That is a very cool track! Great melancholy mood. I love how shaking the dictaphone makes it do vibrato!

Hi Baltergeist,

I like your never ending creativity and this track is yet again one of your creativity-production-results ;-) A really nice, to me, relaxing track, lovely to listen at. I wouldn't mind you would make more tracks like this one!

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

You’re more than welcome Garfield! I enjoy making videos as it helps me learn over t8me and share with others. I’m hoping to bridge the gap left by DivKid and others who assume an advanced level of mastery with Eurorack.

A short sketch featuring some 1/2 speed guitar (sounds a bit like a broken piano) and the microfreak being processed by my modular system. Pamela's new workout is clocking and modulating, Disting is adding ping pong delay to the Microfreak, and Monsoon is in looping delay mode processing the dictaphone. Everything gets a smidge of specular reverb set in 'spatium' mode.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 23:53

Hi Sacguy71,

Fantastic, yet another video & jam from you :-) That's very nice! I like your videos and jams because you cover quite a few modules that I don't have yet and I am (partly) considering, so beside the great jams and videos you do, they give me usually a good impression on the modules I might consider as well, being a nice buying help/guard to me :-)

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

Swapped the VCF303 for my Polaris to see how a different filter sounded and with a bit more modulation capabilities, also trying something new with the MSCL, interesting module 🤔 This is an excerpt from a longer jam but I like the structure of it ok even if it starts out a bit slow, hope you enjoy!

Bundled the last couple tunes I made with this (along with the @TumeniKnobs collaboration) onto a mini EP which you can check out here https://stevehand.bandcamp.com/album/september-acid

-- troux

Nice track! I missed the whole rave thing (living in Tokyo from 90-95), and I won’t even pretend to know what “booty house” is… Haha! And that’s very cool dropping the collab version on the ep. Thanks for credit and the link. :-)

Cheers

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 23:29

This is fantastic. Thanks @baltergeist!

It's a ways-away, unfortunately. We're just now climbing back to some normalcy after my wife got laid off in May. She's working again, and making more money than before, but she hasn't gotten her first paycheck yet. As such, had to tighten the belts and stop most non-essential expenses. I'm hoping I'll be able to have it out on bandcamp some time next year. The upside is that I'm getting time generate more material to choose from when it's time for mixing and mastering. :)

Lovely as usual @baltergeist, but where's the album???

ah - well, it was a rhetorical question...
the difference between midi A and B conversion cables is in which pin on the midi out that the tip and ring of the stereo jack is wired to... buy the right cable for the module (either A or B) and being able to switch is completely redundant!
if you have pile of these cables and mix up A & B then I can see the advantage of the switched module

I’m also looking at Squid Salmple as an option.

Totally irrelevant no.
Maybe a little bit.
It's not an expansive breakout.
I'm very beginner in midi and when I've bought it I didn't know there was an Expert sleepers tiny breakout available.
There are many subtilities for me to learn about midi.

EDITED Feb 27th 2023, 07:15

but isn't that totally irrelevant if you just buy the correct 3,5mm->midi cable in the first place???

I agree.
I like the xoxo breakout because you can switch the input from midi type A to type B with a switch on the frontpanel.
No need to unplug everything.
But only one module by breakout.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 17:18

yes, but why would you when the expert sleepers 2hp midi breakout is cheaper and can support 2 modules if needed...

I've watched exactly 1 Ricky Tinez youtube video - the one where he openly admits to having a proper rack too - not just beauty cases - he makes an excellent point that beauty cases are great for focusing on specific modules to demo them, but that he changes it up a lot - and they also fit in his handbag!

interesting patch idea! what does the DFAM sound like when patched to O_C? layout-wise I would place the DFAM all the way on the left so that the patch cables don't stand in the way when turning knobs. If you patch the Velocity Input on the DFAM and don't use the internal sequencer for pitching the VCOs then you can use them for other modulation duties and eventually even with it's own clock rate! Been toying around with the idea of decoupling the DFAMs inner building blocks to use them for different purposes.

Hi,
You can use this with Disting 4:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/other-unknown-midixo-model-92-

I don't know about availability.

Cheers

I'd ditch scales and go with a Ornament & Crime, which will function as a quad quantizer, which pairs up nicely with the Mimetic. Of course it has other features you may like in addition. This Palette feels like you've been watching a lot of Ricky Tinez. Yes?

been eyeing the Erica Synths Sample Drum. I've heard somebody saying that it felt like two channels of the digitakt without the sequencer in Eurorack. Imagine 4xSample Drum + Westlicht Performer + FX Aid to emulate Digitakt on Eurorack? xD

Hi all,

Right now I've been using my Elektron Octatrack to sample modular but looking for an in rack solution. So far it seems like 1010 Music Bitbox and Rossum Assimil8r would do what I need to sample cool modular sounds for editing and playback like what my Octratrack does. What are your favorite sampler modules and why did you go with the particular solution? Rossum is very expensive compared to Bitbox so trying to see the pros/cons of both or perhaps consider another module? I just picked up Mutable Instruments Beads which is a granular sampler quite different than to read in an audio source and mangle for recording and playback.

