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Now we have a black panel for the ResEQ as preferred by some. The ResEQ has been around for quite a while. What I had hoped for is an expander module with CV over all the frequency bands. Add gate sequences and have fun! Much more exciting to me than any visuals ;-) I heard rumors that there is a 4u version of ResEQ with CV control. Anyone?
-- wiggler55550

The 3U-Version of the VC ResEQ is available:
https://serge-modular.com/serge_4x4?mod=RS_SIEGFRIED8X4

A 3U Version will follow someday.

Hello @melero,
Here is an example of a rack that sort of hybridizes what @JimHowell1970 suggested and what you originally presented, as I'm guessing those were modules that are appealing to you.
I did swap out some modules that I thought might be better options, in my opinion: MIDI Thing -> Mutant Brain, Quadra and expander -> Quadrax and expander (Quadra is out of production), Magneto -> Sealegs (again, just an opinion, but I think Sealegs will be more interesting and friendly, especially when starting out). I also added a Mix 3 (to mix Shapshifter's waveforms before going into the filter), and an Out V3 (not everyone thinks an "output" module is necessary, but I do like them personally, and the headphone out and cue option is nice too). I think this build will give you an interesting and fun synth voice to really delve deep into for a long time.

You could, of course, strip things back more at first to make the setup simpler and/or less expensive. For example, take out the Quadrax and expander, take out the Mutant Brain if MIDI connectivity isn't an absolute must have, swap out Shapeshifter, Evolution, and Sealegs for less expensive/simpler options, like the excellent ones Jim suggested in his post.

I hope some of that is helpful!

the besst thing to do in many ways is to start with very little - ie a minimum viable synth... a sound source, a modulation source, a sound modifier, a way to play and a way to listen... plus maybe a basic utility...

so:

sound source - literally any will do - plaits clones are popular - as they have a lot of variety

modulation source - pams or maths are both great - although both complex (in different ways) - 1 is programmable with a simple menu system - the other is programmable with patch cables (this is a very powerful method and will transfer to all patching - see the 'maths illustrated supplement for further details - but really requires a lot of deep thought about what, when and how to get the most out of it)

a sound modifier - a low pass filter is a good start - doepfer make some inexpensive classics - moog, wasp, sem etc... and a multifx is another useful choice if you want to push the boat out a bit further - I'd go fx aid pro (screen exponentially improves the user experience)

a way to play - if the modulation source is Pams - then that can be a good start - it can do quantized stepped random pitch - otherwise it really depends on you...

a way to listen - a quad cascading vca such as a veils clone is a great starting point, although probably mono - which isn't really that big a deal - it will do the job and always be useful!

an utility - a module that can do attenuation/inversion/offset/mixing is also a good investment - possibly the best is the happy nerding 3 * mia - but there are others...

learn these modules inside and out and once you have done that (probably weeks, if not months) start adding slowly, 1 or 2 modules at a time, and repeating... try to keep a note of what you are missing as you go...

hope this helps...

I've spent some time studying how does it works a modular system based on sustractive synthesis. Understand the basics components through VCV rack has been a part of my time too.

So, in my unexperience perspective, the main problem is to choose the right modules to create a eurorack system oriented to the music the I want to get.
Because there're a lot of offer, brands and modules doing several functions at the same time, I mean, not just working as a simple VCA o EG, for example.
Some of them, gather a bunch of fuctions that I don't know if these fits well, probably not. And that's my problem.

Using the Mantis case to house the modules, and with a more or less clear idea about the sound I want to achieve. What would be your suggestions keeping this in mind: sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation sources < utilities?

Thanks a lot!

EDITED Dec 9th 2023, 18:51

Ok kids, this setup is now reality. Just waiting on a four tier thingamabob. The erica stuff is mostly for supplementing what the moog stuff lacks. Extra VCO’s, VCA’s, LFO’s, atenuverters etc… and so far it’s a friggin’ gas. Killer semi mod system. (KSMS)

This comes from a YouTube video here:

THE CASE IS 96HP.

EDITED Dec 9th 2023, 09:57

Thanks for your kind words, TumeniKnobs. I'm afraid I'm a sucker for hippie nostalgia! GLad you liked the timbre. String modelling was actually my only choice, because it was the only way I could get two separate voices that would sound identical. I clearly need more oscillators!!

