Is the ms20 mini a good entry point into modular synthesis?

[bluntedcircuit]

I'm getting a ms20 on Tuesday either way but in the future if I wanted to get a cabinet and start getting modules, will it be fairly headache free? This will be my first foray into hardware modular, I'm assuming if I wanted to add oscillators for example keyboard tracking would be pretty simple

[Rezisehtnys]

Well, you have the hertz per volt and volts per octave problem to deal with. I'm not sure about the Mini, but the original was hertz per volt only. Most manufacturers use volts per octave, so that'll cause some issues. Pretty much only Yamaha and KORG used hertz per volt.

[GuyaGuy]

https://controlvoltage.net/the-harvestm ... ear/dp/985

[commodorejohn]

Well, you have the hertz per volt and volts per octave problem to deal with. I'm not sure about the Mini, but the original was hertz per volt only. Most manufacturers use volts per octave, so that'll cause some issues. Pretty much only Yamaha and KORG used hertz per volt.

Yes, the Mini is still Hz/V. Well, the main pitch CV is, anyway; the frequency and cutoff modulation inputs are V/oct., but not stably enough or with a broad enough range to make them useful as converters. (I understand this was the case on the original as well.)

[bluntedcircuit]

Awesome, so all I need if I want to supplement an ms20 with extra modules is an English tear module and good to go nuts
Tuesday can't get here fast enough

[meatballfulton]

Even overlooking the Hz/V tracking, the MS20 is a rather weak entry into modular because the VCO-VCF-VCA path cannot be patched...it's fixed.

The whole design is weird, where most synths have switches to change the LFO waveshape, on the MS20 you have to patch it to switch from triangle to square. It's the same with noise, the control wheel and a bunch of other stuff. There's a few cool things the patch panel lets you do but it's not as "modular" as you might think.

BTW, the Arturia microBrute pulled this same trick with it's "patch panel"...it lets them save a couple of $$ on switches.

Now if you want to build up a small modular of VCOs, VCFs and VCAs and use the MS20's MIDI interface, keyboard, LFO and EGs to control them, OK that's certainly useful.

[bluntedcircuit]

Well the idea is that for now I get an ms20 and maybe later get a step sequencer or some oscillators patched into the ms20s filter/eg. The main thing I had in mind for controlling the ms20 mini is one of the midi channels on my machinedrum, the keyboard would be used not too frequently.

It just occurred to me will the ms20 (with the converter) be able to convert the midi note input into a scalable voltage to control the pitch of external osc modules?
My only "experience" with modulars is uhe's ace vst so this is all pretty over my head

[commodorejohn]

It just occurred to me will the ms20 (with the converter) be able to convert the midi note input into a scalable voltage to control the pitch of external osc modules?
My only "experience" with modulars is uhe's ace vst so this is all pretty over my head

The MS-20 Mini does serve as a MIDI-to-CV converter, yes (the Keyboard CV patch point reflects whatever note is actually being played, whether it's over MIDI or on the keys.) So yes, that'll give you a Hz/V representation of MIDI notes, which can then be run through a converter to generate a V/oct. signal for non-Hz/V gear.

[bluntedcircuit]

Awesome I'm so excited to pick this up on Tuesday

[JayEm]

It just occurred to me will the ms20 (with the converter) be able to convert the midi note input into a scalable voltage to control the pitch of external osc modules?
My only "experience" with modulars is uhe's ace vst so this is all pretty over my head

The MS-20 Mini does serve as a MIDI-to-CV converter, yes (the Keyboard CV patch point reflects whatever note is actually being played, whether it's over MIDI or on the keys.) So yes, that'll give you a Hz/V representation of MIDI notes, which can then be run through a converter to generate a V/oct. signal for non-Hz/V gear.

edit : im an idiot. so much wasted time!

[Jabberwalky]

I started by building the Paia 9700s. I haven't bought any more modules since, so it's the best possible way to go about it.

[meatballfulton]

The 9700s is tons of fun. First modular I ever owned, had four at various times over the years. It's as quirky as the MS20 for sure and lots of interesting features like loopable EGs and twin multimode filters that are full of "character".

Seems like every time I get another 9700s up and running something cooler comes into view and I sell it to raise cash (the latest one was sacrificed to finance a Moog Voyager).

[sammy123]

As awesome as the MS-20 is, I don't think it is a good starting point for modular. I would say the Microbrute is the better option. It is much cheaper and easier to integrate in to a Eurorack system. I had the MS-20 and currently have the Microbrute. The Minibrute is an option to.

[bluntedcircuit]

I've been eying the brutes too for a bit, how do you think they're a better choice?

[phesago]

better options for getting into modular on the cheapsies:


Nord MOdular g1. Is wonky with newer windows and mac due to the editor, but it's all there in one package if you dont mind having a dedicated box/laptop with an older OS.


Software. not the best idea if you hate software, but it's def the least complicated.


A4/MnM- solid with great routing capacity. Not 100% modular, but the variety of options it offers will be close enough to it. Then there's the whole price tag.