What are your Euro-rack preferences?

trotz · Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 84 Location: mallorca

Hi,

I'm looking forward building a medium-sized modular using the Euro-rack format. My budget is about 6000 euros.

I know about the super nice euro-rack modular planner and have experience on modular synthesis but I have no clue about the sound and real-user reviews of the stuff made by Doepfer, Plan B, Bananalogue, Harvestman, Livewire, Analogue Solutions, Analogue Systems, Cwejman, Metasonics, MFB, etc...

What is your personal recomendation on a particular brand to start with? I heard some bad reviews about the "sound" of Doepfer at the European Modular Event, but so far Cwejman and Analogue Systems look like sensible options.

Also, What would be the best option for a nice box besides Doepfer's A100PMS?

Thanks a lot for your input.

Cat-A-Tonic · Joined: Mar 24, 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Yokohama, Japan

Going for a mix of Frac and Euro really expands your options in 1/8" world, but it may be best to keep your envelopes and VCAs in one or the other if you don't want to bother too much with extra attenuation and amplification.
Other than that minor difference in voltage standards the 2 are quite compatible.
The different manufacturers almost all have something good to offer.
The also have different strengths and weaknesses.
Post an example of what you are considering in a system by taking a screen shot of ModularPlanner.
People are usually happy to offer advice, but need somewhere to start.

trotz · Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 84 Location: mallorca

Thanks!

I was looking more for opinions about what are considered to be the best options from each euro-rack company. For example, opinions about the best oscillator from xxx, favourite filter from yyy, etc...

At this moment I'm considering an Analogue Systems 8500 system, given the good ratio sterling pound vs. euro, being quite favorable at the moment. Also Cwejman looks like a sensible option, even though it looks a bit more expensive. If I was ever to have a second modular it would be definitively one of those Moog System 55 look-alikes made by COTK.

I will do as you say, preparing an "Analogue Systems only" modular with the planner and then posting it for your kind comments and appreciations.

Regards,

Pere

astroschnautzer · Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 31 Location: FINLAND

Doepfer has many modules that sound good and their cv modules are really good and cheap + they have the largest selection af modules. So atleast for cv duties I would not hesitate to use doepfer. If you are searching for a more vintage sound you should probably check out analogue systems and the american manufacturers livewire and plan etc, don`t buy cwejman if are in search of the vintage fatness. I would recommend plan b model 15 oscillators if you are not afraid of a little pitch drift, and the model 13 lpg or the qmmg.... hope this helps...

Jyoti · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:12 am Post subject:

I'm quite tempted by one of these babies:

Posted Image

http://www.tiptopaudio.com/

Cool

astroschnautzer · Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 31 Location: FINLAND

Jyoti · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:08 am Post subject:

Heh... I like that look! Very Happy

trotz · Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 84 Location: mallorca

hogberto · Joined: Mar 20, 2006 Posts: 53 Location: scotland

MyPasswordIs123456 · Joined: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 25 Location: account is locked

I wouldn't suggest the best oscillator from xxx, favourite filter from yyy, because it's a personal choice. Listen to raw oscillator sample to make your choice. Run these samples into your favorite filter and judge for yourself. Don't forget envelopes and amplifier they have an impact on the sound, I would buy these from the same company because they could mismatch.

doctorvague · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

Another vote for TipTop's Z3000 oscillators. I have 2 and I really really like them. The FM sounds great and the Sync and HSM inputs are very cool too. The readout is a bonus. Just for the record I have not heard an AFG though.

As suggested earlier watch out for mismatched envelopes and VCA's. I think Cwejman envelopes are great. The ones I have are in a S1Mk2 although I route them all over my modular and they seem to work pretty well with other gear and seem quite musical to me. They are quick too, when you want quick. Personally I don't like the Doepfer 143-2 quad ADSR although I know some others who do. The timing of it just isn't musical IMO and having 3 ranges is sometimes cool (to switch on the fly) but most of the time it's just a PITA. A lot of the time I end up mixing 2 channels with different settings in an outboard mixer to get what I want out of it. The ranges are too narrow on their own and too limiting. Generally for envelopes I'd rather have time-base CV modulation rather than end-of-stage trigger outs- if I had to choose between features.

