All Posts

Don't overlook inexpensive VCOs that can work at LFO rates.

In the USA,
Detroit Modular has been my go-to place for most things.
Perfect Circuit is second. Their shipping can be a little slow.
After that, I just hunt around. For most modules, there aren't any big runs on product. So finding a lesser known brand of module usually leads me to whatever online store has a unit rather than me giving deferential priority to a specific vendor.

My standard search has become Reverb/Ebay, then Perfect Circuit, Patchwerks, then "well who's got it in stock?"!

Edit: oh, and buying from makers directly where possible is early in that list too!

EDITED Dec 6th 2021, 14:56

its amazing - I had to spend 1000's of pounds on Eurorack to appreciate the software version as every time I sat down to work out how eurorack worked I used to give up and get really frustrated in the process. Now I use Softube modular and vcv as an ideas playground to try out patches which I can then replicate with hardware -- love it

I’m pretty much all reverb and ebay and paying anywhere between 50% - 70% of rrp. The only module I bought close to rrp recently was metropolix. Just got to walk away if the bidding gets too high than what you are prepared to pay.

One other point regarding both Reverb and eBay these days: I'm seeing prices drifting upward, so both places might be a good source for outboard effects for a while longer...but certainly not forever!

Ah Lugia, you have given me a valid reason to buy a new computer next year.
-- sacguy71

You too, huh? Yeah, I'm thinking that if I'm going to get VCV to REALLY work, I'll have to figure out how to pipe the send/return VST signals from the Ableton machine to a dedicated machine for VCV. Could be problematic for that, but any other use would work.

Or, hell, I could just pipe the send/returns out as analog signals (the FIVE is set up for that sort of craziness to a certain extent) and then add an appropriate interface, then run ALL outs via that. It's not too dissimilar to how I'm going to deal with running Grainstorm on my Tab A.

EDITED Dec 6th 2021, 04:09

@Lugia - I thought I read somewhere where the Keystep Pro gates can be configured for 5V? I thought I recalled you have one?
-- jb61264

They're pretty flexible, yep. And I do use 5V trig/gates from time to time. But what I usually do is to set these to 8V so that they can trigger those AND most other modules. The only time this doesn't work nicely if when I DO need +5V for working with the AE...which is based around a +5V architecture for everything.

I am at a point of frustration as I've tried to work through this BSP/Disting EX deal with the Multisample algorithm...I currently am routing Pitch from BSP Seq1 to Frap Tools 321 channel 1 and Gate from BSP Seq1 to Frap Tools 321 channel 2.
I completely reinstalled the latest EX firmware 1.10.1 so I could be relatively sure any settings I may have screwed up were reset.

Offset switches are off on the 321 and the Phase switch is to the left for all three 321 channels. I just have a gate on the 1,5,9,13 steps and am getting decent piano sound but it still gets wonky if I enable say step 11...it will make 13 pitch go way up.

Ugh, about to consider the EX a waste of space for sample playback...I get the RTFM and I have been, but at a certain point it just shouldn't be this difficult

Ah Lugia, you have given me a valid reason to buy a new computer next year. I’m good on modular gear but my old computer needs a replacement.

@Lugia - I thought I read somewhere where the Keystep Pro gates can be configured for 5V? I thought I recalled you have one?
-- jb61264

They're pretty flexible, yep. And I do use 5V trig/gates from time to time. But what I usually do is to set these to 8V so that they can trigger those AND most other modules. The only time this doesn't work nicely if when I DO need +5V for working with the AE...which is based around a +5V architecture for everything.

BIA is my favorite single drum module so far in modular that I own since it can do so many things especially when fed tons of well crafted modulation. Plonk and Plaits also are superb because they can do drum and non drum sounds like bass, chords, and string instruments. You could almost craft a case out of sounds from a few Plonk, BIA, and Plaits modules and tons of modulation.

Woah that would be awesome use VCV Rack v2 as VST in Ableton and Ableton Push controller. Totally awesome!
-- sacguy71

And THAT is the general idea! The ability to have that VST shell there on VCV is a real gamechanger, and not just for using it as a virtual synth. The VST plug should respond to multiple channels (I forget how many...but it's sufficient), which means that you can set up several processing chains on the same VCV screen...and if you've got a stonkin' potent machine, it can even throw a voice or three of its own into the fray.

DFAM? Not a bad thing, that. However, it's more like an "ear candy generator" in amongst the routine drum sounds.

