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Thanks @GarfieldModular Yeah I think I got a bit crazy on the Rebach filter started clipping the recording or something, it didn't sound quite that bad while I was playing it.
I get 3 parts out of the Acidrain Chainsaw via the ST Modular SVCA, the main Stereo outs fom the SVCA go to Mimeophon and then onto Monsoon Clouds, then I take the extra outs from the SVCA and split them to the Patching Panda Punch before hitting either the Omsonic FLF or the Rebach VCF-AB, Triggers for these going to the Punch come from the Robaux LL8.
Marbles controls the whole show, Mimeophon is clocked from Pams, Mimeophon clock the Pitches side of Marbles.
I feel what I need to do is disconnect all my percussion or make a point of not using it, it was sort of my fear when starting to buy percussion modules that everything I do would have beats in it, my percussion row will eventually become separate so i can completely avoid it.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
Here is my rack. My goals are to 1) get it into a more performance oriented layout. I have tried to put much of the knobs/sliders I would tweak at the bottom. 2) make melodic/minimal techno and some ambient, when the mood strikes. I have a Pittsburgh modular structure 344 case. I own these modules except the endorphin.es shuttle control which has been ordered already. I plan on pulling the Tukra out, it’s a great module but not what I ultimately wanted. I have a beatstep pro. I have decided I want to sequence drums using samples on my Polyend tracker. This would interface with the shuttle control to enable midi to cv control of the modular. I feel like I am lacking in envelopes/modulation. Let me know what you think and might change out. I love the distortion of the retro mechanical fuzz but it takes up a lot of rack space. I have used the feedback oscillator to generate noise, but that was before I grabbed the Furthurrrr generator. I basically use microcell as a granular looper, and I feel like there might be a better replacement for it. I guess I will see what y’all say and go from there. This rack has been developing over the past couple years.
I should add I have a few external synths I use occasionally and process them in the modular as well.
This module just keeps getting better and better and is quickly becoming one of my favourite utility modules. Im expecting great things from disting in the future, however, left a few comments on youtube on some of their videos ermmm ...... the guys @ expert sleepers are yet to wake up on the true potential of these pressing matters.
a great solution to integrate my module to my daw, would love more, if this module could just, find a silent way to become a ghost audio card in the background of my daw = integration heaven,
now, im aware another one of his modules may do the trick, somewhat, still nice to feed audio back.
If only there was a way to have all my banks on the sd , and yes you guessed it backup of single tweaked presets in a nice organised fashion via micro sd, a setting with no distortion.
such a cool module, do wish i could have all my banks handy, organised filesystem @ easy access transfer via micro sd , ability to back up my single pre-sets to sd, that i may have spent a few hours tweaking. still great work IME
oh almost forgot, ability to run 2 different effects, in such a small unit, a nice addition, guess the fv1 chip isn't strong enough, maybe 1 day there will be multiple in's and out's, still running 2 effects possible ?
Are you crazy? ;-) This is totally my thing, sounds great, he, he, indeed a bit of Depeche Mode feeling here but that's totally fine, I love this jam. Nicely done! What I admire is that you are able to cover "several areas of music styles" and that capability shines through here. I am glad this time it ain't Techno ;-)
It's also nice you remembered that I mentioned the Behringer VC340, coincidentally I was thinking last night about that one again. After this jam, I am going to put up the priority of the VC340 in my wish list, slowly it's about time. One other thing I like to consider/get before I go for the VC340, which is the drum synthesizer Drum 3P from Clavia Nord. Any chance you got that one and can demo it in one of your jams? ;-)
The usage, near the end of the jam, of the VC340 is very nice, very subtle, great! :-) Gives me a good appetite for this vocoder.
Thank you very much for this great jam, I hope to hear more from your vocoder and kind regards, Garfield.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
Im thinking really cool, then, i realized, no variable clock, kind of limits the module, don't get me wrong , i love the sleek small design of the module , variable clock just feels like an important factor.
Went in a different direction with this latest (mostly) improv session. Sort of a mid-tempo synth-pop/new wave/mid-period Depeche Mode kind of sound. Too much going on with the patch to explain everything, but mostly the E352 and AJH Minimod oscillators into an Optomix and Patching Panda Punch v3. A little bit of the 4ms DLD, Milky Way, and Clouds. FSS Makrow doing its thing. I finally broke down and picked up a Behringer VC340 vocoder and threw that in towards the end as well (@GarfieldModular I know you were looking for a vocoder a while back. I can confirm that the VC340 is outstanding).
