Moog Music Forum

im thinking about starting a small modular set up to go with my little phatty,cp-251 and minibrute. the main idea for this was seeing the Pittsburgh Sequencer when i was "just" searching for a sequencer. any recommendations on other effects/filters/Generators ect? what could be some major advantages with adding a modular set up to my gear?
thanks for any advice.

Hmm, If you wanted to go modular I wouldn't go that route. For the amount you'd spend on a little phatty with the cv outputs mod, a cp251, a minibrute, plus the sequencer, you're going to be spending around 2 grand. For that kind of money you could buy the Pittsburgh Modular Foundation which includes the sequencer and still have some money left over for a controller of some kind.

If I'm reading it right, I think he already has the LP, CP and minibrute. He's asking what kind of modular gear might be good for his setup and what it could do.

WIB, the big question you should ask yourself is: "What do I want out of this setup?" Are you looking to expand the sonic palette of the two monosynths you have or are you looking to add a voice of modular synthesis to augment the two monosynths? Are you looking to warp control voltages and run crazy step-style sequences or process sound in more exotic ways? I'm assuming your LP has the CV out mod.

The reason to ask this is that modular setups can be anything you want them to be. If you're looking to add some breadth to the sound design capabilities of your rig, you could pick up some moogerfoogers or load up a skiff (small modular cabinet) with analog delays, filters, waveshapers, etc. This will have your LP and minibrute flying through outer space. If you're more into the CV side of things, you could load up a skiff with control processors, sequencer, clock, etc. This will definitely get you in bleepy-bloop modular territory, but since you're running monosynths with limited CV options, they might simply co-exist more so than interact with each other.

You don't want to spend your money on stuff you won't use. Let us know what you're aiming to do and we can get with some more specific recommendations.

LP gets paid off this friday,its a used little phatty i dont think it has the cv out. everything else i do have.im looking for "more sonic palette and run crazy step-style sequences " would the cp-251 not help with cv out for the LP? at the moment i think i would like to focus on the sequencer first then add more later. the Pittsburgh Modular Foundation #2 set up does seem like thats "everything" i need but i would like to have more then a 8step sequencer. could i chain the sequencers? and "co-exist more so than interact with each other" is perfectly fine with me. with previous set ups ive had it was rare for me to connect the synths/drum machines together.
thanks for the reply!

First tell us what format of modular you want, then tell us what you want to do with it and your vision. Then go to modulargrid.net and build your system using the icons and you can make your dream a little more tangible.

Eric

I personally prefer MU.

WiB wrote: at the moment i think i would like to focus on the sequencer first then add more later. the Pittsburgh Modular Foundation #2 set up does seem like thats "everything" i need but i would like to have more then a 8step sequencer

The PM Foundation 2.0 doesn't have a sequencer. It's a basic 2osc, single voice of analog modular. The Foundation Expander is the one with the 8 step sequencer and analog delay, which could be really awesome. This sounds more like what you're after than a modular synth voice. Keep in mind, if you go with the Eurorack (1/8" jack) format, you'll need lots of 1/4" - 1/8" jack adapters to go back and forth between your LP and your modular.

WiB wrote:would the cp-251 not help with cv out for the LP?

The CP-251 is just a control voltage processor. It will give you an extra LFO and some other CV tools. It is handy, but it really comes into its own when you add in some moogerfoogers or other processing modules. Without the CV out mod, your LP is pretty limited as to what it can do with control voltage. You can drive it from a step sequencer and modulate pitch, filter and volume but thats about it. If you don't already have the CP, I would save the money and invest it in your modular rig.

kingfriday wrote:

WiB wrote: at the moment i think i would like to focus on the sequencer first then add more later. the Pittsburgh Modular Foundation #2 set up does seem like thats "everything" i need but i would like to have more then a 8step sequencer

The PM Foundation 2.0 doesn't have a sequencer. It's a basic 2osc, single voice of analog modular. The Foundation Expander is the one with the 8 step sequencer and analog delay, which could be really awesome. This sounds more like what you're after than a modular synth voice. Keep in mind, if you go with the Eurorack (1/8" jack) format, you'll need lots of 1/4" - 1/8" jack adapters to go back and forth between your LP and your modular.

WiB wrote:would the cp-251 not help with cv out for the LP?

The CP-251 is just a control voltage processor. It will give you an extra LFO and some other CV tools. It is handy, but it really comes into its own when you add in some moogerfoogers or other processing modules. Without the CV out mod, your LP is pretty limited as to what it can do with control voltage. You can drive it from a step sequencer and modulate pitch, filter and volume but thats about it. If you don't already have the CP, I would save the money and invest it in your modular rig.

ah yes, the "Foundation Expander" was what i was thinking about.i could have sworn i read someone said "you could use the 251 to control another synth" but not everything is true on the internet haha.
the CP is on its way but im starting to consider returning it. for the time being i think i really want to learn the LP before getting cv out put into it, like i said before i do like limitations.

EricK wrote:First tell us what format of modular you want, then tell us what you want to do with it and your vision. Then go to modulargrid.net and build your system using the icons and you can make your dream a little more tangible.

Eric

I personally prefer MU.

not even sure what format. like i said im very new to modular synths/effects and honestly never thought i would be looking into it. any place where i can look into what the difference is? my music is from industrial to techno to synth pop to just experimental.

WiB wrote:for the time being i think i really want to learn the LP before getting cv out put into it, like i said before i do like limitations.

+1

Limitations can stimulate creativity and bring you to know your gear deeply.

The modular may teach you more than the sub phatty will because you have to physically route the signals. So rather than using the sub to learn synthesis, you can use synthesis to learn all other synths (software included).

I like buying equipment that is beyond my limitations so I can grow into them rather than reaching a point where I can go no further and then having to wait for another piece of gear to arrive to continue to progress. If you take a minimalist approach like StIIIIIIIve recommends or if you dive into a full system, you are going to find that you "need" more modules. It is a black hole, and you are about to breach the event horizon. My condolences to your wallet.

I like MU because it is nice to look at but more practical in regards to already being compatible with Moog gear and has more room than smaller units to squeeze your hands through. Visit muffwiggler for more modular specific help....that is the go-to place for modular on the internet.

I have the dotcom q119 sequencer and I am very pleased with it, although I wish it was the q960 and associated modules. It's one of the cheapest sequencers that you can get that is already built. However, once you get a sequencer you will want more envelopes and other destinations.

I built my modular as both an addendum to my other synth gear as well as being a simple and limited independent system (1 osc, filt, 2 env gens, 2 vcas, sequencer, mult, router, mixer, and midi-cv converter). This might be the route you want to go also.

The CP251 is an independent modulation buss. It can modulate a synth or can be used to bridge [voltage] incompatible synths together, so if you get a euro system you can interface them safely provided you keep within the recommended voltage levels.

Good luck!

WiB wrote: not even sure what format. like i said im very new to modular synths/effects and honestly never thought i would be looking into it. any place where i can look into what the difference is? my music is from industrial to techno to synth pop to just experimental.

The difference is in the size of the modules and the jacks. There are a few different types of modulars. Euro rack is made up of smaller module panels and 1/8" jacks, Frac rack is similar, but not exactly the same. Frac rack is mostly a PAiA thing, though I believe Buchla also uses the frac rack dimensions. Buchla also uses banana jacks as opposed to phone jacks. MU, or 5U, also MOTM according to some sources, is the 8.5" tall standard created by Moog Music in the early days of synths. They use standard 1/4" phone jacks, and because of this, they are easily interfaced with other Moog gear. Hope this helps.