I have the same opinion. The 0 coast for example is so well balanced and versatile laid out, it’s very hard to get that balance right yourself
1 Like
Whilst I have the attention of some people with a lot more knowledge of modular than I do. Do you think I could get a buchla sound out of Erica synth modules or should I be looking just at something like make noise for that style?
Have you seen TipTops planned Buchla re-release?
But what for you makes the “Buchla sound”? The specific timbres (additive and wavefolding is particular to this, not filtering in the traditional sense) or the wild modulation (random and snappy)?
When I think Buchla I think Make Noise or Verbos, not Erica.
1 Like
Just saw those, do you know if they’re entirely eurorack standard and don’t need banana cables?
It’s the desire for that “thonk”, timbral sound to add to a setup. I’ve got a db-01 so I know i trust erica and would like to explore that avenue a but more but I worry I could end up with something very similar to my db-01. Only having a single oscillator synth, the idea of having a slightly more complex oscillator source is quite enticing.
Still in a period of uncertainty regarding, do I expand and try get something for cleaner arps or do I stick to that aggressive techno sound and double down
They are straight eurorack.
I would guess you’re referring to complex timbres (wavefolding, FM etc) through VCAs (or LPGs) with super snappy envelopes. Make Noise is famous for its snappy, thonky, twacky envelopes (Maths).
No reason not to take it slow. Ever considered an 0-Coast? Maybe figure it out while waiting for the TipTop Buchla.
2 Likes
Thanks! Really appreciate all that. Yeah the 0-coast does really stick out to me as a good idea, but I really like the sounds and possibilities of dual filters or dual oscillators. Don’t know if worrying over having to many one oscillator synths is a ridiculous worry that might be affecting my judgement though
I still love my 0-coast. I have a 12u case, and a 62hp palette for smaller focused explorations, but I still find myself sat on the couch with just the 0-coast sometimes…
On the topic, I find the palette case is brilliant for ‘starting fresh and small’ - I take half a dozen modules from the main case either to learn them better, or for specific types of sound, and work with just those for a bit. Works really well! Sometimes I think the 12u case is just an expensive storage unit!!
2 Likes
If you are happy with two separate synths, one offering your techno needs and the other your East-coast needs, then add an O-Coast to your setup.
But if you want to entangle everything, that’s where the beauty of modular is. The 0-Coast will offer some of this, but the db-01 offers almost none. There are a lot of “techno eurorack case” YTs out there. With a bit of research, you could use them as a base from which to customize it with the East coast particulars you’re looking for.
But, as always, take modular suuuuper slow if you don’t know what you want.
1 Like
I’ve got a sampler that I’m using as my sequencer also so I’m happy on the drum front, but as both you and @subduct mention, modular exploration is fun and I think that’s what I’m looking for. More recently I’m finding more time to carve out to focus on sound exploration.
Palette case looks perfect but the price tag is a little scary, the cr8 audio nifty case looks to be a more wallet friendly alternative I think?
Module wise, I think i’d just need to source the correct sound source, filter, lfo and vca to get me going I believe?
1 Like
Yep that sounds good, depends on the aim of course!
While focussing in this fashion is a useful technique, I don’t think it is “starting fresh and small”. I see a lot of beginners confusing the two, some coming to grief as a result. I have a cupboard full of spices and a pantry full of staples, but only a few of each go into a particular dish. That’s quite different from having only three spices, two onions, and a box of dried pasta.
1 Like
I definitely agree this theory does shoot myself in the foot. For me, I prefer smaller setups, it’s the kind of thing I’m looking to gig with that I can carry around in a back pack or 2 as well as use for exploration and learning at home. Not to say this so right of course
If you’re interested in the buchla sound, I think a great source of inspiration is the Easel, which is made of a sequencer, a random S&H, two function generators, two VCOs (one with a waveshaper), two low pass gates and a reverb.
So maybe something like this?
1 Like
Maybe spend a bit of time researching it on ModWiggler. There are reports of noisy and/or inadequate power, and people are less than thrilled with the bundled modules. The Tiptop Mantis looks to be a better starter case.
1 Like
Thanks for this, I would have run right into that trap, maybe the tiptop mantis or the palette are better than trying to cheap my way around it
1 Like
Yeah that’s common first misstep: going cheap on power and case. Don’t do that.
2 Likes
Typical Buchla sound would be possible by using waveshapers and wavefolders. Make Noise DPO and 0-Coast definitly provides this .
You may also use “complex oscillators”, which are based on ideas of the Buchla 259 from other developers, or just modules providing a waveshaper and/or wavefolder, like a TipTop Audio “Fold Processor”.
Combine a sine or triangle wave with one of those wavefolders and you are there, almost.
If you want a Buchla 259 typical sound, which includes waveshaping, wavefolding, FM, and AM modulation as well, there are:
- Instruo: Cs-L
- Verbose Electronics: Complex Oscillator
- Frap-Tools: Brenso
- Make Noise: DPO
But one thing should be considered additionally - instead of using a VCA in many standard synths, Buchla like systems use LPGs (low pass gates), which are a combination of a LP-Filter and a VCA. They provide a typical sound shaping and can even be “pinged” to generate sound of their own.
I’m really glad I went with the 4U palette for my first rack for a couple of reasons - power is good, build quality is good, but the big win is you get the 1U row space that you can pack some seriously useful small-case utilities in, and the case itself has the 2x4 (or 1x8) buffered mults and ports for midi and two quarter inch jack sockets built in already. My case has the stereo line out, the 1U midi distributor, a Duatt (pair of attenuvertors) and the tiny 1U Zeroscope (which is an oscilloscope but also has a tuner which is soooo useful). So you spend some money for sure but you’ve not used any of your 3U space to get all that basic functionality.