Thanks for your time and have a great weekend. No worries if this isn't your thing. :)
Not sure on having so much hp tied up in both pams and fh-2, if you are looking at midi sequencing you can get envelopes/gates/clocks/cv from fh-2 saving 8 hp, you could pick up a filter and effects.
Its limited and small, but I am assuming that is part of what you are looking for.
-- mog00
Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. It doesn't include the FH-2 but the Disting EX which I think would allow for some sequencing, filtering and effects.
You are right, I wanted something small that would not take up too much space in carry-on luggage.
I do hope to put it together and look forward to seeing what it can do but I am concerned about the depth of the Disting if I were to use a 4MS Pod. Do you have any experience with those?
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
Could you elaborate on what you mean exactly by generative? Would it be something that "plays itself", or something that adds randomness to what you programmed, or maybe just evolving melodies?
In term of pure generative, it misses the most essential modules I believe :
A source of pseudo-random gates and voltages (checkout MI Marbles or the Malekko Noisering)
Dedicated LFOs (you have the Dixie but I'd advise for something that you can clock like the Zadar)
Comparators (you'll trigger events based on certain conditions met somewhere else)
Attenuverters (the quad VCA will be full pretty fast and you'll still need to control everything else)
Utility sequencers (you have 2 huge programmable sequencers but generative music requires multiple, smaller orders of control)
Gate modulators (eg. logic modules, gate delays)
Sequential switches
....
There's a shit ton of other utilities that would be interesting in a techno live rack.
I think this guy could help. He's built a live techno system and explains how/why in several videos:
And him probably:
To summarise, I 100% agree with mog00: first add all the utilities you can and try things out for yourself.
They're cheap and a lot of fun. Also, you don't have to do generative music for things to be interesting and fun in your rack!
(also take everything I said with a bit of salt because I'm essentially a beginner at eurorack)
Ronin, thanks for the mentions above, I'll check them out!
An idea to add here, ADDAC405 is a "Relabi Generator;" it is a multi-mixing LFO complex CV and gate source. Hard to describe precisely in a short phrase here, but very reminiscent of what Ronin is discussing above. I NEVER see the ADDAC405 discussed on MG -- thought it is worth a shout out! I love ADDAC stuff!
-- my longer post yesterday was more along the lines of "cool ideas & prior posts for you to investigate" plus some module types you don't already have, if you wanted to consider a larger and spendier but more capable rig
-- I agree with Ronin and Jim above, it's a great idea to figure out # of voices you'll want from your rig at any one time, and what would be required to support those. If you wanted all your voices out of modular, as Ronin said, that's likely a bigger and more expensive rig
-- the practical, near-term edits I would suggest to your rig above are i) bigger case ii) add Ochd (for more LFOs), Gx (for more lanes from Metropolix), and SISM (for CV control). But it does make sense to go through the exercise Ronin mentioned first, before you commit to any additional modules and HP.
... thought I'd follow up with something more focused and practical (as my earlier post was not as near-term & practical)
Not sure on having so much hp tied up in both pams and fh-2, if you are looking at midi sequencing you can get envelopes/gates/clocks/cv from fh-2 saving 8 hp, you could pick up a filter and effects.
Its limited and small, but I am assuming that is part of what you are looking for.
great ideas from @Ronin1973 there.,.
the op also mentioned generative - so I'd suggest maybe having a think about how that would fit in as well - usually want more layers of modulation - modulate the modulation.. so there is movement over time - possibly more vcas too for the sme reason
"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!!!
As far as chaos goes... multiple LFOs that are mixed together in a DC compatible mixer that's capable of attenuverting is great for creating chaos. Switches connected to a randomized sample and hold, switching between different modulation sources can make for nice chaos. Also check out Vector Space from WORNG Electronics. It combines (mixes) CV signals in a unique way that might give you that something different you're looking for.
On the Intellijel Palette and your 1U modules, have you made SURE that all your 1U modules are in the INTELLIJELL 1U format? 1U falls into two standards: Pulp Logic "tile" and Intellijel. They are NOT compatible with each other. If you're going with the palette be absolutely certain those modules you've picked are Intellijel compatible.
Okay. If you wanted to make a techno song on this, what elements are going to be in your mix? Kick, snare, hats, a bassline, a lead, some chords... what else?
Do a mental exercise of where each of these elements will come from. What will they be sequenced by? Where will you get all the triggers/gates and CV/pitch from? As far as the voices, how will you make each one? What modules will you need in audio chain for each voice? Some modules are self-contained voices (like BIA, Braids, Atlantis). Others will require filters, envelopes, VCAs, etc... don't forget any modulation (the strength of modular synthesis).
