In modular, all of the things that you take for granted in a typical synthesizer must be thought out.
Mixers are a must as far as utilities. Simple mixers are great for summing together multiple oscillators or multiple CV signals together. The more complex, audio mixers are great for routing. Both are part of a well balanced set-up.
Generative set-ups aren't beginner friendly (truly generative set-ups). It's something to strive towards... but only after some hands-on experience. Right now, you're shooting in the dark and I don't think generative means what you think it means.
Define "need" as far as a sequencer. :)
Your rack is tiny and you're populating it with large modules like the Vermona and Maths. I would buy a bigger case and leave 1/3rd of it unpopulated. I'd ditch the Vermona and find something smaller and simpler. I'd also ditch the Pico DSP and go for an Expert Sleeper Disting EX... more space... but you'll get more mileage out of it in a small set-up.
Any gifted module should be worn proudly like a badge... especially from someone outside of modular synthesis. :)
I'm looking at your set-up and thinking you'll be able to do some useful things. As far as oscillators... this is okay for a start. I'm not criticizing your choices. But recognizing that every initial set-up has limits of budget/space. Kudos for leaving lots of room for expansion.
A multi-mode filter and dedicated LFO wouldn't be a bad idea for this set-up WHEN there's budget for it. The filter should be the type able to self-oscillate (they can be used as simple oscillators in addition to filtering). The LFO should have CV controls allow it to reset, sync, and even modulate frequency. Multiple LFOs on one module would be nice.
The Braids/Plaits line is pretty vanilla in terms of what you can do with them. When expanding your rack, I would add a couple of full analog oscillators to the mix. Be sure they have plenty of points for modulation. I bought an Intellijel Rubicon II. I'm not telling you to get that... but that's the level of complexity I'd go for.
The BIG thing I can tell you to do is to swap out the Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 for the Disting EX. It's a little bit bigger. But you get a much easier to read display, more features, and it can basically do the job of two D Mk4s. As you're exploring the Disting's features, you'll get some hands on experience in what types of functionality suits your own personal style. From there, you may consider buying dedicated modules for those functions if you use them often enough.
yeah if you do a hard refresh on your browser it should update. it's probably showing a cached image.
sorry for lack of description. I have the following gear: Elektron Octatrack, Elektron Digitone, Arturia Keystep 37.
I'm interested to get into modular for the following things: making experimental melodic sounds/textures, using it as an FX box for current gear + microphone (longer term goal), and generating unusual rhythms/sequences that would be hard to create in a DAW environment.
I make future downtempo, uk garage, ambient etc. with a lean towards experimental melodic sounds. I'm a huge fan of granular synthesis and resampling of sound. Hopefully this makes sense why I picked the Plaits + Morphagene.
At this point I'm not scoping out audio input for jack + mic but thats an eventual possibility. Given the OT, DT, K37 it may be unnecessary to have a sequencer in eurorack at this point.
edit: i want to add as well I'm not particularly fixated on any equipment apart from the following items: Arturia Rackbrute 6U (again just because of the significant discount I'm going to be getting), Morphagene (because of its processing possibilities), Contour (because I already have it). I'm also interested in Marbles / Bloom as a potential sequencer down the line. I'm also going to pick up Maths at some point.
The image hasn't updated yet so I looked at your rack via your profile, and the answer is... maybe.
What are your overall goals for getting into modular? What kind of music are you hoping to make? Do you have any external gear that you will be combining with your rack?
I'm planning to finally get into modular. What i want to build is a generative system but i also want to be able to control the synth via a DAW if needed.
Rack here:
My thoughts:
VCOs:
I'm pretty sure i want to go with Plaits to be flexible and the Behringer 112 VCO because i love the sound and it gives me 2 Oscillators.
Filters:
Behringer 121 seems like a good choice for me.
Modulators:
I put Maths in because from what I understand it's good to have in a generative setting.
The Behringer 140 seems like a good choice because it gives me 2 envelopes and an LFO.
I'm pretty sure I need some sort of Clock generator and Clock Modulator. Is Pamelas New Workout a good choice here?
Sequencer:
I'm a bit torn between Melodicer and MakeNoise Rene. Am I right that i can do a lot of similar things with the two? Do I need a Sequencer?
Effects:
PicoDSP seems like a good choice because it doesn't use a lot of space.
