what are you trying to do with this?
-- JimHowell1970

It has a two fold use, firstly it's an expansion of my main portable eurorack kit (found here), adding clock division functionality and the smArTT Verter's attenuverter/offset/buffed multiple capabilities, the A-185-2v is to free up my Disting mk4 from being utilized only as a precision adder.

With that said I utilize my main eurorack for audio processing along with traditional synthesis, and so the other half of this rack is intended to handle some responsibilities that I haven't found worth the price in other form factors, (e.g. guitar pedals, vsts, or hacked gear). That's why there's a 3.5mm to 1/4" patchbay, so I can take audio out of my two ADAT Lightpipe linked audio interfaces into this eurorack subsystem and then after some attenuation feed it back into my DAW.

The blank panel all the way on the right side of the rack is intended to become an AC encoder breakout module so I can use my Disting mk4 and the Silent Way plugin to send CV from Ableton Live standard to my eurorack.

But yes, I hope I explained my goals with this particular build. It's not quite finished and it's likely it'll go through revision if I find form factors and price points that work more for my process and home studio needs.

EDITED May 6th 2021, 16:15

Fixed rack link so it's easier for folks to see

I did a small update. Now I really don't know where to go next ;)

Reduced the filter to 25%. That should bring the color back in your life! For every new member complaining I add additional 5% until we hit 200%

Fantastic... thank you for the dark mode! now just have to get used to it :)
I noticed the modules images tones' are slightly desaturated, It seems a bit too desaturated to me; it's pleasant artistically but it's not matching the real thing.

EDITED May 6th 2021, 13:38

I'd prefer the dark mode not to affect the images of the modules as well. To me, it neither looks good nor does it make sense. A photo viewer in dark mode wouldn't alter the displayed images either, and the rack view is essentially a (very souped-up) photo gallery. Right now the modules look kinda sad ^_^

I really enjoy the dark mode so far. The only minor thing I was puzzled by is why the modules are also displayed in a muted version in dark mode. This threw me of a little this morning :D

I personally would prefer dark mode with regular modules, but that's just my 2 cents

Not reversed, but maybe scaled back to 25%. Then get another round of feedback. 50% is definitely too much to my eyes.

Since I guess there will be some problems and issues let's discuss them here and not in the change log thread.

The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.
-- temp_hill

What do you think, should that be reversed or tamed down?

Hey @Modulargrid,

The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.
-- temp_hill

Hey, yes that is intended to tone the contrast in images down. I am collecting some more feedback and then maybe reduce the filter/find a better solution..

Edit: made a new thread for discussion: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9974

EDITED May 6th 2021, 12:11

Hey @Modulargrid,

The new Page Layout, while in darkmode, applies a filter: grayscale(50%) on every image. Is this intended?
Because it makes the page and especially the module pictures and your rack look really washed out.

Hi folks!

Have a potential NiftyCase 84hp rack design here hat I need a little help with. Have Beatstep Pro and Microfreak on the side for control and have a couple questions:

1) is it possible to use both the BSP and the microfreak simultaneously for control? Both have CV outs but can they be used at the same time?

2) is there anything you’d switch out/add/remove? With this unit I’m not looking to explore everything modular has to offer - this is perhaps just a relatively high priced suped up synth voice with utilities & generative functions to pair with a future 2nd rack (but I’m ok with that!).

3) which 3-4 modules should I get first so that it’s at least playable right away? Already have the case, Plaits clone, Clouds and the BSP and Microfreak - and the Nifty is pre-equipped with power & MIDI conversion.

Thanks and have a good one!

Edit: for some reason it’s showing an older photo of this rack design - please click on it to see what’s currently planned. Thx

EDITED May 6th 2021, 11:23

Hello guys!

I'm just at the beginning and that's the modules that I've baught for now. Any suggestions on what should I add next?
Kinda stuck right now.

So this is what Lugia helped me compose, I think it really should get the job done. Although I have much to research what some of the modules actually do!

Cheers!
Arkadiusz Reikowski

EDITED May 10th 2021, 08:44

what are you trying to do with this?

My new light melodic composition for eurorack modular synthesizer inspired by beautiful spring in my country.
Based on tree sequences of Mutable Rings and Plaits and Intelligel Plonk. Happy Nerding FX Aid XL and Mutable Clouds on effects. More details on my YouTube channel under the video.

Facelift

Restructured Layout

We have updated the page layout slightly. The CSS is modernized and the page should look better on mobile devices and on very large screens. We have tried to keep the bootstrap look and also kept all the buttons on their sometimes weird places.

The homepage, rack view, rack edit and user view changed the most.
Data on the module detailpage is restructured and includes ideas from Roey from Play Think Make.

