On Sunday 12 December 2004 04:21, Richard Brewster wrote:
> Some thoughts:
>
> 1) Frequent use of normal patches could get you stuck in
> habits of using the synth and you could miss great
> discoveries that lie before you. Aways try to find new
> and interesting patches. It's almost too easy to make
> great sound using standard tricks of the trade with
> 'normal' patches, whether prewired or just plain patched.
> To me a modular is about exploration and discovery and I
> like to keep pushing at the frontier. Is normalizing a
> MIDI output to a VCO 1V/OCT input a handy shortcut, or is
> it a slippery slope to conformity? I guess you know my
> feelings about it. But then I don't use a keyboard, so I
> don't need that shortcut.
I totally agree, there's a danger. I use my MOTM rig for two
kinds of things. One of them is making freak sounds,
totally free, nutty stuff. That's why I got a modular in
the first place. The second use as a mono synth. I've never
heard such a great sounding synth before, so I use it more
and more in my songs. I'm trying to make work more simple
when building that monosynth patch for the Nth time. But if
normalizing takes away from my freedom/creativity, the
default routes go out.
>
> 2) If you put normal internal connections between
> modules, I think it's important to implement this via
> connectors on the backs of the modules. That way you can
> still easily move modules around in the cabinets. And
> you can change your mind more easily about where you want
> the normal connections to go. I have not done this sort
> of normal connecting, but it's the only way I would
> consider doing it.
I came up with the same idea. I'm thinking of using short
pieces of wire with female connectors, soldered to each
module that has a normalled input/output, and use longer
pieces with male connectors on both ends to actually
connect them. This allows me to move the modules around
with minimal cable clutter in the cabinet.
Not sure though if two connectors, or a long piece of cable
to start with, affect the quality of the link. If quality
is an issue I'll simply forget about the whole idea.
> 3) Normalling can be applied creatively within a single
> panel design. Several of the Blacet products feature a
> panel unit with a main functional module plus internal
> supporting modules such as an LFO, envelope follower or
> generator. These control sources are normalled into VC
> inputs to the main module that can be overridden by an
> external patch. Sometimes these control sources are
> available as outputs, too. The other end of the design
> spectrum is the Synthesizers.com approach where every
> physical module is limited to its own special function,
> so not much can be internally normalled. MOTM seems to
> lie somewhere in the middle: take the MOTM-380 as an
> example of a clever normal connection scheme with
> overriding (it has a built-in LFO mixer). When I design
> modules and panels, I look for opportunities to separate
> out sub-modules and make them available independently by
> panel jacks and normal connections between them or by the
> addition of panel switches for routing, as on my
> Mixer-Comparator. I want both convenience and
> flexibility, of course. Engineering is name we give to
> the mode in which we try to answer this dilemma.
I understand. I wonder how a combination of a '800 and a
'190 with normalled connections would sell. Of course it
would need a LED to make it a success, heh. ;) I think I
would like it, since I have two pairs of those sitting
together. If all the jacks and pots are still available,
why not?
>
> My conclusion is that normal connections are fine,
> providing they are easily overridden, don't compromise
> physical modularity, and don't lead to habits that
> ultimately limit the power of the synth.
Very true. I guess I'll only find out about the habit
forming by doing it.
Robert