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This is exactly how I got into modular, although my entry-drug was a Neutron. I thought a MI Clouds would satisfy my effects needs, so I got a Behringer Eurorack Rack (includes a power module) and stuffed it into my 19"-studiorack. Another filter would be nice, I thought. So it started ...
Well, as Jim said, several modulation and utility modules later the rack was full and I built a 6u 104hp-case out of beech wood, screwed some rails into it and continued my journey. And yes, it's expensive, but there are ways to keep the budget reasonable. Always check the classifieds, get clones where it's possible (and ethically justifiable) and think about DIY.

IMO I think you need something to make a bass base and some drums. A module I see in almost every Techno oriented rack is BIAS, very versatile as it can give you all kinds of aggressive percussion and bass lines. It incorporates its own envelope.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-basimilus-iteritas-alter-black. What I will say is not going to be very popular, but due to the size of the case you have, I would change the MOSKWA for a NE Mimetic https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-mimetic-digitalis-black, half of size, 4 CV outputs. And with the space freed up, I would add either a small VCO feeding one of the Percall inputs for a bass base, thus freeing up the BIA for percussion, or a percussion module with CV control, for example https://www. modulargrid.net/e/befaco-kickall
(reduced size)
or https://www.modulargrid.net/e/patching-panda-bd-z
BR

EDITED Jan 10th 2023, 07:39

A live patch and jam session on two Moog Mother 32's, DFAM, Plaits, and BIA. Qu-Bit Nautilus, Imitor Versio, and Desmodus Versio provide depth and atmosphere. Modulation by ochd and Vector Space. Sound EQ, compression, and stereo placement by SCLPL, MSCL, and SoundStage. Recorded on a Zoom H2n.

Enjoy!

-mowse

and the link

Hi all,

I would like your opinion about (another) Techno focused Palette Rack. The main purpose of this rack is live performance improvisation.

Here is the Rack:

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2128671.jpg

And a bit info about it:

Sequencing: Moswka / Ostankino for lead voices and Euclidean Circles for drums and fancy triggering.

Drums: 2 Samples from the Erica Synth Drums, some HiHats from the Doepfer Noise Generator / Percall. I might add a Kick here.

Voice(s): At the moment just Manis Iteritas as gritty voice. I am thinking to include a more “gentle” voice. Keep in mind that I only have one voice to sequence, but I usually like to find workarounds (precision adders, inverting triggers, things like that).

FX: Wasp Filter and FX AID for some delay/reverb ambient.

Mixing: I do have a DIY 5 channel mix on the rack, but I also have a 1010music BlueBox outside.

Modulation: OCHD and Clep Diaz as main modulation actors. I also have a noise source with Sample and Hold.

Utilities. Plenty of mults (Palette + some passive mults 1U that I already have), besides Percall, a dual VCA (one 1 use it exclusively for ducking effect), one 4x attenuverter (planning to obtaining another one in the 28HP 1U spare space), MIDI, etc.

So pretty much I have a 28HP 1U space, that I am pretty confident I will end up having more attenuverters, and 12 HP 3U.... and here is when I am not sure what to do. Some options I have in mind:

A second voice (something like Plaits / Rings perhaps?). A regular VCO is pretty much discarded due of the lack of envelope generators in my rack.

A Kick, so I can use the sample for something else.

More modulation. Who can say not to that?

More utilities.

Probably the smartest: nothing. Wait and see what I miss.

A more decent mixing so I don’t need to use the Bluebox (perhaps a Drum Mixer Lite, because of the included compressor)

Any ideas / suggestions are pretty much appreciated it.

Cheers,
David

In your situation I'd just get a couple of effect pedals and a small mixer. There are loads of great reverbs, delays, etc, and a good used market. Modular is like stepping into a whole minefield that might be more complication than its worth for you.

Pretty sure it does. I've built one for a customer and checked with lfo's, manual cv, triggers and gates. Due to the nature of a vactrol, it'll need the incoming cv to rise above a certain treshold. The higher the incoming CV gets, the more it'll open the LPG. And of course: you can use a channel to process your envelope instead of audio, and use that output as cv for your audio channel.

