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Hey, thanks everyone for the helpful advice, I really appreciate it.

I've decided to remove the Vector and just sequence everything from Live initially via CV Tools. I can always add an on-board sequencer later if I click with modular. It takes a lot of hp and cash for something I can (somewhat) replicate in my DAW. Although I'm really tempted to add a Metropolis there! If only it could handle more than one voice...

I've replaced the Tallin with a Quad VCA. I may go with two Tallins instead - the overdrive saturation sounds so good! Just have to decide if it's worth the difference in price...

I removed the Chainsaw. It's actually the only module in the rack that I was a bit hesitant about anyway...it seems like a one-trick pony, albeit a very good one. I can get the supersaw and those beautiful string sounds (from DivKid's video) on my DAW (even on my Virus hardware), so again, it's not something I should add to the rack.

I've also added a Maths (now that I have space!). I have a 1U Quadratt and 1U Buffered Mult as well as 1U Noise Tools. Do you think I'm missing anything critical now in support modules?

Do you guys think I need a Quadrax, or will the Zadar/Maths/etc be enough?

I also have the little 1U scope as a learning/debugging tool (I rely on a scope a lot when using VCV Rack, it's really helped me locate issues when I can't work out what's going on). :)

I do agree that I should start smaller and add modules gradually. The only reason I've included so much here is because of postage costs - there's a massive difference in shipping costs from the US to my part of the world if you ship everything together. That said, I noticed it's much cheaper to ship from Germany, so I need to investigate that route.

Hi Quantum_Eraser,

If you don't mind, I didn't use headphones, instead, since I saw it was you, I knew you would have something good up your sleeve, I straight away went to my listening chair and yes :-) I wasn't disappointed, very well done again!

Your track has a nice tension and provides a quite high excitement feeling to the listener, makes the listener stuck in the chair, can't move, just utterly impressed by your music! :-)

I stick with my statement earlier this year, back in May. Your music has a very good potential for movie sound tracks. For me you could be the next Hans Zimmer (and better if you would ask me). So let me know which first movie contains your music, can't wait for the movie as well as I can't wait for your music for that movie :-)

Thank you very much for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: If you don't mind I will press a few more times the repeat play button for your track, enjoying my night with your movie sound track, just waiting for the movie ;-)

Edit: Removed typo.

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 23:48

I have a Malekko Richter Anti-Oscillator VCO and Dual Borg filter on the way. Unfortunately neither manual explains how to plugin these modules correctly in a case and I don't want to screw up and blow them up causing a loss of the product. Any ideas on how to align the module, ribbon cable correctly in a basic Doepfer A100 case?

Thanks @Sweelinck,

I will have to look into Rnd Step (S&Hs) by DivKid as having a second modulation tool for S&H would go well with the Richter Anti-Oscillator, Batumi LFO and Borg Filter that should arrive this week. Also looking at filling the last HP with Expert Sleepers Disting EX as it has quantizer, S&H, and so many goodies in one module. I need a good quantizer and more utilities to round out my setup. I also need more patch cables. Funny how many you end up using in one row to modulate everything completely.

Hi,

I made some changes based on your advices ("never enough vca's", audio processing / effects / modulation sources) and made some changes. Small rack, so I try to privilege polyvanlent modules. I just wonder if the digital mimetic cannot be replaced by an O_c and maybe i need a stéréo mixer ...

What do you think of this set UP ?

Thanks !

Salad

EDITED Sep 10th 2020, 14:40

I was looking at the York Modular one a couple of weeks back.

Power-wise I was thinking of Konstantlab, a couple of their bus boards first and see if I have enough power for a couple of extra power sockets / Modules then get their proper case power and sell the uZeus modules.

I'd be tempted to make a list of all the types of modules that you don't understand and then ask yourself what do you think they do before looking it up and once you have gone through that exercise go back and ask yourself what you would use it for note down any further questions you have about it, note them down - maybe the only way to answer some is to buy a module - a disting mk4 or ex may be a big help in this regard...

