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Hello 33PO

Thank you so much for replying, what I feel like I was missing was rhythm, knob control and less menu driving. I wanted to use eurorack and a drum machine combo make a smaller size since I don’t have much room and getting rid of Roland and the Behringer ,I like Pam‘s new workout its very powerful but I didn’t feel like a great workflow going into each section and changing parameters didn’t feel as inspiring than using dedicated knobs for each sound. I know very hard describe what I am trying to say. I am going to check out the ones you suggested ,varigate sounds interesting. I appreciate your recommendation suggestions I’m gonna check it out into research thank you so much again.

Cheers -Alex

EDITED May 28th 2022, 03:50

This looks like a really good starter system. There are a lot of opportunities to discover sounds by sending modulations from Pams to BIA and Sample Drum.

What do you feel like you're missing?

The 1u Midi interface would allow tighter integration with your Roland and Behringer

A dedicated audio mixer might be useful. There's an Intellijel 1u option or Mixup are designed to work with the case outputs

If you want to do manual rhythm sequencing Steppy or Varigate would be a nice addition. Take a look at Zularic or Numeric Repetitor if you want to discover interesting rhythmic patterns. Euclidian Circles does rhythms based on mathematic divisions

If you want melodies Varigate can be set for 2x Gate + 2x CV... and it can act as a master clock for Voltage Block. Some other good melody sequencing options would be: Scales, Pico SEQ, Super Sixteen or Bloom. People love or hate Bloom so research before you buy

Hello All,

This is my first post and first time getting into modular.A little about myself ,I am 40 years old army veteran ,I have no music background (started 5 month ago), I find myself doing a little bit of ambient music and Doing a lot of techno. I do have gear but I want to step into the world of eurorack. I feel like I can get more control over my sounds in my approach to music ,simplifying workflow since I know little to none about scales and creating melodies .I love drum machine and been learning a lot about them, been using it as a Meditation tool, making cool noises and relaxing. Occasionally I just like not stressing about accomplishing anything really.

So I am here for help like need alot of help because this Became complicated for me and over my head. I did learn about vco,vcf and etc .but their so much module Brands ,that it became confusing. Suggestions are very welcome please. I have some modular that I own. Which I post with thread here. Maybe this is a good start but don’t know where to go from here.

Looking for easy rhythm making, making Ambient/techno sounds and controling/discovering sound.

I appreciate everybody here taking your time reading my post and I want to thank you and happy making music.
Alex-

Modular I have :

Erica synth Sample drum
Pamela new workout
basimilus iteritas alter
quadratt 1u
intellijel 62hp case

Gear I am using :
Roland mc-101
Behringer td-3

Okay i see, but I think it would have been practical to put everything at the top or at the bottom instead of splitting them.
Have a look at the "omnimod" or maybe the Bitbox when it is upside down.

The way it is now, you will want to put it in front of you (at the top of your rack), but the cable at the top will come on the screen, then you will want to put it close to you (at the bottom of your rack) but then the cable at the bottom will annoy you. So literally, you are obliged to put it in the middle of your case.

It is just a personal thought on the design, would have been perfect with this little modification, but in the overall the Pro version seems great. I already have the 6hp one, so I will definitely be looking for the pro.

Keep the good work!
Cheers :)

All right, all right! I have added the Donner B1 on my wish list :-)

Thanks,
So many people prefer CVs on top and were asking me for upside down versions of the front panels.
Plus current layout has more space to twist the knobs while CV cable are on top.

Amazing!

Woaw! It looks great! :)
But why putting the "CV IN" at the top when you have space in the bottom ?

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/happy-nerding-fx-aid-pro

Looks like Igor's doing OK and he's cooked up something with big abuse potential! I know that lots of users here dig the FX Aid XL and its non-XL sibling...so HN's gone and done this. I approve!

Disting does all you need.

-- John_V

Except for having the ability to move a micro SD card from it to a PC for loading.

