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Still the same problem, but when I remove the jumper and turn it on all lights turn on +12,-12,+5, as soon as I plug in the Kalyke, the light for +12v doesn't turn on and the Kalyke gets power but the others don't. I just don't get it... So I am trying all combinations that left now, but I am getting nowhere... I also double checked every connection, switched positions of the modules on the ribbon cables, divided them between them... Nothing.

This is actually the third time I am editing this post, I've now searched all of the internets and found out that the the power provided by the yZeus is only half of what it says, so I will need that booster adapter to get the power I need. The information was really hidden in the reviews for the booster adapter...
Now I just have to wait like 3 to 4 weeks till my favorite vendor has it back in store... But still this seems to be the problem, the person who wrote the review described exactly the same problem.

But still I am glad you helped me out here and provided me with your knowledge.
Thank you

EDITED Nov 14th 2022, 10:47

Hello,
I would connect two usb female 5V ports to my A-100 PSU (or A-100 miniPSU in another rack).
Can I connect them directly to the two pin +5V of 16 pin connectors of bus board?
Intellijel PSU directly incorporated some 2 pin 5V ports for power usb so I think it isn't a problem to connect directly to one free eurorack 16 pin port. What do u think?
The idea would be to buy two usb female to powered Arturia beatstep pro and keystep 37 and embed them in my homemade racks without going to occupy slots in the rails.
Thanks
FB

EDITED Nov 15th 2022, 08:01

You might find more compelling results by focusing on getting more out of one or two voices rather than ... looks like 9? I've found it instructional to compare LIFKA, Lady Starlight, Lucas Marchal, and Blawan's sets on the techno side, and Helen Vogelsinger and Caterina Barbieri on the melodic side. To me, the simpler setup typically produces the best results and allows the performer to be directly involved and more spontaneous.

It seems you could be approaching from the mindset of covering all the bases of a typical commercial techno track rather than really thinking and feeling through how to extract the most and do something unique with every component of the track. I've found this produces generic results. As sad as it may be, running part of your set as samples coming from an Octatrack is something nearly every performer lands on eventually—you might find it more efficient to 'fill out the track' that way than rather than building an Eurorack orchestra (I'm barely willing to admit this to myself).

In my own setup—which is perhaps extremely minimal—I use a single oscillator, kick, and hi-hat. Everything else—melody, other percussion, rumble, etc.—comes from running the mix through an LPG, filters, delay, and reverb. I've been surprised by how well this works.

From another perspective, I think your system seems totally fine as is, it's just overpowered and finding the sweet spots may take a lot of experimentation. It may also be perfect for you in ways I can't imagine!

Finally, I could give much better feedback if this post were accompanied by a recording.

EDITED Nov 13th 2022, 23:31

More advanced than keystep pro?... uh, ok.

Advanced may not be the right word. 🤔 One limitation is the lack of channels/outputs when it comes to complete arrangements. Four channels with only one mod output per channel isn't quite enough for my case. Another limitation is that it's difficult to get an overview of the arrangement. Also, while patterns can be sequenced together, I don't think it's convenient to program entire songs on it. As things stand right now, I think the DAW is the best option for me when I get to this stage.

My thinking is that things like Keystep Pro, O-Ctrl and Marbles can inspire me and help me get started. The DAW can be a bit uninspiring to me, but when I get to the point where I'm hit with the limitations in Keystep Pro, I'm hoping it won't matter. 😊

I do have some experience with NerdSeq and I love it, because it makes a kind of Metal Gear Solid retro feeling to me.
It is capable of playing back loads of programmed information and modulation [...]
But NerdSeq really needs all of my patience, and it feels a bit like programming - I'm also attaching an external display and a computer-keyboard with the expander, haha!
I don't work with external midi-gear but there is a limited option for micro timings in Nerdseq => it affects a whole step in the pattern, not only one note.

Maybe this information helps you.

BTW: whats your goal with the overall rack? Recording, live gigs, improvisation, playing with band...?

Thank you, it sure does!

I was eyeing that display and keyboard expander as well. 😊

My goal is to record songs that are more... organic than retro. Ambient soundscapes, but probably IDM and glitchy stuff as well. In that context, I'm suspecting NerdSEQ might be a bit too rigid.

