I started being more cognizant of function overlap. No need to get a module, no matter how pretty it is, if all it does is perform the same function as a module I already own.

to a large extent this is true, especially of big shiny expensive modules... but functional overlap in utilities is handy... multiple vcas, mults, mixers, logic, clock dividers etc are extremely useful! especially once you've grown beyond a few voices... and are starting to look at multiple layers of control... not just controlling the shape, panning and sound of notes, but also controlling sections of 'songs' - bring in this voice for this section, add this effect for a bar every 4 bars...

In the beginning we're understandably a bit voracious, but the more we add on the table, the more discriminating gourmet we become.

-- Sweelinck

Never more true words, I am definitley becoming a discriminating gourmet, I even feel like my module-buying is slowly coming to an end.... Shocking I know

-- wishbonebrewery

this is very true for most people - almost all new modules are combinations or extrapolations of existing modules, that to a large extent can be patched up from what you have (if you have the basic building blocks of synthesis in your rack and not just shiny expensive do it all modules) - there's the odd one that innovates massively, but they are very uncommon amd not necessarily that useful...

I'm definitely in a similar position regarding audio modules - there are a few things I would like to add in the future, but no real urgency... an extra oscillator (a duplicate of one I already have - to use as a 2 oscillator voice), a control surface (possibly a tnsm or a tetrapad/tete or similar) and then it's just a few relatively simple utilities... another matrix mixer, a vc polarizer, maybe a couple of submixers

the same can almost be said for video too... I know almost exactly what I want to be able to do, that I can't already do... but again no real rush... some/most/all of it is doable with modules that are either currently available, or (hopefully) will be soon... it's just having the spare cash (if you thought audio modular was expensive... take a look at analog video modular)... and I have no real need for HD - I kind of like the retro SD vibe...

I do like a bit of DIY though - so this may continue - unless/until my eye sight gets too bad... I do want to finish my backlog though... but all of that is smd (that I don't really like) and have been putting off for a long time...

In the beginning we're understandably a bit voracious, but the more we add on the table, the more discriminating gourmet we become.

-- Sweelinck

Never more true words, I am definitley becoming a discriminating gourmet, I even feel like my module-buying is slowly coming to an end.... Shocking I know

-- wishbonebrewery

When I first got into this, I wanted every module out there. As my collection grew, I started being more cognizant of function overlap. No need to get a module, no matter how pretty it is, if all it does is perform the same function as a module I already own.

The big change for me came when experimenting with patches and I learned what I see as one of the most important rules in eurorack, "Turn the knobs slowly, real slowly." I had a tendency when playing to make these big moves, testing the extremes. It's when you make small control changes that you really learn the module and find all kinds of sweet spots (waves going into phase, amplitudes mixing at just the right level, etc.).

After that I was finding features in modules that I didn't know were there. Now every time I see a new module, I think of all the little extra features my exisiting modules have and I consider if I can already do, with one or more currently-owned modules, what the new module does.

Regarding mixers, I finally gave in trying to find something I'd be happy with in-rack and ended up buying an external mixer, the Tascam Model 12. It's a digital mixer (6 mono / 2 stereo channels) that handles eurorack levels well. With it I can also record on an SD card on the unit or use it as a multi-track audio interface to record to computer.
-- PragmaticusMax

Good to now! I´m also interested in the tascam Mixers... Do you know if this is true for the bigger models as well? The Model 12 is the only digital one, right?

-- ak47exe

The 16 and 24 are both analog. I have no experience with those so can't definitively say they handle eurorack like the 12. I went with the Model 12 because it was the right size for me (I know, famous last words), and since the controls are digital, it can be used as a DAW controller (haven't tried this feature yet, though).

some advanced tips:

1. place one maths in the center as the brain, to control the others
   If this is not enough, add various behringer brains. Its a no brainer.

2. You could use behringer Radar to control mutable instruments ears and ears to control the after later audio auris. If you combine it with the OR outputs of all abacus modules, you can track passing combat-jets. - but only after passing through, with 2 % accurency. This is way late, but it actually does something, if you are lucky.

3. Drop all abacus and place it with behringer neutrons. You will see, that it doesnt fit in the rack. This will result in a not existing neuronal network, covering nothing, but sleeping circuits, resting in eternal mysery. This could be the peace and happiness you are looking for - if not, add some more behringer brains.

