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Hi Nicolas,

I am particular happy with my Intellijel - Springray2 module, a real analogue spring reverb that gives you the opportunity to connect up till 3 (three) spring tanks. I am using the small and the medium one, both are great in their ways, the medium one is a little more subtle compared to the small one.

I don't have the Make Noise - Mimeophon yet but had a chance to test it, and this is a great delay and looper module, very creative patches are possible with this module.

Good look for the search of some good FX modules and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Gumbo23,

Thanks a lot for the AJH - Wave Swarm module, wasn't aware of this module yet. Thanks to your demo, I am now fully aware of it :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

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

I ditched the paraphonic analog synth idea and took your advice to leave space :-)

• x2 intruo modules + CP3 filter + nano filter = voice for bass and general analog shizle

• rings + Beads = modern digital voice and/or sound mangling.

• DOT + Rample + Qmix = drums/percussion/stereo-sample-playback voice

• top right corner (UPE, Zagrzeb and Cockpit modules) = master section connected directly to the Intellijel case's built in outputs.

• Two further line level inputs and outputs along the top + Qmix = second bus for external FX loop or sub mix outs.

• Morphogene = further sound mangling

• Main sequencer will be an Arturia Keystep Pro

• Everything from Pams all the way to Disting Mk4 = utilities and control

Interesting post, thanks! Question: Panharmonium is a pass-through in the video above until around 9 minutes yes?

I recently got Wave Swarm hoping it would be a way to get thickened stereo versions of any wave I throw at it yet. So far I've only tried it on my smaller system with headphones and I'm not blown away by the results. In the next few days I'll get to try it on my bigger system via monitors and I'm hoping I'll hear a more positive and more noticeable difference.

What I have heard so far is a clear sound which I think would be described as "multi-oscillator detune phase interference" which is common to the "supersaw" sounds we've all heard. What I haven't heard yet (and am hoping to) is stereo width and a strong illusion of supersaw-like sounds given (nearly) any input wave.

Thanks for the post. If I have any new insights / learnings from my Wave Swarm I'll circle back with those.

You might consider Instruo Ts-l
-- plragde

I played with the Instruo stuff on VCV Rack and I feel happy with this plan:

Hello,

I'm now several months into modular and feel like I have a good rig and decent understanding of my modules.

As I think about future adds, I'm thinking about FX and am wondering about other MG users:

-- what are your favorite Eurorack FX modules and why?
-- do you prefer to do most of your FX in Eurorack, in other hardware, or in the DAW and why?

To date, I've leaned away from Eurorack FX thinking:
-- they may be more expensive and maybe less good than alternatives I have in software
-- I don't see a big need for CV over FX parameters or FX channels (such as parallel or send/return paths)
-- I've mainly aimed for having a bit of "finishing FX" in my rig such as EQ and reverb: "end of chain" stuff to polish the modular sound somewhat so that I don't HAVE to link my modular system to software if I don't want to

I thought I'd ask around and see if I'm perhaps missing some great Eurorack FX units or setups.

Thanks for your ideas!

Nicholas

Right, have made considerable compromises for the sake of being able to play actual paraphonic chords actually on an actual keyboard (the whole reason those three Instrou oscs are there in the first place).

Rings was a good shout - thanks. I do prefer the sound of Elements but Rings will have to do. The version of Rings I've chosen - just so it'll all fit - looks like it might be somewhat of an ergonomic compromise compared to the original. Does anyone have any experience with this module?

If I give up on the paraphonic-chord-playing-on-a-keyboard-like-a-regular-hoomon idea, I could ditch the Shifty and one of the Instrou modules - which would free up a huuuge chasm of HP and make life far more simple. :-P

Oh to paraphony or not to paraphony...

On the upside, I did manage to fit in a Disting Mk4 which solves - among other things - the lack of basic effects.

