i think that using dedicated 'drum' modules is probably a more expensive route.
you might be surprised how easy it is to dial up great sounding percussion with a very minimal, basic setup!

yes, VCAs can color sound, and this is often their appeal. they can be snappy, they can respond to input signals differently (the response curve, lin/expo), or be characteristically NOT-snappy, like the buchla low pass gate, which closes slowly and possesses a certain character as a result. the LPG ...

i use a motm/modcan/doepfer/blacet/wiard/serge/DIY modular now. i also have a DSI evolver. in many ways, it is very powerful as my modular. however, in the evolver, i cannot stick a VCA between two oscillators for dynamic FM, or create a feedback loop at any point in the patch (for example). this is...

an acquaintance of mine who owns a buchla 200 system has explained to me that he really likes his plan b model 15 oscillators because they remind him very much of the sound/qualities of his 200.

A modular is attractive to me b/c of the fundamental connection between sound design and sequencing -- you can't really distinguish between the two processes. I've become really interested in recent months in not just the textures and patterns that folks in the 1970's and early 1980's came up with ...

i, too, did a lot of research when i started out. and i built a 24U dotcom system. then i expanded into blacet, wiard, metalbox. then modcan and motm. then doepfer/planb/livewire. then i picked up a desktop evolver. end of story: i sold off the dotcom modules. they are great. but you will need a lot...

Algorithm 8. and 9. in fact, 8-12 is where ive spent most of my time. i know what you mean about ending up with static/buzz all the time! lol you have to be careful with your shapers, wrappers, dist and gains :D use low values at first. you really have to finesse your settings with some of those mo...