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Not per se a dark mode issue, but I can no longer zoom out to view my full rack on iPad Safari.
-- erdgeist
That is strange, which rack is it?
I'm glad we didn't end up with the 200% grayscaled images, I mean can you imagine š
-- ApolaKipso
New feature: the color gradually fades as your unicorn account approaches the expiration date, just kidding ;)
Yep, looks better and cleaner to me. However, after selecting an item from the dropdown, the text is black and hard to read. Can you make it white or grey?
-- subframe
The dropdown in the Module Finder are very Aqua, with the reflections. I think it's pretty distracting, can the dropdowns be flattened a bit?
-- subframe
That is an iOS issue, those select boxes are hard to style. You have to use CSS I would categorize as "hacky" e.G. remove the aqua and fake in those down triangles... Nonetheless now they are flat but don't look like selects anymore, need feedback if that is better or worse?
Yep, looks better and cleaner to me. However, after selecting an item from the dropdown, the text is black and hard to read. Can you make it white or grey?
Just passing by in 2021 but what you could use is the Triatt from Intellijel. Versatile module which will send out a constant CV signal when there's no input. I use it specifically for this combined with the Mutable Links mix/sum tool.
The downside of 2hp DC is that you can only add, so you can't subtract, which you can do with Triatt.
The modules look...OK?...but I can see what people are talking about with the washed-out look.
-- Lugia
I noticed the modules images tones' are slightly desaturated, It seems a bit too desaturated to me; it's pleasant artistically but it's not matching the real thing.
-- metrowave
I'd prefer the dark mode not to affect the images of the modules as well.
-- ApolaKipso
The image filter is now gone.
The dropdown in the Module Finder are very Aqua, with the reflections. I think it's pretty distracting, can the dropdowns be flattened a bit?
-- subframe
That is an iOS issue, those select boxes are hard to style. You have to use CSS I would categorize as "hacky" e.G. remove the aqua and fake in those down triangles... Nonetheless now they are flat but don't look like selects anymore, need feedback if that is better or worse?
OK...now that we can see it, my first reaction is that this has the "Sexy Module Syndrome" in spades! I see exactly ZERO VCAs for starters, and that's pretty much a fatal flaw. Without VCAs you have no way aside of manual changes to alter the amplitude of either audio or modulation signals. Then there's the Erica Stereo Mixer...which is a mixer for stereo signals and not really a mixer that allows you to pan mono signals then mix those into a stereo result.......
-- Lugia
Hello Lugia!
First of all, thank you so much, I really appreciate that you took the time to write all of this.
Well, as I'm not a newbie when it comes to writing music (I did scores to Blair Witch, The Medium, Layers Of Fear etc.), I'm
completely new to the modular stuff. But it's addictive and hypnotizing so I'm looking for something that would complement
my work in new ways. I really like making ambient/ drone'y music, which builds up the tension over time.
So I see the weak points of this build. However, I'm a sucker for cool looking things (my whole studio is like that, haha), so I want to squeeze a tiny bit of that too.
When it comes to VCA - isn't Manis Iteritas one? Once again, sorry for my lack of knowledge. Could you give me some recomendations? For now, I only have Mutable Instruments Plaits, Rings and Ears (and Stereo Out, MIDI).
I want to control everything through my DAW, as I make music mostly to picture. Then, maybe I should invest in a sequncer
like Hermod. Erica Synths - damn, you're right. That's a huge mistake.
Plasma - not necessarily. I like the distortion it gives, the sound of it is awesome. But I won't buy it anytime soon.
Just passing by in 2021 but what you could use is the Triatt from Intellijel. Versatile module which will send out a constant CV signal when there's no input. I use it specifically for this combined with the Mutable Links mix/sum tool.
The downside of 2hp DC is that you can only add, so you can't subtract, which you can do with Triatt.
Thank you, @GarfieldModular!
Your answers always inspire me to write new sketches :) Glad you like them.
I am finishing my debut solo album and will post more sketches soon!