Beads (not sure i should count this as an effect) seems very interesting for pads.
Utilities:
What do I need here? I've added some multiples and the pico Quant and some logic gates but i'm very unsure if that is sufficient or even needed...
This looks like a collection of fun modules, but your first build suffers from "sexy module syndrome" which is a common mistake. You are missing VCAs and don't have enough utilities to get too far with this. Take a look back through some of the other starter rack threads to get an idea of what is often recommended to overcome these barriers (Links, Kinks, Veils, etc.).
I've been looking at getting into Modular for a while and have been putting together a basic rack to get me started. Would love to hear your thoughts / opinions on what is right + wrong with the current selection. Although this is shown as a 3u 88HP case please pretend it is 6U. I plan on getting a Rackbrute 6U and I gave myself the limitation of 3U so I only picked what I felt were essential to my needs starting out.
I'm getting a really hefty discount on the Rackbrute 6U so it makes cases like the Tiptop Mantis and others not very good value for my budget.
Please note the Make Noise Contour module was selected as part of the rack because it was bought for me as a surprise, so it would be a shame not to include it in my first foray into eurorack.
So, here goes. I've released an album of modular music on Bandcamp. All of the tracks were created using Plaits and Morphagene as the main sounds sources, together with external effects. I pleased with the way it turned out and I had a lot of fun making it. Hope you like it too.
The main focus of this rack is to build a complex oscillator with multiple waveshaping options.
Nevertheless, I tried t0 c0ver as many area as I could e.g. monophonic synth / generative / acid / drum etc., so that it can be a very flexible multi-genre instrument.
Kinda satisfied with the outcome and it works well with my ES-8 and Sequential Pro 3.
Going back and looking at Synthrotek's site and the warnings that Firefox pops up on it, it shows that the site contains "unsecured content". The certs for transactions might be secure, but my concern is that there's elements there that clearly are not and which could, in theory, be used as part of a backdooring scheme. Very sloppy in this day and age to put up a commerce website that's not 100% nailed down.
And Jim has a very good point: MAKE SURE your transaction traffic is ALWAYS secure. Check for "https" and NOT simply "http".
kinks is discontinued - I'd pick one up if you can find one - the other functions are very useful
maybe look at 2hp for a kick and snare - maybe even a hats - do check for depth though - 2hp can be quite deep and the nifty case does not seem that deep
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
First off, thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated... and great point on the fact I did a 17 minute jam... it was me just mostly goofing around with the device and getting some sounds going.
One thing I really like to do with the Percal is to take the evelope out and control the filter with it. In this case I was driving part of the MS-22 via that for a while. It makes for some fun rythmic filter changes. (although I think i'll back off on some of the higher pitched sounds next time around... well maybe... :D )
To your question on what happens toward the end of the song:
The audio you are hearing at that point in the jam is actually the ALA Pique (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/after-later-audio-pique-upeaks) running the deadman's catch firmware in the split FM drum mode. That sound is the "snare" be manipulated.
it is kind of a fun little device and I thought i'd see how it does for making a kick and a snare-like sound for me.
I mean yeah the modules are pretty limited but you do get quite a lot for the 60€ the bundle costs more than the solo case. For now, I will keep them in for some background noise.
Getting back to the Mutable Instruments Kinks. I do get the sample and hold thing now and feel like I could totally benefit from that but the other stuff on the Kinks don't really appeal to me yet. So I lean more into a Doepfer A-148 as a simple dual sample and hold module.
Edit: Also I am looking into getting some rhythm background going in this case. It doesn't need to be a full drum set but maybe something to create a somewhat "enjoyable" metronome percussion or maybe bass. Maybe If I just modulate a bass-drum module? Or a Hihat as it kinda gives me 2 elements (open/closed). Again I do know I can't get it all into this case so it's more of a fancy metronome thingy I am aiming for
If you like chipz , I would get rid of it and get the basimilus and the use that with your pams, it’s awesome trust me. I have a cre8 case too, I think it’s ok but I think their modules are utter rubbish.
Little fun jam around this liquid d&b modular patch.
Chords pad from Plaits thru Prism and FX AID XL. Arp melody from Rings thru Typhoon (on delay looping mode). Second melody from BIA thru volante (not in shot). Bass from second ring thru c4rbn. All drums from Plonk.
Modulation from Ochd, sequenced on Hermod.
