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You're not going to manage an Iridium/Quantum in modular. Polyphony in modular generally results in huge systems, as you need a massive amount of repeated modules in groups...for starters. Same VCOs, VCFs, VCAs, LFOs, etc etc. Oh, and it'll have you ripping your hair out while programming it. But then, this isn't really what modular is about; you want to build something in Eurorack that is capable of stuff that only a modular can do, just like a Waldorf synth does what THEY do.

The Mantis is a good starting choice, as it can easily be expanded with a second Mantis + the link brackets. Also, the current capacity of the P/S is beefy. But the build above is just not going to work...there's too many really big modules in there in space that could be better used by smaller modules. That way, you can have some elaborate capabilities that, right now, this build isn't capable of.

Lessee here........OK...hmm, not bad:

OK...so, I coupled a sampler together with a VERY complex harmonic oscillator. Yeah, just one...and given what it's capable of, one is all you need! Let's have a look...

TOP: OK...I improved on the MIDI interface by putting in one of Hexinverter's Mutant Brain interfaces. 12 gates, four CVs, with a nice bit of flexibility. Then the Xaoc Odessa oscillator, plus a Hel, the four-voice poly expander...so you can have some polyphony until you hit the VCF, which gives you paraphony. A pair of VCAs is after this, with switchable response. Then that little black sliver is a pair of rectifier-type waveshapers, so that if you want to "nasty up" the Odessa, just run its VCAs through that. Then the multichannel sampler, which here is a Squarp Rampler...this saves space, and it makes the sampler a lot easier to deal with since you only have four outs. After that, there's a Veils which gives each Rampler channel its own VCA. Then to sum all of the VCAs down to stereo, there's an Omsonic UPE, which is a unity gain mixer with panning across six channels. With the audio signal now in stereo, I went with a Xaoc Zagrzeb, which is a stereo multimode VCF with all modes "hot" and in stereo. This filter also allows some weird things, such as putting a HPF on the left and an LPF on the right so that sounds can "migrate" across the stereo field, plus a lot of other potential mayhem. Beads goes in after that, then a Happy Nerding FX Aid XL for typical processing, then this feeds a Happy Nerding Isolator, which transformer-isolates your outputs so that you can avoid ground loops...plus you can hit it hard with the audio signal to get a nice bit of transformer saturation.

BOTTOM: A Doepfer noise/random/S&H module starts this off, then I swapped the Benjolin for a Wogglebug. Similar sort of idea, but more space-sensible. Next, the Make Noise Tempi/Rene mkii combo provides a similar sequencer environment to the Erica, but with a LOT more timing tricks as those two modules are designed to be used together, unlocking some hidden bits that a backplane connector between them uses. Then Maths, followed by a Tenderfoot triple attenuverter/mixer for CV and modulation signals. Another dual VCA like in the top row is after that to provide level control over modulation signals. And last, an Intellijel Quadrax/Qx combo lets you generate basic envelopes...or complex composite ones. Or even more if you crosslink them with the Maths.

That's a better use of space, I think. By doing this, it opened up more space for more functionality without having to resort to having itty-bitty controls for your main modules. And going with the Rampler will be easier to deal with than the Bitbox, which would require quite a bit more in utilities, etc to use to its best advantage. And the Odessa only seems to just be one oscillator...which it is and also isn't. Xaoc stuff is generally very feature-rich, and this is no exception. And hey...I came up with a sum that's only $50 off of your own, but this'll do WAY more for your money.

EDITED Dec 14th 2021, 04:31

Hmmmm...in truth, 3U x 84 hp isn't a good way to start. It'll force you into one of two situations...

1) You wind up using very slim modules, 6 hp and down. This has an inherent flaw in that if you don't have fingers about the diameter of spaghetti, it'll be a total bitch to use.

2) You put normal sized modules in, and then run out of room before one or two critical modules can be installed.

I don't endorse either possibility. Instead...and you hear this a lot here...get a Tiptop Mantis. US street on it is $335, and you can add a second Mantis later on with their expansion bracket set. Power supply is also quite hefty in those, and unless you stick several tube-based modules into the build, you're not likely to exceed the current capacity, even on startup inrushes. They're lightweight, and Tiptop even makes an optional gig bag for them.

