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DFAM is really cool and can do more than just drums. It’s really a complete stand alone synth voice that is modular.

Curiously, no one mentions Dfam. It's an amazing machine, solo or in conjunction with a modular.
Here, a performance among dozens of others on YT.

-- Sweelinck

My son just got a DFAM so I might have to give it a try sometime when he is not using it.

EDITED Oct 30th 2021, 03:15

;-)

Chiming in to note, the Mimeophon really is a wonderful module, adds depth and character to just about anything, here's probably my favorite thing so far with it:

thanks for all the ideas above guys!

An update, I recently ordered:
-- SSF Tryptich (3in1 box)
-- Xaoc Sarajewo (BBD)
-- Xaoc Minsk (M/S & stereo field)

I think these will be great adds for me for:
-- dirty up and manipulate the sound (SSF)
-- slick BBD (Sarajewo)
-- stereo and M/S manipulation, particularly interesting for combination with my AJH Wave Swarm for doing unison stack spread type setups

BTW the SSF box and Minsk are pretty new and I think worth a close look if you don't know it already. AND there is a big sale going on at Perfect Circuit with some very sharp prices.

I'll keep reviewing the notes above for other ideas. IMO getting a send/return loop set up for going to stomp boxes is probably my next priority.

Thanks everyone!!

stackables or passive mults would likely work fine for you in this situation.

Your original oscillator, you would mult that if you want a copy to send to a mixer to be able to mix the original sound in with the generated subs.
-- nickgreenberg
Right now my main osc is E352 that has 2 outputs.and right now my only mult is the one in links .so maybe i Will have to test with stackcables.

Also read that alm chalkboard can be used as a bufferen mult.so might have to test that out too

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 20:38

I recently pulled out most of my drum/rhythm modules out of my rack to free up some space, and put them in this 64hp 4ms skiff. I think it came together pretty well and is a easy to transport fun little rhythm machine. It needs a clock in and I have to have some triggers off the main rack to get full use of everything at once, but it gets pretty chaotic with everything blasting at once. What do you think?

Your original oscillator, you would mult that if you want a copy to send to a mixer to be able to mix the original sound in with the generated subs.

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 20:09

Thanks for checking it out Garfield.

Maths is an extremely versatile and capable module, the size of it is its only downfall. In a small system like this every HP counts. In the end it is your system and if you already have the modules and they are accomplishing the tasks you want, keep going and have some fun with it!

glad this helped -- hope you got the sound you were looking for!
-- nickgreenberg

Came to Thing abort it i forgot to do the mult Thing.i use sism to do the offset.should i do the mult aften sism?

It's a cool looking module, but I already own a Maths and was looking forward to really digging into it! Plus in terms of modulation, it can accomplish what I need it to do, it's a pretty important part of this build!

I would suggest replacing Maths with a Schlappi Engineering Boundary. It can do most of what a Maths can do in an easier to use and smaller form factor. That would free up 8HP which opens you up to a lot of options.

Thanks! Good suggestions, I actually really like the changes you made here. Will look into that!

+1 on DFAM and I recently bought one and love it. For my mobile modular rig my plan is to use my Make Noise Shared System once it arrives with DFAM and 1010 Music Bluebox mixer/recorder. That will be all that is needed for live jams and sessions at clubs for me and not hard to carry around.

Agree 100% and Mutable Instruments are some of my favorite modules. Marbles is great fun and powerful. I love feeding Plaits into Beads into Rings to Marbles for amazing sound palette. Emilie is a genius creator and really supports the modular community with passion.

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 15:47

Mutable Instruments modules are going to be viewed as "classics" in future decades.
-- Lugia

So true, I’m Eurorack world we are blessed with many great designers and their innovations, but Emilie is on a whole other level, be it with her designs (I’m a big big fan of Marbles) but also her contributions to the community, empowering others to become great - what a lovely person !

@Ziqal Personally I'm ok with no gate outputs anywhere. It's up to the user to mult the MIDI (this sometimes works with a TRS split cable) via an external device or even using a few of the available MIDI mult modules available. That would allow the user to plug to a MIDI-to-CV module and use the gates from there. Additionally, some MIDI-to-CV modules (I'm thinking of Flame) have MIDI Thru, so that would also work just fine. So, for me, SYNC input as TRS MIDI Input would suffice.

That being said, if you allow for a 2hp expander as you suggest, would the MIDI connection happen via pins the back? That would be ideal, as that would allow for modules that have their MIDI outputs as pins in the back to connect directly to the ZIQAL with no cables, which is always nice.

