When did you buy yours? Are we sure there wasn't some revision of size, but nobody changed promo pics?
-- SmutOperator
That's not impossible. I got mine a month and a half ago. It was a demo from Sweetwater, and honestly I was surprised to see it because I didn't know the module was out yet. Maybe Sweetwater screwed up and sent out a prototype?
I asked the same question 2 years ago, and got some great advice from some power users and a suggested setup that really helped direct my rack planning: https://www.modulargrid.net/forum/posts/index/10559.
One of the pieces of advice I got was simply, "nothing about this screams generative to me - how are you expecting to generate random sequences? and modify them over time?"
Part of doing generative music (to me, this is opinion, after all) is using the modules to set up the conditions, restraints, and rules that direct and filter generated randomness into something evolving and (controllably) unpredictable. Unfortunately, doing so often takes a lot of support modules, and with a Rackbrute, there isn't much space to get generative. So my thoughts are that you should be looking at:
1) Sources of randomness. Maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like you have enough ability to create random voltage sequences. PAMs can do this well in several flavors (random and smooth random), but I find that those 8 outputs get used up fast for other clocking duties. I really enjoy my TipTop/Buchla Source of Uncertainty, but it is regrettably huge. Instruo just put out a new Tagh, which gives multiple types of random in 4 hp. @Sweelinck's suggestion of Turing Machine or Wogglebug are also great. However, maybe consider the uOrnament and Crime, which has different shift register/turing machine appletts, along with a couple of dozen other utility uses. And which brings us to Point 2.
2) Utilities to ontrol the randomness. Well, obviously someone was going to say utilities. But there are a few in particular that you might want to consider that really help me when doing generative.
* Comparators - These send out voltages when a certain threshold is met, or in the case of window comparators, when a voltage is within/without a certain range. For example, sending an LFO through and having gates come out when the LFO crosses a certain threshold. I love Joranalogue's Compare 2 for this, and the DivKid video on it goes into depth about how comparators work in general.
* Sample and hold - Gosh I love these. I'll often send a smooth random signal into one of these and sample at rhythmic intervals to develop my melodies. There are a ton of great ones, but I've really been enjoying After Later Audio's SHTH, which gives you both sample and hold and track and hold, and a few other goodies, in 2hp.
* Attenuators/attenuverters/inverters - My god, a random voltage generator really means random, and that often sounds like crap. So you'll want to attenuate the randomness, or the LFO, or the other cv, or frankly any signal because I just can't think of much that an attenuator/attenuverter/inverter can't help with. PAMS can do this, as well, but again with the limited outputs. A matric mixer like the Doepfer A-138m can be large, but quite useful. I like the Happy Nerding 3x MIA quite a lot, but getting to zero can be tricky on an attenuverter as compared to a pure attenuator. Frap Tools 321 gives you a lot of other functions, as well, but can attenuate and invert nicely. Additionally, you can also use VCAs as attenuators, if you have VCAs to spare...
* VCAS - Guess what, you don't have VCA's to spare. I find that I always want at least one more VCA than whatever number I currently have. A cascading VCA is great, but there are plenty of small VCAs out there to toss in where you have spare hp.
* Quantizer - Perhaps the Varigate can do this? I am not too familiar with it. However, if not, you'll want to be able to quantize your random voltages, because as stated earlier, randomness can sound like crap if not tamed. There are several good ones out there, but to be honest, I've not tried them other than the Dual Quantizer applet on uO_C hemispheres. But that works like a charm. I've heard people love Intellijel's Scales, which is relatively small.
3) A few honorable mentions:
* LFOs - something like Instruo/DivKid's OCHD gives a lot of organic motion in 8 related triangle LFOs.
* Mults - If you're going to be sending multiple copies of a 1v/oct signal, you will want to use Buffered or Active mults, instead of passive ones. The Frap Tools 333 is one such that provides a ton of secret uses. Doepfer's Swtched Multiple A-182-1 (passive, but amazing) is really cool, too.
* uOrnaments and Crime or Disting Super EX - A mutli-utility module that will give you access to a ton of functionality you don't otherwise have room for. Menu diving can be an issue, but they're worth the hp and scrolling in a small system.
* Mutes, routers, shifters, and switches - Don't forget that even with generative music, you'll want to play your instrument. I really enjoy fiddling with DivKid's Mutes, vpme.de's T43 Frequency shifter, and Instruo's tain and (1)F for these purposes.
Hope that helps, best of luck!
(Edited to add that I forgot PAMS can quantize signals as well, if needed, and for spelling, since I apparently need more coffee.)
hi,
I had the "Unicorn" account for a year. It now expired and currently use the free account. I only have four small racks and whenever I try to add a module to one of them I am getting redirected to the Unicorn account info. As far as I can see I have not exeded the limit of racks and modules for free accounts. Why is that? Anyone had a similar issue?
thank you
piotr
Ok, this is ridiculous on the part of all those resellers in that case, and you're right - the picture on Thomann after all does not look like 8HP...
When did you buy yours? Are we sure there wasn't some revision of size, but nobody changed promo pics?
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.
Hey! im looking for a mudole that gets cv input and takes out dimmer for led lemp ( like a normal lemps of a house)
also possible to create somthing if there is somone who deal with build
Total noob here just graduated to a 6u case so thot it time to go ModularGrid. Just setting up my first system in MG. Can't seem to find WMD SSF modules listed anywhere so I can add them to my rack. I have a Spectrum VCO and ADSRVCA. Any tips?
