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EDITED Dec 25th 2023, 07:20

Hello, I have managed to obtain quite a few modules since I started adding modules to complement my DFAM. In the beginning I just needed a way to synchronise it with my other gear but as normal with GAS the thing blew out of proportions after a while.
At the moment I'm trying to figure out a way to organize all my modules. I have a few separated cases for the modules. I made a big rack in Modular Grid so I could see all the modules and cases with one view. Below there is a list of cases in the same order as they are on the Modular Grid rack.

1x ACL 6U 104HP
2x Intellijel 7U 104HP Performance case
1x Intellijel 3U 104HP Palette case

I also have one Doepfer Low Cost 3U 86HP case for mostly storing unused modules.

I would highly appreciate any advice on how to organize everything :D I would like to keep things in somehow organized entities. For example the small Palette case could be only concentrated on the Make Noise modules. The first Performance case could be one with only high quality modules such as ACL, AJH and Cwejman. Also I would like to keep things portable so that's one reason for having so many separate cases.

Here is a link for the rack: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2431828.jpg

My main objective is to be able to create interesting rhythms and sequences for driving hypnotic techno. I might be missing an sequencer since Metropolix can in a way only sequence one sound.. at least in a way so that I have perfect control. I didn't find the unpairing of two tracks very hands on.

Sometimes I think of just getting something like a Serge or Verbos only system for making things more simple for myself.

It’s a good idea to have started with Verbos modules, Mark Verbos being an expert in Buchla's modular philosophy and technology.

This is also why a ‘hippy’ modular would, in my opinion, be closer to the Buchla format than to the Eurorack. Don Buchla was part of the counterculture of the 60s’; he has worked with the Grateful Dead...

Anyway, it's really a fun and interesting idea! Could you explain some of your choices?

I was like, "I wonder what a hippy Eurorack looks like". and then I Lol'd! Nice one.

A few of my favorite utility modules are:
LA Circuits Machinist: Sample & Hold, Track & Hold, Slew, and several noise generators (Pink, Red, White, Blue, Violet), plus it has an LFO and clock generator.

Thorn Audio VCLFO: For starters it is an extremely powerful LFO with 16 different waveforms so even if you don't use its voltage control capability it's already a great modulation source. You can control it with CV to act as a more complex modulation source or use it as a bass VCO. It's syncable, it has a built-in octave offset function, generates noise & gates, and has S&H as well. It also has a built-in VCA on its output.

ADDAC216 Sum & Difference: This is a special mixer that allows you not just to add signals together like a standard mixer but also to subtract one from another. It has an attenuverter and offset on every input. It can operate in absolute or bipolar mode and can be AC or DC coupled so you can use it for audio or CV. A single module has two channels with two inputs each. This is quite a powerful module and it is not very expensive either.

Schlappi Engineering Boundary: This module can do a lot, at first glance it is a mini version of Maths, it has fewer channels but it is smaller and less expensive. But look closer and it has a few functions which Maths does not have. It has an AD envelope which can also be cycled to act as an LFO like Maths, but it has the ability to shape the rise and fall parts of the waveform independently, which Maths cannot do. It has a variety of other functions too, VCA, ring multiplier, and a lot more.

And of course the various "many in one" like the Disting and FX Aid series, ALM Busy Circuits MFX, and various fancier DSP modules come to mind. I'm not sure it's accurate to call all of those "utility" modules but many of them can perform a huge variety of functions in a relatively small footprint and that is very handy.

Some ideas for using any VCO/LFO with soft sync to generate complex arpeggios. Detailed patch notes in the video.

Fast and safe shipping with @Romanowitch , recommended seller, thank you !

adding a handy 2 hp module we can turn the sv1b into a paraphonic synth. lovely!

My favorite utility's (yes I am a Erica Synths fanboy).