Finally, if you want to avoid redesigning the PCB to add expanders, I can suggest a simple workaround. Use SYNC for MIDI IN, and set an option so that one of the L/R outputs sends a gate when incoming MIDI messages are received. That would be an option for the user that doesn't have a way to get gates otherwise (although I do believe that's up to the user to handle, this is an oscillator you're offering, it's not your responsibility to handle the MIDI-to-gate, in my opinion)

PP.

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 09:09

Thanks Lugia! I will do that and look for the Blip expander for Radar. Expanded functions great stuff. I did splurge on a Make Noise Shared System this week as I’ve wanted one and most of the modules for a long time and these were out of stock. Promises loads of fun. Use Wogglebug with random cv should be great and Maths.

In a very small build as this, it's important that EVERYTHING have an actual function. As such, I would suggest deleting the o-scope tile and replacing it with a 2 hp blank and an Intellijel VCO 1U so that you can have at least one dedicated LFO to use alongside the Maths. I also pulled the headphone preamp and the mono reverb so that you can have a stereo FX processor that does more than just reverb. Other than that, congrats! You managed to create a build that CORRECTLY utilizes the space in a small cab. And this looks like...

One immediate thing I'd suggest: reverse the positions of the VC8 and RADAR, and then add the RADAR's BLIP expander to the left of the RADAR. The BLIP module can make the RADAR do a lot of interesting things, such as sequenced envelopes, etc. Very worthwhile!

Heh...managed to beat the original price by $500 with this:

Voicing's on the top, modulation/control on the bottom.

Top row: The AXON1 expands the Salmple with four more assignable CV ins. I also put a Doepfer stereo mixer for summing the individual outs into a single stereo out. Changed the oscillator to the real deal: a Buchla/TipTop 258t...which saved a TON of room! After that is a bitcrushing ring mod from Recovery, then a Veils provides four VCAs for controlling source amplitudes. Blades is after that, followed by a dual VCA for controlling amplitudes off of the Blades or Beads. The output mixer is a stereo-only affair from Happy Nerding, allowing you to sum up to four stereo signals, which seemed like a good choice here. No output stage, though; I wanted to put that Befaco back in, but space limitations put a stop to that, so just make sure to attenuate the HN's output so that you don't hit your mixer with synth-level signals.

Bottom row: Pam's, Nanorand, Cold Mac, then a quad LFO. After that, you've got Maths, then a Frap 321 for modulation summing and manipulation. This is paired with another Doepfer dual VCA. Then I put in a Quadrax + its Qx expander for complex signals...since you can use the EOR and EOF triggers to cascade the EGs, or you can use the Qx's outs to fire other processes in the build. Then there's a basic dual ADSR for your VCF (or VCA...depends on what you're up to). After that is the chiptune source and I've directly paired that to the Data Bender for maximum glitchy, weird results. Again, this also feeds to the HN Stereo Mixer.

This actually turned out better than I thought it might. Some of the modules just didn't fit, but thus far only one of those was significant, and that was the Optomix. The rest of them are either your specs or they do what your specs did, albeit in a smaller space...and this left space open for more functionality. Then things were added so that what's there can really cut loose. However, you should definitely think about Ronin's ideas for the sampler...either going slightly bigger (might be difficult) or smaller (MUCH better) could be useful here.

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 02:37

Great suggestions guys, thanks! CFL looks like a best option so far. Appreciate your ideas!

Nono is super-expensive, you bet! When I looked at the listings there, they have some cases like the CFL ones...albeit for twice the price! Plus, with Nono, you don't have the ability to spec out custom builds like Case From Lake does, even though they use the same sort of Meanwell P/Ss that CFL can put in.

I don't see the point of the extra expense, frankly. And you can go to over 104 hp (up to 168), spec power output, add tile rows, and so on with CFL.

Love all of that stuff. Coincidentally, I was listening to Ashra's "Correlations" album on the way to work this morning.

Fantastic. Just ordered it. Along with Ladik's probability skipper and attenuverter modules! So affordable I had to grab up a few.

Thank again guys super appreciate the help!

Hmm...you're missing a couple of other Berlin schoolers...

First up has got to be Manuel Gottsching, who began with the VERY trippy band Ash Ra Tempel and then went on to create a major part of the early template for techno (ie: "E2-E4"). Hands down, 100% recommended.

Then there's the SPIKY Berliner, Conrad Schnitzler. He was more aligned with the grittier, proto-industrial side of things, which shouldn't be a surprise as he was on the first TD album, and the first few Kluster albums ("K Cluster", basically...they changed the first letter to the more anglicized "C" after Schnitzler left). But for a serious dive into his work, grab the several "Funktion" albums, all of which are titled by different colors ("Funktion Gelb", "Funktion Blau", etc).

