Does anybody use their MPC with a Modular Synth?

I'm thinking of buying into scary world of modular synths at some point, there are obviously quite a few that work with midi (I'm looking into Analogue Systems and Doepfer) do any of the modular owners here use their MPCs as sequencers?

Also is there anyway of say having 4 oscillators and using them to create 4 note chords played from the keyboard?

I remember in the Pics section theres a few people who have invested in these sort of modulars in their setups so just wondered if you had any input on the best way to start on this journey? Did you buy a basic system or did you buy an empty case and start filling it over time?

Happy patching to those that own these crazy synths!

you can use an mpc to send cv and control modular synths. i use the four outs on the 1k. just draw up some waveforms or lfos, sweeps etc.

hi,

i'm pretty big on the eurorack/ mpc combo. search my posts if interested.

between ableton live, volta, silent way, max/ msp (software options require a motu interface) and sampled cv in the mpc, there's a lot of ways to get any kind of control you could ever want from your modular. also, check out the new doepfer module (a-190-3) and the upcoming moog mp-201 foot pedal os update for hardware polyphonic control.

the key here is dc coupled voltage. motu interfaces have em, other interfaces don't. mpc's are not coupled either, but you can either mod the i/o, route the outs through a dc coupled module (doepfer makes a couple) or just use non coupled outs for quick, momentary voltage information like lfo's and gates (no long, sustained voltages).

Just start with a case and a basic voice (pick your oscs, filter, vca and something else) and mess with that for a bit. read muffwiggler.com/forum a lot and get all of your noob questions answered by searching there. build it up when you know what you want. you will buy and sell a bit unless you live in LA or Montreal (analog haven and moog audio stores) and will be forced to rely on opinions and sound samples, it's part of the game.

King_Vitamin wrote:
Just start with a case and a basic voice (pick your oscs, filter, vca and something else) and mess with that for a bit. read muffwiggler.com/forum a lot and get all of your noob questions answered by searching there. build it up when you know what you want. you will buy and sell a bit unless you live in LA or Montreal (analog haven and moog audio stores) and will be forced to rely on opinions and sound samples, it's part of the game.

+1

Setting up and using a modular system is very satisfying but can be quite hard on the wallet.

Stick with King's advise -- do your homework and build it slowly. Also, check out electromusic.com/forum for additional info -- there is a lot of DIY stuff there, but also lots of samples and user discussion of different modules and setups.

my next project (after i finishing troubleshooting the oakley TM3030 i'm working on) is to start making a few modules.
deciding what format to build seems the trickiest decision. the more i read, the more confused i am. i'll be devoting a lot of time and energy to this, so don't want to wander down the wrong path.

I would recommend frac for diy if you need portability.

portability and size aren't an issue. i'm more interested in a system that is good for DIY -- one that has a good variety of cheap circuit boards.

beach_break wrote:portability and size aren't an issue. i'm more interested in a system that is good for DIY -- one that has a good variety of cheap circuit boards.

There really isn't a "system" for DIY. If you plan putting your pcbs into front panels, it's good to stick with a common form factor like FRAC so everything can fit in your rack, case or wherever you plan on mounting it. I've bought kits before and had the front panels made elsewhere.

Honestly, the best thing to buy for DIY is a solderless breadboard and a decent powersupply. This will let you try out different circuits and make modifications before having to solder onto PCBs. I try and make sure everything is working before soldering... cause sometimes the schematics have errors...

i use the mpc 1000 with a mfb kraftzwerg/doepfer maq16

the kraftzwerg is one of the cheapest true analogue semi/modulars/w.3! osc

s/2lfo s on the marked today, very transportable, good for live...

sound s not as fat as the "big" ones, but very good replacement

for a ms20 for ex.

anyone have any vids of an mpc controlling a modular synth they can post?

I have an mpc500 and would love to use it to control something like the dark energy or Analogue Solutions Station X

I've been thinking of starting a modular system for processing my MPC's outputs with analog filters, envelopes, LFOs etc. Anyone doing that? I keep fighting the urge to get an EMAX again, and I think this would help...

hey man,

i use my eurorack system for lots of audio processing. the only trick to this is getting your line signal up to the level that most modules want to see (10v peak to peak, so a little less than 20 db). that's a lot of boost from line level. luckily, there's a good amount of modules out there for this task, and most analog mixers with preamp gain can spit this out as well. you'll also need to attenuate back down to line level on the way out.

King_Vitamin wrote:hi,

i'm pretty big on the eurorack/ mpc combo. search my posts if interested.

between ableton live, volta, silent way, max/ msp (software options require a motu interface) and sampled cv in the mpc, there's a lot of ways to get any kind of control you could ever want from your modular. also, check out the new doepfer module (a-190-3) and the upcoming moog mp-201 foot pedal os update for hardware polyphonic control.

the key here is dc coupled voltage. motu interfaces have em, other interfaces don't. mpc's are not coupled either, but you can either mod the i/o, route the outs through a dc coupled module (doepfer makes a couple) or just use non coupled outs for quick, momentary voltage information like lfo's and gates (no long, sustained voltages).

Just start with a case and a basic voice (pick your oscs, filter, vca and something else) and mess with that for a bit. read muffwiggler.com/forum a lot and get all of your noob questions answered by searching there. build it up when you know what you want. you will buy and sell a bit unless you live in LA or Montreal (analog haven and moog audio stores) and will be forced to rely on opinions and sound samples, it's part of the game.

Vitamin, you are the man. Thank you for dropping relevant and insightful info. Is there any chance you know more about how to mod the 1/4 inch out on the MP for full CV control?

i do. it involves disabling the dc blocking capacitors on the i/ o board. pm me, and i can give you some pointers.