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Hi,
IMO Clouds is perhaps not the most suitable module for "industrial" sounds. I associate it more with "ambient" sounds.
Perhaps the NE Electus Versio reverb is better, more aggressive?.
As @Progspiration rightly says, Matrix Mixer is good for feedback
Generally speaking I'd say the Proton and Neutron already have power, and with the cost of power and rails it's more economical to keep them separate. One thing you could do is to get rack ears for the Proton and Neutron and get something like the Tip Too Happy Endings kit (or 2) so all of it could fit in a 9u (or 12u) standard 19" rack.
As for specific modules, Clouds is a classic and Data Bender should work splendidly for industrial effects. Chaos or another Marbles clone from a smaller builder gives a lot of modulation possibilities. Piston Honda is also great for industrial sounds, but do you have a plan for mixing it with the semi modular outputs? I would recommend a quad cascading VCA (like a Veils clone) for that. Personal preference, but I would also recommend an extra filter to tame it : )
As for feedback patching, a matrix mixer is a no-brainer. You could also use the matrix mixer to mix smooth random from Chaos with LFOs or envelopes from the semi modulars to create multiple complex mod sources. Maybe the Doepfer or AI Synthesis matrix for audio and something like the Tip Top Miso for CV (although any of these can handle audio or CV)
Overall, modular sound sources and effects are fun, but really shine when you have the utility modules to support them. Mixers, attenuators, vcas and the like are your best friends.
I agree that some alternative thing like panels listings would help reduce the noise from dozens of new panels pushing new actual modules down the most-recent list.
Mork makes great panels, and i get why you would want to list them in what is basically a storefront venue, but it is starting to become annoying.
Hi I already own a neutron and proton from Behringer and a beatstep pro. I would like to add some modular effects and modulation to it, what do you think about this little rack and what should I add/take off? I make noise/industrial/drone music.
I am also interested in making feedback loops with the effects. Finally, do you think I should get a bigger rack to put the neutron and proton inside? Thanks !
We will very likely change the alternate faceplate functionality soon.
Until then I have deployed today a filter option to hide Blank panels from search results.
-- modulargrid
You can have it both ways, as you wish! That's the beauty!
I don't know how many times I have put my SV-1 into the rack to have it all together and out again into its own case. As I move my stuff around a lot, the separate gear get's forgotten more often than not. And sometimes that's a shame.
Btw, right now it is out again because I need the space
There is a new filter option Show Blank Panels in the module search form that let's you hide modules with the function tag Blank Panel assigned.
This is a workaround until we have refactored the entire Alt Panel functionality.
We will very likely change the alternate faceplate functionality soon.
Until then I have deployed today a filter option to hide Blank panels from search results.
maybe with a zadar or dr phil ter, in a new thread, maybe in a couple months from now. im kind of obsessed with the idea of controlling 4 full voices from a brainstep in a not huge case. idk how im going to get over that to switch over to one or so fully sculpted voice, etc. thanks for commenting.
✌️
-- singular_sound
You don't really have to change the concept. The Demon Core isn't a trick. If you like it, you can totally get it and base your system around it. It even has the "gated" mode, so when you hit it with a note it will kind of automatically do the ADSR shape as indicated on the expander. With the Phil Ter, it'd be kinda like the Polymoog sound (think Gary Numan). It's not full subtractive polyphony but it does the thing. It's not the easiest way to learn modular synths, but it could be worse.
I know I'm walking into a trap here, and the joke will be all on me for getting involved, blah blah blah...but...
This is a (more or less) functional version of what you're talking about. It's just an example, and it's still a bit cramped, but hopefully this gives you an idea of how the things you mean to do can be accomplished in a way that does what you say while providing a number of musical options. I know you won't do anything with this information, but here it is, I guess. Enjoy your...concepts? If there are any specific choices you are curious about, just ask.
