Would be nice to be able to mark a module in my collection as Willing to Trade and mark ones outside my collection as Want to Trade For. Would be nice to integrate it into the marketplace, such as instead of specifying a price, mark for trade.
I kind of like it. It's like a WWII relic. It has an oddly warm, nostalgic look.
I was wondering if there is a modern alternative to Intellijel's Shapeshifter. It's a very deep, capable and feature full module but it has quite few years already and I guess something newer has been put out already. can you suggest something similar in regards of its features and size?
Very nice and simple patch! Of course, being generative, it lacks the sense of direction of actual pieces of Glass. But it's quite inspiring to already get this result without adding compositional direction. Very cool!
Hi Gary, the page will be live the next days. We're just preparing the pre-launch of the MVMNT. stay tuned!
We are Modulove, a hamburg based team of multidisciplinary creatives with a passion for modular synthesisers and a dedicated interest in open source hard- and software.
Needs a stinking password to get to the linked pages:
https://modulove.io/mvmnt/
Assembly Instructions (Quickstart) here: MVMNT / SYNC LFO QuickStart.
Hi :D
Im torn between these two
Has anyone a idea which one is good to get?
I can not get both right now :(
I know they are total different.
My thoughts are:
the Ultra Perc seems to me more like a full analog drum kit - nice sounding good to go - instand high quality drums for live purpose. Suitable for Techno percussion and also real-world percussion.
The SGR1806-20 seems to me to be very great for a kind of special analog industrial noise-drums with a raw flavour - like a analog BIA, with a huge sound palette and a kind of new very interesting character.
Im after a Ultra Perc for a while and now this amazing SGR1806-20 got my attention.
Blows my mind
I also have a Ultra Kick and I archieve to get also nice percussion out of it through modulation.
Maybe the Ultra Perc would replace the Ultra Kick. But will it be such a change and benefit?
I got a bit bored of using BIA these days, maybe I had it to long and Im more after analog sounds at the moment.
[
]
Greetings
Chris
Recently I’ve been playing minimalist pieces on the piano (Phillip Glass, Howard Skempton) that involve both polyrhythms and overlapping hands.
For this video, I transferred the idea to my modular system, splitting an F minor sixth chord across two sequencer channels, and clocking the channels at different rates (x2, x3). The sequencer (Qu-bit Bloom) generates 64 variations on this pattern, a stage sequencer selects 12 of them, and a multisample player (Disting EX) performs them. Further details in the patch notes.
Nice demo.
I never really drive the signals through my Vortices, I'll have to give it more experimentation.
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.
What is your take on this
Here's my main rack (actually two, both 6U, the bottom is an L-shaped Doepfer base):
On the bottom left corner is an Erica Synths Black Stereo mixer that accepts four stereo pair 1/8 modular inputs, and
outputs to the (originally mentioned in my first post here) Intellijel Audio I/O as a final stereo mix. The Audio I/O sends the attenuated stereo signal to my external mixer. I'm like you, in that I don't have much use the for the left side of the I/O, tbh, although it's there if I want to bring in semi-modular 1/4 outputs or loop a guitar pedal --
for my other rack that does just that, I use this:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/boredbrain-music-unifx
There's probably a smaller hp solution for what I use the Audio I/O, but hey, you work with what you have!
I have fiddled around a long time to get the main rack I want, taking cable distance, work flow, and all that into account,
and am happy with this. Ideally, the ES Black mixer would be next to the Audio I/O, but I tried that and
for some reason I've forgotten it didn't work for me . . . note that I have three dedicated sub-mixer modules in
the center of the rack to feed into the ES Black mixer, with L/R signals of each taking up one of the four stereo pairs, and leaving a stereo pair vacant for whatever needs special attention. But that's overkill for your system!
You can always expand 8').
This looks interesting. I'd need two of those to attenuate the 2 stereo channels of the rack, though. And if I read correctly, it makes a good combination with Wavefonix's Clock Divider, but isn't one in itself.
