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Looks nice this bro :)

Hi guys, received the Befaco - Out v3 and still leaks as I predicted. I've tried in other places in my apartment and the same. Also when I use the Black Dual EG/LFO, the VCA never closes completely after a CV opening and closing of the VCA, when I pull the volume up of the VCA when it is supposed to be closed by the EG, I get almost a full signal out of the VCA... Don't know if the EG is not working properly either. Will send video to Erica Synths to see if it's working properly or not.

Cheers,
Pricto

EDITED Sep 10th 2020, 03:17

Hi,

I've been mapping out my design for my first case.

So I'd imagine the first comments are going to be saying that I will need something bigger, and in the long run, I'd agree, this is not going to be my last case. But I really don't mind getting another when the time comes.
For now I just want something I can sit in the sofa with.
I've gone with a pallet case for a couple of reasons.
-I travel a lot, so having a case that I can always go back to when I want to be more mobile will always be handy to have.
-I like the 1u format, and the 7u 84hp is universally out if stock. 7u 104hp is more than I want to commit to right now

What I think I've got.
-Bass/perc (BIA), lead (RINGS) and effects modules/voice with clouds.
-Combined vca/mixer (4 channel for what should be a 2 to 3 voice setup.)
-Gate and CV modulation/sequencing. (I also have a Deluge that I can use with it)
-Two filters, with the C4rbn also being self occilating with wave folding for more options.
-A two out utility for envelopes,LFOs. With Peaks. It can do a lot more but I'd mainly be using it as an Envelope.
-Pams for clocking, and all the envelope, gate and everything else it can do.

So, I know it's smaller than most of you would want.

But the real question is, am I missing anything that will make this setup non functioning?

EDITED Sep 9th 2020, 07:40

Hi Garfield,

Yeah they are more expensive in Europe due to VAT for cases but love how flexible they are and can use without issues. I like the larger Dark Modular travel cases as well. I am also liking the Submodular travel cases with 208HP free.
https://submodularsystems.com/shop/shadow

If I ever decide to do a modular live gig in the future, I would definitely go with an Intellijel 7u case to use for 1u tiles and conserve space in a small fly rig. But with COVID, that is a long ways away.

Once my new case and gear arrive, once I have it setup and sorted will have to create new jams. I did order more utility modules so will see what else I need. Thinking a matrix quad mixer, ring modulator, master clock module like Pamela and sequential switch. Will wait for the Black Friday sales for those. With my new Varigate 4+ on the way and current outboard sequencers, probably won't buy any expensive ones this year. Though a small one that can ratchet sequences would be cool.

For complex oscillator, if I had the rack space and cash, my bet would be for either the Verbos Complex Oscillator or the
Endorphin.es Furthrrrr Generator those are both superb!

But getting back to utilities and so forth, the larger all in one VCA modules like Intellijel Quad VCA and Befaco Hex VCA are great ways to not run out. I have these in my systems and use them a lot. Also for mults, a buffered 4 channel mult is the way to go. I did not think that I would use these a lot but after you are done a boring patch from a VCO to a VCF to VCA you realize more to life is good than just boring drones. I learned why VCAs are great when I started using my Batumi LFO to modulate things. Being able to use 4 VCAs with the Batumi and my two oscillators was super awesome.

Indeed and you will need way more rack space than you think. I filled my first 6u case that had one row of 84HP Doepfer A100 Basic modules and one empty row of 84HP. Fortunately, Doepfer A100 Basic system gave me an understanding of what I need besides the one VCO, one LFO and one filter. Most of the first row is the boring but essential modules like clock divider, slew/function, sample & hold/noise and a mult module.

One suggestion would be to play around with VCV Rack watch some of the many tutorials on patching that first and then perhaps buy a prebuilt system that has free expansion space. Doepfer makes solid kits that teach the basics and still sound darn good. I created some good kick bass drums and acid bass lines with one VCO and one filter using the boring but key utility modules.
Then I added to it with more utility like a quad VCA, buffered 4 channel mult since the passive one that came with the system does not have the benefit of a buffered mult like maintain CV when patching and then more envelopes and a small sequencer. So out of the free 84HP, the only fancy modules added were a cool Richter Anti-Oscillator and Richter Borg filter that give me dual oscillators and dual filters and modes in two modules.