Darkmode

Top requested and finally here: Darkmode exchanges the bright white background against a darker tone which might be more pleasing to the eye, especially on late evening module research missions.

On most Apple devices darkmode can be switched on and off in the System Preferences (General -> Appearance on MacOs), so if you have darkmode enabled for your OS it will automatically be enabled on ModularGrid too.
Of course it can be manually set in your user preferences (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/users/edit)

Intended to be installed in a mixed format 19" rack along with a shelf-mounted MXR 114 and M-Audio FireWire 1814, a Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820, and a 2-3 slot 500 Series system (which can be found here).

--edit
I just realized in the thread view the image is outdated. Not sure how to fix that.

EDITED May 6th 2021, 16:34

I'd love to hear a sample of this. Is the DFAM required to get bird sounds? I have a M32 and SH and it'd be cool to add synth birds to my backyard bird recordings.
-- TumeniKnobs

Heya! The DFAM isn't required actually, I was mostly using it for a soft background noise. You just need the M32 and the Subharmonicon to get those synth birds. Technically you don't even need to be using the SH's oscillators, the sound itself is produced by just hooking the M32 into the SH's clock and then turning up the resonance and VCF EG amt, and you can mess with the rhythms to get different amounts of randomness (you could even just do this with only the SH, but I like the additional flavor that the M32 adds to it) Here's another version of this patch with just the bird sounds part: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/patches/view/78338

I dropped a quick recording of this on my soundcloud actually (along with some patch notes if you go to the soundcloud page):

I think the main thing though is that you'll probably want to have a reverb on this, otherwise it just sounds like random squeaks. I originally had this going through a reverb pedal (the tc electronic hall of fame), but I think really any reverb would do.

EDITED May 6th 2021, 04:23

Intended to be installed in a mixed format 19" rack along with a shelf-mounted MXR 114 and M-Audio FireWire 1814, a Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820, and an 84 HP eurorack system (which can be found here).

Currently looking for an inexpensive chassis for this, ideally something that fits two mono modules in a 1U chassis that could fit neatly along my other equipment.

Possible leads are the Radial PowerStrip 3-slot, or DIYRE's PR502 2-Slot.

EDITED May 6th 2021, 05:27

If you want in-rack sequencing, do check out Vector. I got that recently, it’s the best sequencer of any kind I’ve ever used

Has this come up before?
I'd like to see a column that shows the price of the individual module once you are in the Data Sheet mode.
This would be extremely handy since I'm trying to create a doc of all owned modules for insurance purposes.
And yes, I'm aware of the overall price at the bottom of each rack.
Cheers,
Stüssy

Personally I think starting with a smaller rack isn't a bad thing, you can always add more cases later and limiting the scope helps you focus. My girlfriend might not agree though with a couple different cases sitting around the house 🤣🤣

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I've been paying attention to the forum. It's where I learned about Links and Kinks. Also, a while back I treated myself to a nice analog keyboard synth. On it I can modulate just about everything but the color of the case. From that I learned to favor devices that change the sound over the sound makers themselves.

The case I currently have os the Doepfer LC6. The next will be an LC9. Would love the monster, but it's a lot of empty space that I will feel compelled to fill, and with probably a lot of fancy modules I don't really need or want. You know, I just wanted to dip my toe into eurorack. I already feel like I've fallen into the pool and am at risk of drowning. So many modules.

I do have some aspirations for what comes after the LC6. I want to get a couple of other oscs/voices. Right now my eye is on the Erica Wavetable VCO and the IME Hertz Donut. As far as wave shapers, I've been considering the Joranalogue. Hadn't considered the Bifold. Also hadn't considered some of the other suggestions like the SISM. I'll take a look those. I was also thinking of eventually getting the Doepfer matrix mixer.

I'd like to add sequencing for the rhythmic stuff and keep the MIDI for playing melodies. I like the Erica Black, but the USTA looks interesting too.

The one thing I'm having a hard time with is what filters to add. I definitely want something beyond the standard LPF. I'll have to take a closer look at the Linnaeus. I really like the entire Rossum module lineup. Well, I have some time yet before I need to decide.

Anyway, thanks again.

Hi Zuggamasta,

Welcome back! :-) Back with a huge entry, my goodness, this is really good. Oh, I love that moment where your music changes around 1:17 or 1:18, kind of nice modern sequence style. Tangerine Dream can close their business, you will take over :-D

Ha, ha, the end of your track is very funny! :-)

Nicely done, thank you very much for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: How is the progress going with your DIY modules? Your rack looks pretty full :-) Do I notice a 3 or 4 HP free space, one more DIY module then? ;-) Are you considering a next rack or will you stay with the 98 HP?

