Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of crafting a modular setup using the Cre8audio Niftykeyz and would greatly appreciate your insights. My aim is to create a system that's user-friendly and seamlessly integrates with my DAW. Here's what I'm envisioning:

Primary Goal:

Merging the Buchla-style complex oscillator sounds with the iconic Roland Jupiter/SH5 timbres.
Emphasis on cross-modulation capabilities.
Multitimbral usage for diverse soundscapes.
Current Setup:

Case: Cre8audio Niftykeyz
Oscillator 1: Studio Electronics Tonestar 8106 (emulating Juno/Jupiter sounds)
Oscillator 2: Tiptop Audio 258t (Buchla-esque oscillator, great for cross-mod)
Envelope Generator: Intellijel Dual ADSR (chosen for its compactness and snappy response)
Filter: G-Storm Electro SH5-VCF (aiming for that rich, late '70s Roland vibe)
Additional Module: Studio Electronics SE88 (love the CS80 filter and FM options)
Modulation: Ladik LFO (because one can never have too many LFOs)
Mixer: Doepfer 138

I'm looking for your expertise to validate if this setup aligns well with my goals. Are there any glaring omissions or potential mismatches in this configuration? Your suggestions and advice would be invaluable!

ps
I posted this question on modwiggler as well but couldn't get any feedback


hmmmm.... I think you'd be much better off with a bigger case and something like a keystep pro... because you wiull need the expansion space almost immediately with this setup... I'd really suggest a great deal more research before parting with cash....

there are fundamental things missing...

your description of the intellijel adsr's compactness made me chuckle... as did the "you can never have too many lfos" when there's only 1 in there - the "you can never have too many.." meme is usually used for vcas...

speaking of which, there are no vcas to plug the envelope generator into... ok there's one on the tonestar, but that already has an adsr built in...

buchla is often linked with lpgs (not filters) which are also none existant... these are a cross between vcas and low pass filters...

whilst the tonestar is a voice - the tiptop/buchla module is a dual vco - you will see on the tonestar that the vco is a small part of the voice... they have no

reverb and delay are both incredibly useful...

take a look at my signature and think long & hard about how you might apply this to a rack that you might want...

seriously consider a minimum viable synth (at least to start):

a sound source (possibly rthe tiptop buchla one), a sound modifier (possibly 1 of the filters), a modulation source (you'll want more than 1 channel - a quad is a good idea, batumi - or possibly maths - particularly if you are into west coast serge/buchlaesque concepts), a way to listen (a quad cascading vca will work wonders as a basic mono output - a veils clone) and a way to play (maybe a keystep pro - or a pams - which could also double as a modulation source and a random pitch source) and a basic utility module for attenuation/inversion/offset (happy nerding 3 * mia)

another good idea is to work out what modules you want (based around how many voices you want) what modules each voice will need, what supporting modules they will need when combined and then work out how much rack space you need - leaving a good 25% of any rack you buy free for expansion - you will need it... instead of deciding on a case because it appears to be convenient...

if you want to fit the 4 voices that the nifty keys is designed for you, into it, you need to go much more compact with every module...

"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia

Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!

sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation sources < utilities