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I was looking for content about the Weston products but there is only a few here and there. After a few minutes spent with the 2V2, I was conviced. I did a 5 patches video for those who want to here the dual osc. module in some classic squetching..

Cheers @Cem79

Nice jam. Your track is dancing.

Sometimes I can play about making weird abstract noises but then you realise you have been neglecting a row of modules, so here's a bit of fun.
I probably need to get a 909 Ride Cymbal just to top this off...

Yes, the Nerdseq is not initially designed to be the most 'playable' sequencer. But it frees your hands to act on the other modules! So, alongside its own powerful CV programming, you can be very active by tweaking the knobs: the cutoff of a filter, the attack of an envelope, the intensity of a folder, of an attenuator / attenuverter, etc. You can also act to open or mute a signal, switch a control...

This advice. I think you should include controller modules: joystick, touch-sensitive surface, ribbon controller, Theremin and so on. For my part, I use and particularly appreciate modules like Planar2 and Tetrapad.

I don't own the Soundmachines LP1lightplane (power hungry) but it's obviously a great module.
I have already had the opportunity to present this video here. One of Luis Codera Puzo's mottos is (and I quote from memory): 'We don't need more modules, we need more discipline'.

Nice story.

It's been a while since I posted here.
So here is something different from me.
My recent special performance for a charity noise event in Kyiv.
Musique concrète / noise / lowercase / dark ambient / drone.

Are you using anything external to sequence/clock this? The Shuttle Control portion will definitely make this a good idea not to be wasted, and you can still use your Steppy and Mimetic for modulations/other fun stuff (or vice versa - controlling with the sequencers and modulating with MIDI).

Also, you probably want some more freeform modulation: LFOs, maybe a sample and hold (this doesn't have to be big and fancy), definitely envelopes or a function generator (if you have to pick one, this is a good one because it can be both LFO or envelope). As I said, the sequencers can handle some of this and that's a lot of fun, but a variety of modulations will get you results that will make you feel more like you're getting your money's worth here. Inevitably, you may have to put the Shuttle System back in its standalone case and fill that section with boring stuff to facilitate the other voices, though it will still be great accompaniment.

A Veils clone and an Os are probably good starting points for utilities. Usually people forget this and have more modulation. Not a horrible plan overall and if your goal is more percussive/pinged in nature, you'll probably be doing great for a while. Look up Richard Devine's live case to learn more of what I mean - I just saw him live and while his case would probably get some raised eyebrows on the forum here, he's been doing electronic music for decades and his setup absolutely works great for writing and performance. However, unless you know already why each piece is there (in which case you can just ignore me), it seems like a lot to take on in this amount of rack space without modulation, and you'll end up with relatively static sequences that won't feel worth the money spent.

Think about how much space and functionality is given to the Shuttle System, which is essentially a monosynth (I guess it is technically two voices). All that extra stuff is what makes it an instrument and more than just a Furtherrrr Generator and filter. Try and imagine what it would be like if this rack gave a similar amount of options and playing space to the Zaps and RO'VED (and the QPAS, which is almost more of a voice/sound source/effect than a filter/VCA, and can definitely contribute like a synth voice to a patch even while filtering). How much bigger would it be, or how much more of it would be basic modular plumbing rather than sequencing/clock stuff, voices, amd effects?

get it together!!

Just to clarify:

You said you wanted to be able to make ambient and also upbeat dance music. Will you be doing this alongside the TR-6S, or do you want to do everything in the rack? I just ask because you mentioned you want the rack to sequence itself.

Knowing this will make it a lot easier for me to make suggestions.

Beyond that, it's time to start looking at modulation and utilities. Three voices, even with two in 2hp format, is a lot to keep track of. Function generators/loopable envelopes are always nice because you can experiment with different kinds of events. Attenuverters and VCAs will also be really important, since it will allow you to control amounts/positions for modulation and give you more control. Maths is a good place to start and see how these kinds of simple but potent circuits can improve your system (this stuff is the heart of modular and makes the more feature-heavy/obviously cool stuff work), but you'll probably need more than that to service all the voices in your system. Hopefully you still have the standalone case for that West Pest - you'll need that space later on.

Also, I would suggest just running through every single function on the Disting. All of them. Just to get a sense of what they are and whether they can help you or if you need them in a standalone module with more control. If there's a mode you don't understand, learn it.