Recorded on Ableton live. Mix with Fabfilter plugins. Master with Ozone.
VCV rack for me is more of a learning program than something I want to integrate into a physical setup. I just put together stuff there to see how it interacts with each other to get a general idea about how stuff is working. So no es8 or es9 for me.
Update 23.06.21
As I got a decent deal on Twiigs and a nanoRings (still considering getting the big one if I feel like it) I ordered those two. Living in Europe it is kinda hard to get those modules from serious sellers that provide warranty (again correct me if I am wrong) so I just had to take them.
And I'm not even kidding. I've spent 5 years slowly upgrading from a single Rackbrute 3U to dual Rackbrute 6Us, and gradually all aspects were refined and eventually cemented into a complete system that I'm incredibly happy with. All my modules perfectly complement each other and they are arranged in an ergonomic, functional, logical and visually pleasing way. All the patch points are grouped together in logical places, and all the controls are exactly where I want them. Modules of the same manufacturer are clustered together, but only if it makes sense functionally. Cable length is minimized for patches I use often, and I can usually get by with using only 15cm and 30cm cables. I have experimented with all kinds of layouts and this one is by far the best one I've come up with.
It took me a long time to finally come up with a bass/kick drum sound that I liked. First, I used an external drum machine (DrumBrute), but when I discovered I could produce a much more pleasing drum using the STO and Maths envelopes I decided to get rid of it and go fully modular. However, the patch took up all of Maths, the STO, and my favorite VCA (Xaoc Devices Tallin) so I decided to replace all of this with a 2HP kick. Unfortunately, I did not like the sound at all; way to "clicky" for me. For a long time, I continued to use various patches to create my own kick drum but finally decided to buy a Vermona Kick Lancet. It was exactly the sound I was looking for! Together with the Vermona Retroverb Lancet they fit perfectly in the empty space inside the hinge of the two Rackbrutes. You should see it, it's really quite wonderful.
And now, my desk is full. There is no space to reasonably fit any more synth gear, and I have no desire to add anything anyway. I love the endless possibilities and the raunchy analog sound of my setup, and it will remain in this exact configuration for decades to come.
I've playing around with Rings and the sound i am looking for when i think at "strings" is the one which Ring does while it's in easter eggs mode.
Any other modules which sound close to this? maybe Chord? Or the 4ms ensamble oscillators?
Thanks in advance
Ciao
-- abstractrhythms
then the obvious answer is rings!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
This is actually two modules, but I would suggest looking into Mannequins Just Friends controlled by Teletype: 6 voice polyphony with 2-op FM for each voice and LPG simulation, which means the sounds ring out in a nice acoustic manner. Playing with the Ramp and Curve knobs can result in sounds ranging from strings to horns, especially with some added reverb for more faux-acoustic goodness.
I know this is probably not what you're after and Just Friends can be hard to come by, but I've had some beautiful string and horn type sounds recorded this way, with 6 voice true polyphony.
I've playing around with Rings and the sound i am looking for when i think at "strings" is the one which Ring does while it's in easter eggs mode.
Any other modules which sound close to this? maybe Chord? Or the 4ms ensamble oscillators?
but rat king is not https it is http and as such unsecure - bad practice for a web shop - I would not buy anything from their site due to this
-- JimHowell1970
Rat King's website is not a webshop, it redirects to synthrotek's webshop (which offers a valid certificate) for purchases, you're "safe" ;-)
I have been traveling to spend time with family and friends so I have not put out a jam in a while AND, i've been updating my gear a bit so I wanted to get back to jamming...
With that I have the following jam I did last night.
A couple of notes: I did do some post production as I'm working on a new studio setup and work-flow.. thus I did add two addintial sets of effects during the post production. I can also post the "raw jam" as well if others are interested. All up, this was a fun little experiment and I hope you enjoy what the tune!
Weird, synthrotek.com presents a valid certificate to me, a cert from Sectigo valid until September. If you see something else, it may be related to the browser you are using ?
I'm not sure if its possible yet, but could I modulate the Quadrax with Maths (or vice versa)? if so, does anybody have any suggestions to try out?
-- jb61264
Can you ? Oh boy, not only you can, but I would say it's what it was made for, go crazy on that !
You can start by having a look at this excellent video from Intellijel themselves going over CV assignments on Quadrax - it is a really clever system and the one of the main arguments behind my own purchase of that same module:
I realized that the CV output of the gate was set to 5v. I've now switched it back to 10v and the sq64 triggers the SD808.