This is a great conclusion for the trilogy. A soft landing with a beautiful melody.
Excellent idea also to have imagined this triple publication. A series maintains attention and suspense. You invented ModularFlix!
Bankable :))
-- Sweelinck
Ha, thanks. I was unsure about triple posting and tried to space it out. I am def gratful for the note.
Any thoughts on my first rack if I want to move towards more generative patching capabilities? I have some HP left and will definitely add a filter module (I'm currently using an external Behringer TD-3-MO ...), but does anybody has a suggestion for the remaining HP? Thanks in advance!
Who keeps switching this to 10HP?? It's 8HP according to Thoman and Behringer...
-- SmutOperator
If it helps any, here's a link to a photo from Reddit of it in the rack. You can tell that it's too big to be just 8HP. I'm not sure why Thomann, Sweetwater, and Behringer all have the wrong figures
Other patch notes are:
I patch some of the STO sine through the DannySound Timbre with ends up beng a really suttle occasional part Cross-faded on with some crackle on the SSF Vortices Channels 3 & 4.
The other bit is the RadioMusic-flashed ProkDrum and screwing with some of the sample banks, some of it works and some of it should have been more subtle.
Cheers :)
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.
One thing worth mentioning - Beads has a built-in autolimiter that, if no sound comes in for 1-2 seconds, it'll start automatically raising the volume level of the input to try to catch whatever it can detect. Unfortunately, that includes ground noise in many cases (it's super sensitive). Take a look at the Background Hiss/Noise section of the manual, Émilie provided the ability to disable the auto gain circuit and adjust it manually behind a button-knob combo.
Oh — so... a ferrite bead on the power cable outside the case (I thought on one or more cables inside the case)?
Anyway I ordered two of the ferrite flat cables SA28B0071 @Lugia recommended — looking forward if it suppress a very very high frequency noise coming out of Beads...
This might be solvable with some ferrites. First up, these: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-csb31-525-5 These should go on the DC out from the Meanwell brick...open one up, loop the DC out line around it a couple of times right next to the brick, then snap it closed. That'll kill any RF on the DC line before it gets into the cab.
-- Lugia
you meant with one of them, wrap all the DC OUTs of the MW supply (-12 / + 12 / COM-GND / +5V)? or each of them?
This is a great conclusion for the trilogy. A soft landing with a beautiful melody.
Excellent idea also to have imagined this triple publication. A series maintains attention and suspense. You invented ModularFlix!
Bankable :))
Two of my most used modules are made in Barcelona, Endorphin.es' Milky Way and Cockpit 2. I moved to Long Island from Brooklyn some time ago and it has been real tough to find places to play out here compared to the city. I am trying to organize some local shows and find cool spots along the way. I do like the idea of playing at a record store. People see you through the window and come in and shop a little. We got a pretty good standing crowd.
Here in Spain, unfortunately, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find this type of collaboration between small venues (music stores, cafes, bookstores...) and people willing to make live music with synthesizers. And I know that there are people with more than enough level to make good sets.
In the area where I live, Barcelona, there are some sporadic acts but they are always in a "concert" format, with club schedule.
Here is the final part of the set. I actually had some ambient connective tissue between these sets and there was another 10 minutes or so after this track that my DAW unfortunatly did not record. C'est la vie. It is a fitting conclusion. A little whimsy.
A dark ambient-ish piece with Mangrove behaving like a jazz trumpet at times... I guess. Some patch details in the video description. Thanks for watching!
I am inspired by birth, death and the events inbetween.
A visual voltage level monitor, attenuator, and mixer from Molten Modular in partnership with Befaco.
Two surface mount parts to solder on, but not tough ones. The rest of the build is straightforward, I’d call it an intermediate kit.
The result is visually appealing, and a great way to monitor voltage swings, my demo with an LFO shows how useful I think it would be for that.
All in all a nice kit, the first from Molten, we’ll be looking for more! build
I just got a TipTop Zverb so the constant wash of Reverb Shimmer comes from this, Marbles is in control, all Oscillator sound is coming from the MakeNoise STO, Clouds is taking crackling noise which is filtered via the ADDAC VC T-Networks, Mimeophon is in Purple mode with sorta looping delay, Modulation across this patch is from NLC Sloths, Divkid/Instruo Ochd and a 2hp RND, I'm using the Befaco Burst to bring probability to the on and off gates that hit Flip on Mimeophon.
Def a fun little patch which makes for very easy listening.
Hope you enjoy.
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.
I've got another 3u 104hp case coming and I'm considering how I should move modules around.
I suppose I want each case to work at least partly as a self-contained rack, I may look at putting a Mixer into each case, and maybe some sort of effects, if it doesn't already have.
New Case (Top) - I've just thrown a few things in but the intention is to maybe move the weirder and less-used modules into here. This might not be displaying the correct link Image so click through to the actual rack
Main Case (Middle) - This is exactly how it is now.
Percussion Row (Bottom) - This is exactly as I have it now, I'm pretty happy with how this is though if anything moves it will be the ADDAC 104VC T-Networks as I like it for making crackly filtered noise.
Things I'm planning to sell.
I think I'll probably end up with one more case so I end up with a small esoteric / weird shit / sound mangling case.
Thanks for any input :)
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.