Original post: http://krankhaus.net/forum/index.php?board=2;topic=9858.0

Zubermensch from Angelspit’s Forum asked me about STUFF…here’s my response..

Before we start, have a look at the article I wrote for THE DOSE (the most AWESOME CYberpunk eZine EVER!!)
>> READ MORE

 

> How does one get started with a modular synth rack? Do you buy it all put together like that? 
> Do you buy a frame or something and just start stacking up the inputs?

The most import ant thing: make sure you NEED a modular. You might be able to make your music just fine with SoftSynths. Although I (personally) don’t like SoftSynths, many bands who I admire (The Prodigy, NIN…the list goes on) use SoftSynths to some degree.

Good music DOES NOT need to made from good gear – just good ideas!

First: play around with the SoftSynth versions…then bust out the big cash when you’re certain you NEED a modular. There’s a heap of starter systems that cost US$1000-US$2000. Synthesizers.com, Doefper, Analogue Systems, Analogue Solutions (and many more brands) have such systems. Refer to the article I wrote for THE DOSE for more info:
>> READ MORE

…also jump on our forum – there’s a lot people there who are getting into modulars.
www.krankhaus.net/forum

 

> How do you (personally) send the sound from the computer in to the synth as seen in your blipverts?

We have an old Yamaha DSP Card connected (via Optical Cable) to our old 01V Yamaha Desk. (yes, it’s old gear, but it works fine and I HATE landfill!!)
We Bus the signals from the card to the desk, then assign them to our central patch bay…it’s very complex and old school…there’s much easier was to do it these days with new-fangled Audio Boxes that all the “cool kids” are using…these fancy-pantsy boxes have multiple outs…so you’d assign the drum sample out the “B” output, plug it into your filters and go NUTS.

Remember: Content is King! A song is rooted in a good idea…it does not need the latest/expensive gear.

Beasty Boys wrote an AMAZING album on a 4 track. Frontline Assembly did incredible things with an Atari ST1040, some samplers and a desk.

I hope this answers your questions and inspires you to MAKETH ROCK!

ZooG