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Got it.
cant say i love the look of it, to be honest.
i would have chosen something that looks more like 'this' as a starter, for my style. ...
peace ✌️
How about the function though?
i dont know a lot about function generators.
it just seemed to me like the 60hp one i posted was more steamlined and focused.
it seems like you were choosing modules with extra functions that you didnt need.
peace ✌️
Ah, i see. Sorry about the misunderstanding. I was kind of going along the lines of more exploritory and experimental. And for some reason. modular grid defaults to 1u as the first case unless you make a new one?
unrelated, ive had alot of fun messing with ADSRs with my korg minilogue XD
still working out some ideas though. Not in a rush to buy anything yet. But, i'm feeling something which has a lot versitility. And then maybe eventually go more focused.
oh, so youre trying to make 4 signal paths and envelopes for a square, saw, triangle, and sin waves and then recombine them using a super overkill filter? i see now. ...
but it still seems like the memetic digitalis might be more than you need. idk though.
not an expert. it all looked overkill to me.
peace ✌️
oh, so youre trying to make 4 signal paths and envelopes for a square, saw, triangle, and sin waves and then recombine them using a super overkill filter? i see now. ...
but it still seems like the memetic digitalis might be more than you need. idk though.
not an expert. it all looked overkill to me.
peace ✌️
-- singular_sound
you have a point there. I think it's gonna need a whole lot of refinment...
you might want to consider the strange-r bighat for your sequencing if youre aiming toward experimentation as your end goal:
https://modulargrid.net/e/stochastic-instruments-strange-r-bighat
just a suggestion.
peace ✌️
Your original post is actually a very good starting system except for a couple tiny things things that seem off:
In general, I think you had the right idea the first time. The second one was a bit weirder and might not really work since it no longer has an audio rate oscillator and that trigger sequencer is taking up a lot of space while doing less than the Mimetic or a Pam's. A 6U case (2 rows) is worth a look, though. The Mantis Case is cheap, durable, deep, wide, has good carrying case options, and will sell easy if you find it too big or need something else. Even if you choose not to expand much, it's better to have a case that's roomy and not quite full than be overly squeezed. There is generally never enough modulation or VCAs (though you want to make sure you have enough modulation to at least open as many VCAs as you have and intend to use, especially if you consider some without knobs later). Good work keeping a balanced and sensible amount of audio sources to modulation sources and utilities - that really is what makes this stuff come alive and be different from the results in a DAW or hardware workstation.
I probably should have mentioned I kinda do have a modular from Tangible Waves. I've been messing around with it on and off exploring it's capabilities. I've often go for the ADSR and fm synth. And have figured out how to utilize the lfo trigger sequencer and 16 step sequencer. I have connected the trigger sequencer to the 16 step sequencer for rythym. I'm still trying to figure out how to utilize other parts of the synthesizer in musical ways. I kinda just go for whatever I feel I want to do at the moment. Whether it be ambient or rythym.
i kinda want to explore more standard modular synth stuff and see what I can do with it. I do want to do something more musical and maybe more rythymic. but I wouldn't mind trying to mix ambient with rythym. I do have some devices that can potentially control the modular. such as the polyend tracker and the launchpad pro. 
Was your plan to replace the AE Modular or to add the Eurorack to it? Honestly, I think your AE Modular setup will cover most of the ground your proposed Eurorack system will cover. I would say that unless you just really want to try specific Eurorack modules that are different from what's in your current case, you're probably fine for now. I would recomend a couple more LFOs or whatever other modulation Tangible Waves offers and just looking up patch ideas. The quantizer and Ornament and Crime (if it comes back in stock) are also available in AE, and would probably help as well.
edit: I do have a Polyend Tracker as well and it is a great controller/sequencer for modular. If you get a MIDI module for your AE Modular, you can work that in easily and absolutely use that setup to do melodic bass and leads using your current modular, with other samples/sequencing/synth stuff being done on the Tracker or a DAW.
