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Thanks Garfield,

Yeah the Stillson Hammer is super easy to use and very playable for live on the fly performances. It has ratcheting, multiple random, ping pong, forward and reverse modes with 4 CV outs and 4 gate outs. Plus lots of quantizer scale options even. It has a very basic screen not as fancy as the Vector but I got it for a good price.

It works great for acid bass lines and random CV type stuff. Hopefully my new Metron arrives tonite if the UPS driver does not mess up the delivery. I have the Voltera and Axxent expanders to give me 4 CV outs and accent for percussion. I like that I can chain a bunch of Voltera expanders up to 16 for huge sequencing options. Since the Stillson Hammer has the random, reverse modes that fits the gap that Metron lacks but metron has probability and other modes that I look forward to using. I also have an Eloquencer on the way which gives me 8 gates and 8 cv outs for my monster case and tons of modes like random and forward/reverse. Maybe in few years when I have a much larger modular setup, I get a Vector sequencer with expander and maybe Black Sequencer or Ground control.

EDITED Jan 5th 2021, 01:23

Hi Sacguy71,

I am glad to hear that you still have a nice job and place in your rack in mind for the Stillson :-)

Of course I bought the Jack Expander for the Vectron (Five12) as well, otherwise it doesn't make much sense, now does it? So up to 6 output channels, each having: pitch, gate and velocity outputs and 8 triggers as well with that Jack Expander, so that makes the Vector kind of complete. I just hope that for the (far) future Five12 will consider to make those Jack Expanders chainable or something so one can extend the sequencer over time. That concept has been thought through a bit better with the Metron!

...then again... with the Metron I do miss the other direction possibilities besides forward sequencing, like: backward and random play.

When does your Metron arrive? Can't wait man! ;-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Mowse,

Pity, I am getting an error: "Playback on other websites has been disabled by the video owner" :-(

Well, I hope your next track will be viewable and especially audible again here at our forum :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Also, I don't know if you already have the Natural Gate or if it's on your wishlist. I haven't been able to personally justify the substantial cost or wait for this LPG yet. I know it doesn't have the same cool factor, but I just got the Takaab 2LPG and it sounds incredible. It's only 2hp and costs about $40. If you are in the market for an outstanding vactrol based LPG, the 2LPG is hard to beat.

I think Erica makes a dedicated drum sub-mixer, and the Moffenzeef Moffenmix is really fun if you can find one secondhand. I always recommend the Happy Nerding 3xMIA for a mega-useful mixing utility. Happy Nerding also makes the 6Mix in 6hp. I've found sub-mixers to be an integral part of my performance oriented patching. The G-Storm Electro Infusor-X may be a sub-mixer worth looking at too.
I've also found Quadrax to be a quick and smaller alternative to Maths (though it's missing Maths' handy attenuverters. The 3xMIA can make up for those).
I can see getting rid of Marbles, but I would reconsider getting rid of Plaits. While it may not be the coolest oscillator in the world, it is one of the most versatile and sits nicely in a mix. I can always find a way to put Plaits to use in almost any patch.
Have fun and good luck!

EDITED Jan 4th 2021, 23:26

Trying to move towards performance and figure out how to explore using modular for various genres (ambient, doom, industrial techno, and house). There are several modules I can see removing as they already are somewhat redundant. The current list for the chopping block are: Marbles and Plaits. I'm also considering replacing Maths with Rampage or a similar, but smaller, function generator. The Plaits I'd likely replace with another oscillator, probably something specialized as I already have a Moog Matriarch and Moog Werkstatt that can cover the smooth analog sound (and then some). Or maybe I don't need any more voices if I take into account the external voices.

I recently acquired a few utility modules from NE that are 3U format. If I do end up switching to a 4U case as my secondary, then I may ultimately replace some of those 3U modules with a 1U varieties—unfortunately that will likely not be from NE as they currently don't make 1U modules.

I have the WMD Performance Mixer here as I've read about performers using lots of mixers for live shows and they frequently mention this specific mixer. It's big and may be more than I need since I have less voices. E.g., I use a single BIA as monophonic drum and/or use an external sampler for drums. My mixing needs are then reduced. However, I'd still like to have wet/dry lines for various effects (reverb, delay, distortion). Also, I'm just realizing that when relying on a single module for all drum sounds, there isn't an easy way to live mix different drum sounds. If the module is driven by a sequencer (e.g., the Polyend Tracker), then I could set different levels in the sequence to achieve that effect. But it's definitely not the same as moving a single slider or twisting a single knob.