Or maybe just use a voltage controlled switch, e.g. A-150 or so. Not as fancy/flexible as the other options but should do the job. Just wondering while I write, that could be funny/wierd when triggered with audio ;-) Need to try myself later...
My bad. I thought the taigh was an lpg..
And i figured after i posted that most of the inputs would probably have attenuvertors.
Like i said. havent sat behind your rack.
What u think ur missing then? fx maybe?
Hey,
thanks for the reply! Several of the modules have in-built attenuators or input vca's, such as the bionic lester. In addition, the optomix, multi delay processor and also the CV processor can serve as mixers, the latter also as a VCA. But you are right, sometimes i could use for some attenuverters or offset modules and use them together with a multiple to build my own macro-controller. But I don't mind maxxing out the capabilities of feature-packed modules, so far I always found ways around that.
The instruo module is the tagh, which is a random, sample and hold, noise generator.
How many steps does it have to be? Why a second moskwa?
Hermod something for you? Maybe more handson like erica black sequencer?
4 ms catalyst look pretty cool and capable. not that many hp aswell.
Good luck picking something u like .... So many out there
Seems like a capable system at first glance.
I can't really comment. Never sat behind that rack so.
But what i am seeing is only a few vca's. 2 in doubla andore and 2 in taigh which is an lpg
I'm not trying to bash or anything but ..... i would opt for more vca's, mixers, attenuvertors and utilities.
Allows for more (precise) sweeping or gradual fm'ing, am'ing, etc, or whatever floats your boat.
Just my 2 cnts
this is my current 180 HP setup (barring tagh and the teia shifter for which I currently have the Kamieniec). Don't get me wrong, I have tons of fun exploring the system. I use it to produce backbones of tracks, such as basslines, lead patterns or sometimes pulsating drones with the multi delay; or generally any weird elements that might be missing from my productions.
I am just wondering whether you spot any redundant elements, if you would replace one module or set of modules with something more versatile that I am not familiar with, and above all, what you would patch up first when sitting in front of the system. I would love more people come over and take a spin with the rack, but unfortunately, I don't have many eurorack people around.
What I tend to do a lot lately is to clock pamela's with some triggers from the rack (EOR, EOD of the Double andore, for instance, or with a square wave with a small pulsewith at varying frequency from the kermit) and in a sense desync it from a general master clock, or let the eurorack system determine the clock of the overall production. That way, I feel like I can achieve more organic results and grooves. Sometimes, I send the modular sounds into the analog heat fx or the octatrack if I feel they are missing something, because I don't want to go bigger with eurorack necessarily (so please be modest with your suggestions, haha). Another thing to share is that one can and should use kermit/zadar as support oscillators, they provide some interesting results. The mutant brain might look like overkill, but I use it to send triggers or CV to the Pulsar 23. I also havean outboard mixing desk, so I don't need much of that in the rack.
Just one more thing, for those who have a make noise control - would you recommend it for a more exploratory approach to techno production?
I hope this is interesting to somebody. Anyways, thanks for engaging and have a good week!
Not sure but maybe there's a way to set an og panel as default? So when someone uploads an alternate panel, one can choose to show that in your own rack (as you allready can if there'd alt panels available.
-- geusensdriesmusic
Yeah, that's a good idea! There are two problems:
We need a way to add panels to existing modules, even if those modules are "manufacturer locked", as some sort of add-on that users can pick.
There needs to be a way for these alternative panels to NOT replace the default/OG panel art, so the pic-upload thing needs to have a setting for "primary" vs "alternative" panels, with different links for the alternative panels so that you can know where to get them / who makes them.
And of course the hidden third problem of fixing the existing mess, which is probably bigger than these two obvious problems.
Not sure but maybe there's a way to set an og panel as default? So when someone uploads an alternate panel, one can choose to show that in your own rack (as you allready can if there'd alt panels available.
I hear you, and I also use the "newest first" view to watch for new releases... so an avalanche of panels does clutter things up.
