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nice size case - very expensive housing for the moogs, though!
maths is brilliant buy it now - download the 'maths illustrated manual' and work your way through it a few times
needs way more utilities to improve the functionality though - imagine an exponential increase in patching possibilities!
If it was me, I'd take one (or 2) of the moogs out and put a load more utilities and maybe another modulation source, replace the mi clones with originals and consider replacing the lofi junky with a couple of fx aid xls
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Gosh, that's amazing. I wouldn't know where to start. Hats off to you for creating such a beautiful constellation of modules. I have no idea even what most of those modules do. But no Beads? And no sample modules? You must be able to squeeze something in. I suppose the Disting mk2 can sample. For myself, I like the idea of sample modules in modular... it takes me back to Musique concrète... those were the days...
-- ModLifeCrisis
Funny you mention that... I started off with a granular and sampling approach (Clouds, Radio Music, and Phonogene) for musique concrete style stuff, but didn't really enjoy working with samples. I have the Erica Sample Drum which can record and load samples, but I haven't really been using it in that way. And, I still get my glitch fix from the Data Bender.
I think sampling is an art form unto itself, and I'm just not passionate or skilled enough to join that world.
Haha. Man, I've had so many different iterations including a matrix mixer. Doepfer, AI, Future Sound Systems, Instruo... I can get a little of that from the Happy Nerding 3xMIA and I've considered adding another of those when they become available again. I think there is a shortage in the dual concentric pots.
But, yeah... I'm sort of avoiding too many utilities, logic modules, and such that discourage a hands on approach. That's why I've got a few mixers without VCAs. I like to pretend I'm Lee "Scratch" Perry mixing an incredible dub session. hahaha
Gosh, that's amazing. I wouldn't know where to start. Hats off to you for creating such a beautiful constellation of modules. I have no idea even what most of those modules do. But no Beads? And no sample modules? You must be able to squeeze something in. I suppose the Disting mk2 can sample. For myself, I like the idea of sample modules in modular... it takes me back to Musique concrète... those were the days...
bargains can be had - but they usually involve transporting things long ways - I don't have a car so it's a pain to arrange so generally skip - and the ones I see on the street often don't have the right inputs - and are mostly battered and wet!
something that may really work for you is camera feedback - especially if you can find a cheap video camera (that's compatible with the v4 - you may already have one!) and another cheap crt - use one for feedback and one for filming
some ways to explore this:
move the camera
move the tv - more difficult - but doable - easier using a projector and screen - i wouldn't advise using a wall for this technique!
put things between the camera and the tv and move those about
put glitch boxes between camera and v4
if I remember correctly (read some where) you can probably use the v4 for no input feedback and put the glitch modules in the feedback path
are you/were you doing any of these!!!
I'll take a look at your instagram!!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
I bet you could get something as complex/interesting if not more so from (a) different manufacturer(s) in fewer hp - might be more modules though!!! - but I was really meaning the random sampling!
-- JimHowell1970
Gotcha! That makes sense. And totally agreed with the Random Sampling. Thanks again, mate.
I bet you could get something as complex/interesting if not more so from (a) different manufacturer(s) in fewer hp - might be more modules though!!! - but I was really meaning the random sampling!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Awesome guidance. I was lucky to find the CRT in relatively good condition locally for $20 on Facebook Marketplace. It was the exact one I was looking for.
I've only posted a few videos on Youtube that I experimented with last summer. I was just getting started so they're definitely novice and nothing too interesting, but I'm planning another multimedia project involving glitch video soon. I'm going to refine my process and I'll post something here when I start working on the project.
I'm on Instagram as cierny _ vlk _ farkas and Youtube as Cierny Vlk.
Take care.
As a relative noob to the modular world, I’ve been trying to share a few long-winded updates on my thought process, mistakes, rack, and music every couple of months for the last year. It's nothing profound, but I thought it may help other noobs in their planning, and writing it out helps me make sense of what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. So, here is the latest update and my very limited wisdom.