EDITED Oct 25th 2021, 21:32

Here's a list of the gear OP mentioned:
Intellijel Rubicon2
Joranalogue filter8
Intellijel quadvca
Xaoc batumi
Make noise maths
Intellijel dual adsr
Hexinverter mutant brain
Disting EX

I have all of those modules except the Hexinverter and Disting EX. They are very tasty indeed.

Some considerations when you get your NEXT round of funding:

1. Buy the Poti expander for the Batumi. It gives you front panel access to a lot more features and is worth it (3HP)
2. Buy a second VCO (doesn't have to be a Rubicon) for stacking voices, adding subs, audio-rate effects, sync, etc.
3. A noise module would go well. They are often paired with sample & hold circuits... which is also useful.
4. A small DC-coupled mixer module. The Maths can mix... but a dedicated 3:1 or 4:1 mixer will free up the Maths for better functions.
5. A simple sequencer that has at least a clock and reset input. 8 or 16 steps should be fine. Think of something under $200. Sequencers are for more than just playing notes. You might also like something like an Ornaments & Crime (micro) that can handle simple sequencing duties, or quantizing, etc.

I can think of a lot more modules to have fun with. But those would be high up on my list.

I'm guessing you are intending to use the rample for percussion and then have 2 voices - the instruo oscs (as 1 voice) and the atom (which if it was me I would replace with a mutable rings - which would reduce the trimmers and improve ergonomics)

not sure I would want 3 identical oscillators either - I can see the point of 2, fat detuned bassline, but you could easily drop one and then fit in an effects unit such as fx aid xl (variety and ergonomics again!) whic would address your point 1

-- JimHowell1970

I want to play 3-tone paraphonic chords on a keyboard...... And as I type this I realise there's no way for me to allocate the notes. Bugger! I knew I had Intellijel's Shifty module in there for a reason. Where am I gonna fit that

Hmmmm, back to the drawing board.....

You are welcome glad to help. I have a large 14u MDLR case and love it but that thing weighs even more than the Doepfer monster case and not as portable since it is made of solid wood. I like how you can stack Doepfer monster cases and daisy chain them together for a massive wall of modular if you want to expand or take just the base Monster case with 300HP of modules to a jam or show. I put my mixers and sequencers in the base monster case and that makes it very easy to control my modular system.

Thanks Lugia and Sacguy71 I did check out Thomann regarding the doepfer case and I did notice the difference in price I did also find a large custom made wooden case with a tip top power supply for just over a 1000 but tbh I do like the look of the doepfer cases they just seem solid and well made

A quick and dirty test of the AJH Wave Swarm. I'm running it through a number of oscillators - Instruō TšL, Xaoc Devices Odessa, Mutable Instruments Plaits and Rings. Loving this guy so far. It does exactly what I hoped for in thickening up the sound and giving it some movement. It can be brutal too, as you'll hear, but in the sweet spots it's huge and rich. It solved a problem and saved me buying a complex oscillator. Thanks to Ben at Elevator Sound for the suggestion.

I'm guessing you are intending to use the rample for percussion and then have 2 voices - the instruo oscs (as 1 voice) and the atom (which if it was me I would replace with a mutable rings - which would reduce the trimmers and improve ergonomics)

not sure I would want 3 identical oscillators either - I can see the point of 2, fat detuned bassline, but you could easily drop one and then fit in an effects unit such as fx aid xl (variety and ergonomics again!) whic would address your point 1

point 2: most eurorack modules are mono so I'd keep as much as possible mono until final mix stage and the dtm is a great little sub-mixer, as it can be overdriven easily to add a bit of grit - which might sit nicely with the instruo oscs - plus you need sub-mixers to mix the instruo oscs (if you are going to use them in a mono-voice anyway) before sending the signal to a filter) - I'd consider dumping the q-mix and replacing it with a wavefolder of some sort

point 3: personally I'd only need one s&h in this size case - I'd drop the divkid before kinks - the rectifier section is very useful!

point 4: I'd remove the ALA DVCA and the panning mixer and patch my own using a mutable veils instead - both panning and crossfading are easy to patch with cascading vcas!!!

