What Modular system did you go with and why?

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

The set up in this youtube vid is pretty sweet

Yes, very nice.
And that amount of modules would pack quite a punch too.

I prefer the banana systems on the whole, but I think a mixture of .Com, MOTM, Cyndustries and ModCan would be pretty awesome.

[carbon111]

I went with Serge because of its huge power/size ratio and unique modules as well as "west coast" patching philosopy.

I have a lot of info about the Serge system here: Serge Modular Index

[triez]

Just for inspiration, here are a few shots of my .Com in my workshop during building and testing to show the cabinet better. The back panel is held on with velcro, with a pair of pull tabs at the bottom of the machine to remove it, so that I can get inside instantly without tools for any calibrations that may need to be done (remember it is designed for live use).

In the last shot you can see the white-on-black labels scattered around the various modules that mark the normalized inputs, so that even someone who has never used the machine before can take full advantage of the normalized paths as they are clearly marked on each module.

[triez]

And a couple of slutty shots...

[ignatius]

Originally Posted by carbon111

I went with Serge because of its huge power/size ratio and unique modules as well as "west coast" patching philosopy.

I have a lot of info about the Serge system here: Serge Modular Index

when i went modular i went modcan/cyndustries.. no regrets however.. if at the time i would have known that you could actually buy new serge systems i might have gone serge. but i guess it's never too late to add a serge panel :)

[chrisso]

Are your ModCan/Cyndustries modules banana format?

[triez]

I am still amazed that the mid 2000's turned out to be the Golden Age of the modular synthesizer.

[ignatius]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Are your ModCan/Cyndustries modules banana format?

100%

i know.. they work together. right now though i don't have the coin for it (or space) but i can see some esoteric serge modules in my life some day.

i dig the sounds you posted a while ago of the newer panels you have. unique sounding stuff. are the wait times for serge orders long? is there an easy way to view what modules exist and how to configure a panel?

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by triez

And a couple of slutty shots...

Slutty indeed! Nice work on the cabinet.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

Jazzpunk - Installing dot com modules is very simple and doesn't involve any soldering. ( I don't solder and have no intention of learning - rather pay a guy that does and get anything done properly ) Nothing in my system was difficult to install and thats covers most of the makes out there. They all have simple 'Plug this to this' set ups.

Good luck with your Dot Com system - its a great modular.

Thanks Beer. Now that I'm finally allowing my mind (and my wallet!) to go in this direction, I don't know what the hell took me so long!

[chrisso]

I saw there's 3 x DotCom format modules on Ebay right now.

[Dave Peck]

Jazzpunk - Dotcom has a good Yahoo forum (you can access it from the main Dotcom web page). Lots of good tips & info and also a good source for buying used modules, cabinets, etc.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by chrisso

I saw there's 3 x DotCom format modules on Ebay right now.

Good lookin' out!

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

Jazzpunk - Dotcom has a good Yahoo forum (you can access it from the main Dotcom web page). Lots of good tips & info and also a good source for buying used modules, cabinets, etc.

I signed up on the forum a few days ago but the search function is pretty hit or miss.

The info and advice I have gotten on this thread has clarified alot for me. Thanks again to all!

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by DivineChemical

I just searched for them on eBay, and a four more were just added as well. Search 'synthesizers.com' to find them all.

Some interesting and expensive modules (freq shifter looks dope though!).

As far as building blocks go (Osc, EG), I don't think the seller is offering enough of a price break to warrant bypassing the one year warranty you'd get if you just spent a few extra bucks and bought the modules new.

Nice to know the Dot Com stuff holds it's value though.

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

Some interesting and expensive modules (freq shifter looks dope though!).

As far as building blocks go (Osc, EG), I don't think the seller is offering enough of a price break to warrant bypassing the one year warranty you'd get if you just spent a few extra bucks and bought the modules new.

Nice to know the Dot Com stuff holds it's value though.