The user manuals contain the pin outs in terms of DIN socket pins 4/5.

-- os

thanks for the quick reply!

Putting it all together even used the Mutable Instruments Shades and WMD SSF Toolbox utility modules that were not getting much use.

Shades is quite good can be attenuator or inverter and the sheer number of cool modular utilities in WMD SSF Toolbox is superb. I like using invert and the switch for good results in my patches last night.

The user manuals contain the pin outs in terms of DIN socket pins 4/5.

Hey Os...
I've got everything to connect the midi headers of my GeneralCV and Disting mk4 (brilliant modules btw, thanks) to case mounted din sockets... I keep meaning to implement it, but am not 100% sure about the pin outs - do you have a reference other than the picture of the midi breakout pcb that you could share?

If you're that short on space, don't waste 4HP on the breakout, just DIY a cable and run it out the back.

there are cables easily available with trs one end and din socket the other end - if you need to save space in a tiny case this or the drilling holes in the case method i described above would seem to be the best options...

There's also the 2HP sized breakout: https://expert-sleepers.co.uk/tinymidibreakout.html

Then that plus a disting mk4 is 6HP.

-- os

Os you got me anyways 🤗 I can't do the tiny midi breakout because I need the DIN connection, but my plan is to go with a mk4. This is going in a 40hp 4ms pod so there isn't a ton of room. The only reason I've been reluctant to go the mk4 route is because MIDI-to-CV is almost all it would be doing. Feels like a waste, but for the price and hp, it's probably my best option.

Currently waiting for Control to restock.

Thank you!!

Thanks and it is super cool that every time I patch, a new discovery takes place. These happy accidents make playing modular a real joy and experiment in music creation for me. I fixed settings on my YT channel so hopefully you all can view the videos now.

You are welcome, I love teaching my lessons learned on modular. I fixed the settings on the video so hopefully now you can view from here. Beads is tons of fun with Rings and Marbles!

Nice track baltergeist. Thoroughly enjoyed listening.

Unicorn rack limit increased to 100

On popular request rack limit for Unicorn accounts was raised from 60 to 100.

BTW the correct answer as always is get a bigger case and get both options!!!!

and of course more utilities!!!! the really important modules!

actual link - not jpg

Hi Ryanthegecko,

Yeah, keep it coming! :-) Nice and funny video, I love that kind of underwater effect unless you managed to develop a waterproof system? ;-) Thank you very much for sharing and kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Thanks Garfield :) Nice new profile pic!

are these things still being made? i know there was a limited run but not sure if they are still being produced,
-- Mosiej
Hi!

Stijn Kuipers here - together with Priscilla we are TiNRS.

This was a special edition - limited run of 25 units. We are no longer producing these. BUT! the files are open source so you can obtain a DIY verison - there are several places where you can buy pcb/panel sets for this module.

The main reason we built this thing was as analog manufacturing practice before we felt comfortable building the Fenix IV.

Fenix IV has been released in the wild for a while now btw - no idea what Lugia is going on about? The first 55 units have been shipped - the next 45 are coming in november. If you hurry there may still be some room on the waiting list.

And indeed: now that the Fenix project is nearing the end, we will be developing and manufacturing some modules again.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 10:12

Finishing my case (palette 62) and am stuck between going with the qubit surface and the wmd javelin or the alm pop slope and MI plaits. All other modules I already own. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1686596.jpg

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/mKetB

Lorre-Mill Double Knot running stereo through Tensor, Avalanche Run, and Rooms. Plumbutter just doing its thing, though I used its deerhorn to glitch things here and there. Electric guitar processed by Cocoquantus through Ghost Echo.