This is great advice. I’ve started putting a lot more energy into this and on top of sketching here in modular grid i’ve been poking around in miRack (VCV rack fork for iOS) to put some of that learning into practice. Sometimes it doesn’t really come into focus until I see/hear what is happening.

I hear you on the mantis! Will definitely look hard at it. Backpack option is cool.

Again, appreciate the thoughtful remarks. Lots to think about! Very glad to have had this conversation before just going for it.

Nice - I have a York Modular Active Matrix Mixer and a Reverse Landfill Video Matrix Mixer - If I ever get another - and you never know, the AISynthesis one is at the top of my list! Don't forget to experiment with feedback mixing!

Next purchase looks like a power upgrade, then - I've got an befaco excalibus kit in the mail (overhaul of power for case 3) - I've got one already (case 4) and it seems solid and reasonably priced + it doesn't take up rack space!

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 18:01

Just uploaded my first Test I made with the Mimosa today. Mimosa slowly kicks in at about 2:10. Maximum Drive i used is about 60%.

I really love how nicely the Mimosa distorts the Sound.

Please use Headphones!

Patchnotes:
1 Layer of Arbhar --> Mimosa --> ZDSP --> Out
Nebulae V2 is playing A Vocal Sample from the Movie "The Vengeance of She". The Sample is slowed down and pitched up. This goes into QPAS (Bandpass) --> Mimeophon --> Out

No MIDI output like on the little brother?
-- FLOz

There’s a midi expander, but you‘ll need specific firmware and I think it sacrifices two regular functions.

That's a serious system you're thinking of. As it stands, you could do some real things with that system.

I would worry that if you're new to eurorack, then you jumping right to that very sophisticated a system, you wouldn't deeply investigate each module's potential. I would start with a core set of modules, and step up from there. When I got Arbhar, I had to set it aside in it's own case so I could learn it by itself, without the distraction of the rest of my system.

The VCA suggestions so far are good ones. Tallin is a great sound VCA, but you'll want more VCAs, and something like the Quad VCA or the MI Veils will give you a lot more possibilities.

I'm not sure about the Vector for a system this size. Vector looks like a great sequencer, but it's only got 2 tracks, right? With as many voices as this system has, I would want a minimum of 4 sequencer tracks. Either Vector needs a smaller backup sequencer, or I would look into Eloquencer, USTA, Stillson Hammer or Metron with a CV expander. Don't get me wrong, Vector looks great.

You're on the right path, and you've often obviously really thought this out. Keep working!

*Ordered an AI Matrix Mixer kit. I fancied the possibilities this offered anyway.

*Just spotted I actually have 2 spare power sockets :)

*Ordered Kinks.

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 15:29

Hi and welcome Majestic. I agree with everything Jim said. You will want more VCAs than just the Tallin, and you do have too many feature modules and not enough utilities. The Zadar and Batumi will offer great modulation possibilities, but you will want to attenuate/invert/control some of that modulation (a Happy Nerding 3xMIA and a quad VCA, maybe?). Jim's suggestion of starting with the Korg SQ1 is spot-on as well. You may find that you want to go a different route than the more expensive Vector Sequencer.
I prefer larger modules too, so I had to get a much bigger case to accommodate the utilities that make the fun modules more exciting. All of the feature modules you have chosen are great, but you won't get the most out of them the way you have planned this out in such a small footprint.
My final food-for-thought is to consider a different polyphonic source besides the Chainsaw. I had the Chainsaw along with the WMD Triad, and found it to be very limited for the cost. I ultimately decided on an external hardware polysynth. Just an idea to consider.
Have fun and good luck!

thought as much - a few sub mixers would be useful though before filters!
as I said another row for utilities for making more, more interesting modulation from what you've already got - I'd probably squeeze an fx aid xl in too

Yes I have an external mixer and 2 effects pedals...

thanks!

looks great, but I would want another row for utilities - another quad vca (mutable or intellijel), a matrixmixer, a sequential switch, attenuators, kinks etc and all for modulation

how are you mixing - out of the box?

