Doepfer modular advice needed

[amsonx]

I'm a newcomers in real modular syntesis (i've some experience with reaktor and bidule) and in this forum (i've lurked for some time )
Rigth now i've a little budget and this is the first modules that i'll plan to buy

A-110 VCO
A-115 divider or 2nd A-110
A-109 VCF/VCA
A-140 EG
A-143-3 quadruple LFO
A-190
plus a DIY kit

i like to ear your suggestion and advice on this.

thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english

[Sound]

Hola Amsonx,
Yo te aconsejaria que le heches un vistazo aqui:
http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-112.html
Yes, you should consider the DIY option. First seems difficult but after it changes to a very enriching experience. Look at the Thomas Henry subforum, some of his designs are available at magsmoke.com, Look at the Teezer by Ian Fritz amazing VCO, Look at the Klee Sequencer, at Marc Bareille site, at fonitronik site, at Ken stone site there is a new project, the Serge VCS, a must to have module, look at elby-designs.com, bridechamber.com. and more.

But yes I agree that is a good idea start wit some commercial modules.
About your initial idea,
Oscillators I think 2 minimum , for interact within them.
Envelopes two also, you will need one minimum for the VCA and also other will be useful for the VCO or the filter or whatever.
LFO, I think its important that you have a sync input in order to sync it at your rhythm patterns, as well CV over the frequency, for dynamic tremolos and vibratos.
The A190, I didn't know, seems a good idea, although that i would go for a multi-mode filter.
VCAs you always will need. not only for modulate the VCA, also for modulate the voltage controls, the A130, also is little mixer of to channels, useful, and at big gain, distorts the signal, think that someone can see like a inconvenient, I think its useful.
About the MIDI to CV device I would recommend the new one of Kenton, the USB solo. If you work with a computer.

Also there is a module that you will need, a simple passive multiplier, perfect as a first DIY module.

Hope that it helps,
Regards.

[Per]

I agree, even on low budget, two VCO is minimum. My suggestion is that you get a A-101-2 Low pass gate. It can act both as a VCA and as a low pass filter. Another friend for low budget modular is the A-138c Polarized mixer. It can mix and invert both audio and CV, and with no signal in channel one, it can also deliver 5 volt bias. So it is a complete CV-processor. Cheap but nice is also the Doepfer ring modulator.
A noise source is also among the basic things in a synth. For cheap solutions, take the earphone output from an old radio and tune it between the stations.
Per

[ndkent]

I basically think it's good advice to look at a simple monosynth to see what an absolute minimum would be.

The other thing I think is essential when you ask a question is to explain a little about the music you want to make. Some people think it's essential to play pitched notes from a keyboard while others never use one. My monosynth advice for instance is less useful if your goal is to make abstract or distorted noise based music.

In general you obviously must have one VCO. You could choose a divider (= a deluxe sub oscillator) but you will get more flexibility from a second VCO if you have to choose.

You can start with one ADSR, but a typical monosynth will have 2 for a more complex sound.

A-143-3 will get you some LFOs, though they will just free-run. You probably eventually want to get one you can voltage control.

You will want the A-190 if you use a MIDI keyboard or want some computer to MIDI to modular control, unless you go for another kind of Midi or Computer to CV option (like an external converter or Volta/Silent Way & a typically MOTU audio interface).

A lowpass gate is great to have. Ironic that for 40 years only a few Buchla gurus thought you should get one and then just the last couple years everyone says you no longer need a VCF & VCA. The truth is one is great to have but it's not a complete replacement for a VCF and VCA. (just like certain ring modulators - but not Doepfer's can be used instead of a VCA). I think it's more a case of being usable if you are trying to make a super small system but they won't perform the exactly same way as a classic VCF and especially VCA.

Unless you have an interest or building skills and a lot of time it is a pretty deep idea to just jump into DIY.

I agree the A-138c is very useful as your system gets larger and a good value. Noise is useful to have though you don't have to have to get a module right away.

[amsonx]

Finally i've bougth my first 3 modules on the net.I'd ve got an A120 an A140 and a n A146 cause the good price ...and my low budget.

now i'm miss a VCO and VCA and today i'll startup to project a portable case


bests
diego