MOTM

Hello list people.  

I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, and
buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.

My Nord Modular left me wanting more presence, wishing to reach inside
the box and repatch the cables.  I stumbled on MOTM, listened to the
demos, saw the pictures, and new I'd found were I was going.

I have a few questions for you.  I'm putting together a live kit to
perform on and jam with friends.  I was wondering how you sequence
things.  I like 303 style stepping, and the Future-Retro Mobius looks
pretty swell for this.

Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting kit:
MOTM 900 (power supply) 
     420 (VCF)          
     380 (Quad LFO)     
     310 (micro VCO)    
     800 (envelope generator)
Future-Retro Mobius    
A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)

I already have a Mackie 1202-vlz.

I have a lot of experience with computer-based music, and rock music
(I'm a recovering professional bassist), so I know what I'm getting in
to.  Do you have any suggestions for module choice, or any other
ideas?  I'm trying to put together a powerful, fun, portable kit.

I appreciate any feedback you might have for me.

Welcome!  I got into MOTM the same way you did-- the Nord Mod wasn't quite cutting it.

First off, if you're looking for an extremely cheap (and simplistic) drum machine, you might check out the Alesis SR-16.  Can be had for cheaper than the ER-1, but all the sounds are samples, and you can't off-load sequences.  I don't know what all your requirements are in this arena.

I haven't gotten about to live sequencing, so I can't help you there.

If you're going portable, you HAVE to start off with a SKB pop-up case.  The modules all fit, depth-wise, and it's 10x more portable than your usual rack gear.  I used to have a full-depth Calzone, and the SKB was a god-send.

Given that, you have 2 rows for modules, plus 2U extra.  Paul S. sez you can mount the power-supply behind the extra 2U, and I'm pretty sure others have done this, but I haven't tried it myself yet.  Probably a very good idea, considering the size of the PS.

The micro-modules are really handy for the SKB.  If you have a fair ammount of time, you might consider holding off on the 420, and wait for the 490 (Moogly LPF).  OTOH, the 420 is more versitle (sp?).  I consider the 850 a necessity now-- two hands are no longer enough; gotta get that foot action going.  One of my favorite modules is the 420.  It will mangle your sounds but good.  I think you're right on about the 380-- I like the 320, but one's just not enough, and you want to save space.

Hope this helps!

--PBr

-----Original Message-----
From: sevrinbang [mailto:scott@...]
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 12:24 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] New List Member


Hello list people.  

I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, and
buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.

My Nord Modular left me wanting more presence, wishing to reach inside
the box and repatch the cables.  I stumbled on MOTM, listened to the
demos, saw the pictures, and new I'd found were I was going.

I have a few questions for you.  I'm putting together a live kit to
perform on and jam with friends.  I was wondering how you sequence
things.  I like 303 style stepping, and the Future-Retro Mobius looks
pretty swell for this.

Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting kit:
MOTM 900 (power supply) 
     420 (VCF)          
     380 (Quad LFO)     
     310 (micro VCO)    
     800 (envelope generator)
Future-Retro Mobius    
A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)

I already have a Mackie 1202-vlz.

Hi and welcome!

I have a Mobius and love it.  Works *Great* with MOTM: it's also a 
straight MID-to-CV converter so if you want to control the MOTM from 
a computer you're all set.

Add more oscillators! Synch and PWM are outstanding on the MOTM and 
the FM on a 300 is to die for.

Mike


--- In motm@y..., "sevrinbang" <scott@k...> wrote:
> Hello list people.  
> 
> I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, 
and
> buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.
> 
> My Nord Modular left me wanting more presence, wishing to reach 
inside
> the box and repatch the cables.  I stumbled on MOTM, listened to 
the
> demos, saw the pictures, and new I'd found were I was going.
> 
> I have a few questions for you.  I'm putting together a live kit to
> perform on and jam with friends.  I was wondering how you sequence
> things.  I like 303 style stepping, and the Future-Retro Mobius 
looks
> pretty swell for this.
> 
> Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting 
kit:
> MOTM 900 (power supply) 
>      420 (VCF)          
>      380 (Quad LFO)     
>      310 (micro VCO)    
>      800 (envelope generator)
> Future-Retro Mobius    
> A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)
> 
> I already have a Mackie 1202-vlz.
> 
> I have a lot of experience with computer-based music, and rock 
music
> (I'm a recovering professional bassist), so I know what I'm 
getting in

> to.  Do you have any suggestions for module choice, or any other
> ideas?  I'm trying to put together a powerful, fun, portable kit.
> 
> I appreciate any feedback you might have for me.

Welcome aboard!

> I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, and
> buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.

I suggest not mircowaving your oscillators.  And I recommend not buttering
your filters.  All of this has been done at the Synthesis Technology
International Headquarters based in Ft. Worth, Texas, USA (where everything
is bigger!).

> Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting kit:
> MOTM 900 (power supply)
>      420 (VCF)
>      380 (Quad LFO)
>      310 (micro VCO)
>      800 (envelope generator)

Oh no!  No VCA!  You gotta have a VCA!

And Paul's favorite set-up always has a second EG.

> Future-Retro Mobius

Nice unit.  The pics from the 2001 AHMW Gathering are of my Mobius.  I don't
think Jered went far enough with the firmware for it though.  And it can be
limiting if you don't have any other note controlling units.  Look around
first.

> A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)

The Korg ER-1 rocks!  It is good at making lots of techy, blippy, Detroity
sounds (and more).  And it is a snap to program.  If you want a wide
pallette of sounds, this might not be for you.  Otherwise, oh yeah!