So if I sum it up, to reach line level between my rack and the mixer, I have 4 solutions:
- dedicated output module (like Befaco Out V3) → takes a lot of room for a set & forget module
- headphones output (ALM HPO) + Y cable to split L and R signals before the mixer → is it a valid solution? (EDIT: nope)
- passive attenuators (like Doepfer A-183-1) → out of rack possible but may be difficult to find the right amount of attenuation?
- guitar pedal → out of rack but still needs some room and power
What is your take on this, how do you attenuate your output signal?
Check this out: converts digital to analogue, is passive, attenuates, mixes, mults, AND is a clock divider -- all in 4 hp!
@halbroome Yeah, I confess that I do not use my semimodulars nearly as much now that I have stepped into the modular world. But they sound nice so for now I keep them, I just need to work how to properly include them in a patch.
I have nothing against guitar pedals, but the space on my desk is a bit limited so I try to keep things compact. The Signal Blender seems really useful and not too expensive though, so I may give it some thought. Thanks!
@GunnarWaage Just to be sure I understand, you're advising I make the signal go through passive attenuators if I don't use a dedicated output module? So that would be audio signal → VCA → passive att → mixer, instead of audio signal → VCA → line output module → mixer. So you're advising against using a small headphones output module (ALM HPO) and a Y 'TRS → 2x TS' cable to plug into the mixer?
Hello!
I released a new video centred around the“cosmic” oscillator Laniakea by Magerit. It’s a cinematic ambient journey into space. Please enjoy :D
Raaf
Just make sure that coming out of the vca's you go through passive attenuators. Passive means nondestructive, without amplification.
I currently use the mixer that was provided with the Moog Sound Studio (4 mono or 2 stereo), but I was planning on doing some in-rack mixing too (using the VCA Out on the Moog to get modular level). Why are 1/4 cables "the way to go"?
-- blaaank
K, not familiar with it; once I went modular, semi-modular seemed a bit boring, haha (although I cherish my 3 rack Moogs and Make Noise). Mixers that go into computers are expensive 8'/.
Adding an additional track doesn't mean upgrading the mixer. Excuse my love of guitar pedals with synths, but this
pedal allows you to input 3 different 1/4 cables from your semi-modulars to go as 1 track in your mixer, while being
able to "attenuate" each, to use modular speak:
https://reverb.com/item/79010042-old-blood-noise-endeavors-signal-blender-2019-2021-graphic
I actually have two Signal Blenders, so that my Moog 3-some rack can be all one mono output, and my Make Noise 3-some rack is a separate all in one mono signal to combine in a stereo send to the mixer. The great part is that you may attenuate any 1 semi-modular without affecting the others (i.e. Subharmicon too loud, but needed for internal mix, or one, two, three of the Make Noise semi-modulars needs to be less loud). Again, love the infinite combos!
[note: not endorsing any link I posted, just giving an example]
Thanks for your time and your reply, I appreciate it :)
Yes, I use an external non-modular mixer: the one that was included with the Mother 32 / DFAM bundle. It has 4 inputs, so for now I'm OK with it.
When I don't output stereo balanced signal from the rack, the DFAM, Mother 32, Subharmonicon and Modular Rack each go into a mono input of the mixer.
And when I output stereo balanced signal from the rack, 2 of the semimodulars go into the mono inputs of the mixer, the remaining semimodular is routed to the modular rack, which then goes to a stereo input of the mixer. So it would be more comfortable to have an additional input in the mixer, yes.
I was looking for a cheap mixer with more inputs so the Mix8 could do the job , thanks!
Right now I don't use a DAW, nor record what I do, I plan on getting to it once I'm satisfied of the sounds I make. I already had the Scarlet Focusrite in mind for the mixer / PC connection. I digged a bit on mixers that can be plugged into the PC but the ones I found are quite expensive, so I'll wait.
As for the listening part, I use a pair of Hercules monitors :)
I currently use the mixer that was provided with the Moog Sound Studio (4 mono or 2 stereo), but I was planning on doing some in-rack mixing too (using the VCA Out on the Moog to get modular level). Why are 1/4 cables "the way to go"?
-- blaaank
I'm speaking of a non-modular, external mixer. Those are generally 1/4 inch cables (as are pedals, but you don't seem
interested in those, fair enough). For this simple example, 8 direct 1/4 inch inputs from all or any of your semi-modular Moog family can be mixed in with any 1/4 outputs from your separate modular racks (provided by the Intellijel or similar I/O).