And to the OP: that's a function that any sampler you get should have these days. You can do much more in the assembly and processing of signals for looping in the computer, then moving those results via the card to the sampler. Also, another very effective way of dealing with sample length limitations is to set up a bunch of related or even near-identical on the card for simultaneous playback. If these sample loops are of inequal length, you'll get a backdrop that's constantly in flux and, if you do the math right, COMPLETELY non-repeating. This is how I can use a fairly limited device like the Zoom ST-224 as a "background generator"; if I have several similar stereo loops running at the same level but with no means of synchronization, this sounds indistiguishable from a single stereo background track.

An example: let's say you've got four loops: 0:30, 0:27, 0:11, and 0:18. Start them at the same time, and then the next time those will line up in that way will be nearly 45 hours later (30 x 27 x 11 x 18 / 60 / 60 = one period of all loops). Pretty effective, really.

I'm supremely interested in why you would want to do this?
-- irq506

There's probably quite a few reasons, all directly related to being able to have ALL module specs onhand, or to work out cost-effective changes. But the former is really important, as that'll certainly include current draws, and having all current draws on the same page is excellent and can help someone plan out their build. They used to have a function here (which is still here, just hidden) known as the "shopping list" that had all of that info on a single, printable spreadsheet-ish output, but I can see why some people might want a spreadsheet to help make final decisions.

Fun? No, it's beyond that...the B1 is the first 303 clone (or in this case, 303 "reimagining") that I've heard across the 25+ years of 303 clone attempts that really behaves like the TB-303. And there has been a metric fuckton of those attempts over that timespan...with none of them nailing the REAL issues, those being the ones with the glide function and with how it deals with accents and ties. So, having watched all of that flailing from everyone from tiny boutique firms to big, huge multinationals, it's been both a shocker AND laff-riot to see Donner, with their very first synth offering, NAIL IT! No, it doesn't look like a TB-303 (actually, it makes more sense when in use!) but it sure as hell sounds like one.

Reminds me: I need to bug them about the possibility of adding a "kill" function to the VCO. At present, audio inputs get mixed along with the VCO, and if you wanted to use the B1 as a sequenced filter, that would be a problem. But since a lot of what's going on inside can be altered via firmware dumps (and Donner really wants to know what users would like to add to the firmware, when possible), it might be possible to have that function added.

Hello everyone,
I'm currently looking for a sampler for specific purposes. I like to use field recordings to give a song a certain surface. These are usually around 5 minutes long. The sampler should therefore have no problem with long samples. I would also like to store my own synth engines on it and control them via CV/gate. A granular function is not important to me. I think Morphagene also has a lot of potential but the recording time is limited. I've only read good things about Squid Sample but unfortunately too short with 11s recording time. The only module I found is the 1010 Bitbox micro. Are there any other alternatives?

-- FWGW

Disting does all you need.

Good stuff :) a good relaxing plod along.

Hi, what do your patches look like now? Any particular type of groove? That could help. "basically inventing stuff as I go" is pretty much the way to go IMO. Any output to any input is a good mindset whe you feel a little overwhelmed... Also "let me duplicate that and see where that goes" and "does that respond to audio rate" can be fun, especially for modulation.
For a module... If you like the 100 series... The sequencer is worth a look... Clock, control and pitch... Frees up an lfo and Can open up some new doors... Even if your making Simi-generative stuff

Cheers

Perfect sale from @op1user.
Also, a rare face to face transaction... Was cool.

It's been a while since I've shared something here, and I was a bit hesitant to share this one because even if all the sounds are from the modular, my workflow has been leaning towards the DAW. I record samples or even full jams from the modular and then just copy/paste the parts I like the most.

Being a hobbyist, when I started with the modular I didn't really have a musical style or an idea of what I wanted to create with it. I think going with the DAW helped me define the kind of music I want to make without having to deal with the limitations of my current setup. 

The next step will be to figure out how to do everything on the modular and stop using the computer. I've been thinking about getting a bitbox micro or even an octatrack. That way my workflow could still be sample based and I wouldn't need a huge modular system.

Then there are some tricks I like doing, like the break at 2:13, where I mute six tracks at once and I bring a new one in. I still haven't figured out how to do that with the modular, probably with a bunch of mutes and switches, but I still have to think about it and see what approach works best for me.

Most of the sounds are from the MI Plaits. I've also used the Crossfold Antimatter a lot here. It is a fantastic module and I've used it in all my patches since I purchased it. The final arrangement, EQ and compression was done in Ableton Live.