And speaking of Tiptop, they're working with Buchla on a line of 200-series Eurorack modules. The 281t and 258t are supposed to be out around the end of the year, with the 245t, 257t, 266t, and 292t dropping during 2022. And with THESE, the Buchla "price tag" is gone; the 281t is $210 and the 258t is $200. Given that there's other Buchla or Serge-based Eurorack modules around, you could easily build a pure "West Coast" rig in a single Mantis. But don't try it in the cab you've got above...you won't have room.

Yay...not dead! Going to have to take time-released nitroglycerin tabs for the foreseeable future, though.

Also...there's a disc that'll be at Carle Hospital's records department in a couple of weeks that'll hopefully include the cardiac ultrasound waveforms from one of my tests. That shit sounds VERY alien...and in stereo, even! You know I've gotta do something with it!

Sending health and well wishes duder, let us know how things go

Thanks yeah it sucks that I ordered in first week of November and no update since then from shipping. Hopefully I get the module and not out of the $100 for it. At least my other modules arrived from Plum Audio and they are quite good plus Shay at Plum Audio is super nice and helpful. I give mad props to Lugia for the recommendation to buy the 1u Apex module so good for small space and modulation in my 4u palette case. I really like O*C a lot too and easier to use than Expert Sleepers Disting EX!

I ran some comparison between my Doepfer SEM and WASP filters this weekend for fun:

Both are excellent filters and work well with bass and percussion. The SEM is smooth and based I think on the Oberheim filter and the WASP is more aggressive, gritty and can self oscillate and based on the EDP vintage synth filter. Definitely great value for modular filters with good character and easy to use.

Hi, gang! Now that XODES has come up with these really excellent tile frames, and there's also some other similar devices...could we get a way to add tiles/modules to these, sort of in the same way that the half-height Buchla modules work over in that part of the site. It seems relatively simple (just alter the image/grid layouts so that you can drop tiles in) to implement, which of course is probably totally wrong on my part.
-- Lugia

Yes please!
-- hpdr

So now, 3rd wish for this possibility to combine XODES tile frames with 1U modules :) Thanks!

read a lot (30+) newbie threads - take the advice that always stands out

read the stickies at the top of the modwiggler eurorack forum

try to work out what you want the modular for

get a bigger case

read my signature
-- JimHowell1970

Yeah !
That's why I put utility modules. (logic, buff mult etc...)
I will still read.

I still believe I can do something good with this little case. :)

Thanks.

-- 202kwam

I spent a lot of time over about 18 months reading and watching videos before spending a penny on eurorack gear 5 years or so ago - some people seem to think they have done a lot of reading in 30 mins over a weekend - I guess it's really down to attention span - mine is much worse now than it was then

ok let's start with buffered mult - as the case is so small i would not try to cram 2 'voices' in there - so a buffered mult is superfluous, as they are only really needed for v/oct (ie pitch) signals - a bit of voltage droop on audio or any cv that is not v/oct will be unnoticeable - and passive mults in a case this size just take up valuable hp - get stackcables or other forms of passive external splitting - like headphone splitter

belief is sometimes good - but often flawed

I believe you may be able to get something good out of a case this size, but I don't necessarily think you will be able to get lots of somethings good out of it - do yourself a massive favour and get something at least twice the size to start off with there is no need whatsoever to fill it this week/month/year- much better to start bigger with space to expand as you learn what the fuck you are doing rather than having to buy a second case in 3-6 months (which is way more expensive than buying a sensibly sized one to start with) and then once you know exactly what you are doing go smaller if you still feel the need to only use a beauty case for whatever reason - mostly it seems to be "because it fits in my handbag" - almost all those youtube influencers are pulling modules out of much bigger cases to highlight specific patches that they have worked out over years of practice - starting with a too small case adds artificial contraint and forces you into a specific workflow, which is highly unlikely to be your workflow

Hi, gang! Now that XODES has come up with these really excellent tile frames, and there's also some other similar devices...could we get a way to add tiles/modules to these, sort of in the same way that the half-height Buchla modules work over in that part of the site. It seems relatively simple (just alter the image/grid layouts so that you can drop tiles in) to implement, which of course is probably totally wrong on my part.
-- Lugia

Yes please!

