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get a quad cascading vca - such as veils or intellijel - either will be able to be 4 vcas, 4 external input amplifiers, a 2-4 channel voltage controlled mixer
Maths is a great module - but it is more than the sum of its parts - google the unofficial "maths illustrated manual"
kinks is another great module that will add a lot of functionality in a small space = including logic!
-- JimHowell1970
get a quad cascading vca - such as veils or intellijel - either will be able to be 4 vcas, 4 external input amplifiers, a 2-4 channel voltage controlled mixer
Maths is a great module - but it is more than the sum of its parts - google the unofficial "maths illustrated manual"
kinks is another great module that will add a lot of functionality in a small space = including logic!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
have you tried without the gate patched to strum, a change in note should trigger rings
the transpose function is on the keyboard - so it is just general playing etc and not the frequency cv input
it certainly does not seem to be correct
I suspect you might be right about the quality of the build - was the vendor a known builder - ie have they built and sold a lot of these or was it just some bloke and a soldering iron?
I would initially try to contact the person you bought it off, describe the problem and see if they will fix it or refund - if you bought it with that possibility
if this doesn't work out then you might try the muffwiggler music tech diy subforum - there is a sticky list of reliable builders there - and of people looking for them - and there's also a mega - unsuccessful mutable diy builds thread - you may be able to find better help there!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Thank you for your message. My english is quite limited ... i will do my best. in fact it is not only a question of transposition. Basically, when I connect a controller (bsp or keystep) cv gate to rings (cv to v / oct and gate to strum), I can only play the notes on a very limited part of the keyboard. Afterwards, no matter which note I ask it to play, it remains stuck on the same note (the last lowest note or the last highest note). We can hear it in the video. I can't go down or up in octaves, can't use the transpose function. No problem with my controllers and other VCOs. This is a DIY module that I bought used and I'm starting to think whoever sold it to me wasn't being honest.
I'm going to miss Moffenzeef. I use the Mito and Deviant in every patch. Unfortunately, I could never get the Muskrat to sit well in any of my music (which is weird because I do a bunch of glitchy stuff) so I sold it. He had a very unique vision that will be sorely missed.
It would be foolish not to listen to experienced users as a beginner. Understood on the size of the rack. Expanding it will be wise and pair down from there.
I already own uModII but as this is my first move into the rack I'm not completely set on the set up and believe that it's better to take suggestions of more experienced users then try to learn through errors. I'm sure there will be plenty down the road anyway.
If I understand correctly it would be beneficial:
1. loose pico drum
2. no Circadian Rhythms (use stand alone machine)
3. need to add VCA (Erica synth is V2 is a good option here?), attenuators (something like Maths?) and logic (can Maths serve dual purpose for logic and attenuator)
4. Boolean logic by Adventure Audio?
Thanks Jim and Sacguy, kinks is on my list, and I will DIY another frequency central VCAs. That Logica XT looks amazing. Decent price too! Good call. Thanks again.
i don't remember there being any latching in Rings...
does this only happen with rings? - have you tried the same sequencers with other sound sources and get the same or different results?
please describe exactly what you are doing - by transpose do you mean send a sequence to rings v/oct in and transpose the sequence on the way in or do you mean send a sequence to rings v/oct in and use the frequency cv input to transpose?
is it an original, a clone, a diy module you built yourself?
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Looks like the last stock is in the stores for Moffenzeef, always liked his selling tactics on Instagram :) Blunt and Honest.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
I used my Make Noise 0-coast as a background drone noise to thicken up the sound and had fun tonite again. Ran out of patch cables. So time to order more as well as stackables.
One thing is certain: the IME Kermit MK3, Bionic Lester and Intellijel Quadrax are super complex deep modulation tools that are simply incredible amounts of features and functionality in small package! For a small setup, they can do quite a bit!
Nice! I thought that you already had a setup? Anyways, I am new and well and learning with my new setups. Ok let me take a stab at it!
To help:
"By the way, what does LFO, VCO, VCF, ADSR, EG and VCA stands for?"
LFO= Low Frequency Oscillator
the slow moving oscillator that modulates other things like VCOs and can have different rates of control.
VCO= Voltage Controlled Oscillator
The main sound sources of a modular system. They oscillate as sound waves back and forth nonstop. I use a scope to view them for example there are various wave types of VCOs- square, triangle, sine and so forth.
ADSR= Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release
Often part of an envelope generator. Helps manage how long a note lasts and things like that.