How will you combine the outputs of all of these voices and apply effects to them when desired/warranted?
If you do this mental exercise and work backwards, you might have some second thoughts regarding module selection, module size in HP, mixers-submixers, etc. Once you've done the work, you might find that you need more utilities than what you have... that you will need more rack space, and things might be much more expensive to get the level of functionality you'd hoped for.
What started me thinking about this stuff is that I picked up a DFAM for cheap and at present I have just been working some rhythms out on it and running it into an amp and then plugging guitar into another and playing along. Kind of a crude way to use it but it’s still neat. I know nothing about synths but have always been interested in them. I just found a Mother 32 in a 2-tier with an empty case in the other tier so I will have 60 hp to play with when it shows up. At present I will probably mate the 32 and DFAM so I can get some patching 101 done and a better understanding of how it all works. Then I can ask some better informed questions.
Thanks
Mitch
-- OlDefGuy
The Mother 32 is a great intro to synths and modular-land, and with the DFAM is a powerful combo. I would recommend experimenting with those for a few weeks, and when you find that you are unable to do something that you want to do, then start researching modules that will help you solve that problem. When I first started, I bought a few things that I thought I would use but didn't really end up needing so I wasted a little time and money.
Have fun on your synth journey!
What started me thinking about this stuff is that I picked up a DFAM for cheap and at present I have just been working some rhythms out on it and running it into an amp and then plugging guitar into another and playing along. Kind of a crude way to use it but it’s still neat. I know nothing about synths but have always been interested in them. I just found a Mother 32 in a 2-tier with an empty case in the other tier so I will have 60 hp to play with when it shows up. At present I will probably mate the 32 and DFAM so I can get some patching 101 done and a better understanding of how it all works. Then I can ask some better informed questions.
Thanks
Mitch
I've been playing with the rack for some days now and I thought I could share some feedback!
First having everything under hand really helped me see how much the improvements that you proposed made a lot of sense. The 1U tiles were such an important addition, the stereo effect is just perfect and I've had a LOT of fun with audio feedback pretty much everywhere in the signal flow. The mults are much more useful than I would have thought. More importantly, each time I felt like I missed something in my patch, I realised that it was offered in your original build (eg. I miss the Noise Tools a bit more than I would have thought) or the module was on its way (O_C is arriving in 2 days!).
So, I thought it was time to work on the second iteration with the idea of ditching the JF and the RE for smaller modules. But I soon realised that there was an issue with the build: the Palette cannot power more than 12 modules simultaneously. The original build included 13 modules (14 if you count the 2HP loop that I decided to keep). So now, the question is not so much about space but number of modules.
To mitigate the issue, my first idea was to find a passive attenuator to replace the Duatt. I found the Attenumixer from Zlob that has 4 inputs and a sum output. This just left me enough room to replace the Duatt and the Mosaic Clock with the Noise Tools.
This left me with the possibility of replacing the 18HP Resonant Equalizer with 2 modules (14HP) and the Attenumixer. I haven't decided how to replace it exactly as its internal circuit + its second input allow for so much control over feedback. But what I'm missing the most should help a lot:
- probably a second VCO
- a LP filter
- some feedback control
From this, I sketched the second step of my modular backpack journey:
I added a second Mangrove as VCO but a lot of other VCOs would work here. The second module would a a Sclpl, the C4rbn or even maybe the Tanh[3] from Instruo (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/instruo-tanh-3)
Anyway, I hope this will help some of you readers on your own path 👋
Nothing secret or esoteric in my works. It's mainly improvised basic tracks.
I use few modules, usually a sound source connected to a filter, modulated by 1 or 2 chaos-modulators. These modulators are controlled by variable-rates LFO's.
Sometimes I finalize with reverb or delay, but I prefer "dry noises".
I like a lot NLC modules because they are raw and unpredictable.
The most important, my modular system is permanently connected to my computer and I always record what I do. I use later the DAW in time-grid sandbox, and (in "old school mode") I arrange the recorded basic tracks into structures.
I checked our your bandcamp page, very interesting tracks!!
