[sdiy] Definition of Modular (regarding FatMan)

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Brandon Daniel" <bdu at fdiskc.com>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Definition of Modular (regarding FatMan)
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:49:43 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <54218.66.218.54.203.1124657383.squirrel at webmail.fdiskc.com>

> 
> tomg said:
> > What modular means in everyday use is that you can ( right
> > or wrong ) plug anything into anything. Serge is modular and
> > 2600 is not. Matrix's are not but they are so very very close.
> 
> I'm somewhat surprised to keep seeing people lump the 2600 with the ms20
> as a limited modular. True, yes, they are both semi-modulars with
> patchpoints AND pre-routed signals. But where the ms20 is really pretty
> limited with regards to I/O, the 2600 is pretty much on par with true
> modulars for it's I/O. I haven't found that the 2600 limits my desire for
> patchability amongst it's modules in any way. Every oscilllator has
> multiple CV inputs, individual waveform outputs, the filter has a built-in
> mixer and multiple CV inputs, the S&H has it's input jack and clock jack,
> etc etc etc. I guess the Envs don't have voltage controlled stage time,
> but neither do many "real" modular envelopes...
> 
> You CAN plug anything into anything, you just don't have to.

I did not say that the ARP 2600 was as limited as the MS-20, I have several
times felt limited by the MS-20 where as I did not have that experience with
the ARP 2600 I had in for repairs. Yeat, unless someone can correct my poor
memory, as I recall it there is a few cases where the ARP 2600 is not fully
patchable, and I am not thinking about normalization as such. The ARP 2600 is a
very flexible synth, especially compared to the MS-20. I think most people
would agree. Don't be fooled by "limited modular", it is just saying there is
some limitation, but the degree may be only minor. As always is the devil in
the details, and this is why this little discussion can end up being another
shouting match with probably no real result. Sigh!

Cheers,
Magnus