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mix8--mackie-mix8-8-channel-compact-mixer
Fairly cheap but powerful, especially if you are recording. I don't use DAWS, just Reaper through a Scarlet Focusrite to record off my mixer into the computer. Well, I did, but I upgraded my mixer so that it can go directly into a USB of my computer without
the Focusrite. Always an evolution. . . .
For about the same price, two studio monitors could easily be attached to the mixer, as well. Not sure how you listen to your patching?
Do you use an external mixer unit? I found that helps immensely to bring everything together, and 1/4 cables are the way
to go.I love the possibilities with Eurorack!
-- halbroome
I currently use the mixer that was provided with the Moog Sound Studio (4 mono or 2 stereo), but I was planning on doing some in-rack mixing too (using the VCA Out on the Moog to get modular level). Why are 1/4 cables "the way to go"?
This is a 48hp build for my 4ms pod, featuring a faithful clone of the TB-303 sequencer by Michigan Synth Works. This is a cool build because it brings the 303 workflow into the eurorack format, allowing a mix-and-match with various synth voices and filters. I added a Pam's in here because it's a versatile clock and modulation source, which will work well in this very focused rack.
I chose the Basimilus Iteritas Alia because it can hot-swap firmware between the other Alia platform modules, which means this voice can be changed to the Manis, Cursus, Ataraxic, Debel by swapping the firmware. The Roucha Legio filter also has similar hotswap capability with other Legio platform modules.
This rack is small, focused, and extremely versatile.
Keep in mind with the Intellijel I/O that you can use 1/4 inch cables of the sound outputs
from the Subharmonicon / Moog32 / DFAM to input directly into your Eurorack on its input side
as 1/8 inch cables, and then out again as a whole with 1/4 inch output cables (or 1/8th if
directed into any of the semimodulars). Do you use an external
mixer unit? I found that helps immensely to bring everything together, and 1/4 cables are the way
to go.
If you ever want to use guitar pedals as an extraneous modulation, it is simple to loop through
those as well.
I love the possibilities with Eurorack!
In connection to the output module, if you are thinking to take multible channels to a mixer outside the rack, then youll probably want attenuators.
So 26 euros for a triple attenuator like this
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/thonk-at-at-at
-- GunnarWaage
Yeah, I planned to add some attenuators to my rack, currently the 3x MIA is my choice (but could be replaced by Frap Tools 321, still hesitating).
I love my Intellijel Audio I/O:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-audio-i-o-2023
which can both input and output in just 10 hp. The Ochd - expansion combo rocks! Highly recommended.
-- halbroome
For now I don't see the use of a "line in" module, but thanks for the suggestion!
And thanks for confirming that the Ochd Expander is cool :)
this is why we use an output module that will adjust to the line level required
-- Sweelinck
Coming back to the "line out" module, I did a little bit more research. Space is crucial and I would want this module to take as little room as possible. Do you all think that an ALM HPO coupled with a Y cable TRS → 2x TS would do the trick for a stereo output? Or would it be better to have a proper L + R output module (Happy Nerding Isolator or Befaco Out V3, for example)?
Pams is very fluid with barely more than one nested menu in most use cases
-- Vegamorph
I also watched more "in-depth" videos about Pam's and, yeah, I must admit that it seems quite easy to get what you want. Plus the euclidian rythms part seem really nice. But (not considering its size which would make me pass on some other modules like the contact mic + looper) I'm afraid it would be partly redundant with Dice/Marbles. I know each one has unique features, but considering the number of voices I have I fear it may be overkill. What do you think?
wow i cant thank you enough for your detailed response regarding my case. I actually purchased a Veils V1 now thanks to your inpus and I will alao purchase the MISO next week
It repeats some of the more conventional functionality of Maths, yes, but this frees your Maths up to do other interesting tasks like envelope generator, slew limiter, (low or high frequency) oscillator, subharmonics generator, envelope follower, filter (or just gives you more of the vital functions they share to control your modulations). You aren't really missing functions and tools in this setup - it's more about plumbing to ensure what you have does what you need.