Was your plan to replace the AE Modular or to add the Eurorack to it? Honestly, I think your AE Modular setup will cover most of the ground your proposed Eurorack system will cover. I would say that unless you just really want to try specific Eurorack modules that are different from what's in your current case, you're probably fine for now. I would recomend a couple more LFOs or whatever other modulation Tangible Waves offers and just looking up patch ideas. The quantizer and Ornament and Crime (if it comes back in stock) are also available in AE, and would probably help as well.
edit: I do have a Polyend Tracker as well and it is a great controller/sequencer for modular. If you get a MIDI module for your AE Modular, you can work that in easily and absolutely use that setup to do melodic bass and leads using your current modular, with other samples/sequencing/synth stuff being done on the Tracker or a DAW.
-- Zacksname
I was more curious as to what more traditional(?) euro rack modular had to offer from what AE currently offers. I'm aware this stuff can get expensive very quickly and want to take as much time as possible maybe getting something i could learn and grow for years. Something i can go back to and see what i can do with it in the moment.
The main thing Eurorack will offer instead is unique experiences. AE Modular seems to have some great stuff, but it is ultimately fairly traditional synthesis without much variety in concept and interface. Not a bad thing at all (focused systems are productive systems) but different. You should probably start by looking at some unique sound sources/oscillators and a unique filter/VCA/low pass gate or other way of articulating the sound. I can't really be too specific here – this is a personal choice that will make your system yours. Maybe a unique sequencing system, as well. Something that feels malleable and musical like what you want, but operates in a more hands-on or abstract way to program a sequence (like the Mimetic). You can also use the Polyend Tracker in combination with a MIDI converter so that while the Mimetic or your other modular stuff (quantizers plus modulation are a great trick for this) actually does the sequencing and you can manipulate that with the modular interface, the modular is still being clocked and controlled by the Tracker in conjunction with whatever it's doing, and a combination of both can also be used.
Your original post is actually a very good starting system except for a couple tiny things things that seem off:
What's going on with the 1010 Music MIDI splitter? Do you own or plan on owning multiple 1010 Music products or other TRS MIDI items? If so, then that's fine - just as long as you don't want it for anything converting MIDI to CV.
You can probably start with one mult like that. This space will help you with my next suggestion.
Whoops i was not aware of this. I was looking for something suitable for midi to cv control. And it had a decent amount of outputs.
The Octal Linear VCA is great, and I often consider buying a second one. However, that one is better for big systems with lots of different modulators. I think here you need something with knobs for controlling the level and/or CV amount going in. Intellijel Quad VCA, Omnitone Ampera, Happy Nerding 3xVCA...something like that.
The one i chose as the time seemed like a not so bad choice as i saw it had a lot of different types of filters to offer and quite a few outputs. I was kinda aiming for something that was very versitile. And not greatly aware something like that would be more suitable for larger systems.
I disagree about the Mimetic Digitalis not being useful in this context. Even when you're not using every part for pitch, it would be a good CV modulator. A Pam's New Workout might be a more versatile option to start with, though. Lots of clearly accessible modulation, gates, and triggers You can even take unused channels from it and send timed gates/triggers to effects or filters to ping them and create unique experimental percussion that will be good for complementing and thickening your exploratory sounds.
Interesting observation. I took the moment in looking into Pam's New Workout modual. And saw that it can serve a similar function as a CV modulator and then some. I guess im more used to more of the common sequencer since my AE system has one. Really shows how little i know what options are out there and it kinda makes me a bit more curious as to what kind of interesting things can be achieved with such things.
- For a small system like this I don't know if such a large output module is necessary. I have a passive stereo headphone out from Herzlich Labs and I find that way easier to just get the sound from one thing to another or listen to my system without needing a whole mixer or something - plus I only need one for all my stuff, rather than one per case. The 4MS Listen IO might also be a good idea, since it has the output functionality of this one (minus quarter inch jacks) but also has an input so you can run weird sounds through your filter and FM your synths with external sounds and stuff. If you have specific setup needs and really prefer the Pittsburgh output module (or already have it), however, ignore me on this.
Again...shows my lack of understanding of the eurorack world. I have some 1/4 jacks and a external mixer. It seemed at the moment it would be something that i may not have to think too much about.
In general, I think you had the right idea the first time. The second one was a bit weirder and might not really work since it no longer has an audio rate oscillator and that trigger sequencer is taking up a lot of space while doing less than the Mimetic or a Pam's. A 6U case (2 rows) is worth a look, though.
