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@toodee +1000000000

this is how WE change the world... hopefully!! or at least make ourselves feel a little bit better...

remember - Woody Guthrie's guitar "This Machine Kills Fascists"

& I've seen that slogan (or very similar) stuck to many, many modular synthesizers over the years

Please don't let this site become like modwiggler, where in trying to be 'politically correct' they've changed their name, from a double-entendre (a harmless pun), and remove all mention of the b-company's poor ethics from module discussion into a separate thread... where newbies looking for inexpensive ways into modular don't get directed - they just get hammered by the marketing might of the b-company - when there are plenty of other options, which support small businesses with (near-) zero marketing budgets!

EDITED Oct 6th 2021, 10:14

Hi!
I like this forum a lot, and I am learning about "euro-rack modules". It is so awesome!
But, what is all this thing about politics statements on an electronic modules platform.
Everybody can think and express whatever they want, if it doesn't affect the products they make, who care?, if the quality is involved, of course, it is related to this forum; everything else is out the place.
If people IRL commit "real" crimes, let the law do its things; please, don't let the keyboard's double-moralistic warriors invade this place. Everything has its right place, and I am not here to read about the fashion politics tendencies.
I don't think this nice and beautiful place was made for that illness to spread around.
Thank you.
-- Hikove

That's like... your opinion, man. Just like Jim's statements or mine, it's all opinions, which I thought was what forums were about. If some opinions annoy you deeply, I would advise to simply disregard them, just like I disregard opinions of people about modules when they admittedly never read the manual and don't understand 70% of what the circuits do.
Here's some perspective: I do care - deeply. In fact, I am convinced that to fight for the world each of us wants to live in, the weapon we have is our wallet, believing that the law alone will solve all issues is way too naïve, there are many examples of people making a difference by changing their purchase habits collectively. Yet, to make informed decisions we need information, so people in communities talking about what they see as issues - regardless of whether I agree or not about it being an issue.
By the way, calling social justice "fashion politics tendencies" is very much a political view in itself...

About Synthrotek, my take:
A bunch of internet keyboard warriors, who probably have never seen 'South Park', freaked out that he posted a picture of Harvey Weinstein and made a bad joke they probably didn't understand. Then attacked him and were surprised that a person like him would react in the way he did. . . It takes more than that to offend me. He did not rape or kill anyone, so I don't care.

Since they all most likely wear and buy things that are made by slave and child labor, which should be common knowledge by now; and the destruction that mining rare minerals for electronics cause. . . Its most likely people annoyed by Synthrotek just disagree with his different political view. I am the complete opposite of a bigot. Most people if their circumstances were slightly different could easily have been the opposite, what they disagree with, of what they are now. The left and right, most people, essentially function on the same logic. I cannot wait till humans evolve past politics.

-- vansting

Again, a lot of shortcuts here, saying that people are annoyed by Synthrotek solely because of Steve's political views is intellectually lazy. So is saying that people offended by his posts simply "did not understand" - that's assuming that he was right and that there is not other view possible of the situation. I have NO IDEA what his political views are (and I don't care), in fact I'm not really offended by his bad jokes, but I would defend the right for other people to talk about it here. After all, it was his choice to make those jokes and subsequent aggressive defense on his business page, not his personal page...

EDITED Oct 6th 2021, 10:02

The Joranalogue Orbit 3 is a variation of the NLC Hypster with the same controls with different names (the switch Tame/Wild is identical).
Maybe the Orbit 3 is more stable (but who need stability with a chaos module ;) ).
And yes, with the Hypster you can have stable out.
Anyway, Joranalogue make good modules.

@Exiannyc thanks for your post and videos, very interesting! And a very good point about feedback loops. I've been cautious about patching feedback loops in my setup... maybe its time to get on that!

A couple adds from my side:
-- my order from NLC showed up. Very cool stuff. I've spent most time so far with Hypster. Yes it is a chaos module but not what I was expecting. With stable settings, the output is very stable and repetitive. It is with changed settings (manually or CV) that the output varies, and in a very nonlinear way. So for example 1 or 2 LFO inputs to Hypster and the output will be pushed through a very dynamic and only partly controlled wavespace. That's my take on it so far, and I'm pleased to have added it to my setup!