EDITED Feb 25th 2024, 04:39

I've generally stuck to one of two strategies at any given time:

1. We agree I set the tempo. They can be any tempo at any time. I have to turn a knob or plan a change in advance. Therefore, they have the flexibility and I do not. So, when I start, they go from there. In a sense, the song becomes the click track.
2. Free improv: No one bothers with tempo too much and we just make cool sounds.

If you time it right, you can have both. One thing I like about the Polyend Tracker as a sequencer using MIDI to CV conversion (or a Nerdseq will do it) is you can program this behavior to happen at specific times and even program sequences that are non-timed.

I think the issue with a tempo-tap based system is you have to always have some rhythmic element that sends steady clock to stuff. You can maybe plan out sections with this, or even an envelope follower depending on what you're doing.

The only option for you I can think of is to think less in terms of melody and more in terms of percussion or just "triggering events". If you set the modular up to respond to drum triggers from you, or maybe some sort of Launchpad/other pad based finger drumming setup, then you'll be fine and you just have to worry about tuning and setting up the patching in advance (relatively speaking) so you can have at least one hand free to trigger stuff.

You could also try the Korg SQ-64, which has a play mode called "isomorphic" where the 64 pads roughly emulate the layout of a bass. The Korg SQ-64 has had a mixed reputation, but it is powerful on paper and may work for you here so you can apply your guitar/bass skills in this context.

EDITED Feb 25th 2024, 04:20

OK scrap all that, have a new plan!

Hi,

I love modular grid, use it all the time.

One thing that kills me is that when I go visit a module info page, then click the back button, I lose the current search and filters.

For example, let's say I'm searching for a 2hp utility module, sorted by popularity, and click on the info for a module I'm interested in. After viewing the page, I want to go back to my search, and click the back button. Now I need to re-fetch the search results by clicking "search" and changing the sort order to "popular".

This is probably a matter of updating the browser routing logic so that when you click on search, the URL gets updated with your search parameters, so that when you click back it automatically syncs to the prior search.

Let me know if you want help. If there's a github repo for the site, I'm happy to take a look and contribute.

EDIT ---

I noticed that this doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes the search is saved, but other times it's not.

To reproduce:

Go to a rack view. Ensure the search is cleared. Then add some search filters, change the sort order. Now click the "info" button on a module in the search results. Finally click the back button. You should see the default module view (no search terms).

EDITED Feb 24th 2024, 20:16

Hi. I have a little less than two years experience with eurorack, so far. Still learning. Still consider myself a newbie. Just collecting modules and making wild sounds at home in my basement. But, I would really like to be able to jam with other musicians.

So, I am curious to learn how other eurorack players approach playing with a band or just jamming with other musicians. Of course, you can just plug in a keyboard. But my background is more guitar, bass, percussion. I'm not much of a keyboard player, but I can get down with a sequencer, for example. Generative sequences, pulsating drones, rhythmic modulation, random sequencing, etc... all being driven by a master clock, it all still fits together... as long as you are not trying to be in time with other players.

So, for those with experience, how do you make it work within a live band setting (i.e. drums, bass, guitar)? I've heard of bands that work with a click track. Seems like that could be rather challenging. Tap tempo could be used to adjust the modular's clock tempo relative to what the drummer and other players are doing. But I can imagine that becoming tedious and troublesome, too.

Of course, I will admit that I haven't been brave enough to try any of these ideas, yet. I am still at the 'advice-seeking' stage. But, before I stick my neck out, I would love to hear how others have dealt with this. Is it possible to use a sequencer and still keep the band's timing toghether? Is it a matter of playing with talented musicians who know how to listen and follow the synth player instead of the drummer? What have others tried? Things that either did or didn't work? Please share your experiences. Thx!

keep the tips coming

Really nice work, kinda glitchy. Liking it.

It's important you challenge yourself musically as a musician. This video is a result of me challenging myself. One of the most defining sound shapers in modular and ambient music is reverb. We like to douse our synth sounds in luscious reverbs to create depth and space. So I thought, what would happen if I force myself to create a patch with no reverb at all. I loved the result so I decided to record it and post it for you to see and hear. Enjoy!

Glad that worked! It's such a deep module that can do so much. I owned three DUSGs at one point before trimming down my rack.

Thank you! I actually manage to figure it out after some time owning the module by using the pulse instead of end, wich was indeed really unstable/narrow.