I'd probably also replace the atom with mutable rings - better ergonomics and a bit smaller - not a big fan of the tall trimmers which you seem to have a lot of

this would free up a bit of space which I would keep free - you'll inevitably reach for a specific function at some point and not have it, so need a little space to add it in later

• Kinks is taking up a lot of space for the sake of a single min/max gate. If could magically combine the Divkid S+H module with Kinks I'd do it. Any ideas?

-- rextable

Are you really going to need four sample and hold circuits in a build this small? I would hold off on the DivKid S+H and just use the one in Kinks for now (if you can find a Kinks, that is).
Have fun and good luck!

-- farkas

I really really really like S+H :-P

...... Not really.....

Fair point. I originally chose the Kinks as an approximate replacement for one of Lucia's suggestions.

Klawis Logica XT is 5hp and might restore parity, but it’s not a straight swap for anything. Basil Ikarie is stereo (and does a lot of cool things) but 8hp. knob.farm Hyrlo is 3x stereo or 6x mono in 4hp, but it won’t overdrive. No easy answers here.
-- plragde

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll investigate them :-)

• Kinks is taking up a lot of space for the sake of a single min/max gate. If could magically combine the Divkid S+H module with Kinks I'd do it. Any ideas?

-- rextable

Are you really going to need four sample and hold circuits in a build this small? I would hold off on the DivKid S+H and just use the one in Kinks for now (if you can find a Kinks, that is).
Have fun and good luck!

Klawis Logica XT is 5hp and might restore parity, but it’s not a straight swap for anything. Basil Ikarie is stereo (and does a lot of cool things) but 8hp. knob.farm Hyrlo is 3x stereo or 6x mono in 4hp, but it won’t overdrive. No easy answers here.

Thanks for the replies!

— the Quadrax expander is a good value of $s and HP, I would recommend finding space for that
-- nickgreenberg

I was looking at that earlier and I was already able to find space for it.

the 2 Mixups you might be able to find an improved alternative. How many voices total do you plan to run simultaneously?
-- nickgreenberg

Hyrlo + Ferry suggested by plragde look like great alternatives! I own a great reverb (Specular Tempus), so being able to use that with my modules is ace.

personally I would want a bit more oscillator options in a rack like this. A complex oscillator, Intellijel Shapeshifter, something along those lines
-- nickgreenberg

I had Generate 3 in my 2nd iteration, but I was thinking might be too much to handle. Instruo neóni was something I was looking at as well, but I have to do bit more research.

I'm not sure that the sound of Chainsaw fits with the kind of music you listed in your original post.
-- plragde

Yeah, it's more of a trance sound I'd guess. But the drones it can make sound lovely.

by the way, pitch CV is the only reason to have Link 2, otherwise cheaper stackables or stars suffice
-- plragde

That's the only reason I included it, but I am removing it for the 4th iteration so I can get the Quadrax expander in. Also I learned that 1v/oct inputs on Chainsaw (if I stick with it) normalise down, and for paraphony I could drive it from the Mutant Brain.

My experience was that my design changed not only several times before I bought my first module, but also as I started acquiring modules and learning about them. Think about the initial purchases and how they might best inform your future choices.
-- plragde

I expect my filled-up rack to be something completely different than I had designed, but it is nice to have some kind of a plan. I'm going to get modulation/utilities first and expand from there.

Okay

Based on Lugia's suggestions I made this.

I reinstated some of the modules from my V1 (eg the DOT and Scales). Yeeees - I know their functions are duplicated elsewhere, but I really really really... really really want to have their specific functions easily to hand. Also it means that if for some reason I find myself without the Arturia Keystep, I still have CV and gate sequencers available.

I swapped out Lugia's suggested filter and oscillators for things that suit my own taste. Taking Lugia's lesson about 'multifunctionality' though, I was able to combine his wavefolder idea with the oscillator modules and at the same time shrink the footprint, thereby making room for a 3rd. I also added a CP3 style mixer. Groooovy!