EG= Envelope Generator
VCA= Voltage controlled Amplifier
Lets you do all kinds of useful things for managing volume and voltage stuff with sound and modulation sources. More is better :-)
My two setups have 12 VCA total and I only have 2 VCOs and 2 drum type modules so have it ok for now.
I highly recommend the book Patch & Tweak and the Youtube channel and website by Chris Meyer he is a master teacher of modular synthesis.
I am so happy with this forum, so useful, everybody is so nice. I am new into synthesizers and modular synthesizers I only have heard about two weeks ago when a friend of mine showed me his Eurorack. That looks so cool, all these modules, those flashing lights, I straight away thought I must have one as well. Way cool to do some electronic music, right?! :-)
Below you will find my first rack design:
I would appreciate your help and advice so I can have a good start into modular, you know, it's so cool, all these flashing lights, I just love it.
By the way, what does LFO, VCO, VCF, ADSR, EG and VCA stands for? You know I just start looking around and have difficulties understanding all these abbreviations.
Anyway, I look forward for your kind help and thank you so much, this is such a cool forum you know!
P.S.: Oh yes, if you wonder how I came up to this rack, please take of every module the first letter of the manufacturer name, that provides the first sentence. You could take of every module the first letter of the module name as well and that will be the second sentence, defining the rack and me as being such an enthusiastic beginner, again, thank you so much! :-)
P.S.2: No manufacturers with nice flashing light modules starting with the letter U, so I took V instead, so if you see a V make that a U in the sentences.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
Another maker to look at if you're shooting for percussives would be Moffenzeef, hands down. NONE of their modules does anything...ah..."sensible" with the sound, but what they DO do is just off the chain.
Don't do this. You're majorly painting yourself into a corner by using a cab that's FAR too small to accommodate all of the functionality you're aiming for. For one thing, if you have to jam ALL of one function's voicing into a bunch of 2hp modules (which are a pain to adjust in the configuration your actual build has), you're doing something wrong.
Generative ambient...besides not really being very percussion-centric...really requires a lot of control manipulation subsystems that you don't have room for here. Think more along the lines of a machine that has a nonrepeating patch program, and once it's set into motion, it continues to create without performer interaction. THAT is "generative ambient".
I would stop right now if I were you, and go and get a copy of VCV Rack. You need to see firsthand how this should work, and what it really requires, and without the intermediary of VCV Rack, it's going to be far more difficult to pick up on this. Right now, you're building a money hole. You don't want to do that. LEARN the proper functionality requirements, THEN move to hardware...otherwise, this sort of thing gets real spendy real fast.
First up, the uMod II is discontinued, so unless you have one or can source one, it's probably best to remove it from the build.
Secondly, don't do the drums in here! This build is TOO SMALL to support lots of different functions; you're already missing a lot of what should be there just to support basic synth functionality.
Third: Richie uses a lot of bespoke devices and software. And without these, you won't replicate his workflow. Not that you should, anyway...if you check your driver's license, and it's not from Ontario and doesn't say Richard Hawtin, you probably shouldn't be trying to replicate his setup. Given that there are SO MANY possibilities for individual builds in Eurorack alone, it's far easier to find your OWN sound than lifting someone else's.
Now, as for the build itself...first up, jettison the small cab. If you insist on using the Circadian Rhythms, well, that takes up a HUGE plot of panel real estate, and it would work better in a 2 x 104...not this. Next: drums...just get a proper drum machine. Something like a Digitakt, etc would actually be MORE flexible in the end than trying to sacrifice part of the modular for a function that's better left to a stand-alone device. And in fact, you SHOULD be building in a much larger cab to start with...then you should pare down from there to arrive at the right case form factor.
Next, utility modules aren't a luxury...they're a NECESSITY. If there's none of them (like right now, for example), then trying to get the maximum horsepower out of the expensive crap will be an exercise in frustration. If you lack VCAs, attenuverters, logic (ESPECIALLY if you're doing major sequencing!), and so on, your rig will suck like an Electrolux! And you WILL come to loathe it. FYI, you'll notice I'm not including the Invy here; $100 for a dual attenuverter/offset is a tad much, and you should be able to get into something with identical functionality for less.
As for things that're right here...the FH-1 is a very good pick, and frankly, you might find that sequencing in software and then piping that to the modular via the FH-1 would be a better choice. It definitely cuts back your space usage. And the White Gallop would make for a great internal clock gen/mod, but this would be improved by a couple of orders of magnitude by adding some Boolean logic so that you can massively screw with the sequential timing. As for the rest, though...this is more of a "do over". Try some of the suggestions above (especially expanding the case size), and see what you think.
hey, looking for some advice. I'm attempting to make a generative ambient synth with a bell, drone, white noise, and drums (kick for sure, plus snare for good measure). This particular set up seems to be a balance of being able to be both "generate" rhythms and be random in melody output while still able to, when needed, be planned out enough and be played live.
