Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Everyone is pretty familiar
with the VCO->VCF->ADSR subtractive path, but what about other
interesting paths? I've probably got a lot less experience with
modulars than most people on this list, and there's very little written
on the subject.

Well, I think the "sound source" through LPF (subtractive path) is very useful for analog EM. I imagine 90% of my patches involve a VCO to a VCF LPF. But I agree that it would be nice to see other complex sound sources and more interesting types of filters (other than LP, BP, HP, notch -- 12dB, 24dB, etc.).

This comes up a lot on this list (in discussions of frequency shifters, the Wave Warper, the MiniWave, and DSP). That said, there is an infinite amount of work that can be done in the area of oscillator and filter modulation in a "basic" subtractive set up.

Some things you might want to try are running audio through a sample and hold -- it becomes a much harsher sound.

Try plugging in a VCO output into it's own inputs. Also try cross modulating two VCOs with one another. The trick when doing this is in the subtlety of adjustment. Also try extreme modulation of a VCF, both VCQ and cutoff.

Once you start getting into this, try adding VCAs in the modulation paths (how about VCFs in the modulation paths). Use the sync inputs of one of the VCOs. With the sync on, use an ADSR or S/H or Lag Processor to change one or the other (or both) VCOs. Try using as many EGs as you can to control the modulation sources, also for PWM. Add S/H and lag processor to control the modulations sources.

Once you get started you're only limited by your imagination!!!

and your wallet
John B.