EDITED Nov 14th 2022, 11:37

I have been looking for more advanced sequencers than Keystep Pro. So far, the most interesting eurorack option has probably been the NerdSEQ, but I don't like how “grid-based” it is. I tried FH-2 with Squarp Pyramid (with an external keyboard), but I didn't jive with that UI either.
-- ecstatic_sutherland

More advanced than keystep pro?... uh, ok.

I do have some experience with NerdSeq and I love it, because it makes a kind of Metal Gear Solid retro feeling to me.
It is capable of playing back loads of programmed information and modulation (not my video):

But NerdSeq really needs all of my patience, and it feels a bit like programming - I'm also attaching an external display and a computer-keyboard with the expander, haha!
I don't work with external midi-gear but there is a limited option for micro timings in Nerdseq => it affects a whole step in the pattern, not only one note.

Maybe this information helps you.

BTW: whats your goal with the overall rack? Recording, live gigs, improvisation, playing with band...?

Have you thought about Bitbox or anything similar?

I have been looking for more advanced sequencers than Keystep Pro. So far, the most interesting eurorack option has probably been the NerdSEQ, but I don't like how “grid-based” it is. I tried FH-2 with Squarp Pyramid (with an external keyboard), but I didn't jive with that UI either.

Have you thought about Bitbox or anything similar?

By the way... I did try the Bluebox as well, with a similar experience. Sold that too. 😊

Hey dear community,

I totally am amazed by my MIX BX and SQUEEZE from Feedback Modules, so adding the supernice MIX mix to my system was a kind of logical progression. It's both a 4 channels stereo mixer and an output moule, and I love the meters too.

EDITED Nov 13th 2022, 16:38

I like your setup and especially that you want to be able to work without external computer.
Have you thought about Bitbox or anything similar? It's of course not as direct as the DAW-link via ES-9, but works in some ways also without DAW.

After having tried and sold a Blackbox, I suspect the Bitbox isn't for me. I didn't like the experience of using the Blackbox, and I suspect Bitbox might be similar. Reading about it, I got the feeling that's it's a bit menu divy and unpolished. So I went for the Assimil8or instead. Assimil8or has a higher bitrate and so far seems like a better fit for me personally.

Thanks for your thoughts!

you mentioned a "hiss problem", when working with ES-9 and Morphagene or Mimeophon... what exactly is the problem there? Do you know, where it is coming from?

It's actually not related to the ES-9. The hiss problem has been discussed at length on Mod Wiggler, for example in the main Mimeophon thread. I'm not sure if the cause of the hiss has been identified.

Ok, didn't know about this, thx.
Skimmed over, but seems to remain unsolved by make noise.

I like your setup and especially that you want to be able to work without external computer.
Have you thought about Bitbox or anything similar? It's of course not as direct as the DAW-link via ES-9, but works in some ways also without DAW.

EDITED Nov 13th 2022, 14:15

you mentioned a "hiss problem", when working with ES-9 and Morphagene or Mimeophon... what exactly is the problem there? Do you know, where it is coming from?

It's actually not related to the ES-9. The hiss problem has been discussed at length on Mod Wiggler, for example in the main Mimeophon thread. I'm not sure if the cause of the hiss has been identified.

You can hear the hiss at 00:54 here (not my video):

I have tried the modules in both an Erica Synths 6U Monster Case and a 4MS 40X Pod, and the problem has been present in both configurations. I will soon try with a Meanwell 120W PSU and Konstant Lab HammerPWR with a filtered bus board. I'm in Europe.

EDITED Nov 13th 2022, 13:17

Hey folks,

I want to share some ideas with you that I figured out in the last year, building this Rack/Patch.
I'm dying to hear your ideas for optimizing or pushing it further in any interesting kind of way.



I've limited myself to this 4 rows of 104 TE (MDLR-Case, Performer Series) and want to achieve:

a Techno-Live-Gig-Rack without external gear, but with both: sound and visual output.