Looking at this system, another idea is one of those 2hp passive low pass gate modules like the Meng Qi DPLPG or the Takaab 2LPG (which is almost better because it has a switch to change between no filter, some filter, and more filter, making it good for transitions or CV). I know you have the Optomix, and that one is great, but I have a 266t and those noise sources are great for percussion or weird sounds to send to resonant filters. It's an ungodly cheap and compact way to add more signal paths into your setup.
Frankly, blanks could also work at this point to create space between some of the smaller and denser modules for ergonomic purposes. Like all of my suggestions, really, this is based on the fact that what you have is already a very deep and powerful system that, supplemented with computer material, can provide you anything from drums and percussion to 60s art noise to pretty twinkly melodies and be very productive. I wouldn't add anything much more complicated to this and a computer (and whatever else you use, I guess) before stopping to practice, record (ABR - always be recording), make some songs with it, assess, and see how much progress you've made so far. Ultimately, you and your responses to what it does will be the best guide.
Thanks! I added Veils V1, about MISO isnt that funcitions available through maths?
Intellijel Quad VCA and Tiptop MISO. Boring on paper but super fun in practice. I also have a little Buchla based setup and modulation/expression/movement is key here.
If you have a DAW and some money to spend, though, you might also look at the Expert Sleepers ES-8 or ES-9 interfaces for interfacing your DAW and modular. Especially in tandem with VCV Rack. It has DC-coupled inputs and outputs so you can sent control voltage to and from your computer, thus allowing you to use software and hardware modules in the same context. This means your setup can expand indefinitely without you spending much money at all, relatively speaking.
Even if you do this, though, I still recommend some kind of hardware attenuation or VCA just to make things playable. The Doepfer A-133-2 is a good small option. 2hp has the Avert and VCA modules, but be careful with these - you have to make sure you have a place for them where they won't get buried and inaccessible.
what should i fill with the last 20 hp? i was thinking maybe erbe-verb but im combining this system with DAW so effects is not necessarily big deal
looking forward to hear your ideas
Erica Synths has a series of educational modules for learning about electronic music generation. This is their kick drum version 2.
A very good kit. Easy to build, and sounds good. Would be a fine addition to a rack.
Even if you don’t buy the kit, I recommend you download the user manual, it’s a great practical guide to electronics in music.
I love my Intellijel Audio I/O:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-audio-i-o-2023
which can both input and output in just 10 hp. The Ochd - expansion combo rocks! Highly recommended.
The Quadrantid Swarm can be purchased in standalone or Eurorack format, so you don't have to spend rack space on it.
Hi again :)
I am looking for a stereo filter to use after my Monsoon.
A bit more details: I am using a wavetable voice (Osiris) going through a SEM filter which then gets processed by a mid side module (WORNG MidSide+). The side is processed by a reverb (reverse reverb from FX Aid). This is fed into Monsoon. I would like to tame down the processed audio with a stereo filter.
Any advice or opinions on this type of filter?
Currently looking at Shakmat Dual Dagger, Bizarre Jezabel pkhi mk3, WMD Overseer. Multimode would be a plus :)
Thanks for any advice or input :)
L
In connection to the output module, if you are thinking to take multible channels to a mixer outside the rack, then youll probably want attenuators.
So 26 euros for a triple attenuator like this
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/thonk-at-at-at
@Vegamorph Ok, I understand. Right now I only use it at home. I may take it to holidays, but that's not sure so if it happens I'll buy an output module. If I can confirm there is no problem with outputting modular level to my mixer, I'll dedicate the few HPs I have left to something else.
@GunnarWaage Thanks for your advice!
Spectraphon and Quadrantid sound nice, but they are so big compared to the space I have left in my case... I get your point about not 20 different modules all at once. Do you feel that what I plan right now may not be workable?
I'm trying to take it slow (it's hard for me, but the fact that I try to buy all my modules second hand is actually helping me), so as I get the modules progressively I may change my plans for the rest of the case.
I got Maths because it's very often described as a "must have" module, but yes, if I don't get along with it I'll sell it to get simpler modules.