And the last I would recommend in that style has got to be Popol Vuh's first two albums, "Affenstunde" and "In den Garten Pharos". After those landmark electronic-based albums, Florian Fricke gradually shifted to acoustic instruments but continued to make brilliant music along the same lines as previously...just minus the electronics. Fricke technically isn't Berlin school, as Popol Vuh was based out of Munich (along with the Amon Duul groups, which Fricke drew on for later Popol Vuh lineups).

There's more...a dive into Bureau B's catalog is a great way to tackle the various different Krautrock flavors: http://www.bureau-b.com/

EDITED Oct 29th 2021, 01:04

Hi Cmb_,

Nice video with interesting and nice video effects! Interesting experimental music you are providing us here. Would be pretty nice for film music :-)

Thank you very much for sharing with us and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Mowse,

Oh yeah! Nice chilling :-) Some nice sequences and a great track overall, I wouldn't mind to hear more from this kind of music. Nice relaxed yet intriguing!

Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

@toodee thanks. I have 8 VCAs in VC8 module, PLOG for logic module, Hikari Quad sequential switch and Livestock Electronics Maze matrix mixer for these things. Are you saying to get more of these things? I rarely use VCAs in patches or logic modules.

You're welcome. I did a bunch of research on clock sync a month ago. The DIN vs MIDI and what accepts those was a point I hadn't nailed down. So I was hoping to learn about options & tech on this point also.

Ladik http://ladik.ladik.eu/?page_id=7 is EU based, I think Czech Republic, and I think 1 guy or mainly one guy. I've never needed to contact them; don't know how responsive a small shop like that can be.

The M221 unit, looks to me like it is expecting clock in at 1/4 rate, and it gives outputs at 1/4 rate and subdivisions of that. So the 1/4 out is your 1:1 clock out option. BIG plus is the M221 has start/stop & other CV outputs which would be a great help to link everything to a single set of controls.

Thanks to @plgrade, Jim and Lugia for adding clarity on this somewhat obscure topic.

Good luck!

Well, if this is to be a self-contained rack, my immediate reaction to this build would be that I need more ways to mess with modulation: VCA's, logic modules, some random, sequential switches etc, basically any way to animate the sound creation modules you already have... As a practical example, a matrix mixer would really shine in the current build IMO

Dang guys, Thanks so much for the good information! Really appreciate it. What a great community here!
Yeah, I already ordered some of the midi to trs just to see.. but they don't work (as we found out). Ill try to get my hands on a Ladik from the website. that was actually my original solution but I couldn't find one for sale. Ill give em a ring.

One last quick one..Does the Ladik's M-221 give you actual clock speed (coming in from midi) or just divisions of it? It would seem strange to not have the actual clock speed but from the looks of it I cant tell?

Thanks again folks. Greatly appreciated.

Idea for the system is to have modulation options for arps/leads to use in Ableton tracks I write. The goal is to have useable, clean ideas that I can drive or affect before committing to tape. Pretty fun system so far!

Good call on the 1010 Music bit box and black box. I ordered the Bluebox for mixing recording modular with my synths and will see how well that works out with my Make Noise Shared System, DFAM and Elektron Octatrack.

Put a video together for a track called "Along the Windowsill" from an album project I'm working on. Best to all.

Thanks had trouble figuring out how to get image and link of the MDLR rack to appear in the post.

My goal is to have it be self contained stand alone instrument that can also be used with my other modular gear like the monster Doepfer setup.

Direct link to the rack for easy navigation:

Quick question: is this rack supposed to be self contained or do you take into account the other setup in Doepfer I know you also have ?

EDITED Oct 28th 2021, 17:38

I would try a 1010 Music BitBox Mk2 or BitBox Micro. They offer clockable looping. So when you reach a point where you're ready to transition, you can sample a loop of your outgoing mix, crossfade between the two, then set-up your new patch as the loop does its thing.

You may want to do this OUTSIDE of the rack. I'm thinking the 1010 Music Blackbox and a DJ mixer with crossfader. The Blackbox won't take up an HP as its an independent device. It's also clockable and loopable like the Bitbox series. Also, having it independent of your rack will make life a lot easier especially if you're trying to troubleshoot. You could not only loop your outgoing mix but also have something entertaining on standby in case everything all goes to hell and you need 3 minutes to figure things out.

Interesting rack. I'm going off of the version of your rack you modified yesterday, not the one pictured (slight differences). You have the basics covered. The only thing I could really critique is a lack of a dedicated LFO source. Granted the Pam's can generate them and the STO can get down to 8Hz... but 8Hz is kind of fast for an LFO.

