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This is why I never buy used gear online without some sort of intermediary agency, such as eBay or Reverb. In those cases, if you wind up dealing with a "bad actor", the company in the middle can (usually!) sort things out.

The buffered mult will take a signal (audio or cv) and dispatch it without loss to 1 to 4 destinations. For example you could send the sine wave from a pamela channel to modulate Marbles Deja Vu and Rings Damping.

VCA control amplitude of a signal (audio or cv) thru a modulation source and you definitely need more than one. I suggest a quad mixing/cascading VCA like the intelligel Quad or MI Veils.

EDITED Feb 7th 2020, 00:25

I just picked up a Westlicht Performer. I really like how it works for live. I also have a 1010 Music Toolbox... I really don't like it for live work.

You might want to follow Ricky Tinez on Youtube regarding EDM and Eurorack performances. He floats between hardware gear (non-Eurorack) and Eurorack solutions. He might have some sage words of advice if you ask him. He's pretty good at responding to his Youtube comments.
-- Ronin1973

Thanks for the advice. I'll go find him on youtube.

I just picked up a Westlicht Performer. I really like how it works for live. I also have a 1010 Music Toolbox... I really don't like it for live work.

You might want to follow Ricky Tinez on Youtube regarding EDM and Eurorack performances. He floats between hardware gear (non-Eurorack) and Eurorack solutions. He might have some sage words of advice if you ask him. He's pretty good at responding to his Youtube comments.

Hi,

I've had my setup since July 2018 and currently have:
4ms Row Power 40
Piston Honda mk3
Double Andore mk1
Belgrad
Wasp Filter
3xmia
Erica Synths Bassline
Fusion VCA 2
Dual FX
Batumi & Poti
Pico Output

I like my rack alot but I'm looking to expand my rig with effects, utilities and signal processors. I think I could have a lot of fun with the modules I've researched. I currently use stackables as mults but don't mind getting a dedicated mult module.

Rack below. I currently use my rack for drones, stabs and weird noises. I currently make techno with my rack in conjunction with Digitakt, cv.ocd and Analog 4 mk2. I sequence my rack with A4 or Digitakt.

From my choice of new modules, I don't have another vco. I'm a bit on the fence about getting the Erica Synths Stereo Delay and could perhaps put that towards another oscillator e.g. Hertz Donut mk3 or Erica Synths Fusion vco 2. Or even a sampler or looper e.g. Morphagene or Tyme Sefari. I had also considered CV sequencers like the voltage block. The Retro Mechanical Labs module is big but I loved what I heard from youtube. My bench space is quite limited at the moment so would prefer the rack version. Also I could use it with my Digitakt or A4. I have also considered the Geiger Counter instead. I'm also not sure if I need another envelope generator but the Pingable EG looks perfect for techno. That plus Pamela's New Workout could be alot of fun. I had maths before and never really gelled with it. I don't really like the Make Noise module aesthetics.

The 4ms Row Power 40 has a +12V rating of 1.5 mA while my expanded rig is approx 1.3 mA. I'm not sure if that is too close.

EDITED Feb 6th 2020, 14:02

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my query with honesty. I much prefer this approach!

Having watched this rack in action on YT and very much liking this kind of music, I used this rack as a foundation for me to understand each module functionality as The user illustrates what it can do.

Indeed i am using vcv to increase my knowledge, i have built modules in the past using reaktor software which perhaps irrelevant here!?

I donot mind the 84hp at all as i am not considering buying a lot even in the long run as
a) money & time required to invest
b) the fact that i will not rely exclusively on an eurorack. Time will tell but i can be very disciplined on this matter!
C) space

My main questions were whether this rack had a lack of utilities such as vca, lfo

I understand pnw & p_c have lfo functions available but i could not see (due to not fully understanding the behaviour of each module) any vcas.. and i am not fully understanding what the mult 1u module serve to in here?

You are are raising query around the mixers! I would like to understand too and hope you can advise if thats ok?

On the 1u layout - i will put the 1u audio io, midi to cv for external hardware, noise tool. In this copied rack you will see the mult but unsure if this is required?

I managed to get my hands on a new 7u 84hp so this is the set space i have.( for reasons mentioned above)

Again i do not intend to buy all modules and blindly put this rack together.
Have studied for the last 2 months with YT video modular synthesis, my first reaction when looking at this rack was : where are the vcas in this??

I only want to use this rack as an example for me to understand the modules , make informed decisions on my way!
The YT videos the user posted put the rack for me in context as serve (for me) as an acceptable approach to learn along vcv.

Help appreciated, thoughts on above questions is much appreciated!
Thank you

EDITED Feb 6th 2020, 13:39

I am building this modular, 4-voice polyphonic, + monophonic, + a subsequent moog embedded in the structure, many modules are already in place but you can always change your mind ...
I state that I use the synthesizer to play and not just to make noises ..
I accept advice and comments of any kind

-- Auik

This patch is a test of ES Dual FX with Channel 1 fed into Channel 2. Metropolis feeds pitch values to Plaits (Vowel & Speech Synthesis algo), and Clock into Tempi to be divided and sent to trigger Peaks Trig 1, Peaks Trig 2, and Maths CH. 4 Trig.

