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Some simple parts of a patch I was playing with Marbles is on the Pitches and Triggers then a sort of subtle envelope from the WMS/SSF ADSRVCA which is also tweaking the Rebach VCF-AB filter which is simply filtering the Sine wave from the MakeNoise STO, which heads into delay from the Erica Pico DSP, some old shortwave radio samples go through the Monsoon Clouds and there is some subtle percussion which I tried to keep restrained and left the sort of Piano sound just to do its thing with minimal tweaking.
Cheers for Listening, it was recorded in one-take, apologies for any crackles from my crappy soundcard!
I picked an old photo do go with this slightly somber piece, taken on 120 film with an old Halina camera.

Thank you, Im gonna try that tonight. I have a pico mult so will be fine.

Here it is, Jim: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/blood-cells-audio-d-o-mixx

Depends on the sort of system, really. I myself try and follow something akin to having the audio path and modulation sources separate, with the audio going from left (oscillators) to right (filters, post-VCF VCAs, etc), and then loading the modulation sources in in groups, but so that the control signals go upward and on the left, and the audio goes downward and on the right to the output module(s). But there are "special circumstances" where this might not be the best solution.

One approach I like to take with ambient to get away from that robotic rhythm is to use the pitch CV information to add a little bit of adjustment to my clock. So for example, Pip Slope into Bloom, Bloom CV 1 into a buffered mult, one out of which goes into Surface, the second out of which gets attenuated through Tangle Quartet and sent back into the Pip Slope's decay CV. This will add a little pause after higher notes, and a shorter pause or perhaps none at all after lower notes. If you want the opposite, get an attenuverter instead of using TQ and invert the CV coming out of the buffered mult. You can also do this trick with your envelopes so that rather than modulating the tempo you're modulating the decay of the Surface, meaning the note itself will last longer or shorter depending.

Since it seems like you don't have a buffered mult at the moment you could use CV 2 on the Bloom instead of CV1 through a mult which might be interesting in its own way, not quite so clearly linked with what's happening sonically.

basically there are a few approaches

some people group by functionality, some people by voice, some people by most used, some left to right, some top to bottom

it's mostly a matter of which one works best for you though!

I think Maths is quite easy to understand actually at it's most basic it's just 2 function generators and a mixer - definitely worthwhile and even more so if you work your way through the illustrated manual a couple of times

never enough mixers or vcas!

sounds like a vc trigger/gate delay would be useful to add some swing!

try mixing and then sending through a reverb or delay - it'll help gel them together - maybe surface is best through filter first, though!

There was a thread on this fairly recently, check it out https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9489

I might invest in maths but Im kinda afraid it would be a waste of money since its kinda hard to understand :/

Mixer wise I quickly learned that i need more asap since i basically use my tangle quartet as a mixer and triplatt as a vca. Still dont have enough though.

As far as voices go I have surface and nebulae but at the moment I can not make them sound 'good' together. I end up using the clock from bloom and its controls are not ideal and I have to mult it to pretty much all my modules as well as dfam and i can not divide the 'channels' so everything sounds very robotic (not as much as harware synths but still).

yeah - that's the one I thought - not on modulargrid yet

between the hermod and the mixer you need voices - vco/vcf/vcas/modulation/envelope generators etc etc and probably some sub mixers for both audio and control voltages - and after the mixer you need an audio interface to connect to your computer

I hope this what you were expecting!
-- JimHowell1970

ahh yes yes,that was what i thought,im on vacation atm wont have time to mess with it untill tommorow,so thought i would ask :)
thanks Jim

you might find you like surface more when you have more modulation and it is more 'in the mix' with more voices

personally I've never used a sequencer for cv - I find lfos, function generators, sample and hold and envelopes work better for me

quantizers are very useful if your main sequencer is not quantized - just like mixers and audio interfaces and vcas - get more channels than you think you need now so that you don't run out quickly in the future!

Sorry it took me a while to reply. I have received my case and have put together the few modules I have. Bloom is pretty fun and intuitive and for the time being I should be alright however I am looking at Mimetic Digitalis as a cv sequencer. I like the 'shred' function since I do not need to input particular notes in and I can just go crazy. However in order to stay within a scale i would require a quantizer... or not?

Regarding utilities in general after playing for a few hrs I see how little I can modulate my osc. I cant even invert them so let alone fold or offset. Have to invest into that right now.