EDITED Aug 30th 2023, 09:06

In the beginning we're understandably a bit voracious, but the more we add on the table, the more discriminating gourmet we become.

-- Sweelinck

Never more true words, I am definitley becoming a discriminating gourmet, I even feel like my module-buying is slowly coming to an end.... Shocking I know

@aleszylder: I personally know user @DirkB - he's a good friend of mine and a regular customer of my builds - and can tell you for sure he's NOT a fraud.

Did you contact these users yourself before posting or did you simply put these names up here?
I don't think this is the correct way of doing things... You might give good sellers a bad name because of posting like this.

Unfortunately I cannot vote the other users since I have not contacted them, but I suppose they are all frauds: @Kaneda87 @wrongdisplay @asdfqwer @dosko64 @DirkB @wolvero @tokkeherfst @pikseliahky (and a lot more since these users have their own positive votes)

Hide Manufacturer Info Block

When you select a Manufacturer via the Manufacturer Drop Box in the Module Finder an info box with related info will be shown. That's old news. But if you don't need that info now you can hide that box with a click and it will stay hidden even after logout.

longer cables & layout - see above... you may find that you want to use your current 6u 104hp case as a control skiff in front if the 15u is vertical - I find that I prefer sequencers, controllers, end of chain mixer etc are best horizontal and at the front

OK, thats probably ergonomically better to have it horizontally or what is the matter?
The Case is not entirely straight. Its straight at the top but concave towards the bottom.

I didn´t think about new cables that will add cost of course.

not really, more an extrapolation of what I was doing with a smaller case... more voices to patch (potentially) - use more utilities to make the most of modulation (multing, combining, inverting, attenuating etc) so less modulation sources can be used to modulate more modules... with related modulation... so things fit together better...

Sounds like the way I like to work anyway... nice

Do you work on patches for a longer time than in a small case?

probably - they take longer to patch - and take longer to finesse

Would you say they got better though?

Regarding mixers, I finally gave in trying to find something I'd be happy with in-rack and ended up buying an external mixer, the Tascam Model 12. It's a digital mixer (6 mono / 2 stereo channels) that handles eurorack levels well. With it I can also record on an SD card on the unit or use it as a multi-track audio interface to record to computer.
-- PragmaticusMax

Good to now! I´m also interested in the tascam Mixers... Do you know if this is true for the bigger models as well? The Model 12 is the only digital one, right?

Regarding mixers, I finally gave in trying to find something I'd be happy with in-rack and ended up buying an external mixer, the Tascam Model 12. It's a digital mixer (6 mono / 2 stereo channels) that handles eurorack levels well. With it I can also record on an SD card on the unit or use it as a multi-track audio interface to record to computer.

EDITED Aug 30th 2023, 02:41

Basically it's 10 3u frames in 5 rows. (2x 84hp wide and 15u height)

this way i can also fit 19"outboard or a 500 rack inside.
-- ak47exe

that's a decent size and layout!

What did change for you when you switched to a bigger setup?

longer cables & layout - see above... you may find that you want to use your current 6u 104hp case as a control skiff in front if the 15u is vertical - I find that I prefer sequencers, controllers, end of chain mixer etc are best horizontal and at the front

Do you work differently?

not really, more an extrapolation of what I was doing with a smaller case... more voices to patch (potentially) - use more utilities to make the most of modulation (multing, combining, inverting, attenuating etc) so less modulation sources can be used to modulate more modules... with related modulation... so things fit together better...

a bigger case also opens up different lavels of control... for example vcas are no longer just for modulation and note shaping... they are now also for gain control over time (ie autonated mixing) - which is i suppose a different way of working - still working on this

one thing I do have that's really useful in this size & bigger cases & with larger numbers of voices is a sinfonion... really handy for keeping things in key and supplying chordal notes on top of 3-4 'melodic/bass' voices - also really helps in terms of arrangement - as you can alter the octave ramge of voices...

also a bigger mixer is useful - I'm using a tesseract tex-mix - currently with 12 mono channels and 4 stereo channels

Do you work on patches for a longer time than in a small case?

probably - they take longer to patch - and take longer to finesse

Is it somehow harder or more easy to build a sound?

the same... there are just more modules to choose from...

Was it a good step or do you regret it it any way?

more choice is good... more voices are good... so a good step...