I think that you should spend more time planning and thinking, please don't buy stuffs yet , you would be disappointed. you have one voice and 3 expensive filters, that' like setting money on fire.
hexmix is also no right for such a small system.
what about you buy a cheap osc, a cheap filter, a cheap vca, as many utilities as possible and you learn from there ?
shapeshifter is nice but is definitely a complex module. chose one (or better two) cheap osc ?
remove two filters.
what's the plan for sequencing ?

do you know synthesis ? did you consider a semi modular ?
something like a beastep and a behringer crave, k2, or neutron ? that would help you building some basics.
a arturia minibrute 2s would also be a smart starting setup me thinks...

ask for more advices, read, test stuffs, and try not to spend too much money for now!

EDITED Dec 8th 2023, 19:15

2U sounds weird. 6 U maybe ?

Thanks in any case. You helped me figure out where I wanted to go with this rack!

Foley sounds! Yes, that's awesome. Thanks.

Thanks! It's a bunch of foley sounds and samples I collected over the years played by the Squarp Rample (sequenced with ORCA). And I think I gave it a bit saturation with the Djupviks Shakti.

This website is about music and the devices that make it. This interest is the common ground that connects us.
Let's not fool ourselves, it's also about escapism, it's also about being able to escape from everyday life.
Terrible things happen in this world. I don't want them on my website. And that's why we have a no-politics policy.
And that's why I deleted a post that passively attacked a user who just wanted to show his music.

Haha, yeah, not just a pair of floating arms :) Cheers

This thing sounds great and works great.

Nice jam dude! I always suspected there was a body and a head attached to those tatooed arms, but now I know for sure. Haha!

EDITED Dec 8th 2023, 14:07

interesting! does this work nicely with mono sources too?
-- Musicaespressiva2

Yes, the left input normals to the right input if the right is unpatched,

-- robotsarered

Great. So when is going to be available? Panel is metal or pcb?

-- Musicaespressiva2

Should be available sometime in January. Panel is PCB.

Hi everyone,
I have a couple of cases that I'm selling. Two are Blackhole and two are Doepfer. They're unused. I went through a period of trying out different things and have settled on a different solution. I'll be photographing everything in the coming days and may consider listing through Reverb.
If interested in a 2U 104HP Blackhole or 84HP Doepfer, feel free to message with questions etc.
Thanks,
John

Well, looks like I owe you one !
I had not heard or read about Phazerville before but it does indeed work with my v1 version of O&C 4Robots AND it contains some of the apps of the original firmware - I was so happy when I tried the firmware, I got lost in the test patch and started wiggling filter cut off knobs for an hour.
Thanks, friend, you made my day :-)

Wow, what a thoughtful reply! I was just making notes to self for future idea.

I got this case as I wanted the spectraphon and did not have any room for this giant in my two cases. Once I have a house, I'll allow myself to buy a large eurorack case and have my "studio" somehwere other than the hall.

-- k0s0

sounds like a plan - sometimes it's hard to tell if people are newbies or not...

good luck wiht the house!!!

I don't usually go in for nostalgic San Fran hippie drug culture stuff, but maybe I've been wrong about that (at least some of it) because this is friggin outstanding! Fantastic video and sounds. I absolutely love the core timbre you selected for this piece - it's just perfect. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

Nice track. Cool, weird modular. :-) I'm interested in the percussion sounds. How were they done?

Works great with Hemsiphere! ALA also has great support. I accidentally broke mine (I snapped the micro-usb port off on the teensy; completely my fault), and ALA repaired for only cost of part!

That said, Plum has special builds of the Phazerville suite (an actively developed fork of Hemisphere) for the 1u version, so you might try that. The dev works directly with Plum to ensure compatibility, so should work.

Can anyone using this version confirm it is compatible with Hemisphere please ?
The old hardware I use (1U O&C from Plum, 1st gen) has trouble with voltage ranges in Hemisphere so I can only run the original firmware, and that makes me sad...
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience

yeah. I like a little chaos from time to time. But it's easy to go overboard... thanks!

Love this! Just my kind of chaos. Reminds me of someone going to town on a Chapman Stick. Cheers!
-- TumeniKnobs

EDITED Dec 7th 2023, 16:45

Love this! Just my kind of chaos. Reminds me of someone going to town on a Chapman Stick. Cheers!

