Both of you guys have helped me immensely. I will start with the most essential few units and figure out how to integrate into my existing DAW + Behringer Model D + CAT stuff before plunging any deeper. I think it is a really good point that more stuff could just mean more overhwhelm as a newbie. Will also do research on all the VCV equivalents so that I can play around with that in software form.

I really appreciate ya'll both taking the time. See you around the forum!

P.

Larsech and Forum,

Thanks for the response! The duplicate Hermods were a mistake (I removed the Hermod+ because the original is quite a bit less expensive). I was originally going to put a Mutant Brain midi i/o module in the rack to get a midi signal in, but the price difference between that and a used Hermod seemed small enough that I thought I could get Midi In plus some Midi effects with the Hermod (though I can do everything I read about for midi effects in DAW too). I thought that since it accepts CV in also that I could use it for some kind of sequencing or weirness that I do not yet understand.

Also, you asked about an audio interface...I have an apollo twin that accepts line level, plus a guitar input. I hoped that if I reduce input gain on the apollo, I could probably get by with a signal from the rig without a dedicated output module (though I don't even know what part of the current rig would output into the apollo, frankly.

I have taken your feedback about randomness and an extra oscillator, and made two additions: Marbles (randomness with a gentler learning curve) and Dixie 2+ (well-reviewed analog oscillator).

Here is a link to the updated plan: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_3025046.jpg

Questions:
1) Does this look about right in terms of introducing more randomness and oscillator source?
2) Because I can't afford all of this at once, could you suggest a sequence in which to buy so that I can learn as I grow the system? I was thinking Mantis case plus used modules going in order pretty much from left to right, but that is not a very scientific sequencing of module procurement...

Again, thanks for making the time to help a stranger out. Very much appreciated.

P.

Hello Forum,

A humble request for advice with some context:

I have a home studio with midi keyboard, Native Instruments Maschine, and a bunch of guitars. I also bought a couple of behringer synths to try and figure out why people prefer physical synth hardware to the DAW life. (It turns out they are both excellent approaches for me).

As a hobbyist, I really enjoy the speed of being able to experiment with software synths in my music and now use my midi keyboard to play analog synths. Now for Eurorack...I would like to buy secondhand gear to augment what I can do with Maschine, Kontakt, Logic, and (a very little so far) ableton. I have done a ton of research and am now asking for feedback...**If I want to augment native instruments software suite and record into my computer, is the following sufficient to generate musical, interesting stuff?

Thanks all for any insights you can provide.

P.