you could replace the atom with a full size rings - that way you would be showing Emilie how much you appreciate her work - instead giving all your money to cloners - but that's up to you!! - you may liked cramped,modules with minicontrols - I don't!

the modules that I would remove from this case without a second thought though are the plasma drive and the listen i/o

plasma drive - it is just too big you would be better with a 4hp one from Noise Engineering

the listen i/o is redundant the nifty case already has outputs built in and often they are not needed anyway!

if you replace the ATOM with an OG Rings, the plasma drive with something from Noise Engineering and dumped the listen i/o - you would have an extra 22 hp

I'd add a passive attentuator and Maths - check out the maths illustrated manual online to see why this is one of the most useful modules in modular synthesis

The best advice would be to get a bigger case - a Mantis perhaps - and go slowly

👍🏻

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.

I would get one first and then the second if you still have the urge to buy it - excellent module though!

For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.
-- wishbonebrewery

doepfer "invented" eurorack - lots of excellent basic building block modules at very reasonable prices - there are always special editions, vintage versions and the ability to change the knobs if aesthetics are important

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:38

if you post an actual link to a public rack - not a link to a jpg - you will get a lot more feedback

Personally I think you have way to much in the way of feature modules - and not enough support

I'd take out the five12 vector sequencer expander and replace it with a quad cascading vca (either mutable veils or intellijel) - I might then take out the xaoc vca - whilst you can never have too many vcas - in this size case I. should think 4 is enough - you can always add a 1u if you find you need more

in the space of the xaoc vca I'd probably add kinks and a 2hp passive mult

BUT I would strongly recommend that you go very slowly - buy a minimum viable modular synthesizer for you

a sound source
a modulation source
a sound modifier
es9

as a starting point and become familiar with each module and patching them together - probably a few weeks - then add another module and learn how it works and integrates into your workflow

I would leave the sequencer to last - if you can cope with the workflow with es9 - if not I'd be tempted to buy a simpler sequencer like the korg sq1 - which will always be handy to have - even if you don't use it constantly

I’m a Eurorack newbie. I’ve planned my first rack and I’d really appreciate any comments before I bite the bullet and whack out the credit card.

My goal with the rack is to use it to create sounds that are difficult to produce in my DAW with soft synths, and to just get a creative blast from working hands-on with hardware rather than plugins.

That said, I’d like to use the rack in conjunction with Ableton Live, sending the output back to Live via an ES-9 for effects processing, mixing and final production.

With this in mind, I’ve mainly chosen modules that seem to deliver functionality that’s unique to modular: Morphagene, Arbhar, etc. The rack also has a sequencer, and I’m intending to use CV Tools via the ES-9, but I like the idea of generating happy accidents on the rack using the sequencer’s probability functions, and just generally playing around and noodling.

The sound sources are an Instruo Ts-L, an Odessa, a Chainsaw, Morphagene and Arbhar, driven by a Vector sequencer. Although I’d like to apply most of the effects on the computer, the rack also has a Mimeophon just because I really love it. 😊

I may have too much fun stuff and not enough utility modules - I’ve got no idea! Any advice is appreciated.

You're right. Cv modulation brings life to patches. May I suggest to you those two well thought and affordable modules: Ochd (LFOs) and Rnd Step (S&Hs) by DivKid.
We only have 2 hands. They give us 14 more within 8hp :))

Among my first sparks for modular (and a new form of collaboration) there was this jam session. I felt in love with modular because I saw the ideal complement to my traditional synths and opportunities for live improvisations jams. Berlin school is great for that. Enjoy:

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:53

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.
For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.

Many thanks @Sweelinck,

Indeed it is quite fun patching and tweaking modular! I came up with this funky wobble bass patch on the Doepfer A100 and used Korg SQ-1 to sequence it.

