[sdiy] Definition of Modular (regarding FatMan)

[megaohm]

>From reading definitions on the term 'modular', it would seem Paul hit
the nail on the head. A module is self contained and can be added or
subtracted to and from a larger or smaller collection of modules, and
placed in any desired physical space. If I wanted to put a small
modular system together to bring to the studio tonight I simply take
the modules I want out of my large cabinet and put them into my
portable one. If I wanted to bring ONE vco and the ADSR from the
Fatman, I couldn't do it. Though, the Fatman can be a module if you
think of it as a synth module or one voice module as opposed to a
filter module or a VCO module. Therefore, I could have a modular
Fatman if I had a few of them together. The voices would be modular,
but not the subcircuits that make up the voice. In the same way that
my 440 lopass is a filter module with a mixer subcircuit. The mixer
couldn't be considered a seperate module because the output can't be
tapped and it can't be seperated from the VCF itself.
  There's nothing wrong with a synth just because it's not fully
modular. Fully patchable is way more important and useful.

peng

On 8/21/05, Scott Gravenhorst <music.maker at gte.net> wrote:
> Heh, interesting.  Then it's really a matter of form factor.  If I were to cut a
> FatMan's PCB into pieces and rewire them into a set of movable panels, it would
> then be a modular?
> 
> Using the Paul S. definition, accordingly, ASM-1 isn't a modular unless you
> build it from the schematics as individual PCBs with individual front panels.
> Neither is the TomCat and other similar synths a modular synth, even though they
> function as such from the patchability standpoint.
> 
> So to make a FatMan truly modular, I must not only make it patchable, but I must
> cut the board up so that each circuit is on it's own piece, and create movable
> and separately mountable front panels.  I'm not going to do that because it
> would serve no purpose, I'm just interested in the etymology at this point.
> 
> Magnus Danielson <cfmd at bredband.net> wrote:
> >From: Scott Gravenhorst <music.maker at gte.net>
> >Subject: [sdiy] Definition of Modular (regarding FatMan)
> >Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 10:09:38 -0700
> >Message-ID: <200508211709.j7LH9cK06798 at linux6.lan>
> >
> >> Perhaps my usage of the word 'modular' is incorrect, so I will ask:
> >>
> >> What does 'modular' mean?
> >>
> >> I ask because at least one person said that the FatMan is not modular.
> >>
> >> I always thought that modular means "composed of modules".  The FatMan is
> >> most certainly composed of modules.
> >>
> >> IMHO, a FatMan is modular (and analogue, too), it's just not patchable out
> >> of the box.
> >
> >Traditionally, modular really meant that you had a bunch of modules which
> >shared chassi(s) and power (Moog Modulars). For some you also had various forms
> >of normalized patches (ARP 2600) and routingpaths (ARP 2500), but you could
> >still do quite alot of free patching, if not fully free. Pre-patches synths
> >(such as MiniMoog) has a much reduced freedom, but is not modular. The MiniMoog
> >originally (Model A) was really just normal Moog Modular modules stacked
> >together, but then fixed patches replaced the free patches and you ended up
> >with a more static design, for the benefit of cost and while still providing
> >what many people thought they needed most.
> >
> >There is nothing wrong with post-patched synths, they are just not modular.
> >
> >The Oberheim Xpander is a real border-case, but it is still not a true modular,
> >just a very flexible synth.
> >
> >I don't consider FatMan a modular, it doesn't have that extreme end flexibility
> >as I have gathered it. You could certainly mod up one to become effectively a
> >modular, but that is a separate case.
> >
> >Cheers,
> >Magnus
> >
> 
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>