EDITED Jan 4th 2021, 22:40

@Lugia thx, that helped a lot. Gonna order the doepfer module and a nice gooseneck lamp. With the 4 ports I can also power my tr-03 :)

Hey Garfield,

thanks for your kind words! I also whish a good start for 2021 :)!

I hope I can do some more tracks this year...

Happy wiggling,
Best,
jingo

If we could have a "date created" for builds (ie: the date when the build was started with an empty rack) along with the "last modified" date, that would be a big help in going back thru older builds I've got to clear space.
-- Lugia

Sadly we don't store the rack creation date, and I guess it is a bit late to start with it :(
However we have the Rack Id which kind of mimics creation date. I have sorted the racks in descending order by id in the users view https://www.modulargrid.net/e/users/view
And I have added the modified date to that table, i hope that is a good compromise.

@lugia -- I remember a long post you made a while ago called something like "Why you shouldn't get into modular". This should be a sticky in the forum. Does that count as a feature request?
-- the-erc

I have stickied that thread. Happy new year everyone!

Thanks Garfield,

Yeah really digging the WMD modules. Fracture and Chimera are super fun and can make amazing range of sounds besides percussion from clap/crash to broken glass and so forth. Crater has an intense kick and can be tweaked for serious techno mayhem on par with my Noise Engineering BIA module. I love my Stillson Hammer sequencer and will keep using it with the Metron to create subsequences. I have a few smaller sequencers arriving as well and plan to use Eloquencer to control the other sequencers. I want to get into the whole master sequencer controlling other smaller sequencers and same way with master mixer and submixes.

Did you get the expander module for your Vector sequencer? That would be a powerful combo.

Glad to assist. Another option you may want to consider after trying out VCV Rack and so forth could be to get a prebuilt modular system like the ALM Busy Circuits Super Coupe, Make Noise Shared System, Doepfer A100 Basic System or Endorphin.es Shuttle System that comes with the required ingredients like case, power, support modules and so forth. I started with a Doepfer A100 Basic system (under 2k) and built from there over time. Plus you can always use modules with other gear or sell them over time.

Thank you for all advices, definitely Im not ready yet to get into the modular world, Ill download VCV and Ill try to get some experience here.
I already saw a few days ago the book Patch and Tweak and I think that it could help me a lot.

Brilliant! So cool! I'd like to see it live someday!

Fantastic build ! And very good concept.

@WAVNE -- this is super cool. Is there any chance you will make more of them? Asking for a friend.

There is no Rabbit Hole Electronics listed. I have one of their modules coming and will add it when it does. Anyone else?

My recommendation in addition to what has been provided is to get a copy of the excellent book Patch and Tweak by Chris Meyer. It really is such a great book and will save you a lot of time, money and frustration learning modular concepts and how to put a system together. Chris also has a website of tutorials called LearningModular that I recommend. I use VCV Rack still to try out routings and modules that I don't have to buy until I try them first. It is free and very useful way to learn the basics of modular for FREE.

Now regarding Elektron connectivity and sequencer, I use the CV.OCD box that works great for sequencer to modular and using the effects from Elektron Octatrack to modular system. I have the Doepfer A190 but that thing was a royal pain to use. The CV.OCD is small easy to use and works with any MIDI controller/sequencer so it is great way to use external MIDI gear with modular. That or you could get an Expert Sleeper ES-9 module.

I probably need to upgrade my Ableton and patches and drivers for the K-mix. I will see what Ableton and KMM support advice for Mac OS X. Funny a few years ago, I never would have imagined diving into modular gear. Now here I am with tons of Eurorack but love it. Especially when record to a DAW and use with other synths it shines.

This actually sounds a bit familiar. In the early iterations of Live 10.x, I was constantly having problems with my Push2 and Live deciding to not talk to each other over USB. This was something that appears to have been addressed in a later 10.x update, though...but I can't help but think that these are related somehow.

Hi Lugia,

Yeah I need to open a support ticket with KMM why Ableton cannot recognize the K-Mix via USB connection when it should. I will probably do that this week as time permits. I was troubleshooting different options to determine the weak link in the recording chain. At least for now I can dump audio from the modulars to my RME Babyface and record that way so all good in the short term. I tried a bunch of driver ASIO settings on Mac OS X and it would not recognize the mixer. It did recognize my RME Babyface and my A190 USB to MIDI CV module.

This is an interesting point, before deciding to start building a modular synth I wanted to integrate the Neutron into the setup but I thought that starting from the basics it could help me learn a lot more (also if costs much more).
I might also consider integrating the neutron directly into the eurorack...