Now with my second Doepfer 6U case on the way and a few more modules mostly utility ones too by the way like Kinks and Links, I am looking forward to building my skills. I then realize larger modules will require a very large travel case like 9u-12u that can house 400HP for me to make buying large modules worthwhile. Which is fine because I am learning modular and don't need giant sized do all modules but rather basic functions that can mix and create cool stuff.

Nice noisemakers in there...too bad there's not really a way to get them to really cut loose.

As noted above, start with a MUCH larger cab than you know you want. In other words, get stoopid! You may, in fact, find that the case wasn't as small as you'd thought! Starting larger also lets you lay out ideas such as module subsystems...you can discover groups of modules that work very synergistically that way, and once you've found something that works as a "system core" along those lines, THEN you'll know what case size to shoot for.

Also...and this is IMPORTANT...don't fill your build out with "sexy modules" while doing this exploration. Utility modules might not look all that jazzy, but they're 100% KEY to making a modular do what you'd expect out of it. F'rinstance, let's put in something utterly ridiculously expensive...a Cwejman RES-4 quad resonant filter. Wow! $800 of filter! Can I input just a little bit of LFO on one band's CV? Welllllll...do you have the cheapo external attenuator for that? Coz the Cwejman's not got ANY input attenuators.

That's one example. I could think of enough, though, that I would risk a brain aneurysm. If you leave those elements out, you ain't got crap...except for a very spendy box with some twiddly electronic noisemakers.

Since you also have VCV Rack, I'd suggest doing a little MG exploration with it. How? Simple...put up two windows. Work on your MG build in one...but in the other, put up VCV and "play along" as you build by building up...as close as you can...what you're assembling in the MG window. No, there's not a 1:1 equivalency there, but you'll have a really good handle on how, what, and where utilities work in the context of a patch, and this can help a lot when finally working out how much of a hole you want to burn in the Magic Plastic.

Jim's spot-on regarding the utilities. It's obvious that this was built according to "sexy module" standards...and you've figured out why we hammer so much on that! "One-patch wonders" are very much the sort of thing that Sexy Module Syndrome leads to!

OK...for starters, there's only two VCAs in here. And this thing needs LOADS of modulation to make it kick...but without adequate VCAs, you're not going to get those amazing, changing-while-played sounds. Here's how to paint yourself into that corner...see if this sounds familiar...

So, you've got two channels of audio being controlled by your Pitt VCAs. But on one channel, you want this pitch vibrato to also come up slowly as each note is played. Good luck with that!...coz it ain't happening in THIS rig. You'd need another VCA to get that level change + modulation increase. THIS is why we all repeat "You can't have enough VCAs"...because they're simple tools that SEEM boring, but which allow some astonishing things to be patched.

Step 1: OK, those Moogs need to go. Yeah, they're convenient there. They're also more expensive when you take them out of their powered cab and put them in yet another powered cab. And they're currently preventing you from adding the things this build needs.

Step 2: check Jim's "shopping list" above. In fact, spend a veritable BUTTLOAD of time researching those things. They're NOT "optional", as some new synthesists seem to think.

Step 3: how about some more FILTERS? You've got a Wasp and a Ripples...but nothing that really screws with audio hard. Note that I'm NOT counting the Roland Aira module here, as it's less of a module that fits IN a patch and much more akin to an effects device that goes at the END of the patch. Look into something that allows utterly weird routings, that has double filtering, maybe even a resonance path insert. All of those exist...and much more...and allow loads more timbral variety.

Step 4: you might consider a complex oscillator. The only sources here (and I'm not including the Moogs here...seriously, they don't belong in here!) are a Plaits and a Dreadbox Hysteria. Plaits is good, the Dreadbox VCO has quantizing...but nothing here can do really complex internal crossmodulation. And without more VCOs with which to do that, trying to sacrifice either VCO for that purpose won't sound all that good. Even if you just doubled the Plaits and Hysteria, that would be a huge improvement.

