Warning: long post incoming.
So I've been fortunate enough to save a little extra cash and I think it's finally time for me to buy my first case and a few modules. I've been trying to do as much research as possible but I was wondering if you fine experts could maybe point out some modules I might not know about or suggest some modules that would compliment the Semi-Modular synths I already have and the modules I feel very confident about buying already.
I have a Beatstep Pro, DFAM, and a Strega. I also have a Keystep Pro that I hardly ever use. I've been patiently waiting several months for my O-Coast and O-Ctrl to arrival in the mail (I ordered them in February! Come on Make Noise and Sweetwater!) I also always patch with headphones on so I can really get lost and found during a musical adventure.
My goal is create an eerie, but beautiful psychedelic noise rock machine. With effect riddled leads and complicated drum patterns underneath. Artist that influence me include The Mars Volta, Death Grips, Animal Collective, The Chariot, The Fall of Troy, Daughters, Phillip Glass and Full of Hell just to give you a well rounded idea of what I'm going for.
Now you may ask, Why do I want to go into modular? Well, I love exploring sounds and modular to me feels like jamming with a machine. I played guitar when I was younger and was heavily influenced by The Mars Volta and aggressive math rock bands like the ones I mentioned earlier. I loved having a large pedal chain with lots of effects to change my sound of the fly and make things weird. Then I discovered VCV rack and fiddled with that for a year or so. Then I finally ordered the semi-modular systems and honestly. I'm having a blast being hands on with just the DFAM and Strega. Actually plugging in the patch cables and turning the knobs. It's like a musical arcade and I'm officially hooked.
My budget to get started is going to be around $3,500. I've already paid for the O-Coast and O-Ctrl. If I really wanted something extra, I could probably save up for it.
So for a case, I think I'm going to go with a Doepfer A - 100P9. At first I was thinking of getting a Tip Top Audio Mantis Case but I can't find this thing in stock anywhere in the US. Then I was thinking of getting a Pittsburg EP-420, however, I read that it uses sliding nuts and I wouldn't be able to use Knurlies. From what I've read about sliding nuts, they sound like a massive headache and frankly, I don't want anything to do with them.
Now on to the fun stuff! My module shortlist and a short review of what I've been thinking of them so far.
Make Noise Maths: Sounds like a no brainer to me. It's the most popular module and it seems everyone has one. Inversion, Slew, LFO, VCO, Clock Divider ect. ect.
Pam's New Workout: This one also seems like a slam dunk that everyone has. At first I was thinking maybe Tempi was better for me but the menu diving doesn't seem that bad. and that, according to Red Means Recording, Tempi doesn't sync up well with other clocks. This sounds like a huge turn off and another headache I would like to avoid.
Quad VCA: I can't tell you how many times I've read "You can never have too many VCA's" and this one sounds like the frontrunner.
Mimeophon: What a cool little time machine. You could never mess around with delay like thing with guitar pedals. I loved having a Boss DD-7 going into a DD-20 and just hearing how riffs could get all mangled by them. I also feel like this guy beat out Intellijel's Rainmaker. Rainmaker seems like it involves too much menu diving and if I got one, it would take a lot of my focus. Although, the idea of a little machine with just Rainmaker and Morphagene sounds like an awesome idea.
Erbe-Verb: I like the idea of warping the space I'm in with cv controls. I like how weird this reverb is with no menus. I kinda wish it had stereo ins, and could do stereo warps. But I still feel this would be better for me than an ECR+.
Basimilus Iteritas Alter: I would like a 2nd drum module to compliment the DFAM so I can make counter rhythms. I like how nasty and versatile this little guy sounds. I also feel like this guy beats out Plonk and that I wouldn't be happy in the long run if I got something like Pico Drums or an analog drum module.
Richter Wogglebug 2014: I'm drawn to this guy because its a sample and hold, ring modulator, and burst generator all in one. I just love how crazy it can get when you turn up the Richter Scale. I would be open to other burst generators but I'm sure what would be better, I feel like Intellijel's Quadrax would be a little redundant with Maths.
QPAS: Not sure if something else might be better, but I like the mystery inputs and the idea of 4 filters working together and I like the stereo effects you can get with this thing.
Rene MK2: I like the idea of this sequencer. It seems like you can get right to the fun of sound design without worrying to much about a melody. Like you can pick a scale, choose a pattern and a fun accident will appear. Not sure if I would need this with the O-Ctrl however. Thoughts?
So those are all the ones I'm seriously considering so far. Not sure If I would use a Mordax DATA, I don't think I need a quanitizer for what I'm going for. I'm also pretty sure I would just get frustrated with a swiss army knife module like a Disting or an Ornament and Crime.
So, what do you think are some useful utility modules to help me get the most out of this setup?
What other modules should I consider down the road?
What sort of gaps might I have if I go with this setup?
TLDR: If you had $3,500 to build an aggressive psilocybin mushroom music machine what modules would you buy?
EDIT: My thoughts so far https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1678182
[link] [comments]