...patch cables go from input to output hence an optimised system should ideally have the same number of these, no matter which modules are included...
-- Dan_ogq

I disagree. for me an optimized system is defined by other aspects than than the relation of I/O's
- most important: can i achieve the audible results that i want?
- is it ergonomic or is there room to optimise by rearranging some modules?
- is it performable the way that i want?
- is it easy to get every module perfectly in sync without struggling with missing clock ticks?
- do i have enough headroom with my power supplies?
- is my lightning ok regardless where my rack is located?
- is there any audible result i want to achieve but not possible with modules i have?
- is it easy for me to find/grab the right patch cables?
- etc.

those are a few of my thoughts to optimize my personal rack...

-- modular01

just one more point to tick, i don't see why one should exclude or be considered more important than the other, after all, my extra point is just about adding more automations.

Conversely, I notice that my Tetrapad has 8 outputs... and no inputs.
No inputs? Nightmare! I have become the module and my fingers are the cables...

-- Sweelinck

Cheers :)

Ahh, well its not the way I look at my own system, I've never had a reason to consider any of my inputs and outputs. The OCD is not strong in this one.

For me:
Variety is key.
Spare space is good to have, I will never ask "what should I put in my remaining 4hp" ;-)
I tend to cluster modules of things I want to use together.

@Dan_ogq's remark is both interesting and unexpected. I look at my setup and, indeed, the inputs are the majority.

The winner is the Loquelic Iteritas Percido: 21 inputs vs 2 outputs! That said, the possibilities for shaping sound are immense thanks to all these inputs. And I chose this module (and this version in particular) precisely for this reason.

Conversely, I notice that my Tetrapad has 8 outputs... and no inputs.
No inputs? Nightmare! I have become the module and my fingers are the cables...

...patch cables go from input to output hence an optimised system should ideally have the same number of these, no matter which modules are included...
-- Dan_ogq

I disagree. for me an optimized system is defined by other aspects than than the relation of I/O's
- most important: can i achieve the audible results that i want?
- is it ergonomic or is there room to optimise by rearranging some modules?
- is it performable the way that i want?
- is it easy to get every module perfectly in sync without struggling with missing clock ticks?
- do i have enough headroom with my power supplies?
- is my lightning ok regardless where my rack is located?
- is there any audible result i want to achieve but not possible with modules i have?
- is it easy for me to find/grab the right patch cables?
- etc.

those are a few of my thoughts to optimize my personal rack...

I follow this tread for the latest https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4084568#p4084568

Good thing is depending on the builder you can swap out 3 for 4 on most uO_C.... so, get what's avialable and you should be able to upgrade (getting much easier thanks to the community becoming active again) once the new code comes out. There's a video on youtube showing you how.

Teensy 4 code is still in the works for Phazerville (beta is avialable). Squares and Circiles is working on 4 though. There is also new HW being developed for 4... that maybe ready early 2024... which is very exciting.

i don't think knowing I have that particular module would be relevant to the question, signals are signals no matter where they come from.

the reasoning is quite straightforward, patch cables go from input to output hence an optimised system should ideally have the same number of these, no matter which modules are included.

I have checked my system and there are 90ish inputs and 60ish outputs, and as because the audio signals already converge into one stereo/mono output (more or less), what's left out is just unused cv inputs (plus maybe one or two triggers).

i think this is a situation many people can relate to, but I would like to explore solutions other than just stacking and duplicating modulations... for instance rectifiers seems quite a cheap and interesting solution

a note about the ochd: i love the idea behind this module, but i would rather have 4 only lfos but with a reset input and knobs to tweak the frequencies...

I'm with Jim on this, lets see your rack so people can understand your question better. It reads quite abstract because of the lack of context.

If you are meaning something like the DivKid / Instruo OchD + Expander, you have loads of outs, most of those outs could be used with the following to get more out of them:
VCA's
Mixers
Passive attenuators
Attenuvertors
Half or Full Wave Rectifiers
Quantisers
Mults
Envelopes

I'm considering buying an Ornament & Crime mainly for the Quad Quantization.
From what I can see I'll have to get one with a Teensy 3.2 as the firmware for the v4 is completely different.
I literally don't understand Github etc so have no idea if the original firmware is going to catch up to the v4 Teensy.

