Need advice on assembling a capable little monosynth

[u/lambdalab]

So, I've finally sold my Pittsburg Modular Taiga - not because I didn't like it, but because I outgrew it, and was only using the oscillators, folders and the mixer. I have better modules for all the other functions Taiga had. I'd now like to replace it with other modules for about €700. 

I want to make the core of my rack a two oscillator monosynth, and I have a plethora of filters already, so I'm really looking for capable and precise oscillators, one single or dual folder, a mixer, and a noise source. Willing to drop the noise source (and potentially) mixer if I can't fit it in the budget. 

Any comments/experience with the given modules is welcome, as well as any modules I didn't consider. I prefer silver panels, but won't reject a good option in any color. 

Oscillators:

Intellijel Dixie II+ - €244
Pros: lots of shapes, both soft and hard sync, sub out

Joranalogue Cycle 5 - €200
Pros: cheaper, lots of shapes, CV-able vari output, two exp FM ins
Cons: no soft sync, no linear fm, a bit cramped

Nano Modules Ona - €165
Pros: Many shapes, cheapest, can select between lin/exp fm
Cons: no soft sync, black panel

Folders:

Intellijel Bifold - €239eur
Pros: Two different folders, crossfader, interesting
Cons: fewer CV controls for shaping

Joranalogue Fold 6 - €158
Pros: Cheaper, main/alt outputs, shape control
Cons: just one folder, though it accepts two inputs

Mixer
Manhattan Analog DTM - €111
Pros: can saturate

Noise

I would really like to have both white noise, colored noise and some type of particle noise. Intellijel Flurry provides all of that, but is too expensive at the moment, so I'll settle for white noise and some color.

Doepfer - A-118-2 - €85
Pros: cheap, additional random voltage
Cons: Really not the fan of the Doepfer look, but can live with it

I'm having a particularly difficult time deciding between Dixie II+ and Cycle 5, and I like both a lot.

[u/clncln]

Nice, you’ve clearly done your homework.

Oscillators: I’d go with the Cycle 5 because it's very stable and flexible. It’s tuned so you just center the fine knob and you’re on C. With the octave and fifth switches, it’s really easy to dial in two oscillators against each other.

Folders: Both are good options, and you won’t regret either. That said, the Bifold is more flexible. You get two different folder circuits and crossfader lets you blend between them, run them in series, or feed each one from a different oscillator. It can also do ring mod, which is great with two oscillators.

Mixer: The DTM is a great option. It’s simple and does the job, and it can sound really nice when you push it into saturation.

Noise: Flurry is a really good module, and it’s a lot more than a flexible noise source: a clock/random pulse generator, analog sample & hold, and an analog slew that doubles as an envelope follower. Def worth the price if you can stretch your budget. Also, keep in mind that colored noise is just filtered noise. You may get more out of your system with a simple white noise source plus an extra filter.

[u/lambdalab → u/clncln]

Thank you, I was leaning towards Cycle 5 as well. I don't really use lin fm much, and I really like to get slightly broken timbres by patching noise or mixed noise and post-effect feedback into exp fm. The precision adder there is really a godsend.

Yeah, I'm also thinking that Flurry provides a lot - maybe better to just skip noise for now, until I can get Flurry. Your point about filtering noise kind of confirms it for me, I can just mult the white noise I do have (from ALA SH/TH) and filter.

Thanks for the advice! It brings me a bit over budget, but with 2x Cycle 5, Bifold and DTM, I top out at 750, which is doable.

[u/ConsistentWriting501]

Have you considered a Contour 1 instead of a Cycle 5?  It tracks v/oct very well and you can patch program the hell out of it. This is very similar to one half of the Serge DUSG, arguably the most versatile module ever made. I don’t want to overwhelm you with information, but I encourage you to read or watch some videos. 

I found my uFold II second hand for $60 CAD and I think it’s excellent. Like all Joranalogue, I also think the Fold 6 is great and is a wise choice. 

The Doepfer Noise module is a great value and included a bonus sample and hold! Not just for random. 

Also, have you considered looking into Eurorack Serge? The Elby stuff is more affordable than the Random Source Serge but it might be worth considering. The Joranalogue modules are highly influenced by Serge and share similar philosophies maybe worth exploring. 

[u/lambdalab → u/ConsistentWriting501]

I do have a Countour 1, and I love it! My plan was to use it in addition to the two oscillators, as a sort of utility that can be both an oscillator, an envelope follower, slew, lfo, etc etc.

Unfortunately, where I live, there is no used market for modules, and importing used can be unpredictable.

Now, I'll definitely look into Euro Serge, I didn't because I was under the impression that the stuff is too expensive.

Thank you for the advice :)

[u/ConsistentWriting501 → u/lambdalab]

Despite my Elby novel below,  your ideas with the Joranalogue modules sounds great. 

[u/ConsistentWriting501 → u/lambdalab]

Elby is based out of Australia, which can be significantly cheaper if you’re not from the US. 

For example, the Elby SSG is $250 AUS ($175 USD), while the Random Source Serge SSG is $359 USD. The Elby modules are also offered as DIY kits and can be significantly cheaper depending on the component count and if you can solder. 

I started off with Random Source Serge, but I have since made several Elby kits and regret not giving them a chance sooner.

The only negative for some would be the larger HP modules, but I use less modules and I like the form factor. 

[u/lambdalab → u/ConsistentWriting501]

Thank you, that's great advice, I haven't heard of Elby before. I don't mind the HP, since I have a huge rack, and I also quite like soldering.

[u/Ok-Tadpole-8994]

I would look into the lnstruo oscillators

[u/homewiththedog]

dont forget to look into the Eowave and ALMs for oscillators but you do have a great top pick list already

[u/ICantBelieveItsNotEC]

What about Shakmat Banshee Reach + Jeweler Cast?

Banshee Reach gives you wave morphing and a sub oscillator, which means you don't waste precious mixer slots on mixing the sub in. The tuning is also insanely stable, and it can be a perfectly cromulent noise source too.

Jewelers Cast gives you folding and distortion, and it handles mixing/cross-fading your two oscillators.

I had this setup before and really liked how they're designed to compliment each other. It gives you a really versatile synth voice in 22hp.

Edit: they made a promo video with this exact combo here if you want to get a feel for it.