-- also in my NLC order were TripleSloths, Neuron and Squid Axon. I have yet to really dig into these but am looking forward to.

-- I see Joranalogue has Orbit3 upcoming. This is also a chaos module. I LOVE the Joranalogue stuff I have so far, so I have to imagine Orbit3 is a capable offering as well. But I don't plan on getting this any time soon as my NLC stuff just recently arrived and should give me lots to play with and scratch my head over.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and comments!

Thank you, Garfield! Your always kind words are much appreciated!

some people don't care if they buy stuff from douchebags, but some people do and unless they know who the douchebags are, they can't make informed decisions, can they?

part of learning about eurorack modules is being aware of which manufacturers have questionable politics, ethics and/or have poor customer service etc etc... don't ya think???

EDITED Oct 6th 2021, 00:36

Hi Fred,

Ha, ha, yes, I was surprised myself when I discovered this how close it comes to a real thunder :-) Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.

When I read the title, I was like, ok, so Garfield found some thunder-esque sound, let's see.....oh no, it is truly 100% thunder. So rad. Good find.

Hi!
I like this forum a lot, and I am learning about "euro-rack modules". It is so awesome!
But, what is all this thing about politics statements on an electronic modules platform.
Everybody can think and express whatever they want, if it doesn't affect the products they make, who care?, if the quality is involved, of course, it is related to this forum; everything else is out the place.
If people IRL commit "real" crimes, let the law do its things; please, don't let the keyboard's double-moralistic warriors invade this place. Everything has its right place, and I am not here to read about the fashion politics tendencies.
I don't think this nice and beautiful place was made for that illness to spread around.
Thank you.

Hello All,

I was effing around with my Plaits module (Mutable Instruments) when I discovered this Thunderstorm sound after that I experimented a bit further with Plaits. Just for fun, just to kind of demo the Plaits. Please increase the volume a bit.

I hope you enjoyed the weird sounds, thank you very much for listening and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi M01C,

Great demo again of the Taiko, now with the 0_C :-)

Nice rhythm and built-up atmosphere you managed here, thanks a lot for sharing and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Baltergeist,

Your track "Uncanny Valley Draft" is just gorgeous! What a lovely nice, relaxed track. I could hear a track like this all day long, brings me back down to earth :-)

The "Bells Of Saint Confusus" is a great track too, in another way though. I love the experimental level of this track and the quite funny sounds; I love funny sounds! :-) Surprisingly after having listened at this track and after a hard day work, nice relaxed too, after these two tracks I feel I can handle another day... tomorrow, here I come...

All in all lovely to listen at and I don't mind more coming from your hands! Thank you very much for that and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi M01C,

Is your name - (or being the large letter "o") - - ? :-)

Well, I meant it's a lovely demo, nice to watch and I guess for people who don't know the NW1 yet, a good teaser to get one! Regarding sounds indeed it might not be always lovely though some of your example sounds are real good fun.

So all right then, let's call it a beautifully done demo :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Funbun,

Ha, ha, it's you! :-D

Nice track you made for this compilation album and quite different from your usual (video) music :-) I wouldn't mind to hear more from you in this style. Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

there are other "incidents" if i remember correctly...
and I try not to buy things made by child or slave labour

About Synthrotek, my take:
A bunch of internet keyboard warriors, who probably have never seen 'South Park', freaked out that he posted a picture of Harvey Weinstein and made a bad joke they probably didn't understand. Then attacked him and were surprised that a person like him would react in the way he did. . . It takes more than that to offend me. He did not rape or kill anyone, so I don't care.

Since they all most likely wear and buy things that are made by slave and child labor, which should be common knowledge by now; and the destruction that mining rare minerals for electronics cause. . . Its most likely people annoyed by Synthrotek just disagree with his different political view. I am the complete opposite of a bigot. Most people if their circumstances were slightly different could easily have been the opposite, what they disagree with, of what they are now. The left and right, most people, essentially function on the same logic. I cannot wait till humans evolve past politics.