2 possibilities from what I can see

1 the output level of the gate is not enough to open the envelope

2 the length of the gate is too short to open the envelope

you'll need to check the output level of the gate in the manual... and cross reference it with the doepfer module

adjusting the length of the gate on the west pest is addressed on page 16 of the pdf manual

Basically it's 10 3u frames in 5 rows. (2x 84hp wide and 15u height)

this way i can also fit 19"outboard or a 500 rack inside.

I am new to modular but not new to synthesis concepts. I understand the basic concepts of subtractive synthesis, but the West Pest is a bit different than what I am used to as it uses a low pass gate instead of an Envelope + VCA.

I would like to have the Doepfer A-140 control the attack of the West Pest's amplitude. I have tried patching as shown and am not able to trigger the envelope. The patch points with yellow text on the left side of the West Pest patch bay are the audio/cv inputs and the white text ones are the outputs.

To my understanding, a low pass gate takes the place of a filter, envelope, and VCA of a traditional east coast style substractive synth.

The A-140's light stays on when powered on with nothing plugged into the patch points, and stays lit when I have it patched as shown. From videos I have seen the LED brightness is supposed to follow the ADSR stages when triggered properly. Is it normal operation for the LED to stay lit when not patched into anything?

What am I missing? Thanks in advance for any/all help- excited to slowly build my rack over time, but have to start with the basics.

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/patches/modulargrid_108127.jpg

by 10 x 84hp do you mean 10u or 30u?

if 10u:

it's not really a much bigger case than the one you already have... only 60hp more for 3u modules + a 1u row

is this in addition to the 6u 104hp case you already have or a replacement? as an addition it's fine - although I'd probably go for a 104hp case so they can be arranged better and not be ciffering widths, if it's a replacement, then there's not a lot of extra space to grow into - so the next case will be wanted/needed sooner rather than later

if 30u:

I really wouldn't want a monolithic 30u x 84hp rack...

I'd go wider and lower - I have, effectively, 18u * 188hp - made up of 4 cases (2 * 9u 104hp, 2 * 9u 84hp) so that the lower 2 are near horizontal and the upper 2 are near vertical... this is much easier to deal with than 30u straight up imo - so I'd halve it vertically and double the width to give 15u 168hp - it's also better for module arrangement - I kind of follow the arp 2600 layout & that works quite well

I guess it´s a beginner mistake but every dream rack should have a maths! You´re welcome...
-- ak47exe
I just don't see how it would fit into my workflow

Smart transaction with @MDSN
Recommended !

EDITED Aug 29th 2023, 11:44

So, you started curating your modules more precisely when building a patch? Is that what you´re saying?

-- ak47exe

Yes, that's right. And, above all, I simplify things in my production.
In the beginning we're understandably a bit voracious, but the more we add on the table, the more discriminating gourmet we become.

So, you started curating your modules more precisely when building a patch? Is that what you´re saying?

Excellent topic.

I really like this thought by Winston Churchill: 'Out of intense complexities, intense simplicities emerge'.
That's pretty much what I experienced as I let my modular, and my home studio, expand...

For my part, I would add: and as we got older, we end up meeting from time to time :)

I guess it´s a beginner mistake but every dream rack should have a maths! You´re welcome...

Hi there,

I´m in the market for a big rack (10 x 84hp) and I have a few questions.
I have two smaller racks right now (2x104 each) and I can get a ton of good stuff out of this setup.
Since a while I´m thinking about a bigger "studiocase". A solid wood case with proper Hinton Instruments PSU, sitting on a nice rolling cart thing to move around.... I will keep a small one for live use though.

My questions

What did change for you when you switched to a bigger setup?
Do you work differently?
Do you work on patches for a longer time than in a small case?
Is it somehow harder or more easy to build a sound?
Was it a good step or do you regret it it any way?

Would be nice to hear about your experiences or your thoughts if you´re in the same position.
Thanks

EDITED Aug 29th 2023, 09:13

There is something wrong with the Screenshot thing!
-- Hikove

Screenshot thing makes screenshots again, thanks for reporting!

+1 for Pamela's PRO Workout!

+10 for 'I'd think carefully about what you are missing in your patches - ie I want to do this, but I can't because I don't have that functionality in my case... note these omissions down - and then prioritise them before searching for and ultimately buying new modules' (@JimHowell1970).