yes to both - anything can be done with modular as long as you are prepared to pay for it - and probably more than if you found a stand alone box that can do it... but it may be more satisfying, a better workflow for you, more fun, more interesting etc things that are worth paying for perhaps!?!?!?!

it's more about the user and how they 'play' the instrument than the instrument though

1. there are many ways to create polyphonic/paraphonic chords with modules - the trickiest part is sequencing them - personally I don't like the idea of sequencing root notes and sequencing the gender and degree of the chord - there are plenty of modules that do this , instruo harmonaig, qu-bit chord etc - I prefer to sequence every note - I use an acl sinfonion for this which allows me to sequence a chord progression and has multiple quantizers and an arpeggiator to keep everything else in key with the chord progression which other modules will not do for you, but it is expensive and quite big - you'll also need either a lot of voices (4-8 oscillators is probably a good starting point for a pad, plus filters and support modules - doepfer has a load of polyphonic modules designed for just this, wavefonix may also be worth looking at, if you want analog) or a digital module that is specifically designed to output chords, or can do it as a feature - maybe 4ms ensemble oscillator - there are almost definitely others - I tend to use a expert sleepers general cv for this and then process the output through delay and reverb

2. sequence a bassline - take a square wave output from whatever oscilllator you are using for the bass and send it through a clock divider - /2 = -1 octave, /4 = -2 octaves, use multiples of this slightly detuned, mix them, filter and distort them - there are also modules that will output sub-octaves - probably want to mix in the filtered and distorted original basslines so that they get some slightly higher frequency content so that people listening on phones, laptops etc can get an idea of what you are aiming for rather than creating music that can only be reproduced with a sub-woofer

My OCP with Hemisphere arrived this weekend and I tried a bunch of applets and cannot find a way to do this. It has an internal clock option but I cannot find one to do the retrigger either and watched a bunch of synth tutorial videos on it. Still a great module and having a few is worth it even if you need to use another module to retrigger and reset the clocking. I use Pam or Batumi for the reset trigger option right now with my O&C modules.
-- sacguy71

I'm not sure about the Hemispheres firmware. But with the original firmware, you could generally scroll down into the menu and assign TR2 or TR4 to the reset function.

speedy recovery, while your presence is missed my bank account needs some recovery as well. It seems I am always picking up a new module that I never heard about in your posts (106 Chorus, now that one is lovely)

1) Can pad be done on modular?
2) Can dirty gnarly gritty distorted speaker-cracking sub bass be done on modular?

I tried to document a lot of my first 98hp 3u build here: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9200

It has been a joy to build and use. Furthermore it has the approval from some of the strictest pros on this forum 😀

Get better soon Lugia!

Wish you good health and fast recovery, friend !
I'll try to increase my knob wiggling rate to somewhat compensate for your absence ;-)

Make: Analog Synthersizers (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Analog-Synthesizers-Ray-Wilson/dp/1449345220) was a good read for me

Probably also worth asking in the Synth DIY Reddit, and DIY forum on ModWiggler too

EDITED Dec 13th 2021, 07:36

read a lot (30+) newbie threads - take the advice that always stands out

read the stickies at the top of the modwiggler eurorack forum

try to work out what you want the modular for

get a bigger case

read my signature
-- JimHowell1970

Yeah !
That's why I put utility modules. (logic, buff mult etc...)
I will still read.

I still believe I can do something good with this little case. :)

Thanks.

My OCP with Hemisphere arrived this weekend and I tried a bunch of applets and cannot find a way to do this. It has an internal clock option but I cannot find one to do the retrigger either and watched a bunch of synth tutorial videos on it. Still a great module and having a few is worth it even if you need to use another module to retrigger and reset the clocking. I use Pam or Batumi for the reset trigger option right now with my O&C modules.

Does anyone know of any good books on audio synthesizer circuit design.

I'm an EE major and i would like to build a synthesizer for my senior design project. The project should include timer 555(datasheet: https://www.apogeeweb.net/circuitry/ne555-vs-lm555-timer-ics-what-is-the-difference.html) I've built a basic setup using Radio Shack parts (555's, 741's, etc.) but I want to build something with more stability and style!

I own theory books including Sergio Francos excellent book on op-amp and IC design. But i would like to find a book which gives a more detailed design description of actual circuits used in audio synthesizers.

