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Thanks jb- yeah me thinks this Next_G dude needs to smoke some weed and spend more time creating cool stuff to share with the world on his massive modular setup instead of taking cheap mean pot shots at people. The world already has enough negative crap going on. Plus music tastes vary so much. Did you know that electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick album Silver Apples of the Moon would be considered unlistenable to mainstream folks today who are addicted to rap hip hop crap and pop garbage? It would never chart top 40 mainstream today but does not mean it is bad music it is very experimental like my stuff!

You will never record a song in the DAW of that I am sure. You already have problems to operate a simple Eurorack sequencer like Eloquencer, or your pathetic attempts to operate a simple mixer.

-- Next_G

Wow dude you must be fun at parties...smh
Never will understand what compels someone to say crap like this even if you do truly believe it...which is ridiculous considering I'm assuming you don't even know sacguy71. I enjoy reading posts by sacguy71 and gain a lot of knowledge from them. What do you contribute but bad vibes and negativity...hope you can find some peace and chill out.

M3 screws are the ones that should fit. There are others that are very close in size that do not.

I bought Uxcell computer "graphic cards" screws. Apart from a couple of modules that had very narrow clearances, these work great for me. I can tighten modules down by hand with a thin nylon washer underneath to stop rack rash.

I'm not sure if the link will be valid but here is the name of the item:
"uxcell Computer PC Graphics Card M3x6mm Aluminum Alloy Knurled Thumb Screws Black 10pcs"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTN1PNK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1THAZDOWP300U&psc=1

EDITED Dec 3rd 2021, 16:52

@Lugia - I remember when I first started posting on Modular Grid, you recommended getting VCV (and I did by the way). Admittedly, I spent more time researching modules and building my first rack outside of playing with VCV because it was "outside the DAW"...that has changed, I bought VCV to use as a VST in Ableton as well now.

hello folks, i've got a nice used pittsburgh case (system 10.1 +) and it works fine. but my screws (besides the original ones) don't fit into the nuts. it's also impossible to exchange the nuts. they don't fit into the rails.
does anyone here have some screws (10-14) over to send to germany ? would be nice !

Amen to that mog00 and Lugia.
I had fun last night experimenting with Ground Control and finding the right master clock setup. I’m really liking my Shakmat Clock O Pawn and Time Wizard combo for making beats without a sequencer.

Appreciate this feedback! Yeah I'm realizing this instrument has a much steeper learning curve than most of the other things I've taken on. I'm excited to fully dive in but I know it might take a bit longer now to build out. Currently tracking down a 6U case and have been gear purging to make room for more modular.

Hi all,

I've had an Arturia Minibrute 2s for a few months now and am hoping to delve deeper into the modular synth world. I'd love some feedback and help getting my head around my future rack (ie what I'm missing/what would be better for the sounds i'd like to make. I want to make heavy, gritty techno. for example music like:
=a926bf990cb042fe9ff425a93ec9ead5

anyway here is where I'm at with it.
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1763004.jpg

Any Help/feedback would be great.

Would also be interested in what modules i should buy first.

Thanks
Alex

EDITED Dec 3rd 2021, 15:12

It's a shame they seem to have dropped the in-rack VCV Recorder module (to push people to buy pro?), that was super convenient...

indeed
sequencer includes both trigger/gate and melodic sequencers - which can be confusing
as usual the only solution is RTFM

Two Plaits (chords), Monsoon and Ripples modulated by seven LFOs and Marbles.

and suddenly I have a good use of my Frap Tools 321 :)
Thanks @BrumoD I was able to run the signal from my BSP through 321 and now get a nice smooth piano sound

Just had some dealings with @hadj and I couldn’t be happier. Super fast response. Really friendly to deal with. Fast shipping too and modules were perfectly packaged and in as new condition. Highly recommended.

The 12V gates from the BSP are too hot for the disting (input range +-10V)? Have you tried attenuating them?
https://www.arturia.com/faq/beatsteppro/beatstep-pro-general-questions#collapse1

EDITED Dec 4th 2021, 11:04

Proverbs 11:12

I'd be super content with just a PL VS Intellijel checkbox, for now.

Anybody using the Beatstep Pro with Disting EX by chance?