(I did not see any racism. . .)

Hi again, a couple more experiments.

=5cdfc2b2d049475c919bd58b6eb4e166

=ab70893fc4174d6db714cfb3a599c548

yeah - say you have one cable plugged into the output of your hydrasynth going to say maths and then another one plugged into the stackcable on the hydrasynth and then stacked into O&C and then another plugged into the stackcable on the hydrasynth and going to say a clock divider - this is a star network - don't do this

go hydrasynth to Maths to O&C to clock divider to XYZ module - this is a chain - less strain on the modules

EDITED Oct 5th 2021, 20:05

I'd be surprised if you'd have issues until way more than three connections although it may depend a lot on the modules and the initial voltage - voltage droop is not that significant - and trigger inputs are usually triggered by any signal over a certain voltage... sometimes this quite low, sometimes it is quite high - so ordering of the stackcable chain may have an impact

don't stack more than 2 though chain them - less stress on the sockets
-- JimHowell1970

So when you say 'chain' them, do you mean chain the input that is clocking a module and stack that input to the input of another module? Right now I have one cable stacked to the output from my clock out on my Hydrasynth...one goes to Maths and one goes to my Ornament and Crime currently...I could stack from the input on my Maths and go to say input on Quadrax?

I'd be surprised if you'd have issues until way more than three connections although it may depend a lot on the modules and the initial voltage - voltage droop is not that significant - and trigger inputs are usually triggered by any signal over a certain voltage... sometimes this quite low, sometimes it is quite high - so ordering of the stackcable chain may have an impact

don't stack more than 2 though chain them - less stress on the sockets

What would be the limit to using say a clock output from a device using stackcables for clocking multiple devices? Is there some calculation of signal degradation to use or a general statement that you shouldn't go more than three?

I wanted to bring this thread back to mention the Ieaskul F Mobenthey modules by Peter Blasser (also of Ciat Lonbarde). The whole system is built for chaos.

My setup is built around those modules, and utilities to support them and help me manage the intricate feedback loops of modulation.

Almost any system can be induced to generate chaos, if you have a feedback loop that includes a nonlinearity. Loop the end result back into the beginning. Make a LFO or VCO modulate its own frequency. Have a series of LFOs modulating each other, and then also modulating VCOs, and then take the output of the VCOs and have it feed back and modulate the LFOs. The snake eats its own tail. Tails.

here's one example

0_C and Taiko... Great company :)

Thanks for your comment Garfield!

Personally I won't call it "lovely". More "harsh noise" But the NW1 is able to do some lovely sounds as well. Personally I dig the LoFi "aliasing" it has, even more with a highpass filter.

they add chaos

Looks sick, would love to hear some jams ⛈️⛈️⛈️
-- troux

sick in a bad way due to synthrotek...

-- JimHowell1970

That Synthrotek Sequence 8 is pretty flexible for a lil sequencer. I tried several small ones, this one was ultimately the best for the job. ;)

-- ANTONIVS

no dude... the company... Steve the owner is a douchebag.... (on line rape jokes, racism etc) don't give him money

This lil unit can do more than you can imagine, don't let it fool you. :)
-- ANTONIVS

My Mimaroglu variation :

-- Jihel

Interesting, what does the Sloth and Hypster do?

The complete Behringer System 15 as in the original Moog System 15. Only extras added: Pico Out (so you can use your headphones), Endophin.es Milky Way ( so you can have onboard reverb or echo), and Behringer CM1A ( so that you can connect a keyboard to the system via MIDI to CV). All fitted like a glove inside an 84HP 9U. :)

Hi Antonivs,

Yet another little-box-puzzle, looks great! :-) How is your experience with the Erica Synths - Fusion Delay, worth the investment? Kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Erica Synths modules are incredible. They give you so much for the money. They are also well built. Whenever you buy an Erica Synth module they go deeper than most for the price. Jean Michel Jarre himself approves of them. The fusion delay took me a while to figure what to do with it. It sat in a box for months. I had tried different combinations but finally it made its way into this one and it worked beautifully. This allows for the unit to sound vintage like Tangerine Dream and yet modern when you feel like it. Crossed with the DSP2 and you can get some incredibly beautiful stereo sounds.