Does anyone know, if the Jolin Agogo's LPGs responses follow incoming enevlopes? I ask, because using envelopes as CV on the Takaab 2LPG, for example, does not work that way. Here, a longer attack only delays the opening of the vactrol: the vactrol opens and closes, when a certain threshold is passed, which can be done using an envelope (you trigger/strike the vactrol with the envelope, basically), while filter and volume responses are solely determined by that vactrol's characteristics. So, can I shape the response of the Agogo LPGs to have a longer attack and/or decay time, using an envelope as CV, like I can using the Ctrl input on the Make Noise Optomix?
-- klngvrhltnss

I ordered a Doepfer A138B to @symbiosis and everything fine.
Well packaged and a Module in very good condition.
Highly recommended seller.

Does anyone know, if the Jolin Agogo's LPGs responses follow incoming enevlopes? I ask, because using envelopes as CV on the Takaab 2LPG, for example, does not work that way. Here, a longer attack only delays the opening of the vactrol: the vactrol opens and closes, when a certain threshold is passed, which can be done using an envelope (you trigger/strike the vactrol with the envelope, basically), while filter and volume responses are solely determined by that vactrol's characteristics. So, can I shape the response of the Agogo LPGs to have a longer attack and/or decay time, using an envelope as CV, like I can using the Ctrl input on the Make Noise Optomix?

EDITED Jan 8th 2023, 09:55

Something worth considering is to go with the Expert Sleepers FH-2 and turning the Disting mk4 into a Disting EX. Getting the FH-2 is simply to make space for the EX. The FH-2 may not be what you want in this case in which case this would be moot but it seems like they would have the same purpose for this system. The EX is basically the same as the mk4 but it is 100x easier to use. If the FH-2 works for you, I would do this. You also get the benefit of having two mk4s in one.

In regards to a pitch sequencer, which I do agree that you should probably look at, it depends on what you'd want. If you have something like an MPC One you can pretty easily use that. Same with a midi keyboard. A common one that is used with modular systems are the Arturia Keysteps. The Digitalis is a good small option.

Thank you for your feedback. I will look into the Mimetic Digitalis. Any specific LFO you have in mind?

I updated the post above with a link to the rack.

Hmm... I have a Behringer Neutron & Model D & 2600 all work well and as they should. Very good price-quality ratio.

I also have 9 pcs of Behringer eurorack modules.
In terms of quality, they are no worse than modules from other manufacturers. In fact, even better than a few manufacturers. My current modular currently has 69 modules and behringer's modules are actually the 2500 & System-100 modules I use the most at the moment. Apparently some of Behringer's early system-100 and system-55 modules have had a calibration problem. At least for System-100, the problem has been fixed.
In terms of durability, of course, the potentiometers could be attached to the front panel and not directly on the circuit board.
I will continue to buy Behringer modules if I find a module that interests me.

Buy the modules that interest you.

Hi,
Please paste a link to your rack. It is easier to see the function of each module and to be able to comment on it.

As you will read in most posts, a bigger box. Maybe a 6U or 7U, if you like 1U modules.
It all depends on what kind of sound you are looking for.
At first glance, from what I see, all your pitch sources are random, coming from Chance, think maybe include a small pitch sequencer, to have more melodic control.
For example https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-mimetic-digitalis-black takes up little space.
It would not be a bad idea to also add an LFO with CV and resettable additional to Maths, they are affordable modules, they consume few HP.

How about something like Midi Shaper for the pre-arranged ones since you can store multiple waves https://www.cableguys.com/midishaper.html

Then you can configure a shuttle port to be "CC Smoothed" which will convert MIDI CC to CV out of the shuttle control (-5 to +5).

You can also configure a CV port on the shuttle as LFO Sample and hold. The frequency of the S&H can be adjusted by cc# so you can map a knob to change S&H frequency.

EDITED Jan 7th 2023, 09:54

A complete instructional video :

Same here, the grid is all jumbled up.