This isnt an answer.
I'm supremely interested in why you would want to do this? Is the data usable in a daw? -genuine question!

thanks for the input, but I dont understand which part of your answer has a patch idea.

The immediate issue with using the Behringer System 100M modules is that they're HUUUUGE. I did put a Behringer copy of the ARP 2500 Filtamp in, though...it's an excellent LPF, and it comes with a VCA at the output. But as for the rest...well, here it is:

Assuming that this is for a Tiptop Mantis cab, which has its own, beefier power, I removed the 4ms P/S. And as for percussion, most of us will tell you that using a standalone drum machine, instead of building one in a modular build, is the way to go. You can use it as a master clock for other things, plus you can get some of Uli's recent offerings. For example, I've got two RD-6s (they're not just drums...they also give you two channels of trigger sequencing per unit) and an RD-8mkii. Both are really pretty damn good as far as emulating the originals' sound. Anyway...

TOP: Doepfer A-119 gives you your audio in...plus an envelope follower and a comparator-derived gate out so that you can also impose dynamic contours from incoming signals on all sorts of other modules. Doepfer's little ring mod/S&H/noise is after that. Then I added a dual slew gen from Ladik that offers switchable discriminators so that you can have portamento on upward or downward CV movement...or you can set them so that they work like "normal" portamentos. Ensemble osc is after that, then an Instruo tona provides a second oscillator with a built-in waveshaper. Not only can you use the tona as a doubling VCO to make the 4ms oscillator obscenely fat, it's very capable as its own VCO voice due to that CVable waveshaper. Next, Veils...probably one of the best solutions for combining VCAs with a basic mixer that's got a "breakable" mixbus. Then there's the Filtamp (actually, it would be a kick and a half to use this with that Instruo waveshaping VCO!), and after that, a G-Storm fave. Their Delta VCF is a clone of the SSM filter that was used in Korg's Delta ensemble keyboard as well as in their Poly-61. It also gives you a bandpass filter setting. Typhoon follows, then I added a Freq Central Stasis Leak, which gives you stereo chorus, reverb, and a tap-tempo delay. And lastly, a Happy Nerding (damn, I hope he's OK!) FX Aid for even more effects fun (and you'll see why in a bit).

BOTTOM: First up, since you've not got front panel DC bus indicators on a Mantis, the Konstant Labs PWRchekr handles that duty. This lets you keep an eye on DC rail health over the system. Then the QPLFO after that is just nuts...it can work like your usual quad LFO, but it can also output waveforms with a duty cycle that can range from the low end of audio out to an utterly crazed 71 MINUTES! And for things such as generative work, something like that is super-helpful. Frap's 321 and the After Later Dual VCA (VCAs based on the Mutable topology, but in an x2 package) are your modulation modifier "core", allowing you to tamper with your modulation and get results that the modulator modules by themselves can't really do. Maths is next...y'know, Make Noise really made a killer-app-type module with that thing...and offers lots of modulation potential. Hell, you'll be finding new things that it can do for years! For envelopes (as well as some really complex chaining and other madness), I put in Intellijel's Quadrax with its Qx expander, the latter allowing you to chain envelopes and create ridiculously complex mod signals...or four envelope generators with CV over both rise and fall. Following that is the Disting...around mid-cab so that it's easy to drop into either the modulation OR audio paths. O-scope's after that...although I'll (and certainly others as well) tell you that unless this has some other features, you should drop it and use an external scope. Otherwise, it's a one-trick module that's occupying 15 hp that could be used for functional use instead. Anyway, following that is your mixer: a Tesseract Tex-Mix with four mono inputs. Also, these inputs have their own exponential VCAs, so that deals with the output level control. The Tex-Mix system also offers two FX busses (2 mono send, 2 stereo returns) for effects. So you could use the Typhoon as a "global" effect, or the FX Aid, and still have the 1-in/2-out Stasis Leak, which is perfect for the Tex-Mix effects busses. Note also that you can input mono to the FX Aid via the left input only. And last, a Happy Nerding Isolator, in their new mkii version (2 hp slimmer, plus an additional headphone preamp...giving you TWO headphone monitors, one of which can take the Tex-Mix's "cue" function so that you can have a dry pre-mix sound; this is the sort of thing that, if your tuning or something else goes wacky, you can put that channel on "cue", monitor that via the Tex-Mix phones to fix the issue, and go right on...with pretty much no one knowing that there was a problem.