Anyone know more?
Worth getting a v4 or stick with a v3.2??

Cheers

and what goes in racks?? ah yes, modules - what you already have WILL influence recommendations!

it's entirely possible that you have at least one, or more, module that couold be temporarily sidelined in order to fit something bigger in... but unless you share your rack we won't know...

my recommendation would be for a matrix mixer, preferably doepfer, for ergonomics reasons... and some stack cables...

another possibility might be a sequential switch...

but as far as I know you already have these...

do yourself a favour - make your rack public and copy and paste the url into the thread!!!

there's no need to use every input or output...

it might be a good idea to share the url of your public rack so we can see what you have - it usually helps steer the recommendations a bit...
-- JimHowell1970

there's no need to patch everything, but I would have more potential combinations available...

also, the question is about modules, not about racks

please feel free to mention any modules you know might do the trick, better if it's a small one, let's say 6hp max

EDITED Dec 22nd 2023, 05:19

there's no need to use every input or output...

it might be a good idea to share the url of your public rack so we can see what you have - it usually helps steer the recommendations a bit...

Hi all,

I realised my current rack has a lot more inputs than outputs available. I used to keep track of cv and audio signals too, but nowadays quite a few modules can handle both types of signals

Anyway, I was wondering which modules could help to balance the rate, I mean, if I could get some good module out there to do the trick, apart of the ones that just duplicate signals, in 6hp or less if possible.

I bet probably a few of the CV modulators on the database could do this (audio signals converge into stereo/mono outputs in any case) but I don't know if I am missing a good module which incidentally has more outputs that inputs.

Any suggestion?

Fantastic post idea @ferranadsr. As modular newbies we hear over an over again that utilities are the key, but never exactly why or how.

I've made a small rack of some of my favorite utilties modules, in no particular order. They all get used frequently in my patches in a multitude of ways. There are plenty of others that are great, but I want to highlight these few. No need to deep dive into each, but wanted to give some general shoutouts. I'm also happy to explain how I use any specific module if you're curious.

Switches, mutes, mults - Oh my goodness, these have completely changed how I use my system. From being able to select between different channels in order to bring in different song sections to the fore, or sending cv to alternating sources, or using a sequential switch as a sequencer... Muting a channel on the fly or sending cv or audio suddenly to a different location... These make "playing" the system fun.

Matrix mixers, mixers, attenuators/verters, scaling, invert - Just great ways to manipulate and shape your signals and create really complex cv. Attenuators are absolutely essential for controlling modulators and randomness.

Precision adders/shifters - the t43 is so damn fun to play that I needed to include it. Also, it really helps move a song forward when you can just shift the melody's voltage by musically meaningful amounts.

Random, S&H/T&H, noise - Even if generative isn't your thing, don't overlook the power that randomness can add to your patches. I really enjoy sample/track and hold, and use it to rhythmically pick voltages from random sources like noise, or the delightful ochd expander to create meandering melodies (you'll need attenuators, of course!). Great for adding creating complex modulations.

I would say, to echo @liontel, that it was the ornaments and crime that helped me understand what utilties could do. I'd find myself using one applet or another for a while before realizing why I actually just needed that utility as a standalone. Then I'd explore a new applet. I haven't used the disting myself, but I assume it's a similar story.

Anyone else have favorite utility types or modules?

A bass/kick drum module from Herbs and Stones.

Almost all surface mount pre-installed, so very little to the build. Super easy.

Sounds pretty good, and has some interesting CV inputs for main parameters. Also, it uses a ridiculously small amount of power (like 8 milliamps in my test) so would be great for a power-limited skiff,
Build

You might enjoy this clip.