Whoops, Yeah...uh. I was trying to rework it in the moment to be more sensible in my frustration..I kinda forgot about the VCO...as for the sequencer i tried going for something that functioned similar to what i already had in my AE system since i'm already familiar with it.
The Mantis Case is cheap, durable, deep, wide, has good carrying case options, and will sell easy if you find it too big or need something else. Even if you choose not to expand much, it's better to have a case that's roomy and not quite full than be overly squeezed.
i was looking at the ALM-CS Eurorack Case as a potential option. I was also looking through ETSY for cases and came across a rather pretty looking case.
link to it if you're curious: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1768691134/portable-eurorack-case-6u-powered-62hp?ref=user_profile
There is generally never enough modulation or VCAs (though you want to make sure you have enough modulation to at least open as many VCAs as you have and intend to use, especially if you consider some without knobs later). Good work keeping a balanced and sensible amount of audio sources to modulation sources and utilities - that really is what makes this stuff come alive and be different from the results in a DAW or hardware workstation.
-- Zacksname
thanks, i tried to cover the basics of a synth[VCO, LFO, VCA, VCF, SEQUENCER, ADSR(kind of a fav function of mine), siginal splitter, signal mixer, and output] tried to look for stuff which could serve those functions but also have lots of outputs and inputs and lots of potential. But i kinda found that rather quickly my list was getting on the more costly side. I would like to try to aim for great versatility (more bang for the buck) but also trying not to go overboard(which i may have, i dunno). Also, i kinda want to take as much time and not rush with excitement.
The main thing Eurorack will offer instead is unique experiences. AE Modular seems to have some great stuff, but it is ultimately fairly traditional synthesis without much variety in concept and interface. Not a bad thing at all (focused systems are productive systems) but different. You should probably start by looking at some unique sound sources/oscillators and a unique filter/VCA/low pass gate or other way of articulating the sound. I can't really be too specific here – this is a personal choice that will make your system yours. Maybe a unique sequencing system, as well. Something that feels malleable and musical like what you want, but operates in a more hands-on or abstract way to program a sequence (like the Mimetic). You can also use the Polyend Tracker in combination with a MIDI converter so that while the Mimetic or your other modular stuff (quantizers plus modulation are a great trick for this) actually does the sequencing and you can manipulate that with the modular interface, the modular is still being clocked and controlled by the Tracker in conjunction with whatever it's doing, and a combination of both can also be used.
-- Zacksname
I found that just having fun often can lead to learning new stuff without the feeling the pressure of having to be productive. Being productive has its place in certain situations. Just allowing yourself to get lost in your craft and not even thinking about time. I've often found myself to be more creative when l allow myself to just mess around until i end up on the edge of making something i really end up liking. i've done this alot with drawing and 3d modeling. I'll take the lessons i learn from books and mess around with it for a while until i get to a point where it really makes sense to me. And just keep messing with it.
Me wanting to show my 3d models done in CSG.
this is me messing around alot with a program until i got pretty proficient at it and made this. CSG modeling is a bit different from polygonal modeling. In some ways i felt it was more intuitive and a bit easier to learn. But the tools offered in the program lead me to make this. Something i probably wouldnt have made in a program like Blender. Because the tools in that program are fundimentally different.
Don't be afraid to look at a complete synth voice to start with as well. Eurorack has lots of really interesting options for things that basically could run standalone in a limited fashion, and then you just add a module or two as you go along. A Moog Mavis or a Quadrantid Swarm (just two of many options) will work out of the box and even have their own case, though they can still be racked after.
There are also lots of sound-making modules with their own built in VCAs or filters. All sorts of varieties: Plaits, 4ms Spherical Wavetable Navigator, Befaco Oneroi, Gamechanger Plasma Voice. You could pretty easily start with these and 2-3 other things (the A-143-2 and Pam's or the Mimetic) and already have a fully functioning system as long as you have something to plug it into that can take the signal.
I also feel like the Niftycase is worth a mention. It gives you 3U, 84hp with power, MIDI for up to two tracks of CV/Gate (or 5 triggers/gates depending on what you need), and a quarter inch output with two inputs. The price is very reasonable. Those cases you looked at seem nice, but if you're worried about cost and value for money, Niftycase is a potential alternative and the whole package costs about as much as most MIDI to CV modules do on their own.