Long story short, I’ve been around synths, recording, and DJ equipment for 20+ years but got disillusioned with making music and stopped completely for years. I stumbled upon the world of Eurorack in 2019 and became inspired again. So, I dove in headfirst and have few regrets. I started out with one Make Noise skiff and a couple of the most popular modules that everyone else seems to have. I had about 50 different genres of music I wanted to explore, and while modular is great for that I found that paring my approach down to just a few styles was much more fulfilling. To my surprise, even though I narrowed the types of sounds I was trying to make, my rack kept growing!
It’s true what everyone says, you need a lot of utilities and support modules to make the most of modular… and that requires a bigger case than you could possibly imagine when you are starting out. I am just about maxed out on “studio” space, so I really can’t go much bigger than this final planned iteration of my rack. It’s almost double what I had initially planned, and almost a completely different set of modules than I thought I wanted when I started out. Allow yourself some flexibility in size, budget, and module choice. I realize that many noobs are just looking for something small to supplement their other studio gear, but I imagine most of those people will quickly tire of the limited sound palette and possibilities of that small supplemental mini-rack. Not to mention the terrible ergonomics of a bunch of 2hp and 4hp modules sitting side by side in a small skiff. (I must reiterate that I’m not a wealthy man, but I made some sacrifices and picked up extra responsibilities to pay for this monstrosity.)
I recently debated getting a Doepfer monster base/case (thanks @GarfieldModular for the Doepfer case breakdown) but ultimately decided on four TipTop Mantis cases joined with brackets. This is for reasons of cost, power, portability, and aesthetics, as I already have two Mantises and three Make Noise skiffs. The Doepfer cases are amazing, but the Mantis works for me. I emailed TipTop yesterday, and they have an ETA of mid- to late-April for replenishing Mantis stock at retailers.
On several occasions I have bought cheaper, smaller, or less fully featured modules than what I actually needed, thinking, “Oh, I can probably make this work…” Bad idea, and a waste of time and money! Don’t cut corners. Save up for what you actually need to accomplish your goals. Move on quickly from modules that you don’t gel with. Don’t let them take up valuable space and collect dust in your rack just because you made a bad decision and think that you will get around to mastering it “someday”. You won’t. Fill that expensive-ass rack space with something that you want to use constantly.
I like to listen to generative music as much as anyone, but I made a conscious decision to reject that with my rack. With Spotify and other data-collection companies actively stealing (or paying fractions of pennies for) the work and ideas of artists in order to create artificially intelligent generative music that sounds like those artists, I wanted a much more human and interactive approach to making music. Mylarmelodies actually had a great conversation with BT about this kind of data-mining, intellectual property theft, and generative music on his “Why We Bleep” podcast if you are interested. So, what I decided to do with my module choice and music is sort of a mash-up of conceptual/dada/Fluxus art, minimal techno, post-punk, and noise. Kind of Merzbow meets Plastikman at Cabaret Voltaire’s house. It’s really focused on interaction and the limitations of the man/technology relationship. Probably sounds pretentious, but it is what it is… haha. I’ve limited the inclusion of menu-divey and button-combo heavy modules for this reason. The level of module complexity that one is comfortable with is definitely one of the choices that new folks need to contemplate right away.
I love the Rings into Clouds into Beads, perfectly lit, fern and herbal tea, sit-back-and listen, ambient videos as much as anyone, but that approach isn’t authentic to who I am and what I want to say with music. I’m more of a gritty lo-fi mess full of mistakes and impulsive decisions. I think my rack reflects that. I encourage all the other noobs to think about what they ultimately want to express. Hopefully it’s not just about increasing social media follower counts, clicks, “content creation,” and “engagement” with the newest shiniest module. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but there are probably far cheaper ways of doing it. If that is your mode of authentic expression, I say, “Go for it! The more the merrier in modular land.”