Also not a big fan of surface as it turns out but alas you live and learn :(

I have quite a lot stereo outs in most of my voices and imo a stereo mixer will help me A LOT.

yeah - that's the one I thought - not on modulargrid yet

between the hermod and the mixer you need voices - vco/vcf/vcas/modulation/envelope generators etc etc and probably some sub mixers for both audio and control voltages - and after the mixer you need an audio interface to connect to your computer

I hope this what you were expecting!

it's probably not much more difficult than plugging the cable in and a tiny bit if menu diving to get a midi keybooard to cnnect too the hermod etc - I think the manual was decent when I was looking - so that's probably a good place to start

can you post a link to the mixer? what is the full chain you are intending on using?
-- JimHowell1970

here is a link to the mixer
https://bloodcellsaudio.com/products/domixx

can see it cleared customs today,so will probaly recieve it by the end of this week

will experiment with the hermod when i get home from holiday and read the manual

Since Covid most packages to the US are shipped ... with a ship. That can take months. I have send one module via plane with DHL. That cost 50€.
Then you have to fill out those US customs forms I barely understand.
It makes me feel like I am committing a serious smuggling crime and will be arrested the next time I visit the US.

We don't change data when the lock is set by manufacturers. But if the manufacturer does not respond I will remove the lock.

Hello, you are right. I should have done this. I forgot that.

So here I share the information the manufacturer shows on their website;

Approx. Power Rating: 210ma

I hope that helps, but it would be nice if the module gets an update so that the drawn current can be calculated in.
It's just my idea...

I've tried to imitate the eurorack-tutorial-style - not sure this is my game though... ;-)
Maybe you'll get something out of it anyways!

how easy is it to connect a midi keyboard to the hermod to play the modular?(if thats even possible)
-- Broken-Form

Very easy. Try this: remove the unnecessary words from the above then copy/paste the remainder of the question in a search engine. Doing that, I found the information you're looking for in less than 15 seconds.

I think the manual was decent when I was looking - so that's probably a good place to start
-- JimHowell1970

Ah yeah, it's pretty good (wish they made it available as PDF though) but who reads manuals in 2021 ? I'm wondering why manufacturers still bother with them, after all, isn't everyone learning everything from Youtube nowadays ?

also im getting a Bloodcells audio D.O.M.I.X.X mixer module,can i connect the hermod to this?i want to multitrack record the modular into my daw through the Mixer module.
-- Broken-Form

Sounds like reading the manual is going to be really beneficial, plugging a CV/gate sequencer like Hermod in a mixer to achieve multitracking doesn't make any sense.

My experience is very similar to the one described by Señor Bling: I'm avoiding to sell outside of the EU, including to the UK, it's just too much trouble. Same for purchases actually, I'm actively looking for ways to replace Thonk, love them but shipping from UK to Belgium is so stupidly slow and difficult now that I prefer sourcing parts myself than buying a kit from Thonk...

Before Covid shipping to the US was not much of an issue. But it's become both slow and very expensive since. Plus, insurance on >100€£$ fragile electronic items is much more important than, say, a 10€ record. And I even had to pause selling those (via discogs) to your continent starting last March. Personally, I don't mind filling out customs forms and everything but Covid has made international shipping quite more difficult. Three records I did ship to the US last November arrived in late February. Two of the buyers were incredibly patient but one opened a PayPal dispute and got his money back in January. I'm simply not too keen on going through this again.

Edit: as for the UK... since Brexit I had two items ordered from there stuck in customs for more than a month. Until this process works more smoothly, I won't ship anything there just because I don't want to deal with (understandably) desperate buyers on a regular basis. See above.

EDITED May 3rd 2021, 07:04

Looking for some tips on the arrangement/placement of modules. What do you prefer? F.e. Modulation/utilities in the middle or not and why? Just bought my last modules (sure 😉) but pretty satisfied with what I’ve got. The modular setup is used with iOS/Mac and the output sampled by an MPC One.

I reckon it has more to do with logistics horror stories than cost.
I made the mistake of accepting an offer on eBay from a guy in the UK last January and we're both still regretting it. It's now May and the item is still on its way back to me. So as much as I still call the UK home, after 20 years there, I don't see myself repeating that experience anytime soon. Sadly.

Shipping from France to USA is 38€.
I'll be happy to sell you my modules.

An improvised jam going into some acid techno grooves... Enjoy!

Patch Notes:
Make Noise Pressure Points CVs into Acid Rain Switchblade as 8 step Analog Sequencer. Pressure output as macro controllers.
Stages decay envelope modulating Eowave Titan Oscillator into LPG as bassdrum
Erica Pico Drums as weird synth percussion
Stages LFO into Tenderfoot Quad Quantiser into Calsynth Rangoon as plucked string arp
Instruo Ts-l into Serpens Sirius modulated by Rocinante's Gate into LPG as bassline
ADDAC Dual S&H noise into LPG as Snare
ADDAC Transition Controller as macro controller.
Dreadbox Splash as reverb
Mutable Instruments Stages as envelope generator and LFOs
Mutable Instruments Ears as distortion.
Robaux LL8 as gate sequencer
Super Vcas as vca and mixer
Synthrotek MIXIV as mixer
Music Thing Startup as mixer and clock generator.
Takaab LPG as low pass gates.

