using a micromoog with a modular question

[beachwolf]

I'm not quite sure how to post the subject but what i'm looking to do is add a couple oscillators to my micromoog like the old DVCO rackmount units. With all of the control inputs and outputs on the micromoog, this seems fairly easy. I was thinking 2 oscillators, a multiple, and a 4 channel mixer. Does this sound about right? Can anyone offer any input on brands? I've been looking at dotcom and club of the knobs.

[fyvewytches]

I dont know what you mean with the rack mount DVCO. But you can't really just use a couple of oscillators unless you can route them back into the micromoog before the VCF and EGs. You'll need at least an EG and VCA (you can get both in one module from Krisp1) if you don't want to hear you oscillators all the time. Indeed oscillators make sound all the time so you'll need to silence them. You may be able to trigger the EG from the micromoog, I don't know what outputs is has. That is probably the most basic "modular" you could use. But you'll also probably want a VCF and LFO for basic modulation.

Going modular is great but be aware that its an endless life of lust

[EricK]

You won't have any problems at all with external oscs, but you will need two cables to really utilize the "Open System".

First you'll need a V-trig to S-trig cable to fire the Micro's envelopes. I had two from synthesizers.com but none of those fired my micro for some reason so I'm having a friend make one for me.




Second, you will need a cable to utilize the modulation output, so you can send the Micro's routings to those oscs. That cable uses a .208 plug which you can find here:
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... S267Mouser

Part #: 502-S267
Manufacturer Part #: S267
Manufacturer: Switchcraft
Description: Phone Connectors .206 Inch Phone Plug

You will also need some attenuation on the incoming and outgoing voltages because I don't think the Micro is 1v/octave. Some of the later Micro's have an attenuator pot on the back to regulate the outgoing keyboard voltage.

A cp-251 is your friend for the mults, attenuators, and even the 4 channel mixer, but sometimes the mixer doesn't handle audio very well (can be noisy). This might be your least expensive option. I used this method with the Freqbox and the Ringmod for years before I finally got a modular. The Freqbox can be a real bitch to track properly, but luckily, the Micro doesn't have a big keyboard.

Here's an ancient video I did using the 107 as an external osc. I think this was my first ever video so it may be corny:
https://vimeo.com/3823169

After this, you should be able to control the modular with the micro or slave the micro to the modular.


As far as what brands to buy, what country do you live in? I have no issues with the dotcom modules, they are affordable and sound fantastic. Mos-Lab stuff looks exactly like most of the old Moog stuff, and you can get the 901a/b or 921a/b clones also. Are you really trying to go for the Moog look and sound or does it matter? I really like the MU format because it matches current Moog stuff very nicely and is less cluttered that euro. If you are picky about your sound I might go with Moslab for the oscs and filters and use dotcom for the utility modules like multiples, sequencers, etc. Really, if you went all dotcom you won't be disappointed.

I have and like the STG mixer, which is supposed to be a cp3 clone and adds asymmetric distortion.



Here's the up-to-date pic of my rig:

I dont know what you mean with the rack mount DVCO.

I think these were made mostly by the custom engineering department.

[beachwolf]

Thanks. I have the right cables for everything. My micromoog has the attenuator pot. I also have a joystick controller with 2 attenuators. The ext in would let me put the output of the mixer before the filter and envelope and i think it will also send the raw oscillator +doubling to the mixer to mix with the additional vco's. Does this make sense? Thanks for your help.

[EricK]

It's just an audio input, but yeah, sounds like you are ready to roll.

Eric