So, anyway… here is my rack. I already have most of this, but still have about 104hp left to buy and fill. I may yet make a few small changes. In general, I’ve arranged sound sources and effects at the top, drums and modulation in the middle, and sequencing and mixing in the bottom. I have sprinkled some utilities throughout just because of my workflow, cable management, and where I would get the most use out of every module. I’ve been doing my best to incorporate interactive modules that encourage a live performance approach in the bottom row. The arrangement actually took quite a long time, multiple virtual and physical rearrangements, and finally makes sense to me based on my personal experience. @JimHowell1970’s post a few days ago really resonated with my personal experience of trying to create a playable instrument even as it grows to nearly unmanageable size. This is a never-ending process. Other things I’ve found: There is no good place to put Disting Mk4. It’s such a versatile and useful module, that I can never quite find the right place for it. Also, Doepfer is your friend when it comes to utilities (and most other things too)!
Please feel free to roast my rack, ask questions about modules or arrangement, or share your philosophy on creating music. To any other noobs reading this, above all have fun. This ain’t brain surgery.
Thanks for your time, and enjoy your weekend!
From the top of my head, I would say the squid salmpler can do this. Maybe you should take a look at that thing. Or the Quad CV Recorder from Flame. Both aren't sequencers though.
visual cortex component out -> old sony lcd 40" TV (TV handles upscaling)
iPhone about 15u (haha) from the screen on a tripod (horrible shitty joby gorilla knock off)
regular iphone camera app on phone - no effects just a straight upload to instagram - after selecting letter box instead of square - so the sides aren't cut off!
best results are at night with lights off as much as possible
I keep meaning to look for a decent CRT and a video mixer - but the ones I see are often more than I'm willing to pay - bloody hipster gamers!! - so I just end up buying more modules / DIY
do you have instagram? so I can check your glitch recordings out!
you take care too, mate!!!
Jim
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
@jasper_t I saw the name check accidentally (try @ before the name and notifications kick in)
Jim, thank you very much for the insights! Unfortunately, MG jumbled up the image, so for example, the Rample is no longer in there.. Bummer that this happens sometimes! If you click on the rack, or check out this screenshot, this is accurate: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1469126.jpg
I think MG was showing an older version of my rack, but still - could you further explain format jumbler modules? Or just what you mean by this name.
But I hear you and appreciate that. I think you are right, especially with some larger modules that could probably be broken down into smaller pieces and give me some more room. The Verbos stuff is a good example of this, I do really love the sound and functionality of the Complex Oscillator, but I've been thinking that I could replace it with a Gen 3 and another osc or something like that, but that would cost a couple extra utility modules as well.
Also I am in the US, so I think the output modules have to stay.
@jasper_t I saw the name check accidentally (try @ before the name and notifications kick in)
guidelines/rules of thumb - if they work for you great - but whatever may work for you!!! :-D
I'm sure there's a lot of people out there with modulars that are made up of a bunch of vcos and filters and a mixer - everything controlled by hand - and they're probably happy wiht it - but in general this
will give most newbies a better modular experience - the point of it is to try to stop people thinking that they need a lot of voices to create interesting music with a modular - you don't!
start with a vco, mult it a few times and process differently - different filters, frequency shifters, etc through different vcas and modulated differently will produce more interesting tones overall than a lot of sound sources with some sound modifiers, little in the way of modulation and almost no utility modules - which are in my opinion the most important modules you can get as they mult, modify and merge the really important stuff (CV) that makes the shiny expensive modules (vcos, filters, effects etc) actually shine and not tarnish after a short time
which is what newbies generally come up with unless they have spent a lot of time (and I mean a lot of time - months/years not minutes) researching and thinking about the subject
bu there are utilities and there are utilities - I don't see much point in format jumbler modules, that I see in your rack - just buy the correct cable!!!
if outside North America or Japan - chances are you don't need an output module - but if you are in those territories then you probably do!
isn't the rompler a voice too ?- I would consider it such!!! so 5 not 4!!
as for the modules that you are looking at -
MISO - yeah or shades or a host of other modules that do effectively the same thing - they are all good!
Doepfer Matrix mixer - again brilliant choice - but in this size modular you may find you want something smaller - you already have a lot of big modules - but if ergonomics are important to you this is the one to get!!!
