Advice for FX Rack (hybrid setup)

Hi everyone, I’m currently planning a compact modular system (84HP) to integrate into my hybrid live setup.
The idea is to use this rack as a main fx chain for the 1 or 2 main synths (from ableton or another external synth, still have to figure it out) and also to use it as return fx (I will map everything on ableton so I can switch between having the full wet synth or just a small amount of the fx).

About the genre is mostly techno so I want some fx which I can play live and improvise but at the same time something interesting to produce also in the studio.
Let me know if you have any other suggestions about the single modules or about how to use it in a more effective way.

I also wanna add that this is my first step into modular world so I'm not gonna buy everything in one take but that's the idea that Im going for to start.

ModularGrid Rack

ps. I'm planning to start with the rack from cre8audio so I have already power and midi in/out integrated.

Cool idea! I like that you're using the joystick. It should allow for some very smooth and interesting changes in texture. I don't see a lot missing so far. Just make sure to double-check the depth on the modules so that they fit inside the case, depth-wise.

Thanks! And thank you for the heads up about the depth of the modules, actually I didn't think about that.
Also, if you have any other suggestions for delays would be cool.

If the rack is always going to be hooked to ableton I'd suggest FH-2 instead Pam's. You'd really want to sync clock especally with sealegs. You can sync ableton to pam with https://busycircuits.com/products/alm-pg001 for sure, but you're still going to be bound to the tiny screen on pam while you have an infinite way to control things (ableton). Also less headache tbh, you just hook it up FH-2 with usb and there you go.

For the joystick I'd also suggest you to have a look at planar. It can be also used as a audio/cv mixer, gate trigger and record your expressions. although generally you either wanna use it cv controller or mixer. can't do both at the same time.

As talking about mixers, I'd also suggest to have a look at matrix mixers too. It's a great idea way to route and mix audio. generally they take up quite a space though. 4x mix very is good if you wanna keep things straightforward.

Lastly, you'd need some audio normalisation back into ableton. I wrap up all my audio into HPO if i need a line out. 2hp and just dead simple audio out.

Also mimeophon is a very good alternative to sealegs if you wanna get weird instead of lush. I'm suggesting this as you plan to route your audio from ableton. There are so many (even built in ones) great delays in ableton can sound good as sealegs. I'd say if you're routing to eurorack, I'd get someting weird like mims.

Apart from all these; to contratict myself, if you have a spesific idea what you need, you can always go for pedal fx's as well (which are going to cost wayyyyyy less than eurorack). Pretty much you can get a single pedal for each module you've put there. I'm talking about expensive ones like chase or hologram ones.

Good luck with the hunt :) Let us all update what you've decided.

thank you so much man! So many great suggestions in here.
I like the idea of having the joystick to play live with it and having always different outcomes, so I'll definitely now look into the other one you suggested.

About the normalization is not completely clear to me, cause I know you have to reduce the audio level before going into the soundcard and then ableton but with the cre8audio case (https://www.thomann.de/de/cre8audio_niftycase.htm?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1576042990&gbraid=0AAAAADuDMCWv6YBlMVqMU-0JDOokkGOQ2&gclid=CjwKCAiA7LzLBhAgEiwAjMWzCPOqUpDC1rP95Kz67mwm1GdBywdLqNQSYfN1VhSJTSUmdJk8i7JBDxoCKTIQAvD_BwE) I should have already the output with the right volume, correct?

About the delay I was actually thinking between these two but the mimeophon looks even too weird to be used live (just an impression, never tried it), but you totally get the point.

Last thing, I agree with the pedals but let's say that this is also my soft way to step into modular world, I'm also gonna use the modular just for production and not only for live purpose.

Oh I didn't knew you were thinking to get nifty case. Tbh I don't have one but checking on the manual it says this;

Q. The output on the rear of the NiftyCASE is very high is this normal?
A. The rear output simply passes the level input from the “to-out” on the case. It doesn’t
attenuate the signal at all. If the level is too high you should consider adding a VCA,
mixer, or other changes to bring down the signal level prior to plugging into “to-out”

and

Q. Is the out balanced or unbalanced?
A. It’s unbalanced (just like us)

So looks like it doesn't normalise hot eurorack audio signals to line levels. Oh one tiny thing about modular if you're just stepping in. It's always a great idea to skim through the manuals before commiting to a module. I personally automatically skip modules if they have 100+ pages of manual.

For the mims; yea it does look odd but it's fantastic sounding module. There's a reason why it's all the way top on loopers, repeaters, reverb on modular grid ;) I'm planning to get rid of most of my modules lately but going to keep a few one. Mims was literally the first module that I've got for fx rack and going to keep that one again.

Thanks for the heads up, I also noticed that the output is mono and I for sure want a stereo output with fx.

I'm gonna watch more videos about the mims, but at this point I wonder if it does make sense to combine it with a multieffect module like Radiant, maybe it gets too much "smeary" sounding.

Top