Hi, Reddit. I know my setup is not strictly modular, but I want to hear the opinion from the modular community because I found myself leaning towards it too much recently.
I own a Neutron, a Minibrute 2S and Circuit MS (has a few CV in/outs, plus I made it a few more CV IN). The Minibrute is a recent incorporation but I heavily patched those three and I feel like expanding. I like the synth format over rack (way cheaper and more manageable for what I do) but I like them to be patcheable. Plus, I have a KP3+ for effects and two grooveboxes: Circuit and Electribe synth. Plus, a zoom rx8 with alleged sampling capabilties that's a pain in the ass to use.
A few days ago felt like Circuit and Electribe were clashing with each other, and diverting attention from the analog synths. I decided to let the Circuit go and maybe get another semimodular, so I put it on sale while I roll a B plan: turn electribe synth into sampler (using hacktribe) and build some solution to make the Circuit more workable. I got my electribe sampler and built two different controllers for Circuit: a web based real time knob editor (for hidden parameters) and a (positive only) CV input. I may be able to make them both work at the same time with a some more work.
After all that effort to make both of the machines play different roles, leave room for the main synth rig and not overlap with eachother I was offered 130 euro for my Circuit (less than expected and no interest in paying extra to get the add-ons, but market price right now in my area) and found a Crave for 120. Then I'll have a modular + single groovebox setup with plenty of controllers and sequencers which makes more sense than having two grooveboxes and an overworked modular synth.
But on the other hand I fell like maybe I'm doing a huge downgrade. The Circuit's got a more deep sequencer, two voices, polyphony, sampling and a more profound sound engine. No audio input and the interface is hell but I'm making progress towards my custom one.
Should I keep the Circuit and try to integrate it with modulars, use CV inputs, add dedicated knobs, and maybe add CV out modulation outputs based on Circuit's gate/clock? Or do you recommend me to just get the Crave in exchange for my Circuit?
Yes, I tried a Crave and I liked it. Plenty of tiny "modules" for a good price. No, I can't just buy it, I'm not starving but I can't do any purchases.
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