I am having a heck of a time using the multisample app with BSP...its like the BSP is 'overdriving' the Disting EX and the sounds are not good. I've been fudging around with the gate settings with the knobs and getting a little better sound, but for example when I'm trying to just use the piano with pedal sample, there is always this 'thud' and it sounds like someone playing a kiddy piano...even though I have Disting EX set for "LABS Soft Pno - PedOn"

I'm sure it has to do with the BSP sending too much signal but not sure how to resolve it and I can't find anything that really addresses it when I google.

Hoping someone here may have a suggestion or two

This has got to be one of the most informative and helpful posts I've ever made and had replies too. Thanks everyone for all the insights, truly helpful and I have been definitely benefitting from all the comments.

One thing I had fun experimenting with is running the output of my Hydrasynth to one track in Ableton, then using the headphone output, I ran that through my Intellijel buffered mult...each output was an input into one of the four CVilization inputs and then each channel on the CVilization had two steps activated...so channel 1 had steps 1 and 5, channel 2 had 2 and 6, etc...each output runs to a different channel on my Cosmix....it created this really cool choppy/wavey sound that I sent to a separate track in Ableton....when I play the two together, it gave some really cool/interesting results. Further fun by switching on/off different channels on the Cosmix.

@farkas and @Garfield Modular - great tips, thank you very much, I'm getting a much better feel for using the envelopes with everything.

The category tags for modules need to be taken with a grain of salt. There is no substitute for reading the manuals and finding out what modules can actually do. Pam's New Workout, for example, is tagged with "Sequencer" and "Envelope Generator", but its capabilities in those two areas are fairly limited (though still useful).

Quite legit, in fact. Maths is a good example...yes, it's capable of being everything it's tagged with, and then some. If you're doing a build that's under 200 hp, searching out the good multifunction modules is pretty important. Just make sure the functionality on those that look interesting isn't TOO dense, which would make it a big PITA to program or tweak.

Our fave virtual Eurorack has stepped up to version 2. Plus, there's now a paid version that's on sale until 1 January 2022 that includes all of the VST architecture and a few other new kinks. Looks really tasty, and I'm planning to kick in the (presently) $99 because that VST capability is something I and a bunch of other people have been waiting for.

EDITED Dec 3rd 2021, 03:42

When a module here falls under multiple categories/functions, is that really legit or like, do I have to buy modules with only one function each?

Basically, XODES has developed a little fix for the P vs I issue that involves a bit of size alteration and screw slots instead of fixed holes. So you'd need Daniel's "I" format, A "P" format for Pulplogic format, and perhaps a "U" for these universal panel tiles...?

Granted, I (and a bunch of others, I'm sure) would prefer a single solution, but we got what we got right now.

Just ignore. Don't feed trolls. He'll eventually get tossed off of here with that sort of behavior.

Also since you are brand new to modular, you might want to instead get a basic oscillator VCO module and VCF filter module. That gives you more control and a better understanding of how oscillators and filters work.
-- sacguy71

Not to mention, if you get an identical VCO to the first, you then have the ability to slightly detune one against the other, which results in a much beefier sound. The Odessa is sort of an exception to this, though, in that you can work directly with the harmonic spectra and dial in exactly the timbre you want right there. But Plaits, regular VCOs, and the like definitely benefit from detuning.

It'll definitely cause eardrum damage...because you've not got any VCAs for the audio path, so everything will be direct and at one dynamic level. And Ronin is quite right...this just looks like a dumpster for "sexy" modules that NEED support modules to do what they can/should do.

Before you spend money that'll you'll regret, try the following:

1) Bigger cab. That increases the space needed for support modules. And note: Tiptop Mantis = $335, with 208 hp, already powered and expandable with a second Mantis when the time comes. So, smaller doesn't always mean cheaper.

2) Keep in mind that NOBODY gets their first (second, third, fifteenth, etc) build right.

3) Related to #2 above: this takes time. Quite a bit, if you want to really nail a build. And we're talking months...perhaps even over a year...to finally hone things down so that you have an instrument that is very capable.

4) VCV. Get it. Explore. This FREE Eurorack emulator (with several hundred modules!) will give you some major lessons on how signal paths, utilities, etc are critical to a good build. And they just released v.2, with a LOT of upgrades. https://vcvrack.com/

5) Find some of the better/bigger electronic music names on here, and study their racks. You'll be dealing with synthesists with decades of experience. I, f'rinstance, have 40+ years in on this. And there's lots of others in that zone. And...

