In my excitement for the Korg Modular I was looking over people talking about it and there was a guy flabbergasted by the excitement over the Volca Mod when Tangle Waves already offers the discount modular experience but with expandability.
Here are my ignorant thoughts on it:
Volca Modular offers a pretty decent and mobile modular experience at a guaranteed low price, BUT apparently the voltage of its patches isn’t comparable with other modules of the same style(more akin to the raspberry pi). However, I WOULD be able to finally relate to my friends that have already jumped on board the Volca love and might stop being an elitist.
Tangible Waves- I have no idea about this stuff, but there would be room to grow despite at a pretty increased price from the Volca
Behringer Modular- I don’t know what they’re going to release nor when. Steeper entry price. More relatable to more standard modular stuff.
O-Coast: already pretty well established that it’s cool. I just felt like throwing this in there.
Ultimately, this topic is just about the Tangilble Waves stuff and get a more experienced perspective on it. I’ve never experienced modular and I don’t want to just spend an extrobitant amount for something I might not jive with.
I don’t intend for this thread to be an opportunity to Behringer Bash- everybody already knows about them.
It’s totally on topic, as it pertains to the purchasing decision between all listed.
I’ve read someone comment that, according to the manual that the voltage of the Volca Mod is not relative Bastle Kastle and the like.
I’m not experienced enough to investigate this, but apparently the manual for the Volca Mod is online already and more pertinent information, if not outright saying this in that.
Main selling point for modulars to me is the expandability. So, 0-coast integrates to everything eurorack if that itch needs to be scratched in the future.
0-coast is a solid chunk of machine, and it’s beautiful. It’s a lot of fun on its own, standalone, but it works so well with the Korg SQ-1 and Arturia Keystep that they’re kinda no-brainers, “down the road” … i could never part with the 0-coast. it seems (sound-wise, build-wise), several tiers above the Volca ‘experience’
Both the 0-Coast and Werkstatt are very handy in that they can be used as-is or as part of a larger modular environment thanks to the large number of broken out sections.
I wish I could help you with this but sadly no experiency with Tangible. I usually decide with my ears and from your list 0coast is the only instrument thats convinced me with its sound out ofthe box. However, with little bit of work I’m sure you can make decent sound with all of these. From the budget perspective, Volca is interesting option as it offers now almost full ecosystem of synthesis while not costing your kidney and not turning your bedroom into synth-cave.
An OCoast is what 400-450 used? I personally don’t like the sound of it, but if you’re good with it I think for 200-250 more the 0Coast with all that if offers over the Korg is worth it.
If possibly, try it out before you buy. It sounds awesome (for me) but it still is one trick pony. You really have to dig this one trick, othervise you will end up with 500EUR paperweight that has cool golden strips on it.
THANK YOU! I’m not much a fan of the sounds I’ve heard from it either. But it’s plenty capable so in my hands it might sound more akin to what I would like? Also, maybe all it needs is some A4 reverb?
NP!!! Totally possible. I need to gel with somethings raw sound mainly cause I can’t be bothered to try it out on x and or y FX. its like makeup: you want to know what you’re going to start the day with. The OC didn’t do that. BUT i have heard sound good when others use it, so there ya go.
That was certainly my experience (though I already had an Erebus v2) - I now also have a couple of other rackable semi-modular synths/voices, and the creep into further utility modules is real.
What I miss is the reason to go modular at all. Let me explain a little …
If it’s about having the one or other esotheric or particular patch, which usually is not possible with a standard synth, then going semi-modular or modular makes much sense.
If it’s about having some West-Coast flavour in your sound palette, then again semi-modular and modular are one way to go … or to buy at least a Buchla Music Easle
If it’s not West-Coast at all, we have many options of semi-modular synths from Arturia, Analogue Solutions, Behringer, Dreadbox and some others.
If it’s West-Coast I would recommend to check out the Pittsburg Modular Microvolt 3900 too, because particularly it’s wavefolder section is very interesting and versatile and very West-Coast-ish.
Generally I would keep the door open to the Eurorack-world and only buy gear, which is compliant to its CV/Gate standards.
There is also some semi-modular gear for Eurorack, which often is a particular synth voice, which can be used as is and can be extended step by step by other modules later.
If you are on low budget and not shy to start a DIY project on electronics, check out this and you would end up with Serge modules in Eurorack, which is very West-Coast indeed
I can really recommend the 0 coast. Incredible synth for the size and price.
Compared to the more classic subtractive semimodular synths like mother32, sv1, erebus etc, I think it‘s the one which invites you most to think different, out of the box - modular so to say. It has really clever patching options, you can explore for years. It‘s a very well designed package. Its components are also very useful for further modular/semimodular expansion.
and… it sounds really great and unique.
I didn‘t have a look at the sequencing options of the volca, but i can‘t imagine that it can come close to the 0 coast regarding sound quality and patching options. Not sure, have to take a closer look. The big pro for the volca would be the low price
Edit: the pittsburgh microvolt looks really cool and possibly even a better cross between east and west coast style than the 0 coast, considering the filter. And judging from demos, it sounds awesome
If you want to step into the world of Volca, and want to immediately integrate it with your current gear at an incredible price…
Why not try a Volca fm. I’m still astounded to this day at the sounds this little syth can produce. It’s following is almost cult like and there are some really cool third party mods. Like adding a midi out port without the need to solder. Or the retrofits cable which adds full velocity sensitivity.
I love the little guy. I will never get rid of it.
In fact fuck this I’m buying another to use on the go.
