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Cool!

Here's Beads processing my Plumbutter, with Monsoon very lightly processing samples from Coco.

-- baltergeist

Superb @baltergeist!

The Visage Album was the first Record I bought in my Life. I still love Fade to Grey like the first
Time I listened to it. I love those Chord Changes, the Harmonies.

-- Quantum_Eraser

I actually picked up a really nice OG vinyl copy of Visage a year or so ago. My first album was Purple Rain purchased with birthday money in 1984.

Yeah, I love bananas! The bass tones and dial clicks are coming from a couple of Lorre-Mill Double Knots. The Coco is playing two different versions of the same Tetrax loop, and the Plumbutter is providing percussion and kind of cracked melody in the background, with Beads making it whispery.

My favorite threads are the ones where modular users are sharing their creations. I hate when I see people sucking the joy out of the creative and learning processes. And yes, there is a lot to learn just by listening to others’ music while looking at their racks, some massive and some tiny.
There are an infinite number of ways to do this. We all have different budgets, ideas about what sounds and modules are cool, how serious of a hobby this is, beginner modules, rack size (seriously though, get a bigger rack than you think you need if you plan to take this seriously), etc.
To some this is serious business, to others it’s an escape, to others it’s a tool of expression, and to others it’s a toy. We’re not curing cancer here, so I recommend having fun above all. Try to figure out your workflow and desired sound reasonably quickly, do enough research that you pick the right modules for YOU, and don’t make a lot of expensive mistakes. Then share your creations with others so we can all learn from your successes and mistakes.
Have fun and good luck!

Cool!

Here's Beads processing my Plumbutter, with Monsoon very lightly processing samples from Coco.

-- baltergeist

Oh I like the Ciat Lonbarde Stuff. Some Day I will buy a Coco

Thank you, and no. That's me playing my Mother-32 through a few different effects - old EHX Small Clone, MidFi Electronics Scrape Flutter and Random Phase & Vibrato, CCP Bug Caster (a tube OD), Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water, and the reverb side of the EQD Avalanche Run.

Just a Happy Accident. I sampled a short Piano Loop of Fade to Grey in Beads Buffer. Additional Reverb from DV.

-- Quantum_Eraser

Nice! Love the original, and your take on it is great.
Thanks for sharing.
-- farkas

Thank you! :-)

The Visage Album was the first Record I bought in my Life. I still love Fade to Grey like the first
Time I listened to it. I love those Chord Changes, the Harmonies.

Cool!

Here's Beads processing my Plumbutter, with Monsoon very lightly processing samples from Coco.

-- baltergeist

@baltergeist is the Plumbutter doing the “flute” sound? That’s awesome.

Just a Happy Accident. I sampled a short Piano Loop of Fade to Grey in Beads Buffer. Additional Reverb from DV.

-- Quantum_Eraser

Nice! Love the original, and your take on it is great.
Thanks for sharing.

Cool!

Here's Beads processing my Plumbutter, with Monsoon very lightly processing samples from Coco.

Just a Happy Accident. I sampled a short Piano Loop of Fade to Grey in Beads Buffer. Additional Reverb from DV.

Hi Julia, do you power your whole rack with 2 shuttle controls?
According to the specs sheet, the power consumption on your rack is more then double the "1.000 mA +12V, 700 mA -12V, 1.000 mA +5V" (PSU supplied by 1 shuttle control)...
-- dmnk

Hi!
I see it is almost on the limit, but it works. also it powers the BSP by USB.
I use GST90A12-P1M Meanwell 6.67A DC adapter which gives strong +12V part.

Great dealing with @raimbo. Item packaged very carefully, was provided with clear tracking info and sale was fast and easy.

I see a lot of these "beauty case" (using Dieter's term there) builds. They invariably fall into two camps:

I've been using it too - maybe i got it from Dieter too, but I think I just started spontaneously using it

(I'm also really liking "rack wart" for power modules - especially the arturia one)

Please don't encourage this trend.

-- Lugia

hear, hear!!!

Hi Julia, do you power your whole rack with 2 shuttle controls?
According to the specs sheet, the power consumption on your rack is more then double the "1.000 mA +12V, 700 mA -12V, 1.000 mA +5V" (PSU supplied by 1 shuttle control)...

Hey, thanks. Glad you both enjoyed it. I'm checking out Anna Strom's work today while I have some quiet time with just me and the headphones.

Great transaction and communication with @ner0!

I think I bought it after you mentioned it somewhere @farkas, I'd kinda like an Optomix too but a little hard to find.

this defo seems interesting,on my to check out list.

Just ordered 2 of the 2xLPG ver 2 ,really good prices

EDITED Mar 3rd 2021, 19:29

I love PNW for clocked LFOs and Envelopes - especially the skew - magical!

Thanks Garfield, Farkas. I think I'm starting to wrap my head around this thing. I can't wait to get more comfortable with what modular can do and expand. I was lamenting the lack of availability of many modules that look amazing, but it's probably good to stagger new pieces to have a chance to learn what I have, and go easier on the wallet.

