Tomita, Modular Synths and amazing plugins

Discussion in 'Tomita' started by zen77 at lumanet.com, Feb 3, 2003.

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  1. Hello Tomita List!

    Glad to see things suddenly so active again here!

    1) I noticed that one of the tomita list users had a .sig URL like:
    http://www.mhc.se/software/plugins/

    I checked out the page, and I was pretty impressed with the quality.
    I especially liked your "Space" synths + modules which made me think
    that I could do a Tomita-like album with some of those plugins.

    Just thought that I would highlight another tomita fans work.
    P.S. To whoever it was, let me give you a little advice for your website.
    A. Have an opt-in box! I want to be reminded when important things
    happen, otherwise I'll never come back to your page due to being busy!
    B. I tried to take your Poll (which is a good idea), but none of the provided answers were
    my opinions! Please add more choices.

    2) We are here talking about the great Tomita -- the one man I know who truly highlighted
    his synth technologies and attempted to teach others about modular synths.

    In honor of this, I would love to know the opinions of the many excellent members of this
    list regarding modular synths. I know that we have had some discussions about modular
    synths here before, and I have done a great deal of research on them myself... BUT... I am
    left with a feeling of a gap. Here is why.

    Has anyone actually tried to compile a list of the different modular synths out there, and
    review them? I'm definately talking about software as well as physical analog modulars.
    Without resorting to "this one is the best!", we could instead talk about the features and
    benefits of each.

    There are certainly advantages to software these days, because the patches can actually
    be saved. However, I've never even seen a complete list of the modular synths available,
    nevermind anything that comes close to a real review of them!

    Here is another topic: How to re-create the sounds of Tomita using real modular synths.
    Has anyone tried to tackle this?

    Best to you all,

    Kevin Anderson
    (Proud to say that I wrote a message like this, which helped
    encourage the sound creature record translation project to happen). :)

    P.S. Have any of you noticed that Sound Creature seems to be.... completely missing...
    from http://www.isaotomita.com!
     
    #1
  2. Hi Kevin,
    Here's a nice site that lists the currently available hardware modular
    synthesizers:

    http://www.modularsynth.com/

    I'm amazed at the variety of formats and price ranges that we have today. I
    believe we have more choices of modular synths that ever before. What a great
    time to be a synthesist!

    Andrew


    In a message dated 2/3/03 1:18:25 PM Central Standard Time, zen77 at lumanet.com
    writes:

    > Has anyone actually tried to compile a list of the different modular synths
    > out there, and
    > review them? I'm definately talking about software as well as physical
    > analog modulars.
    > Without resorting to "this one is the best!", we could instead talk about
    > the features and
    > benefits of each.
    >
    > There are certainly advantages to software these days, because the patches
    > can actually
    > be saved. However, I've never even seen a complete list of the modular
    > synths available,
    > nevermind anything that comes close to a real review of them!
    >
    > Here is another topic: How to re-create the sounds of Tomita using real
    > modular synths.
    > Has anyone tried to tackle this?
    >
    > Best to you all,
     
    #2
  3. > >
    > > Here is another topic: How to re-create the sounds of Tomita using real
    > > modular synths.
    > > Has anyone tried to tackle this?
    > >

    Actually, if you mean John Breslin and my site (http://www.isaotomita.org), it is
    linked off http://www.isaotomita.com, on the 06Links page.

    Regards,
    Ben
     
    #3
  4. > Glad to see things suddenly so active again here!

    Me too. Tomita's definitely worth more attention.

    > 1) I noticed that one of the tomita list users had a .sig URL like:
    > http://www.mhc.se/software/plugins/

    That's me I'm afraid. :)

    > I checked out the page, and I was pretty impressed with the quality.
    > I especially liked your "Space" synths + modules which made me think
    > that I could do a Tomita-like album with some of those plugins.

    Actually the Space Synthesizer took years to develop and what brought it
    to life was a love for electronic music made by Tomita and the *early* (70s)
    work of Jarre and Vangelis. Thanks a lot for the kind words.