It can! Simply engage one side to cycle (central switch between rise and fall attenuverters) and you get a cycling LFO/slope. The clock aspect can be used from the left side if you take the "Pulse" output. You can also clock things using the "End" output of either side, but that can tend to be a very narrow trigger. Depending on what you are clocking with that trigger, you could have missed or skipped beats. I had a hard time using the "End" output with a Doepfer clock divider, but never had an issue using the "Pulse" output.

Hi,

I am new to modular and slowly building up my rack. I Started out with a small 2hp lunchbox case and I am now enjoying expanding into a Rackbrute 6u. I'm Interested in ambient but also want to make upbeat dance. I also have a TR6S and a Keystep. I would like the rack to be playable/sequenced on its own and also used for sound design.

Any advice pls on where to go moving forward as there are so many modules to choose from and I already have some areas covered.

Thanks

if youre gonna get a disting maks sure youre prepared to have the manual open everytime you use it

Hello!

So I have a shuttle system and am looking at getting a Beface case and starting to fill that.

Have a look at what I'm thinking and let me know your opinions!

EDITED Feb 24th 2024, 20:20

Rack DI Box for Gökhan Türkmen Stage

The Rack DI Box designed by VAEMI is specially crafted for Gökhan Türkmen’s stage performances. It can accommodate all digital or analog equipment, synthesizers, and drum machines, ranging from line-level devices to high-voltage synthesizer levels. This allows you to input the unbalanced audio signals of your equipment into the microphone preamp in a balanced manner through an XLR connector. The Rack DI Box is designed in a 2U rack format and features 8 channels.

Key features include:
- Balanced XLR Output
- Neutrik XLR connectors
- Enables the transmission of audio signals over long distances
- Clean and transparent sound
- 0 degree phase shift
- Accurate isolation from electrical noise in the audio signal
- -12dB Pad available for each channel
- 180 degree phase switch for each channel
- GND Lift switch for each channel
-
https://en.vaemi.net/rackdibox

Thanks will check out the tiptop buchla

Paired with and a format jumbler.

This is the 4U portion of my DIY case. It is slightly more than one panel wide.

The bottom row and a larger jumbler (the Prism is a stand-in) is all currently racked up on my test bench while I work on the case and the top row panel is being built.

EDITED Feb 23rd 2024, 07:39

Envelopes.

I really like the Tiptop Buchla 281t because it has 4 loopable envelopes with CV control over attack and decay plus a quadrature mode that kind of makes them all loop and interrelate in weird ways. You might like it in an ambient case as a sort of freeform brain/hub for modulation and clock - I tend to use it both as 4 individual envelopes and also as a weird freeform sequencer of sorts. It's a big module, but it looks like you already have some spots where you've got some cramped modules.

But whether or not you take my specific suggestion, I would just say look at envelopes that you can play around with by hand in contrast to the Zadar, which is awesome but not quite as hands-on, for some variety. I wouldn't put any more small little modules in there unless you find one that really speaks to you, and I'd probably even start looking at blank panels to put in between some of those things at the top.

All of this is sort of beside the point, though: what do you yourself feel is missing? Do you like how it feels so far? Is there anything you don't use as much as expected? Do you like the Forbidden Planet filter? There's always another filter to try out.

this is my Ambient rack

mainly for Dark Ambient

what would you get next,what do i need

use a sq-1 and beatstep pro as sequencers
also have this small effects skiff

EDITED Feb 22nd 2024, 22:05

Hello all, I help organize an open studio every two weeks in Queens, New York. ridgewoodsoundlab is a community run synthesis space. We host meetups and build events, and eventually evening shows, though we are still working that. Anyways, I thought I'd drop a supercut I made of one of our events.

I just tried again this morning and it's working again. Thanks to whoever fixed it up on the back end!
-- markpar

It's still wonky, we are currently migrating to a new screenhot server ...

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but hopefully...

Hello. I have decided to become a Nerdseq guy. I've been recently playing/working in a group where I program songs and perform them live with a drummer using the Polyend Tracker somewhat fot samples but mostly as a MIDI sequencer/clock for a couple synths and effects I fiddle around with. Basically, I want to adapt this workflow to my existing modular setup as well, and I want to try it with the Nerdseq and all its CV outs rather than a MIDI to CV converter. If I like it, I will probably get the more CV and video expander, and maybe the one with the encoder if I'm feeling rich one day. I don't have enough things to trigger to need 16 triggers and I'm not on the hunt for new voices or anything, but I can't rule anything out.

