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Trying out the new Macro Oscillator2 algorithm on Disting EX, which gives you four independent Plaits voices. I'm using the ipad app, Fugue Machine, to sequence the four Plaits.
Detailed patch notes in the video:

Thanks znort101, in effect, 10v is a value that can create some annoying problems, in particular touching the terminals with wet (or sweaty) hands. I think it's quite common to get a little electrical shock handling the patch cables. But it's very different than main dangerous leakage current.

My physicians says that this range not create particular problems, but is better to avoid this risk taking care in handling patch cables. It is more dangerous the exposition to magnetic field or stay too close to wireless equipment.

Nice!!

I ordered a NE Clep Diaz to @samsilver and everything fine.
Module in very good condition.
The only thing to comment is that it announced the Black model and in the end it was Silver. But it does not matter.
Recommended seller.

My friend Bart came by for a visit, he is a musician as well and started fiddling around on my DFAM and created this LOFI Piano sound coming from a drum synth, so creative! I had to record a jam with it. It turned into a hypnotic ambient track with a touch of LOFI. I really like it and hope you do too! If so please like and subscribe to my channel!

This is what one might wanna call dense music. And pretty aggressive here and there, too. All synth parts were recorded and layered with the RYK Vector Wave processed thru Noiswasp, Disting Ex Resonator algo and Mimeophon. Beats by Nord Drum2 processed thru Tanh3, QPAS and Messor. Heaphones are recommended. Thank you for watching.

In ModWiggler a thread has collected various technical information and development proposals.
Phin Head from Stochastic Instruments responded with great interest, being aware that his module is a future #1.
https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272539

Since you propose the topic here, I would suggest this rack designed for silent performances (as the underground counterculture had initiated them in the 60s).

Hello,
Here is my humble feature requests, not essential ones.
A "similar modules" list on each module page, maybe with a user vote for recommendation/similarity to determine the order.
Or it could be based on what users uses in the same categories the modules lands. (Or both?)
Maybe going even deeper in great modules combinations.
The similar rack feature is awesome but a bit flooded by trolls lol.
Could be great for rare/discontinued modules or to discover other takes on some functionalities.
Also, a "shopping list" could be great, instead of adding modules to a rack, I'm using the marketplace alert as a workaround but having everything in a dedicated page could be awesome.
This could be features available to unicorn accounts :)
Thank you!

Next year we need a silence sampler version ;-)
Or perhaps the STFU edition?

EDITED Apr 7th 2023, 07:24

NerdSeq sequencing the modular and a few polys in one pass.

https://dspkills.bandcamp.com/track/kevins-anxiety

Maybe something like a steady state gate for LPG / Filter / VCA duties? If any of your percussion responds to envelopes directly I’d highly recommend a 4ms PEG for rhythmic envelope duties.

Hi all,
I am coming here to get some advice on my project.
Currently running a 6U 88hp (Arturia RackBrute) with techno/electro in mind.
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2214755.jpg
This is a beginning. I am forecasting a 9U 104hp. Reason is I am currently using an OT mk2 as a mixer as well as basic drum machine (usually no more then 3 voices) + rarely looping/sampling much.
I am using a Torso T-1 to sequence everything modular.
Also using an FMR RNC (as a pseudo limiter) before going into an Elektron Heat mk2 as end of audio chain.
I am willing to expand my system to "get rid of" the OT and this is the reason why I am planning this bigger case.
I would like to add a kick as well as an extra perc voice (could be a BIA as well as a basic clap/hat sample player or voices).
Still debating extra VCA (Tangle Quartet, Quad VCA...). Will need more EGs as well (AD vs ADSR?) and also some more attenuverters.
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2215363.jpg
Just willing to have some opinion.
Thanks for any input.
Best,
Loersatz

EDITED Apr 2nd 2023, 17:58

@Meistbr1

https://pichenettes.github.io/mutable-instruments-documentation/modules/plaits/downloads/plaits_1.2.wav

EDITED Apr 2nd 2023, 12:07

Mutable Instrument Server is down.
Can any one send me the update file please.
Thans (wäre super)

Gruss Bruno
-- Meistbr1

MI Plaits Update File v1.2 & Instructions

Mutable Instrument Server is down.
Can any one send me the update file please.
Thans (wäre super)

Gruss Bruno

Can't answer about the risks, however its not even about possible leakage, if you touch a patch cable - not the cable, the contact - you can definitely feel it - those 5-10 volts seem to be enough.
Was kind of surprised/startled when it accidently happened while patching.
Ask your doctor or maker of the device.