Now, this is a pretty comprehensive system. It's definitely got more going on than the previous version, mainly due to the fact that you don't have a whole bunch of oversized modules stealing functional space. More expensive...but this is partly due to finishing the build out and also to not putting all of those B-100M modules in there. It's built tighter, which means more functionality and more sonic possibilities. See what you think...
-- Lugia

Hi Lugia,

Ha, ha, sounds like you are having lots of fun with your Donner B1 :-) From what I can see and read from your experience report, is that this is seriously interesting!

Well... at the other side of the ocean we will wait "patiently" till it becomes available here at the regular dealers, let's see. I can't wait to have it tested at my local dealer :-)

Thanks a lot for the interesting news, have fun with your B1 and kind regards, Garfield.

I love both Beads and Clouds, but in a case of this size, I'd strongly consider Noise Engineering's Melotus Versio... it's a terrific granular module that you can also re-firmware at will into a clocked delay, or a VCA/VCF/Gate, or an amazing reverb, or various other things. Will save you 4 hp over Beads, too, while giving you all that flexibility.

have you tried selecting them in datasheet view and then copying and pasting them?
-- JimHowell1970

Unfortunately, yeah, I tried that but the output doesn't seem to lend itself to a copy + paste. There's some formatting weirdness I guess I need to work around, and this is even working with plain text.

I's no biggie, but it would be really cool to be able to export a list of modules into a file format. I'm kinda surprised Modular Grid doesn't already allow for this given the Venn diagram of Eurorack enthusiasts and spreadsheet nerds must have some overlap.

I’m also curious about what a Turing machine can do in combination with a quantizer. Maybe a setup that would suit you as well.
-- stephankochen

Actually, Grayscale's Permutation (in its full version) would make a good sequencer along the same lines. It's a derivation of the original Turing Machine, but I think it's better laid-out, and has a few extras.

OK...it arrived this morning. I got it unpacked around 10:30 AM.

Then when I checked my watch again after fiddling with the B1 and putting it through its paces...it was 12:30 PM.

It's the real deal, sound-wise...even with a 4-pole LPF, as it sounds curiously 3-pole-ish...like the real thing. The glide function has Roland's odd little "error" of not being a fully linear portamento. Run up the overdrive circuit and oh...my....

Suffice to say, the sound is far closer to what I'm used to out of a TB-303 than anything I've encountered in the 30 or so years that companies have been trying to clone the original. It can be nice and pure...or hostile and gritty AF! And yes...everything in between (for a change!).

As for the sequencer...it's also like the Roland's (ie: obtuse as hell), but some of this comes from the way the sequencer gets accessed, which is technically better than the TB-303...but it's definitely got a learning curve. But it can do things such as syncing to a number of different clocks...including, yes, the 24 ppqn DINsync...and even Korg's 48 ppqn! Oh...and MIDI out.

Also, there's a way around the sequencer's normal edit and enter modes: Donner came up with some basic software editing that can handle that, plus a few other surprises. Just connect the B1 via its USB-C port to your PC, done. But if you insist on using only the B1's UI, you'll find that the gimmicky-looking keypads are also a much better set of control indicators than the teensy LEDs of Roland's box. They're bright and super-obvious.

So...how does this fit in with modular? Well, the sequencer is easily connected to most anything via MIDI, so you can use the B1 as a 1-channel MIDI sequencer. And also, it's got that audio input, which lets you impose the VCF's sequenced filter behavior on an external signal. I 100% cannot stress the importance of that MIDI I/O; it's THE reason why you might want one to couple up with a monophonic Eurorack build as both a controller AND monophonic sequencer.