Hi Jingo,

This is a lovely track. It's peaceful to listen at it and provides a lot of sonic pleasure. Beautifully done!

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

it's probably not much more difficult than plugging the cable in and a tiny bit if menu diving to get a midi keybooard to cnnect too the hermod etc - I think the manual was decent when I was looking - so that's probably a good place to start

can you post a link to the mixer? what is the full chain you are intending on using?

well we often think the same about our colonial brethren - no international shipping is common everywhere

Hello friends,
I have been searching diligently in the Marketplace since the beginning of this year, and it seems a standard that Europe won't ship out of Europe. Is it just too much trouble?
Us less civilized post-colonies will pay the silly cost! Please, we're desperate! Portland's trying, but we really need you guys...
Does the pain of international shipping vary by country, or is it just all the EU?

ps. I'm now even seeing the UK getting disincluded lol.
pps. Thank you to all the lovely Europeans who will throw us your scraps!

Heyho fellows,

as my time for modular is sparse these days and especially my family needs attention I nevertheless turned some knobs today, the rest was done by the fantastic stochastic inspiration generator :)...

hf
Best,
jingo

Im building my Ambient eurorack setup,have a Squarp Hermod,waiting for a few modules to arrive so havent used it,does anyone here use the Hermod,Especially interested in hearing from People making Eurorack Ambient/Dark Ambient

how easy is it to connect a midi keyboard to the hermod to play the modular?(if thats even possible)

also im getting a Bloodcells audio D.O.M.I.X.X mixer module,can i connect the hermod to this?i want to multitrack record the modular into my daw through the Mixer module.

EDITED May 2nd 2021, 15:27

..

There is a "message the manufacturer" button. Maybe ask them? In the meantime you could share the current draw here in the comments :)

This unit does not show the drawn current, even if its state is "approved by manufacturer.
Unfortunately the "edit function" on this module is disabled, otherwise I would have changed this mistake already.
I would like someone to advise.
Thank you!

I would say maybe ditch the Pico DSP and get a Disting EX instead of the Disting mk4. The Disting EX rules extremely hard especially in a small rack.

the thing you might want most is a filter - whilst plaits has one built in, it's a good idea to get used to using one and willl give you more flexibility - also I'd get the utilities I mentioned (or similar) earlier rather than later - they'll help you get your head round patching more, especially combined with working your way through the maths illustrated manual a few times

IMHO what you've put together is sort of like a collection of desktop synths in one rack, which is cool but I think won't really let you enjoy everything modular has to offer. I put something together that tries to hit the same key points but that's also got a bit more flexibility and modulation capabilities.

Here's what I changed:
1) Swapped the Behringer oscillators with a Dixie II+. In a rack this size I'm not sure you can really fit 3 voices easily and the Dixie is a great single voice with integrated sub out and a lot of features. Shrinking this down lets us fit in a
2) Maths instead of the Dual Micro ADSR. One of my favorite modules and lets you do a ton, the illustrated manual covers like 30+ different patches that all do something cool and help you understand the full potential of a modular system
3) Removed the Wasp as similar to #1 I don't think you have room for 2 filters
4) Shrunk Plaits into a Beehive to make some more space
5) Fit in a Cold Mac to open up a bunch of logic and modulation capabilities and to find interesting ways to tie different elements together via its various output CVs, all coordinated by its main big old knob.

Assuming the general plan laid out here resonates, there's a variety of different paths you could take (Rampage over Maths, Miso over Cold Mac, STO over Dixie II+) so don't necessarily grab these exact modules, but give some thought to whether this might be a more open ended instrument that you could learn from while also making cool tunes.

Hello everyone,

as the titles says, I am new in the modular world, and after reading the forum for a while, watching hours of reviews in Youtube, etc...I can say I am still a little bit lost, but anyway I tried to create what for me would be a small modular Groove box (if that exists...) on a budget. Currently I own a Dreadbox Typhoon, an Elektron Cycles, few Volcas and a Keystep as main controller.

I would like to know if what I created makes any sense to you, and if not, what should be changed (I am aware that in a small rack like this one, the options for modulation are quite reduced, with two VCOs and couple of drums):

A: the tonal part

1. Case: The Nifty case, which seems fine having already a Keystep to send midi. About the size, I know the bigger the better, but for now and considering the available space I have in my desk, is enough.