This build might look pretty full...but the truth is that it's got some way to go and some mistakes to correct. Not unsalvageable, tho...

I also heard that a ring modulator would benefit my setup. Klavis Logica XT for a logic utility, and Mystic Circuits tree sequential switch would help as well. On the fence with Eloquencer for a sequencer- one guy I met had 4 of them in his setup and while they look cool they still have lot of menu diving like the Hermod. Perhaps WMD Metron, Circadian Rhythms may work? I also thought get a clock power module like Pamela and Expert Sleepers Disting EX when out.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yes Metropolis is nice, if you don't know this one yet, then check this out:

First two minutes are kind of funny history lessons, after that it's getting interesting.

Hikari Instruments might be difficult to get, I was lucky to be in Japan last year summer for holiday and managed to get a few of Hikari's modules. I got the Triple AD as well, very nice module too (recommendable) and the Atten/Mixer, 7 channels mixer in 8 HP, nice and good but Triple AD & Quad Switch are my favourites.

Let me know how you like the Eloquencer, if you are getting one, I am not so sure about that one. Hermod, I heard is also good indeed but too much menu diving for me. I like to keep it easy and simple without wanting to remember how to use which button for what and how to do what in which part of the menu... but of course up to everybody, that's just my opinion.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yes I saw that MDLR case when you provided that link in one of your previous posts. That's indeed pretty impressive, the price too :-) I am not so sure, I need first a lot of space here at home which I don't have any more. I cleared up already some space for a new rack but that rack is going to be full soon as well I am afraid... I need to win the lottery to get a proper big house with tons of walls to put all full with Euroracks (and then the modules of course) ;-)

But yes, MDLR cases looks nice, just their price (here in Europe at least since we have to add on 21% tax (i.e. VAT) onto it...) should be about half of what they are asking now, their power modules can't keep up with the Doepfer ones, so that's yet another concern.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Thanks a lot for your feedback on the Batumi. It's good to hear that's easy in use, I like that :-) Good hint about that Poti, I saw that already but it's good to remind me on that one. If I decide to buy the Batumi then indeed with the Poti.

Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks Garfield, it was pretty crazy wild.

I love the Batumi so powerful, easy to use and works wonderful either as 4 independent LFOs or in unison mode and many other tricks up its sleeves. If you get one, do get the add on Poti module that gives you access to the switch to use the other waveforms without having to adjust the jumper settings on the back of the module. Wish I had done that when I bought it and before I installed in my first setup. I like how simple it is to use and fun for live performance. Yeah I had a cool formant vowel thing going on with it last night that kept saying wow to me.

Another alternative to Maths are Befaco Rampage and possibly Intellijel Quadrax or Quadra with the expander.
Then there is Frap Tools Falistri which has its own take. I just ordered the Quadra and expander since I already have a mini-maths in my 0-coast and wanted to try something different. I am finding utilities like mixers and buffered mults super useful as I start to build more complex patches.

Thanks Garfield,
Yeah Metropolis looks super cool. I also like the Winter Eloquencer- 8 CV gates out and tons of cool programming features. The Hermod and WMD Metron look awesome as well. Thanks for the tip on the Hikari quad switch will keep that in mind. I need a good matrix mixer and sequential switch in my setup as well as a solid master clock generator like Pamela New Workout. I have a Varigate 4+ arriving this week that should handle sequencer in box for now along with my external sequencer devices until end of year or next.