I've been looking at modular for a while, and tried to read and learn as much as possible. Here are the current plans for my first rack:

My goal is to both have some form of generative functionality, while also being able to create ambient background music. I have other instruments and such, so this is mostly just a fun additional thing to play with.

Am I missing something obvious in this rack? Any glaring faults or problems?

EDITED Jan 7th 2023, 20:03

Now that I'm enjoying my synth computer-less, what's a good way to get some stereo delay and reverb, and also a stereo headphone jack output? (I'm not using speakers, so 1/4" outputs are not needed).

unless you really want to commit to eurorack (which, be warned, may tie up all your disposable income for years) then you may be better off with a smallish mixer that has built in digital effects - it's possible that one of these may also work as an audio interface, which would be a bonus

I was thinking maybe an effects module (such as Mutable Instruments Beads/Clouds) plus an "ALM019 - HPO" could do the trick.

modular effects rack = modular synth where the sound source is external

still need to think about modulation sources and utilities... so make sure you leave space to expand into in the case whatever you buy...

clouds cries out for at least a couple of channels of modulation sources - possibly one or more lfos plus random or chaotic - and attenuators or attenuverters as a minimum

beads has attenurandomisers built in, but would still benefit from lfos

I could make my own wooden box for these, but then I'd need a power supply. Should I get a eurorack power supply/bus and just use that, further complicating something seemingly small? I'm not yet ready to take the Model D out if its box, but perhaps I could tap it's power supply?

wooden boxes are easy - buy rails & threaded inserts though - they make life much easier & make bigger than you think you'll need - 6u 1-4hp is a good starter size

& yes you'll need a power supply - I like befaco excalibus which is available built or as a kit

as the model d has a powered case already I'd keep it in there... taking it out ans putting it in a larger case is a waste

I would describe myself as a hobbyist noisemaker, never a musician.

I've got a standalone Behringer Model D, and it's very fun to play with. I just got a LaunchKey Mini and its MIDI out cable. This enables me to not need a computer/midi-host.

Now that I'm enjoying my synth computer-less, what's a good way to get some stereo delay and reverb, and also a stereo headphone jack output? (I'm not using speakers, so 1/4" outputs are not needed).

I was thinking maybe an effects module (such as Mutable Instruments Beads/Clouds) plus an "ALM019 - HPO" could do the trick.

I could make my own wooden box for these, but then I'd need a power supply. Should I get a eurorack power supply/bus and just use that, further complicating something seemingly small? I'm not yet ready to take the Model D out if its box, but perhaps I could tap it's power supply?

Any suggestions are welcome!

EDIT: I forgot the title, perhaps such a box already exists? I'd love to hear about it!

EDITED Jan 6th 2023, 22:33

... also stepping back when you see something cool and trying to work out if you can do it already with the modules you have is a good idea... often just adding one or two utility modules will get you a long way for less money

-- JimHowell1970

That is a great point too. I've got 12 HP left on my second case but I feel that I have a few modules I have already grown out of. I haven't yet received my second case, so maybe not...I'm excited to see what I can do with all this stuff.

If its just 1 note then go for middle C, though it could sound a bit rough as you go up and down the full scale.
If you have the option of doing this in Software first you could experiment and see how that 1 note works up and down the keyboard.

so is it more a matter of just choosing what note to sample, and just consistently using that for all samples?

Hi,
I've been using modular hardware for a while, and I'm experimenting with this NE filter/distortion.
My question comes with the Mod (modulation) switch.
I have read the manual but I don't quite understand it.
The manual says:
//Mod: The audio is routed back to the filter cutoff frequency for
input-dependent FM. Down position is off, middle is mild, high is
extreme//
I'm intrigued, because if I output the audio through the filter output, without going through the distortion circuit (Mangle) I get the oscillator signal (SQR) very attenuated and low in volume.
I am modulating the cutoff frequency with an attenuated EG via a triatt, since the CV input of the filter accepts 0 to 5V.
I have also deactivated the automatic frequency envelope, so that only the cv that I send it from my EG affects the cut.
I already knew that this is a rather "special" filter, but I'm afraid I'm not knowing how to get its good side out.
If anyone has used it, and can help me....
Thank you

Ideally if you want full range I seem to recall you should have at least 1 sampled note per octave, though I'm pretty sure the 2hp won't accept multi-samples. So if you keep your playing range within 8 notes each side of middle C you'll be about OK.

