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$700 cdn/Mother32/Equal value synth
Suggestions?
I've been thinking about a mother32 as a start to a small modular setup(mother32 with a lower row of assorted modules) like in this Kraft music video. 
But there may be better ways to spend this amount of money. The PM lifeforms black box interests me but is more money and lacks a sequencer (but adds an oscillator and other things).
Any ideas on similar alternatives?
This mother32 is a used but perfect condition unit.
As beautiful as the final setup could end up, $800 with a case still seems like a lot to start at for a single oscillator, but I don't know how better to spend it. This is the fence I'm on.
Comments
You really need two mothers (or 3) or other modules to get something going.
A single mother is quite boring ähm classic.
This in 10 years I can afford a sound I like thing is not for me.
And it's always monophonic if you don't have a wall of modules and you can save nothing.
Haptic of modular systems is really shit too, don't let other ppl fool you. It's not much fun to tweak knobs with all the Spaghetti wires infront of it.
You always see unpatched systems and ppl standing in front of them talking bs about haptics.
Well with the mother32 the patch bay is at the right side so wires would mostly be out of the way no?
I like the aggressive abilities of the lifeforms though. The plan would be a bit of a longer term one adding things to the mother like another oscillator module. How else can I spend $6-700cdn and get something more fun or complete? With similar sound.
I don't want keys either. I could wait for the "next" thing but what if that doesn't come.
Only if you add other mothers, if you add other modules > spaghetti everywhere...
What about the KARP Odyssey module? Much more sonic potential / features than the mother32. Not saying one is better than the other, love the mother32 sound, filter and a sequencer - but very limited in features. KARP has a very good sound and more feature rich in synthesis potential. I'd love both!
Thanks @Lurcher, I'll check the KARP out again.
Also,
Look how cute and beautiful this looks..
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/270961
Maybe I'll try for a Lifeforms. Going to have try them both to decide. The mother32 I can get my hands on, not sure where to find an sv-1.
I'm on a similar fence. Don't have an answer as I'm still sorting it out myself but I've decided that while the sequencer on the M32 is cool, it's not essential because I have other sequencers. And with iOS... sequencers in abundance!
There are other similarly priced all-in-ones (some only when used) with patching in addition to the PM Lifeforms like the 0-coast, Dreadbox Erebus, Kilpatrick Phenol.....
Interested to hear where you land and why/how.
I thought about the dreadbox too. I'm kind of liking the expandable modular path at the moment. Will probably use the iPad for effects and maybe a sequencer, but would be nice to have most in hardware modules in a neat compact case. Money is the real issue.
Did you join Muff Wiggler? It is a site specifically for modular synthesis and you will get a much more informed answer there.
Just ordered a Make Noise 0-Coast myself last night, sounds like it's in your price range and comparable to the other items you're looking at.
The 0-Coast is next on my shopping list.
the 0-coast is monophonic too, but I assure you it never gets boring. It's a fantastic instrument, however maybe not really suited for beginners. MakeNoise's gear is a bit cryptic with their artistic approach to panel design. A Moog Mother or a Karp Odyssey is better in that regard and still quite flexible to patch (including 'west coast' sounds).
About cables: you just put the cables away from the controls, use different lengths, straps, angled connectors, multiples, etc. This has never been a problem.
It's bad industrial design, you can't see the values and you can't reach things directly.
Just because it's been done like that forever doesn't mean it's great.
Compare these two and you will get it.
Being an apple user you may notice the difference.
>
Which kind of modular did you own @lala ?
Doepfer spaghetti chaos
But I gave up on analog years ago
Software rules
You can clearly see when you look at the mothers
That moog also thinks the spaghetti everywhere thing is bad interface design
It's 2016, and not 1965.
I have a Mother32 and love it, but as mentioned by itself it's a bit bland with only the single osc. (you can combine the pulse and saw, but not detune them) I'd personally go O-Coast as I think it would provide a lot more sound possibilities in a single, monophonic semi-modular. Of course, I expanded to Euro soon after the Mother so it wouldn't be lonely. The one nice thing about the Mother is it provides a lot of different patch points and utility functions that you can get by with using the Mother vs Euro stuff. (mixer, mults, LFOs, AD envelope and sequencer)
Be very careful going down this route.
