xacto, sort of.

 
So, it seems like these devices barely come with any instructions. You get a 24x48+/- sheet of paper with small type so you can't see what language you are not able to read.
 
I downloaded the .pdfs and they weren't much easier to view because of the huge formatting. I decided to edit the .pdf so I could eliminate the redundant language content and format the English info onto a page I can print. That is when I found out the .pdfs were password protected with 128 bit encrypted passwords.
 
So, that's when I learned how easy it is to break a 128bit password these days. I had 3 .pdfs and each took less than 3 minutes to get full access to. Crazy... I remember when 128bit was "impossible" to get past.
 
The instructions are not very helpful. They say things like "The knob labeled EGF is the the EGF knob".
 
Most of the fan and review videos are similar and they wind up with someone making some sort of unlistenable demo sequence with all sorts of chirps, sputters, and slides.
 
Never the less, I am wrapping my head around the idea of programming my own sequences into the memory banks so that I may call up sequences that seem related to each other and craft a "comp" of mashed up bars.
 
It is fun. last night I showed my wife how I can wave my arms in the air in between button pushes and look like I know what I am doing. :-) She laughed.
 
The units came with memory presets that are all over the place and none seem to relate to each other. I guess that is good because it forces you to make your own which will help prevent a situation where everyone around the globe is using the exact same sequences.
 
So, now I am scheming up a series of sequences for the Bass rig and I hope to be able to craft a series of them on the keys rig that are in the same song key.
 
It's been really fun to get back to basic building blocks like this and move my head out of the space it's been in the past year.
 
I think I will write up the step sequences in SONAR and then play them into the Volca while it is in record mode. Then I can store each sequence in memory. Using SONAR will give me the opportunity to "manage" and "curate" a set of sequences efficiently so that I can be sure they are all related. I am thinking that maybe I will stick a couple "relative minor" sequences in to add variety to the feel.
 
Oh yeah... just babbling about music.
 
BTW, I dug up Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat as inspiration. :-)
 
Good times.
 
best regards,
mike

You are going to post some awesome samples of your work with these babies, right?

:-)
 
I'd hesitate to get laughed at by the experts in the genre, but I may post some YouTube of me with my hands in the air.
 
:-)
 
I'm mainly interested in having fun tweaking the knobs and enjoying the subtleties of changing the textures. I need some sequences to do that with so that is how I figured out that I need to focus on that.
 
all the best,
mike

mike_mccue
I'm kind of excited that a couple manufacturers are using modern cost saving construction

Is that "code" for standard off the shelf partz?

Have you seen the latest Korg Little Bits modular synth kits?
 

 
Little Bits has a snap together form factor and Korg has partnered to supply standard off the shelf parts so that Educators, students and hobbiests and students can plug and play.
 

 

 

And to think, I had one of those Radio Shack kits with the springs and various resistors, capacitors, etc. all mounted on a piece of cardboard.

All this makes me want to dance.

Good times were had last night.
 
The Volca bass is a perfect antidote to the waiting on a video render syndrome.

mike_mccue
...
As an aside, I've considered my electric guitar pedal board a modular synthesizer for about as long as I can remember.
...

I want your guitar in my work! And show the Gizmo how it's done!