Garfield - after spending so much time in the past meticulously programming drums, I started using the EZDrummer VST. It has so many great complex patterns to work with and customize and it sounds great IMO. Since this track was more of a process experiment I didn't spent a lot of time on the drums, just something to add a solid beat.

The Evolvers track on my SoundCloud has many more fills and other drum bits - especially in the Subsequent 37 solo section starting at around the 5 minute mark.

Cheers

I'm going to be a bit of an ass here - and extend it to what are your favourite threads about modular synthesis

my favourite thread is - "i was wrong (still am)" on muffs, especially the first post!

• https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=245154&p=3470332&hilit=i+was+wrong#p3470332

reading it should be a requirement for buying a first case/modules

synopsis - I read the advice of experienced modular synthesists, I ignored the advice, I now realise I was wrong (and still am)

I like threads where people ask for advice and actually take it - decide which modules you want, decide which you need to support them, now pick case dependent on requirements - leaving space for expansion etc etc

I dislike newbie threads where they have already bought a beauty case and want to cram too much in

I dislike threads where newbies complain about the price of modules and cases, as if they are fast moving consumer goods - they aren't - they are niche products - if you want cheaper go for less expensive brands (Doepfer, ladik etc etc) and not trendy expensive ones! - and build your cases (not that it saves that much)

cool - have fun - start saving for the next case!

My first Eurorack ever!
I've got a Moog 104hp case to fit my modules. I went for something simple with a good amount of variety. Perfect for experimentation and external sequencing with a computer.

Some more DAW-less rambling on the tiny Skiff + PO-33.

Patchnotes:
Muxlicer to OSCA of Paradox and to OSCB with added slew via Rampage
Rampage as envelope generator of the Paradox
Muxlicer "Slice" triggers to Disting with dual Samples form some Iglooghoost samples I had lying around a harddrive.
Main out to my Delay pedal and mixed back in for feedback loops.
Sync with PO-33 over clockdivided Muxlicer Clockout

1. )
   I really like Lugias "Why to NOT get into modular synthesis", there where some super great perspectives there, not only from the original author but from others sharing their experience and view on the world of "getting into modular"
   https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/3579

2. )
   "how do you practice?"
   https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9275

3. )
   "20U Current - Ivo Ivanov (Glitchmachines)" - Super cool artist showing how to go to work on a big modular setup.
   https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9063

4. )
   "98HP Jumpskiff DIY (befaco, 2hp, zlob, MI, ZZZ)" - shameless self-promotion: I tried to document my steps into modular here with lots of positive feedback from the community and videos documenting the growing rack and soundscape.
   https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9200

Just got myself a Nearness and 2x LPG (why did no one tell me about LPGs before??) and they're pretty sweet. Takaab is impressing for sure.
-- troux

Ha! Yeah, I use the 2xLPG and Optomix in just about every patch. I don't really NEED more LPGs, but I sure do want a lot more. I would recommend the Takaab to anyone starting out. I've also been eyeing the FSS P.O.C.A. for after I upgrade to a bigger case in a few months.

Hi,
Have a look to this one:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/paratek-%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%88%D1%83%D0%BC-black-diy

A dual Jupiter storm.
Beast tek dirty glitch vco is greeeeat.
As said Farkas X1L3 shard is really good.
NLC Brain Custard gives good result.

Hi folks,

I'm new to modular in 2021, but a longtime musician, and familiar with many soft synths.

I've been using Modular Grid and am really liking the rack / module info and the discussion!

In the interest of surfacing and gathering a lot of the best ideas & discussions here, I wanted to ask folks on the forum:

1) what are (up to 5) of your top discussion threads and/or posts on Modular Grid? (Feel free to note your own or other's posts)
2) what is the short description of why you think these threads are great (important, informative, interesting, etc.)?

I'm looking forward to reading some interesting responses. Thanks all!

Nicholas

Expanding upon last night's patch with Vector Space, switched VCO's to two Mother 32's and DPO. This version is completely automated by Rene v2 and Vector Space. Soundstage, MSCL, and SCLPL provide stereo space, compression, and EQ before heading to the Zoom H2N.

Dear community,
I started with Erica's Techno System in mind. Revisited from today's available standpoint of choice of modules see my build below...
Basic idea is to create a simple groove box with some sound variety on it.

Thank You for your help.
Peace

EDITED Mar 17th 2021, 12:04

Yuppers...their prices are also pretty killer, too. Nice utility stuff for not a helluva lot.

Just got myself a Nearness and 2x LPG (why did no one tell me about LPGs before??) and they're pretty sweet. Takaab is impressing for sure.

Heck yeah 🤘🤘 we could use more noise around these parts... and actually I've been thinking about building a noise rack myself 🤔🤔 Hope we hear more from you!

Another useful noise-style maker: Moffenzeef. https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules/browser?SearchName=&SearchVendor=348&SearchFunction=&SearchSecondaryfunction=&SearchHeight=&SearchTe=&SearchTemethod=max&SearchBuildtype=&SearchLifecycle=&SearchSet=all&SearchMarketplace=&SearchIsmodeled=0&SearchShowothers=0&order=newest&direction=asc Much of their stuff is percussion-type modules, but there's a few "wild cards" in there that buck that trend, plus their "abuse potential" overall is pretty high.

