@creatorlars I’m not sure if this thread or a new thread would be best for this post but I do have a request to make. I started building my LZX in July of 2020 and as we all know the availability of modules over the last while has made it very difficult for newcomers building systems.
I’m very excited about this first release of gen 3 modules and I know there have been a couple more mentioned. Rotate/Scroll, 2 Channel Blending, Filter/Fader, Edge Extractor, Routing Matrix, Triple Key are all I can think of getting specific mention off the top of my head.
All this is to say, I’m currently thinning out my system, in an effort to start fresh and build a system based on practicality for my use cases rather than just buying what has been available. Myself and I’m sure many others would probably appreciate a revision to the roadmap, with a little more clarity on future gen3 modules, if possible.
I’m sure there are some modules that have more concrete plans than others, but I can say for myself I’ve never quite had my system built the way I had hoped for seeing that everything has been so rare lately. Knowing some of the future modules would help avoid double purchases, or “redundant” functionality. (Though some redundancy in some areas wouldn’t be a bad thing)
I know you said you’re thinning out your system, but redundancy in almost every area of video synthesis is a good thing. Pretty much the only area that doesn’t (necessarily) benefit from redundancy is output encoders (but even then there can be times where you want multiple output encoders). Otherwise, redundancy just means more signal channels can be processed (R and G and B, or multiple sets of RGB!), or things can be processed in ways that you couldn’t before.
So don’t be afraid of redundancy. And know that as with most modular synth stuff, the resale value usually holds pretty well. Even before the covid-time LZX shortages pushed a lot of used-LZX sales to near (or greater than!) list price, there always seemed to be more people looking for old LZX gear than there were people selling it. So if you end up truly having an unnecessary redundancy, you will probably be able to sell it for a decent percentage of what you paid, even if it’s an older module.
duplication (or more) of modules in modular synthesis (whether audio or video) is not a bad thing…
modules are only redundant if you don’t use them…
I’m keeping all my expedition/orion/cadet/castle and 3rd party modules and will add to them with whichever of the 3rd generation modules I think I will use…
Redundancy in video synthesis is a great thing if you have enough space (and enough money).
I think that @vhsdestroyer is trying to plan a case that is specific to live performance. It needs to be transportable.
very true, but there’s transportable and transportable…
and having a performance case does not exclude having a studio case 2
a performance case may just be a playback device feeding an effects unit and some modulation, for example
Myself and I’m sure many others would probably appreciate a revision to the roadmap, with a little more clarity on future gen3 modules, if possible.
This thread is a great reference for the state of Gen3 development, and future modular plans. There aren’t any hidden secrets, you are privy to all knowledge on the subject. The roadmap for now is these 6 modules. And another set coming next year.
I’m happy to chat about ideas and modular concepts always, but the last thing I want is anyone planning system purchases and making decisions on selling modules based around my rough drafts.
A couple newer ideas that are solidifying though include:
A dual wideband VCF in the same format as DWO3 (same OTA cores, frequency ranges, and sync modes.) Highpass, lowpass, and edge outputs, etc. This can also be used as an audio envelope follower.
A color-bar-palette-sampling 8-stage colorizer. An all analog sample & hold based palette memory, that samples input ramps to create an 8 value palette, then applies it to a separate input.
Here’s a fun look at simultaneous video sync + external reset trigger in our DWO3 simulations. The filter will work the same way. So say you’re smearing your input with a low pass – you can sync it with a separate pattern to flush the timing capacitor to black at any rising edge.
Regarding redundancy… it’s going to be an exercise in frustration to try to make things add up between series precisely. If you have an older module you like, that does a function you like, keep it. Even though it will show back up in Gen3, you may like the original way it was implemented better! I don’t know.
So – there are no Expedition or Visionary series modules in Gen3 and all of the Expedition & Visionary modules will be in Gen3.
From our perspective, it’s a reconsolidation of the master list of functional blocks we’ve been working on for over a decade.
