Starter build - attempt

Hello, I want to get the most out of the BIA. I hope to build this out but was wondering if I would be making a mistake starting with only the BIA, Pamela's new work out, and outs intellijel. With Pamela's euclidian and LFO menu diving nature I believe I will be able to both trigger and modulate the BIA.

The next step would be either be the (Mimetic Digitalis)[https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-mimetic-digitalis-black-] or the (Clep Diaz)[https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-clep-diaz-black-w-jacks-leds] leading up to the (turning machine and the expanders)[https://www.modulargrid.net/e/music-thing-modular-turing-machine-mk-ii] and a quantizer. But I am waiting for an affordable quad quantizer so I don't need to buy more as I get another voice/drone. however, I am not sure what order to get the (A-135-2 Quad VCA / VC Mixer)[https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-135-2-quad-vca-vc-mixer] or the (Lapsus Os)[https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-lapsus-os-black]. I almost think it would be better and get the remaining 5(7 with expanders) modules all at the same time. In my goal system, I planned on including a multi-modular with stackable cables and other off rack mults, sample and hold module, quad (cv) attenuverter, disting, and other utilities.

1 what is your use case for an output module? most people do not need these - if you need balanced output or a headphone output - then get something that specifically does that - otherwise simple attenuators and adapter cables work perfectly in most cases - and are always a better starting point than an output module - worst case is you end up with an output module and some attneuators - which is no bad thing - attenuators are always useful

2 if you are intending to expand the number of voices - it may be an idea to look at either bloom or marbles instead of a turing machine - both have more channels and have built in quantizers - marbles also has a lot of gate features and a random source -all useful in a small system and this would mean you can put off a separate quantizer, potentially indefinitely - if you intend to use the mimetic digetalis to record tracks and replay them then the

3 I would go with veils or intellijel over the doepfer vca - because they are slightly less cramped and offer more features

4 I would start with a more fully featured modulation source - by that I really mean less cramped and more easily controllable - personally I recommend Maths as a good first modulation source - not only because it is a classic and is reasonably well laid out, but also because the unofficial illustrated manual elevates it to being one of the best documented modules and it is an excellent resource for learning about how modular synthesizers function and techniques such as patch programming - invaluable

5 I feel this system is quite unbalanced - way too much sequencing and not enough of everything else - I would start with 1 sequencing/modulation option - pnw or marbles - the bia - veils and then add maths and some sort of effect - either an anaolg filter or something like an fx aid xl and then the utilities that are needed to make the most of these modules - I always suggest links, kinks, shades as a good starter utility package - and then another voice - and then whichever of pnw or marbles I hadn't bought eearlier

6 if you have a more expanded 'dream' rack that this is a stepping stone towards - then I would share that as well - it may be that a better path is possible to it

7 don't buy modules just because they are cheap - or affordable - buy them because they are the modules that you need - if the quantizer that fits all your requirements is 2 times the price of the cheap quantizer that fits 80% of you requirements - then save for the more expensive one (or dig deeper in your pocket) - because you probably will end up with it down the line after getting frustrated because feature x is missing

I couldn't agree more with Jim's point #7. Get the module that does the thing(s) you need it to do. The only bad purchases I've made are the ones where I thought I could get by with half of the features I knew I actually needed. I thought, "Oh, I can make this work for now..." Instant buyer's remorse, AND I delayed getting the right module for weeks while I tried to learn and incorporate the wrong one.

@JimHowell1970
Wow! Thank you for the input! Part of the reason I love this website!

The numbers below are for organization purposes only.
1 This system is meant for small live performances/drum and base line recording for vocaliod songs hopefully also background noise as I work/play games. So a quarter inch output is important to me, I think I can manage without stereo output. Given your feed back I found the Rosie output modular that includes a cue! I believe this would be a reasonable upgrade.
2 I did not realize blooms was pre quantized. So that was an easy swap. I might just be a simp for the turing machine and rainmaker but I think it would be too difficult to play live or get anything descent to record. I wish Bloom had the loop feature but I’m sure I just need to read the manual.
3 Veils looks great!! Love the LED indicators and the slides over the dials – Thank you for helping me think about ergonomics I imagined it to be all controlled by LFOs from Pamela’s so I didn’t think about the space for my hands.
4 For modulation I’m looking for clockable LFOs, at the moment I am debating between Maths and a second Clep Dias, I know Math’s can do so much more but other than an envelope generator and pingable envelope (LFO) I would likely use it as a Side chain compressor if I get a second voice so the base drum will be easy to dance to. I am also not sure how to clock an LFO other than by ear if it doesn’t have a clock input, can maths be a clocked LFO?
5 I love the Logic part of kinks, the minimum function this would be useful. Is the Sample and Hold portion droopy for melodies? I was thinking RND by Div Kid for the S&H. I believe Lapsis Oz and Shades may overlap-let me know if I need more than 4 attenuverters. Links is just cool, and I don’t think Maths can be a precision adder while being an envelope generator/LFO/sidechain compressor so that was an add. For a filter would love the forbidden planet mmf – just great for creating wild things and taming equally wild things things (I believe its pingable, but I may be mistake). Hoping to get the Erbverd or the Desmodus Versio latter on!
6 I haven’t updated the dream rack with the changes here yet and it is equally overbalanced with gate makers/sequencers, but it has a ton of logic to help it create new things.
7 Great advise, I really am looking for a small number of great modules that will last as genres move and shift with the listening base.

Yeah, the digitalis is too much, I was putting it in for the notes scale changes on the quantizer and because it can save 8 to 16 sets I thought it would be easy to prepare good sounding things while spicing it up with the Turing machine, but Blooms is capable of that with Links and an LFO/pamela’s (like a presicion adder) but looking back It’s like I was using it a worse pamela’s new workout. And the price is more realistic.