So what do you think?
Any sugestions of what to do or what not to do are welcome
Thanks
A few things here are very missing...first of all, there's nothing that can function as an LFO-type modulation source. Given that the space in this rig is fairly tight, I'd suggest looking into something smaller than the typical 'hits', such as Maths, etc. Instead, look at something such as an Intellijel Quadra. At 12 hp, you get four AD envelopes that can be switched into a 'cycle' mode that allows them to function as definable-waveshape LFOs, so you knock out two things in one shot...a few more EGs, plus your LFO needs.
You have a noise source...that's good. But you have no S&H...that's bad. Sample and hold would allow you to sample the random sources from the A-118 and create random CV patterns when clocking it from the....ohhhh, yeahhh...that's absent, too. So not only can't you clock a sample and hold, the Voltage Block has no clock, which kind of makes it useless. Go and have a look at the matching Malekko Varigate 4+; you're going to need that to do timing duties for everything that needs a clock on here, in addition to the other bits of magic it can do for the Voltage Block itself.
Buffered multiple: lose it. This rig is too small to require it; two VCO destinations won't cause nearly enough CV sag to throw them out of tune/track. Given the size of this build, I'd suggest going with inline passive mult devices or stackable 3.5mm cables such as Tiptop's to split outputs to multiple destinations.
Filters...you went with the 'sexy' options here, and in this case, that's a mistake. While the Three Sisters and the Rings are excellent in of themselves, relying on only those for filtering is rather akin to having too much of the same thing. One of these needs to go so you can replace it with a not-as-sexy-but-necessary resonant-type VCF of some sort. Lots of possibilities there, ranging from basic to really nutzoid, such as Intellijel's new Morgasmatron or the Rossum Morpheus. But even boring-looking things contain surprises, like Doepfer's A-106-6, which is a version of the Oberheim Xpander filter setup...put a small mixer after that to combine different response outputs, and you've got something weird going on!
You also need an output stage; the Doepfer A-138s will still be at synth-level at its outputs, and it's necessary to get that down to normal line-level. Plenty of options exist, some of which also have headphone monitoring, balanced 1/4" outs, stereo ganged master level controls, and so forth.
Last thing I'd kick out would be the MIDI interface. It's...okay...but if you want USB interfacing, there's more capable options. Plus, that Doepfer interface isn't host-capable, so if you wanted to hook a USB controller directly to it, you'd be out of luck as nothing would happen. Instead, have a look at Expert Sleepers' FH-1...host-capable, fully-programmable, expandable (up to 64 outputs!), and has lots of tricks hidden in its firmware. Doepfer's great for a lot of things, but I've never been jazzed about their MIDI devices. On the other hand, Expert Sleepers are kind of control I/O specialists...this is very much their lane.
This is a decent start, but it needs some refinement. Best advice there is to avoid piling the cab up with 'cool sh*t'; instead, think more about 'boring' things that actually jack up the capabilities of the 'cool' modules. Those are the devices that really do a lot of the heavy lifting in a modular build.
Hi Lugia,
Thank you very much, very helpful, really appreciate the many tips you gave!
I looked into all your suggestions.
Maybe I fogot to menition that I allready have a Mother32 and a NYX and a Deepmind. I was trying to expand the mother and the NYX with the multiple and a-118, and one led to the other. I bought the mixer, the pll and the three sisters. But I found out that I really need an extra vco to have more voices, and then you need a envelope and a vca. So basicly a stand alone modular synth. The midi to connect a keyboard (deepmind12)
So, my only question is: when I buy the voltage block and the midi, then I can clock it, and add the steps with midi keyboard, no? And it seems that the voltage block has more steps, more outputs, random, so more options. Or am I missing something?
Thanks!
That will only work if the Deepmind 12 can send a clock over MIDI when its sequencer is running. If it has that capability, then yes. However, that's sort of a 'hit or miss' function...some synths do, some don't. However, the Mother32 does have the capability to send a gate pulse from that output point when its sequencer is running, so you can lock the Voltage Block up with that and sync it wit the Moog's sequencer.
As for interfacing the Deepmind with this, though...again, the Expert Sleepers FH-1 will allow the DM12 to directly connect to the modular via USB, since the FH-1 operates as a USB Host, unlike the Doepfer interface which has to connect TO a host, such as a computer, etc. Now, while I can't find a direct reference in Behringer's lit to what gets sent/received via the USB, I'm going to guess that that signal is a lot more comprehensive than the MIDI ports, and likely does include clocking signals so that it can lock up with a computer-hosted sequencer. If this is the case about its USB signal, then not only can you lock the modular to the DM12's clock, you could theoretically clock your entire system via the DM12's clock, and that includes sending sync/start-stop from it to the Mother32's sequencer as well. But you'll need to check on that one spec aspect to make sure.
Did some research and it looks like it would work.
https://media.music-group.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0AC5/DEEPMIND%2012_M_EN.pdf
page 113
But you suggest it is better to have midi over USB? You might be right.
It's faster, for one thing; trying to jam too much down MIDI can lead to logjams. Plus, as I noted, not everything goes over MIDI, but all of the synth's functions should be on the USB bus. The FH-1 also allows a lot of user-configuration, which will let you change the module's function for different purposes; you might want its internal sequencing on one track, clocked out of the DM12...or at another time, you might want to convert the DM12's signals into something with a lot of extra modulation and the FH-1's internal processor can enable that by adding the modulation per output. Or if you don't feel like using the DM12 with the modular but still need a controller for it, you can get an Arturia Keystep and that'll connect directly to the USB host port as well, without a need to route that thru the computer. Lots of options there...