2. VCO: The dual VCO 112 from Behr, I know the first batch had some issues with tuning, but it seems it has been fixed already. For the price, it is a no brainer for me. I was checking also Dreadbox chromatic VCO but few people were complaining about the sound and tuning.

3. Filters: The Forbidden Planet , as recommended in many posts and at good price; and to have some extra filter options, the Doepfer Wasp Filter.

4. VCA: Doepfer Quad VCA, also as a Mixer.

5. ADSR: Doepfer dual ADSR.

6. Sequencer: although having already an external sequencer via midi (Elektron Cycles and Keystep), I want to include a sequencer in the rack, to have an standalone unit. After some readings and always considering the budget, I opt for the Variagate 4, to sequence both VCO´s.

B: the drum part.

1. Plaits, for its versatility in sounds, a swiss knife.
2. Pico Drums, with two independent voices.
3. DOT, to sequence Plaits and Pico Drums.

so, makes any sense?

Thanks for your time!!!!

EDITED May 1st 2021, 19:37

Hi Jim!

Thanks for taking the time for some helpful input!

Will likely go with the Mantis now as eventually I’d like to get a Rene in there (which would never fit in the smaller Nifty one). That FX Aid XL looks like a winner too!

Will likely pull the trigger on making this a reality soon and am gonna start with:

• Mantis 104hp x 2 case
• Beatstep Pro (already have it)
• Plaits
• Veils
• Maths

And add the rest from there bit by bit.

With the above mentioned modules will I need anything else to get started or would that be enough function wise?

Thanks again and have a good one!

Might be easy to get a Metropolis right now at a discount too, and while it's limited in some ways it also does a lot and can be put to generative purposes.

if you want more control you might to look at things like metropolis/metropolix or the ryk m-185 or the tesseract step fader - the latter will use your pre-existing quantizer and is cheaper, but also lacks memory

hahaha typo - I meant beads!

Hi and welcome

if you have a BSP for sequencing I would not start with the nifty or any other case that has any built in midi-cv conversion - you do not need it

I would get either the mantis (if you can find one) or the doepfer lc9 instead - these are better value for money

I think the module choice (especially with the BSP) is a good start I would swap out the disting for the newer version and the pico dsp for a fx aid xl (similar but more varied and with better ergonomics and more modulation inputs)

you could consider dropping batumi and possibly Pams even, at least, to start with - you have enough with the Maths I think to start

I'd go for veils over the intellijel quad vca, but that's mostly taste

I'd add mutable instruments links and kinks and something like shades (there are a lot of similar modules) as they are incredibly helpful in patching and to grab a few stackcables or headphone splitters to use as passive mults

if you are not going to fill the case in 1 go I would recommend using blind panels (cereal box card is fine) to stop unwanted metal objects (loose dangling cables for instance) shorting out the power etc

Hello! I’m a small town Canadian newbie with a love for sound who is looking to make the leap to modular. I have a few hardware synths (Microfreak, AFX Station) and a few Volcas (FM, Modular, Keys and Drum) but am just about ready to step away from that (and Ableton and iPad apps) and make the modular leap.

Am looking to fill an 84hp NiftyCase (that has MIDI to CV and audio out built in apparently) to make my first rack with about a $2,250 budget. (Already have a Beatstep pro to sequence)

If anyone could take a look at this and give some pointers or make any changes/suggestions that would be extremely appreciated.

Am aiming to make a solid, all-in-one starter system using Plaits as the primary OSC.

Thanks in advance and have a great day!

EDITED May 1st 2021, 13:37

With more than one sequencer you will have new needs:
Means to combine 1VO CV like a precision adder/offset/octave switch as well as means to combine trigger streams like a logical OR. Also you will want a logic module and possibly a switch to derive new trigger patterns.

if you are convinced you need beaks, morphagene and clouds - I would get another row for modulation and utilities
-- JimHowell1970

I take it that the beaks are extras needed for the Crow...?

Having lots of fun with this setup. I just thought i would share.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/command_center/193629

Modules that are a lot of fun:
Polygogo ER-M
Nerdseq
Five12 Vector
Percussa SSP
ER-301

EDITED May 1st 2021, 16:56

It sound nice sometimes.

Yeah the MegaSlope combined with the Rampage and its EoC an EoS is really fun. I'm looking at an A-155 or A-157 to get some more control over things. I've got a turing machine and expander enroute.

I've been trying to go through all the recent posts in this forum and I'm sorry I didn't get to this one sooner. There are so many things I love about this video. I had to go watch a whole bunch more on YouTube. Love the music, love the commentary, love the scenery, and I really miss going fishing. Thanks for posting.