NiftyKEYZ

[t-sun]

I play around with this now and then to plot out possible systems: https://www.modulargrid.net/

[Arpangel]

I used to look at big modular systems, and think, all that, just to produce one monophonic melody line.
There are shed loads of semi modular, non-modular preferably, synths out there, that are capable of many things, this Nifty Keyz is like taking a very limited number of elements with unlimited capabilities and putting a straight jacket on them.
I thought it was a good idea, but on reflection it looks like it is, but in reality, it’s not the best on any world, it’s a compromised modular system, and it’s not a good performance keyboard, who wants to spend ages patching, when all you want is a melody, and who wants to patch live?
It’s one of those products that I thought I must have, but then thought, no, it would be a definite white elephant for me.

[The Elf]

It's clearly not designed to satisfy the 'wall of modules' type, but it's perfect for those of us who just want a custom synth we can easily transport and play. I think the designers have got it about right.

[Drew Stephenson]

It's almost like all of us have different requirements...

[zenguitar]

It's clearly not designed to satisfy the 'wall of modules' type, but it's perfect for those of us who just want a custom synth we can easily transport and play. I think the designers have got it about right.

Actually, I feel it is an ideal partner for a 'wall of modules'. With up to four CV/gate zones you are able to pull a large collection of modules together. And with CV outputs for velocity, channel aftertouch, mod wheel, expression pedal, and clock; thats a great deal of hands on control to tame a large system.

And it still makes an ideal custom synth as well.

Andy

[Ben Asaro]

Hehe, I was just looking at the NiftyKEYZ.

I have a weird mental block when using a keyboard with the modular, probably induced by my lack of keyboard playing ability, that makes me feel that I'm wasting modules by using them with my remedial playing!

But the NK looks super badass and I'm glad to see some field reports reinforcing that.

[The Elf]

It's clearly not designed to satisfy the 'wall of modules' type, but it's perfect for those of us who just want a custom synth we can easily transport and play. I think the designers have got it about right.

Actually, I feel it is an ideal partner for a 'wall of modules'. With up to four CV/gate zones you are able to pull a large collection of modules together...

Fair point. I'm not a 'genuine' modular freak myself, so don't fully recognise the possibilities of the NK's generous CV allocation. But yes, I can see that being a big pull here.

[zenguitar]

And a few minutes with some Allen keys and the HP holes are neatly lined up and everything fits nicely now.

Andy

[Eddy Deegan]

And a few minutes with some Allen keys and the HP holes are neatly lined up and everything fits nicely now.

Andy

Hurrah!

[Arpangel]

I am in agreement with the approach suggested by Eddie: being already familiar with Subtractive Architecture, you could start building like this.

However, here is an alternative that I used for my own DIY Analogue Modular: since I was already acquainted with Subtractive and the East Coast School of Synthesis, I chose to go the West Coast route this time.

Thus, my rig also has a Wavefolder for sound sculpting. One of the next modules would have been a Ring Modulator. Actually, my rig still doesn't even have a VCF module.

You could do a bit of both: i.e. alternate from an East Coast module to build a voice, and then add a West Coast one, and so on.

A Module like Maths comes more from the Serge Modular approach, where a single module can be configured into a multitude of functions at different times.

On the other hand, it appears to me that the traditional approach to Modular, especially East Coast, involves the ability to view all modules in front of you to re-patch as you see fit. This does away with the multi-function module in favour of having several modules all laid out for fast patching.

There may be some exceptions here and there, but that's the main thing in modular: the modularity, the modulations and the patching.

Having several multi-function modules veers away from that, but can be a useful consideration if you want to have, say, a portable little rig that you can bring with you on the couch or when you travel.

It’s totally and utterly pointless, trying to talk about how to use a modular, the best way, is your way, whatever that may involve.
The hard bit, is trying to break out of established conventions, and see things in new ways, that other people haven’t done, to do that, you need to investigate other things, that have nothing at all to do with modular.
I had a total revelation recently, about "microcosmic" sound, on an atomic level. It’s really inspired me, and I can’t wait to see how it works out.
Also, there is a process of "distillation" within modular, and it’s not based on any theories, or conventions, it involves going with the modules that work for you, that do what you want with the least fuss, it's not important that you have no filters, or VCA's, it doesn’t matter, they aren’t written in stone.
Modular is the closest instrument there is, to the nature of a human being.

[YashN]

Modular isn't restricted in any way, but helping someone who is just starting with it to get into it in a sane way is not pointless.

You totally misunderstood our points here.

[Arpangel]

Hehe, I was just looking at the NiftyKEYZ.

I have a weird mental block when using a keyboard with the modular, probably induced by my lack of keyboard playing ability, that makes me feel that I'm wasting modules by using them with my remedial playing!

But the NK looks super badass and I'm glad to see some field reports reinforcing that.

You’re not wasting modules with your remedial playing, they are wasted anyway, in my view, using a keyboard.
A wall of modules, with all that potential, brought down to a "note on, note off"
I have a few keyboards in my studio that are designed to be keyboard instruments, and they’d be the first ones switched on if I wanted to "play"
To me, a modular is a giant abstract sound designer, a source of incredibly exciting sounds I’ve never heard before, or that anyone else will have heard, and you can control and trigger them in many novel ways, and a keyboard isn’t one of them for me.
It’s like I’ve seen people use Maths as an oscillator, triggering it from a keyboard, come on man, there are a zillion easier ways to skin that particular cat.