I started just under a year ago by homing my semi modular gear somewhere neat with a single power supply, and a few modulation sources and a way to hook up with my Korg MS-20. However, soon started to realise that, for me, I could achieve similar outcomes, with many more options, with smaller proper eurorack modules. So the swarm gave way to 4ms Ensemble, DFAM to BIA coupled with Mimetic Digitalis, and much more. I'd consider a 2x104hp an optimal starter rack.

I take hybrid approach, using Bitwig as my DAW, using the boredbrain OPTX to integrate DAW with Rack, which just about keeps my at my current rack size.

EDITED Mar 31st 2023, 12:25

Replicant, the connection to ground of metal case is necessary also in presence of a thermal magnetic circuit breakers ? I live in Italy and my apartment has both protection systems (grounding and this device). Thanks.

-- picadura

Yes. You can think of "ground" as a chain: it is only as strong as its weakest link.

Replicant, the connection to ground of metal case is necessary also in presence of a thermal magnetic circuit breakers ? I live in Italy and my apartment has both protection systems (grounding and this device). Thanks.

those Vulcans and their sarcasm!!!

“Fascinating.” - Spock.

If you really only want to to tip your toe into the modular waters, there is the Tiptop Audio Happy Ending Kit. 84hp, you can mount it into a rack, a uZeus power-module with 1000mA is included. The company-thou-shalt-not-name with the big B offers a similar solution for a few € less.

Or, and for me that's the way to go, build your own case. There's dozens of videos on YouTube with quite detailed instructions, and if you're not completely useless with a jigsaw, it's a cost-effective and fun alternative to prebuilt solutions.

In this ambient jam I wanted to create an underwater world. I created waves with lfo’s and white noise of the Mother-32, sonar sounds with the dfam. Water sounds with beads, the singing of whales with Ripples and movements of bubbles and fish with Plaits. Enjoy!

I need more modulation sources before getting this.
-- inevitablecrafts

hahahahahahahahaha and some utilities to patch them through

I need more modulation sources before getting this.

So, if I understood correctly, through a power supply it is not possible that the AC current arrives inside the case?

There are two ways that could possibly happen.
First would be some kind of catastrophic failure of the power supply which resulted in AC short-circuiting to the case. This is highly unlikely but it is theoretically possible. The best protection against this kind of failure is good grounding. It is also worth pointing out that this kind of failure is a risk with any electronic device so it's probably not something that would keep you away from modular.

Second is what is generally meant by the term "leakage current". Basically this refers to very small amounts of electricity passing through insulation, and it is a very tiny % of the working voltage of the circuit. This is what I was referring to in my earlier post. Because Modular signals are very low voltage whatever tiny % of leakage may occur is probably not worth worrying about.

There is a good centralized and certified grounding system in the building where I live

That is good to hear. But when I wrote that "Good grounding" is important I don't mean just the building, I meant how the rack is put together. Ideally you'd have a metal rack, the rack itself should be wired to ground, and you'd make sure to tighten all the screws holding your modules in. Sometimes I see people online that have just rested modules inside a rack without any screws, or maybe they're just using one screw per module. That's not good practice, the metal front panel of the modules should have firm contact with the grounded rack. That is critical for safety, if there were any stray voltages present you want them going to ground through the case, not being present where you might touch a knob or grab a patch cable. If you are building a wooden case with metal rails to make your rack then run a ground wire to each rail.