If you're up to share a few of the main patching configuration you use with chaos modules, I'd be very interested (as I'm sure would others). Your ambient work is some of the best I've heard, I'd be very curious to know some of your main setups for that. Of course you don't have to give away all your secrets ; )
I really like this! I have to ask, though: are the tags and such on this set correctly? It appears when searching as an available Synthesizers.com module. Please make this come true and let me buy it. XD
-- tehyar
Sorry, just changed it so no one makes that mistake. This is just a project I did for myself. I only tagged it with that to give credit for Q128. No chance it will be available from Synthesizers.com. Although, maybe they should produce something similar. I find switches incredibly useful and they don't require a lot of real estate to be fully functional. There is nothing in MU that meets the quality of that MOTM-700 which is why I felt the need to convert it.
-- Precarious
No worries. Call it a mixer of ocd and wishful thinking. :)
I really like this! I have to ask, though: are the tags and such on this set correctly? It appears when searching as an available Synthesizers.com module. Please make this come true and let me buy it. XD
-- tehyar
Sorry, just changed it so no one makes that mistake. This is just a project I did for myself. I only tagged it with that to give credit for Q128. No chance it will be available from Synthesizers.com. Although, maybe they should produce something similar. I find switches incredibly useful and they don't require a lot of real estate to be fully functional. There is nothing in MU that meets the quality of that MOTM-700 which is why I felt the need to convert it.
I really like this! I have to ask, though: are the tags and such on this set correctly? It appears when searching as an available Synthesizers.com module. Please make this come true and let me buy it. XD
Ugh! It happened again - I crafted an long, detailed response about my studio set up and my real-world example, but when I hit submit it got lost in the ether...
-- TumeniKnobs
half my posts get abandoned for this very reason!
"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!!!
thanks @TumeniKnobs! BTW I lose a lot of TLDR posts, but have gotten in the habit of copying them before posting, and now almost never lose them...
Regarding power, I fixed a NASTY issue the other day by redoing everything to draw off of one outlet. Helped a TON. I never knew about "ground loops" before, but now I know they are real, and potentially very problematic, often in strange ways. So yes, I tried a setup more like yours, helped a lot! I'll need to keep this in mind for future adds/changes. I may bump into my circuit limit (15A?) pretty soon.
Regarding Furmann gear, IMO it's important to have some meaningful protection in line with expensive electronics. My $200 Furmann PL+C has been a great investment to date. My (limited) understanding of the Furmann lineup for studios is it includes:
-- voltage regulators: protect from too low or too high voltage, including potential surges and spikes
-- power conditioners: "clean up" power with the effect of reducing noise
-- uninterrupted power supplies: give you some time on battery in case of a power failure, thereby limiting or avoiding data loss etc.
-- power sequencers: give sequenced on/off. This is useful for large touring shows etc., maybe not so needed for normal studios
SO out of those, IMO the possible needs for a small to medium studio would be voltage regulation and/or power conditioning. Your M-8Dx already does that, so maybe the question is would an improved unit be worth while? That's what I'm currently pondering, the main upgrade candidate for me is the $~950 Furman P-1800, but I haven't yet determined if something higher or lower in the conditioner/regulator lineup would be more suitable. I'm in MN where the power almost never goes down except in extreme weather, so I wouldn't really consider a UPS presently. But maybe a UPS would be good in your area or for your uses?
@frown3n I can recommend you check out this link https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9906 which is huge thing I put together months ago... the info / links at the top of that are relevant to "generative." It is food for thought, maybe too much food for thought... But overall the links are very interesting, and include deep & helpful stuff from Lugia, Farkas and a couple others from the forum. You'll glean a LOT if you dig into those posts and the example racks esp. those by Lugia, and his discussions of what's needed in the generative racks.
A few additional comments:
-- I love switches! Boss Bow 2, Switchblade, etc. My next major push is to be able to sequence sequences via switching (Boss Bow 2). Of course one can switch anything: audio, CV (envelopes, LFOs, etc). IMO adding some addressable (CV/gate/trigger controlled) switches adds a huge amount of depth and power to a setup. Verbos Sequence Selector is also worth considering.
-- in addition to switches, you could use additional Logic modules (e.g. OR/AND/XOR, etc.), maybe a couple clock dividers / ratchets (Doepfer has a lot of good options on this front), a derivator (like Joranalogue's one, or Metabolic Devices Coherence), plus more utilities like buff mults, averagers, and something like 4ms SISM to help you combine / wrangle CV from multiple sources. Joranalogue Morph 4 is worth consideration for mixing / mangling signals. The general theme here is, of the signal sources you have, what would be interesting ways to multiply, mangle, and recombine these? Logic and clock dividers also tend to be low on $s and HP so they're a great way to add power and depth with relatively low cost.