I really appreciate this post. I'm certainly not an expert, but what helped me appreciate how useful utilities are in my rack was the Disting MK4. It's not very expensive and it let me try out so many different basic utilities and realize how important they are. I know folks hate the user interface, but I still think it's a great learning tool, especially for those that start out small.

Hi,
After almost two years in the world of modular synthesizers, I have finally had to accept that utilities are very important, I know that they are modules without very exciting functions, but without them, the rest of the modules do not work.
As I see that in these forums there are many "My First Rack" type questions, it occurred to me to set up a rack where I have collected the utilities that I have needed over time, and that have opened up many possibilities for me personally.
On the one hand I have included some that I personally have, and others adjusted in price, because that is what I think any beginner is looking for.

-Mixers: Matrix. Indispensable. The ST one works for me, it only has 3 channels but it is small in space. An auxiliary mixer, for example, mixing gates, or simply any CV
-Attenuators/Attenuverters/Polarizer. To fade or reverse CV. Useful to act on modules that do not have their own attenuators. I currently have an Intellijell Triatt but the one from Frapp tools will be my next purchase.
-Sequential Switch/Logics/Switched Multiple. Perfect for creating signal paths.
-Sample And Hold. A simple and efficient stepped CV generator.
-Precision Adder and Buffered Mult. To work and modify quantified CVs.
-VCA's, well, I like them if they can be cascade type (clone veils). I like the Nano module, I think it will be my next purchase. Useful to manage volume in audio sources as well as to modulate cv's
-Function generator. I put Rampage because it's the one I have and I'm very happy. But I imagine there are many more Maths fans. The comparator functions, Max, Min, cycle ends, etc. are very useful.
-Envelope generator. I have the Nano module and it works very well for me. A 4XAD with 3 speeds and LFO mode.
-LFO's. Bipolar modulation source. A module that I really like is the OCHD 8xLFO with its expansion.
According to my humble opinion, with this you can handle two voices, two effects modules and two filters.
It would be great if users with more experience than me (there are many here) would correct or add comments to this post.

Sounds lovely, I realy like the click's and ticks and the overal ambiance on your tracks thanx for sharing.

Some playing with the sample drum, pams, nebulæ, QPAS and Rainmaker.

That demo sounds georgeous! I'm a proud owner of a Xaoc Sarajewo and even though is really expensive I would certainly not change it for anything, I'm in love with those little artifacts and individual tap outputs :)

Kind Regards

Hi TumeniKnobs,

Thank you Garfield for the heavy compliments. What you describe sounds like "work" to me. Then I'd probably end up hating music. That, plus Hollywood is full of flakes, freaks and weirdos - I couldn't work with those folks, nor they with me. :-)

-- TumeniKnobs

Touché! Indeed that's the downside of Hollywood ;-)

Cheers, Garfield.

Great transaction and communciation with @delay007. Highly recommended seller.

Hi TumeniKnobs,

I think I have said this before, but I still don't understand why you are not working for the Holywood filming studios. Great music and overthere in Holywood they must be sleeping, not recognising the great music you are making every time again and again! :-)

Which program on your Mac are you using to do the screen recording?

Keep up the good work and thanks a lot for sharing this with us. Kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Thank you Garfield for the heavy compliments. What you describe sounds like "work" to me. Then I'd probably end up hating music. That, plus Hollywood is full of flakes, freaks and weirdos - I couldn't work with those folks, nor they with me. :-)

The screen capture was done with QuickTime Player. I only noticed it a couple of weeks ago as an option in the File menu. It was super easy.

Cheers!

I'm using an external rackmount compressor (Focusrite Compounder) at the moment, which works pretty well for what I'm doing. I have been tempted many times to get the L-1 Stereo Discrete Microcompressor in my rack though (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/l-1-stereo-discrete-microcompressor). It takes up a good amount of rack space but seems to be the closest thing to a higher end compressor in sound quality and features that you can get without spending a crazy amount of money.
Have fun and good luck.