I have the stuff I want to control with it already - a Moog Mavis, a Pico System III, a small Buchla Tiptop based system that is slightly cramped but a lot of fun, and I suppose my Dust Collector counts as well (though it mostly modulates itself, and I soend maybe half my time onstage playing with it anyway because it's my favorite). It all sounds pretty great to me, but I want to organize it a bit and have a repertoire of structures I can work through.

My question is: what would you add next to a Nerdseq to make it more "playable"? Like, to mess with basic sequences on the fly as they progress and evolve over an arrangement that I've considered in advance (at least in skeletal form). Basically things to make a single patch for a single show as flexible as possible.

I have an 84hp rack and an endorphin.es 2hp power supply for the Nerdseq and whatever else when I get it, and I plan to build this up slowly as and carefully as money becomes available, buy while I have this set up as an 84hp setup, I'm not married to that amount of space for this task. These were my thoughts so far, though:

• Matrix mixer to move CV to different places on a whim
• Maths to do Maths stuff. I've always wanted to try a Maths and I like the idea of access to stuff like slew limiting, envelope rise and fall, attenuverting, etc. as I go. I can even use it to filter one of the samples if I feel crazy.
• Precision adder for moving notes around so that they're still notes.

Maybe a sequential switch as well? I know this isn't an exact science, but I'm trying to see if there's any other cool utilities for this task I haven't thought of yet (I already have a mixer that handles Eurorack). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Another close view here:

EDITED Feb 21st 2024, 22:50

hi guys

I asked ChatGPT for the best 62hp Ambient combo... Would you agree?

EDITED Feb 21st 2024, 21:31

I should add that switching from Nerdseq to Rene is maybe the most speculative change here. Cutting Nerdseq would lose me a lot of functionality / utility that I currently might be taking for granted, so there could be some blind spots in making that switch. It can function as a big Pam's if you need it to, so I might end up needing to put Pam's back in if Nerdseq is out.

The idea with Rene is to have something more performable in line with making the main rack a standalone instrument; and to do "program a whole song" type of stuff from my DAW / Optx.

The main appeal of those modules for me is the ability to step through chord progressions with performance gestures in Rene

how are you going to get chord progressions out of this? also not enough voices for chords...

Imprecise phrasing on my part! I meant implied harmony, so setting up a few states quantized to different scales and then switching between them to match output pitch sequences to a chord progression, not actually generating chords. Here's a video on it with Rene:

EDITED Feb 21st 2024, 21:10

@Jim,
Yeah my bad, Mutable Instruments Kinks/Links. WMD SSF Toolbox, Intellijel Quadratt, Intellijel Mixup.

The main appeal of those modules for me is the ability to step through chord progressions with performance gestures in Rene

how are you going to get chord progressions out of this? also not enough voices for chords...

I am a big fan of the WMD SSF toolbox module and Intellijel Kinks/Links combos as they offer so much bang for buck in terms of space and features.
-- benscott

all good starting points (as is the xaoc samara), but you mean mutable, not intellijel...

EDITED Feb 21st 2024, 20:06

Hi all, I'm considering moving from this:

[edited, sorry!]

to something like this:

My current system is a Mantis and an ALM 84hp/3U. The Mantis is designed for DAW integration and effects processing, and the ALM is designed as a subsystem for fun with some leftover modules.

The issue is that my main system is kinda overpowered as an effect rack for the DAW, kinda underpowered as a standalone instrument (only Maths for envelopes, or erstatz envelopes from Nerdseq), and heavily reliant on Nerdseq. Which, I love Nerdseq for a lot of things, but it can feel out of place when I'm working in the DAW and it doesn't otherwise lend itself to the patch programming style of patches that I'm coming to prefer. So, generally, this setup lacks focus.

The 2024 revision I've got in mind would refocus the Mantis as a standalone instrument and make the ALM case a "studio" add-on for when I'm at home and working in the DAW / with samples. Which I think makes sense!

It does have some redundancy with Rene / Sport Modulator / Step 8. The main appeal of those modules for me is the ability to step through chord progressions with performance gestures in Rene; the steppy modulation and patch programmability from Sport Modulator; and the ability to patch up shift registers and runglers and weird square waves and overall utility from Step 8. Plus it includes Quadrax, which fixes the lack of envelopes problem.

Looking for an eyeball on the design, any feedback appreciated. Does this look like a reasonable system?

Thanks in advance!