I like the Doepfer 155 sequencer for what it does, especially if you add the 154 controller. I've got one with a 154 and one without and patch them together to do different interactive stuff. The controller adds a lot of functionality.

I don't have one but the demos of the Makenoise QMMG sound really good to me - real "woody" like you want from an LPG. And a lot of people swear by the Livewire LPG [EDIT - oops - I meant Plan B] - it's really popular. Every modular should have an LPG or 4 IMO (personal bias) Smile

EDIT: forgot to mention the awesome Asys RS-240 Freq shifter. I just got one in a swap recently. Expensive but kicks ass.

Cheers
Phil

astroschnautzer · Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 31 Location: FINLAND

doctorvague · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:41 am Post subject:

Yeah, I meant Plan B LPG's - sorry.

This is from the Cwejman S1Mk2 manual about the EG's. I assume the module is a similar circuit. I'm sure they are longer than 2-3 seconds or people would be complaining about it loudly!

ATTACK TIME 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds
DECAY TIME 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds
SUSTAIN LEVEL 0 to 5 Volts
RELEASE TIME 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds
DELAY TIME 1 millisecond to 10 seconds
CV, ATTACK 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds @ 0 to 5 Volts CV
CV, DECAY 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds @ 0 to 5 Volts CV
CV, SUSTAIN 0 to 5 Volts @ 0 to 5 Volts CV
CV, RELEASE 0.5 milliseconds to 20 seconds @ 0 to 5 Volts CV
CV, DELAY 1 milliseconds to 10 seconds @ 0 to 5 Volts CV
CV, LEVEL Amplitude modulation, 5 Volts signal peak @ 5Volts CV
OUTPUTS Positive going, 0 to + 5 Volts
Negative going, 0 to - 5 Volts

astroschnautzer · Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 31 Location: FINLAND

Yes you are right! Found this about cwejman env module on analogue haven: http://www.analoguehaven.com/cwejman/adsrvc2/ . My Imagination has done me tricks again : Very Happy

jonkull · Joined: Sep 22, 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Burbank, CA

I think it depends on what you want to do with your modular. I personally love Livewire and Plan B modules. I own all the Livewire modules except the Dual Cyclotron and I'll be picking one of those up when the next batch comes out. The AFGs are great VCOs. So are the Plan B Model 15s. All of Plan Bs modules are interesting. They're kind of like a poor man's Buchla. My next rack will probably be 100% Plan B. Harvestman makes some crazy modules. I have the Polivoks filter but a Zorlon Cannon and Tyme Sefari are on my list. The MakeNoise Moddemod and QMMG are both interesting. The Cwejman stuff looks good but is out of my price range. I sold all my Doepfer stuff. It was a good entry point to the modular world but didn't thrill me. The only Doepfer modules I kept (or will buy in the future) are the A-134-2 Cross Fader, A-160 Clock Divider, A-196 PLL, A-156 Quantizer and A-143-1 Complex Envelope Generator. I found Doepfer's audio mixers and VCAs to be noisy and muddy sounding. Particularly the 138b and 131. I have heard good things about the 132-3 VCA.

This is all my opinion of course.

a100user · Joined: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 158 Location: UK

I started my modular build around Doepfer modules as they were cheaper than their competitors and the range, at that time, was quite good.

These modules are still the core of my system but I have expanded the system as my knowledge and needs dictated using mostly other companies modules; Plan B, Bananalogue, Analogue Systems etc.

I would suggest that you think about what you want the system for. Is it primarily sequencing, weird and wonderful noises, processing or a mixture of all of the above?

Build a core system that meets the main requirement and grow as your needs expand.

The wonderful thing about modular is that your only limiting factor is rack space and power. The rest is just choice.

On the subject of space and power, this can be the most expensive part of the system. When you know what your core system is going to be buy a rack twice the size. I promise you will fill it quicker than you expect.

Damn addictive this modular business, especially with more choice and manufacturers than ever.

David