I would hold off on the STO, Threshold, and Databender for a second round of purchasing. Always leave yourself some room to change your mind or fix some deficiency you've overlooked. If you populate a rack completely, you have no wiggle room and will either need to buy another rack, or remove/sell off some modules to make space for what's needed.

It's a bit of a broken record, but I would try to work in some sort of multi-function module. A Disting EX is a great choice since it includes a lot of great programs. The Disting Mk4 is okay since it's only 4HP. But the interface can be a little frustrating.

Check out the 1010 Music BitBox Mk2. It's 5HP larger than the Salmple and about $100 more. But it'll offer you twice as many trigger inputs (16) and having a nice big GUI is helpful (for me at least). Additionally it has a 3.5mm MIDI input. You should be able to patch it up via MIDI to your Keystep Pro to save using all of your gate outputs to trigger samples. It can also live loop record if you send it the proper clocks. The Salmple might be your thing. But at least know what else is out there.

The QPAS is a stereo filter. So to get the most out of it, you have to send it a stereo signal. Blades is a dual filter, meaning you get two independent multi-mode filters. You can use one for left and the other for right if you have a stereo signal. Unless you're planning on doing a lot of stereo work, I'd go with Blades.

Hi all,

Been finishing my 14u case and here is what I have so far and planned for the
future:

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1391380.jpg

Open to suggestions as to what to add or remove to better tie these modules together for good performance and song writing.

in addition to what Jim and Lugia mention on Mutable Instruments sound, I would add that it has a very hi fi pristine sound that can be gentle ambient to techno industrial ranges. It records well and can easily create songs and albums. I have a bunch of the modules and really enjoy the huge array of textures and sounds from Beads, Rings, Plaits and Marbles. Plus they provide cool little modular nic nack toys like tops and so forth with each module.

Lugia, that looks like a super awesome modular travel case. I also like the cases from Nono Modular like the
http://nonomodular.com/shop/

but Nono cases are super expensive so I would go with lower cost options. I have also heard good things about Amalamod travel eurorack cases.

https://amalgamod.com/

For now I still have my Doepfer 6u suitcase for travel that is empty after moving my modules to the monster cases.

Solitud, nice the Doepfer matrix mixer is great. I needed a smaller matrix mixer for my MDLR case since I have most of it full now already. Been wanting a programmable matrix mixer that can recall presets for live performance and Livestock Electronics Maze looks super duper for that sort of thing based on video reviews I watched. That with the Joranalogue dual window comparator and Hikari quad sequential switch will let me build ultra powerful patches with my Hertz Donut and Trident for the 14u MDLR case. I do wish Intellijel would ramp up production of more 1u modules and cases! They seem to be shortage of that stuff now.

My Eurorack changed a lot in the last 9 years but the Doepfer A 138m is still in it. Super plain, basic and useful device.
Somewhat hidden function: the first row is normalized to 10V so you can mix offset voltage. A 138m can mix any CV, can attenuvert, can even be used as a feedback mixer for audio.

Check out WMD Time Warp to add slew/glide to anything you want. I opted for adding that to my setup vs an acid-specific sequencer.

Interesting thread win curious what others will have to say.

Pam's sync input capability is great for me because my Elektron boxes can put out DIN sync on a MIDI out or thru port, and ALM sell a $10 cable that splits that into the 3.5mm clock (24 ppqn) and run input signals that Pam's needs. And as you point out, Pam's is really useful in many other ways. But the OP's Tascam 12, as far as I can tell from the manual, only puts out MIDI clock and not DIN sync.

Thanks plgrade for the clarification. I was hoping that cable might be a cheap solution. Sounds like it may generally not work in this situation.

I thought of it because Pam’s can take a DIN input to drive clocking. And the PPQN Pam’s is looking for can be adjusted. I think the PNW manual pages 16,17,28 is saying PNW can take DIN input with user definable PPQN? To me that suggests PNW receiving DIN might work for the OP.

Still as you pointed out that leaves the Ladik as the cheapest option, maybe the best option too, it looks pretty tailor made for this type of situation.

EDITED Oct 28th 2021, 13:28

Those DIN MIDI to 3.5mm MIDI cables and adapters will not produce the kind of clock signals needed in Eurorack. They just convert between different physical plug formats. I think Lugia's suggestion of the Ladik M-221 is the most inexpensive solution. Pam's is a nice module but it needs 24 ppqn to sync (lower ppqn is possible but not recommended) and the Tascam 12 doesn't provide that.