6) DON'T replicate small YouTube builds. Ever. Many of those designs are pretty limited, sketchy, or both...because a lot of them have some manufacturer "swag" involved or, in a few specific cases, they're in some sort of relationship with synth retailers. Also, when you run across a YT clip where the presenter's studio looks like some Hollywood set, neat, all that...just remember: a clean desk is a sign of an unproductive worker.

And of course, you took the right step of posting here for advice. The main ones of us on the MG Forums probably have, all combined, about a CENTURY of experience, if not more. Mind you, we'll probably rip these builds up, but in the process you'll learn what works, what doesn't, and why...and after a while, you'll wind up with a serious rig.

Yea these tracks I recorded are really old when I was a total beginner many years ago! But I’m actually working on a modular concept album and thus far most feedback has been positive! Now I’d like to see what actually music and albums this Next_G troll nobody has done? Eh tu Brutus? You are nothing but a sorry and pathetic angry little man who hides behind a keyboard and has zero portfolio or music albums.

FYI, here's the math for calculating cost-per-hp:

Assume that each hp in a Eurorack case is 1/whatever-eth of the entire space amount. So that's, in the case of a Mantis (I know this one off the top of my head), you have a total of 208 hp in a cab that costs $335. So...335/208 = $1.61(ish) per hp.

Next, calculate the amount of hp in a device, then multiply that by the per hp cost. That gives, for a Moog semi, 60 x $1.61 = $96.60 extra.

Then you add that to the cost of the Moog, so $699 + $96.60 = $795.60 for the cost of an M32 PLUS the cost of housing it in a Eurorack case. So, unless you MUST have the M32 in the cab for some logistic reason, it's really not cost-effective, plus you're using 60 hp that modules that DON'T have power or housings now can't use, while the M32 has a case and power already.

+1 on Ronin's advice. Going this small on a starter system is sort of brutal. For one thing, these little "skiff builds" can't substitute for what you can get even with just a second row. Secondly, all you learn with these is a very basic (actually, TOO basic) signal path, and nothing about how supporting modules, etc can up the game of the "usual" modules. The above WILL make sound, sure...but only a fairly basic set with basic programming/playing methods. And you can pretty much forget about duophony, unless you like programming patches with a pair of tweezers on ultra-dense modules with tiny controls.

Seriously, do yourself a solid and get a Mantis. Yeah, it's bigger...but that's the whole point. More space = better ergonomics and a better module complement. And those factors are a big part of whether you can't keep your hands off of the synth...versus letting it gather dust in a corner or closet.

And don't forget: sequencers can do MORE than just CV/g/t stuff. The great example is, of course, the ARP 2500's Mixsequencer, but there's others out there that can sequence through several audio sources; I know that EMW makes one, for instance.

Which just goes to show: there's always several ways to do things in modular!

I forgot to add schneidersladen to my list above - they are great too
-- JimHowell1970

Too true! Schneidersladen is still one of the great modular nexuses...and they carry loads of brands. Probably one of the best, and definitely on par with shops like Noisebug and Perfect Circuit over here.

I have recorded lots of modular songs into a DAW
sacguy71

Do you mean the scratching noises as ModularBen on Soundcloud? I laugh myself broken.

-- Next_G

Come on, man. Don’t you have something better to do than troll a very small community of supportive folks? Music has different sounds and meanings to each of us. What you are doing doesn’t accomplish anything. We will continue to support each other’s interests and growth regardless of this kind of negative energy.

I have recorded lots of modular songs into a DAW
sacguy71

Do you mean the scratching noises as ModularBen on Soundcloud? I laugh myself broken.

Start with the ES8 and think about what is gonna go into each one of the 4 inputs you have then work backwards from there. Think about how many headers you have in your case and make sure you don't go over 80% of your total power and then try to cram in as much as you can if you are one planning on just having 168hp. Most people on here will advise you to get a larger case, the consensus seems to be around 208hp. You can do a lot with 208hp!

You could easily build two really good voices with effects in a 168hp though. If you get the ml2 you can use Ableton Link and do drums in Ableton and this will play in time with your modular. You have 8 outs in your ES8 and you can send a lot of modulation like lfo's and envelopes out from Ableton and plug them into your modules to modulate the crap out of your cv inputs. You'll love that.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/circuit-happy-ml-2

EDITED Dec 3rd 2021, 01:34

Agreeing with Ronin.