Looks sick, would love to hear some jams ⛈️⛈️⛈️
-- troux

sick in a bad way due to synthrotek...

-- JimHowell1970

That Synthrotek Sequence 8 is pretty flexible for a lil sequencer. I tried several small ones, this one was ultimately the best for the job. ;)

Looks sick, would love to hear some jams ⛈️⛈️⛈️
-- troux

Coming up soon, thanks :)

Guess whose tune is first?!?
https://aetherwaves.bandcamp.com/album/ther-waves-vol-3

I used to want these prebuilt modular systems when I first got into modular and had a small Doepfer A100 Basic system but the real joy is mixing different modules from vendors for a truly custom instrument. That’s a lot of the appeal to me anyways.

In my opinion the first version of the Erica Synths Liquid Sky Dada System was the best because it is compact and well equipped to make soundscapes from another world. You can also do some synthesis to aids into the sound nonetheless. If you love manipulating audio and adding a sprinkle of electronic music you will love this unit. I removed the Pico Drums because I prefer electronic music with no beats whatsoever. I like to feel like I have a blank canvas and I am painting some abstract piece for the ears.

Hi Antonivs,

Yet another little-box-puzzle, looks great! :-) How is your experience with the Erica Synths - Fusion Delay, worth the investment? Kind regards, Garfield.

I think small cases are great for pulling stuff out from the big system to either concentrate on or take on travels

but as main systems and for starters they suck as they are too constraining and don't really allow the owner to work out what they really need in a single system

manufacturers are making small cases because people are buying them - doesn't mean it's a good idea in most cases, though

Hi Antonivs,

Well, now I do realise that ;-) No, I didn't know you had three modular cases, good to hear that, now I understand your reasoning, then it sounds indeed fair enough. Just in case you didn't had that, wanted to warn you. I am glad to hear for you this is rather fun and a puzzle how to come to a compact rack! :-)

Just one thing that wonders me, don't you feel it's pity to use in such small rack the HP space by the rather large 0-coast and 0-ctrl modules? Of course they are very powerful modules that can do a lot, so from that point seen, indeed it might make sense. Either way, I like to wish you good luck with your little-box-puzzle :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Looks sick, would love to hear some jams ⛈️⛈️⛈️
-- troux

sick in a bad way due to synthrotek...

Looks sick, would love to hear some jams ⛈️⛈️⛈️

Dream up some stormy weather with this unit. Very compact, don't let the small size fool you. Make it rain. :)

You do realize that I might have like three modular cases in difference sizes right? and that perhaps some people might want something small and compact and fun for the money. Bigger doesn't always make it better. Great things do come in small packages. This modular is just a small system out of many other small systems I like to create for a quick compact travel buddy to the park etc. If you go look online many companies are beginning to make small 60HP 6U cases for a reason. It is more challenging and fun making a small system, try it some time ;)

Hi MO1C,

This is a great and lovely demo of the Waldorf - NW1 module! Nice and clear camera view on this fantastic module too!

Such a pity that Waldorf decided to stop producing Eurorack modules :-( Instead they should have produced more different modules, I like their style and the spacious front plates, very comfortable user interface. They only should have used knobs with a better colour contrast regarding the indicator. That little black dot on a silver knob is not fantastic (depending on how the studio light falls onto the module).

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

Hi Antonivs,

You know what they say here on this forum, right? You can never have enough VCAs, so add a 10 or 20 VCAs and then yes... might be... ;-)

I would miss some modulators like LFOs and EGs, so 10 or 20 of them too... then several filters for some variations.... em... all you need? ;-) If it's not too late you might want to consider a larger rack, you are limiting yourself here pretty much. Not even mentioned the expensive space you are using in this little box for 0-coast and 0-ctrl (remove them from this box and let them use their original casing saves you HP space and +12 V power supply troubles), both fantastic desktop-modules though! :-)

Have fun with the little box and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Gumbo23,

This is a lovely demo. It's nice relaxed music, very enjoyable! In parallel it's interesting to see you at work with your modular system!

