I started just under a year ago by homing my semi modular gear somewhere neat with a single power supply, and a few modulation sources and a way to hook up with my Korg MS-20. However, soon started to realise that, for me, I could achieve similar outcomes, with many more options, with smaller proper eurorack modules. So the swarm gave way to 4ms Ensemble, DFAM to BIA coupled with Mimetic Digitalis, and much more. I'd consider a 2x104hp an optimal starter rack.
I take hybrid approach, using Bitwig as my DAW, using the boredbrain OPTX to integrate DAW with Rack, which just about keeps my at my current rack size.