Looking at other manufacturers of panels, this seems like a long-lived problem that MG doesn't care to solve. For instance: check out Grayscale's manufacturer listing, containing dozens of "modules" that are panels (also great panels, but still: same problem). https://modulargrid.net/e/vendors/view/191
The thing is, these panels are uploaded as modules.
I like to filter my lib view on newest additions to check out what's going on. I do not support modulargrid to see alternate panels listed as new modules, (which has nothing to do with wether it's a nice panel or not).
Is there a way to make it so it greys out all the other options if a manufacturer chooses "Blank panel" so you can't choose anything else when it is selected? I don't know the process for submitting modules.
I agree that some alternative thing like panels listings would help reduce the noise from dozens of new panels pushing new actual modules down the most-recent list.
Mork makes great panels, and i get why you would want to list them in what is basically a storefront venue, but it is starting to become annoying.
i was thinking, specifically, about a way to interpolate bezier curver between fixed points to hand code in a custom envelope shape and a(s)dr values, perhaps with a reverse attack shape and maybe an added lfo sine lfo signal frequency modulating another sine lfo signal, or other experiments that might produce novel envelope packets, then setting all the parameters and saving it out as a wav, all in puredata. also, the simple melody you chose also highly resonates with the conceptual ideas ive been playing with, but i was thinking about also 3 additional melodic voices harmonizing and playing different parts at the same time. maybe, if the universe ever grants you more rack space you might consider trying to fill out exactly this with 4 full melodic voice parts which it sounds like to me is totally possible, if the rample wasnt also doing some drum parts in your patch. i dont mean this as a slight, only that i can already kind of hear 3 more melody parts in what is there r now.
Uploading as a panel would be better, I think. There's many more brands that have several versions with an alternate panel uploaded as a new module. Not ideal...
It needs a tick box to remove Mork modules, thats it.
Unpopular opinion: If they don't make actual modules they shouldn't be listed as a manufacturer.
-- wishbonebrewery
It needs a tick box to remove Mork modules, thats it.
Unpopular opinion: If they don't make actual modules they shouldn't be listed as a manufacturer.
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.
Why can alternative panels be uploaded to the lib without being a module?
It's a bit annoying, kinda cluttering the library.
-- geusensdriesmusic
Agreed - makes using the module finder super annoying. Alternate panels should either be loaded as alternate panels, or at the very least only marked as blank panels so they don't show up when filtering on a real module type.
Is the noise persistent even if u pull back all the gain on your modules?
I mean ... i see a stereo preamp, a timewarp distortion and a mix buss distortion before a mod2line convertor.
That to me sounds like a potential gainstaging problem.
-- Chrissozz
Hey,
I think that's a very interesting idea and I have to admit that I've neglected it a bit or at least didn't understand it properly. In terms of the modules I have, what should I have done correctly to have good gain management?
If you have any idea what it could be, I'd love to hear from you.
-- Hoggres
I don’t have a definitive solution, but I do have a few suggestions to consider:
-- modular01
Hi, thank you very much for your suggestions.
I tried already the technics that you mentionned in Approch 3.
Also, since I don't get any noise when I plug in other synths, including when recording, I don't think there's any of the interference described in Approach 4. But I'll keep that in mind in case I run out of solutions.
Approaches 1 and 2 are very interesting and I'm going to try them out as soon as possible. I'm just not sure I understand exactly what Approach 2 is all about. Can you give me a little more detail?
Though I don't have solutions, I do have a few thoughts.
* Is your audio coming through clean, but also has this noise, or is the audio itself distorted?
* Can you describe your external interface situation / what is the outboard mixer?
* What are you runnning your pre-amp module into / at what point are you introducing the balanced cables?
* Do you have a recording of the sound? Maybe one of the more keen-eared electrically minded folks here can identify it.