Now, the question is, is the sq64 triggering the tiptop drum modules correctly or i am not getting the the best out from them (e.g. gate too short, voltage right).
Anyone else use the sq64 with the tiptop drum modules? Experiences?
Interestingly, the last new module design they have on their (clearly unsecured!!!) website is from early 2020, which is a big switch from their prior consistent introduction of new modules. I can surmise a guess as to why they might seem to be MIA, though, but I'm not going to get political on MG.
My suggestion would be to get in touch with Rat King directly instead via their website at http://ratkingmodular.com/ . You might also find some useful fixes in their own assembly directions, which might or might not be the same as the ones Synthrotek provides. Good luck!
That Maths/Quadrax combo is no accident, either! They're fantastic modules to bounce off of each other. With the addition of the Qx expander, also, you then open up wild cascading envelope/LFO behavior...and you can use the various "End Of..." outputs to fire things back on the Maths, too. Or, hell, send the Maths on into audio frequency and then use it as some mutant VCO with the Quadrax doing the modulation. Loads of possibilities with those...
Up until recently, I have had nothing but good experiences with the modules and kit builds that I have purchased from Synthrotek. I have their Sequence 8, which I built and works flawlessly. I also have built a Rat King Random Sequencer and an MST Multiples. And I have purchased assembled, a Tone oscillator module. All are fine. Everything was fine, until it wasn't.
Recently, I purchased a Rat King Gates module. This is where my troubles began. Right off the bat, the unit did not work after assembly. I checked everything, my soldering, component placement, everything. It was all in order.
I tried to reach out to Synthrotek, about this and they told me that there is dual polarity on their Vactrols. Not only do they have to placed correctly end to end, but also side to side. These instructions were vague on the assembly guide.
Okay, so I removed the Vactrols and flipped them around, and still the unit did not function. (Even less so than before)
Okay, so the unit doesn't work. It's a risk you take when you build a kit. I was resigned to that. A $70 lesson in asking questions about vague instructions.
So, now the issue is, Synthrotek has gone dark. I've emailed, I've called, numerous times. No response.
At first,all I wanted was suggestions on a path forward. Now, realizing that the module is probably a paperweight, I just wanted to let them know that there was a problem. Now, I'm not sure if there has been problems with this build before with others, as I cannot find anything on the web.
I have now resigned to no longer do business with this company. Going dark on your customers is the fastest way to lose them. I would have probably kept on buying from them them, were it not for the lack of communication.
Will I put electrical tape over anything with their name on it in my racks? No, probably not. But, it will remind me that all it takes is for a company to ignore their customers one time, to lose them forever.
Rings is a great option - I came from a guitar background too and really like it for those sorts of tones - plucky is pretty easy to dial in and the red or orange/red mode (not available in vcv rack iirc) on polyphony gives a nice stereo ish spread - alternating notes left and right
using other sound sources as input works really well too - drones etc are available
I very rarely send mine through a filter or vca though - mostly just through a delay - mostly clouds or magneto or disting and then at the moment I'm sending everything through an fx aid xl on the lo-fi algorithm
so you may find you don't need one - or maybe you do, but stereo - blades perhaps or qpas
if you are enjoying vcv rack something like an es8 or es9 can be a great link between the vcv rack and the modular
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Had the same issue. The noise is due to the fact you are using the USB to power it. I am now using the power adapter and the noise is gone.
Now, litteraly 20 minutes ago i found an issue with my sq64. It cannot trigger the tiptop sd808. It works fine with the bd808 and hats808 but no way to have the sd808 working.
I just got the module and i tought something was wrong with it but i have manually triggered it using a MI ears and it works.
Anyone had the same issue? Ideas on how to solve it?
Thanks
Ciao
As I want to use the Pams as my main "trigger" for everything else I would sync it up via the nifty case clock output (midi from my OP1 into the cases midi input). Then the Pam will give me synced clock signals and divisions or multiplications thereof. If the midi clock really is way too far off the clk in on the Pam should also be able to be synced by a click-track (correct me if I am wrong on that). While Pam can run the 16 step sequencer of Cellz (needs a signal and a division of 4 of that signal) Marbles can't as far as I know.