I once sampled each note of a Roland MC-202, editing each for sustain loops, and put them into a Reason software sampler, that was very boring workflow!

EDITED Jan 6th 2023, 17:30

Both the a-151 and Samara II look very interesting, and I can see their useful applications. I just read through the Samara manual, and hadn't appreciate quite how much it could do.

I've pulled the trigger on one of the last few wmd performance mixers I could find in stock, so we shall see how it goes!
I was mainly planning to use the vcas in it for volume control rather than shaping, my initial thoughts were to use either the Catalyst or Metron & Voltera to fade in and out channels potentially.

As the title suggests,

When using a sample playback module with v/ oct pitch control
(let's say the 2hp "Play")
what pitch should you record a sample at to get accurate v/oct pitches?

That is, if I were to record a single piano note, so that I can then sequence the sampler to get a pitched piano melody,
should I record a C note?

does v/oct have a fundamental root note it works from?

or is the standard approach to not worry about it and then tune with the v/oct knob.

Thank you

Thanks! I couldn't figure out how people were adding their rack so perfectly in the post!

no problem...

I feel like I have a bit of a direction and then I get a new piece and it reminds me that I need these other pieces to really make it do something cool. Just when I feel like I'm doing something neat I watch someone else on Youtube and then I want to be able to do that too. I'm addicted.

yeah it's often that way... I want this module as it has this cool feature that I think would really lift my modular to the next level... ah now I need these 3-4 support modules to make it actually do what I want it to do... ah! now I need another case... sometimes stopping watching youtube is a good idea... also stepping back when you see something cool and trying to work out if you can do it already with the modules you have is a good idea... often just adding one or two utility modules will get you a long way for less money

EDITED Jan 6th 2023, 14:39

I think you would get something from adding a filter and more modulation, and I'd still be tempted to add more mixing (but that is mainly because I've recently realised I have far from enough mixing in my own rack).

I had a play around and tried to keep most of what you had and work with the space you had remaining:

I added the ochd and Ornaments & Crime for modulation and O_C is so flexible, it can also do sequencing or quantising, have a look at the videos for it and decide if its style of menu driven workflow could suit you... it could even delay your need for steppy and scales (but not remove the need longer term)

I also added squawk dirty and FX aid as end of chain effects and filtering.
If you were to take the Data out, I'd suggest looking at a second filter to add more flavour, maybe the ikarie would work well?

Data is fantastic, and its really helped me understand what my modules are doing and how to get more from them, but in a case this size its taking up a lot of real estate.

one thing that did occur to me, was to put the big honking button and the Data in a separate 4ms Pod alongside this case if you were set on its size.

If you want to grow this in the future, then I'd suggest looking at a bigger case, for all those nice modules you like the look of, you will need more space to make the most of them.

EDITED Jan 6th 2023, 15:12

Hi All,

Looking for suggestions to fill that last 2HP! Was thinking maybe a buffered mult or similar???

Thanks!

Thanks! I couldn't figure out how people were adding their rack so perfectly in the post!

I feel like I have a bit of a direction and then I get a new piece and it reminds me that I need these other pieces to really make it do something cool. Just when I feel like I'm doing something neat I watch someone else on Youtube and then I want to be able to do that too. I'm addicted.

I still am unsure of the direction that I want to take my rack.

Not necessarily the best strategy... but it is quite common

I have just been adding modules as I could afford them.

that's generally what most people do, at least to

I saw a video of someone that had the case USB connected to a computer and was running some software to control the VCOs. Does anyone know if Garageband can do that? Or is there another free program? I'm not sure I would always want to do that but I would like to give it a try.

what does reading the helpfile/manual for Garageband tell you about setting up a midi track and sending the output to a midi device?

there are quite a few free DAWs available... google is good for finding out what they are

please copy and paste the url of your public rack into your post...

jpgs are crap for this purpose (ie requesting help/advice/sympathy/whatever) as they do not allow for 'mouse-over' or 'click-through' - which are really helpful in helping us help you!!

