Moog Modular help

[Sk]

Ok, so I have this wonderful Moog Modular VSTi and I want to get something out of it. I have some knowledge in analog synth, but I'm pretty confused by Moog's layout. Let's start with something very easy: where should I route the sound to? Let's say I just want a plain saw with no mod/filter/effect: I connect the saw oscillator to WHAT? I can't see where the signal is sent to the speakers, neither where the keyboard control comes in.

Thanks in advance!

[Kirby]

Saw oscillator -> Mixer -> VCA
Then you should hear something.
If you want to use filter:
Saw oscillator -> Mixer -> Filter -> VCA

Just patched the first thing on my modular so you can see it better:
http://www.sonik-music.de/janosch/sheme1.jpg

Hope it helps!

[Sk]

Thanks Kirby! So if I get it right, the "exit" stage should be the VCA?

I posted a screenshot of the synth page of this VSTi. I don't know if I can't post the VSTi itself without breaking the board's rules. Anyway, here it is: http://sk84.altervista.org/Synth/MM - BPSaw.jpg

I sent a saw through a BP. I think I understand that the long horizontal array of knobs and plugs is the mixer. But a new question arises: as there are only three filters, does this mean that I can filter only three of the oscillators? Is there a sort of master output, from which I could take the mix of the oscs into a filter/VCA/anything?

[Kirby]

Feed the mixer with several oscs and link their inputs and then feed the output into a filter, that should work. Sorry, I never used that software, so I can only guess from the graphics I see.

[rlainhart]

Based on your screenshot, your basic setup is correct - oscillator to mixer, mixer output to filter, filter output to VCA/envelope combo. If you just wanted to filter a single oscillator, you could go directly from the first oscillator's output to the filter and out, but to mix several oscillators together for a thicker sound, you need the mixer. Pressing in the Link buttons will route the mixer inputs to the main out under the first knob; in your screenshot, the first three are pressed, so the first four inputs will be mixed together and available from the first output. (The first input always goes to the first output.)

From there, you'd go to the filter, as in your screenshot, and as an added refinement, you might want to control the filter with another source, like one of the Envelope Generators (EGs) next door to the filters. You need to make sure the EG is being triggered by the keyboard, so you'd set its trigger source as Keyboard Trigger On by clicking on the red In button (which is probably what it's already set to.) Then, patch the output from the EG to the control In on the filter, so when you trigger the EG, the filter will open and close. Dragging on the metal ring around the jack input will let you set the amount of modulation the EG applies to the filter. Or you could modulate the filter with an LFO for a periodic wah effect, and of course there are many other possibilities.

From there, the output from the filter goes to the Envelope/VCA combo in the lower right, as in your screenshot. I usually use the two EG/VCAs as my master outputs, and usually send two similar versions of the same sound to both and pan the outputs left and right for pseudo-stereo. Anything you send to either of these EG/VCAs will go to your master output. Again, you need to make sure that the keyboard triggers the EG/VCA by clicking on the red In button.

Of course, you can send the output from the filter(s) through any of the other processors, like the Frequency Shifter or Fixed Filter Bank, before going to the EG/VCA.

[Sk]

Wow, thanks a lot, Richard! So each of the Link buttons links the two channels at the right and at the left of the button, right?

[rlainhart]

Wow, thanks a lot, Richard! So each of the Link buttons links the two channels at the right and at the left of the button, right?

Yes.


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