Verbos Random Sampling - no idea - it looks great, but I think I'd rather have the functionality parted out over different modules
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
I'm kind of a control freak myself so I've tried a lot of module for that purpose. I really like joysticks. The intellijel planar is great especially because of the built in motion recorder. The doepfer is also pretty nice. A bit more coordinates that are covered but unfortunately without the recording. And with a huge knob. Not really suitable for a portable case. The one from Flame wasn't really my cup of tea but I heard good things from other people.
Tetrapad+Tete are great too. They are not as hands on as the joysticks, but if you take your time with them you get a lot of functionality of of them.
As dedicated mutes I use the Addac 305 and the lpzw schleußig. They're both great. The 305 has 4 buttons who control the 4 inputs. And 4 additional buttons for a fixed +5v gate signal. On the schleußig on the other hand, you can mute in sync to a clock. Lpzw has a new module afaik, as an addition to the vpme euclidean circles. It has basically the same functionality as the vpme six switches but with the added sync function. I'm still waiting for my order, but I'm pretty sure it will be great.
One module that should be mentioned but isn't necessary a control module is the Acid rain technology - Maestro. It's an 6 channel lfo, but it is well designed and I have my hands on it all the time.
Hi mate,
I guess the word you are looking for is subtraction. Maths does that with ease. Maybe you want to look at this fine piece of work that someone put together... Maths illustrated supplement (Page 15 should be about right)
In my opinion it's a must read for maths users. On the other hand there is the Addac 216 that has the subtitle sum&difference. If you fancy a dedicated module for that purpose.
I'm looking for a way to get the difference between 2 input CVs. For example, CV1 = 1V, CV2 = 1.5V, Out = .5V
Ideally, it would work with negative output as well, CV1= 1V, CV2 = -2V, Out = -3V
I think what I'm looking for is a comparator but all the modules I find seem to have outputs that are either low or high when CV2 is compared to CV1. I'm not sure what the name is of what I'm looking for, or if there is a way to do it with modules such as Math?
For your sake going forward, different filters have different sounds based on their design or topology, which is generally named. By identifying the topology, in this case Steiner Parker filter, you can look for similar filters in Eurorack.
-- troux
For your sake going forward, different filters have different sounds based on their design or topology, which is generally named. By identifying the topology, in this case Steiner Parker filter, you can look for similar filters in Eurorack.
I've been looking through this forum and slowly building my own rack for only about 4 months now. I've been working with synths otherwise for a long time. This rack is not even close to complete in real life, but I've been enjoying playing around with future "goal" racks. Would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions.
Quick explanation: This is a Doepfer A-100 (9U/84hp) and an Intellijel Palette (4u/104hp). The 1u row will be mostly attenuverters (8-16 in total). The Palette is the "control" skiff, ER101/102 is driving the 4 voices. Circadian Rhythm will be driving another rack dedicated to drum modules. The 4 voices consist of: Mannequins Mangrove, Verbos Complex Oscillator, Recovery Jupiter Spirits, and Mungo G0, which all go through a filter/vca to the ADDAC mixer, and then multitracked out for more processing.
The music I'm making is pretty beat oriented and intentional, so I'm not really going for a "generative" build. I want to tell it what to do, with some extra random wiggling. Not to say that those types of utilities are not necessary as well.
Modules I do not have that I thought might be useful:
- Tiptop MISO
- Doepfer Matrix Mixer
- Verbos Random Sampling
Ultimately, I'm pretty sold on the rest of the rack, especially as far as oscillator+filters go. I am now trying to figure out how to squeeze the most utility/modulation into the remaining portion of the rack. I always hear the advice (I like the way JimHowell puts it I think), sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation < utilities... something like that.. and while I do not have the same feelings he does yet, I'm pretty sure he's closer to right than I am! Regardless, the bones of this system which I do have has been working out really well for me! So just wondering here how to continue thoughtfully growing this case.
(it's not the drone, but the Glittery on top).
It's done with a Sample and holds LFO at fast rates (between 5 and 10 Hz) into the frequency of a self-oscillating filter.