Note that this rack is archived ; I no longer have the rack and the componenets have moved to SoundDesigner

Wow, what a thoughtful reply! I was just making notes to self for future idea.

I got this case as I wanted the spectraphon and did not have any room for this giant in my two cases. Once I have a house, I'll allow myself to buy a large eurorack case and have my "studio" somehwere other than the hall. I decided I really wanted the Subcon Model 52 Vampire . Having recently got a Keystep Pro I realized....that's four voices of polyphony, this could be a tiny mini-system! It was never originally intended that way; it was more just a overflow case that sits near the rest of my eurorack and semi-modular. I already have the Orion phaser too as I couldn't resist a small eurorack phaser and my pedal phaser broke :(

So then I need a quick + dirty way of converting gates to something with a little more shape that can also mix down to stereo.

I've added rearranged this how I hopefully can fill this out after next year's tax season. What do you think? I'm really hoping cloaks + veils + the keystep gates can be "close enough" to an envelope for the vampire + spectraphon voices. In any case, I think it will be fun to play with and will mostly just stay at home wired to my other racks which have a bit more utility modules in them (though one can never have enough maths...sheesh!)

...this is also why I don't buy a bigger case right now....if I get it, I'll just dream of all those modules I don't have that I always meant to get!

I'd almost definitely want a quad cascading vca... veils or a clone is a good choice...

and probably a delay and a reverb...

don't think I'd want the nifty bundle pedals though... they don't have good reputations & are hard to resell...

tbh with the spectraphon - I'd want a bigger case... not enough room for support modules in a nifty case...

take a look at my signature - think it over for a while... then think about the modules you want and need to support it and then pick a case to house them, preferably leaving some space to expand (20% or so at least)
-- JimHowell1970

And the quickstart guide says 400mA, not 350.

EDITED Dec 7th 2023, 09:36

interesting! does this work nicely with mono sources too?
-- Musicaespressiva2

Yes, the left input normals to the right input if the right is unpatched,

-- robotsarered

Great. So when is going to be available? Panel is metal or pcb?

...Maybe I want the Nautilus delay with MI Veils or equivalent.
-- k0s0

I'd almost definitely want a quad cascading vca... veils or a clone is a good choice...

and probably a delay and a reverb...

don't think I'd want the nifty bundle pedals though... they don't have good reputations & are hard to resell...

tbh with the spectraphon - I'd want a bigger case... not enough room for support modules in a nifty case...

take a look at my signature - think it over for a while... then think about the modules you want and need to support it and then pick a case to house them, preferably leaving some space to expand (20% or so at least)

Filterbanks by nature are fixed. You are probably looking for band-pass filters.
Addac 603 Triple Bandpass x 2 will give you six with glorious overdrive/ saturation if you want it.

...Maybe I want the Nautilus delay with MI Veils or equivalent.

interesting! does this work nicely with mono sources too?
-- Musicaespressiva2

Yes, the left input normals to the right input if the right is unpatched,

nice! I have the old Clock O Pawn and it is great in how simple it works.

hexmix seems like overkill...

only 1 very large sound source?

only 1 very large effect?

possibly too much modulation...

not enough utilities besides the huge mixer...

rosie is discontinued (I think) & do you really need an output module? maybe not

black maths is kinda unobtanium unless you buy a shared system...

I'd suggest taking a look at my signature and spending some time thinking about it and how it relates bith to your rack and mission statement...

oh look and here's the actual link:

I'm not going to have that much of a go at the b-company modules - it's a matter of (your) conscience and ethics if you buy them or not - but supporting small manufacturers (ie everyone but the b-company) - who are more likely to inovate - is definitely a better way to go imo & I'd replace all of those if it was me...

other modules that could be removed:

scales... midi to cv and pitch cv from Ableton etc should be quantized and Pams can be used as a quantizer (& random pitch source) amongst other things... so why scales?????

link... can you not just use 1/8" -> 1/4" cables???

magneto - it's very large in such a small system - there are many other delays out there...

btw the befaco instrument interface is great!

do you really need so many inputs???? not enough mixing capability to take advantage of them in such a small rack with so little processing???

which leads to not enough utilities to support the modules... (including mixing)

I'd suggest taking a look at my signature and spending some time thinking about it and how it relates bith to your rack and mission statement...

