Little Phatty FM?

[narrowcaster]

Hi,

I'm trying to decide if I want to get the Phatty or the Voyager, and I've got one question. Is it possible to do FM in the Little Phatty by picking Osc. 2 as the mod source and routing it to Pitch?

And if that doesn't produce controllable FM, could I get it this way: Phatty MIDI out to a MIDI-CV converter, track that with my Freq Box, and feed the Freq Box oscillator out to the pitch CV in on the Phatty?

And last thing: if either or both of these will produce FM, how do they compare to just using the FM switch built into the Voyager?

Thanks...

[EricK]

NOthing against the LP, Id get a voyager as they are the absolute most hands down awesome system of circuits!

EricK

[GregAE]

Hi,

I'm trying to decide if I want to get the Phatty or the Voyager, and I've got one question. Is it possible to do FM in the Little Phatty by picking Osc. 2 as the mod source and routing it to Pitch?

And if that doesn't produce controllable FM, could I get it this way: Phatty MIDI out to a MIDI-CV converter, track that with my Freq Box, and feed the Freq Box oscillator out to the pitch CV in on the Phatty?

And last thing: if either or both of these will produce FM, how do they compare to just using the FM switch built into the Voyager?

Thanks...

Yes, if you use Osc 2 as the Mod Source and select Pitch as the destination, you will get FM. But...

the Pitch destination affects both oscillators in the LP, so the effect produced will not be the same as using the Voyager's FM switch (which simply routes Osc2 -> Osc1). As far as control, the LP's Mod AMOUNT allows you to adjust the amount of modulation, where the Voyager's FM switch has no associated amount control.

Of course, this isn't a fair comparison, because the Voyager has not one but two Mod Busses that can do the same thing (and more!) than the LP's single Mod Buss.

As far as using a MIDI/CV converter and FreqBox to get FM, it will work, but the cost of a converter, FB and LP may as much as the Voyager. Besides, a Voyager will also give you lots more CV options than the LP, and even more when you add the VX-351 Expander.

If you don't need patch storage or the Touch Screen, you might also consider the Voyager Old School to save some green.

[narrowcaster]

Thanks Eric & Greg,

The Voyager certainly is tempting: especially the OS (for us techno luddites). But then again, I've already got a bunch of Foogers (CP-251, Freq Box, Ring Mod, and Filter), and I like the idea of a smaller synth that will force me to keep using all of these elements to the maximum: I'm a little worried that with a Voyager I'd get lazy and not go to the MFs as much.

Maybe one other thing I'd like to know: does anyone feel that the Phatty does anything *better* than the Voyager? I know it has a different sound (that's another thing I like -- the extra immediacy and roughness in the LP sound), but aside from the subjective stuff are there particular capabilities it has that the Voyager doesn't?

[GregAE]

Thanks Eric & Greg,

The Voyager certainly is tempting: especially the OS (for us techno luddites). But then again, I've already got a bunch of Foogers (CP-251, Freq Box, Ring Mod, and Filter), and I like the idea of a smaller synth that will force me to keep using all of these elements to the maximum: I'm a little worried that with a Voyager I'd get lazy and not go to the MFs as much.

Maybe one other thing I'd like to know: does anyone feel that the Phatty does anything *better* than the Voyager? I know it has a different sound (that's another thing I like -- the extra immediacy and roughness in the LP sound), but aside from the subjective stuff are there particular capabilities it has that the Voyager doesn't?

I don't know about 'better', but here is my $0.2 on the Voyager vs LP question. You'll have to decide how much any of this influences your decision:

1. The Voyager's keyboard feels smoother (and better, IMO) than the LP's keyboard. Clearly, Moog went with a quality keyboard mechanism for the Voyager. Also, the Voyager offers 44 keys (three and a half octaves, F-C) while the LP has 37 keys (three octaves, C-C). If the number of keys and the tactile feel of the keyboard is really important to you, the Voyager is the better choice here.

2. The Voyager has three oscillators, the LP has two. This means that some classic 3-oscillator Moog sounds can't be duplicated on the LP (of course, the LP offers a cool Overload function that allows you to get sounds that the Voyager can't - tit for tat).

3. The Voyager is WAY more expandable than the LP. Given that you already have some 'Foogers, this actually makes the Voyager the more attractive choice. Once you start CV interfacing between the Voyager and 'Foogers, you will realize the flexibility and sonic power of the system. You won't get lazy about not using the 'Foogers - you'll actually use them more.