Thanks Garfield, yeah the Erica Synths Octasource is cool. I also like the Black Graphic VCO waveshaper to create own custom wave shapes. I did order a new IME Kermit MK3 module that has four channels and can function as an LFO, wave VCO, EG or more. Sort of a serious powerhouse module for the new case. I also ordered the new IME Bionic Lester MK3 which is powerful dual filter. Saving for a larger 4 row MDLR 12 case with 376HP of space or the 14U/126HPx4 Performer case to let me get larger modules and add a potent sequencer. I like the Frap Tools and 4ms modules but they are HUGE and require a lot of case space.
That case would give me 4x more space after I fill up my second Doepfer 6U case.

https://www.mdlrcase.com/eurorack-case-14u-126hp-performer-series-pro/

This is the travel modular case to get and folds nicely for shows.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yeah, LFOs are nice and crazy at the same time. Okay, it might be a bit early for you to get it since it's a complex thing but you can put it on your wish list (if you like to consider it, that is) and when you ready for it then get it :-)

I am talking here about, I am calling it myself, a psychopath of a module. This module has some serious issues ;-) But in a fun way! It's the Erica Synths - Black Octasource, it's a total nutcase LFO with 8 outputs (phase shifted). Even your most dull modules can be lighten up with this LFO. It can do some serious crazy but funny and nice things. I have to warn you though, this beast is difficult to tame and you need to get to understand it first before it becomes useful. So don't give up after a few attempts, this needs a bit more patience approach and "understanding" the craziness of this beast. But once you start to understand and appreciate it, this beast becomes a beauty! My top LFO by far.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Looks like you had a very enjoyable night :-) Nice experimenting and you came up with some interesting sounds too!

The Xaoc Devices - Batumi, what's your opinion on that one? I consider this module. Are you happy with it? Logically to use?

He, he, and you got some noises that are quite close to voices, nice, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Saqguy71,

Another secret word: Metropolis.

Fun sequencer (that can do ratcheting) that's still on my wish list but I am not daring to order it because yes, lots of fun with it I think however expensive and for the moment I want to have a multiple track sequencer.

If you look for a VCS (Voltage Controlled Switch) then consider a Hikari Instruments - Quad Switch or one of those from Doepfer, for example the A-150-8.

I wish you a lot of planning & design fun and kind regards, Garfield.

OK that's a bit more like it

@toinouvltn the Maths does a crap-ton of things you don't think you'll need but you'll be patching one day and I think "I wonder if I could do this" and Maths will be sitting right there ready for you. To top it off, I prefer its envelopes to the Zadar a good bit, very responsive to wiggling, which is one of the joys of modular, and with a nice expressive range. I'd say this second case looks pretty good!
-- troux

Maths is an excellent module I would probably buy it before any of the others if I had the choice - read through the illustrated manual - the others are modules, Maths is a patch programmable analog computer

let's see what we can take out to get a bit of space for more important modules

do you really need 2 stereo inputs?

how are you mixing? audio submixes/cv/final audio - I see a STmix and a triple vca - and the middle section of maths - not a huge amount - maybe enough; may not! try patching in your head! or on paper - count outputs - count inputs - have you got enough ways to combine different things?

do you need a buffered mult? only really needed for v/oct - which you don't really need - use stackcables or headphone splitters

the mute module? how are you planning on using it? do you need 4 channels? better to use on gates than on audio

and the offset module from NE - I would rather have a matrix mixer - AI Synthesis or Rebel Technology - you can always do offsets with maths

EDITED Sep 8th 2020, 18:42

@toinouvltn the Maths does a crap-ton of things you don't think you'll need but you'll be patching one day and I think "I wonder if I could do this" and Maths will be sitting right there ready for you. To top it off, I prefer its envelopes to the Zadar a good bit, very responsive to wiggling, which is one of the joys of modular, and with a nice expressive range. I'd say this second case looks pretty good!

Please don't post your add between the database of modules. There is a specified marketplace to sell your gear. Thanks!

epic mind expansion kit 👽

Thanks all for the quick replies.