Might take another pass at it with a fretless electric bass just to see how that sounds.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 04:32

Pretty impressed with the ADDAC701 VCO. Covers the analog realm well, similar to the Dixie or the MN STO, for a reasonable ~$200. You have Plaits for lots of sounds. A complex osc is pretty high-end, big and expensive. I've added a doepfer A-114 Ring Mod + Happy Nerding FM Aid for some RM & FM sounds (using basic VCOs like the 701). Another interesting one is the Instruo tona, which has a wavefolder built in. You can also add a separate wavefolder module to a basic VCO, of course. There's E350/E352 for wavetables, NE Loquelic Iteritas for gnarly modulate-able digital sounds. Something really nice about the STO/Dixie/701/tona + something else (wavefolder, RM, FM, etc.) to get some solid analog sounds. Otherwise, I spent my energy on VCFs and modulation.
Cheers

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 03:21

F> Wailed on this...there was a lot there that was sort of superfluous once the organization process got going. This should make more overall sense, though:

OK...the top row is your oscillators and filters, plus a Veils after the oscillators for level control of those. Also, the crossover is up there at the upper left, as it makes more sense to use it to slice up the frequency domain of an external signal.

Second row: modulation, save for the Schippmann Compressor at the end. Notice that the waveshaper from the top row is now down here (for tampering with modulation waveforms) and I replaced the top row one with a design based on the Buchla 259's wavefolder.

Third row: This starts with a Konstant Labs PWRchekr, which I often put into builds where you have no DC rail indicators so that you can keep an eye on those. Then the entire external thing was swapped out for a Nonlinear Envelope Follower...this has a mono audio preamp, but it also extracts the incoming envelope for modulation use as well as sends a gate when the input level is high enough, and does all of this in 4 hp. Then the noise...but since the envelope generation situation here was so insufficient that I yanked all of the previous ones and put in a pair of Zadars with Nin expanders, which now brings your envelope total to eight. After those are all of your main effects; I took that down to a Timizoara multiprocessor, Kaminiec delay, and Springray reverb head, then put in a Ladik AUX mixer so that you can sum down the effects to a single stereo AUX return but still have control over the incoming levels. After this, I added a Beads for all sorts of granular mayhem, then the Resonant EQ is down at the end.

Fourth row: Starts with the MIDI interface, then a WMD Tool Box gives you a number of useful utilities in just 6 hp. ANA is next, then since we're screwing around with CV values, I put in a Joranalogue dual window comparator to pick off gate signals from all sorts of incoming signals. After that, I put in a Frequency Central logic module, which together with the previous couple of modules now gives you more potential gate complexity for firing off the triple S&H after it. Then there's your Nutone distorter and Vocoder in the pre-mixer slots. For the main mixer, I dropped in a Toppobrillo Stereomix2 which gives you VCA control over levels, panning, AUX send levels, mutes on all inputs, a CUE send function which can be very useful for checking things on the fly, such as tuning, and a full AUX loop with a mono out and stereo return. The mixer's outs go before the last two modules...I used the River tilting Baxandall EQ as a post-mixer "tone" control and the stereo field adjustment is right after that and before your main outs.

Now THIS seems to be a lot more balanced. The layout is certainly easier to navigate with your primary synth functions all grouped together, as well. My impression is that it's still a little thin on sources, but the rest of the system is now up to snuff, I think, and you've got plenty of possibilities for faking things so that the build can SEEM to have more sources than it actually does.
-- Lugia

Interesting. Going to take a moment to wrap my head around this, but definitely more coherent flow. Goes a little bit against what I was thinking but I like it. Thanks especially with the utilities. Sound sources are definitely on the more minimal side. The whole thing will typically be for designing/mangling one sound at a time, so can use as many/all or as little of the modules available. So I might slim down on the mixer but otherwise makes a lot more sense.

Thanks

Wailed on this...there was a lot there that was sort of superfluous once the organization process got going. This should make more overall sense, though:

OK...the top row is your oscillators and filters, plus a Veils after the oscillators for level control of those. Also, the crossover is up there at the upper left, as it makes more sense to use it to slice up the frequency domain of an external signal.

Second row: modulation, save for the Schippmann Compressor at the end. Notice that the waveshaper from the top row is now down here (for tampering with modulation waveforms) and I replaced the top row one with a design based on the Buchla 259's wavefolder.

Third row: This starts with a Konstant Labs PWRchekr, which I often put into builds where you have no DC rail indicators so that you can keep an eye on those. Then the entire external thing was swapped out for a Nonlinear Envelope Follower...this has a mono audio preamp, but it also extracts the incoming envelope for modulation use as well as sends a gate when the input level is high enough, and does all of this in 4 hp. Then the noise...but since the envelope generation situation here was so insufficient that I yanked all of the previous ones and put in a pair of Zadars with Nin expanders, which now brings your envelope total to eight. After those are all of your main effects; I took that down to a Timizoara multiprocessor, Kaminiec delay, and Springray reverb head, then put in a Ladik AUX mixer so that you can sum down the effects to a single stereo AUX return but still have control over the incoming levels. After this, I added a Beads for all sorts of granular mayhem, then the Resonant EQ is down at the end.