I did this sample with either an Arturia Minibrute or Minibrute 2 and I really like how it sounds, but I want to make the modular version, so it takes less space, more parameters can be modulated and it frees the arturia.
I brought my first modular filter which is a Tip Top Forbidden Planet, and though it sounds great for filtering, I tried the Glittery sound and its too harsh. It clicks with every step. I used the Minibrute SnH LFO to modulate it, and it does not reach the sound im after. Also, a little slew maybe could solve it, but the Arturi by themselves archive it, so I think it can be done with the appropriate filter.
I was wondering if there is another technology of filter I need for this sound?
What are the filters that archive this sound?
do you have a tv in your studio? most seem to like crts (if you can find one with component in jump on it) but I use lcds - a different 'vibe' but looks great to me (all my instagram footage is lcd filmed on an iPhone - hence the crappy audio!)
-- JimHowell1970
Jim, I was wondering how you film your Instagram posts. They always look great.
I've dipped my toes into the circuit-bent glitch video world, but have not gone down the video synthesis path (yet). I've been using a Sony WEGA CRT. It seems to mostly avoid cutting out with the glitch processors without a time based corrector. Otherwise, I'm just using an Edirol V4 and a few handmade glitch effects I picked up on etsy. Your video rack and productions are impressive.
Take care.
I agree with everything discussed above. I feel like Harmonaig (as cool as it is) is complete overkill in this rack. I would be more inclined to include a uO_C instead to get some chord sequencing and a lot more in a small package. I am not smitten with the Clouds/Monsoon sound or user interface, so I would also encourage you to wait for Beads if that is the type of thing you are going for.
Finally, I believe the black panel Maths was only included with one of the Make Noise package systems, so it is not readily available. If you do actually find one for sale used, you will pay a premium just for the perceived rarity. I would recommend just getting the standard silver panel version. If you really need a black panel version for the aesthetics, I think there are some aftermarket options available. Everything else looks like a great start into the modular world.
Have fun and good luck!
A few ? Hmmmm, I think you’ll be positively surprised, I personnally would not have purchased the Tetrapad if it wasn’t for Tete :-)
I recommend spending time with CV assignment and thinking how Tete’s outputs can be reused in the rest of the patch and how you can influence the Tetrapad itself by feeding stuff from your patch into its X/Y/Z inputs.
For using pressure output, attenuation and/or slew works for me. Another use I think is cool is using it with one or more comparator to start bringing in elements when pressure is high, or take away when its low...
missed the Harmonaig - not familiar with Instruo to be honest
I agree not much point in a case this size - especially with the marbles and VB - unless it will allow you to generate chords - but then you really need at least 4 voices
but saying that in a bigger case with more voices it might make sense - I have a sinfonion, which I use as master quantizer and chord pattern sequencer - but I do have a lot more voices - see the "pretty big re-arrangement" thread if you want to check out my racks!!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
What is the use of the Harmonaig ? Both Marbles and VB offer quantized outputs, and I feel like such a best of a quantizer would be a lot of overkill for a relatively small build, but I may be missing something...
Also, +1 for Beads but it might be my own desires masquerading as advice.
Pretty good build overall though, I’d have fun with this. Definitely do what Jim suggests, having a look at old plans after a few years can be funny, and even insightful...
voltage is 0-1v in lzx ecosystem - and it's just electricity - above or below will clip, so no damage, but maybe not as expected - saying that I do it all the time!
what you do have to pay attention to a bit is frequency - goes up to multiple MHz... so if for example the 'audio' module has slow op amps, you can get smearing - although layering the smearing and blending can be quite nice
I've tried running video through most things in the rack!
for examples see instagram - #lzxveurorack - where I post examples of 'audio' modules being feed video signals - and check out my feed too if you like (same user name)
iirc most if not all the passive mults I have are normalised like those seismic industries ones - to a greater or lesser extent
do you have a tv in your studio? most seem to like crts (if you can find one with component in jump on it) but I use lcds - a different 'vibe' but looks great to me (all my instagram footage is lcd filmed on an iPhone - hence the crappy audio!)