DON'T do this. The Neutron already has power and housing, and the modules that should go in here do NOT. Besides, unless you're down for losing very close to an entire 84 hp row, it simply takes too much out of the (expensive!) rack to be justifiable.

• Can I use the A-138o also as an attenuator before the befaco output?

No. The A-138o must be tandemmed with the A-138p, for one thing, and this negates standalone operation. Also, this is intended as a stereo summer from the 138p which also contains the AUX send/return routings; as such, what you suggest doing amounts to turning down the level to send it to another thing that...turns down the level. The Department of Redundancy Department might approve, but it's very technically unsound otherwise.

• Why I need also an attenuator for input? In this system I have only midi as input signal, I'm probably wrong but I want to understand.

You don't need an attenuator for an audio input. What's needed there is a preamp to bring the levels UP to synth levels. And, preferably, an envelope follower as well so that you can extract dynamic CV from the sound's envelope.

• On the Digitone or Octatrack you can sequence multiple tracks so what can I use to split my midis into cv?

There's quite a few MIDI-CV interfaces out there that offer lots of assignability to their patch points...the A-190-4 isn't one of them, though. As for what'll work here, well...do you really want to send MIDI to the modular, or would you prefer being able to send CV/gate/trig/clock directly out of the DAW as those signals? Two different approaches, requiring two rather different equipment and software considerations.

Looking at the thread thus far, I think you might benefit greatly from NOT trying to jump to modular hardware just yet. Instead, you need to really comprehend what these instruments are about before proceeding further. While I realize you want to "...detach myself from the PC as much as possible...", what I'm going to suggest results in the exact opposite...and that's VCV Rack. However, since VCV looks and ACTS much like a Eurorack system (it even has 1:1 module replications from makers such as Instruo), and since you seem to need a better grasp on what's going on with modular synthesis in general, I'd suggest starting THERE and getting some experience under your belt before heading back into hardware. Otherwise, this is the sort of situation that gets expensive and frustrating very quickly. But with VCV...well, it's free, and it allows you to make TONS of mistakes without destructive or expensive consequences. And yes, you can lock it up to the DAW very easily...it comes with VST bridge plugs. https://vcvrack.com/

Well done as usual @mowse, things came together beautifully there at the end.

Effing brilliant! I especially like the touch of having those eccentric idlers...BUILT-IN wow and flutter! I like!

That's odd...I'd suggest checking with both KMM and Ableton on this, since it seems to me that this device is perfect for Ableton work. Did you check to see if it'll play nice with the native ASIO driver?

Streaming a live session for The Bl33p Bl00p Collective. Hope you enjoy it.

Oh yes, Jingo is back! :-)

Hi Jingo,

That's a lovely track, wow what did I miss your music, I just realise! :-) Beautiful done, nice tense, building that tense up and oh no, now I am getting goose bumps as well...

To shortcut the prose... I wish every new year starts with a track of yours like this! Now this is what I call a fantastic entrance into 2021! Thank you very much for this and I wish you a Happy New Year too! Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Looks like that besides a Noise Engineering fan you also become a WMD fan ;-)

So what is going to happen with your Stillson when your WMD Metron arrives, does the Stillson becomes... kind of jobless? :-( and ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

In this case though, what other modules could I add to create something interesting?

It depends what you are interested in! If you click through the modules here you will find many video clips showing what they do. Alternatively maybe try VCV Rack and experiment with some things to find out what you like?

• Can I use the A-138o also as an attenuator before the befaco output?

Yes, but there is not much point, since the Befaco module has an output attenuator.

• Why I need also an attenuator for input? In this system I have only midi as input signal, I'm probably wrong but I want to understand.

For an audio input to the modular you will need an amplifier of some kind, not an attenuator, otherwise the audio will be much too quiet compared to the modular gear. For MIDI input this is not relevant, you just need a MIDI-CV converter.

• On the Digitone or Octatrack you can sequence multiple tracks so what can I use to split my midis into cv?

It depends on the converter, but different MIDI channels or cc messages could be different CV signals.

Hi Marchettijes,

Welcome to modular synths! :-) The A-138o has a Main Level knob only but with the A-138p module you can per channel use the Gain and the Level knobs to adjust your signal and that's good enough. I use the A-138p & A-138o combination and I am pretty happy with it. Only one little side remark the A-138p does bleed a little bit, but only a little bit and it would only disturb people like me who are very sensitive to any kind of side noises otherwise you would barely hear it and if you aren't as over-sensitively as I am, you don't need to be worried about that little bleeding issue (it's barely audible, but for me it is).