Better than Uli's? Yes. The internal feature set is better (thanks to the sequencer's capabilities), the form factor makes more sense these days, and the fact that it can be used as a PROPER synthesizer instead of being purely a sequencer box. And there's that SOUND again...seriously, the VCF can do that hollow "snarly" sound and the VCF controls (key to performing with a TB-303) are super-responsive and also react very well to the gate length, glide, etc. So you can use the MIDI out to sequence, then fire the output off to the B1's audio input and use your whole damn modular system as the "voice"! Woo-hoo!!!!!

But the biggest deal of all is this:

Cheapest original TB-303 on Reverb: $3395
Donner B1 that sounds and acts pretty much identical to the TB-303: $160.

Oh, and one other point...if you've been over to The Website Formerly Known As Gearslutz and checked the threads on this, you'll notice that there's one of Donner's reps there as well, and they want input on how to make this thing even better through another non-TB-303 function: firmware updates. They're actually interacting and as opposed to a certain other China-based MI firm, they're not making lofty vaporware proclamations and showing off speculative renders but actually communicating so that they can make this box do things WE like via other actual users' input. What's not to like?

Lastly, the box lists some useful info for those of you in the EU and UK...distributor contact info. So for those wanting to know when this is available over there, here's the contacts:
UK: tanmetbiz@outlook.com
EU (Germany): utaundico@hotmail.com

I might sound a bit overhyped here about this, TBH...but this really is a big gamechanger, both in terms of being the best 303-alike ever, and in terms of moving the TB-303's design forward, rather than slavishly copying the original version. It's really that good!

have you tried selecting them in datasheet view and then copying and pasting them?

I was in the exact same situation as you. I opted for Bloom early. After first struggling with it, I discovered that I loved it later on for generative purposes.
I don’t put much effort into programming sequences really. I just play around with it as I go and let the algorithm take it from there.
Especially in a two voice setup it’s great.

I’m also curious about what a Turing machine can do in combination with a quantizer. Maybe a setup that would suit you as well.

I'd love to be able to take all my listed modules under 'My Modules' and export them to a database like Airtable or a humble Excel spreadsheet.

What are my options? Or has anyone tried to do something similar?

Tried to buy a 2hp hats from @didierpriem , very shaky coms from the start, package got lost, user is unresponsive since then, no module, no refund. down 100Euros. don't buy from this user, and give me a holler if you get hold of him.

So which is your favorite shifter, and why? do u think digital vs analog makes sense for a shifter comparison, or own both kind of approach do u think ?
-- fzzz

My fave? Easily the Bode, which was an "aftermarket" item from Moog back in the day, then it became an actual module some time later. It has a certain "smoothness" to the sound that some digital ones lack. I've also got the Field Kit FX's shifter, which is sort of a "garage"-style shifter...it's not "clean", but it IS effective.

It'll be interesting to see if Uli can really pull off his bargain-basement Bode. As I recall, the tradeoff for the great audio quality was extremely touchy behavior by the module/outboard, especially when balancing out the "carrier" so that it doesn't break thru.

Nice :)

1/ Download and try VCV Rack software
2/ Buy a copy of the book Patch & Tweak

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT buy anything before doing the above items.

Thank me later :-)
-- sacguy71

"Patch and Tweak" is decent...but the "try VCV Rack" part? Yeah, +1 billion.

VCV does a great job of emulating Eurorack, but also in taking Eurorack to a zone or two where it doesn't normally go. Just make sure to have a potent piece of computing hardware to run it on; see the FAQs there.

There's always the Pittsburgh case mode in there...plus, it works for a lot of other cases; Erica had some a few years back that also did the wood side-bolsters with rails thing, and I know there's others.

It is very cool. I just had my first play around with it - with its 8x16 grid, it's a very visual way of working, which I like. It's a bit like the Deluge, but sequencer only. And it's tiny! The entire box it shipped in, containing the Oxi One, a carrying case, cables, and a module to connect modular with a single cable, fits into my BSP case!

that's great - sometimes bigger is better, and sometimes the opposite

I was looking for a trade-off. The Oxi seems to have the perfect balance of a very solid unit in a very small footprint. I need to mention that I'm ironing out a few problems with Oxi, but they're very supportive and I'm sure it will get right eventually (2 out of 8 gates don't work). With that limitation in mind, it's already very, very good. Quite a learning curve, as the thing can do anything, but very well worth it.

yeah I think there's a lot of character in effects... there can be both subtle and massive differences in almost all of them... probably why I have so many!