And you may find some good food for thought here and there:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/10117
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/10976

There is something wrong with the Screenshot thing!

-- Hikove

maybe, but what??

it'll really help if you describe what's going wrong - not just "Houston, we have a problem!"

thanks! really clear!
just because I'm thinking to find another module....
what can be interesting to add to my setup?

I was thinking about the Turing machine module....

I like drones, I have Microcosm pedal connected and a delay

-- centecente

turing machines are great - but they need to be clocked and they need to be quantized, if you want to use them for pitch with other sequencers that are quantized... so it might mean that you need more than just one module - ie the module you want and the modules that are needed to support it...

if what you want is 'looped quantized stepped random voltages' for generating 'pseudo-random' melodies - then it might be worth looking at a Pams New (or Pro) Workout - they can both do that - amongst a lot of other things including clock functions (master, division, multiplication, euclidean), logic, gates, envelopes etc - the screen on the Pro is better from all accounts and it has a lot more functionality - it's a module you'll grow into, if you don't mind the menu diving (which isn't that bad really, quite shallow, but a bit tedious - iirc you can save and recall presets - so that may help)

I'd think carefully about what you are missing in your patches - ie I want to do this, but I can't because I don't have that functionality in my case... note these omissions down - and then prioritise them before searching for and ultimately buying new modules

There is something wrong with the Screenshot thing!

thanks! really clear!
just because I'm thinking to find another module....
what can be interesting to add to my setup?

I was thinking about the Turing machine module....

I like drones, I have Microcosm pedal connected and a delay

I have reworded my answer for even more clarity...

At the moment I have the modules you can see , but the space is not a problem for now
Moog can go outside alone in it's case
And if I will need more space in the future I can buy another Rackbrute.

but you are saying that I do not need another mixer? And use the VCA?

I have seen terrible webserver performance lately. I found out the reason was a search engine spider that crawled all Similar Racks pages. That is a page with very hefty SQL queries and for that reason a CPU/memory hog.
Quick fix:
Similar Racks now is only accesible for users that are logged in. Thinking about changing it in a Unicorn only function...

Ooo, I'll have to dig into that. Cheers

Hi,
Through the Midi Control Center Software you can access the velocity damping values of each sequencer (1 and 2).
I leave you a post from the arturia forum that was useful for me to adapt the output range of the BSP with eurorack modules.

/////////
Velocity Cv range could be attenuated with the MCC. You can find this parameter in Device Settings, Global section and it is ----named Seq1 (or Seq2) Velocity Scaling.
You can choose between 10 values from 1 to 10. 1 is min range, 10 is max range, no attenuation. When no attenuation (value = 10) velocity range is about 0-12V (0 for min velocity 01 and 12V for max velocity 127). So the 12V are divided by 127 values.
Max attenuation (value = 1) is 1/10e of max range so the output goes from 0V to about 1.5V. 1.5V is now divided by 127values.
You can approximate max output using this formula (ParamValue is your MCC setting) :
Max Output Voltage = 12 * ParamValue /10
////////

• First suggestion: Erica Synths Black Stereo Mixer V3 (or V2).
  Great little mixer and same brand/aesthetic as your Black Wavetable VCO (as you wished).
  10 HP.

• Second suggestion: Befaco STMix. Excellent small mixer too.
  6 HP.

Both suggested modules accept mono AND stereo.

• Third suggestion: no other module yet :)
  Because your Quad VCA is also a small mixer, 4 voices, but favoring mono.

EDITED Aug 28th 2023, 18:16

oops, double post!

EDITED Aug 28th 2023, 10:43

OK, thanks.
Just giving it a go with the Patching Panda Punch and it does something but not as well as shooting it a gate, it seems a low velocity is the default High and a high velocity is a low or reduced accent. Weird.