-- 1 or 2 Instruo Ochd units are worth considering. Lots of additional LFO signal for little HP.
-- your build above has i) a packed case ii) a bunch of big modules. If at all possible, try to have 20-40% of your case space left over so you can add more modules in the future without immediately needing a larger case. In other words, you might consider your next build having a considerably a bigger case! You may also want to consider if your biggest modules above are better for you than several smaller modules.
-- Since you have Metropolix, getting it's add-on would give a lot of functionality for little incremental $s and HP; more signal to play with and route. And if you like the "sequencing sequencers" and/or switching ideas above, then you can think of split duties between your sequencers. Tiptop Z800 IMO is a great "companion sequencer" if running more than one unit.
-- I love that you have Scales in there. That will give you a lot of flexibility to extract pitch information from your non-stepped CV, or to have totally independent control of potential pitch values (e.g. by setting custom scales in Scales, and changing those with CV, which is what I do). Yes, most sequencers will already have quantize-able outs, BUT IMO there's a lot to be said for having independent quantizing lanes in addition.
-- I'm not really seeing any modules in your rack that I think are total mistakes, I see a lot of modules I love. But I am left with the impression you'll probably end up needing a larger case and some additional modules.
Well this turned out way longer than I had planned. Hope at least some of this is helpful! Good luck, and enjoy!
I dig Lightbath for his music, tutelage, and sense of humor. And for ambient music I gravitate to State Azure and Inverted Popes a lot. Red Means Recording has a music channel that is mostly techno vibes I believe.
Given what you already have what are you trying to do, but feel limited in doing? Before adding more voices I would focus on adding utilities to get the most out of the voices you already have. Trying to get multi-voice polyphony in a case this small is a recipe for disaster, plenty of voices just not enough tone sculpting ability so you won't be able to get the most out of all of them.
Are you planning on doing all drums in case, BIA is great module but you don't seem to have enough modulation to really drive two of these, while stages is a great module you might want something like a quad lfo (batumi for cadillac, doepher for value/hp) instead since you have a voltage block as well.
I love the SSF dipole, but not as my primary filter, I would look at the Polaris great bang for the buck filter (saves HP).
Needs some attenuverters, 3xMIA, Lapsus Os, matrix mixer, mutes, switches, etc.
Look at 4ms I/O similar output module 6HP, there are others as well I just happen to own this one.
I will definitely let more experienced people chime in, but I think you would quickly become frustrated with your ability to carve space for all these voices with the lack of utilities.
Thanks! Will take a look at your suggestion. Actually the Minimix is the mixer I'm looking at! Definitely need a mixer - debating a few different ones at the moment.
For FX module, take a look at FX Aid XL..small but powerful
I don't see any sort of 'mixer' included and is something you probably want to have...admittedly I don't know all the capabilities of everything listed in your build. I use the Cosmotronic Cosmix and am really happy with it
I'm looking to make modular / generative techno and have drawn up this rack below (I currently have Atlantis, BIA, Maths, Pam's, Metropolix, Links, Beads and Quad VCA).
How does this look?
I'm not sure if I've gone overboard on the modulation - can Stages & Maths cover envelope & LFO needs?
Any suggestions for an FX module?
Too many voices?
Which modules should I purchase next - given what I already have (above)?
Nice job ryanthegecko...I have the Minibrute 2 but haven't yet paired it up with my Rackbrute 6U setup (been pairing with my Hydrasynth desktop mostly) but you've inspired me to get that Minibrute out (I forgot the 2 has the sequencer as well). Hopefully I'll get brave enough to share something soon as well...well done!
Came to this thread to learn more about Dreadbox, and I’m pretty sure that Hysteria will be in the next expansion, but I now know that the Unicorn Boom exists! Bwahahaha! That panel is awesome. I don’t care what it does. I guess I’ll never not be 12. ;-)
Oh, this is a nice jam! Ha, ha, I had to smile when I heard those funny sounds just before 3:00, good stuff. Some of your percussion is pretty loud compared to the rest, otherwise this is a great piece of work! The pluck sounds are great too! Pity one can't see your Eurorack modules in the video, would be nice to see those too.
Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
If you are talking about the Assimil8or you have 422MB of sampling memory, you could get just shy of 28 minutes of stereo recorded at CD quality, not bad, though I am still waiting for my unit (on pre-order) haven't given that a thought as I record to my Tascam Model 24 SD, I have a Standalone BitBox and can't say I am in love with it as a sampler (as a sample playback it works great, I find the recording is off when dealing with odd measures).