The Disting MK4 is likely to be either an effects mod that I haven't thought of or a very expensive quantizer. The Quadrant 1U is mainly going to be a mixer because I could not fit the 2hp quad-channel mixer and the Clep Diaz sequenced LFO. I do not know where my drone is coming from at this point, I know the 2hp LFO can reach audible levels however I am thinking about switching the VCA for the 2hp sine module, my current idea is that the VCA would modulate the rainmaker, I am not sure which is more important.
It is important that I can have multiple separate sequences to trigger each of the voices and in order for it to be generative/random, I went with the Pamela's New Work out instead of the Steppy it also allowed me set a percentage that any beat would be skipped. It also allows me to put in the Noise Tools 1U for the White Noise along with a Sample and Hold. The idea of this synth is to take a set triggered Bell sound and use the rainmaker to "make" it into a melody. Please inform me if I am missing something obvious, like MORE VCAs instead of switching it for a sine wave or other effects for the kick and snare, by using stackable cables I am wondering how the rainmaker would react to having multiple voices input into it. I did not link the modules because I do not know the syntax yet.
That doesn't necessarily sound digital in nature...I'm more inclined to think that there might be some sort of CV latching issue with the module, as it sounds like reaching a certain change amount locks up the latch. IF, of course, there's a CV latch in there.
OVERVIEW
This patch aims to make full use of all 4 available outputs on the Nano Rand (Teal - Random Voltage Algorithm), with each of these being sent to 1 or 2 destinations, colour-coded to match trace lines on DATA for easy identification and signal monitoring.
GREEN - Originates from the Metropolis' Pitch output
BLUE - Originates from NR Sample & Hold Output
RED - Originates from NR Random Voltage Output
YELLOW - Originates from NR Gate Out
PURPLE - Originates from NR Noise Out
SOURCES
1. Supercritical DCO straight into Cinnamon filter
2. M32 straight into VSL-74 filter
3. Noise Generator from NR straight into DCO FM Input
DISTING
A7 - Comparator mode outputs gates and A and B outputs based on the higher of either the attenuated NR Random Voltage output or an offset generated from Channel 3 of Maths (likely between 1.5-2.0V). Disting's Channel A output triggers an ADSR envelope on Pique #2, which controls the lowpass cutoff of the resonant VSL-74 filter. This filter envelope (and the static M32 tone it processes) is antagonistic to Disting's B output, which triggers an AD envelope on Maths that goes to the Metropolis AUX A input (set to "d. In" or time divisions of the incoming clock from Nano Rand's Gate output, modulated to taste with the on-board attenuator)
PIQUE
1: Trigger Stream Randomizer: low probability of trigger acceptance but high probability of retriggering and some jitter. Pique 1 defines the frequency that Metropolis will reset
2: ADSR envelope, which sets the cutoff value for VSL-74 and thus dictates the influence of the M32
NANO RAND
As mentioned above, all available outputs are used in this patch in order to explore the full impact that the nano rand can have over the frequency, amplitude, and timbre of a patch. The Rand Algo Switch CV Input is notably absent, as I developed the patch to focus on Random uni/bipolar voltage and didn't need random audio rate pulses or random stepped values. The Random lfo voltages in this patch helps to obscure the tempo being fed into Metropolis. A few interesting things learned about Nano Rand in this patch:
i) bipolar/unipolar RND switch is a powerful tool to explore. On the surface, it would seem that one that just use unipolar for envelope modulation and VCA levels, but it can also be a useful way to "constrain" the randomization depth to just 0-+5V. On the other hand, bipolar provides a much wider range of random voltage values, opening up modulation possibilities in a big way.
ii) The flat frequency white noise output on Nano Rand is useful to send into FM inputs on Oscillators and CV inputs on VCA's, to "dirty" or obscure a timbre
iii) Nano Rand's Gate Output can be an interesting and unconventional clock source, as it derives random gates from the internal/external clock that are musically related to it.
METROPOLIS
As I typically like to do, Stages has been set to Default: 8 but I have an odd number of pulses in the sequence, as well as a series of Reset pulses that are sent at random from the Trigger Stream Randomizer on Pique #1. The Metropolis is clocked, as mentioned above, externally by the random Gate Output on Nano Rand, which generates gates that are musically related to the NR clock. The SCALE is set to "dIMIn", which Intellijel calls diminished but can more accurately be called half-whole diminished, and I think sounds the best in this context. There is a small amount of Swing added, because why not, at 54.