if the answer to the tv question is yes - then look out for the chromagnon videos when they come out - maybe time to jump on the pre-order then as they will undoubtedly go up in price - that'll be one of the best starting points for video synthesis for the next few years at least - and can be used standalone or racked (yes, yes I know, racked = expensive case) - or go digital with hypno or structure - I like the analog much better than digital to be honest
another option would be to get something like lumen if you have a mac (Windoze version is on it's way but might be years) and connect that via cv-> midi for modular control
anyway - anytime you want to chat/ask questions - you know how to find me!!!
cheers
Jim
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
starting with a decent sized case is always a good move
if you are thinking about beads - then I wouldn't bother with the monsoon - just pre-order a beads from the second batch
plans change over time - it's easy to get sidetracked by shiny new(ly discovered) modules and important to get the modules you actually need! (only your experience will shape this) - but it looks reasonably good as a goal - save that rack now and compare what you have in the actual case when it's full with what you thought you wanted...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Thank you all so much for such great advice. I will pause on getting any newer modules and focus on a more balanced ratio. I can't express how grateful I am for the help!
-- marcomixtle
NP... glad we could help!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
If I may applaud from the cheap seats, as someone still working my way through the newbie stage, Jim and Lugia's wisdom is mighty welcome. That priority/ratio model is a helpful guide.
It's good to feel appreciated - thanks!!!
I quickly discovered that the Synthesis Technology E370 needs a veritable army of modulation signals to live up to its full potential). I can't claim any intelligent foresight for this, but as a pleasant change, my ill-guided bumbling through life worked out rather nicely in this instance.
-- oldandintheway
there are a lot of modules out there (mostly shiny expensive ones) that really need a lot of modulation to get them to work best - often needing attenuation on the way in (clouds is a good example)
I don't think any of us can claim any form of intelligent foresight - it's just what we've picked up along the way - often from making those mistakes ourselves in the process
start with too small case - check
not enough modulation - check
not enough utilities - check
4, maybe 5 years later - experience in how to build modular synths that are worthwhile and usable - in my case both audio and video - and pretty much any size
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Thank you all so much for such great advice. I will pause on getting any newer modules and focus on a more balanced ratio. I can't express how grateful I am for the help!
I don't have one but I'd love to get a Steve's MS-22
If you want an example of the cleaner sounds, check out the sound sample that's part of Steve O'Hear's review
-- tverscho
Yes it does sound very nice, thanks for the link. Also sold out at Three Tom. Guess I'll keep an eye on eBay...
-- the-erc
I think you'll have more success sending me an e-mail at info [at] threetom [dot] com instead of waiting for one to pop up on Ebay :). AFAIK, only one MS-22 has ever been offered on the second hand market in the past year ;).
This is my performance system I'm building. I often program in Max so the Daisy Patch is open to any kind of module (I have made compressors, fx, synths, drums, sequencers).
The idea is that I use the Clank Chaos for generative sequencing, driving most of the melodic stuff and a TR8s for all the drums.
All sounds are plugged into the ES-9 for further mixing via iPad running AUM with heaps of AUs.
If I may applaud from the cheap seats, as someone still working my way through the newbie stage, Jim and Lugia's wisdom is mighty welcome. That priority/ratio model is a helpful guide.
I meandered from 5U into euro and wound up with a hybrid rig in which the lower-functional-density 5U modules often serve as support players for the higher-density euro devices (e.g., I quickly discovered that the Synthesis Technology E370 needs a veritable army of modulation signals to live up to its full potential). I can't claim any intelligent foresight for this, but as a pleasant change, my ill-guided bumbling through life worked out rather nicely in this instance.
I've started planning a case to supplement my Moog Mother-32/DFAM/Subharmonicon system. I'm thinking of getting a TipTop Mantis.