So far been trying different patches and finding out how useful modulation sources and functional generators can be as well as S&H modules. Doepfer A100 Basic system is well thought out with the key ingredients. I did order new modules to fill out the empty row that should arrive next week like the Borg filter and another oscillator plus some more modulation and utility modules like the Batumi Quad LFO and Intellijel Quad VCA plus more EGs and another mixer. I find that having two mixers in a modular setup is nice plus two sequencers so I can sequence and mix a bass track and then use the other separate patch for a drum track mixed into another part. I also have a regular external mixer the K-mix to use to chain my gear together nicely for future shows after COVID ends. I definitely want to jam with other modular artists in the future.

Hey I'm super new to modular, would appreciate any feedback. I'm not sure if I should replace Atom with nRings and something else instead.

Thanks Lugia,

I've been enjoying the Doepfer A100 modular system so far. I did order a few more modules to fill out the case and they should arrive next week: a Borg filter, quad vca, quad EG, and Richter anti-oscillator as well as Batumi quad LFO!

Well, given that it's a variant on Ken Stone's revision of the Serge USG, looking first at THIS might be useful: https://www.elby-designs.com/webtek/euro-serge/es114-universal-slope-generator/es114.htm Also this, from Serge's original docs: https://serge.synth.net/documents/datasheet/DSG.jpg

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules...
-- morphon

Given that this implies that BOTH cabs do this, my immediate reaction is that you're overtaxing the power supplies. But then, when I look at Pitt's site to check the current capacity, I can see that you've got 4A on the +12 and 3A on the -12. So, unless this thing's stacked with tube modules, you'd be hard-pressed to exceed that in 208 hp. The next thing to check, then, will be for flaky module behavior; it's a dirty little secret in modular that all modules are NOT quiet, well-behaved devices, and by unplugging/replugging each module one at a time from the busboards, you'll probably find a few "bad actors". The solution there is a little more...tricky, since the Pitt cabs also appear to have filtered busboards. This makes RF radiation more of a suspect issue here.

Now, the key to fixing stray RF is to isolate the problem component somehow. In a modular synth, this is going to be a major PITA, since there's nothing exactly "isolated" when it's in operation. It IS possible to add a ferrite across a ribbon (or two...one at the busboard end, the other at the module end) to keep this damped down...and if you're lucky, that might be all that's needed here. If NOT...OK, now it gets bonkers.

Also, check the power rails with an oscilloscope. No fooling. There could be power supply problems that, while you'll have the proper voltages on the rails, induce crud on the DC rails that can conceivably get past the busboard filtering. You want ruler-flat DC; if you see ripple or noise to an excessive degree, then the problem is the power supplies...and yeah, since they're OEM-type supplies, it IS conceivable that they could have the same circuit fault.

Lastly, and while I would be amazed if this was the case, how close are you to your current limits in each cab? It's worth noting that when you turn the system on, inrush current loads can be considerably higher for the fraction of a second when they happen than at any other time when the system is turned on. Best rule of thumb with current loading is to have at least 1/4th (and 1/3rd is better!) of your current max load "unused"...because the figures WE see in the MG specs are invariably for operational current, and NOT inrush values, and that headroom is needed for inrush. If you've exceeded 4 Amps in one of these...well, first of all, I'd be amazed...but if you're actually above 3A on your +12V rail, you're in that headroom area. Plus...the easier a load the P/S has to pull, the cooler it runs, and since heat is the enemy of electronic components, this helps lengthen the lifespan of the P/S itself.

Or in the end, you could just do what I do, and power your modulars with linear supplies. These are reliable, solid, noiseless as a rule, and while they're heavy and clunky, they ARE the sine qua non for powering modular synthesizers. I should note that I also do this with my amateur radio gear, and the results are worth it. Switching supplies are cheap, light, and simple, but even with decades of development, they're still just as capable of flaky behavior as they've always been.

Hi everyone,

Been searching high and low for tutorials on using the Doepfer A-171-2 VCS Slew Processor/Generator Serge clone module that came with my Doepfer A100 Basic modular system but cannot find anything on how to patch it and the manual is less than useless from Doepfer. Any ideas? It has Input, CV increase, CV decrease, exp CV, trig, cycle and end/output patch points.