Hi Nokulture,

Don't be too afraid of repetitive patterns, it can be beautiful as well, look for example at music from Philip Glass or Simeon ten Holt (Canto Ostinato). That's great repetitive stuff and they are not the only ones, just a few examples.

So, having that settled, you will become our new Philip Nokulture Glass, right? ;-) Keep up the good work and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Garfield,
Thanks! You're right, maybe a little bit longer was fine, but I was afraid the patch would be repetitive. The next time I'll try better :).

Wow this was great!

thanks all, for being such nice people :)!

I do pray that we all come good through these odd and crazy times, healthy, and in peace!

Best, all the Best,
jingo

After a forced break away from the synth I'm back and it's at such a great state to just jam around and build on top of what it is already capable of.

Patchnotes:

- Kick from Muxlicer [Clock Out] to Rampage [Trigg B] sending [B Out] to the VCA and Sine [V/oct] in, [Sub] to the mix
- Melody Muxlicer is self patched to control triggers per step and controls [VCO1] of the paradox, [VCO2] is changed by S/H at every end of cycle. Both Voltages are quantized by the Disting mk4
- Snare is noise with an LGP as envelope/VCA
- Mixing and Effects: I send my mixed voices in the filter first, and then to the FxAid for the glitchy slapback delay. There is also a secondary mono signal running dry from the mix to the headphone cue to instantly switch to a rich, non filtered signal path. Which I did not record, haha. I also didn't monitor the line out well enough, so the signal came in a little hot and distorts quite a bit)

Take care and have fun

EDITED May 5th 2021, 15:54

I'd love to hear a sample of this. Is the DFAM required to get bird sounds? I have a M32 and SH and it'd be cool to add synth birds to my backyard bird recordings.

Hi, I agree with @troux, that your above build already appears to have a good balance.

As far as your future / aspirational builds go, my (highly subjective) suggestions would include:

-- yes, of course, bigger case. Maybe considerably bigger (like Doepfer Monster) so you have good room to grow? Personally I've gone with stackable Doepfer cases because i) power supplies are robust ii) I figure if I need another similar case in a few years, there's a good chance Doepfer will still be offering cases. I want to avoid a bunch of odd size cases from different manufacturers -- instead trying to standardize my case setup(s). In any event, if you think you'll be into modular for a good long while, I'd recommend playing the "long game" with cases

-- complex oscillators: I've spent a lot of time with softsynths. IMO complex oscillators like MN DPO and Instruo C-sl are a lot of fun, a lot of (for me) the joy of modular (compared to VSTs). Also, these make me think more in terms of "west coast" synthesis, which is something modular is great at, and most VSTs relatively bad at.

-- waveshapers: again, for me, these are part of the joy of modular, and something modular excels at. Intellijel Bifold, Instruo wavefolders, Joranalogue. There are a lot of solid choices.

-- I think you could benefit from some more FILTER firepower in the rig, add some interesting items like the higher end filters from Rossum, Intellijel, Joranalogue, etc. These go way beyond what a VST filter can normally do. I'm trying to think of filters not only in the normal VST (frequency removal / accentuation) way but also in a more "west coast" way of adding / mangling frequencies, which is again something modular is better at (IMO) than VSTs. Rossum Linnaeus is a great example of a module that has a huge and unusual sonic range for a filter.

-- when you want more CV or more complex CV, I can suggest: Stages, which I love; 4MS SISM for shift, invert, scale, mix etc; a matrix mixer of some kind (CV-able or not); some of the ADDAC modules like Sum/Diff, etc. You already have a good bunch of CV, so probably add more CV-control modules like SISM, matrices etc before going too far with more CV.

-- more other utilities, various. Don't underestimate what more "humble" and perhaps non-obvious modules can add to your system in capabilities. This is kind of a bottomless pit topic. If you haven't seen these websites already, I would suggest searching on the Ladik and NonLinearCircuits websites will be very mind opening on just what "other" modules might be capable of adding to your rig. Additionally, searching a lot of Lugia's rigs and posts on this forum are a great way to consider other modules, setups, etc. I've learned a lot from studying his (and some other power-user's) setups and comments.

What's really good is it looks like you already have a solid setup and an idea of your focus and direction. SO you can just add and explore from there.

Again my suggestions above are very subjective / personal. Hope these give you some interesting ideas to explore!

I feel like you've been watching the forums from looking at this, nice balance of everything and some good choices for utility modules. The one comment I'd make is that I personally didn't really like the sound of the Chord V2 and know that's not an uncommon view, so I'd encourage you to dig in and give some unprocessed demo videos a listen if you haven't already.