Tube based synthesizer design would be another cool way to go!

I just need more info.

Thanks,

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

whoa...my prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.
So appreciative of all the advice and guidance you've provided me...even though I didn't listen to #1 and #6 I am still having an absolute blast with what I have thanks to you and several others on this awesome forum :)

Probably worthwhile to at the QX expander onto that Quadrax for only $70 and 4HP more you add quite a bit of modulation muscle.

Fingers crossed Lugia - our thoughts are with you!!!
Get Well Soon!!!

Okay, so, I've been looking though all of your feedback and changing a few things, now this is what I ended up with:

First off, you're probably right about getting a bigger case even though I wasn't a fan of it at first. I've known about the Mantis beforehand - a friend of mine owns one, and for some reason I've found it to be a bit clunky and, as stupid as it sounds, somewhat ugly, so that's why I didn't want to get one. @sacguy71 's other suggestion of simply getting the Intellijel 7U case is probably the most obvious solution, so that might be what I'm going to do. That also allows me to keep the Midi 1U module which I'll be relying a lot on and saves me space for a bigger 3U 5-pin Midi in module (and since the case is bigger I can keep the stupid music box in for now). Other than that, I love most of @Chace 's changes, so I integrated a lot of that, pretty much only changing the 4X Stereo Mix for a PanMix, since I've got more space to work with now. Added a spring reverb, since that sounds like it could be fun, changed the CIP for a Loquelic Iteritas and stuck in a Maths, because if I got the space, why wouldn't I.

If there's anything else you think could/needs to be changed or added, I'm always happy about suggestions. For now, many thanks to all of you for helping me out!

Get healthy soon. Synthworld will keep you in our thoughts.

In hospital. Had some cardiac symptoms around 8 last night, went to the ER, and it looks like I'll be here thru at least tomorrow. So it's not easy to post on the Samsung.

Nevertheless, I'll leave some nagging here to tide everyone over until I've got a real computer again. Until then...

1. Make your cases bigger!

2. MORE VCAs!

3. MORE UTILITIES!

4. No, you really don't need mults in a small build.

5. ALWAYS overspec your P/S current by 25% over your expected current draw.

6. Start your build in a cab that you think is too large...because it probably isn't.

Back in a day or two, hopefully.

read a lot (30+) newbie threads - take the advice that always stands out

read the stickies at the top of the modwiggler eurorack forum

try to work out what you want the modular for

get a bigger case

read my signature

The Erica Synths Black System III or Techno System would be my choice.

Thank you, much appreciated. I like the sound of the Black System III a lot and I am really into dark techno stuff.
The Shared System looks nice and shiny and sounds good to my ears. I enjoy putting modules together but I am overwhelmed by the choices.

I recommend the Erica Synths Black System III to start with if you like the demos from the Erica Synths modules. I have a lot of their modules and love them and the Black Sequencer is one of the best modular sequencers and user friendly for beginners. That said, I also have the Make Noise Shared System and enjoy that but it is better suited for pure weird experimental type stuff. Erica Synths is more focused on techno and dance style music but can do ambient as well. Make Noise takes effort to make dance techno music. BUT half of the fun is building a custom instrument from different modules versus an all in one system from one company like Make Noise or Erica Synths. I started off two years ago with a Doepfer A100 Basic System 1 based on recommendations from my modular synth friends in southern California when I was brand new to modular and also because at the time there were no Make Noise or Erica Synths systems available for sale at the time. It was helpful and good Doepfer modules sound great and easy to use. I added to the case and now have different brands. Also check out Verbos Performance System they are expensive but analog and sound incredible. Building own system is the most fun however and best learning process.

Great

Agree, love going down the rabbit hole with O&C. Its actually teaching me MANY different topics in the modular world in one small module...but it is frustrating that something this simple isn't available, at least not at this time :) I have posted to the ModWiggler O&C thread and hopefully a developer will pick up on the feature and add it in at some point.

-- jb61264

Good idea, I hadn't thought about that.

Same thing (in a way) with Temps Utile, which does almost everything Pam's New Workout does, except that amazingly useful .... simple On/Off button! If they could just add that into the firmware, it would be a no brainer with TU costing half the price of PNW.