Indeed, there is a lack of VCA and utilities and I feel a bit tight in this case for the futur (wasn't expected to dive so fast into modular), so Mantis would be a great option. I will look for a used rack.
For Maths, I didn't think it was a priority due to the Batumi/Zadar/Samara trio. Will it make a huge difference to combine all of these ?
Here is the way I think it could be great to go (still think a multimode filter could be a good addition but don't know if the Happy Nerding 3 VCA will be enough or if I preferably go to something like the Intellijel Quad VCA) :

Thanks Garfield,

Yeah they are super crazy modules and very unique take on the Richter Wiard 3000 designs. Each module is really like several different modules in one. The Anti-Oscillator has a crazy LFO mode and wave shaper feature and two different VCO cores one is the flute mellow triangle the other is the zany mayhem one. Feed that into the Malekko Dual Borg filter and infinite sound exploration is possible. It gets wild with Batumi man that is one crazy LFO. So many modes to Batumi it is a very deep LFO module in and of itself. I think that I really am loving wave shapers and crazy LFO modules. I did order more utilities and a small sequencer so will so how that works.

Fun night playing with modular stuff

Ah there is the rub! Muxslicer! Need to check that one out when the Black Fridays sale arrives in few months. I ordered a lot of gear because the savings were superb. I must have saved $500 this weekend on new gear :-)

Plus I love wave tables and the IME Kermit and Bionic Lester are hard to find in stock. Now I just need more utilities, sequencer and another case.

The secret word for tonight is Muxlicer.

I would fill the empty space with a quad vca (intellijel or MI) and a disting mk4.

I took advantage of holiday sales to buy fun new gear.

Here is what I have planned thus far:

I did get a few utilities like Links and Kinks along with the hex VCA and Intellijel Quadra with expander. Thoughts?

I plan to wait until the next sale around Black Friday to add to this second rack- perhaps a ratcheting fun sequencer? Add in a sequential switch, maybe another attenuator tools, clock like Pamela's New Workout and not sure if matrix mixer needed?

In any case, this new setup will be tons of fun to use with my first rack!

Glad to help out. Lots of great masters here are helpful and when I got into it, wanted all the cool flashy toys as well. But the boring modules will come in useful. I ended up using my buffered mults quite a bit as I get into patching to route signals across my setup. I still need a few for my second case mostly attenuators/attenuvertes, sequential switch, matrix mixer. Fortunately, those essential utility modules are way less than the big voice modules.

Hey Sacguy71 - thanks for the feedback! I plan on getting a 2x84hp case, but didn't want to just post a half-empty rack here. I appreciate the advice, though. Also, thanks for the utilities suggestion. Real easy to get caught up with all the weird, fun, noise-making/noise-shaping stuff! I'll go get that book and invest some time into finding the right utility modules.

Hi there,

I am new as well to modular. I highly recommend the book Patch & Tweak. I bought this bible of modular recently and been reading it as I learn to patch my new system. Glad you are using vcvrack that is a great free learning tool. One thing that I highly recommend from your post, buy a bigger case than you think you will need. I started with a Doepfer A100 Basic system that had the core modules from Doepfer plus 84HP free. I already filled that free row of 84 HP and ordered a new case. Also, from looking at your rack setup, I don't see any VCAs or utility modules except for the one single VCA. I recommend a larger case at least 168HP in size 2-3 rows minimum so you can fit those in. You would benefit from a buffered multiple module, mixer that can blend CV and audio voltages, and an attenuator of some type plus a switch module. These are small cheap but essential modules and don't get the flashy coverage but will open up many new patch opportunities. For a case, some good low cost options are the Tip Top Audio Mantis case that gives a lot of space I believe 2xrows of 104HP each or the Doepfer 9u powered case.

I've been reading endlessly, watching YouTube reviews and tutorials for 12 hrs a day, playing on VCV Rack, but I still feel kind of lost. Haven't even bought a case yet, but would like to stop imagining building a rack and start actually building one. Music-wise: I want to make everything from weird soundscapes to lo-fi hip-hop. I have a Digitakt for drums and sampling purposes. Any - negative, positive, neutral, whatever - feedback would be really great. THANKS.

Yup the Mantis case is good value. I plan to get one after I fill up my next Doepfer case :-)
More VCAs and a sequential switch would help as well.