Recently got into eurorack. Looking for some feedback regarding what I have and what I plan to get. I'm totally expecting to expand to another case (wishing I started with the 9U). This case is primarily meant as a sound maker. Sequencing duties will be handled by outside sources.

I currently own a Moog M32, as well as the following modules:
bOSC, Chord, Batumi, Doepfer A-130-2/A-140-2/A-190-4, MSCALE, Viol Ruina, Erica VCF3, and the 2hp Trim.

Primary music interests are Industrial (somewhere between Techno and Trance). Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Nokulture,

He, he, I think you succeeded in trying to emulate an old tape! :-) Nice little track, I wouldn't have mind it if it would be double or even triple the length.

Thanks a lot for sharing and kind regards, Garfield.

Lovely, thanks for sharing @jingo, I'm sending good vibes to you (and all the forum-heads) in these crazy times

Self patching feedback-wise a module to throw in the mix would be a tanh by Instruo, seems built for that and only in 4 HP.
-- troux

thanks for this! will also have a good look at tomorrow.

Self patching feedback-wise a module to throw in the mix would be a tanh by Instruo, seems built for that and only in 4 HP.

That was lovely :) Cheers

post-apocalyptic sadness. Thanks :)

I've been reading through their module list recently- definitely lots to think about! thanks.

never underestimate doepfer especially for utilities

This feels like an empty world after a nuclear war! Brilliant track and lovely depressing atmosphere!

Best,
jingo

Hi! thanks so much for this- yep, these are modules I'm currently looking at and will definitely explore further following this. The TWS is in there alongside the ResEQ to form a little self-patching chaotic feedback corner of the case although I take your point about the VCM which does sound great...also v. interested in the NCOM.

Thanks Garfield,

I am building some eurorack modules (nlc) and hope to have time to wiggle them...

And thanks again for your kind words which I always appreciate! :)

Best,
jingo

There's a lot of big modules here, which might be ok but I'd probably want to fit a ton more little things in here to really leverage the power of the bigger modules. I know you're planning on using the ES-9 but personally I like getting away from the computer, so ideas that come to mind: Links, Kinks, Rnd Step, Ochd, Cold Mac, Crow, Ladik across the board, Tirana, Turing Machine or 2HP TM, more VCAs (the VCA matrix is less flexible in reality than it looks on paper), Serge NCOM (though you do have a Compare 2), DC coupled ring modulators (in particular the Befaco A*B+C), clock dividers... that's what I can think of for now at least.

To start, I'd drop the Rainmaker and the Tripler Waveshaper (kind of redundant since your oscillators are complex already, plus the other Serge wavefolder is generally regarded as superior) and see what of the above makes sense to you to fit in. IMHO you'd come out with a far more flexible and adventurous rack.

Hi All!

First time posting here and happy to receive advice or suggestions on the below:

Having spent a number of months researching, I started putting my rack together earlier this year. I'm loving the journey so far but as for many, am trying to find a balance between sources, modifiers, modulation and utilities and figuring out what works best for me....

My aim is to create an instrument for sonic experimentation (initially studio-based but to be performed with further down the line)- with inspiration found in the patch programmability and feedback systems of Serge, the timbral possibilities unique to Eurorack sound modifiers and sample manipulation. The above system will be accompanied by a control skiff at some point in the future, additional modulation is currently being sourced from VCV via Es9, mixing is being done externally and sequencing (rarely) being done in a DAW. I also have a PNW which will end up in the skiff.

I'm particularly looking for advice on utilities/modulation that might open up the system further (still considering whether Genie, Compare 2, Levit 8, HN MIA/VCAs are best use of the space available), whether there are any massive oversights or just modules that could be lots of fun to explore.

Thanks!

Just lucky basically, no talent, no education, just luck ;-) This is me at least.

Yes, very nice track. I love it when you spend all this time patching something fast and complex and busy, but then you cut some parts, drop the tempo, open the envelopes and reduce it down and you get something related, but totally different and often better than what was originally patched. At least it happens to me on occasion. :-)

Hi,
Little generative ambient patch around BIA on main lead and rings on back lead sequenced by Rene. I've tried to emulate an old tape taste around FX aid, kinks and plaits.

Thanks for your feedback, as always, Garfield. Well, it was QPAS that convinced me, my friend was merely kind enough to make a temporary swap happen - his QPAS for my Rossum Morpheus, 18 hps of filter for 18 hps of filter, for a few days :) I've been keeping an eye on QPAS since it was released and now it got to me instantly and am looking at it as a central module in my rack (have one on backorder but might find one locally...). It's awesome as a stereo filter but can also be something like a 2 x mono filter/animator module. As a matter of fact, at one point, if and when my rack will expand to 4 or 5 x 104 hps, I might decide to add a second QPAS. But first I need the first :)