As far as the micro and nano modules go I understand the concerns and I really like the aesthetics of the full-sized Mutable Instruments but the small clones have their own appeal by being more cost and space-efficient. While of course this can make things messy too for a first dive into modular they seem to give me more bang for the buck.
For the branches/twiigs: I really like the simplicity of the concept and feel it might be a fun thing to play around with.
Speaking of voices the plaits was the first to catch my eye but now as I understand things a little bit more I had quite some fun playing around with the Mutable Instruments Rings in VCV Rack. Coming from a guitarist background I just resonate (no pun intended) with the strings sounds it can create. Could Rings be a good option instead of the Plaits?
I feel a lot of feels for this. I started my case with the Cr8 Nifty as well. Still enjoying it and I've not made any further steps of expansion. As Lugia stated, the biggest draw back is jamming it full to the point of not having finger space. For now that doesn't cause enough pain to change, but I can see it coming down the road. I was pretty specific in what I wanted, and maybe most of all I wanted a small amount of HP to insist on being specific. My goals were a random-ish, single voice, musique concrete tool to supplement other gear I use (Korg SQ-1, many delay/loop/verb/ring mod pedal options, Arturia Drubrute Impact, KaosPad 3, and a myriad of cassette looping tools and shortwave radios.
For sharing purposes:
Maths
Uplaits (main voice)
Tiptop Forbidden Planet Filter
Deopfer Dual VCA
Bastl LOL Mute
Wogglebug
Morphagene
2hp Div
ST Modular Mia 2x2 crossfade mixer
Bastl Hendriks Pedal Interface
I decided to learn everything really well, embrace boundaries and not worry about what I can't do quite yet. My current setup is hours of fun and the Make Noise modules are pretty endless, as far as learning goes. The uPlaits has been a great voice option. That said, things I look at lately are a filter with separate ins and outs (the Tiptop filter sounds amazing though), Resonant EQs, Low Pass Gates, and a more stable clock source (Woggle is fine, but it's limited). Pams is def on the list. I also use the SQ1 a lot for clock.
Anyway, enjoying the comments and suggestions here. So much to learn.
Just recieved the second module in my build. I now have the Maths and Quadrax and all I can say is holy crap there is a lot to learn with just these two modules...lol...playing around with them using my Hydrasynth. They are both pretty 'deep' and I'm sure will take a while to really learn how to use them....looking around at some of these HUGE racks people have thinking damn, I'm barely scratching the surface. Its all good as I love the process of learning.
I'm not sure if its possible yet, but could I modulate the Quadrax with Maths (or vice versa)? if so, does anybody have any suggestions to try out?
personally in a starter case I would rather have Marbles than Pams - I have Pams and whilst I use it a lot - I'm not a big fan of programinig it - the screen is small and at the moment it is not in an ideal position in the rack to see the screen - marbles on the other hand has a lot of knobs so is much more interactive
I really wouldn't bother with twiggs either - Pams or Marbles can do this and there is not so much in the case that you will need or want a branches-alike module let alone 2 - I have one and a DIY one in the back log - but I have about 1500hp of modules - I use the branches I have mostly for hats - as it is easy to get nice skip/open/closed ratios by self patching the top section to the bottom section
I would also consider swapping out the micro clone of plaits for a real one - there is plenty of space and ergonomics are very important - micro modules = poor ergonomics - it's possible you've never actually seen an eurorack modules in reall life yet - a lot of people in this situation get a shock with how small modules actually are - it'll cost a few extra $/€/£ but not many - and mutable support is fantastic - I had a button fail on Marbles - back to Emilie to fix - sent last Thursday - should have it back this Friday!
how are you intending to sync the modular to external gear with Pams? - there are a couple of midi expanders which may work - I use an audio pulse in the DAW (the one i use is from make noise web site) and send that through an expert sleepers es8 when I need sync and use that as clock in to Pams - in computer OSes audio is much higher priority than midi - so timing is tighter - using a midi clock via a BeatStep Pro was sloppy/out of time
as a next module - if you can find one buy kinks - it is a really useful inexpensive utility module - it's been recently discontinued - but there is still stock in some shops
otherwise I would buy plaits and then veils - plaits has a built in lpg (which is a combination vca/low pas filter) - so to a certain extent you won't need either a fillter or vca for the audio path to start with - the vcas will be useful for modulation purposes (modulate your modulation)
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