Checkout the Steady State Fate Autodyne:

hello, I absolutely need one if still available, but I'm in italy. can't find your contact infos.> > hello, I absolutely need one if still available, but I'm in italy. can't find your contact infos.

-- Musicaespressiva2

Hello, sorry currently sold out, expected back in stock Jan-Feb 2024. I will inform on website, twitter, instagram (account is ukyzky).
-- ukyzky

ok, following

I believe you have to have a Unicorn account. It's an annual subscription. Totally worth it to support the site.
Have fun and good luck!

hello, I absolutely need one if still available, but I'm in italy. can't find your contact infos.
-- Musicaespressiva2

Hello, sorry currently sold out, expected back in stock Jan-Feb 2024. I will inform on website, twitter, instagram (account is ukyzky).

hello,
how can i set my modular synth that have 10 rack?
(i tried but i can only create a 4 rack system)

hello, I absolutely need one if still available, but I'm in italy. can't find your contact infos.

Modular or external?

I have often dreamed of the Cwejman VC-FCS Stereo Compressor, I recently discovered the Erica Synths Drum Stereo Compressor, but I was especially ‘impressed’ by the Cosmotronic Messor...

In the meantime, I'm doing without it and using external compression software solutions: including the amazing PSP VintageWarmer2.

Hi Isolatediguana and Wishbonebrewery,

I am using this Shakmat Gemini's Path for quite some time now, never regretted that I bought it. A dual VCA with many extra options on just 6 HP. That's just fantastic! For me 8 HP would have been great too, I don't mind a bit more of panel-space however with the modern trend of going towards narrow panels, this module is just worth the investment.

Good luck with your VCA search and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi TumeniKnobs,

I think I have said this before, but I still don't understand why you are not working for the Holywood filming studios. Great music and overthere in Holywood they must be sleeping, not recognising the great music you are making every time again and again! :-)

Which program on your Mac are you using to do the screen recording?

Keep up the good work and thanks a lot for sharing this with us. Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Thermal,

Wow, that's great. I wish you a lot of fun with those modules and please keep us informed about your experiences with these two modules.

Have fun (after the waiting time for delivery ;-) ) and kind regards, Garfield.

nice track, reminds me of pink floyd on some aspects !
-- davebrohl

Thank you! I'd be lying if I said I haven't been pretty heavily influenced by David Gilmour. :-).

nice track, reminds me of pink floyd on some aspects !

Pams:

1 - x4

2 - x2

3 - x4 rndm

4 - /2 sin

5 - x4

6 - /1.5 sin (lower pulse)

7 - x4

8 - x4 (main clock source)

I have just ordered the dual filter and dual adsr. The feature set and sound, as far as I can judge from the few available videos online, appear excellent for the price. Guess customs have their hands full at the moment, so I'm expecting to wait 3-4 weeks...

Somehow this turned into a rock tune. It started out as a regular old modular jam - then I pulled out my vintage Kramer to see what would happen... I probably should have called this Rusty Fingers, as evidenced by my guitar playing here. ;-). This track features the Moog Matriarch, assorted Eurorack and my old Kramer StageMaster Deluxe 1. Drums were pieced together with EZ Drummer. Time-keeping courtesy of the JMK ClockStep Multi ( StudioOne is the source syncing to CSM which then syncs Pamela's New Workout). As a side note, the ambient sections at the beginning, middle and end are exactly the same patch as the lead parts for the Matriarch, Rings and the Ensemble Oscillator - just with tempo slowed, envelopes lengthened and effects at full wet. It fascinating to me that you can get such huge changes with just a few knob turns. :-)

Instead of recording the modular all in one go like I usually do, I multi-tracked each part separately and "songified" it by fading tracks in an out in the DAW. I thought it might be interesting to see that, so I tried the screen recording feature of QuickTime and it seemed to work pretty well.

Cheers!

Great transaction with @born_a_kid. Recommended buyer.