Keep in mind that you need at least one A-138p module and just one A-138o module, then you have a four-channel (performance) mixer. In the future if you need more channels you just add one more A-138p module and you got yourself then an eight-channel mixer :-) You can extend more A-138p modules to get even more channels.

Regarding the Doepfer A-190-x modules, those MIDI to CV modules, I had the Doepfer A-190-5 module in the past and I didn't like it, somehow not logical in use, difficult to set the MIDI parameters, just not easy to use. I exchanged that module against the Vermona - qMI2 module and that one is great, 4 channels (like the A-190-5) and it's so easy and so logical to use, no problems with that module.

I am usually very positive about Doepfer modules however the A-190-x modules are the exception, those A-190-x modules, I can not recommend them.

Good luck and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Very cool! Well done.

Amazing!

This is an interesting point, before deciding to start building a modular synth I wanted to integrate the Neutron into the setup but I thought that starting from the basics it could help me learn a lot more (also if costs much more).
I might also consider integrating the neutron directly into the eurorack and adding a few more modules to further customize the sound, even to get started with the modular system. In this case though, what other modules could I add to create something interesting?

About the spaces I knew I had made many mistakes but this is the first draft, not knowing the brands and models well I trusted a few reviews and guides (for the wasp filter and for adsr for example).

As for the question what I would like to add to my sound, I cannot answer because so far I have experimented a lot only on ableton and with the digitone (I will add the Analog Rytm for the drums), in short, the goal would be to start producing everything out of daw, or almost.

Other questions:
- Can I use the A-138o also as an attenuator before the befaco output?
- Why I need also an attenuator for input? In this system I have only midi as input signal, I'm probably wrong but I want to understand.
- On the Digitone or Octatrack you can sequence multiple tracks so what can I use to split my midis into cv?

thanks :)

the triple sloth sequences the arbhar and is quantized by the sinfonion, the triple sloth is also patched to nearly every cv in the arbhar has. The arbhar itself uses one of its buffers which has a voice from the piston honda sampled. I take the output directly from an erica synths mixer (where the arbhar is patched to) into my allen&heath qu-pac, there is nothing else involved (in the recording), I go totally dawless... I hope I could explain it a bit :)...

EDITED Jan 3rd 2021, 20:39

Lovely track- how did you sequence and record it? I am experimenting with different recording, mixing and sequencing options so always love to hear on best ways to go about it.

Happy New YeaR :)),

best,
jingo

ps: please tell me how you like it...

EDITED Jan 3rd 2021, 19:42

Check out: Maths, Plaits, Pamela's New Workout, Disting

You can do a basic mix and output with 4ms Listen instead of the array of modules needed in the current configuration

EDITED Jan 4th 2021, 16:46

Stereo trigger out from Wing Pinger goes into Ladik Probability --> Strike on Optomix
Stereo step out from Wing Pinger goes into 1/v oct on each STO

On the mixer, there a few comments :
1. The Doepfer A-138p is only half a mixer; you also need the A-138o for outputs.
2. Four channels is certainly not too much, maybe not enough as your system grows.
3. If you are using other instruments as well as the modular, you are probably better off doing the mixing on a "normal" mixer, outside of the rack. Eurorack signals are much higher than line level and it's easier to turn down the modular to line level, than to boost the other instruments to euro level. Eurorack mixers are also very expensive compared to normal mixers.

Sequencing from the Electron machines will surely work well. I don't know the Doepfer MIDI-CV interface but it does not have very many outputs, so you will quickly reach its limits. And by quickly I mean immediately: you could control one voice with this. You might look at some options with more outputs; Expert Sleepers make some very popular options.

More generally, this is small case, so you would do well to consider the size of the modules you are putting in there. There are small alternatives for many. Mostly obviously, the multiples have no controls, so why not choose a 2hp sized version? Many manufacturers make these. Same question about the ADSR and the attenuators.

As it stands, this set up is a one-oscillator monosynth. For this purpose you need two envelopes : one for the filter and one for the VCA, but you only have one. If you want to combine envelopes with your LFO you also need a CV mixer. The Happy Nerding 3xMIA or Befaco A*B+C are good options but there are many others.

On the other hand, can this do anything your Analogue Rytm can't? That's a genuine question -- I don't now the capabilities of that machine. Did you consider any semi-modulars? Moog Mother-32 or Behringer Neuron are much more capable than the rack you present above, and also cost less. I would consider a bit more what you want to add to your existing music, and start your rack from that.

