Answers in line:



Are the Doefer basic VCOs worth it



Yes. No. It depends. They track very well, are inexpensive and sound good
(to me). If you're after a specific sound, then probably only that specific
oscillator will deliver it.



Is the Darkstar module a nice alternative



The Darkstar is a module from Blacet and therefore not euro format. From
what I understand it is a noise generator and thus only an alternative to a
normal oscillator if you're Merzbow. If you were referring to the Dark
Energy, that is a complete synth voice, with filter, amp and envelopes. It
is also available as a module (A-111-5) and people have said nice things
about it.


What's the best way to mix my signals (and output them to the
board/headphones)



You can take any signal and connect it directly to the board. It's pretty
hot, so be careful. Some companies (Cwejman for instance) have modules that
give you dedicated balanced outputs. The Harvestman produces the 'Stilton
Adaptor' which allows you to incorporate guitar effects into your modular
signal path. Conversely, a module like the A-119 makes it easier to get
outside signals into your system and also derives an envelope.

Modular signals generally come in two flavours: Audio and control. Audio is
better handles by mixers with an exponential characteristic, CV by a linear
one.


What's the easiest way to bring external audio into the system



See above.


How do I know I'm not bringing in too hot a signal



The worst that can happen really is that you overdrive a filter or an amp
and people do that intentionally all the time. Things that would get you
banned in a normal studio like creating feedback are actively encouraged in
modular land. All this goes for studio level signals. If you insist in
connecting the output stage of your 5000 W amp to the modular you will fry
something, possibly yourself.



How do I lock LFO cycles etc to Midi clock, and what the hell is a CV clock
divider



You need a Midi interface like the A-190 that outputs a clock signal. If you
have a VCLFO like the A-147 you can then synchronise it to the clock. If
your LFO has a reset input you can use the clock signal to reset it. This
isn't exactly tempo synchronised but will give you rhythmic effects that fit
your chosen time signature. The VX 351 doesn't output clock, as far as I can
tell.

A clock divider gives you inverse multiples of your original clock signal,
i.e. slower beats.

And most importantly, how do I make that wonderful Buchla BOINK! Lol.



People usually use lowpass gates for this, like the A-101-2 or the Make
Noise QMMG. I had surprisingly good results feeding the outputs of an A-127
into itself. As for Plan B there are several threads covering the company
over at Muffwiggler (There! I said it! Hahahahahaha!). You might want to
check them before taking that particular road to hell.



_____

Von: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com ] Im
Auftrag von nerf@...
Gesendet: Montag, 3. Mai 2010 16:15
An: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
Betreff: 1 Re: Kinda Newbie





Thanks so much for all the advice! I like the idea of using the Moog as a
controller, but it's out on gigs a lot, and packing and unpacking it....I'm
intensely lazy. I guess the MS20 is kind of a dud, being Hz/V

I'd love to have a CV sequencer, but they all seem so expensive. Midi to CV
would allow me to sequence from my computer. What I want the A100 for is to
make loops and one shot sounds. In other words, play til I get something fun
and import it to my DAW. I am totally crazy about those Buchla type Vactrol
plucked noises. In fact, that's what pushed me over the edge into modular
synthesis! I understand the Plan b gate is pretty good at this. I also am
pretty floored by the Wogglebug. So these will be essentials I think.

Where am I right now (All Doepfer)
2 A140 ADSRs
A105 VCF
A130 Linear VCA
A131 Exp VCA
A106 MS20 filter
A143 Quad LFO
A180 multiple

These are all things I figured I'd really want pretty fast, and I got good
deals on them.

Obviously I'll need some VCOs, a noise generator, a mixer, etc. Can someone
point me straight

Are the Doefer basic VCOs worth it
Is the Darkstar module a nice alternative
What's the best way to mix my signals (and output them to the
board/headphones)
What's the easiest way to bring external audio into the system
How do I know I'm not bringing in too hot a signal
How do I lock LFO cycles etc to Midi clock, and what the hell is a CV clock
divider

And most importantly, how do I make that wonderful Buchla BOINK! Lol.

Manuals and product brochures are great, but I want to tap into the huge
amount of hands on experience that this group has! People sell used modules
all the time. Must be a good reason. I appreciate your patience and you'll
find that some of my knowledge is quite sophisticated, while certain obvious
things have totally eluded me!

Regards!
Bruce





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