The rack started in march '21 and the setup is now in version 3 - I'm nearly where I wanted to be with it. The Setup could (can) run the Kick-drum and most of the voices in a technically "danceable" way for 60 min. on its own (NerdSeq, of course).

I want to focus on mostly changing the modulations, give completely new Input (e.g. microphone) or interrupt / change the whole schedule / procedure.... live... for the sound and for the visuals.

I think of it in "blocks":

**Control block:
- NerdSeq
- 2x CV16 expander
- Trigger 16 expander
- More Video I/O expander
- QSlider
- PM Mutes
- Genki Wavefront + Ring (on my right hand)
- special DIY microphone (connected to X1L3 Shard Input via "t.bone Sync1")


NerdSeq is controlling nearly all the voices via outputs and expanders. NerdSeq channels programmed:
- on channel 1 is the Trigger 16, running drums and some specials
- channels 2 - 5 are for all the controlled voices
- channel 6 is for special modulations and video CV-controlling
- channel 7 runs samples from NerdSeq directly into PMixer
- channel 8 is the video programming channel, where mostly Text and full picture colours / strobes are going out through the More Video I/O => CVBS

**Kickdrum block:
- ModBase 09 MkII
- Ghost
- Kick + rumble; Ghost as send fx (100% wet), mixed again in PMixer. For some tracks I layer a "small" Queen of Pentacles Kick (from the separated output) additionally into PMixers Kick-channel... Presets of ModBase are controlled by NerdSeq CV.

**Voice blocks:
- BIA => Pico VCF1 => PMixer
- Manis Iteritas => PMixer
- Loquelic Iteritas => Quad VCA => PMixer
- NanoRings => PMixer
- 2hp Play => PMixer
- Queen of Pentacles => PMixer
- Bitbox Micro => PMixer
Everything obvious. Bitbox Micro is playing an intro (triggered by NerdSeq via CV-Thing) and some fx-samples. Otherwise I shoot some fx-samples via touch display or (not live) record stuff from the ambient-voice going through Bitbox.

**Ambient block:
- X1L3 Shard => WASP Filter => Electus Versio => Quad VCA => Bitbox Micro (only tru) => PMixer
The Quad VCA recieves a Kick-sidechaining-signal from Roti Pola: Envelopes from Messor + Ghost are mixed. Ambient block can "pump".

**Mix/Master block:
- PMixer main out => Prism => Messor => HN Out (main input)
- PMixer cue out => FX Aid as a "big room" Reverb => back to PMixer
- PMixer aux 1 out => Imitor Versio (running Electus Versio firmware) => HN Out (2nd input)
Prism acts like a Master-HiPass-Filter with special short-delay-FX, controlled by the Q-Slider. Pressing the button on Genki-Ring opens signal path coming from PMixer cue out via Quad VCA, so selecting the send-elements works with cue buttons. Via PMixer aux 1 I send a small amount of elements to create a general atmosphere in the background.

**Modulation block:
- Quadrax
- Zadar
- CV Thing
- Genki Wavefront + Ring
- Muta Jovis

Quadrax for envelopes and modulations, Zadar only for modulations. CV ThingUSB out => Structure USB in; this makes presets of structure available to be controlled via CV from NerdSeq. CV Things TRS-Midi-out is connected to Bitbox Micro, so theres another option to control Bitbox via CV. I use three channels of CV Thing to only display the current value of Genki Wavefront's outputs. This way I've got the WASP-filter for ambient-sweeps and/or e. g. main voice's envelope length "in one finger". The ring can of course temporary be de/activated and Muta Jovis can "kill" some modulation connections.

**Visual block:
- NerdSeq more Video I/O via CVBS => ET Structure => CVBS to HDMI => ext. display

The saved presets of Structure are controlled by USB-Midi-Signals, coming from CV-Thing.

Any opinions, suggestions or questions are welcome!

Hey,

you mentioned a "hiss problem", when working with ES-9 and Morphagene or Mimeophon... what exactly is the problem there? Do you know, where it is coming from?

best...

Hi!

What do you think of my setup?