I've been loving the Versio for that reason. Melotus now, Electus tomorrow, Ruina yesterday.

I checked out Harlequin's Context and it looks great! It solves the "can't adjust this knob accurately enough in realtime" problem. I knew there were programmers like this, and the Harlequin is pretty small as well.

One thing it can't do is reflash the Versio in realtime

Here's one version of a performance case that I could build. I swapped out the Feedback Static for a 2U noise source + VCNO, which has V/Oct for chip noise. Smaller hp together, but more flexibility. Top row is identical, 1U row adds a slew and a Quadratt. At the bottom: Batumi instead of LFO, matrix mixer, Tete+Tetrapad, Harlequin. And a few more [1]fs, which I'm finding very useful indeed. I'm not at the point where I'll be building this, but it's nice to get ideas. Feedback is welcome!

well it all seems easily portable in a rucksack and 2 cases... so ok on public transport!! another option of course is buy a massive case for home and swap what you need into a single case for a gig...
I hope your wife is understanding...

I can't complain so far :-) Talk about travelling light: I'm off for a weekend next, and I'll be taking Oxi + iPad + headphones. Curious to see how that works out. Nothing modular, though there is the Model D on iPad. It's a trial run of my summer holiday when we'll be travelling very light as well.

So which is your favorite shifter, and why? do u think digital vs analog makes sense for a shifter comparison, or own both kind of approach do u think ?
-- fzzz

For me, the main two differences between DSP-based and analog frequency shifters are:
1) DSP-based shifters produce aliasing of the high frequencies when shifting upwards. This can of course be a wanted effect. Some VST plugins also have compensation for that: https://soniccharge.com/echobode
2) Analog shifters only have aliasing for low frequencies when shifting downwards. But often, the signal bleed through of the modulating oscillator is a problem. Especially, when I want to use them with delay and feedback.

Two things:

1/ Download and try VCV Rack software
2/ Buy a copy of the book Patch & Tweak

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT buy anything before doing the above items.

Thank me later :-)

output of vco into vca and then possibly into a filter (or vice versa)
-- JimHowell1970

I like to put the filter before the VCA these days so the resonance gets handled by the envelope as well but that's just a variation of the perfectly fine workflow Jim explained so well.

Main beat comes from Pamela's New Workout > Disting Mk4 > Ts-L plus Bloom > Ts-L as well as Eudemonia > Ts-L. Next up, Pam is clocking Varigate 4+ into Plaits which is set up to clap on the down beat. Basimilus is the kick drum.

Or you could mic up your coffee machine. No, seriously! If you check out Tangerine Dream's BRILLIANT early dronefest "Zeit", you can hear the result on (I think?) "Birth of Liquid Pleiades", where the "liquid" part is Edgar miking up Dieter Dierks' Mr. Coffee machine.

And scarily...it works!

EDITED May 23rd 2022, 20:36

Actually, the OP needs to get the 0-Ctrl as well, because https://reverb.com/item/39263230-3dwaves-triple-tier-stands-for-the-make-noise-0-coast-0-ctrl-strega-semi-modular-synthesizers With that stand to keep things organized-ish, getting the third device for the Make Noise "Cheapsel" and putting them all in one spot is an excellent opportunity and super-easy.

As for the Palette, though...that doesn't really click, particularly if you're shooting for drones, noises, and generative things. Around here, the common wisdom is that the best solution for a new modular build and new user is the Tiptop Mantis. 104 hp x 2, $335, with a seriously stonkin' power supply (3A on the +12!). Can't beat it with an ugly stick!

Couple of other points: first, you should probably aim for a more all-encompassing modular with the eye to making it capable of working with the 0-stuff. But at the same time, a fully-built-out modular can function as a "nexus" of processing, control, and sound generation for the "Cheapsel" as well as most anything that winds up in the studio. So it's not JUST an instrument. In fact, one of my installation works from c. 2000 uses my modular (Digisound 80) purely as a processing device.