4. The Voyager's Mix Out loop is a great place to insert effects like the Ring Mod (a personal fav), other 'Foogers and pretty much any stompbox/effects box you can think of. This greatly adds to the sonic possibilities (the LP does not offer an insert jack).

5. The footprint of the LP is a bit smaller than the Voyager, but not significantly so, IMO. I'd call this one a wash. However, at 40 lbs., the Voyager does weigh a bit more than the LP (22 lbs), so if you're carting the instrument around, this might be a consideration.

6. Given the expansion capability, the Voyager makes a great centerpiece for a semi-modular system, and would be a VERY nice part of an EM home studio. By contrast, the LP makes the better performance synth for stage use. It's less flexible then the Voyager, but is a performance powerhouse for live use, IMO. If your primary purpose is for playing live, the LP might be the better choice.

Something to chew on...

- G

[narrowcaster]

Thanks again. Chewing...

[EricK]

As far as saying that you think you might get lazy and use the Foogers less.

I think the CV ins and outs alone would make quite the invitation to patch with just about any fooger combination that you can think of.

I think you can have the biggest synth in the world and still benefit from and directly add to the functional application of any and each fooger that you own.

My whole thing is that if I had the money to warrant even considering a voyager, it would have no rival competing for those funds.


My suggestion is that if you want the best of both worlds, get the LP and the Rack Mount edition and youll have duophinic capabillity, with the overdrive that the voyager lacks coupled with the 3 oscillators of the Voyager and you will have basically a 6 Osc synth with 2 voices.


I think pricewise that would come out to the equivelant of having a select voyager with the vx-351 expansion box.


EricK

[narrowcaster]

This is all true. I guess the thing is, for me, more powerful is not always better. It's a personal thing, but I'm often more creative when I've got a smaller number of options. That's why the choice is hard -- if I just wanted more power then it would be a no-brainer. It's also a lifestyle thing. Since I have to fit music in around family and work, and since I have to work on my singing, guitar, and composition in addition to synthesis, there isn't a lot of time for exploring infinite possibilities. Not to mention trying to fit my wife's bass rig, my guitar rig, and keys into a Toyota Echo

It's a good problem to have, though, and I'll probably be in love either way Thanks again for all the help and suggestions...

[EricK]

I wish I could share that problem with you lol, being burdened down by the weight of whether or not I was going to have a voyager shipped.

lolol

What a tangled web we weave, when in Moog we do believe.

(Jeez that was so corny)

EricK

[Amos]

I have both... I use the Voyager as my main live synth when I play with my band because it is so expressive. I recently started doing a solo electronic live set and for that I am just taking my computer, a MIDI knob box, and the Phatty. The LP makes an awesome stripped-down live synth and is super convenient... plus it still rattles the walls through a good PA. The LP is a super synth with a lot of strengths, but to answer your original question the Voyager is way way better for FM. Most of my favorite LP patches involve filter-FM, though, which the LP does exceedingly well. Part of its "signature sound" for me.

[dave500]

I recently started doing a solo electronic live set

Put a full length song on here for us Amos.

[robles]

Maybe one other thing I'd like to know: does anyone feel that the Phatty does anything *better* than the Voyager? I know it has a different sound (that's another thing I like -- the extra immediacy and roughness in the LP sound), but aside from the subjective stuff are there particular capabilities it has that the Voyager doesn't?

The LP does have RAC. That means it can save patches, unlike the Voyager Old School, and it has direct analog control over it's parameters, unlike the regular Voyager. Big plus when dealing with analog.

[narrowcaster]

If anyone's curious, yesterday I made up my mind and picked up the LP (#380)

As y'all know, this was not an easy choice. But the deciding factors were: RAC (love it), size (a little smaller makes a big difference in my situation), intangible love factor (I like and respect the Voyager, but something about the look and sound of the LP has that extra attraction for me), and I think that it will have enough flexibility for me to do what I need but be simple enough that I can work productively. Impatience is also a factor: this was the last one in town and local dealers think it might take up to a month to get another, so I got a *really* strong urge to spring.

Thanks again for all the input.

[denoiser]

I asked for the FM option in the LP suggestions thread. Not sure if it's possible but at least Amos put it on the list as you can see in this link: http://moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... &start=105

[narrowcaster]

Thanks dagargo ... Interesting link