[Ben Asaro]

You’re not wasting modules with your remedial playing, they are wasted anyway, in my view, using a keyboard.

That's kinda the way I feel about it, as well -- but there's something to be said for mixing a traditional keyboard with the sound sculpting abilities of modular, which are formidable.

If I had the space, and the ability, I would probably have something like this in my arsenal because it gives you a TON of versatility: you can play it like a traditional subtractive synth, or ignore the keyboard and patch it more West coast style. It would be a doodle to take to gigs, and you could load up a semi modular for your default, something like a Mother-32 or Deckard'c Voice ...

Crap, I think I just sold myself on getting one of these!

[zenguitar]

Did someone mention Deckard's Voice?

Just plumbed in with Rachael and some friends.

Andy

[The Elf]

Nice!

[Martin Walker]

These wonderfully thought-provoking new synths are being released faster than I can decide whether to buy them or not

First the NiftyKEYZ, and now the Soma Terra.

Where will it all end?

(answers on a postcard please )

Martin

[Arpangel]

Modular isn't restricted in any way, but helping someone who is just starting with it to get into it in a sane way is not pointless.

You totally misunderstood our points here.

Sane? Modular? in the same breath? please.
I believe you can’t help anyone get into modular, apart from telling them how to plug in modules, and what a VCA does.
Everything beyond that is like taking the red pill, and I’m not in any way misunderstanding anything here.
Everything has restrictions, modular is no exception, "unlimited" by its very nature, imposes limitations, too many options, too many sounds, operational absurdities, that no sane person would put up with, that’s why I have a wall of modular.

[Folderol]

Modular isn't restricted in any way, but helping someone who is just starting with it to get into it in a sane way is not pointless.

You totally misunderstood our points here.

Sane? Modular? in the same breath? please.
I believe you can’t help anyone get into modular, apart from telling them how to plug in modules, and what a VCA does.
Everything beyond that is like taking the red pill, and I’m not in any way misunderstanding anything here.
Everything has restrictions, modular is no exception, "unlimited" by its very nature, imposes limitations, too many options, too many sounds, operational absurdities, that no sane person would put up with, that’s why I have a wall of modular.

Indeed I've seen it! However it's not unlimited - it's restricted by the size of your cellar wall

[Arpangel]

Modular isn't restricted in any way, but helping someone who is just starting with it to get into it in a sane way is not pointless.

You totally misunderstood our points here.

Sane? Modular? in the same breath? please.
I believe you can’t help anyone get into modular, apart from telling them how to plug in modules, and what a VCA does.
Everything beyond that is like taking the red pill, and I’m not in any way misunderstanding anything here.
Everything has restrictions, modular is no exception, "unlimited" by its very nature, imposes limitations, too many options, too many sounds, operational absurdities, that no sane person would put up with, that’s why I have a wall of modular.

Indeed I've seen it! However it's not unlimited - it's restricted by the size of your cellar wall

Yes, it’s grown another cabinet, I’ve had to expand sideways, for two reasons, I can’t reach it, and it’s hitting the rafters, this is bad, really bad.
We have a very gifted young pianist staying with us at the moment, which is interesting, in a couple of ways, I’m having to give her the use of our piano to practice on, for hours every day, also, she wandered into the basement and saw the modular, and was very interested in it, even worse than that, my partner like she does, says "oh, he’ll show you how it works, won’t you?"
No "he" won’t, I’m not being held responsible for ruining the career of a future concert pianist, I can see the interview now, "I was well on the way to a promising career, and then I stayed at this mad house, full of these strange boxes full of flashing lights, and I was never the same again"

[Martin Walker]

These wonderfully thought-provoking new synths are being released faster than I can decide whether to buy them or not

First the NiftyKEYZ, and now the Soma Terra.

Where will it all end?

(answers on a postcard please )

Well my next postcard has already arrived - here's the SOS Superbooth coverage of the Silhouette Eins Optical Synthesizer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTFwYBmcGoE

That's now gone onto my want list too

Martin

[Arpangel]

These wonderfully thought-provoking new synths are being released faster than I can decide whether to buy them or not

First the NiftyKEYZ, and now the Soma Terra.

Where will it all end?

(answers on a postcard please )

Well my next postcard has already arrived - here's the SOS Superbooth coverage of the Silhouette Eins Optical Synthesizer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTFwYBmcGoE

That's now gone onto my want list too

Martin

I’m second in the queue Martin, it’s even got my name on it!

[Eddy Deegan]

Well my next postcard has already arrived - here's the SOS Superbooth coverage of the Silhouette Eins Optical Synthesizer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTFwYBmcGoE

Wow, that's very impressive work indeed. I also really like the way the rotary controls are positioned over the monitor and interact with the software!

[Arpangel]

Well my next postcard has already arrived - here's the SOS Superbooth coverage of the Silhouette Eins Optical Synthesizer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTFwYBmcGoE

Wow, that's very impressive work indeed. I also really like the way the rotary controls are positioned over the monitor and interact with the software!

I like it a lot, and I haven’t even heard it.

[Ben Asaro]

Did someone mention Deckard's Voice?

Just plumbed in with Rachael and some friends.

Andy

Stunning layout! How do you like Deckard’s voice?