Second, a build in a Mantis can be easily expanded. Tiptop has a set of connecting brackets that lets you put two of them together in an "over/under" configuration (see here: https://tiptopaudio.com/mantis/) and that'll double your hp immediately. And 416 hp can hold a scary-powerful synth! Plus $335 beats $399, especially when you consider the additional space, the excellent power supply, and also...it's just as portable as the Palette. Hell, Tiptop even offers a gig bag sized for the Mantis.

One last suggestion: you might also budget for a suitable controller. With a modular system, your best bet has got to be Arturia's Keystep Pro. I absolutely love mine; in tandem with some of the other sequencing hardware here, the KSP also fits that "nexus" definition.

York Modular: VACVCA Vactrol-based VCA 4HP
Little Fish Audio: 555 Envelope 4HP

EDITED May 23rd 2022, 20:23

1010's Bitbox is nice for that..
if you just wanna play long samples as backing track or vibes I recommend radio music by music thing modular

Sort of annoying that there haven't been any new rack themes in forever. Would be really nice to have a wood case without huge shelf pieces between the rows, to mimic higher end studio furniture.

Hi, I’m new as well and will soon order my first set. Will not be able to help out with the specifics you’re asking about here, but I think this buyers guide from the r/modular was really helpful to navigate the world in the beginning!

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N46vujaaUOv2yyZq66Tuw5PNQmiBcRPypyQyHzghqos/edit?usp=sharing

EDITED May 23rd 2022, 18:47

Hello there,

My name's Clément. I've been playing and using synths since 2018-2019. Starting slow with a Korg Volca Modular, then a Korg Minilogue, then an Arturia Microfreak, then a Moog Mother-32 and some other hardware and software synths. By watching videos on youtube and playing synths alone and with my friends, I've been more and more fascinated by the modular world (as we all are obviously). I then got the hands on a Make Noise Strega and a 0-CTRL, I've been so glad and happy with those two. I also got a DIY arduino synth made with an arcade stick, which works in his own way and is wonderful, but unfortunately, there's no CV or any other possibilities of modulation, so it's kind of a only live instrument.

Anyway, I've decided to really start my journey into modular synths, but I need some advices about what to get first. My idea was to keep the Strega & 0-CTRL and then starting slow by buying just a rack and one or two modules, just to give more possibilities to those twos, then surely switch to full modular at one point, just take the time to understand better each module I'll get. I've already choose my first rack and it's gonna be an Intellijel Palette 104 HP.

I mostly want to do drone / noise / ambient kind of stuff, no drums, no melodies, just play with noises and sounds. Experimental thingy. I also want to be able to use my guitar or bass with the modular (as I do with Strega), but maybe in a second time.
I was thinking that my first modules didn't need to be sound sources, maybe any other things that can help me expand my Strega & 0-CTRL. I'm lost in the sea of brands and modules.

Sorry for the long post, but I think it was necessary if I wanted my request to be precise.
Hope you can help me and have a great day!

Clément

awesome thanks guys

plaits has an internal vc/vcf/lpg - most oscillators do not have this...

I'm assuming that the e352 doesn't...

pitch from bsp to vco pitch input (maybe marked v/oct)

output of vco into vca and then possibly into a filter (or vice versa)

gate from bsp into cv input of vca or into envelope generator and then into cv input of vca

I haven't got an E352, but I do have Plaits and use it with the BSP. Pick either the yellow or the green sequencer. At the back, you will find "pitch", which goes into the Plaits V/Oct. And the trigger goes into the trigger. That's the basic setup. It works well with e.g. the resonance modes ("mini-Rings"). You can adjust some parameters by long-pushing the left button. See the manual for more info.

You can also patch the trigger to an envelope generator, as with analog VCOs that don't have triggers themselves. You can use the velocity to modify parameters, e.g. the timbre or the harmonics. But I don't find that very easy to do with the BSP as the pads aren't very accurate for velocity, so you'll have to use those knobs at the top to correct it all.

Ok, got it.
If the CV input of the sampler track 1 V/Octaves you can control your synth samples chromatically, So check for this spec in the features of the sampler you are considering.
The Squarp Rample can do this.

Very neat!

I mean that I can store my own synth samples on the sampler (wav, aiff, etc.) that I can control and play via an external keyboard