Buy a mantis

it's about the same price as the rackbrute - but doesn't have the power module and is 104hp

that way everything you have here + maths + a matrix mixer + kinks + a quad cascading vca will fit in case number 1

That said, I somehow missed that there's no VCAs here, so you'll need to fit those in as well.

Lots of interesting modules here @toinouvltn. My personal suggestion would be to get a powered case, remove the RackBrute and the Quad Buffer, and add a Maths. It'll open up a lot of the other modules here, and its enveloping and LFOs will be a nice contrast to the Zadar and the Batumi (and I'll edit to add that that's not even mentioning all its other functions, attenuator and mixer especially coming to mind).

EDITED Sep 7th 2020, 17:54

Hello all,

Here is my first 6U system build in a rackbrute and I would like to have feedback about it and how can I finish it.
I am currently trying to make industrial techno and I also own a Jomox Alpha Base as a drum machine.
I was thinking to add a bionic lester MKIII.

not a lot of utilities in the rack - these are usually the key to patching differently imo

specifically for improving modulation - which is probably where you are struggling

mutable kinks, matrix mixer (get a 4x4 if possible), another modulation source, some passive mults/attenuators, a sequential switch, some basic mixers would all open up patching more for you

it's also very easy to plug the same output of sequencer into the same module - swap these around
also try tuning oscillators to different notes/octaves (within same scale)

use clouds as an oscillator instead of an effect - put something in the buffer!

EDITED Sep 7th 2020, 14:59

Hi everyone.
I'm new since a couple of months to modular world. I've bought all modules used or did some DIY kits. I have great fun playing on my modular with a Roland TR8S for beats and I can improvise easily 1 hour with both.

The thing is that I'm kind of stuck on the same patch since the start and when I try to change it I don’t have enough creativity on my patches! How would you patch this up?

Thanks a lot guys!

I've been using the device always in the same room and area, I'll try other spots of my apartment and outside to discard the possibility of a specific RF creeping somehow in the device and keeping the VCA's slightly open. Still waiting for the Befaco - Out v3 module, will inform of what happens.

Thank you very much for the advice!

Cheers,
Pricto

Cheers dude :)

All points are relevant besides it is next to impossible in this day and age to make a viable living just as a musician of any form and type. Most pro level musicians either end up teaching to pay bills or work day jobs as engineers, lawyers, doctors, plumbers or whatnot. I know super talented musicians both on guitar and also with synthesizers who are not connected to land huge paying gigs or residencies at big clubs that pay well and have to work day jobs. That is the reality that nobody wants to admit or talk about. Look at Youtube for example. Only a handful make any money off it. Yeah we have a few celebrities like DivKid and Andrew Huang and Loopop who make bank on modular for a living.

I have music training but I am just a hobbyist and use it to create weird sounds that may lead to a soundtrack to accompany my novel/screenplay that I am working on. I cannot afford to pay bands like Metallica or Infected Mushroom to use their music in the movie screenplay so I learn to do it myself. It is a fun journey but not cheap.

Thanks for the quick reply Lugia! I have a Babyface RME audio interface and Keith McMillen K-mix that also have audio interface so will check into this for Ableton. Need to get a copy of the Ableton CV tools.

Regarding VCV Rack, is there a way to use that with modular via a MIDI CV interface? I will have to do some digging to see how that works. Love VCV Rack it helped me get into modular after the 0-coast.
-- sacguy71

There should be, if you're running Ableton. VCV has a VST module, and I would think it should be doable to route signals to and from it to Ableton's CV Tools and a suitable interface for direct modular control. Might need some sort of M4L widget, but it doesn't seem impossible. And older MOTU interfaces are cheap; I use a MOTU 828FW mkii for this, which cost me a whopping $120.

Heya, been accruing 1U utilities for my Intellijel 7U. Think I have most of the basics out of the way to start considering the more fun stuff, but I honestly haven't thought a ton about that yet, I'd like to just be flexible enough to tackle different sounds as I swap things in and out and just -experiment- eventually.