Hi there,

I am new to modular synthesis and somehow got sucked in with the NiftyCase earlier this year. I just ordered a second case and assuming that all the modules I ordered arrive my rig will look like this:

Any suggestions for things missing? I'm a bit low on HP but I could always take the Mavis out of the rack.

I still am unsure of the direction that I want to take my rack. I have just been adding modules as I could afford them. I have an Arturia microbrute that I have been using to control the VCOs and I have been connecting my Akai Rhythm Wolf to the MIDI that clocks the case.

I saw a video of someone that had the case USB connected to a computer and was running some software to control the VCOs. Does anyone know if Garageband can do that? Or is there another free program? I'm not sure I would always want to do that but I would like to give it a try.

Anyways, any suggestions are very much welcome.

EDITED Jan 6th 2023, 13:50

Ok, I've revamped this a bit based on feedback. I didn't have much of a focus before. I was just adding modules that sounded cool and I thought might work well together.

• I removed the kick and Misha. This won't be a drum synth. The Misha looks cool, but on reflection I think it'd be awkward for me to work with.
• The Big Honking Button is there at my wife's request. It's for fun only.
• Maths will help with some random utility, such as smoothing out the attack on the West Pest.
• I added Steppy/Scales/Digitalis to get some quantized random sequencing. Those would likely control the West Pest and then that would be sent into Nautilus as one voice.
• The other voice would be the Morphaphene and work with Pam's, etc.
• Removed the MIDI and stereo headphones in favor of more mixers. For MIDI I'll go through the West Pest or just use CV.
• Data is there mainly because I want some cool visualization as I patch, but it does have some utilities that can come in handy. I won't really be using it for a voice on its own.

Am I missing anything super obvious? A good filter might be nice but I don't know how necessary it would be until I replace the West Pest.

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far! The synth and modular community is great.

Having a new module purchase in mind is a great thing but it can definitely distract from what you, I, really need.
I need a Arturia Beatstep Pro for some out-of-case sequencing, simply because the same capability in-rack would cost a fortune and not be as good as external sequencer.

Instead of thinking straight, I have a module in mind but then also all the modules that would benefit that module in a line in front of it.
Proper a Case of 'Up here for dancing, Down there for thinking'

a big part of the journey is the research and thought that goes into it, it's your custom synth not mine!!

sayng that - don't overlook doepfer for utilities - they are inexpensive and do the job perfectly well - their a-151 sequential switch is a bargain, for example! but if you're looking at xaoc devices then for utilities samara II is hard to beat - it's definitely on my want list the future!

with regard to mutes - it's often better to mute gates/envelopes that are opening vcas, than muting actual audio - as muting audio can cause unwanted 'clicking' sounds - so maybe carrying on how you are doing it

if you can find a reasonably priced wmd performance mixer, I'd jump on it and see how you get on... you'll probably not lose money if you come to resell it in the future! just remember that you'll probably want more envelopes and modulation sources to drive the vcas and vcpanning - a good idea is to use the built in vcas to control overall volume of the channel - using another vca before to control the shape of the note 1st

EDITED Jan 5th 2023, 18:01

Here is a version I put together recently to consider how I'd accommodate the bigger mixer:

Thanks Jim, I definitely agree and am quite happy to take out more of the sound sources from the case to make it into more of a useful instrument. I can always swap them in and out later if I want variation, and my old doepfer case isn't that far away on the desk in a pinch :)

There are still a small number of performance mixers out there in the wild, but at a premium which is making me cautious.
I've hovered over the buy button a few times in the last few weeks, it would only take some light encouragement and positive reviews in context of my case and I'll no doubt buy one. The temptation started due to the built in vca's, cv over panning and general rock solid playability of the other WMD modules I have which made it feel like I'd be able to get to grips with it quickly. I'd then also need to consider some mutes somewhere in the line, disabling triggers in metron will only do some of that work.