Thanks a lot. Like your rack.

I red a lot (not enough) but not enough for the modules i put in the rig.

I'm looking for another vco than Behringer. :) removed from my cart.

I'm open to evolve with another eurorack case. (Future)

Don't want to get too much digitals modules (still interesting though) . (Even if it seems digital's ones seels 'swiss army knife' s)

Save money and be patient. (not easy)

I own cheap multifx's hardware. And free FX's vst's in my DAW. (so this is not my first aim)

Many thanks.
I appreciate your answer.

Tried my first rack here, would go for a mantis rack.
I am interested in experimental, dark, droning, sampling, granular, techno, ambient, wavetable.
Had a Waldorf Iridium before and would like this in analog/modular.
Would you change anything? Do I have to take care of anything?
Or should I rather buy a Shared System used for €3500?
Or a Black System III ?
Or should I start smaller (nifty)?
I would sometimes like to use my digitakt as a sequencer/sound source, is it possible with this?
I am no technician and have two left hands :)
Sorry for all the questions.
But I love music...

EDITED Dec 12th 2021, 15:00

Wow, that's pretty f'ing cool...really impressive. Thanks for posting!

Others will be able to give you better advice than I can but here's what I know will most likely be pointed out. First and foremost, the 3U is extremely small to be wanting it to be a 'stand-alone' modular. I have a Rackbrute 3U but my 'goal' with it is to use as a compliment to my Minibrute2 synth...not as a stand-alone. Because of that, I'm including lots of modulation and effects modules.

I would get rid of the 2500, it takes up a lot of HP space, which you don't have...there are probably better smaller options than this and you already have the Hysteria VCO in there. Consider adding Pamela's New Workout for a clock source and maybe FX Aid XL instead.

I'm assuming you have this set as 88HP as listed on Arturia's website...in fact, you can get 89HP which I have set both my Rackbrute 6U and 3U to.

A very clever module that @Lugia recommended for me in my 3U case is the Bastl Hendrikson which will allow me to incorporate external stompboxes for effects, etc as well. They are discontinued, but you may still be able to find out somewhere. The Hendrikson combined with this: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TriParMix--electro-harmonix-tri-parallel-mixer you'll be able to add up to three other external devices into your setup :) Other options to Hendrikson are Strymon AA.1 and Malekko SND/RTN

Maybe also consider adding ornament and crime as a swiss army knife utility module as well if you have the space.

EDITED Dec 12th 2021, 18:57

Just to chip in, I have O&C (I'm also running the original firmware), and as I far as I know, what you want to do isn't possible - asking O&C to re-trigger itself.

Actually, it's one of the oddest things about O&C. It's, as some say, the Swiss army knife of modular, but some of the most obvious things you'd love it to do....it doesn't! You can freeze sequences, alter them on the fly either yourself or via algorithms, and more. Yet to have a simple possibility to clock or trigger itself, and in some of the modes a possibility to stop or start, it doesn't do. However, it's a brilliant module, and as you already said 'diving down the rabbit hole of O&C is much fun, and often very productive.

-- joesh

Agree, love going down the rabbit hole with O&C. Its actually teaching me MANY different topics in the modular world in one small module...but it is frustrating that something this simple isn't available, at least not at this time :) I have posted to the ModWiggler O&C thread and hopefully a developer will pick up on the feature and add it in at some point.

EDITED Dec 12th 2021, 14:13

Hi, beginner, yeah again.

10 years I' waiting for hardware modular synth. Don't want to pactice VCV rack really.
My influences was Moog modular,
Buchla modular.

If I could my ho to is an Arp 2600.

Different worlds but : Oberheim, Jupiter 8, Prophet 5, Yamaha Cs 80, Korg Monopoly. Yamaha Dx 7.
Are amazing pieces as music instruments.

Owner of a Moog Mother 32.
An eurorack case Arturia Rack 3u.
And a Dreadbox hysteria VCO.

Here I started setup on modulargrid.

Want to do more than a mother 32.(flexible, versatile)

Want an eurorack which can also works without the Mother 32.

What missing in my modulargrid setup ?
Could this setup could be considered as a standalone semimodular ?

Need to record sound into my USB soundcard. After sampling resequencing, etc...)