As for your rack, that looks good, but you may want a VCA to control inputs into the other things and I"m not sure that with that small of a system, you want to use the hp on an OTool yet. If you have a PC with a DAW, you might be able to use a software oscilloscope to start. (trust me when I say you'll expand from that setup
and likely a lot quicker than you planned)
To each his own. I have a mostly MOTM 5u system; MOTM, Oakley and many others keep the jacks at the bottom of the panel to cut down on cable clutter. Logical module placement will also reduce the clutter. I've been living abroad for a while now and only using software and I can't wait to get back to the States and using my modular. I find it much more interesting and fun than software. If looking at a screen, menu diving and clicking/tapping stuff thrills you, great - but it leaves me cold and flat. I'm using my last few months abroad to plan which new modules to get when I return.
I fell down the modular rabbit-hole about a year ago and it is worth pointing out what modular's strengths are.
Not value for money. Once your get past the contained desktop unit of the Mother32 (or similar) and are purchasing power unit and rack, cost mounts fast.
Not ergonomics. Lala's right about cable clutter. And clever placement doesn't necessarily help: a filter that's in the middle of a signal chain on one day, will next be used as a final FX and then an oscillator.
For me, the main things are crazy flexibility and lots of fun. I repatch my modular all the time. As a result, I have a different machine to explore all the time. This probably doesn't promote deep musical skill, but it's enormously enjoyable. Many modules can function in a number of significantly different ways. I remember one eureka moment when I realised that almost all the modules in my rack "could" be used as audio oscillators. There's a reason why modular fanatics are often more interested in the number of VCAs and patch points in a system than the number of oscillators.
So be clear with yourself what your after. If you go down the modular route you will probably spend more money than you expect and you won't get a supremely "playable" instrument. But that's not the point...
How do you determine "value for the money"? It isn't simply counting the number of voices available. If an instrument inspires you, fits your workflow and gives you what you are looking for, it has significant value.
As for cable clutter - yes, there are cables all over - so what? I've never had it interfere with my playing or enjoyment. There is nothing inherently bad about them; it is more a matter of how you feel about them. I get it, lala doesn't like them, but I do. I don't feel that I am wrong or that I'm stuck in 1965 (an awesome year).
I can't decide whether it's the synths that clutter up the home, or my wife.
I've got nothing against cables.
3 mothers would sure be lovely.
I have messed so long with this stuff,
I like interfaces that don't get in my way.
I don't think there is much logic in sorting modules
Today you hear this osc and tomorrow you don't because you are modulating something
Today the seq makes notes tomorrow it's a mod source.
Not much logic in it.
Well, yes, I thought the degree of irony operating in my statements was clear. Of course, I think my modular is value for money, and I don't care in the least about cable clutter. It's my favourite instrument! But, for example, if someone were to ask "are modular synths expensive?" I would answer, "yes"
Thanks guys I'm going to read through muffwiggler and give more thought about which piece to start with that would open the right path/s to modular happiness for myself, but I do know that I want to start one of these paths. Might end up having to save a bit we'll see.
There are some very nice things outthere
but my wishes are
a) much to expensive and
b) don't fit my workflow I need total recall.
Hello audiobus snapshot
And all of a sudden there is mpe (multidimension polyphonic expression) around on iPads
Oh la la
This makes all of a sudden a lot of things look very old.
And it's not 3000 dollars this time.
Or how many of you do have the Buchla kinesthetic input
This 5d touch thing is nothing to sneeze at.
Everything is fucking expressive now without dials and faders and polyphone.
I think this is really big for the friends of the good sound.
Modular is nice to mess up some audio
The other stuff turns out to take to much time
The flexibility is heaven and hell at the time
The first 15 cables sounded good and than it went bananas
The next music stuff I buy is a new iPad and this block thing.
Oh and it's wireless
Meanwhile, there's this guy playing a tennis racket and typewriter...
The knife kalimba is crazy
A few thoughts.
(1) Do check out different manufacturers with care. Costs vary enormously. For example, Doepfer and Ladik offer real value compared to others.
(2) Consider second hand purchases. People look after their stuff and reselling is common
(3) If you are a good carpenter consider making a case
(4) If you are good at soldering/electronics, consider builid a module or two
(5) When planning, remember that you'll need a load of patch cords (it's easy to overlook that cost)
(6) Muffwiggler is always full of excitement for the latest esoteric and super-weird modules. Utilities really really matter. I wish I had been more cognisant of that when I started planning my modular.