I think the ultimate goal would be for the system to function standalone as well, so in that vein I'm thinking I'll need the full signal chain from voicing to modulation to sequencing and some effects. After reading around, the advice I'm hearing is to start with the essentials and here's where I'm at:
For master clock and S&H there's Marbles
For the first voice there's Plaits
For utility there's Maths and then Links/Kinks/Shades and a mult
The filter is the Ikarie
First VCA is Veils
Microcell for some spaciness
If anybody has thoughts on this I'd love to hear, anything I'm missing for for routing to get the sound out or any limitations.
Also, I've been toying with 'the end goal' and I would want some additional voicing, sequencing w/ CV for pitch, additional LFOs, more modulation, several more VCAs, more mixing (including a matrix and I think a final mixer to pipe it all into my interface) and a nice delay/way to play with echoes and time (like maybe the Mimeophone or Beads).
To that end, I've also put together this rack below that I think includes all those elements:
If I'm connecting the dots right, this would cover all the bases for a standalone system with some flexibility, also keeping in mind I've got my semi modular system to supplement.
Appreciate everyone's time, feel free to critique or suggest alternatives!
Ahhh...didn't know the "normal" modules were already functioning at video voltage levels! Changes things a bit, although I still think my layout for those cabs works there. It puts the most obvious "hands-on" devices as the bottom "controller" row, all of the LZX stuff with similar control paradigms in the next, then all of the "normals" above that.
Also, those Seismic mults have a sneaky feature that allows you to break out the second mult set there; if you don't patch that, they can function as 1-in/7-out, which can be pretty useful for distributing control (non-scalar) signals to many destinations.
Gave me quite a bit to think about, also...one objective here within this decade is to implement a video synthesis studio as well, although that's going to have to go in a different room here.
Jim's spot-on, yet again...without the "boring" modules, the expensive stuff you have here can't operate to its fullest potential.
Synthesizers aren't just made up of things that make noises...you MUST have all of those utility and other sleepy-looking modules there, because without them, you have no way to directly influence modulation behavior over the other modules. If I were you, I wouldn't order or install ANY other modules at this point...instead, remove what you've NOT got on hand already, then try and rework the build to allow those. Otherwise, all you're building here is an expensive noisemaker...it won't have any of the nuance and controllability of a properly-implemented build.
you could drop either the sto or plaits - at least initially, although a simple analog vco and a digital vco are both nice to have
how are you going to play this? sequence from the minibruute?
how are you going to listen to it? via external mixer - NB if you are in an area of the world with unbalanced
I would replace the pico dsp with a fx aid xl - same chip - more options - more modulation inputs
be careful not to overdo it with sound sources and modifiers - I'd try to limit it to 2/3 voices in a case this size
I think:
sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation (about 20% of case/number of modules) < utilities (30% of case)
as I think it allows the most variety in patching
so maybe another modulation source would be a good addition - have a play with envelope generators and lfos and coombiiniing them with maths to make more complex modulation - remember to check out the maths illustrated manual - and work your way through it a few times - and keep going back to it every so often - it's a great primer for patching modular synths!
good start all round though!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Wow, nice rack! I agree here a bit with Farkas, if you reach a certain size as well as complexity, and your rack size and complexity has reached that I would say, though Lugia took the fantastic effort to still give it a try :-) , then it becomes rather a personal taste how you like to (re-) arrange your modules. It looks fantastic though!
Thanks!
I also agree with Farkas!
I'd already made a start on re-arranging... moving the video modules (and the doepfer modules I run them through!!!) into 2 cases instead of being spread around 4... and the mixer into a better spot etc! and then I hit re-arranging the cases to be more practical... video will be in the middle and the 2 84hp cases will be side by side.. definitely not ideal - so I just hit a wall for a bit and thought someone might give me a bit of a push in a direction - thanks again @Lugia - I think the re-arrangements should be done over the weekend and the final case parts will be here within a couple of weeks
Can't we make your rack stickied on top of this rack forum for beginners? Saying, look, if you consider to start into modular synthesizers, this is about the minimum size to grow towards to otherwise it makes more sense to buy a ready synthesizer instead ;-)
hahaha.... not that bad an idea - maybe remove the video racks, though... don't want to scare them!
Thanks a lot for sharing this, very interesting and kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular
a pleasure!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