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules they start to give off some noise.
-- morphon

what exactly do you mean by maxed-out - how close to the maximum are you on the power rails?

if you reduce the power draw - take out the most power hungry do you still have the problem?

maybe it's just time for another case and put a few lower power or passive modules in these cases to fill them up

otherwise Mantises have quiet and clean power (clean up to video rate)

Interesting. I'm running a full Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-420 without noise concerns or issues. Maybe ping someone at PM and ask about it?

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 20:02

Gonna throw this out there even though it might not exactly meet your criteria, but I've been considering buying a Crow by Monome to make a flexible microtonal quantizer, and similarly you could make a multichannel one, though given the number of inputs and outputs a multichannel one would require you to update the script to switch scales or change notes.

Ah but have you checked out the XL - extra modulation points - it's a bit more than a forbidden planet, but it is very good value for money

Same with Maths (again a bit more expensive) - there's a lot there for your money - and it would fill a lot of empty space!

another option for rectification is kinks - and you get sample and hold, noise and logic in a small inexpensive package

if you like inexpensive, then there's a lot of very good options with doepfer

@JimHowell1970 & @troux

I have had my eye on that FX AID too, I'm mostly always going for the keener priced options.

I also want to get the 8NU8R from Malekko Heavy Industry as it does Rectification, I could easily mult and i can mix and attenuate in the DPW AV-1. I've been suggested the Happy Nerding 3xMIA which looks like a good option for further LFO mixing, though if i didn't need Befaco STMIX for audio I could use that for blending some LFOs.

Good call on the AI Matrix Mixer, and its a DIY thats my sort of PCB density for my sanity when soldering!

I think I'll second @JimHowell1970 here, add a Maths.

It all depends on your musical goals.
Random and quantizing was important for me, so I first got Marbles (quantized random), then Bloom (opposite way).
And after a while, deeper 'ADN cooking' with URA plus Rnd Step, and... (the winner is :) ADDAC207, the solid choice.

It took me several months to discover (YouTube and forums), buy (Money, desperately a big key: 'That's What I Want', 'It's a gas', etc.), and learn (Manuals). And I'm still learning, and still resolutely don't want any traditional sequencer in my modular.

We must choose tools for the music we want to listen to.
So truly, which kind of music do you plan to ear from yourself?
The answer will be there. I'm not saying anything new...

PS: l use µMidi for Midi clock. Perfect.

@wishbonebrewery

@garfieldmodular
Just now I think the next module may be dictated by price (quite possible the Tiptop Forbidden Planet VCF), I do feel I'm always running out of effects I like the Wash of sound that Clouds reverb gives but if Clouds is doing proper Granular stuff then I need something to help create that ambient smeared wash of sound.

A bit more pricey - but a Happy Nerding FX Aid XL would do a significantly better job of 'ambient smeared wash sound' than a filter

@defragmenteur
I do have quite a bit of modulation, Ochd, 2hp RND which I'm really enjoying for the random gate lengths to control the Freeze button on Clouds, Noise Engineering Clep Diaz, but you are right, I do seem to run out of LFO's pretty easily. And I need to do more about modifying their range (Offsetting, Full & Half rectification and Mixing them).

I'd concentrate on the multing and modification of modulation rather than adding more - shades, kinks and a matrix mixer (AI Synthesis for example), maybe a sequential switch and some passive mults or stackcables will go a lot further than a few extra lfos

I'd also consider Maths as being an interesting complex modulation source - especially if you work your way through the online manual enough times that you can patch program it without thinking too much

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 12:36

@baltergeist
The aesthetic dimension is important. Regardless of the standards we have, our pleasure is visual too.
For example, please take a look at this page: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-beautiful-electric-guitar-ever-made, some are stunning. And you could easily find the same thing for pianos or harpsichords...

@sacguy71
Welcome in our 'wacky' universe, sacguy71. And yep, modular is fun. From the very beginning, and at each stage of our endless learning.
I saw your 'First patch Doepfer A100 Basic System' on YouTube too... a historical document!
A two notes primal loop caught out in a nearly total darkness :) Lovely.
I should have shoot my own first patch too... One thousand regrets.
Please keep yours forever!