My sound sources are Assimil8or, Morphagene, Akemie's Castle, DPO, STO, Stages (in harmonic oscillator mode) and Panharmonium. This gives me high-resolution sampling (Assimil8or), old-school digital FM (Akemie's Castle), an analog complex oscillator with FM (DPO) and additive synthesis (Stages and Panharmonium). The DPO adds some additional analog waveforms and a sub-oscillator.

Filters like Ripples/Popple, Shelves, Variable Q VCF and Resonant Equalizer provide warmth. Erbe-Verbe and Echophon provide digital effects that are a bit on the lo-fi/cold side. It may be a bit overkill, but I put three FX AID XL in there as well, for additional effects and utilities.

Speaking of potential overkill, I put three Mixups in there. I'm using ES-9 with Ableton Live, but I like to be able to work without a computer as well. (I'm having the hiss problem with both Mimeophon and Morphagene (when mix/SOS is not fully CW), so I'm planning to use the “IN 3L” and “IN 3R” Mixup channels to be able to adjust the levels related to those modules.)

A Keystep Pro is used for sequencing (if Ableton Live is not used for that). 0-Ctrl can sequence as well, and be quantized using Scales if desired. I'm planning to try to use Frames to extend the CV capabilities of the KeyStep Pro.

Dual VCDrive modules can add distortion to the stereo audio from Morphagene. Streams can act as a stereo LPG.

The second Stages can provide envelopes and LFOs for Akemie's Castle.

O'Tool+ can be used for tuning.

The WMD MSCL compressor can glue the mix together if desired.

Thanks!

EDITED Nov 13th 2022, 17:30

Tried separating it from the rack and still had the same problem. Any clues as to what's going on?

The ready-to-use assembled version of this is $69. https://www.tindie.com/products/dhaillant/3to1-precision-adder/

Thanks man! Super helpful reply!

Hey,

Nice rack! There's a lot going on there. As you already thought about, you're probably going to want some VCOs as sources. You've got plenty of modulation in there. You can patch everything all over the place in circular routes, but at the end of the chain, you're only really changing whatever initial wave you start with, but you have to have it to start! The Piston Honda is a wavetable, which sounds great, but really isn't the same as an analog, or even a digital, VCO. With VCOs, you can patch back practically any single output into another VCO and FM the bajeezus out of it, run it through a filter or two and get the same result as a wall of filters, or even a wavetable module (almost). The point is that one doesn't need to have loads of modules to make good tracks. You just need the right modules for your music.

I use mostly analog VCOs, such as the Castor & Pollux, four Electrosmith 3340s, and a few of Doepfer's VCOs I've bought for my racks and tracks. Pick any of those and patch them back into themselves for some great sounding FM. If I need it to be more harsh, the Doepfer Wasp is an excellent filtering tool. I have two of them and they make it into a track whenever I need to brighten the sound up. Intellijel's Polaris is another excellent and versatile filter.

Envelopes and amps are your friends. The Zadar is great. I use the MI Blinds which I really like b/c its also a polarizer. I've never worked with the Quadigy so I can't comment. I will say that no two EGs are quite the same and you definitely want range and sensitivity when it comes to an EG. Doepfer's EGs aren't sensitive enough for me. Having good EGs is critically important.

You can never have too many VCAs. The MI Veils are fine, but I think there are better ones available. The Xaoc Tallin is one of my favs. Lots of gain that can be pushed to clip in a nice toasty and pleasing way. I have two and they get used a lot. I wish they were less wide. VCAs can be used everywhere for many different applications. I always find I'm short a VCA when things start getting super involved!

Lastly, I will say that simper is better, especially when (if) you're performing. You're probably never going to use every module every patch and after buying tens of thousands of dollars worth of modules, I find that I use only a handful on any track. There are some that are always used and some that I really should sell because they rarely if ever get used. Anyway, nice work. Get some VCOs is my only advice.
-- frankdog

I'll second the idea that having a Pro really complements the smaller versions. Because you can audition effects on the Pro, and then just upload your favorites to the XL or the 4 HP version.

https://fxaid.app/

Customize your algorithms, group them by bank, and the world will open up for you. I thought the same way about it until I found out how easy it is to upload whatever algos you want, and in what ever order you want. I still have to use my ears and see what sounds best, but I now know my first 2 banks are reverb, my 3rd bank is delays, and the 4th bank is any algo that caught my interest while browsing. It's not a perfect system but it gives you more control, without relying on a list, and you still get to be in the moment and have fun with it.