Actually most of those modules currently on ebay are not genuine Dotcom modules, they are made by 3rd party boutique builders and are 'Dotcom compatable'. I don't know about the Club of the Knobs Freq Shifter, but I have a couple of the Suit & Tie Guy Wave Folders and I think they are great! Once you get the basic system together the Wave Folder makes a nice 'bonus' module that adds a lot of new capabilities.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by ambientdrone

Another dotcom owner here.

Selected the Arrick as the foundation because of form factor, input from other owners and the reputation of the company. I've added MOTM, Modcan and Blacet (repaneled to dotcom) modules...

Sweet set up and nice tunes!

In terms of modding your other modules, what do you mean by 'repaneled to dotcom'. Is this a DIY type thing or does somebody offer this service? Is it expensive?

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

This is a good reference: http://www.hotrodmotm.com/cab.htm

I really dig this little guy;

http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/elhardt_motmcase.jpg

It would be perfect for housing additional MOTM and Cyndustries modules in the MOTM format (they're out of the Sawtooth Animator in dotcom format and couldn't give me a direct answer as to whether or not they would do another run ).

Any companies make custom rack cases like this for MOTM?

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

I have a couple of the Suit & Tie Guy Wave Folders and I think they are great!

And the Blacet delay is no longer made I think.

[Beermaster]

I think a very important thing needs to be put into the equation here and one that has been missed but will make a major difference to your choice of modular maker: Delivery Times.

Just to put things in perspective here are some delivery times I have experienced for delivering complete orders:

Analogue Systems - Same week ( via A-Sys direct here in UK )
Doepfer - 1 to 2 weeks ( Via Emis here in UK )
Blacet 1 -2 weeks (direct from Blacet)
Plan B/ Cwejman, Livewire, Harvestman 2-4 weeks-Via Analogue Haven US
Dot Com - 3 months - A large system
MOTM - 3 years + - A large system
Cyndustires - 3 years + - 12 modules
Serge - 4 years - fours pannels ( my order was lost )

Just to put a few realities in perspective.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

I think a very important thing needs to be put into the equation here and one that has been missed but will make a major difference to your choice of modular maker: Delivery Times.

Wow, that is an eye opener! Definitely puts the idea of snatching up used modules in a different perspective.

[ignatius]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

I think a very important thing needs to be put into the equation here and one that has been missed but will make a major difference to your choice of modular maker: Delivery Times.

Just to put things in perspective here are some delivery times I have experienced for delivering complete orders:

Analogue Systems - Same week ( via A-Sys direct here in UK )
Doepfer - 1 to 2 weeks ( Via Emis here in UK )
Blacet 1 -2 weeks (direct from Blacet)
Plan B/ Cwejman, Livewire, Harvestman 2-4 weeks-Via Analogue Haven US
Dot Com - 3 months - A large system
MOTM - 3 years + - A large system
Cyndustires - 3 years + - 12 modules
Serge - 4 years - fours pannels ( my order was lost )

Just to put a few realities in perspective.

i've ordered modules from bruce at modcan several times and he is always up front about delivery times and so far has ALWAYS met his delivery date. usually 6-8 weeks.

i placed an order a while back w/modcan and he said it would be twice the average wait because he was working on a 100+ module (!) order for some rock stars. so, i'm fine with that because he was up front about it and now i know what to expect.

i've ordered from cyndustries a couple times and sometimes the wait wasn't so bad... 3-6 months for a few modules and once i even got my modules in 2 months but i've been waiting for about 2.5 years for 1 module and there's a couple other people who have been waiting longer for the same module. it's pretty frustrating.

i recommend joining the mailing list/yahoo group/forum or whatever for the manufacturer you are interested in so you can find out the inside scoop on who is reliable, what to expect and maybe snatch up some used modules.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

MOTM - 3 years + - A large system
Cyndustires - 3 years + - 12 modules
Serge - 4 years - fours pannels ( my order was lost )

Ha, ha. Those last three have been pretty notorious over the years.
I waited a loooong time for Cyndustries modules and a couple of Serge panels.
One mistake both made, which made the situation worse, was to estimate much faster delivery times than were obviously possible. And then to go underground when things went slower.
Never had a problem with Bruce at ModCan.
He was upfront and honest both times I ordered from him.
The first order i received much quicker than he had estimated.
The second order took longer, but he kept me informed all the way and gave me plenty of advance warning that the order had been held up.
I would still order from Serge, but used modules are always an option for me.