True, but I don't really love the idea of changing two modules at the same time and they don't allow for custom scales or adding and removing notes. They do have the nice feature of CV-controllable transposition, though, which the µTune doesn't seem to sport.

You could get multiple 2hp Tune modules, fairly cheap, you could get 4x for less than the price of the ADDAC.

@garfieldmodular
Just now I think the next module may be dictated by price (quite possible the Tiptop Forbidden Planet VCF), I do feel I'm always running out of effects I like the Wash of sound that Clouds reverb gives but if Clouds is doing proper Granular stuff then I need something to help create that ambient smeared wash of sound.

@defragmenteur
I do have quite a bit of modulation, Ochd, 2hp RND which I'm really enjoying for the random gate lengths to control the Freeze button on Clouds, Noise Engineering Clep Diaz, but you are right, I do seem to run out of LFO's pretty easily. And I need to do more about modifying their range (Offsetting, Full & Half rectification and Mixing them).
Yes and Yes on the VCO and YES to Waveshaping, that is kind of the reason for thinking about a Pittsburgh Lifeforms Primary Oscillator as its already full of analogue waveshaping.
If I went for Rings or Plaits, I'd pick Plaits.

@sacguy71
Interesting, I quite fancy the Dual S&H from ADDAC, there looks to be plenty of options within it. Maybe a full on noise source like the SSF Quantum Rainbow.

Cheers All.

Hey, what's good? This is my very first post on the forums, feels like a great place.

I started assembling my rack in April and now I was looking to quantizers. I've got two voices in my rig and noticed the modules I've been having in mind only support a single input channel. Then I found this nice comparison chart¹ and extracted some candidates, but I'm still not really convinced and thought I'd ask for help.
My requirements would be 2 input channels, customizable scales, no screen, not wider than 10HP if possible and bonus points if microtunable.

ADDAC207: Unfortunately quite pricey
Kassutronics Quantizer: I don't really have good experience with soldering and stuff
Tenderfoot Quad: Only one custom scale and 12HP
Tubbutec µTune: Screen :\ But also a tuner and slim module
Shakmat Bard Quartet: Yet to be released

At first I was leaning towards the ADDAC, but now that I've gone through all of them again for writing this post I'm quite astonished as to what the µTune can do. I'm also looking for a way to get a clock from my MIDI sequencer and the µTune seems to be capable of handling that as well!?

So does anyone have any recommendations on this or practical experience to share in these regards?

¹ https://doudoroff.com/quantizers

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 09:37

I have been experimenting with S&H using LFOs to trigger the module and noise module to sample. So far it is fun and I came up with this cool texture ambient patch this evening:

It is so relaxing to listen to. Amazing what one can do with this tiny module using a single oscillator and LFO.

Sample and Hold (S&H) and a noise generator would be great additions. I came up with some crazy ambient textures just with one VCO and one LFO because I fed these basic ingredients into a S&H module triggered by an LFO and sample noise.

Some suggestions...

More LFO (classic and random modulations)
Another analog VCO with FM input and Sync to complement the STO
A wavefolder
Rings to rule them all

Thanks, yeah will explore stuff tonite and this weekend. So fun! I did order a new Keith McMillen K-mix to chain my modular and other gear together and manage levels. Plus nice touch of the K-Mix mixer is that I can layer reverb and delay on the modular without buying a dedicated module for that. I do have some more modules on the way to fill the empty 84HP space heheh

Hi Mowse,

Yes, a very good start on a nice Friday evening :-) The track could go on and on and I still wouldn't have enough of it, I want more!

Nice work, enjoy your weekend and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Rijn,

That's a great part 3 finishing your project of video's :-) Pity of the current virus situation otherwise would be nice to see you at work in live situation.

Thanks a lot for sharing and I hope you will come up with more video projects like this one. Kind regards, Garfield.