Yeah, the matrix mixer I think will do an awful lot for me, I'm curious to see how it combines with the sequenced voltages coming from the metron / mimetic and also seeing how the sumdif could get involved in that in some way :)
I have been using the zero2 for rectification, but its using up the switch (which I might benefit from something like switchblade to give me more but slightly different switching anyhow), so I've also been eyeing up the black noise dual rectifier to free this up again.
Tilt has been doing a lot of heavy lifting, and I can certainly see how Maths would be a good addition. for some reason I strayed from it early and have a blindspot for it even now, I'll reflect on that some more.

I've been trawling the utilities section, and there are some lovely xoac devices modules which catch my eye like minsk and kamieniec (or more of the Leibniz Binary Subsystem), but I feel like I'm missing something obvious.

Do you have any suggestions to narrow down my gaze?

lots of good advice already!!!

I think that if you are stuck on the number of sound sources in the case, either adding an extra row to the rack, or better yet doubling the size of it, to allow for more modulation sources, a lot more utility modules and a decent mixing solution - ideally imo a matrix mixer (particularly, but not limited to, for modulation sources), some sub-mixers (for both cv and audio) and an end of chain mixer

see the formula in my signature for a quick guide to improving versatility of your modular for the least cash outlay

I think the wmd performance mixer might be difficult to get hold of now that they've closed...

& due to the large number of sound sources I'm not convinced the cosmix pro (only 6 channels iirc) will be big enough

I have a tesseract modular tex-mix - which is both expandable and reasonably priced... it also has vcas built in (on the mono channels) that could free up a lot of your vca channels for other purposes...

given my philosophy (see signature) I'd want more utilities & probably more modulation sources... the matrix mixer looks like a good addition towards this though - multing 5 modulation sources to this will give you up to 15 modulation outputs - something your other modules are screaming out for!!!

I'd spend some time researching different types of utility module and thinking about how they can add to your patching...

even without a maths, although personally I think everyone should have a maths, downloading and reading through the 'maths illustrated supplement' a few times, concentrating on the how, what and why of each patch, can massively add to your patching repertoire

At that size of case you probably want to be very precise as to what you want to do with it, all the modules you have picked out are cool, but they don't really compliment each other on their own.

The west pest probably takes up the space of what you'd want to reserve for all of your sound sources in the future, I put way too many into my first rack, and I'm still taking them out to make space for more essentials.

Maths is well regarded, it can do modulation, attenuation, slew and lots of cool stuff... but it cant do all of that at the same time, you will likely want a lot more than Maths and the lfo in west pest to move things around.

In a case this size I'd use stackables or passive flying mults instead of putting a mult in the case, but also... there are 2hp alternatives if you really want one.. or even better something like Links would do a lot of work in the same space.

It might be worth looking at what specifically would work well with the west pest, e.g. filter, more modulation, vca's and utilities to give you more nuanced control over it, a sequencer if you aren't enjoying the built in one, maybe one effect modules (the FX aid is a great little one to look at)

Looking further ahead I'd look at what you'd need to replace some of the functions in the west pest when you come to swap it out, e.g. clock (PPW?), sequencer (Misha?), Midi in (black Midi - CV?), LFO/Modulation/envelopes (Maths, but you likely want more of these anyway, look at the ochd, quadrax, tilt, triple sloths etc for inspiration as well as any function generators, envelope generators, and modulation sources you can find, PPW will do some of this, but its not quite as straightforward).

I'd also consider if you want any sequenced modulation (a second sequencer) or generative sequencing/modulation (e.g. marbles clones)

Hope you find this set interesting. Patch notes below. Thanks for watching, it means a lot.