* Output module - I'm not familiar with your output module, and I certainly don't mean to bad-mouth a company I'm not familiar with, but perhaps it's introducing some noise? Also, it's description on the manufacturing page says that it's main use is to go from line level (significantly lower signal) to eurorack level (significantly higher signal). If you're already putting a eurorack level signal in there and adding gain, I'd imagine some noise or distortion would be introduced.
-- HGsynth
Hey, thank you very much for your answer.
About your questions :
- My audio is clean, I don't think it's a distortion of the sound. It's just that the more I increase the gain, the more noise I get.
- I recently bought this mixer (https://www.thomann.de/fr/the_t.mix_xmix_1202_fx_usb.htm) but i don't think this is the source of the problem because i don't have this issue with others synths that i use. My soundcard is a Komplete audio 2 by Native instruments
- I don't use a preamplifier module as an output but simply to send the audio from my Analog rytm MK2 into the modular system. It's a Sovage engineering Duo stereo. Do you think I should use it as an output?
- I'll try to record a sound soon and send it to you. (Sorry for taking so long to reply, I'm very very busy at the moment)
- I don't think this module is the cause of the noise because I already had this problem before I bought it. I thought that this converter module would allow me to convert the level of the modular to the correct level for my mixer and then allow me to record on Ableton.
In any case, thank you for all your advice. I'm taking note of the modules you've recommended, and I may buy one of them later if I don't find a solution to my problem.
wow. love how cutely it all fits together and also the red theme, plus i thought the live performance sounded sick. i did not 100% look into what each module does, but im now thinking that i could use the rample to output custom envelopes for up to 4 demon cores by using a quad vca, which is an idea i have been playing around with but did not know how to do elegantly. (like, maybe bake some kind of lfo signal into the envelope wav to create a new hit.) this setup really matches the aesthetic i am going for while "designing" on here but in a tiny footprint. also, kudos on the command line tracker!! (somehow had not found rample yet, etc.)
peace out. ✌️✌️
(edit)
just to be clear, i was thinking of designing envelopes in pd, exporting them to wav files, then putting them on the rample sd. that is possible, right? im not crazy, am i?? then you could also use a second cv to time stretch the preprogrammed envelope wav, to boot!!!!!!!! am i really the first guy to think of using that module as an envelope generator, i wonder?
peace yall
(edit edit)
someone, just please tell me if sample rate and control rate signals are just completely incompatible. thank you in advance, etc. ...
@hgsynth 1) like, where i feed in one note cv, which becomes the root note, then i can select between various chord and octave spread options that output 4 fully chorded note cv outs, with offset, and then a 5th note cv out that can output an arpeggiated note cv mix, accepting a clock in, that can do between 1/32 - 1 th notes, without any gate functionality at all. 2) in my concept, i am really thinking about a case and racks that fully function like a full instrument you can play, more than just as a canvas for very specific patches. i guess i could just go on a deep dive to find the one standalone drum machine that scratches all my performance itches, but both the tukra and scrooge have unique modular routing capabilities, and i dont want to lose those options, for this concept. im looking for, basically, a highly unique, highly performable, eurorack full drum machine, but so that i can still create completely unique patch elements so it becomes part of a 'bigger instrument'. idk exactly what i am looking for, but neither the scrooge or the tukra is exactly 'it', but both come vaguely close. 3) part of my concept is packing a ton of functionality into a small footprint, and avoiding too many cables or clutter. i could just add an eg, vca, and filter to the demon core as extra modules, but on top of the extra space, the options are bewildering. for my concept, id much prefer a new "devil core" module that, like the loki, adds all the functionality needed to be a complete voice, with all the eg, vca, and filter options included specifically designed around the unique characteristics of the osc itself right from the start. +0.5) i noticed the module you posted did do this, but, lets say i am keeping 4 tempos on a tempi, and triggering 4 out of sync arpeggios on the opned, fed into 4 distinct voices, i would need 4 of those modules and to trigger all 4 at the same time to modulate the total melody, which is not in line with my concept.
