Add up all the jacks on each module and divide by 2 to get a basic idea of how many cords you’ll need!
I’ve run out many times before until I finally broke down and bought a whole bunch. I currently have about 50 1/8" cords and 10 1/8" to 1/4" cords for use with my modular system (4 racks of mostly Blacet, Wiard & some Metalbox) and I have used all of them in some patches.