Thought to use a midi keyboard which jave a sequencer in it. Or add a sequencer's module, later. Using Ableton live temporarly.

Thanks

And I'd like to point out that Surgeon is an especially cool dude after being awake for 30+ hours and having Denny's for breakfast afterward.
-- Lugia

Yes, really. He seems very humble, very friendly. Very patient too. A whole attitude and philosophy which you can find embodied in his works. Respect.

Just to chip in, I have O&C (I'm also running the original firmware), and as I far as I know, what you want to do isn't possible - asking O&C to re-trigger itself.

Actually, it's one of the oddest things about O&C. It's, as some say, the Swiss army knife of modular, but some of the most obvious things you'd love it to do .... it doesn't! You can freeze sequences, alter them on the fly either yourself or via algorithms, and more. Yet to have a simple possibility to clock or trigger itself, and in some of the modes a possibility to stop or start, it doesn't do. However, it's a brilliant module, and as you already said 'diving down the rabbit hole of O&C is much fun, and often very productive.

Well you definitely need bigger travel case either get an Intellijel 7u case or the Tiptop Mantis case. Replace the massive Loquelic Iteritas Percido with either a Loquelic Iteritas or Manis Iteritas and replace the massive Erica Synths Blackhole DSP v2 with Happy Nerding FX Aid.

I went thru this recently to create a smaller travel setup instead of hauling monster case around. For my needs, I had to use at least two small travel cases to have sufficient modulation, sequencers, support tools and mixers. I was able to get a lot in my 4u Intellijel Palette case but did add 1u support modules like Apex, DVCA, and Milky Way 1u to free up space in the main case.

I put some modules in my new 7u Intellijel case today except for the Piques After Audio modules that I need to order. Here is my test setup:

I plan to use it with my 4u palette case or my 6u Doepfer case that has Batumi and O&C for modulation and envelopes.

Thoughts? I had fun making techno experimental on it this evening. So far I can do a lot just with this and my 4u palette case or my 6u Doepfer suitcase that has modules better suited in vertical position. This case focus is really a supplement to carry my sequencers in easy access for performance.

Definitely hope to meet Surgeon and you all one day at a future synth meetup. I am finishing up my mobile rig and so far have it down to one 6u Doepfer suitcase, a 4u Intellijel Palette case and a 7u Intellijel case. I can mix and match for easy travel.

If this is in an Intellijel Palette, I would strongly suggest removing the buffered mult and dropping this in instead: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-stereo-mixer-1u This connects to the Palette's 1/4" jacks like a typical stereo out, but it has a parallel stereo input with a level control so that you can use it as an extra FX return post-mix. Plus, in a small build like this, multiples of this sort are pretty much a waste. In this case, you've got a dual buffered mult, but there's not enough destinations for a single CV to cause voltage sag. Stick with stackcables or inline mults instead.
-- Lugia

Hey, thanks for the comment. This is a custom case so I don’t get any of the built in stuff from the palette. Any other advice would be nice though.

And I'd like to point out that Surgeon is an especially cool dude after being awake for 30+ hours and having Denny's for breakfast afterward.

If this is in an Intellijel Palette, I would strongly suggest removing the buffered mult and dropping this in instead: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-stereo-mixer-1u This connects to the Palette's 1/4" jacks like a typical stereo out, but it has a parallel stereo input with a level control so that you can use it as an extra FX return post-mix. Plus, in a small build like this, multiples of this sort are pretty much a waste. In this case, you've got a dual buffered mult, but there's not enough destinations for a single CV to cause voltage sag. Stick with stackcables or inline mults instead.

+1 on the Mantis as well. Fact is, it's $335 street in the USA, has excellent current output from its P/S, and is lightweight for portability. You can even get a matching gig bag for it, and if you feel the need to expand it, just get the expander links that match the cases. This would also make it easier to use some of the larger modules from the first build above, although I think you should try to keep the "panel bloat" to a minimum.

It's a shame they seem to have dropped the in-rack VCV Recorder module (to push people to buy pro?), that was super convenient...
-- justarandomgeek

In case you don't know, the Recorder is back. It just wasn't ready for initial release.

-- ProggyBoog

Yeah, they've been doing some incremental changes since 2.0.0 dropped. Last I checked (last night) they'd moved on up to 2.0.3