@progspiration the arpitecht looks like vaguely what i want to be able to do, but not quite exactly, which i bet is a problem a lot of people run into.
please do not feel offended yet. This is my tiny pod, I created it first to have a simple rig to showcase the work on my python midiTracker. A small Commandline Interface tool to arrange my own little things. The first iteration was more or less just the sampler + mutable beads.
Now I'm pretty happy to present half of an actual duo-phonic synth, no filters or VCA needed. The Herzlich Labs unity mixer has been a super nice way to get a hold of all the signals:
Two effects might seem overkill, but FXaid makes for some spacey sounds and glitchy things.
Ive been looking at buying a 2nd sequencer for my system and im just looking for some suggestions. Ive already got a moskwa II unit and always figured a 2nd would suit best, however i seen the Jornanalouge?? Step 8, ( i think its called) and now i cant decide between the 2.
Also suggestions in general wouldnt go a miss. My aim right now is to have somewhere between 6 - 8 voices, to play 2 possibly 3 different parts (Lead,Bass and swell) each there own melody. with as much modulation and sound manipulation as i an fit in the est of it.
Im looking into buying pusherman A+B switches in near future as a way of a transitioning between parts
And I agree with @HGSynth that a Grids and/or other logic based trigger sequencers with switched mults or mutes for routing can greatly expand improv drum sequencing. Pair that with something like the vpme.de Quad Drum or the Prok drum modules and you're performance ready (after some practice of course)
I apologize, I just realized in my earlier response I recommended getting the Behringer 2500 clone, and I meant the 2600! Looking at your proposed rack, the 2600 covers pretty much everything the Sytem 100 clone modules would do but in a more economical package. You can find a Behringer 2600 for about $400 USD used. I arranged this pair of 84hp rails as an accompaniament to the 2600.
I kept pretty much everything you had in your proposal less the Scales. This felt not totally necessary as the Chaos can output quantized pitch voltage, and since you're also using a keyboard sequencer the scales felt a little overkill. I also removed the Radar as the 2600 has an input/preamp/envelope follower built in. I added a Clouds clone as the delay/granular/reverb effects in that just make for an instant, easy, and satisfying ambient texture, whatever you want to throw into it. I also added the Behringer copy of the Intellijel Quad VCA as this is super helpful for both standard VCA duties as well as mixing signals, both audio and CV.
I will say, I know the Behringer modules are cheap, but there are definitely some ethical considerations with their practices in the Eurorack space. I have less concern with their clones of older/hard to get synths like the 2600 (and I'm really pretty pumped to see their Buchla Easel and EMS Synthi copies if those ever see the light of day), but some of their clones in eurorack feel a little dirty. If you can save up a little more, I think it's worth it to get an actual Make Noise Maths and getting Plaits, Marbles, and Veils clones from After Later Audio or Cal Synth to replace the Brains, Chaos, and Quad VCA respectively.
But as is, if you go with your proposed setup, I'd just recommend dropping the Scales and adding a cascading quad VCA like the Behringer Four Play (or the Intellijel Quad VCA it's based on, or a MI Veils clone) and a more robust delay/reverb/effect like a Clouds clone. I also think the Behringer 2600 is pretty much the best bang for buck intro to (semi)modular synths out there. I love the joystick and ribbon combo, that'll make for some really interesting human modulation, and if you pair that with a VCA to control other modulations, you'll have a nice stew goin'
Sorry for the long wait.
OK, forget about synthwave.
I need something for making ambient/drone, but mostly ambient with some slow simple drums and some drone background.
I have akai APC64 that I can use as a sequencer.
It has 8 CV/gate outputs that are configurable (for sequences/device fader strips)
So I need VCOs VCFs VCAs envelope, mixer, the usual stuff...
As I'm on a budget, I chose mostly behringer modules.
Here's a picture of something I've compiled.