EDITED Mar 8th 2024, 02:05

PAC BOT 1 can now be fitted with a Dirty Wave M8 Headless on request (RPI4B only)

join our discord!

https://discord.gg/eMjea5CcZu

The ES-9 price and size start to make better sense in a setup like mine, with Push as an interface for the software I can focus on instead of the mouse and pretty neat for mixing IMO, and also with willingness like mine to explore leveraging things like VCV or CV tools tu supplement the rack - perhaps I've made the mistake of suggesting better for me than for you :-D
If you're going to dedicate some space and money to an outboard mixer you don't already have, I think my advice should be to pickup up one of those mixers that has an integrated soundcard (some also offer in-built effects and what not, could be useful). Not sure about the midi connectivity though, and how important that is to you. If you really want Midi to CV as well, you have the option of getting that in the rack, picking a small sound card that can do that too, or a separate device just for that, I think there are some pretty small ones...

I am a big fan of the WMD SSF toolbox module and Intellijel Kinks/Links combos as they offer so much bang for buck in terms of space and features.

Before you buy anything, my advice is to download a free copy of the VCVRack software and play with it. Also the book Patch and Tweak is awesome for beginners. For first modules, get a larger case than you think to have room to grow. I recommend something like the Intellijel 7u case that has room for 1u modules which are fantastic. Focus on core utilities: LFOs, matrix mixer, a filter, a VCO and so forth. Like you can get an Intellijel Quadratt, and some mults plus attenuator to have features as modular places greater need on these utility modules than traditional fixed hardware synths.

Ehy D,

Yes, i was thinking to get the es9 but i am not sure i really need it (and the module is not cheap).
I currently use a wmd performer as mixer but i am thinking to make some room in the studio and get a proper deck.
ES9 might be a good solution to record multitrack in ableton even if i am not a great fan of working with software (i don't think i will use any of those sw compressors, etc) and i have quite a few modules for processing.
What i think i need it's a good soundcard to record a single stereo signal and something which allow me to send MIDI message from the computer to the external synth. eurorack is preferred but i apprecciate that desktop gears might be cheaper in that scenario.
thanks
mat

Hi Mat !

I'd be tempted to suggest the Expert Sleepers ES-9, but it depends on what you mean by "mixing on hardware". If the output of that mix is a single stereo channel, it might not be for you, but I personally appreciate using it to multitrack the modular into Ableton. It has the added benefit of allowing the extensive use of things like compressors, limiters or even creative FX's on each track or buses, I can easily re-route that into the modular for more processing through physical modules, the sky is the limit... and I suppose latency is another one :-)
If you plan on sending midi information from Ableton to the modular through the ES-9, that's definitely doable with CV Tools although I believe you might need Max4Live to use those things...

D.

Hi,

It's very long time i don't use a computer (pc or mac) in my setup. I don't use any software for sound generation and i use hardware sequencers and a 4ms wav record to record. Now, i am thinking to bring an apple back in my setup for two main reasons:

1. MIDI sequncing for Polysynths (I will keep sequencing all the monophonics via external eurorack sequencer)
2. Recording

So i am thinking to buy a:

1. Mac Mini (i don't need anything else then a software sequencer and recording capbalities)
2. A soundcard (I would prefer to go eurorack as i don't have so much space in my very tiny studio). Which one should i conside giving i will not be using it for mixing (i will keep mixing on hardware)
3. A midi interface

Any suggestions for point 2. and 3. - eurorack format has priority unless it's much more expansive then a desktop solution.
Thanks
Mat

I stand partially corrected, Brains did add new modes in an update, but yeah, it's not directly compatible with Plaits FW as it'a not a direct clone.
https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2023/03/02/behringer-brains-reloaded-adds-5-new-modes/

Final question is how are you taking this out to your speakers/computer? Do you already have an outboard mixer that can take eurorack levels? Otherwise I'd recommend an output/euro-to-line module, or those Mixup knobs are going to be pretty much at minimum all the time.

This is a good, small output / euro-to-line module:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/bastl-instruments-ciao-

That said, odd-numbered hp items (Ciao! is 5 hp) require another odd-number as racks are even-numbered,
or at least a useless 1 blank. I agree with above you need an lfo, and the Pico line has 3hp lfos that would
make an even number (8).

One annoyance on using ModularGrid is that, while things look great "on paper," so to speak, you'll find
that power cables come out of modules in different ways, such that some cannot be placed side-to-side
or on the far edge, as the cable won't fit or will clash with the body of the module beside it. It would be
helpful (but a programming nightmare) to have the reverse side of modules shown, indicating where
the cables are.