Start small, and slow so you can learn what parts do, and what you'll need. I think the big sequencers are a waste if you're at home playing with a keyboard or a computer. That Eloquencer is a monster, and you can use a laptop and the ES-8 to do everything already.
You could start with Plaits as a big complex voice, and ONE module to drive it, Maths, Pams and ES-8 all can do a huge amount of control, and deserve your attention and practice, only after a few weeks you'll decide if you want a sequencer or the envelope generator Quadrax to be in your little rack.

If you're after 'a ton of eardrum damage' you should look at distortions or harsher modules from Schlappi Engineering or Moffenzeef. I don't see any crunchy distortions in your proposed rack.

It seems that you put together a collection of popular modules. But how are they to function as a unit? I would consider this a small rack/case... and it's full of big modules.

Chance, Branches, and NanoRand seem to have lots of overlap in functionality. You have a large sequencer (Eloquencer) plus a small analog-style sequencer in the Verbos module. The Verbos module is redundant. I'd look into a micro Ornament & Crime. It has a sequencer mode that replicates a lot of the Verbos functionality in 8HP. Plus there's the benefit of other functionality like a quantizer.

A precision adder and a unity mixer are a bit redundant as well. I'd pick one. But instead of a unity mixer, I'd invest the HP into a small mixer with attenuators built into the inputs.

Why do you want a pulse counter? Again it's a small build (not recommended) so every HP is important. I'd recommend more space.

Have you considered an output module? VCAs? Dedicated envelope generators? Effects? Additional utilities in addition to the dual attenuverter? I think with this build you might be disappointed if you ordered everything as-is.

Small builds are Rolex watches of modular. You really should be experienced before taking on small builds.

I'm pretty much just going for something compact yet packs a ton of eardrum damage. This will be my first rack by the way. Anything I need or anything that's totally unnecessary?

Hi and welcome,

I highly recommend that you buy a copy of the book Patch and Tweak, read it and download a free software called VCVRack on your computer before you buy anything. That will save you hours of frustration, time and money. Thank me later :-)

Also, since you seem unsure on the complex oscillator choice, perhaps watch videos on these different oscillators on YouTube? DPO is quite different from Piston Honda and so forth. Also since you are brand new to modular, you might want to instead get a basic oscillator VCO module and VCF filter module. That gives you more control and a better understanding of how oscillators and filters work.

Be sure to have something like a "universal" or "hybrid" choice in the list then, and not only IJ/PL!

That is a 1U module that fits in both IJ/PL standards or is this a new third standard?

Something that fits both! A third standard would be nonsense... :)

It would also be nice if there was a way to superimpose 1U (IJ) modules over this series of adapters :

I see that would be useful but that is complicated because of the way the drag/drop collision routine works.

Sure, it looks like it would somehow need another parameter at the module level to allow collisions, or treat this kind of module as "sub racks" in some sort. I get that it may not make sense to make this kind of change only for a handful of adapters though...

There may of course be other adapters that could use this kind of feature, as long as there's also a "rotate module" option! :)

We have rotate module for 180°. People request that for 90° but that is also complicated because the way the optimize rack space routine works. At this point it looks like everything is complicated :-(

Even though this isn't something I personally am after, I was indeed referring to the 90° rotation... just thinking that if collisions were to be allowed with my type of adapters, it would be fair to also have it on others too.

Again, I get that these are not minor changes, it's more a matter of having the possibility to have those virtual racks closer to reality.

Thanks for the input! I will definitely not use the Moog Mother 32 as part of a rack case, I'll use it separately on its own working with the case.
I should've been more clear on what I own.
I own the Prophet Rev2, Op-1, 2 pocket operators, the Moog Mother 32, and the novation mininova.
In terms of types of sounds I want to be able to create, I want to be able to have lots of sources of modulation so that I can create more expressive and flexible sounds. I want to be able to have a live setup that I can modulate on the fly during a performance, and for that to be an easy thing to do in the synth workflow.
-- GavinAnalogSynthsGuy

Expressive, flexible, and easy to use live and on the fly... that's going to be pretty difficult to get from modular. I think you might find that a lot of live playing tries to reduce the complexities where possible. The Plaits and Braids modules, for example, are very popular for live play, because they tend not to need as complex of a set-up having built in quantizing, envelopes, prefabricated sounds, etc.

As Toodee said, there are a lot of utilities that are going to end up in your case to make things work properly. After you're done patching everything up a few times, hunting down problems during a live performance (oops, accidentally knocked that module out of its settings), you'll want to revisit what makes a good live rig versus studio.

$0.02 delivered.