EDITED Nov 12th 2022, 15:30

Thanks to your help I found this in the manual:
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
Using the –12V Rail:
The –12V rail uses a switching regulator. This switching regulator needs to
have a minimum load of 100mA (out of 500mA) at any given time. The
uZeus has a factory setting to self consume this current. If your uZeus is
powering more than four (4) analog modules you can then disable this
setting if desired to make this 100mA available for use by your modules.
With the uZeus powered o, look for header J7 (located below the blue
resistor) and remove the jumper. Re-insert the jumper such that it comes in
contact with only one pin. Once reinstalled in the system, the uZeus will
provide the full 500mA of –12V power for your modules.

It's exactly the fifth module 🤣 and the rack would need 250mA on the - 12V rail. I hope this will do trick. If not I might ask again 🐒

Hello @Homunkulus,

The first thing I would do is double-check that all power connections in the system are attached securely (no loose connections between each module and its power cable, each power cable's connection to the power supply ribbons, the ribbon cables' connections to the power supply, and the external power connection to the power supply) and oriented the correct way at those connections (if the ribbons don't have shrouded headers, then make sure that the red stripe is on the same side as -12V).

The second thing I would check is the power specs of the specific power supply you have (mA available on each of the +12, -12, and +5V rails) and compare that to the total load that all of the modules you have connected to it in your case. The load of all of your modules together needs to be below what your power supply can provide with some extra headroom. The amounts I hear people mention most often for this excess headroom is 20 - 30% of your power supply's maximum output. For example, if your power supply can provide a maximum of 1000 mA on each of the three power rails (1000mA @ +12V/1000 mA @ -12V/1000mA @ +5V) then you should only connect modules that need 700 - 800 mA total on each of those rails. To my understanding, this is because many modules draw more mA when first powered on than what they need to function after being powered on (which is likely what the specs provided for most modules are). Also, if your power supply relies on using an external power brick, make sure it has the appropriate wattage/voltage/amperage specs for the power supply. If the power supply accepts a range of voltages, you can try a power brick with a lower voltage within that range to get a higher amperage output (but the wattage must remain the same) Amps x Volts = Watts. It can also be useful to know if the power supply you are using splits up its power output in any way. For example, if there are two headers for ribbon cables on your supply, it is possible that the power supply's total output is divided between those two headers, so you may need to redistribute which modules are connected to each of the ribbons for a more even distribution of power draw. All of these specs should be available in the manual for your power supply.

I hope some of that helps!
Chace

Great fx unit. Only downside is not being able to tell what fx algorithms are in the firmware because of no display. If you don't memorize it you have to use a saved algorithm list to see the fx parameters.
-- VerifiedPersonae

or you could get a pro to put beside it and have the 1st 32 algos identical to those on the xl

or just use your ears!!!

suggestions:

bigger case - you'll want to expand almost immediately as this is already nearly full and is very very limiting and in a lot of cases overly cramped

whilst I don't normally like the words redundancy or overlap in relation to modular synthesis - because in (even slightly) larger systems it is to be encouraged to a great extent - I would dump either steppy or numeric repetitor - pams and one of these will be more than enough

get the quadrattor instead of the duatt - or add some vcas in the 1u row

consider bigger fx unit - fx aid xl - or preferably pro - instead of the pico - ergonomics are important - 3hp is very small and fiddly

same for a mixer - ergonomics are important - 3hp is very small and fiddly

add another filter - or an lpg that can be used as a filter or an lpg

Each voice you have has its own envelope, so imo I don't think you need an LPG, unless you want to use it to deal with some noise source you have.
Maybe a quantized CV source. Maybe you could change your sequencer to Euclidean circles for example, or Maleko Varigate 4+.
Imo you have a lot of gate sources to feed two voices.
But hey, I'm a beginner, there are people here with much more experience who will surely be able to help you better than me.