I learned waaaaaaaaay back in my techno days sometime during the Warren G. Harding administration that there's almost a set of subliminal cues to the various percussion sounds. For example, if you put an Oberheim DMX kick on a track instead of the basic Roland X0X sources, the crowd will NOT respond...or at least, not well. Similarly, trap hats tend to be Roland TR-606 ones, maybe out of an 808 set as well. But put a real set of hi-hats on there...and "nope".

However, if you go back and listen to some of the early 1980s breaks tracks, very early techno, and electro such as Mantronix, you'll ALSO find lots of little bleeps and pings and such scattered throughout. To me, THAT is what the DFAM's for. It's a serious electro machine, offering up the little sounds that up the thrill factor.

Ah ok that makes sense - did not compute earlier, I could look into beefing up the mixer and removing/replacing the the fx aid xl for hp space - happy enough to sacrifice that for better integration of other effects including the effects pedals.

I've got to give a shout out to Reverb. Support another musician and save some money in the process. Nothing but great experiences with the used Euro and hardware synth folks out there.

I'm in the US and mainly use Patchwerks (Seattle-based) and Perfect Circuit. Patchwerks I find has a solid selection and great recommendations, service, and ship times. Perfect Circuit has a wider selection. On rare occassion I've bought from Detroit Modular and a shop in Oregon who's name I forget. All 4 of those have been worth going back to.

I buy most of my other stuff from Sweetwater, or less frequently, Vintage Audio King, but both SW and VK are much less knowledgeable in modular than those specialist retailers mentioned above. Hope this helps!

the strymon aa.1 is a send and return or am I completely misunderstanding what you meant?
-- keefo

the aa.1 is a pedal interface - it does send from the modular to effects pedals and return from effects pedals to modular

@greenfly means send and return from your mixer to the aa.1 and any other in-rack effects, such as the fx-aid

Hello!
Ive been transmitting live for a while, so I want to share my channel here.
Instagram username: dadodetres
Ambient, Drone, generative, live instruments, new age.

I needed another case with 1u row for travel and Perfect Circuit besides Intellijel was only place with the 7u cases in stock. I’ve waited a year to find one. I will pair it up with my 4u palette case and Doepfer 6u case for my portable rig.

The modbap Osiris is also worth a look, you can’t go wrong with Plaits though.

I used the attenuverters (settings 1-6) in the algorithm and wasn’t successful. I also found some cheap male/female headphone adapters with volume control and used those as in-line attenuators and they worked but they were a pain to use.

@jb61264 I had a BSP and the same issue with the 12V being too hot for the EX. Attenuating within the EX didn't help for me. I've since upgraded to a Keystep Pro and yes, the gates can be configured for 5V and work great with the EX.
-- jroo

@jroo - thanks for that confirmation...driving me crazy that BSP can't be currently configured for 5V gates as I would assume the circuitry for Keystep Pro and Beatstep Pro are relatively similar. I have a LaunchKey49 because I like the integration with Ableton and don't really want another keyboard.

When you tried to configure BSP for Disting EX, do you recall if you used the "CV Mappings" in Mappings/CV Mappings or the "Attenuverters" actually in the SD Multisample algorithm mode?

Darn it now I need a larger case for 3 rows to fit more modulation like the 4ms quad Lfo sorry just making observation on my part as I’m working on a similar build.

the strymon aa.1 is a send and return or am I completely misunderstanding what you meant?

It seems to me you want to include effects internal and external but you are eliminating send and return
functionality. It's ok to use and effect per voice but it might be more efficient to use them in an aux configuration.

Tweaked your build a little bit,

I dont think I've ruined it, just tweaked, but let me know if you think I've killed some potential here.

I'm still not decided on pam's versus temp utile, but I'm kind of leaning more towards pam's because more outs and can output waves not just trigs.. the only real benefit I can see of temps utile is the sequencing but it seems fiddly and ill be sequencing externally - but let me know if im wrong there.

@jb61264 I had a BSP and the same issue with the 12V being too hot for the EX. Attenuating within the EX didn't help for me. I've since upgraded to a Keystep Pro and yes, the gates can be configured for 5V and work great with the EX.

@Sweelinck - great post, couldn't agree more!!!!

It's how you use the instrument... any instrument (or module) can be used to make any type of music

@gumbo23, @farkas, @Broken-Form: +1 on the Synthesis Technology E352 Cloud Terrarium.

But this fundamental remark: ambient music cannot be defined by an instrument but by the use one makes of it.