Like JimHowell1970 wrote, most Modular racks use the same kind of power supplies as a computer, sometimes this is a literal laptop power supply "brick" wired externally, other times it is a similar power supply mounted inside the rack itself. But either way the power supply has the same basic function: it takes in AC mains and converts it to the lower voltages (+/-12V, 5V) used by the modules.

EDITED Mar 29th 2023, 13:43

I got a reply which was quick, telling me that it's not made for CV and that I should be using an active mixer for that purpose.
Fair enough, shame that the product page on their website actually says "This simple passive mixer is suitable for mixing both audio and control voltage sources."...

I would definitely heed Jims warning. It's about what could go wrong not what has gone wrong.

digga

It may not win any design awards but it works well enough for me and lets me use whatever modules I want to which is a win in my book.

I do have experience with the module and contacting Synthrotek. Mix does have quirks which I assumed are from its passive nature and inexpensive 2hp design. Like, for example, turning unused channels all the way down when not used. Not turning the channels all the way up when using 2+ audio signals. It was like $25 so I can't complain. I still use it occasionally for audio but I have multiple active mixers for CV use. Their website says it's not suitable for additive voltages.

As for customer service, I contacted them for an incorrect order (they sent a DIY kit for Arcadian Rhythms instead of assembled) and they shipped out a new completed module by the end of the day. Got a free kit out of it.

FYI you can fit deeper modules in any skiff or case by using standoffs. You can get packs of hundreds of them in different lengths from places like Amazon for about $15. You screw the standoff into the slot and then screw the module in via a thread in the standoff. I like the brass ones as the nylon ones can break too easily.

That would free you up to choose any 2hp (brand) module. Maybe the mixer would be a good match as you don’t seem to have one.

-- main_tenant

hhmmm - not convinced by this: it potentially exposes the boards/components to the wild - ie short circuiting them by accidentally coming into contact with stray patch cables etc - which may or may not damage the module and/or power supply...

in other words do this at your own risk...

& just because someone has done this and not short circuited anything so far, doesn't mean it's not going to happen - it just means it hasn't happened to them, yet!

and it looks crap...

Thanks Jim, my space problem is also physical, I don´t have room in my desk lol. I have to think very calmly about opening the Eurorack door, it gives me some vertigo.

remember 1hp = 5.08mm (1/5") so an extra 44hp < 22.5 cm (9") - a little bit of rearrangement (& possibly some creative thinking) is often all that takes to find!

as for 'vertigo' set a starting budget and a continuing budget - ie a % of disposable income, or a set amount each month or whatever - and stick to it it

also charge modules rental for their rack space: let's say your rack works out at 2(USD/EUR/GBP) per hp then for each module you buy you put that * the number of hp the module takes up into a savings account/piggybank/whatever - when your rack is full then you have the funds to pay for the same rack again (not allowing for inflation etc) which makes life easier if money is tight...

I´m curious, is there a proper place to trade or swap modules?
-- GrumoSound

usually this is done by buying and selling used modules - as given the differing prices of modules it can be difficult to work out swaps on...

most 'easily available' modules "should" be priced at between 70 & 80% of the retail price - modules that are not easily available can go for extreme markups - often described as price gouging, but really just 'good' old supply and demand, or seeing if someone is stupid/rich enough to pay that - see mutable instruments/cwejman modules etc etc

buying used can be a way of saving money - ie you should be able to sell most modules in the future for a similar price to what you paid for it, if you need to - so cost really becomes postage... remember there is intrinsic value in your modules - it's not like spending the money on beer, for example, you still have the module and that module has value - but also remember that maybe not 100% of transactions will work out 100% in your favour - which is where paying using PayPal and paying the transaction fees (not friends and family) works in your favour!

as for where - there is the marketplace here, the buy/sell subforum on modwiggler, the monthly trades thread on the modular subreddit, reverb and also ebay/craigslist...

personally I think here and modwiggler are best - reverb and ebay charge fees, the others don't - modwiggler has a 100 post requirement for posting for sale items (to deter scammers) and there's a good trades thread here...