I swapped many of Lugia's suggested modules with smaller ones with similar or identical functionality. I ditched the Intellijel FX and reinstated my proposed open-ended line level IO. On paper at least, this should function either an extra output bus or FX pedal board loop. I don't know why you guys were so against it haha. Am I missing something? :-P

I found a really cool little master mixer by Endorphin.es to replace the one suggested by Lugia. It connects directly to the Intellijel case's direct outputs on the back. I know the Endorphin.es mixer is totally different to Lugia's suggested one functionally speaking but I think the space gained has paid dividends.

My Concerns/niggles:

• Now is that there is no basic dedicated effects on board. If I want a boring old delay or reverb I'll have to add it down stream or bring it in through the effects loop at the top.

• The CP3 mixer and Nano filter are mono. If I could find solution that does a similar job in stereo, I'd have two fully fledged stereo buses - which would be far more flexible.

• Kinks is taking up a lot of space for the sake of a single min/max gate. If could magically combine the Divkid S+H module with Kinks I'd do it. Any ideas?

• The Omsonic panning mixer is the only uneven HP module so I've got 1 HP of space going to waste. Doh!!! :-P

Thoughts and advice most welcome please

Thanks

x

EDITED Oct 25th 2021, 16:49

This is sooooooo good. Keep going!

Love it - more please :)

Good point Lugia and I love my Doepfer monster case. Even better than the MDLR case.
Would not hesitate to buy another one and since I buy a lot of modules, really don't want to run out of space.

Layout you can easily change as you learn more through direct use, so don't worry too much about that. Availability is an issue right now. Mutant Brain is hard to get hold of; Steppy slightly less so. Make sure you won't be frustrated by learning using Mimetic Digitalis and one channel of MIDI-CV from Disting (plus what you can get from your semi-mods). I'm not sure that the sound of Chainsaw fits with the kind of music you listed in your original post. It is tempting because of the paraphony, but then you need enough pitch CV to drive it (not many in-rack sources right now, and by the way, pitch CV is the only reason to have Link 2, otherwise cheaper stackables or stars suffice). You might consider Instruo Ts-l (which has a wavefolder, so maybe Bifold won't be necessary right away). For mixing, I would suggest, instead of the two Mixups, a knob.farm Hyrlo and a Doepfer A-138s. (If you have off-rack effects, knob.farm Ferry is quite useful, but they say November at the earliest for that one.)

My experience was that my design changed not only several times before I bought my first module, but also as I started acquiring modules and learning about them. Think about the initial purchases and how they might best inform your future choices.

One other note about the Doepfer Monster Cases...the 4-row one is abysmally expensive, but the 3-row has a huge price drop between it and its larger sibling. And if the road case hardware isn't a concern, you could get a 3-row Monster LC and a 2-row Monster LC base for only $65 more than the fully-outfitted 4-row Monster. Plus, they put completely NUTS power supplies in these (4A on the +12 and -12 busses, 8A at +5V) that have more than ample current headroom. Not too shabby for a total of 840 hp to screw around in!

Lots of good stuff in this V3 rack.

Suggestions:
— the Quadrax expander is a good value of $s and HP, I would recommend finding space for that

— the 2 Mixups you might be able to find an improved alternative. How many voices total do you plan to run simultaneously?

— personally I would want a bit more oscillator options in a rack like this. A complex oscillator, Intellijel Shapeshifter, something along those lines

Overall this is looking like a solid and fun rack.

Enjoy!

Nicholas

EDITED Oct 25th 2021, 00:42

Ordered that 2 days ago.

Hi Gumbo23,

Ha, ha, sounds like we need more rainy days in Bristol, so you can provide us with more lovely jams like this one, well done!

Yeah, sweet memories come back about music like this... thank you very much for taking us back in the past, lovely experience. Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Brunomolteni,

Oh that's a great track! If this is techno, then I am okay with it ;-) You make (parts of) techno acceptable to non-techno people like me, well done! Lots of fun sounds to be heard, overall a lovely sonic journey you present us here.