Brahms and Debussy used the same violin in their orchestra, but their music is so different... The use of a DX7 by Brian Eno is not the same by Jean-Michel Jarre. And Plaits will serve ambient as well as techno.

Focusing on the choice of a module too often distracts from the problem of creativity. I am not immune to this either. And the question comes up again every time you power up your modular ;)

I'd really like to see something like the:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/soundforce-s-909
but with a Teensy like the:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/music-thing-modular-radio-music

It looks like its possible from this:

There are a number of sampler player modules but nothing thats really DIY and for Drums / Percussion / 1-shots.

Like having say 4 to 6 Radio Music in a row and all you have to do is hit them with a trigger for them to fire off their set sample.

It currently looks like you have to go for a Rample
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/squarp-instruments-rample
or a Squid Salmple
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/alm-busy-circuits-alm022-squid-salmple

It is the one that has in stock the product you are looking for and that you did not find anywhere else.
My own best memories are: Signal Sounds (wonderful Jason), Escape From Noise, and Modularsquare... :)

Schneider`s Laden, Music Store or Thomann if you are located in Europe/Germany

I was very tempted by the Shakmat Clock O Pawn, cool that you can stop it but its still counting so when you start it again you are still on beat.

On a side note, a million thanks to @Lugia for pushing newbies like me to VCV! It's way more fun than I anticipated.

I'm holding off on any music gear/software purchases until I get out of college, so my virtual modular will be standalone for now. But to be honest, I'm pretty content adding infinite Plaits and Permutations to my virtual rack while I work towards a degree.

Also, did you see the "room brightness" setting? So cool!

EDITED Dec 5th 2021, 04:37

Woah that would be awesome use VCV Rack v2 as VST in Ableton and Ableton Push controller. Totally awesome!

fun jam learning to use the Erica Synths Black Sequencer with various patterns and options:

It is a very fun, powerful and easy to use sequencer! Eloquencer shares a lot in common but this is more user friendly with fewer button combos to learn. Hopefully they come out with an expansion module with more cv and gate control.

Will definitely keep and use the 321, especially for this use case with the Disting EX.
@Lugia - I thought I read somewhere where the Keystep Pro gates can be configured for 5V? I thought I recalled you have one?

My favorite to work with so far has been Patchwerks...those guys have gone above and beyond for me a couple times. Also have had good luck with Detroit Modular, Analogue Haven. and Perfect Circuit.

I recently picked up the Endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles and love it has three analog drum voices and four sample drum voices and built in filter and effects. Works great and still modular. I also have DFAM that is great and recently a Roland TR-8 boutique that has classic 808 sounds and can send trigger I think to modular.

I love Pam and have two of them. But recently wanted a simpler clock and trigger device and bought a Shakmat Clock O Pawn and Shakmat Time Wizard. Really love the simplicity and fun factor of the Shakmat for making weird tribal drum modular beats. I clock my VPME Euclidian Circles with it for wild modular drum patterns. No menu diving.

I like his minimalist approach to modular dance music just like how Julia Bondar has that basic focus.

Definitely not Sweetwater! I like Detroit Modular, Patchwerks, Control Voltage, Analogue Haven and Perfect Circuit. Really depends on the sale and inventory as service is good at these places.

And with a bit of re-patching I liberated 3 more Pams Outs that were just shooting a regular clock.

Sweetwater's modular selection is actually fairly slim when compared with dedicated USA shops like Noisebug, Perfect Circuit, et al. They're good for those situations when you need some basic module(s) NOW, though.

@XODES thanks for the clarification above. I did not arrive at that same understanding by reviewing the info & videos available for PV44, so your added text helps. In particular, I had been left wondering how the panel controls relate to one another and to various possible input / output signals.

Might I suggest you add to your manual / videos:
-- a panel diagram labeling the controls and discussing their normal interactions
-- a few patch examples clearly illustrating a few of the main use cases, the required patching and settings
-- a basic "intro" video showing the 2 points above. The existing videos were too "busy" for me to make out the unit's basic functions.

I believe that added text / video would make the unit pretty clear to most.

I do think if I had PV44 in my rack I would learn it quickly.

Again, thanks for your input above, I'll keep PV44 in mind for the future!

that's always a good lesson to learn: always ask can I do this with what I already have? before even looking at other modules

Then realised....

I have 'Pams'

!

there's a list of eurorack shops world wide in the stickies of the eurorack forum on modwiggler.com

it's not 100% complete, but it's pretty good