Fourth row: Starts with the MIDI interface, then a WMD Tool Box gives you a number of useful utilities in just 6 hp. ANA is next, then since we're screwing around with CV values, I put in a Joranalogue dual window comparator to pick off gate signals from all sorts of incoming signals. After that, I put in a Frequency Central logic module, which together with the previous couple of modules now gives you more potential gate complexity for firing off the triple S&H after it. Then there's your Nutone distorter and Vocoder in the pre-mixer slots. For the main mixer, I dropped in a Toppobrillo Stereomix2 which gives you VCA control over levels, panning, AUX send levels, mutes on all inputs, a CUE send function which can be very useful for checking things on the fly, such as tuning, and a full AUX loop with a mono out and stereo return. The mixer's outs go before the last two modules...I used the River tilting Baxandall EQ as a post-mixer "tone" control and the stereo field adjustment is right after that and before your main outs.

Now THIS seems to be a lot more balanced. The layout is certainly easier to navigate with your primary synth functions all grouped together, as well. My impression is that it's still a little thin on sources, but the rest of the system is now up to snuff, I think, and you've got plenty of possibilities for faking things so that the build can SEEM to have more sources than it actually does.

Hi Lugia,

Great website! Thanks a lot for that service manual. Kind regards, Garfield.

Cool stuff. Thanks for the commentary at the end. I'm often listening to stuff and, you know, looking at all those patch cables everywhere (newbie) and wondering what is going on. Cheers.

Nice stuff. Very drone-y. Thanks for sharing.

Jim: Oddly, the build quality on the B.2600 is actually pretty decent. They even went the extra step of venting the metal case to get the temp-sensitive components to settle down easier. Fact is, though...the original's hardware was kind of "meh" anyway. You got left with two rather cumbersome lids to store, Tolex that wasn't always glued down properly, slider caps that seemed to want to hide along with the missing socks from your dryer, etc. And of course, that VCF swap, and the odd heat/cool issues that would affect tuning, drift, etc. But you can still field-recalibrate it if needed...and the service manual should be essentially identical to the original, which you can find HERE: https://www.vintagesynthparts.com/service-manual/ Just make sure to have a multimeter and o-scope handy.

Garfield: Yep, the Lehle filter is a perfect "fix" for the 2600's DC-coupled VCA. Like I said, this behavior is 1:1 with the original in all of its revisions. However, sometimes you can get the VCA to provide a useful subsonic "thump", and this works really nicely when programming percussive sounds, so being able to take the DC filter out of line is important. But again, note the reply to Jim above re: the service manual. The 2600 is easy enough to recalibrate, and recalibrating the ARP 2600 was something A LOT of synthesists would do to dial in the fine details of the sounds they were shooting for. I even got tasked with recalibrating MTSU's ARP several times when I was more or less "in charge" of all of the audio implementations in the School of Music, and it's NOT something super-involved and difficult. But if you want to tweak the VCA's behavior in general, the original service manual by ARP is just fine as a reference.

Weird I see error on the site. I’ll look into it.

It's not really a Behringer issue, unless you consider copying the original design TOO exactly to be an issue.
-- Lugia

Hi Lugia,

Thank you very much for your extensive reply and the provided information! :-) Regarding Behringer... well... if I am not mistaken they did with some of the copy/paste stuff they did some improvements, can't remember which device that was, so why not with the B.2600? ;-) But yeah, that might have been a bit too complicated to just solve like that and then definitely the price wouldn't be any more the same.

Okay, I will try what you mentioned with the envelope input once I am getting the 2600 Blue Marvin.

Regarding the number of patch inputs/outputs on the 2600, well till just the Superbooth I wouldn't be able to answer that question. However if you have some ridiculous amount of money left over (5000+ bucks I think it was) then you could consider the TINRS - Fenix IV modular synthesizer with, if I remember well, well over 300 patch inputs/outputs; that would be "a slightly bit more" than the 2600 ;-)

Stupid question perhaps but why not skipping the B. 2600 VCA and put it through an Eurorack VCA? Of course that's not as comfy as using the entire 2600 and it's kind of irritating to take all the 2600 outputs to an Eurorack VCA but would that solve the issue? Most probably there will be a bit of a lost of typical 2600 sound to it as well...

I am planning to use, on your advice, anyway the Lehle 7013 DC Filter in conjunction with the B. 2600 to avoid any DC signals going to my mixer and/or monitors; if I would not make use of an external Eurorack VCA (instead of the B. 2600's VCA).

As always, thanks a lot for your input/feedback/help and kind regards, Garfield.

Hey Garfield - it's not just you - it's blocked from playback on other sites!