Your first build shouldn't be this small. Small builds add a huge layer of complexity. There isn't any room to expand or fix a problem or modify the build once you've used it for a while.

Small builds that are "good" are much, much easier when you're experienced.

Buy a reasonably sized case like a Mantis, Behringer GO, etc. Try to get your first iteration built using about half of your space. Then as you grow, you can revise your case, push your system in the direction(s) you want to go, and not get stuck with a system that you can't fully utilize.

Of course, you can always buy a second case/rack. But it's a lot cheaper in the long run to just build in a case larger than you need.

Be sure to have something like a "universal" or "hybrid" choice in the list then, and not only IJ/PL!

That is a 1U module that fits in both IJ/PL standards or is this a new third standard?

It would also be nice if there was a way to superimpose 1U (IJ) modules over this series of adapters :

I see that would be useful but that is complicated because of the way the drag/drop collision routine works.

There may of course be other adapters that could use this kind of feature, as long as there's also a "rotate module" option! :)

We have rotate module for 180°. People request that for 90° but that is also complicated because the way the optimize rack space routine works. At this point it looks like everything is complicated :-(

Agree this Next_G clown is a joke and troll.

"You will never record a song in the DAW of that I am sure. You already have problems to operate a simple Eurorack sequencer like Eloquencer, or your pathetic attempts to operate a simple mixer."
-- Next_G

well Next_G you low IQ MORON- I have recorded lots of modular songs into a DAW you JERKOFF Next_G so GFY you dipshit!
Where are your songs and recordings, your modular skills are PATHETIC. So quit slamming me and produce music!

EDITED Dec 2nd 2021, 17:08

You will never record a song in the DAW of that I am sure. You already have problems to operate a simple Eurorack sequencer like Eloquencer, or your pathetic attempts to operate a simple mixer.

-- Next_G

It's pretty sad when this is your first and only post in four years of membership and your only contribution is to try and insult another user. You can do better.

Good explanation Ronin- you can also feed an LFO to the envelope and back to VCA cv inputs.
I use LFO more than sequencer gate to do this but can try some gates from sequencer into envelope.

Ah so helpful! I too am getting my head around how envelopes work with VCAs and filters.

-- sacguy71

I'm going to speak in general terms here... NOT the most accurate.

Your sequencer will output CV and gates. The CV can typically control the pitch of your oscillator. The gate needs some more modules to be effective. TYPICALLY, you'll run the oscillator output to the input of a VCA and then take the output of the VCA and plug it into somewhere you can listen to it. Your VCA can be used just like a volume knob. You'll hear the volume knob called your "bias" knob. You turn up the bias and the oscillator gets louder. You turn it all the way down and you hear nothing.

Now, you can plug the gate output directly into the CV INPUT of the VCA. Every time the VCA receives a gate, you hear the oscillator. But you might notice that the sound isn't very musical. Typical musical sounds have an ENVELOPE. They can be simple envelopes or more complex envelopes... but envelopes. So a typical patch will have an envelope generator being triggered by the sequencer's gate output and the output of the envelope connected to the CV IN of the VCA. Once adjusted, you'll notice that the Envelope Generator makes the audio output much more musical.

More modules might be involved in this, like a filter, effects, etc. I left those out for simplicity.

Audio Path:
Oscillator>VCA>AudioOutput

CV Path (pitch)
Sequencer CV Out>Oscillator 1v/Octave In
CV Path (gate)
Sequencer Gate Out>Envelope Generator>VCA CV In

Support for 1U size format is on the list, this will come.
-- modulargrid

Be sure to have something like a "universal" or "hybrid" choice in the list then, and not only IJ/PL!

It would also be nice if there was a way to superimpose 1U (IJ) modules over this series of adapters :

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/xodes-fc313-24hp

There may of course be other adapters that could use this kind of feature, as long as there's also a "rotate module" option! :)

Support for 1U size format is on the list, this will come.

Greetings,

Just my 2c worth. For utilities I'd consider grabbing an Ornament and Crime. Multiple apps that cover a wide variety of things. Smallish footprint. Pretty easy to navigate. Easy on the checkbook. Checkout SynthDads YouTube channel. He has a great playlist regarding the OC. It was a later addition to my rack cause it jus didn't look all that sexy. I wish I would of had it as one of my first.

With the Batumi I can't recommend any higher of getting the Expert firmware update....it's transformative.

Good Luck

EDITED Dec 2nd 2021, 14:32