EDITED Dec 6th 2023, 20:31

Hi there!
I want to use Mantis from TipTop to build my first rack. My idea is getting some kind of sound closer to Andy Stott's music, but open to other styles too (ambient, dub, electro). So my approach is this. Suggestions are welcome. And sorry if I missed any important module or feature totally required. Thank you!

Hello,
I've been looking for a non-fixed filterbank or VCO module that could be CV-pitch controlled, with a polyphony of over 6 voices. What are the options there?
Thanks,
A.

Yeah I watched that video and it is still way too much menu diving for my taste. I love my WMD drum modules and simpler interface to deal with. I have enough menu diving to deal with on modular sequencers. Simplicity makes me happier.

imo thats not a lot of diving tbh, not comparable to elektron at least. watch the synthdad video, i really think theyve found the easiest possible way to implement all this (and thats also the reason why certain features are missing, it would be too much indeed!). having 8 voices without menudiving basically is a full rack, well almost. of course thats cool in a studio, i wouldnt say no either ;))

looks nice but way too much menu diving and button combos for my taste. I went modular for simpler knob and switch per function versus menu diving found in synths like Elektron boxes.

Hi. I am building a rack for external synths recording with PC. But I also want use it for creative music making with only an extra ipad and Blackbox while on the road. I already have several modules and some still on my wish list.

Left side: mainly ins and outs
Befaco in = from BlackBox - 6 output > to ES-9 for live Jam. Or from different external Synths to Ableton.
Joranalogue in = external synth recording to Blackbox or to ES-9 for AUM or Ableton
ES-9 : AUM for live jam (all IOs mixed and Fabfilter plugins on the AUM channels) or Ableton for recoding
Midi on to ES-9 to CV control external synths
Still a few unused CV outs to send CV signals from Ableton or AUM.

Right = creative section

Any suggestions to further improve the creative section?
Any suggestion about the layout (position of the modules) to reduce patch cable lengths?
Can I free up more rack space? Which modules to remove and which ones to add instead?

EDITED Dec 6th 2023, 22:37

ㅇMaths: 출력파장의 부드러움 정도. 조정
ㅇMA22: Resonance, Frequency 조절하여 High Vibration(Voice) 발생&조정

interesting! does this work nicely with mono sources too?

I’m sorry @Jukeshoe. 95% of my posts here (and on ModWiggler) are public. But private messages were invented to allow from time to time a more personal exchange. And I will not hesitate to do it with you, if necessary.

If you do away with the concept of intellectual property, you remove the incentive to innovate. Quite simple.
-- bopodoq
I'm pretty sure nobody wants to do away with intellectual property... but false, unproven (in a court of law) accusations, especially those so boldly made from behind a screen and keyboard, should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

I updated the image on https://www.modulargrid.net/e/steady-state-fate-metalloid-percussion-entity, by the way (to better match the other SSF percussion modules). Please feel free to delete the duplicate panel image there if someone is able.

This preview https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2418663.jpg is still using the old panel image, even after I forced ModularGrid to regenerate it by rearranging the rack while it was definitely using the new HEAD image.

EDITED Dec 6th 2023, 01:55

I'm just starting this thread to raise awareness that something is "funky" about image caching on ModularGrid.

Mostly this affects rack preview images. When a rack is updated, on first load (when generation of a new preview image gets triggered), the correct image is loaded. On subsequent loads, a stale image usually gets loaded from the browser cache until that old image eventually ages out (or the cache is manually cleared). This behavior is mostly harmless.

I ran into trouble when trying to upload an improved image for a module just now, though. After uploading the new image, it appeared as though nothing had happened, so I tried again. Again, nothing seemed to happen, except the second time around I noticed the previous image I had uploaded was now listed in the "Panel Versions" sidebar. Realizing this was probably the same caching problem, I loaded the module page in another browser, and the main panel image showed the updated image as expected.

This isn't great, since it means I uploaded a duplicate module image. (It looks like this happens somewhat frequently, since I see duplicate module images more often than I'd expect if this were purely accidental.)

The problem seems to be that ModularGrid always uses the same URL for these images, even after they're updated, and allows them to be cached. Strangely, this also seems to affect preview generation somehow, since rack previews which include the module I mentioned above are continuing to use the old HEAD image for the moment, even as they're regenerated. (I confirmed the rack does actually use the new panel image in another browser, but the preview still does not.)

None of this is that big a deal, but it would be great if this were fixed at some point (and perhaps some method was added to remove duplicate panel images).