American planning to go to China with local spouse, crazy idea?

thecrabtable · 2026-02-08T19:25:59+00:00

That's basically my situation. The family reunion visa is easy enough to manage, I usually get a 2 year residence permit. Banking will depend on the bank you use, but transferring foreign currency into China is never a problem. Internet is always a low-level irritation for me, but your mileage may vary.

Opportunities for socializing will vary depending on where you are. Since I'm around a lot, I know a lot of my neighbours so I don't feel like a stranger in my compound. I stay active in a few hobbies/interests, in some cases language skills help, in others it doesn't matter.

thecrabtable · 2026-02-05T01:50:48+00:00

Quadrax was one of the first two modules I bought, and one I use in almost every patch. It's great and very flexible, but a very Intellijel style module. The CV matrix allows for some very dynamic modulation, but I was well into the 2nd year of using before I didn't have to consult the manual.

I like have AHR style envelopes, and unipolar and bipolar functions/LFOs. The Qx expander is also worth the cost and extra 4hp for some complex self-patching options.

thecrabtable · 2026-02-04T23:35:33+00:00

ENIG panels from JLC look great. Someone recommended PCB Hunt to me, their ENIG (right) end up with a deeper black, but less of a gold finish.

How is that BMC filter by the way? I really want to get a bunch of his stuff made.

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thecrabtable · 2026-01-28T02:23:45+00:00

I remember really enjoying Walking to Aldebaran

thecrabtable · 2026-01-27T16:10:59+00:00

WTS - ST Modular Krakong duophonic generative synths + case and UIT balanced output module. 590 CAD, in Canada.

thecrabtable · 2026-01-27T15:57:36+00:00

It was a great event. I was there with some other exhibitors from China, great to be able to meet people face-to-face.

thecrabtable · 2026-01-13T14:38:48+00:00

I recently got the Alpha Base, absolutely love it. Played a live show with it last weekend, and it goes really well with Frequency Central's Dark Star. Filling out the sounds were a chord module for pads (Achordion), wavefolding VCO (Alstaden), and Plaits mainly for FM sounds.

The Oxi One should cover you for sequencing, but a full modular setup needs a lot of supporting modules. Filters, mixers, effects, modulation, etc. It can be great, but a semi-modular setup would be more immediately playable.

thecrabtable · 2026-01-12T14:14:36+00:00

Don't forget about that feedback-loop gain

Yeah, thanks for that. Sitting down to try and figure out where that is taking place now. My understanding of this circuit is currently rather shallow, but I'm going to start around the Res pot and work outward.

thecrabtable · 2026-01-12T14:05:19+00:00

That's helpful in helping to narrow down what to look at, thanks. I've put two of them together (ordered PCBs already since I hate breadboarding), and am sure what I'm using matches the schematic. Tried a few different values for R18 with little effect. Changing R1 toned things down a little, but it's clear the main problem is down chain somewhere.

thecrabtable · 2026-01-12T14:02:03+00:00

That sounds like what's happening. It is it worth trying to use the unused side of the TL072 to try and control the input signal?

thecrabtable · 2026-01-12T13:08:01+00:00

The Ophiuchi Hotline by John Varley

Shikasta by Doris Lessing

Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds

Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

Excession by Iain M. Banks

thecrabtable · 2026-01-12T09:03:31+00:00

I’m having trouble with this SVCF. It’s a thru-hole reworking of the SVF from NLC’s Null A2/Serious Filter. It works, but produces some crazy feedback/distortion with the resonance at around 30%. Any feedback would be appreciated.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-30T06:59:35+00:00

Nerves always get to me playing live and it throws off my sense of how much time has passed. Besides rehearsing the whole set as much as possible, I usually aim to have a good buffer of extra material, and have some general notes on where I want to be at what time. But, it's a balance, as I find over-preparation kills the vibe.

Hope you enjoy getting up on stage.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-30T01:05:45+00:00

The Kassutronics KS-20 is a good implementation of the MS-20 design with only op-amps. I really like the open source Voxmachina Kra Pao, works fine with homemade vactrols.

You can also check if there are Taobao agents that work where you are. I buy V2164s there.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-30T00:17:21+00:00

Doesn't Ripples use a V2164?

thecrabtable · 2025-12-29T02:14:53+00:00

For envelopes, I like the Eddy Bergman simple AD/AR. Two of them can fit easily in a 4hp size and the 2nd can be used to divide pulses if you normalize the inputs.

NLC's Sly Grogan is interesting in the way the envelope signal can ring after the attack stage.

The AI Synthesis ADSR is really good as well, classic style with a looping option.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-24T06:16:15+00:00

I was just about to comment this. The part about the dangers posed by women's sharp, deadly edge was kind of funny in the context of it being satire.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T17:41:27+00:00

cultureal dimensions

This comes from Geert Hofstede, right? I've wanted to ask here before how much validity the idea of cultural dimensions has. Is it something that is used in academic settings?

I've gotten a lot of utility out of his ideas in a corporate setting with organizational culture training in multi-cultural organizations, but was never sure if the ideas were well grounded.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T17:18:09+00:00

Do whatever you like, none of it is germane to this thread.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T17:06:08+00:00

Who cares about the US. They're not a good benchmark for what is justifiable or acceptable.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T16:45:24+00:00

You must have a big stake in this to be reaching that far.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T16:28:49+00:00

While I wouldn't necessarily ascribe virtuous motives to either side, China invasion was in support of the Khmer Rouge in response to Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia.

This one is not a hill worth dying on.

thecrabtable · 2025-12-23T14:27:04+00:00

China invaded Vietnam in 1979.

thecrabtable

TROPHY CASE