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

Hi Wishbonebrewery,

I really hope you can make that happen, sounds like a kind of dream that comes through :-) Good luck with the realisation of the bar/modular plan and kind regards, Garfield.

You could probably get some cool percussion sounds with a Schlappi Interstellar Radio and Patching Panda Punch v3 combo too.

Thanks for the reply! I have the bia, but as much as I love their stuff, it's expensive. I'll loom into taiko stuff.

I've got a Mito and had a Muskrat. I'd say Noise Engineering gets pretty close to that glitchy drum vibe with some of their clock dividers and modulators, as well as Basimilus Iteritas Alter. I've been using their Ataraxic Translatron with a VCA to get some glitchy drums too. ALM's Dinky's Taiko and Tyso Daiko might get close too. Lots of options out there.

Here is my 3rd iteration:

I'd appreciate any feedback especially on the layout. I tried to organise the modules in a way that made sense in my head, but at this point it is mostly theorycrafting and might not make the most sense during actual operation of the synth. So any and all tips are welcome.

I felt like I did not want to mess with samples and I found about Blck_Noir so that replaced Bitbox. I read some mixed things about it, but I'll have plenty of time to research the drum section while Model:Cycles plays nice FM drums for me.

I want to get a mito, muskrat, and dial up. Any suggestions on others to get glitchy drums? I'm new to modular.

Thanks Vow3ll. It's always been one of my favorite movies, so it had to be done. I was just mesmerized by the soundtrack when it came out, and it's wonderful to see how much love it gets nearly 40 years later. What a work of genius all round.

My other favorite film is Apocalypse Now, so maybe the next track will bring some of that in :)

EDITED Feb 27th 2023, 07:14

You are welcome. If you can afford a Doepfer monster base case that is what I would go with. It has 300HP + to have room for larger modules and support utilities. Plus it has a case cover and handles so it is portable. I like Doepfer cases/power and modules. Not expensive but quality and Doepfer pioneered the eurorack format. I am in fact looking at buying another Doepfer monster base case and Doepfer monster case for my future sampler build.

Thanks sacguy71 for your reply

Sorry I haven't listed the modules I did start a rack on here with the ones I was looking at but I'm new to modular grid as well below is what I've been looking at

Intellijel Rubicon2
Joranalogue filter8
Intellijel quadvca
Xaoc batumi
Make noise maths
Intellijel dual adsr
Hexinverter mutant brain
Disting EX

I was intending on getting a large rack as I've seen many comments elsewhere advising this, even if you are planning on starting with a few module.

I'm mainly experimenting at the moment but I was initially thinking about a analogue sound like moog to start with, and then see what direction it takes me.

I already use VCV as I do plan on getting a good understanding first before I invest in hardware I also have reaktor as I have NI komplete and have been learning sound design with their soft synths.

Thanks again for your reply I appreciate it

Watch this video from Mylar it will really help you get started!

Patch Notes:

Voices:
- Fender Rhodes Stage 73 mk2 amped by Ears through Mimeophon, is playing chords and melodies.
- Calsynth Rangoon is doing the counter melody, controlled by Doboz XIIO.
- Instruo Ts-l through Takaab LPG into Serpens Sirius doing the bassline, sequenced by Novation Launchpad Pro mk3.

Drums:
- Eowave titan through Takaab LPG as bass drum.
- White Noise from ADDAC 215 through Super VCAs as high-hat.
- Erica Pico Drums as snare
- Ensemble oscillator through Bizarre Jezebel Pkhia as crash cymbal.

Modulation:
- Clank Chaos as clock divider and random CV generator.
- Mutable Instruments Stages as envelope generator and LFOs
- Instruo Ochd as LFOs
- Robaux LL8 as gate sequencer

Utilities:
- Noise Engineering Lapsus Os as attenuation, sum, offset and macro controller.
- Super Vcas as vca, inverter and sidechain for several voices.
- joeSeggiola's Nearness as panning sub-mixer.
- Cosmotronic Cosmix as mixer, using Dreadbox Splash as send reverb.
- Music Thing Startup as mixer and clock generator.