Thanks Jim, my space problem is also physical, I don´t have room in my desk lol. I have to think very calmly about opening the Eurorack door, it gives me some vertigo.

I´m curious, is there a proper place to trade or swap modules?

no - have you tried contacting Synthrotek?

ps good luck with that they're (anecdotally) not known for being helpful, unlike most other modular compnies...

PS: I love your avatar ;)

Thanks XD

I don´t have a lot of money, that´s one reason against starting with modular.
-- GrumoSound

remember you don't have to buy all the modules in one go - you can always add another module as and when you can afford it etc

For now I´m not sure about it, I´d need a small case (2 x 60hp) and the Mantis is too much big for me.
-- GrumoSound

but you will next week or next month... a smaller case will be more expensive per hp than a mantis - and an extra 88hp will give you space to expand - I know this from my own experience and from other people who have not taken my advice coming back to me and saying they wish they had taken my advice - usually within a small space of time... this is because they've filled the small case with the modules that they wanted only to discover that there were more modules that they needed in order to get the module that they wanted to work better together!

saying that - advice is given and doesn't have to be taken - so you do what you want...

just try to remember planning slightly ahead can save you money in the long run - modular synthesis is not an inexpensive endeavour and any savings are good... as you'll be able to spend the savings on more modules!

PS: I love your avatar ;)

Thanks XD

I don´t have a lot of money, that´s one reason against starting with modular.

Hi,
I recently ordered the Synthrotek Mix kit for eurorack and have successfully assembled it.
It seems to work, however I experience significant signal amplitude loss when patching CV through any of the 3 channels. It sorts of passes the signal to the output however compared to the input signal it's much weaker. Is this a known issue? The assembly is good and tested however I can't really use it for CV as intended.

Any ideas or experience with this module?

Was totally worth it, the Kalyke works now with a 34hp 4ms case. And I now have additional space in my tip top rack, which I haven't thought of till now 😂 good for my GAS🐒

ES9 is a DC-coupled audio interface - it allows you to send both audio and cv to and from your computer - it can be controlled by midi to some degree - so that it can also be used as a mixer - I don't know if it can be used as an interface and a mixer simultaneously - you would have to read the latest manual, which is available on the Expert Sleepers website

if you want to bring external instruments up to modular levels then you will need some sort of pre-amp module - or some vcas will also do this - the intellijel quad you have racked, for instance - but you may find you are using multiple channels to get enough gain - a mutable veils clone would be better as it has a lot more gain on each channel (if you want to use a vca for this) - personally I would get a dedicated input module - but be sure that you buy what you want by doing research and thinking about how many channels you want and what other features - envelope follower, gate extractor, pitch follower are all possible - and are all available in other modules - examples would be doepfer (cheap and cheerful and a bit gritty), befaco (more expensive but clean) and the sonicsmith ev1 converter (which adds pitch following amongst other thing) nb all of those are mono for inputting guitar/bass and
possibly vocals

other points: the Pams you have racked is the original - which was discontinued years ago - I would at least get a Pamela's New Workout (used - as again discontinued) or a Pamela's Pro Workout - the latest version which adds quite a few features...

do you need scales, the midi to cv module, pams and an es9 for sequencing? probably not all of them...

using es9, pams and the midi to cv module as sources of pitch - they will all be already quantized - this makes scales redundant (& I intensely dislike this word in regard to modules)

keep pams (one of the newer versions anyway) - as it can be used as a random pitch generator as well as the many other things it can be used for

keep the es9 - as it will be your audio interface - and install either cv tools, silent way or vcv rack (vst version) to allow you to sequence from your daw... whichever works for you

get rid of the midi->cv module it's superfluous

and get a matrix mixer...

tiptop mantis is an excellent choice of starter case - I have one & if I were to buy another case (most of mine are DIY) I wouldn't hesitate to buy another mantis

also read my signature: and think long and hard about what it says... apply this to your thinking before you start spending money on modules!!! you don't have to follow the advice therein, but at least think about it...