    > Has anyone actually tried to compile a list of the different modular synths out there, and
    > review them? I'm definately talking about software as well as physical analog modulars.
    > Without resorting to "this one is the best!", we could instead talk about the features and
    > benefits of each.

    Man, there are so many. Tomita used Moog and the Moog Modular's still regarded by
    many as the absolutely best modular synthesizer ever made. I agree. But there's other
    interesting stuff as well, such as Modcan, Serge, MOTM, Doepfer, ARP, Emu, Evenfall etc...
    I recommend that you join the analog heaven mailing list for such discussions. Tomita has
    been mentioned there more than once, with respect to his equipment and how he designed
    the sounds etc.

    > Here is another topic: How to re-create the sounds of Tomita using real modular synths.
    > Has anyone tried to tackle this?

    There should be a web page out there, where someone has recreated some of the sounds from
    various Tomita songs. I think he/she described how some sounds from "Close encounters"
    (that filtered radio sound) could be recreated. It was an interesting page with MP3s,
    but I don't have the link unfortunately.

    Mikael Hillborg
    MHC Synthesizers and Effects
    http://www.mhc.se/software/plugins/
     
    #4
  5. ixqy at aol.com wrote:
    >
    > Hi Kevin,
    > Here's a nice site that lists the currently available hardware modular
    > synthesizers:
    >
    > http://www.modularsynth.com/
    >
    > I'm amazed at the variety of formats and price ranges that we have today. I
    > believe we have more choices of modular synths that ever before. What a great
    > time to be a synthesist!
    >
    > Andrew
    >

    Thats a good site though there is a bit of an agenda and some of the
    people bitterly hate eachother, though since last I was there they are
    playing more fairly... I guess Modulsonics or whatever Mike Bucki (Moog
    CE) is called now, Oakley and CMS are the biggest names omitted who
    actually sell stuff today. People like Moog Music and EMS and even a
    token still on sale pair of new modules from Buchla are some pioneers
    who are still in business and make patchable stuff that I guess isn't
    quite modular enough for the site. Its interesting they added STS Serge
    who is ever contreversial but makes gear that hard to rival unless its
    outright copied :-(

    While some folks do take pains to collaborate there are piles of
    rivalry and incompatability in a surprisingly small field.

    One thing that is often mentioned, while we suspect doepfer is making a
    good income and I'm sure some companies see profits it is surprising so
    many people have such a love for building and selling in what is an
    extremely small marketplace... I guess just like a musicain buying or
    building a modular system these synth builders also like the idea of
    building their line bit by bit.

    Actually there was a huge amount of action in the very late 70s and
    early 80s due to IC chip makers CEM and SSM offering professional synths
    on IC chips that could be built into modules, polysynths, whatever... on
    the other hand, yes the situation is 20 or more times better than say a
    decade ago.

    The nice thing about a modular is almost anything can be connected to
    anything you own unless its a standard that needs conversion. One can
    start small and build to any level of complexity, The downside is a
    small system in my mind only offers limited options that may be much
    better delt with with a non-modular, except for learning and piping
    audio through it you don't get that big an advantage until you get
    enough of a modular in size and capabilities. The thing has to grow and
    thats whats really hard on the pocketbook, almost like a serious
    computer system, you can just spend a lot of money at once but it can't
    possible fit your needs and be the most efficient until you expand and
    maybe even streamline it a bit through use.

    NOt that I'm promoting it, but Arturia is claiming they will have a
    software simulation of the Moog III soon. On the up side they seem to be
    putting extra time into the quirks and quality analog circuits produce,
    on the other hand its not expandable modulewise and they seem more
    interested in simulating the bits and pieces rather than the
    interraction (real circuits are truely parallel and interact while a
    computer simulation just tries to figure out snapshots of whats going on
    at the sample rate without among other things any recursive interaction)

    nick
     
    #5
  6. For anyone who's interested, there is a new version of the Minimoog for sale
    at Musician's Friend.