Some cyberpunk vibes for a rainy Sunday here in Bristol.

Odessa (in poly mode) - QPAS - Panharmonium - Desmodus Versio.
Squid Sample - Mimeophon - Typhoon.

If you post a link to what you have we can help. What is your budget and goal? Get a large case to start with some utility and support modules. I also highly recommend download the free VCV Rack software and try building a basic modular system with this free software before buying anything.

Lovely stuff :)

I don't own a Rample, but from the fact that the stereo sample support was added later, and there is no mention of pan (only level) in the manual, I'm guessing it's mono.

Lugia's rebuild, as usual, is ambitious and gives much food for thought. I always learn a lot from these, even for situations that I'm unlikely to find myself in. I will point out that the Klawis Twin Waves is digital, replacing the Nano Ona, which is analog, if that makes a difference (it may not).
-- plragde

I specifically chose the Nano oscillators because they were analog and have the characteristics I'm looking for for that part of the system. The two MI modules were to be my contemporary digital voice. However, I'm redesigning the entire thing now. :-P

Re the Rample mix output: I thought as much but thought I'd ask anyway.

I don't own a Rample, but from the fact that the stereo sample support was added later, and there is no mention of pan (only level) in the manual, I'm guessing it's mono.

Lugia's rebuild, as usual, is ambitious and gives much food for thought. I always learn a lot from these, even for situations that I'm unlikely to find myself in. I will point out that the Klawis Twin Waves is digital, replacing the Nano Ona, which is analog, if that makes a difference (it may not).

Does anyone know if the 'mix' output on the Rample is mono or stereo?
-- rextable

With only a single jack, it's almost certainly mono. Basically nothing is TRS/Stereo except occasionally output modules to headphones/speakers, when stereo does exist it's mostly as pairs of mono jacks.

EDITED Oct 24th 2021, 15:15

BTW

Does anyone know if the 'mix' output on the Rample is mono or stereo?

Hi

I'm a absolute newbie to euro rack, and I am looking to build a basis to learn but to also potential give a good scope for expansion in the future, I have picked out a few modules to begin with that seem ok but would appreciate any comments from experienced euro rack users or suggestions on where I could take it.

Thanks in advance for your help

Wow! Lugia, you put a lot of work into that post - thank you so much.

Ha! I thought that 1U module was just a misshapen PNG file

Regarding the IO: I'm confused .

The top right module is for the case's two back-panel outputs, correct? What about the two back-panel inputs? Also, the 2-in mixer in the top right corner: does that mix to line level? Wouldn't I need 6.35mm adaptors for the outside world, or am I being a derp?

My very first design actually utilised two of those send/return modules like you have here. However I took them out in favour of more open-ended functionality. My implementation of the extra IO could double as an extra mix bus or a stereo send/return or two mono, depending on my fancy - all without the need for adaptors.

From what I can surmise, your suggested system here is a waaaay, waaaaaaay more flexible - and as you rightly say 'multifunctional' - affair with a single stereo mix bus. Is that right? Regarding the 'multifunctional' modules. I was keen to not have too many of those. My thinking was "do less with more" hahaha.... :-P.

Seriously though, the rational for my first design was to have a stereo bus and a mono bus with 4 distinct sound generation workflows: a sampling pipeline, a stereo effects/processing pipeline, a stereo digital synth voice and a mono analog synth voice. Each module was placed where it was to do a specific thing relating to one or the other of my 'pipelines.' Quite a rigid and inefficient architecture I suppose. That was by design though. Is that a bad idea?

That said, I can see there is far more interoperability within your suggested system. You've suggested a lot of modules I haven't seen before. I clearly have a lot more reading and thinking to do. Right than, back to it. I'll post my next iteration soon

Thanks again

x

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great seller!
fast shipping and great communication, highly recommended!