Decoherence Patch Notes

BeatStep Pro BPM 105 Project 06 Key C
SEQ 1:
Pitch [out] ► Circuit Bent VCO [1v/oct]
Gate [out] ► Doepfer Dual ADSR Ch. 1 [gate]
SEQ 2:
Pitch [out] ► Mother 32 [Mult In]
Gate [out] ► Doepfer Dual ADSR Ch. 2 [gate]
Clock [out] ► Mother 32 [TEMPO]
Midi [out] ► DR-670

DR-670 Drum Machine Kit 8

WMD Triple Bipolar VCA
Mix Out ► Zedi10 Pan L

Erica Synths Pico DSP
Out L ► Quad VCA Ch. 2 [in]

Clouds
Out L ► WMD TBVCA Ch. 2 [in]
Out R ► Quad VCA Ch. 4 [in]

Circuit Bent VCO
Audio ► Doepfer Wasp [in]

Wogglebug
BURST ► Clouds [Trig]
INT CLK ► Math Ch.1 [Trig]

Maths
Ch.1 [Unity Out] ► Clouds [Freeze]
Ch.3 [out] ► Rings [pitch cv in]

Mother 32
VCA ► Mimeophon [in L]
Mult 1 [out] ► Plaits [V/Oct]
Mult 2 [out] ► Rings [V/Oct]
ASSIGN [out] ► Wogglebug [speed in]

Rings Yellow/Yellow
Out L ► Clouds L [in]
Out R ► Clouds R [in]

Plaits Green Preset 1
Plaits [Out] ► Filter 8 Ch.1 [in]

Tides VCO Mode [orange, green, ---]
Ch. 1 [out] ► Wasp [CV2]

Synthesis Technology Quad VCA
Mix Out ► Zedi10 Pan R
Ch. 1 [out] ► Cockpit^2 Ch.1 [in]
Ch. 2 [out] ► Cockpit^2 Ch.2 [in]

Mimeophon
L [out] ► WMD Ch. 1 [in]
R [out] ► Quad VCA Ch. 3 [in]

Instruō øchd
LFO 3 ► Rings Structure [cv in]
LFO 4 ► øchd CV [in]
LFO 5 ► Plaits Timber [cv in]
LFO 8 ► Mimeophon Rate [cv in]

Doepfer A-124 Wasp
LP [out] ► Milky Way Ch. 1 [in] Preset 1 verb

Endorphin.es Cockpit2
Mix [out] ► Zedi10 Pan C

Endorpin.es Milky Way
Ch.1 [out] ► Quad VCA Ch.1

Jornalogue Filter 8
180 [out] ► DSP L [in]

Doepfer A-140-2 Dual Mini ADSR
Ch.1 [out 1] ► Quad VCA Ch.1 [cv in]
Ch.2 [out 1] ► Quad VCA Ch.2 [cv in]
Ch.2 [out 2] ► Filter 8 LFM [in]

EDITED Jan 17th 2023, 18:16

With the number of voices planned in this rack, I think your rig would definitely benefit from a mixer (the passive multi is definitely insufficient) and probably a few more utilities and as the saying goes, you never have too many vca's. Your math alone probably won't cut it.
-- Oroboros

Thanks for the feedback! That's a good point about strengthening the mixer/utility game for this. While I was thinking I wouldn't use all the voices all the time it would be better to be more flexible. I can probably sacrifice a few modules (or just use a bigger case, haha). For example, I could hold off on the Data and replace it with something more useful.

I'm looking for some general thoughts, advice, and tips to improve on my rack evolution.

I posted awhile back and have looked back at that thread a few times and slowly the lightbulbs have come on, so hoped trying this again might provide me more to think about going forwards.

The last few years exploring eurorack has been very enjoyable for me, I've made a few mistakes along the way, but each of them has taught me something and I'd say that I've very few regrets. Something started to click recently and subtly I started to change the way I used my system, from a bit of a random playground where I wanted a bit of everything to try, into something a little more structured.

This is my current rack:

and my overflow rack:

The Metron and Arpitecht unlocked something in my brain, I swapped out my pico drums for the LXR and I now feel like I have something I can really work with as a foundation. I've had the same patch plumbed in for a month, and it has been really satisfying trying different things with it, making small adjustments and building out a couple of tracks that I can move between. The sl3kt is either driving the same melody to godspeed, twin waves and plaits, or splitting them up for the occasional variation.