Nice video and demo and I wouldn't mind to hear/see more demos from you :-) Thank you very much and kind regards, Garfield.

All you will need is in this box. :D

maybe some Serge-type modules?

Also the Serge TKB, either from Random Source or Analogue Research. Expensive and a lot of HP but very powerful sequencer. And the NTO (New Timbral Oscillator) from Random Source. Analogue Research also has a few other Serge modules.

EDITED Oct 4th 2021, 17:38

Three of the most inspiring modules I've ever met - absolutely made for each other. A simple jam, just a little gentle tweaking. Usta is also sequencing the bassline on Rings (who knew?) and the Numeric Repetitor which is feeding the Squid Sample and Basimilus.

Here is what I came up with:

to start with please read through the recent thread 'this should not exist' for all the reasons not to buy either b-company or synthrotek products - only you and your conscience can decide... but note that at least some stores have stopped stocking synthrotek due to the fact that they are poor quality and do not have adequate product support not just because of Steve's online rape jokes...

the waldorf mod-1 modular is best described as huge and oversized for a rack this size (or any to be honest) Maths would be a better replacement - a bit smaller and if you search a bit online you will find the 'maths illustrated manual' - which is an excellent learning tool resource for modular synthesis in general; even if you do not buy the module - but it might make you buy it!!!

too many 2hp modules - they are horrible from an ergonomics point of view - especially when next to each other or between other modules that are densely populated!

most modular synthesists do not use eq - filters are more prevelant and do similar things - but with added benefits - resonance and possibly self-oscillation for example

other than that - m'eh, but each to their own in a way - I'd start slowly:

a sound source, a sound modulator, a modulation source, a way to listen and a way to play and add a few utility modules: I like links, kinks, shades, veils and a matrix mixer as a starter kit (kinks is discontinued - wmd/ssf toolbox is a good substitute) and you have veils and a 3*mia (which is a good substitute for shades) and then play with that for a while to get your head round what you are actually doing and what modules you actually need (as opposed to thinking you want now) and add to the rack slowly

I hope all this helps!!!

EDITED Oct 4th 2021, 16:12

A few days ago I realized the potential for modular, after being unexcited by current hardware synths. And realized I could make my dream synth, and a soundtrack machine for video games.

a lot of people spend many months if not years researching before buying - I spent at least 1.5 years myself between realising I wanted a modular (or in fact realising I had already got some parts of a modular with out knowing it in the form of moogerfooger, lovetone and frostwave pedals) and buying a case and any modules

I would strongly suggest doing much, much more research before spending a penny on this project

Some advice and recommendations would be fantastic!
Here is what I want to accomplish:

-Important stuff to fit into Arturia's 6u case so it will go along with my Minibrute 2 and have the feel of a complete musical instrument. (and so I will be less likely to get g.a.s.)

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - not going to happen... eurorack modular has so many new and potentially useful modules coming out constantly that - the only way to truely avoid gas in modular is once you have got a single case full and functional to never ever: watch you tube, go to a modular forum, go to a modular store or talk to anyone who has anything to do with modular - this is difficult if you have a modular!!!

FEATURES:
-Be similar to my most used vst's, Reaktor Prism and Kontour, but mixed with the Arp Odyssey, Dreadbox Nyx.
(I have seen Rings, Elements, Plaits and those kind of modules, but I would like to have more control over the creation and be more analogue. I am unsure of Rings. . .)