Hey, doesn't look to bad to me. But I might not be the biggest pro around here. Just three remarks:
A. You can post the link to your rack here, not just the jpg. With that link other users can make copies of your rack with some additional tips. Just drop in the link without any other things, and it will show the graphic inline. Like this:
(got the link from your profile)
B. You'll probably have a hard time finding the old befaco output, the recent one can be found as befaco output v3 and is a great output module with an additional queue switch to pre-listen to another signal via the headphone out.
C The multiple is nice, but it could also be done with stacked cables or these floating multiples. Not as pretty when pached, but you win rack space. https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/befaco-multiple/

Okay after looking into the rack there is more: Also you need some input module to make sure the signal from outside is on modular level, line signal will be to quiet and you could fry your outside gear just plugging it into the modular without any safety inbetween.

Next one is your performance mixer. You only added the 138p(Vintage) which will also need the 138o(Vintage or not) https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-138ov to output something. And the 138o will not replace the befaco output but would be additionally required. Plus point the 128o has an aux in so one signal can be added to your rack from the outside.

Hi everyone! I decide for a while to build my first modular synth, I have read many posts and articles about first racks and how you can do it but I still have a lot of doubts (and error on the draft setup).
The idea of the setup is quite simple. For the rhytm part I use the Rytm mk1 while I would like to sequence the modular synth with the Digitone (which I will replace with octatrack mk1 or 2 when I can) and also use it for Fx (reverb, delay chorus).
Here it is the draft about eurorack ( https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1424957.jpg ), I think its a good idea to start with a very simple system. If the kind of music can help you I'm focussing on raw and loopy techno.

I put the Doepfer A-138pV cause I like the idea to live control (also with On/off switch) the various layers but maybe 4 channels is too much.
Also I don't know if the midi to cv from Doepfer can fit with this setup or if there are better solutions, same for the output module.
In this way, however, I would have only two layers where I can mix and master for the track, one from digitone (with digitone and modular sounds) and the rytm session. Could it work?

I know there is a bit of confusion but I tried to explain the situation as well as possible, any advice / suggestion / teaching is welcome.
This is my first approach to the world of modular synthesis and I would like to detach myself from the PC as much as possible (using it only for some sequencer or only for mix and master the final track would be an excellent result).

Thanks everyone for your time!

p.s. as case if think that this one could be a great solution, Doepfer A-100LC6v Low Cost Case VE (thomann)

EDITED Jan 3rd 2021, 16:01

Hello, pay attention to my page, I will propose one in about 1 month ;)
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/vendors/view/724
Christian

One other to consider: Folktek's Quiet. This should also be a VCA-based mute judging from the operation. Plus, the Quiet functions on ANY signal from audio to clocking and everything in between.
-- Lugia

cool didnt know about this one,thanks

i will have alot more Dark Ambient finished this month:)

@the-erc, nice sounds ace and fun video.

I have some sequencers hopefully arriving next week as my birthday present and another percussion module. Should be fun once I get mine sorted and recorded.

And here's the video.

I had some camera issues so there is ~10 minute of blackout in the middle. Sorry about that!

Nice Lugia,

I need to check out those Tascam recorder units. In the short term, I have basic recording of the modular covered but long term will need a better solution. I was disappointed to find out that I could not get the USB of my Keith McMillen K-mix unit to be recognized by Ableton DAW as a plugin or external instrument. That would have been nice as it is supposed to already have an audio interface built in.

Sure is...I actually use a TASCAM field recorder for just that purpose (plus...well, field recording), specifically a DR-680 mkii. It's capable of eight tracks (6 individual + a stereo pair), which is useful live because I can put backgrounds for a show on the stereo pair, then use the other six tracks for live recording and any other prerecorded bits that need to be on their own.

Agree with you @Lugia,

I have enough channels between my eurorack mixer and audio interface to dump but long term I will need something with more inputs like the MOTU audio interface that can take 8 inputs from my modular system so I can split up tracks and be able to cleanly remix in the DAW. That and an ES9 would be ace for me. If I ever perform live with my modular post-COVID, something quick and easy like a Zoom recorder or 4ms wav recorder would be a simple way to capture live performances for later import to a PC and DAW.

One other to consider: Folktek's Quiet. This should also be a VCA-based mute judging from the operation. Plus, the Quiet functions on ANY signal from audio to clocking and everything in between.

If you've got enough channels in the converter to support your audio AND CV/gate/trig needs, then yeah...just go with that. But if you're starting to run out, then the ES-9 is a possible choice...as would be a cheap ADAT Lightpipe-capable DC-coupled interface added to the existing one. It really depends on how much $$$ you've got to spend.