Mixing however is a pain, in my current patch one veils I'm using just to mix dry & wet signals & sidechain on the non drum stereo mix, the other I'm using to control the level of the godspeed, twin waves and plaits before everything ends up in the jumble henge --> disting --> octatrack

The main things I want to change are to add in a matrix mixer (I'm happy to wait for the ritual electronics one) and a better pre-output mixer. I've looked at the performance mixer, and the cosmix pro, but really cant decide which would be the best fit / compromise.

Things I'd probably plan to take out to make space in order: Plaits (this was one of my first modules, but I've only recently started to enjoy it, so this is a tough one, but I do think I have too many sound sources in one case), bin seq, fractio solum, 2hp vca, freez, contour or tides, plog, ears and at a push the quad quantiser which isnt getting a lot of use right now.

One example would be like this, dropping the muxlicer if I were to go with the larger mixer:

Generally the choice of what mixer to get is baffling me no matter how much I look into it.

A final thought before I hit post... If I could find space for some kind of compressor / sidechain I think that could help simplify my end of chain too and relieve some pressure on an inverted envelope being multed to the vca for godspeed, twin waves, plaits and lubadh.

Quantizing:
I had been looking at the bard quartet for ages, and the new expander for it definitely would have appealed if I hadnt bought the arpitecht and the tenderfoot quad quantizer just as it came out. I have actually found the arpitecht is doing a ton of work for me lately and is incredibly flexible, and with quantised outputs from the metron/voltare I've barely touched the quad quantizer.

Mixing:
I'm still trying to figure this out, I've been relying on the Jumble Henge to mix down into stereo, but its not going to cut it for me much longer, and I've been trying to wrap my brains around what would, all I've narrowed it down to is having fader controls and being able to handle stereo.

FX:
The FX aid is great, I also use beads for granular/delay/reverb, and I have a Arbhar & lubadh for additional reverb and delay if not otherwise being used for their main purpose. This is an area I constantly find tempting, but I try to limit myself on so that I can make space for more utilities.

Sequencing:
I went a bit nuts in this space, picking up a used Metron completely changed my approach to it, alongside the Arpitecht which can provide grids like controls. The S8 is very straightforward, but definitely needs a quantiser as each pot has a large range. The varigate 4+ is a solid alternative, each slider has a large range too, but there is a combo to narrow down the adjustment to make it more usable.

take a look at the kassutronics quantizer.. nice lay-out of functions - awful wooden panel, but that's a taste thing - and double channel
-- T0MMI001

Thanks, I'd missed this had CV control first time I looked

Not sure about the buttons being in a circle and panels can always be replaced!

Mixing
I always recommend the same, I have it and I am very happy.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-master-section
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-4-mono-channels
There are 4 mono channels with CV, send and return, mutes and pan. They are also chainable, so you can grow using the same output. 4 channels plus master are 18HP, but the ergonomics are quite good, at least for me. The price-quality ratio is great.
-- ferranadsr

Thanks… the Tex Mix definitely isn't for me. I had one about a year ago, it was just too cramped and eventually got returned as it had a scratchy pot

I'll have a think about the other ideas, the only way the Pico DSP stays is if it can live of the right hand side of the case - it's just too small an fiddly otherwise

With the number of voices planned in this rack, I think your rig would definitely benefit from a mixer (the passive multi is definitely insufficient) and probably a few more utilities and as the saying goes, you never have too many vca's. Your math alone probably won't cut it.

Schneidersladen is often expensive compared to others and they don't make good prices even for loyal customers.
"even 5% is hard for us to do in this times" ... come on ... i know people who work(ed) there and i know the prices THEY get.
To give 10% to loyal customers would not be a problem at all.
-- hookedagain

I don’t personally find Schneidersladen more expensive. When it comes to European brands of modules, I find them (and Thomann) cheaper to be frank. Bear in mind that most prices on European sites are inclusive of VAT ( 19 or 20%) while American sites do not include any sales tax.
Being outside the EU, I don’t pay the VAT and modules (EU and US manufactured) can be imported duty free to where I live. Customs locally only collects a 5% federal tax and there is a small brokerage fee to clear it through customs.
As far as Modular Grid is concerned, I never paid attention to the prices listed on modules and to maintain it up-to-date would have to be a nightmare.