CINNAMON
Cutoff kept between 9:00 - 12:00, beginning with normal resonance behaviour but later switched to folded sine character (lower of the 2 reso. character switches). This cutoff range is where you hear the most activity from either of the alternate resonance responses so I kept it around there. Normally the attenuator on Cutoff CV is kept high but I will periodically lower it throughout the performance of the patch. I keep the boost off most of the time because I find that it flattens the richness of the alternate resonance responses and cutoff cv's a bit.
SINC DEFERO
Plays a small but important role here as it constrains the Nano Rand random voltage values that are sent to both Disting's comparator (Y input) and to the 2B input on SPO, which influences the attenuverted output from Nano Rand's S&H, that goes ultimately to the first Quad VCA's CV input.
QUAD VCA
Using both Quad VCA's here, which didn't actually turn out to be necessary as I could've just used 2 channels of the same Quad VCA, but is still useful to clearly separate one VCA stage from the other. The first VCA receives CV information from SPO as described in the "Sinc Defero" section above, and the second VCA receives CV information from the VSL-74's output. During the patch I make a lot of use of these VCA's, particularly of their linearity response knobs, which can really boost, fold, and clip both the audio and CV inputs fed into their respective channels, an extremely useful knob!
Thank you in advance for any feedback. I'm new to the modulars and spent sometime thinking whether I should jump into it or not and after signing up to Chris Meyer's course decided to try.
This is my first attempt. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I'm a big fan of Plastikman's (Richie Hawtin) music. This is the type of music I would love to achieve to play down the road. I'm planing to use my OP-1 with it.
Can you please advise:
placement (in which order) of the modulars inside the rack. I bought Make Noise 3U 104HP Skiff?
what am I missing in this set up to achieve beginner level electronic music?
The ADDAC 103 T-Networks is great, does a nice 808-ish Kick then some great other Toms, blips, etc that fit in and around other elements really well.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
Nice! Had not heard of the ADDAC voice drum modules before. How do you like them? They seem like good value for beat making in modular. Pair up with Erica Synth Bassline and VPME drum voice module and support modules for beat box. I may pick one up to pair with my BIA in the future.
You definitely need more attenuators/inverters/offsets, logic module, sequential switch and more VCAs :-)
Check out 3xMIA by Happy Nerding and Klavis Logica XT as well for these sorts of things. I like the Intellijel Quad VCA module quite a bit as it has extras like attenuators and boost for signals.
I’ve finally decided to go without the Morphagene for now, it’s a pretty cool module but I think this small cab will be much more fun to use if I add a few utilities instead.
Removing the Morphagene frees 20hp in the top row and this is what I changed:
I moved the Pamela’s New Workout to the top row and it now sits between the PS and the VCOs, this should avoid any noise from creeping into the audio chain as Lugia pointed out. I guess the Pam’s will be setup and forget most of the time, so from all the cv modulation modules it kind of makes sense to put this one besides the PS.
Then I added a wavefolder as Farkas suggested, but instead of the uFold II I decided to go with the AntiMatter Crossfold because it can also be used as a crossfader or a VCA, that will surely be useful in this small cab.
In the second row I replaced the Mixup with the Happy Nerding 3xMIA as Farkas suggested too. I would lose the mutes in the Mixup though, but the acid rain Switchblade can swich, mix and mute audio or cv, so far so good. Also adding a kinks to rectify signals, do basic logic or use the s&h and noise. Pretty cool, can’t wait to have this guys in my rack.
Ok, so there’s 8hp left so far. I was planning to add a classic ADSR at this point, something like the MFB ADSR with CV ins for the different stages, but then I stumbled upon the Make Noise Function.
The Function is quite interesting but I’m afraid I don’t fully understand its potential yet and I’m unsure if it really complements this rack. I know it can be used as an ASR envelope generator or as an LFO too, a part from that I don’t know what other tricks it can be used for, but the EOR and EOC outs make me thing there’s a lot of creative patching possibilities in this module.
So, does this rack still make sense? what about the Function? Should I replace it with an ADSR or with something completely different? I think the rack kind of makes sense for its size but your feedback is more than welcome.
Hello, I have a problem with my rings. I can't transpose my sequences/notes. The range is very short (+1/-1)... when I exceed the range, it remains stuck on the same note.