    I have a broken Memorymoog I would like to get fixed, or maybe I could just
    plain sell it outright as is......it powers up, but there is no sound, the memory
    section LCD does not light up but the other LED's work... anyone interestedjust reply...
    I just don't have the cash to get it fixed (Repair estimates are between $400 and
    $800 US dollars....) This thing is heavy, too....
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: ndk
    To: isaotomita at yahoogroups.com
    Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 3:15 PM
    Subject: Re: [isaotomita] Re: Tomita, Modular Synths and amazing plugins


    ixqy at aol.com wrote:
    >
    > Hi Kevin,
    > Here's a nice site that lists the currently available hardware modular
    > synthesizers:
    >
    > http://www.modularsynth.com/
    >
    > I'm amazed at the variety of formats and price ranges that we have today. I
    > believe we have more choices of modular synths that ever before. What agreat
    > time to be a synthesist!
    >
    > Andrew
    >

    Thats a good site though there is a bit of an agenda and some of the
    people bitterly hate eachother, though since last I was there they are
    playing more fairly... I guess Modulsonics or whatever Mike Bucki (Moog
    CE) is called now, Oakley and CMS are the biggest names omitted who
    actually sell stuff today. People like Moog Music and EMS and even a
    token still on sale pair of new modules from Buchla are some pioneers
    who are still in business and make patchable stuff that I guess isn't
    quite modular enough for the site. Its interesting they added STS Serge
    who is ever contreversial but makes gear that hard to rival unless its
    outright copied :-(

    While some folks do take pains to collaborate there are piles of
    rivalry and incompatability in a surprisingly small field.

    One thing that is often mentioned, while we suspect doepfer is making a
    good income and I'm sure some companies see profits it is surprising so
    many people have such a love for building and selling in what is an
    extremely small marketplace... I guess just like a musicain buying or
    building a modular system these synth builders also like the idea of
    building their line bit by bit.

    Actually there was a huge amount of action in the very late 70s and
    early 80s due to IC chip makers CEM and SSM offering professional synths
    on IC chips that could be built into modules, polysynths, whatever... on
    the other hand, yes the situation is 20 or more times better than say a
    decade ago.

    The nice thing about a modular is almost anything can be connected to
    anything you own unless its a standard that needs conversion. One can
    start small and build to any level of complexity, The downside is a
    small system in my mind only offers limited options that may be much
    better delt with with a non-modular, except for learning and piping
    audio through it you don't get that big an advantage until you get
    enough of a modular in size and capabilities. The thing has to grow and
    thats whats really hard on the pocketbook, almost like a serious
    computer system, you can just spend a lot of money at once but it can't
    possible fit your needs and be the most efficient until you expand and
    maybe even streamline it a bit through use.

    NOt that I'm promoting it, but Arturia is claiming they will have a
    software simulation of the Moog III soon. On the up side they seem to be
    putting extra time into the quirks and quality analog circuits produce,
    on the other hand its not expandable modulewise and they seem more
    interested in simulating the bits and pieces rather than the
    interraction (real circuits are truely parallel and interact while a
    computer simulation just tries to figure out snapshots of whats going on
    at the sample rate without among other things any recursive interaction)

    nick

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    #6
  7. > NOt that I'm promoting it, but Arturia is claiming they will have a
    > software simulation of the Moog III soon. On the up side they seem to be
    > putting extra time into the quirks and quality analog circuits produce,
    > on the other hand its not expandable modulewise and they seem more
    > interested in simulating the bits and pieces rather than the
    > interraction (real circuits are truely parallel and interact while a
    > computer simulation just tries to figure out snapshots of whats going on
    > at the sample rate without among other things any recursive interaction)

    For those who are interested and would like to patch up some Tomita
    sounds on the PC:
    http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/Arturia/PR/Modular-System.html

    But let's see. There's a virtual Prophet 5 on the market and those who
    have used a real one can hear the difference. So there'll probably be
    audible differences between the software Moog Modular and a real one, no
    doubt about that.

