Technically my two modular systems aren't all analog. The Buchla I bought specifically because it has a lot of digital magic in it... which is rare in the modular world. It also has some basic patch storage capabilities (obviously only knob positions, but at least that only leaves me having to take notes on patch routing, instead of all of it). The preset capabilities also allow for some very cool morphing - e.g. you can recall a patch with another patch going, and instantly have the parameters on every module, or any individual modules, change. You can also cycle through patches via voltages (pulses), so you can set up patches that either randomly, or with a time cycle, change drastically.

It's an incredible system, and despite the price, the functionality you get out of it would cost about the same with any other modular system. Each module in a 200e system typically has the functionality of 4+ modules in any other system. To give a quick example, even the very minimal 200e system I currently have, has more power than the 12U / 36 module eurorack system next to it.

The funny thing to me is how all the new kids are flocking to the Voyager after "deadmo4" showed off his elite preset using capabilities. That synth is really limited, and I doubt most of the people who are now flocking to them understand that the only reason it's around is because some old school analog purists want "that" sound. As someone who has been using and has owned most classic analog synths for 14+ years, I can tell you that most people, myself included, wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a good minimoog clone VST/AU, and a real mini anymore. I'd suggest that anyone looking at buying a voyager as their first analog synth, think long and hard about it, and consider buying something more flexible, like an Andromeda, instead. Other good alternatives as far as analog monosynths are pretty much all of the Studio Electronics synths. You could pick up a 4 voice Omega 8 for the price of a Voyager, and that's an incredible synth (and very expandable - up to 8 voices, and several filter types with drop in cards).

Last edited by hexadecimal on Sep-16-2009 at 21:40

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Originally posted by hexadecimal The funny thing to me is how all the new kids are flocking to the Voyager after "deadmo4" showed off his elite preset using capabilities. That synth is really limited, and I doubt most of the people who are now flocking to them understand that the only reason it's around is because some old school analog purists want "that" sound. As someone who has been using and has owned most classic analog synths for 14+ years, I can tell you that most people, myself included, wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a good minimoog clone VST/AU, and a real mini anymore. I'd suggest that anyone looking at buying a voyager as their first analog synth, think long and hard about it, and consider buying something more flexible, like an Andromeda, instead. Other good alternatives as far as analog monosynths are pretty much all of the Studio Electronics synths. You could pick up a 4 voice Omega 8 for the price of a Voyager, and that's an incredible synth (and very expandable - up to 8 voices, and several filter types with drop in cards).

Wow. That was the best blurb I've ever read here. It's 100% my thoughts on the more popular analog synths. I have to quote you on my hardware synth thread : http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=471441&forumid=48&s=

On another note, you met a guy I talk to a lot -- Array. He said you use the name 'Science' on other forums.

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quote:

Originally posted by alanzo On another note, you met a guy I talk to a lot -- Array. He said you use the name 'Science' on other forums.

Hell yea... he's a cool guy

Also, to clarify my thoughts on the Voyager, it is a great synth. At used prices, it's worth it, if you know exactly why you're buying it, and have previous experience with analog monosynths, which lead you to decide on a Voyager. However, the people who typically buy them these days, would be better off looking elsewhere.

There's a good reason why these are showing up constantly on the used market for $1k+ under the original prices... and it's not because the people who are buying them based on what their heros use are keeping them.

Here's a picture of my room in it's current, unfinished state. Monitors pictured are cheap M-Audio BX5a that I use for A/B comparisons. My other monitors are HR824s, which I'm selling as soon as the 4 Adam A7s and their stands show up (for mixing in quad). Also missing a lot of other gear, most of which is in storage or put away in boxes while I wait for new studio furniture and get the room treated.

By the way, I'm not to be confused with the hexadecimal who I was recently made aware of who has some stuff on beatport. I've been using this handle for around 10 years and had no idea he existed until someone pointed out that I had really bad taste in music, and I saw that someone with really bad taste in music was using the same name as me.

quote:

Originally posted by hexadecimal

<3 .. very nice instrument selection.

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Missing from the picture and currently the room:
TB-303
TR-606
TR-707
TR-909
Roland S-220
E-Mu Drumulator
Prophet VS keyboard
Quasimidi Sirius
Waldorf Pulse+

Various FX processors, controllers, etc...

quote:

Missing from the picture and currently the room: TB-303 TR-606 TR-707 TR-909 Roland S-220 E-Mu Drumulator Prophet VS keyboard Quasimidi Sirius Waldorf Pulse+ Various FX processors, controllers, etc...

That is just craziness...

alan has finally been topped hahaha

holy fuck, awesome setup.

nuff said i reckon

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What are some of your aliases I wanna hear what that shit can do!

Up until recently, all that stuff sat in storage for 3 years because I was too busy with other things to spend time with any of it, and I moved twice during that time and was unable to really set up my studio again. I just finally set everything back up again starting about 5 months ago, and haven't really recorded a whole lot in a while.

Regardless, this is a hobby for me, and always will be. I produce very experimental music, which could more or less be considered more of a soundscape than music. I'm not out for recognition or to impress anyone. I do it because I love to do it, and have always had a deep interest in synthesis.

...and please, let's not get into the whole "wutevar dood u hav al taht geer but u cnat maek no musics" thing. It's ridiculous and something I encounter almost every time people see my setup.

I'll even admit, I'm not what I'd consider a great producer. I am good at sound design, and I enjoy my own stuff, but I really don't care to share with people I don't personally know. I don't produce music that I think Tiesto or whoever the current "#1 DJ IN THE WORLDS!111OMG" is going to play to a bunch of teenagers on ecstasy, I produce what I find technically challenging, because that's what interests me.

The last few "songs" I recorded years ago which would have any appeal to people on a forum like this, now embarrass the hell out of me to listen to. Total cheese that I produced using mostly softsynths with a friend who was very new to producing at the time. Before that I mainly did glitchy ambient type stuff. Still do, mostly.

Also worth noting is that I've built up all that gear over a span of about 13 or 14 years, so it's not like I just one day decided "I WANT TO MAEK TRANCE!!!" and dumped 5 figures into it. The gear I have now is what's left after years of buying and selling things that I didn't like. What's left is the gear that really caught my interest.

Last edited by hexadecimal on Sep-19-2009 at 07:36

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Originally posted by hexadecimal

godamn