MOTM

hi folks. i am new here to this forum and am just learning about the
motm system.

i was wondering if i could get some opinions on how to start building
a modular?

ultimately i would like build from kits an instrument that has lots
of flexibility and a bit of polyphony. but with a limited budget
(maybe about a $1000) maybe the best way to start is by building
something like a filter bank to process external signal and then add
oscillators, envelope generators, etc...

does this seem like a good way to go?

what are the first must have modules?

any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks-
patch

If you aleady have audio sources (like other synths or drum machines), then
always start with filters. At least you can hear stuff change as you play
around.

Note: the full-blown kits are no longer available, you have to provide some
parts yourself (I always suggest startingwith this page):

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/parts_list.htm

What I suggest is:

MOTM-900 power supply (this IS a full kit)
MOTM-19A rails
MOTM-410 Triple Res VCF parts (pc board, front panel, BR-1 bracket and the
Extra Parts Kit)

The MOTM-410 is fully 'stand alone', it has 3 BP filters and 2 LFOs (that
can, but do not have to be, externally controlled by CV).

Once you can build these successfully, then I would get next a MOTM-490
"set" and a MOTM-420 "set". These are also filters, but sound quite
differently. These are NOT "self contained", you will need some sort of CV
to modulte them (twisting knobs gets old quickly). The cheapest and most
useful is a MOTM-390 Dual LFO.

The key to building any of these is to get a REALLY GOOD soldering iron,
that is 35 to 45 watts, with a 700F tip. I suggest this one:


http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/cf_files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103059963

Weller WLC100 which is around $50, the price will vary so shop the 'net. If
you want a REALLY good station, the best made (I have one that is 27 years
old) is the Weller WTCPT:
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103001146

which is really 43 W (why they say 60W is beyond me, it's been 43W sinch the
70s). These are around $150, but I've seen them as low as $99 in places.
This is the best soldering iron ever made, IMHO.

Paul S.

i am well aware that getting into modulars will not be a cheap
addiction. i am saying that my initial investment is going to be
around $1000 and i am asking the community what might be the best way
to get started. i am not able to drop $4000 right now but over time i
hope build my own wall of modules that i have been drooling over in
picture books for years.

as for polyphony. i would be happy to get three voices going at the
same time. i am not trying to get huge chords out of the thing.

paul thanks for the info.

as i was getting into this i got the good weller station to help take
my projects off the breadboard.

i definitely have loads of audio sources just waiting to get filtered
by something. the flexibility of being able to process audio and be
be a synth is why i find the modular system so appealing. that and
the hands on thing. i do most of my producing within the computer and
taking sound out of the computer and running it through alsorts of
things then back into the computer is something i do alot to alter the
tones i am working with.

to then become a midi controlled synth would i then get a midi-cv
converter then a vco, eg, and vca?

many thanks.

Hi,

Yes, since you are using a computer and MIDI and you want some polyphony you
are probably really going to want one of these:
https://www.synthtech.com/motm650.html

There are a few others out there by other manufactures but the MOTM-650
seems to have the best feature set. I don't have one yet but as soon as they
are available, sometime this month hopefully, credit card balances willing,
I'm going to get one!

I just started putting together my MOTM modular a little over 2 months ago.
(there are a few pictures of my progress in the photo's section of this
forum) Here one way you could start out with a suggested purchase order:

CABINET:
If you want a cabinet that is good looking, strong, portable and relatively
inexpensive for what you get buy one of these EWI cases for $115:
http://www.audiopile.net/products/Cases/RUE-10_series_rack_cases/R10UE-10_cu
tsheet.asp
I own 4 of them now (only 2 for the modular) and think they are great.
Thanks to Richard Brewster for the suggestion/example which you might find
interesting too: http://pugix.com/synth/portable-rack-cabinets/ (Or you
could make yourself some nice oak, maple, mahogany etc studio racks if you
are handy with woodworking)

Get a pair of MOTM-19A horizontal module mounting rails. $49:
http://www.synthtech.com/testcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&
products_id=181


MOTM-950 POWER SUPPLY:
Similar to the 900 but this one adds a +5 supply needed for the MIDI->CV
converter. It's a kit too! $190:
http://www.synthtech.com/testcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&
products_id=190


MOTM-650 MIDI-CV
As mentioned above. $499:
http://www.synthtech.com/testcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&
products_id=237


MOTM-440 VCF:
I love this filter! $389:
http://www.synthtech.com/testcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&
products_id=222
Listen to the samples here!
https://www.synthtech.com/motm440.html

TOTAL $1242 (not counting shipping etc)


SO! There it is, one possible start to your new modular. It gives you a way
to mount, protect and transport your synth, a way to power it, an interface
for controlling it from your computer and other MIDI devices and an awesome
filter to start shaping your existing sound sources. And with tons of
expansion space/power for additional modules and functionality. It went over
your budget a little though but it gives you a great foundation that you can
have fun with right away.


Beyond that, the sky's the limit (or rather your ceiling, walls and credit
limit! ;-). To get to the point of a standard basic fully workable modular
synth (no real set way of doing things but you know what I mean) you might
want to add the following (not necessarily in this order):
MOTM-101 Noise/S&H $309
MOTM-190 Dual VCA/RM $309
MOTM-300 Ultra-VCO $449
MOTM-390 Dual LFO $219
MOTM-800 ADSR EG $199
MOTM-800 ADSR EG $199 (yeah, it's really nice to have a
2nd one, one for the VCA and one for the VCF)
Patch cords, at least $100 worth?