    Kind regards
    Mikael Hillborg
    MHC Synthesizers and Effects
    http://www.mhc.se/software/plugins/
     
    #7
  8. Hi Kevin,

    > Here is another topic: How to re-create the sounds of Tomita using
    real modular synths.
    > Has anyone tried to tackle this?

    on my homepage there are several sounds inspired from Tomita-sounds,
    especially voice-sounds. I use a real modular synth: Doepfer A-100.

    The URL:
    www.modular-planet.de

    Have fun, Josef
     
    #8
  9. At 03:33 PM 2/3/2003 -0500, you wrote:
    >For anyone who's interested, there is a new version of the Minimoog for sale
    >at Musician's Friend.
    >
    this is probably the new minimoog voyager
    it seems to be a memorymoog with a computer interface
    list price US$ 3500
    check it out: http://www.moogmusic.com
     
    #9
  10. Citeren Mikael Hillborg <mikael at mhc.se>:

    > But let's see. There's a virtual Prophet 5 on the market and those who
    > have used a real one can hear the difference. So there'll probably be
    > audible differences between the software Moog Modular and a real one, no
    > doubt about that.

    ABsolutely, but there are even differences between Moog Modulars
    themselves. :)
    As good as the virtual/plugins are (more possibilities) imo they
    still can't touch real analog. I hear much difference between a
    Nord Modular and my www.synthesizers.com system.

    Marcel
    http://home.wanadoo.nl/mengels
    mengels at wanadoo.nl

    __________________________________________________________

    http://www.wanadoo.nl/
     
    #10
  11. HRZ wrote:
    >
    > At 03:33 PM 2/3/2003 -0500, you wrote:
    > >For anyone who's interested, there is a new version of the Minimoog for sale
    > >at Musician's Friend.
    > >
    > this is probably the new minimoog voyager
    > it seems to be a memorymoog with a computer interface
    > list price US$ 3500
    > check it out: http://www.moogmusic.com

    Its the exact size of a minimoog and is a solo, not a ployphonic
    instrument, but yes, as the memorymoog had its voice feature set in the
    style of the minimoog so too does this one. The voice here is I'd say
    over 50% features than a minimoog, for example a second filter. Right
    now they are selling a deluxe numbered edition aimed at collectors, the
    actual price will be under $3000 in the U.S. when they are in full
    regular production... not cheap but consider that 20+ years ago the
    minimoog was like $1800 new and sells for well over $2000 now in good condition.

    >
    > For anyone who's interested, there is a new version of the Minimoog for sale
    > at Musician's Friend.


    its pretty well distributed especially considering the price. One nice
    thing is it already has piles of
    patch points you can use to control voltage and audio path wire it to
    other things and they plan to have a
    breakout box with whatever they had no room for coming out on the top
    with even more connection points, so it is certainly also modular
    related besides having the standard MIDI and internal patch storage

    Its certainly being played up as a minimoog and it is a real moog
    instrument (and is mighty expensive and I'm still real miffed because of
    a naming contest they had, but thats another story). ... I've played a
    friend's and it is quite wonderful and while it doesn't misbehave a bit
    like the original it is definitely the best monophonic synth being built
    and all and all beats the original in terms of the range of sounds


    As for simulated prophet 5s, I've always liked the NI one, I played a
    few originals but never owned one, I do think the software simulation is
    pretty close as
    unless you go looking for differences because in my opinion the Prophet
    5 is fine but not the most expressive or weirdly quirky synth out there.
    In general I think software does a much better job with IC chip based
    sorts of synths than the crazier more chaotic older more discrete
    circuit designs. A lot of people do like the Native Instruments design,
    for me I really like the extra parameters and added velocity (though
    some MIDI retrofits give some sort of velocity to a real P5), so I mean
    yeah it doesn't sound the same but its much closer than a lot of stuff
    out there.

    None the less, out of curiosity I stacked up a lot of software
    simulations to do an classical orchestral type of thing and added
    tasteful effects and found the sound kind of bland and stable. I also
    found many sounds surprisingly shrill in the high range

    nick


    nick
     
    #11
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