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Subject: Re: The layout of a modular synthesiser

From: "Koos Fockens" <torikoos@...>
Date: 2007-08-01

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "wjhall11" <wjhall@...> wrote:
>
> All - we want to develop a page on our site to present philosophies of
> synth layout. We want to present your expert thoughts on the subject
> (and thus also benefit from them <G>). So - for instance - when you
> put your modules into your synth cases, what do you group together and
> why? Do you put your Oscillators at the top, filters below? Why?
> What have you found to be most intuitive / ergonomic? Can you point
> us to publications on the subject that have influenced you? Thank you
> all. Bill and Will
>

Great idea, hope to see it soon.

I set up my modular in a left to right fashion (basically as you read a book), in the order
you would find most hard ware synths, taking VCO, VCF, VCA as the basic idea behind it.

I've put the ADSR modules between the VCF and VCA stages, as these are the two most
common uses for an ADSR (filter and amplifier), and therefore have short patch cords.
I've put the LFO's between the VCO and VCF modules, as also here the most common use
for an LFO is either to control pitch (vibrato for instance) or Filter, again logical and short
patch leads.

This of course is a very conventional approach, and works well for a smaller design, larger
modulars may have a completely different layout, or more wacky concepts.
I'd love to read about those.

Koos