Just putting together a hypothetical performance oriented case. I have one 6 hp slot left, not sure what to add there. Was thinking octave switcher but Steppy already has 4 channels so it might be redundant. I’m also considering a logic/bernouli gate or a lpg?

Looking for suggestions!

Just make sure it's type A and I'm onboard. Being able to take advantage of the full polyphony is important.
-- ParanormalPatroler

I just received a v3 module and it does have TRS midi included via the trigger input. The cable is also included. I haven’t had time to try midi yet but everything about the module is quality so far: beautiful screen, menu system is easy to interpret, the sound is impressive, build quality is decent.

There is no manual though - anyone from Ziqal planning on this? Also almost no videos. This is my first WT module and it’s pretty intuitive so I think I’m getting it already. But I would appreciate a manual, even a short one that briefly explains each function.

I’ll start a discussion thread on MW and add a few videos when I have time.

EDITED Nov 11th 2022, 07:56

Great fx unit. Only downside is not being able to tell what fx algorithms are in the firmware because of no display. If you don't memorize it you have to use a saved algorithm list to see the fx parameters.

He fellow users,
I just got the io instruments Kalyke and wanted to put it in my rack, I have the tip-top audio power supply with two ribbon cables. But when I plug in the Kalyke all the other modules don't get any power, except for the Kalyke and the other way around. So what's the problem here? I am quite new in to eurorack, so maybe this seems like a really dumb question, but I would cheer for an answer /solving

Smart contact and fine transaction with @Thingue
Recommended Trader.
Thx for all !

EDITED Nov 10th 2022, 11:25

Hey,

Nice rack! There's a lot going on there. As you already thought about, you're probably going to want some VCOs as sources. You've got plenty of modulation in there. You can patch everything all over the place in circular routes, but at the end of the chain, you're only really changing whatever initial wave you start with, but you have to have it to start! The Piston Honda is a wavetable, which sounds great, but really isn't the same as an analog, or even a digital, VCO. With VCOs, you can patch back practically any single output into another VCO and FM the bajeezus out of it, run it through a filter or two and get the same result as a wall of filters, or even a wavetable module (almost). The point is that one doesn't need to have loads of modules to make good tracks. You just need the right modules for your music.

I use mostly analog VCOs, such as the Castor & Pollux, four Electrosmith 3340s, and a few of Doepfer's VCOs I've bought for my racks and tracks. Pick any of those and patch them back into themselves for some great sounding FM. If I need it to be more harsh, the Doepfer Wasp is an excellent filtering tool. I have two of them and they make it into a track whenever I need to brighten the sound up. Intellijel's Polaris is another excellent and versatile filter.

Envelopes and amps are your friends. The Zadar is great. I use the MI Blinds which I really like b/c its also a polarizer. I've never worked with the Quadigy so I can't comment. I will say that no two EGs are quite the same and you definitely want range and sensitivity when it comes to an EG. Doepfer's EGs aren't sensitive enough for me. Having good EGs is critically important.

You can never have too many VCAs. The MI Veils are fine, but I think there are better ones available. The Xaoc Tallin is one of my favs. Lots of gain that can be pushed to clip in a nice toasty and pleasing way. I have two and they get used a lot. I wish they were less wide. VCAs can be used everywhere for many different applications. I always find I'm short a VCA when things start getting super involved!

Lastly, I will say that simper is better, especially when (if) you're performing. You're probably never going to use every module every patch and after buying tens of thousands of dollars worth of modules, I find that I use only a handful on any track. There are some that are always used and some that I really should sell because they rarely if ever get used. Anyway, nice work. Get some VCOs is my only advice.

700 State mk 2 Filter kit from Frequency Central
A filter reminiscent of a Roland filter from Frequency Central.
Very straightforward build. Great sounding unit.
Recommended
Build

If you get an external input module with an envelope follower like the Doepfer A-119, you can use that to modulate effects. That module also has a compartor which produces a gate, which can also trigger events related to whatever sound is coming in. I'd look to adding more things that can convert audio to CV in a rack like this - utilities all the way!

-- Manbearpignick

Thanks for the feedback! That definitely sounds like a fun thing to be able to do. Is there functionality there that I won't be able to get by sending an external signal from the Bubblesound booster to Maths and using that as an envelope follower?