Is it possible to automatically create a rack with all modules in my collection?
as far as i know this is not possible
Or at least to see the total HP of the collection?
At the bottom of your racks there is a link to the data sheet:
At the bottom of the data sheet you can see the total HP
Would like to somehow see everything that I have.
you can add all modules of your rack(s) to your collection:
You have a list of all your modules in the my modules tab:
Is it possible to automatically create a rack with all modules in my collection?
Or at least to see the total HP of the collection?
Would like to somehow see everything that I have.
Zack, thanks for your suggestions! Will definetely take a look at VCV Rack.
The three 2hp modules with the stacked patch points (the walls) are the problem indeed. The flimsy knobs of the VCA don't help either. I'm thinking of moving the DPLPG right hand side to the Tiptop Module. But then you'll end up with a mess of cables on top of the the Z5000.
On the other hand these modules contribute so much. One thing I learned while compiling this tiny box is you have to compromise with functionality and ergonomics, and for me aesthetics too. Did I mention power consumption?
Don't be afraid to put things in odd orders so the setup is more ergonomic. What may seem intuitive or natural as a design could be keeping you from playing the thing better. I have two passive low pass gates in 2hp (Meng Qi and Takaab) and I like them a lot, but they sort of form a wall between two sides of your modular when fully patched, and trying to keep a 2hp MMF or Mix next to that and still use them was a challenge. Thankfully, all the other modules in that row are big and very accessible no matter how aggressively I patch them up. Is there a specific area on your setup that's hard to access? I imagine the Doepfer side is doing good since everything is nicely separated into patch points and knobs and you can just sneak in behind the cables, but I could be wrong.
Right angled cables can also help here. There are special "low profile" ones, but even the regular ones help keep the wire mess on the sides of your rack rather than on top of it.
This will likely be the final incarnation of my Little Effects Box. Got rid of the 903A and put in a 2hp VCA and a Meng Qi DPLPG instead. The DPLPG is very nice, especially for modulation purpose. For now I'm quite happy with what I can achieve with this little system but also encountered some limitations in functionality and ergonomics.
Thanks again to everybody who contributed to this thread. I learned a lot and might as well buy a bigger case in the near future ;-)
How about a drum machine with a clock or midi input for 80$ and a Beatstep, just to make this more basic. Should amount to 200$ on ebay.
There are some amasing modules out there that I suggest you look into.
1) Make Noise Spectraphone
2) Eoawave Quadrantid Swarm
The Spectraphone I dont have yet but it seems to be a powerhouse.
I have the Quadrantid Swarm and is totally amasing really.
Dont cut yourself short buddy, If you buy 20 modules at once and all of them do 20 different things this is not going to be very workable instrument. I have had modules that seem awesome when you read the manual but when it comes to using them they just don't work for me.
I don't use Maths, I'd rather have those functions in separate modules. One of my favorite modules is a Doepfer decay, one stage envelope. That thing is unbelieveable, the harmonic distortion you get from it is fantastic. A low pass gate, another genius thing. Check out the XPO from Make Noise if you are looking for a vco. Eweryone seem to have Maths and Pamela and Ornament and good for them, I don't need them, atleast not now.
But also don't think I know all this, concentrate on what you want to hear, picture a sound and try to find the gear that will help you produce it.
There are people in youtube land who like to make things sound more complex than they are. Someone who actually knows what he is talking about and has a deep understanding of the subject, will break it down to the most simple and basic level.
So if manuals and menu diving are not your thing, don't torture yourself. Take those things one function at a time, one module at a time, use your ears instead of your eyes. You don't have to always understand what you are doing, that will come in time if you stick to this.
In case some wigglers had issues with the velocity record function not working (double press vel & mod wasn't possible) - this has been resolved.
FW 1.4 should be online in a sec. http://www.flame-instruments.de/flame2/downloads.html#takt
i suppose a lot of this depends on your specific expectation of the rack(s). i also use an external mixer for parts of my rack, as well as external gear. But if i pop on to a modular meetup, I want to take a small case with a dedicated small hp output for simple plug'n'play duties. This is both the blessing and curse of modular; the permutations of modules are endless so it's worth having a plan of how you plan to use it.