I've been piecing together a system and finally got a two-tier case today with a Mean Well RT-125B PSU that can supply more than enough power for the modules connected. I've quickly noticed that I'm getting a low-volume continuous sawtooth-like base noise coming through the Doepfer output mixer at all times, even if the levels are zeroed out on all modules. It quickly amplifies to interfere whenever I start patching things together. The out is a Doepfer Mini Stereo Mixer A-138s. This feeds into a Yamaha MG10x external mixer, which goes from there to both a stereo receiver and a PC/headphones. I didn't have this issue before when I was working in a 1-tier Synthrotek case, so ... I don't know, I'm too new to know where to start in terms of how to resolve it. I tried removing a couple modules; tried outputting to different lines on the external mixer; tried different cables to mix out with ... it seems that horrible low-volume sawtooth always seems to be faintly there, coming from within the modular build itself somehow. Is it some kind of feedback from the PSU? And if so what would I do about that? Other possibilities?
Thanks for any help anybody here can provide. Happy to provide any info if anyone has ideas but need to know more about the exact setup.
In general the changes look nice. One issue I've seen is that the racks are stretched too tall or something and the bottom of the racks cover up the stats (like the power usage and costs, etc) EDIT: I forgot to mention I'm using Windows 10 and Google Chrome browser on a PC laptop.
And unfortunately for me . . . one thing I've been taking advantage of for a long time is the fact that the command window used to only show 4 racks horizontally, and my main system happens to be 4 racks wide (and 4 racks tall) so I could carefully name my racks in such a way that they would line up in the same order as my physical system. Now that the Command window allows 7 racks horizontally I had to add 3 filler racks on each of the 4 rows to get my alignment back. Oh well . . . .
-- I personally could not justify a modular setup this small or this small budget. Why? IMO a small modular setup will tend to underperform versus VST options a fraction of the price, or standalone options for lower price, such as standalone groove boxes (MPC, Tempest, Analog Rytm MkII, etc.) and/or standalone synths (from Sequential, Moog, etc.). IMO it takes a significant sized modular rig to start to have interesting capabilities beyond what you'd find in a good VST or standalone hardware. I can't yet design a modular rig that interests me (or justifies itself capabilities wise vs. alternatives) for under $5k.
-- keep in mind, modular is probably one of the most expensive (conventional) ways to make synthesized sound / music, and it takes some real iteration, knowledge accumulation and feedback to get a coherent, useful modular rig. Modular can be really awesome, but it takes a real investment of time, and a significant investment of $s compared to other alternatives.
-- SORRY if this is a bummer to hear, and it is only my opinion. But I do recommend you spend some time thinking why modular vs. other alternatives. Then, I'd recommend looking at a considerably bigger case, and carefully consider how much $ and time you might really put towards modular in the next 2-3 years.
-- and btw, the alternatives are still very good. An Analog Rytm or MPC plus a nice hardware synth -- killer!
Just wanted to share some perspective so if you do get into modular, its a good fit for you and it works out well.
I appreciate you taking the time to not only have a look & try to help but also for not sugar coating anything and being straight up!
Thought about it some more and am going the Mantis route with a handful of modules to start and will see where it goes from there. Have also been advised that these āminiā versions of the MI modules are a little too mini and damn near impossible to work with. Am likely letting the excitement of a new musical challenge and discovery (and a dash of fetishism) get the best of me at times! This is a fantastic resource and poking around & making your own virtual rack is a double edged sword!
One of the reasons I was looking to go small was that whenever Iād read an interview with a modular musician (whether it be Keith Fullerton Whitman or Robert Aiki Lowe or Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Etc Etc) theyād always say the same thing when asked for advice for beginners: start small!
Anyways - thanks for commenting and all the best to ya!
Reduced the filter to 25%. That should bring the color back in your life! For every new member complaining I add additional 5% until we hit 200%
-- modulargrid
Looks pretty good! The dropdown in the Module Finder are very Aqua, with the reflections. I think it's pretty distracting, can the dropdowns be flattened a bit?
I'm not down with trying to cram drum functions into this at all. This is simply TOO SMALL to support all of these subfunctions without having to compromise the build in general. It'd be a nice cab JUST for drums, but if you try and get this build to do what you're aiming for at present, you're going to wind up with a boxful of half-measures.