I re-calibrated it and installed the firmware but nothing helped. I also tested with different settings in the midi control center ... it does not change anything. I have the same problem with the keystep. is this normal? otherwise what can I do?
Drums are all ADDAC103, light hats percussion from the Roland TR-09, 2 bass sounds the main one (kinda Didgeridoo) being from the ADDAC105 4-Voice Cluster.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
Hi all,
This is my first post so go easy on me :)
So I started my eurorack journey at the start of the year.
I did a lot of research and reading then I decided to ignore all of it.
I make house and techno music.
I was wondering what sort of modules should I be looking out for?
I really would like a Fh-2 next so I can use my digitakt with my modular.
Then next I would like to get a ES-9 so I can multi track my recordings.
After that I think some utility modules would probably be in order?
Maybe a bigger case?
After starting eurorack I am finding it difficult to go back to my DAW to make music lol
Siting at computer clicking stuff in has becoming so uninspiring.
Anyways thanks in advance for your help :)
Good day all.
Ace! Love how you get the bird singing intro going then layer on drums and bass gradually then leads. What modules are you using for the drums and bass?
I am saving up for a new case and sequencer and mixer and fx setup. Would love a high end sequencer and mixer with all the expanders and support tools and FX/sampler to go with it. Very expensive part of modular next to building a setup with modular drum voices. Personally, I like the workflow of sequencer, mixer, FX and controls by my fingertips and the modules with oscillators and stuff separate all neatly patched for a show. Then I can get wild on the sequencer and filter controls and not accidentally unplug a patch cable.
The muxlicer, 8 steps sequencer with cv-able gate ratcheting (up to 8 gates per step), can be chain with other muxlicer using the EOC output and reset input (never tried this one). It's also a sequential switch and more. Negative side, there is no quantizer built-in. This video cover most features.
Thanks a lot for the hints. I definitely will keep Pamela's New Workout in mind, however looking for "the perfect" (I know, it doesn't exist and also what for one means perfect might be a disaster for another) sequencer, I don't think it's going to be my number one sequencer though. As a clock and clock divider it sounds indeed pretty interesting.
Have a good weekend, enjoy your modular systems and kind regards, Garfield.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
I pulled all the plugs from the last patch and this happened quite quickly! I'm constantly amazed by the possibilities.
Patch Notes:
There's some twinkly granular stuff coming from Monsoon Clouds which is processing some Turing Machine pitches from the Disting VCO, Tom-like percussion is from the ADDAC103 with the patterns stabbed in via the DNi Pro DOT in Record mode then mute mode used to control. There is Ochd being Half wave rectified by MI Kinks and tempered back with Thonk AT-AT-AT which controls the waving of the Cut-off on the ADDAC105.
Everything played in live in one take, there are some crackles in it and I think my Soundcard is trying to die! I really need to get some external USB audio interface.
Other Modules are, make Noise STO, Happy Nerding HNVCF, ALM Pipslope, WMD SSF ADSRVCA, Lots of 2hp modules, spot of Befaco and Erica, Pittsburgh Modular MicroSequence. Much fun.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
I love Modulargrid, and at least for my use the features it has are very intuitive and "just right" in the way that is rare in a tool.
The only niggle for me is the keyboard shortcuts. I don't know why, maybe it's because I use Safari, but relatively often (at least a couple of times per an evening of binge planning racks) they bug out in some way. Clicking the module search box does not always seem to correctly move focus to it, and when I type the module name, random keyboard shortcuts are triggered instead and my rack goes bonkers with modules deleted or duplicated. This is very infuriating especially with a more complex rack, where it's not always easy to tell what was changed.
Whenever this happens, the only consistent way of getting rid of this bug is by refreshing the page completely, and even then I still have to fix the changes to the rack design itself. I don't feel I even need the keyboard shortcuts, and they are rarely used on websites anyway because of problems managing focus – not a problem if you have a single HTML5 canvas and the focus sticks to that, but mixing HTML elements with keypress catching is something I would personally avoid. But that is of course for you to decide, and apparently many people use the shortcuts happily and without any problems.
I think the easiest solution for people who have this problem would be to have an extra checkbox in the profile settings to simply disable keyboard shortcuts entirely.
Thanks Garfield!
Yeah I try to use my modules together even as I build. The Anti-Oscillator is like multiple VCOs plus VCA vactrol (I think) and LFO built into one module with wave shaping options as well. I love it. I do wish Malekko support was better. So many issues with Varigate 4+ and Malekko Quad envelope. At least Intellijel support responds as does Noise Engineering with my questions. WTF is up with Malekko anyways?