Just an MOTM, Mobius and ER-1, your sound might be a bit thin.  Why not get
something like a Yamaha RM1X, a cheap MIDI controller and a MIDI-CV
converter.  This gives you tons of drum sounds.  Control of the MOTM from a
hardware based sequencer and a realtime input device.

Ultimately, most people will want a MIDI-CV converter--needed to use MOTM
from computer.  And needed for any MIDI keyboard.  Most people usually use a
keyboard of some sort to control everything too--altough most of us are NOT
keyboardists.

The 900/420/380/310/800 set-up looks nice otherwise.  As Paul B. pointed
out, don't forget a case.

And as Paul S. stresses (if you are rolling your own), get good tools.

Happy tweaking!

--Shemp

>I just got a Frostwave Fat Controller and its VERY COOL! You can program
the per >step rests and slides like a303 and with dual 420 VCF's you can
basically achieve a >super similar sound texture and squelchiness like the
303. Hope this helps, check out www.frostwave.com

A great little sequencer indeed.

JH.

In a message dated 4/24/02 12:45:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time, scott@... 
writes:


> I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, and
> buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.
> 
> 

I'm not sure if the current MOTM filters go counter clockwise.

> 
> Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting kit:
> MOTM 900 (power supply) 
>      420 (VCF)          
>      380 (Quad LFO)     
>      310 (micro VCO)    
>      800 (envelope generator)
> Future-Retro Mobius    
> A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)
> 
> 

You really should have a VCA (I think we are awaiting the new MOTM 130 dual 
VCA at the moment, the MOTM 110 VCA/RM having been retired). You also need to 
have envelope generators (like the MOTM 800). Generally it is recommended 
that one should have two EGs per voice (one for the VCF, another for the 
VCA), but I think even more are useful when you start to get a larger system. 
Additional ones will allow you to sweep the frequency on your VCF or VCO, or 
modulate the pulse width of a VCO, or modulate the VC Q (if it is available 
on the particular VCF).

After you get an initial core of say seven modules every additional module 
you get will make a large difference in the way you can use your system.

Good luck, and welcome!
JB

For the Power One PSUs, is overvoltage protection or an input filter module
ever necessary?  What exactly do these do?

Thanks!
Shemp

Hello, and welcome to the world of MOTM!

> I hunger for real analog goodness
You've come to the right place.

> the squeal of hot oscillators, and
Paul has figured out how to make a temp-stable oscillator without an oven!

> buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.
Well, since a setting of "counterclockwise" on MOTM filters is sub-audible,
nothing hums unless either a) you have a grounding problem or b) you do the
humming.  :^)

Your list of starting modules looks fine.  The 420 is a very cool filter -
very flexible, and it really screams.  One module I would add to your
initial list is a VCA.  You'll find you can NEVER get enough of these.  The
only bummer is that [I think] the 110 VCA/RingMod is sold out, and at
present the 130 Dual VCA is not yet available.  I believe that a new RingMod
module is in the works as well.  In any case, if the 110 is sold out, you
may have to go a more DIY route for a VCA.  I hate to have to suggest
something other than MOTM, but you might want to check out Oakley's VCA
module.  It's MOTM-compatible and has three VCAs in a 2U format.  You'll
have to purchase the parts and front panel yourself, but it can be a very
rewarding experience.  Check out http://www.oakleysound.com/vca.htm.

One other module I would suggest is the 850 pedal interface.  There's
nothing like being able to do filter sweeps with your foot while playing
your bass (or tweaking controls) with your hands - and the price is right.

If you're serious about portability, you may want to consider a SKB "pop-up
mixer case".  It allows for 2 rows by 10U of modules and is much shallower
than a standard case.  If you go this route, in order to get the most bang
for the space used, you may want to get the 490 Moog ladder instead of the
420, as it is only 1U in width (although it lacks HP and notch settings).  I
believe Paul is also working on a special 2U power supply solution for SKB
owners.  It'll fit sideways under the second row thereby freeing up 3U of
space the 900 would take.  Larry Hendry has designed this solution in the
meantime: http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/power.htm.

Get ready to become a slave to the MOTM addiction!  You might as well
forward your paychecks to Paul now...

Cheers,
George Kisslak

----- Original Message -----

From: sevrinbang <scott@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 3:23 PM
Subject: [motm] New List Member


> Hello list people.
>
> I hunger for real analog goodness, the squeal of hot oscillators, and
> buttery hum of a counterclockwise filter.
>
> My Nord Modular left me wanting more presence, wishing to reach inside
> the box and repatch the cables.  I stumbled on MOTM, listened to the
> demos, saw the pictures, and new I'd found were I was going.
>
> I have a few questions for you.  I'm putting together a live kit to
> perform on and jam with friends.  I was wondering how you sequence
> things.  I like 303 style stepping, and the Future-Retro Mobius looks
> pretty swell for this.
>
> Here's what I was thinking about putting together for my starting kit:
> MOTM 900 (power supply)
>      420 (VCF)
>      380 (Quad LFO)
>      310 (micro VCO)
>      800 (envelope generator)
> Future-Retro Mobius
> A cheap drum machine to get me started (Korg ER-1?)
>
> I already have a Mackie 1202-vlz.
>
> I have a lot of experience with computer-based music, and rock music
> (I'm a recovering professional bassist), so I know what I'm getting in
> to.  Do you have any suggestions for module choice, or any other
> ideas?  I'm trying to put together a powerful, fun, portable kit.
>
> I appreciate any feedback you might have for me.