I guess what I'm wrestling with most is if a lot of what Maths is able to do won't be super useful in this type of setup, and I'd be better served by replacing it with smaller modules that are more applicable to an effects specific rack like an envelope follower and maybe a dreadbox utopia or kinks? Maths may be perfect for this use and that would be ok too, since I already have it! If Maths is good for this setup, would you say the Noise Engineering LFO module is overkill for such a small rack?

maybe consider using Beads instead of Clouds...or some other smaller clone of Clouds to conserve HP? that would get you 4HP and you could add something like Disting MK4. Monsoon is a clone that is only 12HP which buys you 6HP and you could add MK4 and something like 2HP Euclid to generate clocked patterns.

-- jb61264

Thanks to you as well for chiming in! Perhaps I would've been better off going with Beads or a Monsoon. I've had my eye on a disting, but have been a little overwhelmed by it. I'll have to do some more research. The Euclid looks really cool too, though I'm still trying to understand how I might get the most use out of it. Would the output of that be used to modulate CV input on something like the Data Bender or Clouds? Sorry if that's way off and doesn't make any sense! I still have quite a bit to figure out

maybe consider using Beads instead of Clouds...or some other smaller clone of Clouds to conserve HP? that would get you 4HP and you could add something like Disting MK4. Monsoon is a clone that is only 12HP which buys you 6HP and you could add MK4 and something like 2HP Euclid to generate clocked patterns.

If you get an external input module with an envelope follower like the Doepfer A-119, you can use that to modulate effects. That module also has a compartor which produces a gate, which can also trigger events related to whatever sound is coming in. I'd look to adding more things that can convert audio to CV in a rack like this - utilities all the way!

Hey all, I'm new to this and assembling an 84hp rack for fx processing of an OP1, tape loops, field recording type things. This particular rack is heavily influenced by the unperson on youtube, so there's quite a bit of overlap there.

I'm hoping to use the Bubblesound booster to bring all of these external elements up to modular level then route through the various effects, into the mixer, then out through the FX aid as a final mix effect.

The hardest thing to wrap my head around so far has been the utilities and modulation sources needed for a rack that doesn't have a sound source. I have the Maths there, but it's pretty big for only 84hp and wondering if the Pons Asinorum paired with a Kinks or something like that would give me more than enough modulation for this use. I'm also unsure how essential VCAs are without oscillators and that kind of thing. Maybe very?

Curious also about how useful some kind of clocking will be if I won't be able to link the sound sources anyway. I don't intend on being very rhythmic, mostly layered ambient sounds. Would it make sense to use the OP1 as a master clock then maybe a small clock divider to send sync up some of the fx?

Any super useful modules/utilities for this use that I don't have here? Anything seem way unnecessary? Right now the only filter is in the Data Bender or FX aid, so if possible, I'd like to squeeze something in. Any feedback is very much appreciated!

Definitely get more modulation sources. I run out of mine fast and had to add a lot. Maestro, Quadrax, Marbles, Maths and Batumi work great in these areas for example.

My new single "Leakage Electricity” is out now on all digital platforms!

Download and stream here
https://wicrecordings.lnk.to/LEAKAGE

Produced, Music, Mixed, Mastered, Recorded, Programmed, Performed Synthesizers and Visual by Tunç Çakır

Youtube Video Link:

Anyone wants to share some thoughts on this? :S

Fine transaction with @arson
Recommended Trader.
Thx !

EDITED Nov 10th 2022, 11:40

I personally liked Joranalogue's Orbit 3:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/joranalogue-audio-design-orbit-3! And so I have constant business in the clinic for cosmetic surgery here for plastic practice!!

EDITED Apr 18th 2023, 19:09

Hey there @TumeniKnobs ! :)

I appreciate your support :) And who knows, we may meet some day here or there :)

Thanks again & best wishes

That's fantastic! I popped on my good headphones and listened to the entire album. Bought a copy too. :-) I think One is my favorite, but I'm looking forward to listening again to the whole thing.

Didn't realize you are in Hungary. Hoping to go back in the spring to visit. I have family there, in Eger.