Only ES-9 costs more than 550 pounds new....
And you also have Arbhar and Morphagene.... Forget about spending less than 3000 pounds even getting good second hand

Sorry I meant 3000! And I should have said it in the post, but I will eliminate modules from the rack as it stands now, when I get a better grasp of what I need. I could use some help on that point.

Thank you for replying!

I have updated it now, it was the wrong link earlier.

So I only need the es9 and an inputmodul to meet my needs for connectivity?
Doepfer Input module has only one Input, if you need more inputs, you will need more input modules.
Although it is not necessary for everyone to have an envelope follower
For example, you have this one from Ladik, very cheap with 4 lines.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-a-520-4ch-in-line-preamp

Lastly, the two hundred pound thing is a typo, right?
I would at least be able to do this for below 300 pounds, if possible.
Only ES-9 costs more than 550 pounds new....
And you also have Arbhar and Morphagene.... Forget about spending less than 3000 pounds even getting good second hand
-- Markusbjorli

EDITED Mar 28th 2023, 13:35

Lastly, the two hundred pound thing is a typo, right?
I would at least be able to do this for below 300 pounds, if possible.
-- Markusbjorli

ModularGrid evaluates the above rack at €4.049

Thank you for replying!

I have updated it now, it was the wrong link earlier.

So I only need the es9 and an inputmodul to meet my needs for connectivity?
Lastly, the two hundred pound thing is a typo, right?
I would at least be able to do this for below 300 pounds, if possible.

EDITED Mar 28th 2023, 13:09

doepfer PSU3 is mains AC

Frequency Central is mostly 12v AC - I think their new one is DC

Most others using wall or rug warts will be DC - Arturia, 4ms, befaco, tiptop etc

if it's not stated in the manual, ask the manufacturer - most have support email addresses listed on their web sites... if they don't respond, then don't buy from them

yeah on signing a contract to do so on a day rate - expect it to cost thousands and take months... plus on-going maintenance fees...

or you could teach yourself JavaScript and do it yourself - it will only take you some months...

Hi,
Better share a link to the rack, so we can see the details of the different modules.

If you search on Youtube for Eurorack ambient or Eurorack Drone you will find many videos, some with in-depth explanations, especially for drones.

Modular is neither better nor worse for what you are looking for, what it is is very flexible and scalable, and mainly very expensive.
< Can I hook my modular setup up to logic, and record stuff from the modular in to logic all with the help of the expert sleepers es9? I know it allows you to record multitracks into the daw which is nice, but does it also work as an input?>
ES9 is basically an audio and midi output module. There are pre-amplified input modules, since you need to amplify the signal to Eurorack levels. Interesting that they have Envelope Follower, so you can generate CV from external sounds. For example the cheap Doepfer https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-119

I don't understand the two power sources. If you need more power you can include a source like https://www.modulargrid.net/e/4ms-company-row-power-45
I think Brains and Plaits overlap. I would stick with Plaits (or a clone) and add another oscillator with built-in modulation like https://www.modulargrid.net/e/erica-synths-black-vco2
You would also need an effects module, like clouds or Monsoon
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/calsynth-monsoon-aluminum
And a matrix mixer would be a good idea, to modulate the cv, it takes up little space https://www.modulargrid.net/e/crazy-chicken-matrix
And now, to finish for now, vca's
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/nano-modules-alt

Lastly, the two hundred pound thing is a typo, right? Because that's worth it Maths....
Best regards

EDITED Mar 28th 2023, 12:35

most cases are DC powered - similar to a laptop - in fact some power supplies actually use laptop bricks for converting AC mains power to DC +/- 12v and +5v

Hi JimHowell1970, thanks for the reply. Can you indicates some brands that uses this kind of power supply ? I'm interested in 4ms, intellijel, arturia rack brute, in particular, what's about this manufacturers ? Thanks

EDITED Mar 28th 2023, 12:21