Thanks!
I will look into the Disting and Pam's, then. The matrix mixer seems interesting too!
When I bought my case I didn't know about line level vs. modular level. So I plugged the output of the Cloaks directly into the Moog mixer, and the output of this mixer into the Aux In of my speakers. As you can plug headphones directly into the back of the Moog semimodulars, I guess they output line level audio, and that it's the level that is expected by the mixer. Anyway, the modular level delivered by the Cloaks never caused any audible problem down the line. I hope it didn't cause any hardware damage either, but as the opinions I read about the necessity of an output module were mixed, I didn't give it too much thought. Until your post, that is... So here I am, not knowing if an output module is necessary as long as I keep sending my modular signal to the Moog mixer, or if I can save a few precious HP for something else :)
Been super busy lateley and very little synth love but... I squeeked in a short jam. I have been working to learn my Keystep Pro now that its back from getting repaired. Also playing around with a little video synthisis. I don't have time to get into hardware on it right yet so I played with a software synth for this.
I am learning that its not always easy to make something sound good on several different audio setups :-). I have a sub and decent monitors set up when I am jaming but then I get it onto my laptop or phone and not so amazing :-( But hey... This is a journey for me and not a destination...
I do stuff and things and whatnot...
The level of Cloaks/Veils outputs corresponds to the level used in the modular world. This is a much higher level than that used by the almost majority of external/usual audio equipment (level called 'line') and this is why we use an output module that will adjust to the line level required (by most mixers or recorders, for example).
Please note, the StMix is a small (but excellent) mixing module. It allows you to mix signals inside your modular and it is not designed to be an output module.
Vca: Cloaks/Veils plus Happy Nerding 3x VCA will be sufficient.
Utilities: one often recommend a matrix mixer (like this one: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ai-synthesis-ai008-eurorack-matrix-mixer)
For more informations :
https://learningmodular.com/glossary/10-db/
https://learningmodular.com/glossary/mixer/
https://learningmodular.com/choosing-utility-mixers-for-your-modular/
PS: As @Vegamorph suggests, Disting mk4 and Pam's are worth considering, and no difficulty using them. No need for degrees from Harvard University, University of Oxford plus École Polytechnique.
'On ne devrait jamais quitter Montauban' (Fernand Naudin).
https://soundcloud.com/petrus-major/tracks
I'm no expert but the limited experience I have in transferring from synths and semi modular to modular, if that I needed lots of modulation for those lovely sounds. It was both vca and envelopes that I quickly used up so my recent purchases have looked for things that double up as secondaries for those tasks. I agree the disting needs a manual on hand which sucks but Pams is very fluid with barely more than one nested menu in most use cases, and the oled really helps. but for bang for buck, it's great.
Thanks for these inputs!
These few comments. Yes, save a place for an output module: Pico is a good compact module but others like Befaco also offer very good solutions. I agree with you regarding the presence of two filters, for a number of reasons including the positioning of voices in the sound spectrum. The 4ms Ensemble Oscillator is one of the best sound sources currently, not to be put in the same category as the Liquid Glitcher which is just a nice gadget.
-- Sweelinck
Currently I output the Out4 of my Cloaks/Veils directly into the small Moog mixer I got with my DFAM / Mother 32. Thus I don't know if I really need an output module. I checked what Befaco had to offer though, and found that the STMIX could be useful. I also removed the second Cloaks to replace it with a more compact Happy Nerding 3x VCA. Do you think my utilities / VCAs needs would be covered with all this?
I also added a 2HP contact mic / preamp because I would like to experiment sticking a piezo on litteraly anything and feeding it to Rings/Resonate, Mimeophon, Loop...
I would suggest a disking mk4 if space is limited. i mean its 86 modules in one. And a Pam's if you want to clock all those oscillators easily.
-- Vegamorph
The menu diving scares me a bit, I must confess. It may be stupid as complex modules with many knobs can be even more complicated to master I guess... Disting is really tempting, I may give it a go and resell it if it doesn't fit. Pam is even scarier to me, and I already use the T2 output of Marbles/Dice, or the clock out from my Moogs to trigger my modules. Do you feel it may not be enough?