Wish I could get my hands on a MIDI to CV 1U but it seems hard to get right now. I'm still on the fence about the Multi FX 1U so consider that optional

Anyhow,

Top left are things at my disposal, bottom left are on order, bottom right are current desires. My two favourite things are futzing with sequencers, and filters. I very much so wish to build around the Morphagene, or possibly put a heavier focus on granular synth stuff in the future.

Besides that kinda thing I'm fairly diectionless on a particular sound (besides maybe avoiding very traditional hard synth layout) and am waiting for a local sale soon to pick up other less specific utilities and see what I can get. Thoughts on where to head in the future? On top of this I have the 0-coast and the KSP to fill in other gaps.

Thanks!

Thanks Lugia,

Indeed, I have watched the TD live shows online and they use impressive array of hardware, modular, live instruments and computer soft VSTs with division of labor. I agree- we can achieve a lot with less gear now. I will probably invest in a new computer this year to use for music production and use Ableton Live with modular and my synths. Now that I figured out how to integrate modular via the cursed Doepfer A190-4 USB/MIDI to CV module in my setup with the hardware synths and Ableton, I can do it moving forward.

Regarding VCV Rack, is there a way to use that with modular via a MIDI CV interface? I will have to do some digging to see how that works. Love VCV Rack it helped me get into modular after the 0-coast.

If you look back at the "classic" TD period between "Atem" and "Encore", it's worth noticing the division of labor going on. Check to see this in action. Froese would mainly stick to leads, while Franke and Baumann are working out the complex backdrop with sequencers and polys. Franke's rig was primarily Moog, while Baumann used a composite of Moog and PPG modules. Also, they almost certainly have a central clocking system for all of their synths, given that this was definitely in use by the time of "Encore" as it appears in that album's credits.

In the present day, this is actually a lot EASIER than one might think...but you gotta know your tech! Fact is, you can cobble up just as complex a sequencer system in VCV or with VSTs in a DAW, and by using some method of sending CV/gate/triggers to your synths, you can have this for far less than a pile of Moog 960s. Or make it happen in VCV, if your machine's up to the task.

Some VCAs do leak. But most decent-quality modern ones (like what Erica uses) don't...at least, not without a reason. Another thing worth checking is whether there's an accidental low-level offset voltage getting into the control side, as this will definitely cause audio leakage from the VCAs not being able to fully close down. It doesn't take MUCH...just a tiny fraction of a volt.

Another possibility could be voltage from an outside source. Case in point: many years back, I was working with our local community radio station in several capacities. One of these was maintenance. One evening after close-down, I and another engineer were trying to figure out why the station's Harrison AIR7 would suddenly switch channels off or on without warning. It was definitely a primo radio console in its day (hell, I've used Harrison desks as far back as my first year of undergrad), so the behavior was downright weird. But it's also worth noting that, when it was installed, they also put in the remote-start lines...but then never connected them to the turntables, cart decks, etc. So they were just hanging there...cables to nowhere, only a few feet long.

At the same time, we also had an FM station dead-smack in the center of town, pumping out 10 kW. I knew already that it had an annoying tendency to creep into audio lines both at our station and at other broadcast facilities in the area. So, how could that be an issue here?

Well, it so happened that, after a bit of antenna length calculation on my part, the disconnected remote-start lines...which, of course, also connected to each channel's ON/OFF logic...were cut so that they were all around a quarter-wave's length at 92.5 MHz, which was the other station's operating frequency. After I cut all of those (as they weren't in use anyway), the "ghost" of the AIR7 was successfully exorcised.

So what the hell was going on? Simple. There was enough induced voltage on each wire that it would send voltage back to the board's ON/OFF logic for each strip. And when there was a particularly loud signal on the one station, it would "hi-state" the strip's logic...which in this case, was being interpreted as an OFF signal.

So you might check around for sources of RF in addition to the typical synth bugaboos. After all, it doesn't take very much voltage to open a VCA a tiny bit...even less than I had to chase down in the story above.

EDITED Sep 7th 2020, 02:03