Again, I put the blame here on YouTube. Yes, people on there build single row skiff builds. No, they're NOT necessarily the right way to go, especially if you're just beginning in modular. For one thing, they're not easy to configure AND get right. Secondly, they force users into either using loads of tiny modules, resulting in an ergonomic nightmare, or they force compromises in the module complement that causes the resulting build to be rather underpowered. I've referred to most of these sort of builds, when they work, as "mission-specific"...the user has a limited range of functions in mind from the start, and that guides the build process. But it's a massive pain to take a serious build with optimal results and then try and shrink this down into 3U x 84 hp. Instead, follow Jim's lead here, and start looking for a much better (and bigger!) cab for your rig...then just repurpose this Cre8 cab for drums. That is, do that if you like spending excessive amounts of money on something that a proper drum machine is capable of for maybe 1/3rd of the cost...frankly, that's what I would do here (and what I, in fact, do).
OK...now that we can see it, my first reaction is that this has the "Sexy Module Syndrome" in spades! I see exactly ZERO VCAs for starters, and that's pretty much a fatal flaw. Without VCAs you have no way aside of manual changes to alter the amplitude of either audio or modulation signals. Then there's the Erica Stereo Mixer...which is a mixer for stereo signals and not really a mixer that allows you to pan mono signals then mix those into a stereo result.
Then there's that Bizarre Jezabel filter...looks cool at first, but have you considered what it'll be like to work with those panel markings in a low-light situation, particularly the sort of lighting you're apt to find in a club gig? There's a number of manufacturers whose panels are a royal pain to view in those circumstances (looking at YOU, Noise Engineering!), but I really think this hits a new high in lows as far as being able to suss out what controls do in a glance. And that's what you want, really...clear, obvious, straightforward panel graphics, especially if you're beginning with modular. In short, Eurorack isn't necessarily about appearances...but ergonomics, and nothing fubars ergonomics worse than illegible panel markings (well, almost nothing...a cab full of two and three hp-width modules would, in truth, be FAR worse because you then have tiny panel markings AND no space for your fingers once the system's patched).
I would suggest stopping what you're doing immediately, and examining two things here...
1) be super-critical about what's in place already. Do you R-E-A-L-L-Y need that Plasma Drive in the cab? Would it be more useful as a stompbox so that you can reclaim 16 hp for the modules that can make the rest work better? Are there any other modules that pose the same question? And...
2) what utilities do the present complement of modules need to operate at their best? Do you have room for them? If you don't, do you have a "plan B" about the present cab?
But stop now and consider those two points VERY carefully. This build hasn't turned into an expensive noisemaker YET...but it's awfully close, and you need to proceed carefully and with a lot of careful deliberation in order to avoid winding up with an unruly and difficult to use mess.
Ahhhh...I and my retinas thank you! The dark mode is quite nice, particularly when heading to bed after getting done on MG. The modules look...OK?...but I can see what people are talking about with the washed-out look. Maybe try halving the current grayscale filter's setting from 25% down to 12-13%, and that should nail it while still keeping the dataset small(ish).
1) How do you mean "use" here? Technically, you can have as many controllers as your build has patchpoints, if you wanted to go that far. If you're trying to use them as simultaneous CV sources for the SAME function, though, you'd need an adder to arithmetically combine the CV values. However, this is apt to get a little bit OUT of control, as you'll have to juggle the behavior of both the BSP and uFreak at the same time and keep your mind on what the CV combination results are going to be...which is apt to get VERY tedious. My suggestion would be to pick ONE controller and stick with that...especially given that this build only has a single VCO in the first place.
2) This isn't "high priced". Trust me, the cost could go LOADS higher, even in 3U x 84; load it with Cwejman and Schippmann modules, and you'll see what I mean. But I can tell you right now, this build is neither suited for real generative work nor could you call it "suped up". Fact is, it's kinda underpowered...with the cab itself being the main problem here. So if I were switching out anything here, I'd start with the cab itself. These little skiff builds might pop up on YouTube and all that, but much of that YT activity is pretty misleading, as smaller systems like this are actually rather difficult to configure...sometimes even for experienced modular users!
3) See #2 above. Seriously, I wouldn't be worrying about modules right now...the case itself, and the lack of space it's causing, is the biggest stumbling block here. And while the Cre8 cab is $199, another $136 could've gotten you into a 2 x 104 powered cab, the Tiptop Mantis. Fix that first, THEN start exploring module options.