I would like to add a Mixer module on my system
what you suggest?

something mono, or stereo?
it will be nice if the choice will be on one of the brands I have, just to look fine inside the case...?

should work fine... as long as the voltage is high enough and the signal is as long as you want it to be...

if the module's expecting a trigger/gate it's probably expecting a threshold to be reached to apply the accent and a drop below that threshold to stop applying the accent...

not sure how the velocity is done in the beatstep pro - I've never used it on mine - but I suspect that it just outputs a voltage based on the max output / the value of the velocity... and then turn off once the step is over... so effectively a gate at the level specified by the velocity value

shouldn't hurt anyway - give it a try!! - it's all just control voltage

google translate:

"Hello everyone, in my Doepfer chain I have inserted the Delay 2hp module...but the Delay response I got didn't satisfy me, I struggle to obtain repeat effects...has this happened to you too? I think to replace with 2hp Verb"

delays usually require feedback to produce more than 1 repeat - try turning the feedback up or addressing it with CV...

If I have a module that has an Accent input and its expecting a Gate or Trigger is it possible to use the Velocity output on the Beatsteo Pro to do this. I realise I could use 2 sequencer patterns but that would take up, you guessed it, 2 sequencer lanes!

Thanks

Buongiorno a tutti, nella mia catena Doepfer ho inseriti il modulo Delay 2hp...ma la risposta Delay che ho ottenuto, non mi ha soddisfatto, faccio Fatica ad ottenere effetti di ripetizione...successo anche a voi? Penso di sostituire con 2hp Verb

Not sure if you own the Joranalogue x2 but you could remove both of those, swap for a single module that does both e.g. Intellijel Audio Interface @ 10Hp. Then you have an extra 2hp for the Sea Legs. No need for a new rack. But depends on what you own already.

what about 8hp modules, like the bastl ikarie (stereo filter) + bastl basil (stereo delay)?
or maybe using the steady state gate as mono filter in 8hp?

They seem to be good gapfillers.
I would like to try them.

:/

So this is a departure from the usual eurorack only recordings. I used a couple VSTs for some reason - probably because I didn't have to get off the couch. ;-) I bought a Launch Pad Pro a few weeks ago and have really been loving playing on the grid. This track has its core layed down by the modular, but I added a bass track and a lead track that were performed on the LPP. It really does lend itself to different licks than what I can do on a keyboard. Cheers!

By a Thread - Patch Notes

Pad:
Endless processor fed by Elements, into Bionic Lester
BL modulated by The Hypster
Kick and Percussion from VPME QD

Modular Drums:
Kick triggered by LL8
Percussion triggered by Euclidean Circles Channel 1 & 2 and A-151 switching, modulated by Mod Medusa, panning by Kermit

DAW Drums:
Hi Hat and fills by EZ Drummer, sequenced in Studio One

Bass:
Arturia ARP 2600 V3 - performed on Launch Pad Pro, midi recorded in Studio One

Rhythm Melodies:
Elements sequenced by Metropolix and into Veno-Echo into Performance Mixer
Elements modulated by Wave Packets

Brenso sequenced by Stochastic Inspiration Generator
Brenso into Blades into Mimeophon
Brenso wave folding and Blades cutoff modulated by Mod Medusa

Lead:
Buchla Easel V - performed on Launch Pad Pro, midi recorded in Studio One

Visuals created in ArtMatic Designer

EDITED Aug 27th 2023, 00:28

For an external sequencer, regardless of the size of your setup, BeatStep Pro is a great solution.

indeed it is! and it's a keeper - ie it's always useful no matter how big your rack gets to... currently I predominantly use mine for sequencing song part/chord progression changes on my sinfonion - clocked from the sinfonion...

For an external sequencer, regardless of the size of your setup, BeatStep Pro is a great solution.
In the meantime, and about sequencing melody with Pam’s Pro, see that video at 5:17

get a mantis - easily portable - I've travelled a lot with mine on planes (perfectly sized for hand lugggage), trains and buses and used to live on the 2nd floor (or 3rd if you're american) with no lift... and that's with just the standard tiptop case - there's a 3rd party briefcase that's more rugged if you're worried about it!

then you'll have plenty of space to add modules without sacrificing others - at least until the mantis is full!

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I chose this size of rack (64X Pod) because it fits perfect into my Peli case.. it has similar dimensions to the Elektron machines, which makes it easy to pack and plan.

There's 18HP left so the 'sealegs' (I really want) for instance wouldnt actually fit it.. I'm considering geting a bigger rack or putting the Data Bender out since I also need a cool filter in there.. I always wanted to get the 'stereo dipole', but also that one wouldnt fit haha

Any suggestions? I might need to get a bigger pelicase, but I also live in the 4th floor without an elevator - the smaller the better...