I think you are asking too much of 6u / 88hp here - maybe it would be better to think of modular as complimentary to your vst based system instead of trying to duplicate or replace it

--I like the usage of comb filters and feedback loops in those vst's, I want those features, and have various different routes available for those.

rings is very similar to a comb filter when used as an effect and not a sound source

--That Paradox dual VCO is interesting, similar to a feature in Kontour. (I like strange stuff like that)

patching together multiple simple vcos may actually be more interesting!!!! but if it's a must have also look at other complex oscillators - DPO, FurtherGenerator etc etc there are tonnes and they all sound a bit different and have slightly different features

-I prefer envelopes over LFO's for shaping a sound over time. Want more complex Envelopes, and or can be gate delayed. I think the three LFO's on the minibrute 2 would be enough for me.

there are envelopes and there are envelopes and there are lfos and lfos - all are good - a looping envelope generator is effectively a uni-polar lfo - sometimes you will want bi-polar too!!! - function generators are also very popular and interesting modules - really though mixing all of these together to get even more interesting modulation is the best policy - use a matric mixer

-I definitely want a spring reverb. Probably another reverb to finish off the sound. I want those to be able to go into feedback loops.

yes it's a good patching technique - a matrix mixer is really useful for feedback patching as well as modulation... I would consider a multi-effect such as fx aid xl as an end of chain reverb - maybe multiples of this module

-FM, ring modulation, waveshaping would be nice.

all widely available

-Definitely have multiples/multiplier? modules.

Utilities (of which mults are but 1 type are incredibly useful and inexpensive tools in a modular which are almost definitely hidden or non-existant in fixed architecture and soft synths

_Clouds, Monsoon, is pretty interesting.

Beads is worth looking at instead

-It might be interesting to have the possibility to get a binaural stereo sound with a comb filter for each side.

until recently stereo and polyphony were out of scope (to a large extent) in modular as too expensive - this is not the case anymore - but in some cases it may be - possibly check out the raincatcher by

-Have various ways to alter or shape feedback loops.

covered by above - only limit is your patching ability and imagination (and wallet)

Some previous related ideas and thoughts:
-What if reverb was a sound source?

reverb does kind of need something to use as a seed - reverberated silence should (in a perfect world) be silence, but see no-input mixing

-Reaktor Prism but with analogue VCO's instead of noise.
-A pool of reverbed noise (which can my modified before being released), let out at specific frequencies corresponding to the note pressed, then sculpted with comb filter/s - then a juicy analogue filter on top of that - with a reverb on the end; various feedback loops to add more harmonics.

see also fixed filter bank

-How to make extreme feedback more musical?

with extreme difficulty - or just reappraise what you hear as musical!!

I like sounds whose origin is uncertain. Maybe surreal sounds.
For a sci-fi game, I want some sounds that are like the sound of the universe yelling out because its being eaten by a black hole. And sounds that have the same flavor or characteristics as a bowed gong.

all easily possible in eurorack - as are chirping bird sounds, beep and boops, drones etc etc

Here is what I came up with:

and I will probably eventually get a little expander case, for extra less important stuff, utilities, complex LFO, MIDI to CV for multi note playing. . .

yeah yeah I started with a 6u / 72 hp case and thought I'd only expand a bit from that - 4.5years later I have 1500hp of audio and video modular synthesizer

What do you think? Better modules out there? Better ways to go about it?

The Modor comb filter is stereo - so if I only plugged one cable out of it, I would only get half the signal?

generally if you plug a sound source into only say the left channel of a stereo effects module and take only one patch cable out of the left output - then you will get a mono signal... - sometimes depending on the module if the algorithm it is using converts mono->stereo then it's dependent on how the algorithm works - reading the actual manual of the module is the best way to actually understand what is going on and the only way to get a conclusive answer to your question for the specific module

Can I just take the audio out of a VCA and use a 1/8 to 1/4 jack converter to go to my audio interface?

-- vansting

a basic passive attenuator will do the job a lot of the time - if you have a 1/2 decent audio interface that has a pad on the inputs then you may not even need this - if you have a good audio interface that has balanced inputs then you may want to get an output module that has balanced outputs - the best way to find out is to start with less and if you have issues add more in this order

using 1/8" -> 1/4" cables (converters are bad as they put strain on jacks which may need replacing sooner if you put strain on them) whatever last modules is in audio path, add atttenuators (passive, cheap, always useful), add output module, add better output module

Still liking my NW1. One thing it isn't designed for, is audiorate FM. But if you're into glitchy sounds, embrace this bug, for being a feature ;)