I want to know if there are any redundencies here
I've left 10 HP space if there's any suggestions...
One of the neat things about modular is that if there isn't a module out there that already to fit your needs, you can "build" your own from other modules. You shouldn't feel like a missing module is holding you back. For your needs:
Not sure what you mean by putting out "cv arpeggiated mix." Have you looked at: Instruo Harmonaig, Addac Addac207 Intuitive Quantizer, or the ACL Sinfonian. The last one is by all reports a beast, and can almost certainly do what you're thinking of. Check out this list for a (not-quite exhaustive but pretty damn close) comparison of different options: https://doudoroff.com/quantizers/. You can always pair it with an arpeggiator in the chain, as well.
Why not just get an external drum machine and integrate it into the system? Would be more straightforward. If you want to stay in box, let's turn again to the modules that already exist. For the cv side of things, check out: Mutable Instruments Grids, vpme.de Euclidean Circles v.2, any good logic circuit (Joranalogue Compare 2 can make some gnarly gate patterns with its logic section, for example). There are probably hundreds of different drum vc programming modules out there, I'll bet some match your workflow for improvisation. Ok, got the cv, now how about the sounds? Simplest choice would to use a sampler, and there are again a huge selection out there: https://doudoroff.com/samplers/. I personally use the Rossum Electro-Music Assimil8or and let me tell you the sound quality and functionality are out of this world. If you have the sample, this can play it and make it sound good. Plus, it now has a MIDI expander (Locutus). I have an electronic drumset with MIDI out... I think you can probably already see the interesting performance and improvisation opportunities.
Not familiar enough with the functionality of those units to give a good comparison. I'm gonna bet, however, that what you want is already accomplishable with existing modules. I know Mutable Instrument Plaits has a built in VCA, and I think some other oscillators do, as well. What I don't get is why would you need that, instead of just using a VCA down the line?
To modulate the cv up and down in musically relevant ways, you're looking for a precision adder. My favorite is vpme.de T-43, and it does exaclty what you want.
I absolutely hope manufacturers see your note and build these modules that you request because I am always excited about new modules. If they don't - which I suspect will be the case since they probably already have a sense of the market for these things - then you shouldn't let it hold you back. The functionality you seek exists through patching, and that's part of the whole process and fun of modular synthesis - building the instrument that you need out of the raw building blocks themselves. Typically, if you want a unit to do all of those things, well, they already exist as standalone synths. In the modular world, you get to design and build it yourself. The "unmet needs" become part of the challenge and fun of patching a system, and why some modules, particular the ones we call "utilities," are so valuable, even if they seem rather dull and boring on the surface.
So once again, we're back to getting to know modular a bit better. Once you do you'll probably come to realize that these spaces that lack a specific module often engender the most discovery and experimentation.
im working on some conceptual stuff, and basically there are 3 types of functionality that do not really exist that are 'holding me back'. 1) a qu-bit chord type module that can output note cv as well as a cv arpeggiated mix and has more octave options instead of just outputting source voices. 2) a drums unit somewhere inbetween a scrooge and tukra that is more directly tuned to both intricate live performance, as well as built in randomization and improvisation options, that also provides a full canvas of drum tones. 3) a demon core type module that either includes all the functionality of a loki, or at least includes its own vca so i can send a custom envelope directly from the brainstep. (+1/2) and also, id like it if there was an opned with physical modulate up and down one semitone literal buttons.
just posting this here in case any existing manufacturers think it is worth their own efforts to cater to these unmet needs. peace.
lol, you guys are funny and made some good points. i think im going to watch some more videos on all the modules i included, then think about designing one more all included system, maybe with a zadar or dr phil ter, in a new thread, maybe in a couple months from now. im kind of obsessed with the idea of controlling 4 full voices from a brainstep in a not huge case. idk how im going to get over that to switch over to one or so fully sculpted voice, etc. thanks for commenting.