I guess that is more of what I have been thinking, less specifics, rather the concepts that ya’ll would like to cover. I guess an edit to my post might have cleared that up. Someone, can’t remember who said it, made a very fair point that committing to specifics now would limit the potential for new ideas.
As far as slimming down is concerned it is also in the interest of streamlining into my favorite portions of the LZX workflow and having the opportunity to build around those functions.
In relation to a new filter, I’m curious if there are still plans for an RGB filter? I also love the idea of color palates! That sounds extremely useful. I did read through the thread again, and intend to set aside some cash for the next set as well.
If you want the original TVMF style “triple filter”, that would be best in multiples of the presumable DWF3 (Dual Wideband Filter) module. 3x DWF3 would give you series/parallel VCFs for each color channel (6x VCF) for a 36HP “RGB filtering / mastering suite” approach. That’s a system concept all it’s own!
Yes, there will likely be an RGB enhancer / texturizer / filter / clipping amp, etc. That will use an RGB-to-luma style control input to drive three filters in parallel (along with keying amps) rather than a separate control per filter (which you can get with the DWF3.)
The mentions of a texturizing workflow have me super excited for sure. Would these be broken into individual modules as functions or does this relate more to the idea of a texture instrument in the automata vein.
Also @creatorlars thanks for the clarification on the DWF3, I was anticipating likely wanting doubles of any filter module at least but voltage control over 6 filters sounds particularly nice.
RGB enhancer would be a 12HP module with multiple modes – same as FKG3 is an “RGB keyer”, this is an “RGB enhancer” concept. So just one module, but with different edge and gain/clipping/filter mode options. More of an RGB war of the ants?
That sounds so sick, war of the ants was always a module that confused me a bit when I have used it in person. It always seemed like there was a ton of potential, but time limitations never quite helped unlock it. It seems like in conception the “RGB enhance” would cover a good amount of territory with the different modes.
Are there any plans for a glitch module of some kind anywhere in gen3? I’ve got a CBV001 from syntonie that is a definite favorite in the rack but I’ve always been curious to see what spin you could put on the circuit bent archer style glitch devices.
LZX patching by definition preserves / enforces valid sync at all times, and that type of device is well represented elsewhere, so I don’t plan on doing something like a sync distortion. The RGB enhancer would be our version of high gain / clipping types of “glitch” effects/distortion. I also see glitch as something you can inherently patch in the format, just by adding feedback, or XOR’ing something with something else you shouldn’t.
Will these modules fit on Tip Top Audio rails? I can’t see how, as those bottom-facing connectors look like they would be blocked by the “lips” on the TTA rails. However, I would very much like to find that I’m mistaken.
Will these modules fit on Tip Top Audio rails? I can’t see how, as those bottom-facing connectors look like they would be blocked by the “lips” on the TTA rails. However, I would very much like to find that I’m mistaken.
Shouldn’t be an issue. The bottom facing connectors have enough clearance to leave an RCA or DC barrel cable plugged in without exceeding the outer boundary of the PCB below it. The only thing I’d watch out for are RCA cables with abnormally long or bulky housings. We have tested several RCA cables with different housings and haven’t found any that don’t fit yet, but it doesn’t mean they are not out there.
I may have failed to explain my concern in sufficient detail. It’s not the cables themselves that trouble me so much as the connectors themselves. Those sync connectors look like they descend below the PCB edge, which is level with the panel edge. That’s where the lip will be! The lip is deeper than the depth between panel and PCB, so there will be no space for the connectors, nevermind cables. So I appreciate that cables can be connected to modules without difficulty, but that’s not my concern here. It is the rails the module will be mounted on.
Of course, I’m looking at photographs of the backs of non-production modules. For all I know, the production modules will be different in small details like this. Clearly it will be possible to mount them on rails. I just can’t see from looking at these photos how that can work. Nevermind. I can wait for more realistic photos and a better understanding. Thanks.
The roadmap for now is these 6 modules. And another set coming next year.