[Coyoteous]

- good points about delivery time. When I was getting started with the MOTM kits, I was spending an average of $5 a day for over three years (money I figured I saved by taking my lunch to work when I was working more than full time mastering on-site and doing QC at a CD/DVD plant).

I was so busy, I didn't have time to work on the kits. But the lead times were always decent - 1 to 3 months, IIRC. I would make a pretty big order, and it would usually ship a few module kits at a time. Next, I got the Wiard JS and JAG with "as advertised" delivery times.

I also bought a bunch of used Synthtech assembled MOTM and other assembled MOTM format modules. They shipped promptly and there was certainly a large "instant gratification" factor, compared to the kits.

Last came some Blacet and Synthesizers.com modules which were delivered very quickiy. I bought a house and then got laid off from the replication plant, so I haven't bought any modules for a few years - went back into music production and that's going well enough that I haven't had to sell any gear (yet).

Once I get a few more records done, I should have enough time to finally finish the remaining modules... (I hope). So yes, watch the lead times and buy used where appropriate.

[Beermaster]

Well maybe some experiences differ from others but the majority of people I've been in contact with say the same things about the last three on my list.

The feelings one goes through not knowing when you'll get your kit go from excitment to expectation to acceptance to yearning to being mystified to angry to utter disbelief to flat out disinterest and regret - three to four years is one hell of a long time to be waiting esspecially when large payments are made up front ( think of the interest on that money alone ! )

For me it would have been a more acceptable 'pill to swallow' if these guys were straight with their customers up front - if you know its going to be years then you can make other choices or put it to the back of your mind. Its the not knowing that is the killer.

The sad thing is that the gear is AMAZING ! but its so easy to lose interest and give up withe the stress of waiting in the dark.

During the time I was waiting for my gear to arrive I'd thown in the towel with my original plans for Fat Bastard and sold my Polyfusion, PPG, Buchla etc ... during that period of time I met my wife to be... got married.... moved house....set up a second studio. All this and more within the time period from ordering to recieveing the gear from the bottom three.

( Not that it was an issue ! ha ha )

Beer

[cebec]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Ha, ha. Those last three have been pretty notorious over the years.
I waited a loooong time for Cyndustries modules and a couple of Serge panels.
One mistake both made, which made the situation worse, was to estimate much faster delivery times than were obviously possible. And then to go underground when things went slower.
Never had a problem with Bruce at ModCan.
He was upfront and honest both times I ordered from him.
The first order i received much quicker than he had estimated.
The second order took longer, but he kept me informed all the way and gave me plenty of advance warning that the order had been held up.
I would still order from Serge, but used modules are always an option for me.

I've made three separate orders from Serge in the last two years and received my orders within 2 weeks of the estimated delivery date and always had excellent communication with Rex at STS. I think long or inaccurate delivery times with STS are a thing of the past. Customers are receiving their M-class M-odules (the new line) in weeks, now, not months, and Rex told me of a massive system that shipped to a customer in the Pyrenees on the precise day it was promised.

[Beermaster]

Rex is great to deal with and contact with him has always been good - I think the delay in my serge was partly my fault for not getting in contact with him for over a three year period. I have plans to add a red funstation to my my missing gaps as soon as I can raise the dough.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

Well maybe some experiences differ from others but the majority of people I've been in contact with say the same things about the last three on my list.

Beer

Really some great advice as far as time frames and communication. It definitely sounds like having a system (or two) built around differing formats will help to keep options open.

[chrisso]

Mixing different systems with different connectivity is OK, but I found the drawbacks outweighed the benefits. Connecting banana systems to ot