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Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:01 am
by MBlom
I own a MF-101 an am quite certain I´ll get a FreqBox and CP-251 within months. These I´ll get because I like to play bass/guitar more than synth, but I like it when it sounds synth-like. But to justify the purchase of the latter two I´ve started to convince myself that this is a great start towards a modular synth. I make music with a MachineDrum, MonoMachine (six track keyboardless sequencer based synth), Rickenbacker-bass and Hagström-guitar together with a handful of effects. So I can send MIDI from the MonoMachine that could control the oscillator on the FreqBox. For this to work I would need a MIDI-to-pitch-CV and I believe a MP-201 could do that job, and more.

So. A MP-201 recieving MIDI, sending envelope-CV´s as well as controlling the FreqBox´s oscillator pitch, which is sent through the MF-101 and a CP-251 making the two foogers come alive. That´s a small, but functional, analog synth with loads of modular possibilities. And getting a second FreqBox for Hard sync, fm or "just" an extra oscillator could easily be added since the MP-201 has four CV-out, and the CP-251 can split the pitch-CV into three. And getting a Phaser, RingMod, ClusterFlux, Murfs would make this a monster! Expensive, but highly modular and with the possibility of audio in, which to me is tha thing that makes Moogerfooger stand out since I like to play my bass and guitar.

This could be done, right? But has anyone actually done it, and used it more than to try it out? Oh, do give me a reason to pursue this goal!

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:26 am
by EricK
I guess you can say that I have, and I'm a bass player as well.
I initially had a Moog 921A Osc Driver and I was about to drop the dime on a 921B Oscillator, but I got a medical bill. So I dropped the 699 (sweetwater) on the 107/cp251 combo. Looking back, I could have gotten it substantially cheaper from Novamusik.

I used my Freqbox as a second osc for the micromoog. I quickly found that the cp/107 combo is like having an extra synth voice. For example, if you are playing a bassline, you can have the freqbox sync, and have the sample and hold modulating the sync for you as it tracks your audio.

However, the limitation of the freqbox is that theres no VCA, and it is not intended to be a full blown fully functional osc.


LI think if you want to go the modular synth route, the CP251 is a handy tool, but the freqbox without a VCA doesn't really do the trick.

Sounds good with the bass guitar though and I have a video that demonstrates it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rw9eKgDawU

There are two other freqbox demos on my page
"Freqbox with Rhodes and Bass Guitar"
and
MicroMoog Freqbox

Eric

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:22 am
by MBlom
EricK wrote:I guess you can say that I have, and I'm a bass player as well.
I think if you want to go the modular synth route, the CP251 is a handy tool, but the freqbox without a VCA doesn't really do the trick.

Eric
Yes, I understand that it needs a VCA to be useful. I was thinking the MP-201´s envelopes could deal with that, but I´m not sure how. Maybe if the FreqBox audio is routed through the CP-251 and MP-201 envelope-cv could control the volume somehow. Hmmm... :?

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:44 am
by EricK
Well, when an osc is powered, it is oscillating constantly. Presing a key on a synth opens the vca letting it "out". The only thing that an envelope output will modulate is the Freq, Env amt, Wave, and Mix. So you still need a vca to silence the Freqbox when it isn't wanted.

Thats why I recommend a regular oscillator/vca until Moog gets around to making an envelope generator/vca module. We have been requesting this for YEARS.

It might be a little more of an investment but if you are headed towards modular anyway, you might as well make the plunge.

However, a Freqbox might work for you but you have to come up with a solution for silencing it. I run mine into a board and mute the channel or turn the volume down, but as I have a sequencer, I really need a freakin VCA to make it more like a true modular. I also question if this is good because the Osc out is pretty hot and yellow lights my other foogers and sends a hot signal to my board also.

Ultimately, I wish I had gotten the osc instead of the FreqBox, but I do use it alot. I just deal with the vca issues, and for what it does I really like it. I don't really use the FM though.



And, I do plan on expanding my synthesizer with more modules, so this problem should be resolved within the next few years. Maybe by then Moog will have a solution of their own, but until them Im looking at dotcom.
Eric

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:07 pm
by MBlom
.com is what caught my attention as well. Thought that I might be a little dumb to try and make a modular synth using stuff that COULD be used that way (foogers) but isn´t especially made for that purpose. Though buying the FreqBox wouldn´t mainly be to start making a modular synth, but to make my bass and guitar synth-like, so maybe I could just ease down with my mad modular ideas and play bass/guitar as intended. :roll:

But, come to think of it, wouldn´t I be able to hard sync a .com oscillator with my bass? If so, why not skip the FreqBox and buy .com-modules? On the other hand, I really like the whole idea about the foogers and if I buy a plethora of ´em and they´re "just" a sound shaping system instead of a true modular synth, so what?!

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:41 pm
by cliffman
If you want to glue it all together with stompboxen, worth a note - Pigrtronix sells an ADSR pedal.
Just thought you'd want to know :)

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:53 pm
by GregAE
If you're interested in pursuing the idea, you might find this helpful. On KnobTweak, from several years ago:

Files > Moogerfoogers > The Moogerfooger Synth > MoogerFooger Synth.jpg

- Greg

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:38 am
by MBlom
Just realised that my MachineDrum can do triggered envelopes at the two inputs of it, and it has 8 separate outputs so I can just put the FreqBox output through it and: Voilá, let there be synth!

GregAE: Thanks for the link. I´ll register immediately!

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:47 am
by MBlom
Ah, a Moogertron is what it´s called! Not officially though, but still, it´s at least a name.

Definitely getting a Freqbox and a CP-251 now. And then it´s a Ring mod or Phaser. With those five foogers (I already have a LPF) I can experiment my way into the next century. A Moogertron is what I want! :D

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:36 pm
by seank

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:13 pm
by MBlom
Sweet! Anybody want to trade a grandma for some foogers? She´s really sweet. And I got a few cousins to spare...

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:10 am
by MBlom
seank: I forgot to ask the most important question. What do you use your "Moogertron" to? Is it mainly an effects and modular extension to your Slim Phatty, or do you use it as a standalone synth?

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:44 am
by seank
the foogbox is an extension to the voyager, but can be used as a standalone synth/effects processor. the audio output of the slim phatty is run back into the external audio in of the voyager. it's midi chained from the voyager to the sp, then to the mp-201 so when i change a patch on the voyager, it changes all them. i also run my bass guitar on an a/b switch with the voyager so i can run it through the foogers as well.

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:19 pm
by EMwhite
seank wrote:like this?
Hey Sean, I didn't get to see a pic of your full and complete setup. Very impressive, I know you slaved over every detail.

Two questions:

1. How much does that damn thing weigh in total (hope you have wheels built into the case)
2. What are you going to do now that the 108M is out : )

Re: Anyone actually built a modular synth out of foogers?

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:33 pm
by seank
no wheels, but i've got a dolly. it's crazy heavy. i totally should have upgraded to the "flyweight" material for the case. it would have cut the weight of the case in half but it's super expensive.

not sure what to do about the 108. i've got one preordered, so it's definitely getting worked into the setup somehow...