TOTAL $1784 (not counting shipping etc)


GRAND TOTAL for all above is a little over $3000


To get started with DIY (Do It Yourself) building check out Oakley and Bride
Chamber and explore from there:
http://www.oakleysound.co.uk/projects.htm

http://www.bridechamber.com/bridechamber.com/Synth%20Modules.html


Best of luck!

John L Rice



-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
patchdub1972
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 12:00 AM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] Re: seeking advice for how to start a motm system

paul thanks for the info.

as i was getting into this i got the good weller station to help take
my projects off the breadboard.

i definitely have loads of audio sources just waiting to get filtered
by something. the flexibility of being able to process audio and be
be a synth is why i find the modular system so appealing. that and
the hands on thing. i do most of my producing within the computer and
taking sound out of the computer and running it through alsorts of
things then back into the computer is something i do alot to alter the
tones i am working with.

to then become a midi controlled synth would i then get a midi-cv
converter then a vco, eg, and vca?

many thanks.


------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

john- many thanks for your advice and the links. your suggestions
seem like a real good way to go. as for the case, for work i am a
finish carpenter so i am looking forward to designing a case for the
system. i hadn't been thinking too hard about midi-cv converters yet
and am curious to look more into the 650. sound like it makes sense
to get the 950 rather than the 900. the 650 has an arpeggiator? that
is way cool.

your system looks like fun enjoy it!

Ah, but the 950 can't power as many 'normal' modules and you're unlikely to use up the available +5V with the current selection of modules (1, to be 2 with the introduction of the 730 before too long).

Even so, if you're doing DIY, you'll likely wait to delve into these. You may be better off buying the distribution boards and making your own supply. Several people on the list have done it and can advise you. You can add a +5V supply later.

cheers,
eric f

My pleasure, I'm glad to help! If you are going to make your own cabinet
you may want to get some of these mounting rails:
http://www.bridechamber.com/bridechamber.com/Cab%20Mounting.html You could
always just screw your modules into the wood but I think having nice
machined metal holes will be better!

And Eric F gave you some good advice too. You should plan out the size of
your cabinet and then map out all the modules you will eventually want to
fill it with. (you will probably change your mind 100 times before it's
actually filled but we are just looking for a ball-park estimate for now
;-). Then add up all the amperage needed for all those modules and add
another 20 - 30 %. If the MOTM-950 falls safely within range then you
should be fine. When I checked to see if the MOTM-950 would be enough for my
first rack I only had 30ma left over so I felt that was cutting it too
close. I decided to go DIY then and bought the parts and figured things
out. (thanks in particular to Richard Brewster's site) My power supply has
approximately 2x the capacity of the MOTM-950 so 'hopefully' it will power
both of my cabinets.

Of course you could always just get a MOTM-900 AND a MOTM-950 and put them
in the same cabinet if it's large. (did you see Neil Bradley's recent for
sale post? He has both for sale and you may want to snap those up if you
can!) I definitely recommend mounting the power supply(s) in the back of
the cabinet so you have more room in front for modules that "do stuff"! ;-)

Have fun!

John L Rice


-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
patchdub1972
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 7:31 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] Re: seeking advice for how to start a motm system

john- many thanks for your advice and the links. your suggestions
seem like a real good way to go. as for the case, for work i am a
finish carpenter so i am looking forward to designing a case for the
system. i hadn't been thinking too hard about midi-cv converters yet
and am curious to look more into the 650. sound like it makes sense
to get the 950 rather than the 900. the 650 has an arpeggiator? that
is way cool.

your system looks like fun enjoy it!

Are you thinking of polyphony or multitimbrality?

If you want polyphony, you're putting money (and DIY time) into multiple copies of the same filter when the timbral range of your modular would be better expanded into different sonic territory.

To each his/her own, of course, though in my experience, when you layer voices that will be heard as the same instrument, many of the subtleties that modular synthesis can impart will be lost. In situations like this a P08 or Omega or (etc.) may be better suited to your purposes.

cheers,
eric f

On 2008-10-08 06:54 -0000, patchdub1972 wrote:

> as for polyphony. i would be happy to get three voices going at
> the same time. i am not trying to get huge chords out of the
> thing.

For an N-voice modular, you will need N of each module. This will
use up more real estate that any equivalent polyphonic synth not
made by Ken MacBeth. And almost certainly cost more.

Even if this is not an issue for you, every patch still has to be
duplicated N times (patch cords and settings). I suspect that this
could remove some of the fun of it.

The real-state and patching time problems could be solved with
N-fold modules. For example, one could make an N-fold VCF by
putting N VCF boards behind a single panel and using, say, N-way
DINs instead of jacks. Since pots with more than two tracks are
not very practical for a number of reasons, everything would
probably have to be voltage-controlled. To my knowledge, no-one
has ever made such a product available.

Not trying to discourage you... If you can manage it, great.

--
André Majorel <URL:http://www.teaser.fr/~amajorel/>
Do not use this account for regular correspondence.
See the URL above for contact information.

not being able to go polyphonic won't bum me out too much. if it was
easily possible then that would be have been the direction i would
start going after i build a filter bank. i will be quite content
building up a modular to do mono stuff.