Also, a comparator or two could be useful for screwing around with timing. You can use them to extract gates from modulation signals...say you've got the comparator threshold at around +2V, and there's a slow LFO being fed to it. When the LFO's output exceeds that threshold, the comparator will fire off a gate, and the gate stays on as long as the incoming modulation signal stays above that. Combined with some Boolean logic, these are great (and simple!) ways to add some additional conditional logic behavior to the fray.

Oh wow. Killer.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/takaab-vlh-vco-s-little-helper

Effin' brilliant. In just 2 hp, you get a one and/or two octave suboscillator, four-quadrant modulator, a noise source, and thruput outs for your original oscillator signals. Magic 8-Ball says this could get popular for adding subbass with a minimum of space commitment!

I'm not saying this is a rack I'm going to build, I just thought it was interesting that the top five most popular modules happened to form a fairly coherent system.
-- Gaeel

I wouldn't call it that. Not for a minute. Why would you need eight clock/sequencer outs for a rig that has only one oscillator? How do you intend to do filtering without a filter? What basic function will you be putting the Disting to work on because it otherwise doesn't exist in this build? And do you really intend to manually control all of the audio dynamics with just the Stereo Out level control?

See, this thing might seem neat...but it's not a synthesizer. You're missing numerous capabilities that NEED to be there. And you're missing numerous utility modules and the like that would allow those five modules to REALLY do what they're capable of, to say nothing of missing things that should be in there in the first place, such as VCAs or at least one VCF. What this actually is is something which illustrates one of the bigger problems in modular at present, in my opinion: sexy module syndrome.

That's a term I cooked up to describe builds that contain lots of blinkenlichts und tvistenknobs...but which ONLY have those because the other things the builder in question omitted tend to be really sleepy-looking and don't do anything amazing. And this is something I consider to be a grave mistake, something along the lines of a carmaker leaving out all of the bolts and nuts because...hey, isn't this 500 horsepower V8 under the hood killer? Well...when the car falls apart with you in it and that V8 at full kick, that adjective will be very correct. Omitting necessary utilities and other "boring" modules is equally deadly...at least, to ones' creativity.

I see a lot of these "beauty case" (using Dieter's term there) builds. They invariably fall into two camps:

1) The builder manages to get an entire synth in there...but in the process, they've made it impossible to adjust one knob without bumping into two others, provided they can get their fingers into/out of the giant patchcord snarl now living on the control panel.

2) Builds like the thing above, where you get less than half a synthesizer for your half a case.

In short, this is no way to proceed, especially NOT for a starting synthesist. Please don't encourage this trend.

May have to work on a new track to submit. Thanks again for supporting the MG community.

Keep an eye out for the X1L3 Shard or Schlappi Engineering Interstellar Radio!
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/other-unknown-x1l3-shard
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/schlappi-engineering-interstellar-radio

silent way is an optional extra
-- JimHowell1970

Hah...so it is. Although...you'd think that Expert Sleepers would toss a copy in with modules that use it. Would definitely be a plus for them, as having the total package on hand would likely get more users interested in this sort of control method.

Could this be also made from other material other than aluminium?
-- zuggamasta

I dunno...I like the metal enclosure. One nice thing about them is that they provide some shielding to keep other sorts of electronic crud from getting into the modular from the backside (where there's plenty of unshielded wires, interference-susceptible bits, etc). Just add a ground wire to the cab(s) and run that to your studio's main star-grounding point.

Thanks Jim! I decided to get a used Ears for now then perhaps build a Microphonie kit.

I have a collection of kalimbas, weird drums, and my wife just made me a clay drum that's pretty cool. I found a small Korg contact mic that's meant for guitar tuning that I can clamp onto things. I'll deal with the drum pads down the road.

Thx!!

I'm a fan of small cases honestly, focus can help you learn a lot! Plus this could be a fun travel rack 🤔

EDITED Mar 3rd 2021, 00:09

I'm looking at the nw2s:io (balanced).
My only fear is how quiet the output is?
I have an Erika Synth Black Output 2, and I do not find it specially quiet.

Thanks,
JM

it's a miracle...

awesome guys,thanks,the ES-9 will fit my needs perfectly

Finished my first rig only last week after a couple of years so I used OBS and Openshot editor to make a little demo.

Basically I'm just noodling around with some random, incoherent patching but I enjoy the hell out of wrestling the noise with my filters.
It took a few years but all in all I'm delighted with my set-up being capable of switching from those sharp, harsh frequencies to slow and foreboding soundscapes in a moment and the depth of it. Especially happy with my ADDAC Power Starvation for some spastic fun.

Ideas for my next case are a Plague Bearer (obligatory but haven't found any for sale in Europe), Jupiter Storm and Hadron Collider, a MI Clouds for an extra layer of FX and a Vector Space for added control and complexity. Any suggestions are welcome though.

Row 1, 2, 4: Have
Row 3: Want