BugBrand Modular 1Frame System with External Joystick Controller

via this auction

"Finally! After 5 years in the dark dungeon that has been the BugBrand Workshop I have just moved to a better place! Over that time I have picked up quite a stack of bits'n'pieces and it is really time to have a serious clear-out -> to clear space, to pass on unused items and to generate some funds for setting up the new workshop.

BugBrand Modular - 1Frame System with external controller
This is quite special! A complete BugBrand Modular setup in a desktop enclosure, made up of a good selection of modules which are mainly early/prototype ones but brought fully up to current spec. For more details on the BugBrand Modular and the different modules do have a check of the BugBrand Modular website, but I will give an overview of everything here. As you may be aware, I've been making the BugBrand Modular Systems available over the last two years, but because I'm only a small setup I've restricted myself to working with only a handful of people. Usually I build up systems with people over a number of months, but here is a chance to get a full compact system with a unique controller!

The Modules:
Descriptions from Left to Right:
* MiniPower Module - this is the power for the system and is a brand new module. It runs from an 18VAC external wall-wart - for UK or Euro buyers I will include the correct wall-wart but I am unable to get hold of US ones so you will have to order one locally - there is a link to the recommended one from Jameco on the MiniPower Module Description Page . The MiniPower also features two converters from mono 1/4" jack to banana.

* ENV1 Attack/Decay - early version of the voltage controlled envelope generator - the main difference between this and the production ones was that this only has two speed ranges while the more recent ones had 3 ranges. It does Attack (Sustain) Release envelopes as well has having a Loop mode for oscillations (both audio and sub-audio ranges)

* SYN1 Weevil - an early version of the Modular Weevil - this has a thinner than normal panel and it is slightly darker than normal (see pics). Chaotic oscillations with voltage control - I actually tend to use my one for more rhythmic/clocking purposes rather than audio but it is capable of both and you get both individual Osc outputs AND the RingMod Weevil output.

* 2 x SYN2A XR09VCO - PWM - the compact VCO of the BugModular system - one of these was a prototype I used to check that everything was ok (it was!) while the other was a regular production one. Both are, of course, at full regular spec! Wide ranging VCO with LFO range too - Sine & Triangle wave switchable output and pulse wave with variable width modulation. I always like to have two of these in a system - one can act as LFO while the other is a VCO or you can get wonderful FM crossmodulations going between the both of them.

* DD2 LFO/DC Mixer - a module with two useful parts - a low-freq oscillator for modulation duties and a DC-coupled polarizing mixer - module description here . This is another early version with thin/dark panel but the circuit has been brought fully up to regular production spec. The LFO has two ranges (up to low audio rates) and skew/shaping on the triangle or pulse output. The DC Mixer is great for mixing modulation/CV signals together but can, of course, also be used to mix audio signals.

* DD1 Balanced Modulator/Low Pass Gate - another two-part module which offers DC-coupled RingMod and a classic VCF/VCA combination - module description here. Again this is an early version with thin panel, but this time the panel is not dark like the other thin ones.

* PRC3A SV Filter - a great sounding voltage controlled filter - it is a 12db/oct State-variable design offering four output responses (switchable in pairs) -> Lo/Band-pass and HighPass/Notch. There are two CV inputs for Cutoff modulation (one with depth control) and also voltage controlled resonance - note that such filter designs DO NOT self-oscillate! But you can get very nice filter-ringing by turning up the resonance and sending a sub-audio pulse wave to the audio input.

* PRC1 PT Delay - a very characterful voltage-controlled Delay - made with the digital PT2399 chip, but which sounds really analogue. Delay times over about 1/2 a second become increasingly noisy with the longest delays turning into strange & wonderful digital noises. Thin & dark early version panel!

* UTL2 Output Mix - ok, quite a boring module to finish with but very useful as a final output stage to mix three audio signals to the main1/4" (mono) output jack. Thin & dark early version panel!

This is a one-off box I made for my own use and it connects to the frame's Power-connector on the back (see pictures) with a c.80cm cable. It is housed in a compact metal box with rubber feet and is labeled with lazer-decal with clear-coat varnish.

There are two XY joystick controllers which generate CV outputs ranging from -5v to +5v. The lefthand joystick is un-sprung while the righthand one is un-sprung in the X-axis and sprung (centre-return) on the Y-axis. The joysticks use Alps joystick assemblies and have little wooden balls as the control shafts.
There are also two momentary gate buttons which generate pulses (0 to +10v) of length determined by the length dials on the side - maximum pulse lenght is about 1second. These are good for triggering, for example, the ENV1 envelope.

The Frame/Enclosure:
This uses one of my original steel frames - quite weighty compared with the current aluminium ones! The Desktop Endcheeks are the current design and have had new mounting holes drilled in them due to the fact that the newer frame design has different mounting hole positions - so there 5 extra holes on each end - see the pictures below. It doesn't really make any difference to anything - just wanted to be clear! Also not shown are little rubber feet for the end-cheeks so that the frame won't move around or scratch your table top -- it is a very sturdy setup!

Cables:
Also included in the sale is a starter pack of 24 cables of various colours and lengths + I will also include 6 longer cables for use with the JoyBox controller. (the long cables are not shown in the picture below and feature white cable with coloured ends so that they stand out from other cables)

Other Notes:
No instructions are included! You are expected to understand at least a little about how modular systems work - but, of course, I will provide as much help as possible and fully stand behind my work! Please have a good read of all the Modular Pages on my website which give a good deal of background on how the system behaves. You can also see quite a lot of demo vids on my BugBrand YouTube channel.
Shipping Weight: 6.00kg"

The JoyBox Controller: