# Seahorse - Turntable Strummed Through Rings Case: **Synthrotek SeaHorse** (portable). Each module is used once. Source: original Jack labels from the Rings and Shades manuals, the Reverse DC Motor manual, the Ginko Phono Preamp building manual and its ModularGrid listing (PHONO/LINE switch, MONO and STEREO modular-level outputs), and the Ladik A-541 description on ModularGrid. Phono Preamp output silk-screen, Echo jacks and Micro Sequence jacks: check panel. Signal path explained: [[Patches/Seahorse/Seahorse - Turntable Strummed Through Rings - SignalPath|SignalPath]] Incremental build: [[Patches/Seahorse/Seahorse - Turntable Strummed Through Rings - Build|Build]] ## Modules - Ginko Synthese Phono Preamp: turntable in - Mutable Instruments Rings: resonator, excited by the record - Pittsburgh Modular Micro Sequence: Rings pitches and strums - Synthrotek Echo: echo on the odd side - Gieskes Reverse DC Motor: hand wobble on the echo rate - Mutable Instruments Shades: brake on the motor CV - Ladik A-541 (or the Mini Speakers) **Cable colors:** [[Cable Colors]] after [Learning Modular](https://learningmodular.com/choosing-patch-cables/): ⚪ Gray 1 V/oct · 🔵 Blue modulation · 🟡 Yellow audio · 🔴 Red gates/triggers · 🟢 Green clock/sync · ⚫ Black external ## Cables 1. ⚫ Black · Turntable RCA -> Phono Preamp RCA inputs (L/R) 2. 🟡 Yellow · Phono Preamp MONO output (check panel which jack is MONO) -> Rings IN (in, 4) 3. ⚪ Gray · Micro Sequence quantized pitch output (check panel) -> Rings V/OCT (in, 3) 4. 🔴 Red · Micro Sequence Gate output (check panel) -> Rings STRUM (in, 2) 5. 🟡 Yellow · Rings ODD (out) -> Echo audio input (check panel) 6. 🟡 Yellow · Echo output (check panel) -> A-541 channel A input (1/8″); ⚫ Black if you patch it to Mini Speaker 1 instead (judgment call) 7. 🟡 Yellow · Rings EVEN (out) -> A-541 channel B input (1/8″); ⚫ Black if you patch it to Mini Speaker 2 instead (judgment call) 8. 🔵 Blue · Reverse DC Motor CV out (check panel) -> Shades channel 1 Signal input 9. 🔵 Blue · Shades channel 1 Signal output -> Echo rate CV input (check panel) ## Starting points - **Phono Preamp:** switch to PHONO for a turntable (LINE for a line source). Bring up its volume until Rings rings full without crunching. Hook the turntable's ground wire to the GND connection (the thumbscrew on the panel, per the building manual). - **Rings:** modal resonator, polyphony 4. STRUCTURE 11 o'clock, BRIGHTNESS 1 o'clock, DAMPING 2 o'clock, POSITION 12 o'clock. - **Micro Sequence:** slow tapped tempo, Scale on Dorian, length 8, a few steps muted for breathing room. - **Echo:** Rate 1 o'clock, Feedback 12 o'clock, Mix 11 o'clock. - **Shades channel 1:** attenuator mode, 9 to 10 o'clock. Spin the motor for wow on the echo. ## Level notes - The Rings manual says modular levels are expected at IN. The Phono Preamp outputs modular level, so don't add gain anywhere else. ## What it should sound like The record becomes the exciter: its drums and voices ring Rings into tuned chords that follow the Micro Sequence. The odd side trails a dirty echo that warbles when you spin the motor; the even side stays dry.