There used to be a second list that MG could generate, the "shopping list", which had the price as well as the main "vital stats" for selected modules. I think it's still in the system somewhere, but I can't recall where it hides now.
never underestimate doepfer especially for utilities
-- JimHowell1970
And to that, I'd have to say that Ladik is another of those "little space, big results" manufacturers where utilities are concerned. Especially rather esoteric ones, such as some of their clock mod and logic offerings. Cost-effective AF, too!
Well there are lots of guitar pedals missing from that section too, but it's still a feature. 19" for planning racks would be nice.. but in the short term I mainly want it for use cases such as BARP 2600 racked in 19" next to 19" 84HP eurorack cases that will interpatch with each other.. so if width is 84HP (or 168HP) then allowing a blank X U gap and letting us upload a custom image to fit in that gap would be better than nothing for now
Oh, I guess I forgot to mention where the 500 Series stuff comes into play, huh? Well, basically I've been looking for a mono channel compressor for a while now and for a few months I thought that I had zeroed my options down to the Empress Compressor MKII pedal. But I thought it was wise to look at what else was available in the market and if there were solutions that better served my recording environment.
So, after taking a few days researching the 500 Series format I found that Hairball Audio offered a DIY compressor that could be assembled for possibly fifty bucks cheaper than the Empress, another big plus was that the FET/500 is being able to withstand louder signals, and would go in a rack, instead of floating around the desk like my other pedals.
what are you trying to do with this?
-- JimHowell1970
It has a two fold use, firstly it's an expansion of my main portable eurorack kit (found here), adding clock division functionality and the smArTT Verter's attenuverter/offset/buffed multiple capabilities, the A-185-2v is to free up my Disting mk4 from being utilized only as a precision adder.
With that said I utilize my main eurorack for audio processing along with traditional synthesis, and so the other half of this rack is intended to handle some responsibilities that I haven't found worth the price in other form factors, (e.g. guitar pedals, vsts, or hacked gear). That's why there's a 3.5mm to 1/4" patchbay, so I can take audio out of my two ADAT Lightpipe linked audio interfaces into this eurorack subsystem and then after some attenuation feed it back into my DAW.
The blank panel all the way on the right side of the rack is intended to become an AC encoder breakout module so I can use my Disting mk4 and the Silent Way plugin to send CV from Ableton Live standard to my eurorack.
But yes, I hope I explained my goals with this particular build. It's not quite finished and it's likely it'll go through revision if I find form factors and price points that work more for my process and home studio needs.
Fantastic... thank you for the dark mode! now just have to get used to it :)
I noticed the modules images tones' are slightly desaturated, It seems a bit too desaturated to me; it's pleasant artistically but it's not matching the real thing.
I'd prefer the dark mode not to affect the images of the modules as well. To me, it neither looks good nor does it make sense. A photo viewer in dark mode wouldn't alter the displayed images either, and the rack view is essentially a (very souped-up) photo gallery. Right now the modules look kinda sad ^_^
I really enjoy the dark mode so far. The only minor thing I was puzzled by is why the modules are also displayed in a muted version in dark mode. This threw me of a little this morning :D
I personally would prefer dark mode with regular modules, but that's just my 2 cents
Since I guess there will be some problems and issues let's discuss them here and not in the change log thread.
The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.
-- temp_hill
What do you think, should that be reversed or tamed down?
The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.
-- temp_hill
Hey, yes that is intended to tone the contrast in images down. I am collecting some more feedback and then maybe reduce the filter/find a better solution..
The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.
Have a potential NiftyCase 84hp rack design here hat I need a little help with. Have Beatstep Pro and Microfreak on the side for control and have a couple questions:
1) is it possible to use both the BSP and the microfreak simultaneously for control? Both have CV outs but can they be used at the same time?
2) is there anything youād switch out/add/remove? With this unit Iām not looking to explore everything modular has to offer - this is perhaps just a relatively high priced suped up synth voice with utilities & generative functions to pair with a future 2nd rack (but Iām ok with that!).
3) which 3-4 modules should I get first so that itās at least playable right away? Already have the case, Plaits clone, Clouds and the BSP and Microfreak - and the Nifty is pre-equipped with power & MIDI conversion.
Thanks and have a good one!
Edit: for some reason itās showing an older photo of this rack design - please click on it to see whatās currently planned. Thx