Cheers!

I jut have receive a MIXmix of Feedback, and as for my beloved MIX BX and Squeeze, it's super neat, fully featured, robust and it sounds super clean, the phone out is a nice feature as well as both the symetric and assymetric outputs. A nice end to a rack before to enter the overall mixer or any audio interface. Hat-off Feedback Module (not to mention how kind the man behind it is).

Fits tightly in Arturia RackBrute 6U and Behringer Go.

Thanks for an easy deal @ferranadsr

Enjoy the module and happy music 🙂

Since you're already using VCV, why not get an Expert Sleepers ES9 so you can compliment the growing rack with whatever you need ...
-- Manbearpignick

I was balking at the price of the ES9 but it almost seems like a no brainer at this point. Especially as I want to build up my rack slowly. At first I wasn't considering even hooking my rack up to the computer.

I'll also look into the Noise Reap. Does anyone have thoughts on the Intellijel Dixie 2? Seems to pack a lot of punch for its size. Thanks!

Bought a Erica Synths Pico VCO from @Slim and everything has been perfect. The module as described. Perfect packaging. Good seller

Since you're already using VCV, why not get an Expert Sleepers ES9 so you can compliment the growing rack with whatever you need - I still rely on VCV for the end mixer and a lot of end of chain effects, not to mention modulation CV sources from VCV back into my physical rack. I also use VCV scopes for visualizing modulation - somethimes with a bank of 8 or more on bigger generative patches, endlessly fascinating... I'm not interested in performance so incorporating VCV with my desk-bound system is a no-brainer for me.

Other thing to consider - are you planning on taking your kids on the modular journey? If so maybe some bigger modules is a good idea, for ergonomics and clear workflow etc (I guess I'm referring to the drum modules, the other modules look great for learning)

Finally, consider a Noise Reap for your second VCO. You get two oscillators and normalized freq control between them. It's analog and can get really dirty so could compliment the digital Plaits.

EDITED Nov 8th 2022, 13:06

Is 1 filter enough?
-- theundeadwarrior

A stereo filter or two separate filters would be better as you have two possible sound sources without filters (Plaits and Disting Mk4), but 84 hp is small so I'd suggest to keep it like this to begin with.

Still trying to figure out where to get a kick from (I have a disting Mk4 in my other rack that I might use for samples here)?
-- theundeadwarrior

Maybe take a look at Erica Synths Pico Drums, it's small but you can load your own samples on it with a separate programmer chip. I wouldn't recommend to go for a module that does only one sound, like the befaco kickall or one of the tiptop drum modules, because of the relative small size of this system.

Is Pam + mini grid too much for sequencing such a small rack? My idea was to combine gate triggers from both with an OR module to create interesting drum patterns.
-- theundeadwarrior

I think grids work best as a full-size module, the small knobs on the one you have will make it less fun to play with (at least in my opinion).
Grids is a great module but I think in such a small rack you'd have more fun with a more versatile module such as the micro Ornament & Crime. You can easily load the alternative firmware on it, giving you two separate "apps" on each side on the module. This could replace your logic module as well and there are alternative versions that have two of the three grids channels (https://github.com/benirose/O_C-BenisphereSuite).

Overall opinion on this rack: 84HP is quite small to have both you drum, multiple sound sources and keep it playable as well. You mention you already have a few modules, which have quite some HP altogether. These modules can almost be a rack on their own (although mini grids is a bit of an odd one in this but you can use it with melodic stuff as well, to trigger the Percall for example).
If you want to add drums you are going to compensate those modules in size, functionality and playability. Like I mentioned earlier, you can add something like a Pico Drums to the rack, but keep in mind that this won't have as much experimentation opportunities as the other modules you have.

If you are willing to keep some modules that you already have gathered out of this rack (for now), you could add some more drum-related modules into it, but of course the tradeoff would be less modulation for the melody part.
Another option would be to have a small drum synth/groovebox outside of you rack and use a CV/Gate to MIDI module to sequence it.

I hadn’t been planning this but at one point I knew it had to happen.
You will find more info and the bandcamp link in the description of this short teaser video.
Thank you for watching & listening.