Maths CH. 4 (principal modulation channel in the patch)
- ES Channel 1 CV (Pitch Shift 1)
- Plaits Timbre CV (in this case Species Selection)
- EOC multed to trigger Maths CH. 1 and Function

Maths CH. 1
- Plaits Morph CV (Phoneme or Word Segment)
- EOR to Quadrax Trig 1

Quadrax
- to ES Channel 2 CV (Dry/Wet) via Maths CH. 2 attenuverter and Data

Tempi
- CH. 1 = /4
- CH. 2 = /8
- CH. 3 = /6

Metropolis
- Minor Pent. scale
- 60 BPM

ES Dual FX CV Assignments: CH. 1 = CV 1 (Pitch Shift 1), CH. 2 = Dry/Wet

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsdkBRIREHjWi8tlnY7mUdc_M8hA9w?e=mBWjaQ

EDITED Feb 6th 2020, 06:38

Hi GregSilvia,

Welcome to Modular! :-)

Sorry if this might sound too direct, frank or even insulting, please believe me this is not what I intend. What I try though is making you aware and asking you, are you ready for modular? I just want to make sure that you don't buy something expensive and after a while you are not using it or even regretting it, that would be just a big pity.

In all my honesty, if you copy a rack of someone and take that as a starting point... I am not sure if you are ready for modular yet, are you? Are you really sure of yourself about this? You have to ask this in an honest moment yourself, please.

My point here is, if you take a copy of somebody's rack (and it doesn't matter which rack, for example the one you highlight here above), then you are taking a setup of a rack with the thoughts, planning and ideas of that person but for yourself without knowing these thoughts, planning and ideas this person had in mind. So you start with something you just don't know.

In my opinion, you should do a bit more research and indeed, it's okay to start with the modules used in this above example rack. Study those modules, try to understand them. Test them for example in VCV Rack. At a later stage and before you start buying, have them tested first at your local dealer.

Not sure how much experience you have with synthesizers in common, depending on that, you might want to go backward even a step and get to understand the basic principles of "simple" things like oscillators (VCOs), LFOs, envelopes (EGs or ADSRs), filters (VCFs), VCAs (amplifiers), attenuators and then slowly also move into logic modules, input/output modules, sequencers and the whole bim-bam :-)

But you might have all that, so let's assume you have that experience already or you are working on it and then let's go back to the above rack, let's assume you designed it :-)

It's certainly a nice compact and good looking rack. Some of those modules will get you something fancy, but that might not always be want you need or what you want. I miss in 'your' above rack some basic and classical components like the above mentioned items like envelopes, VCAs indeed, and more basic (or should I say easier to understand modules) LFOs and filters then used here. So you might want to look into that.

Also is the rack completely full, there is no space for future extension and for modular that's a very important thing, keep space free for future extensions. Plan a rack about half full for example, get some experience with it, get to know for yourself what you want, which module types you like, which brands you like and build on that experience extend your rack with more modules.

That having said, get a bigger rack than this. If I remember correctly I have seen messages here in the forum that this Intellijel case (2 x 84 HP 6U + 1U) is anyway sold out so get for example the 2*104 (7U) case from Intellijel (instead of the above rack), gives you a bit more space and allows you to easily extend it with an exact same case.

Looking at the above rack, you have to check those mixer modules, I am not sure what the intention was here but I think you can solve that a bit more elegant by using those 1U utility modules, that's why they are there for :-) And free up some "expensive" 3U space! :-)

So get rid of a few of those "fancy" modules, some of them are good and if you have a big rack why not taking them all? ;-) But you need to know their purposes to serve you the way you want. Rather get some space free for some "simple" basic stuff. Get a standard ADSR for example and indeed at least two VCAs (linear for CVs and exponential for audio; that's a general rule, it's not a must, discover for yourself why this general rule exist though).

That Magneto module, I have that one for a long time in my mind now, but A) I feel it's pretty expensive, is it worth it? B) I do think that's a module for perhaps not seniors but also not for beginners. A good reason for myself why I haven't bought it yet. My advice is to keep this module in mind when you are ready for it but leave it out when you start with modular. You got here a 2 x 84 HP rack = 168 HP, the Magneto is 28 HP that's rounded 17% of your total rack capacity! That's one sixth! Realising that, I would rather use this space for some more classic/basic/simple/other modules than such a fancy module. Don't get me wrong on "fancy module" please, I believe the Magneto is a fantastic module, but just not to start with if you are new in modular.

I think Plaits and STO, if you like them, you can keep them, those are pretty good modules, so that's a good start but please look into all the other functionality you require: LFOs, EGs, VCAs, VCFs, etcetera.

One more thing, the module choice here above is, for my personal taste, a slightly bit too much "digital". Lots of digital modules. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing against a good digital module! But almost only digital modules or at least a very high percentage on digital modules, are you sure that's what you want? I would say for Eurorack, analogue modules are very attractive and give you a bit more classical way of "building a synthesizer" because that's exactly what you do with modular. If you are happy with the high contents of digital modules, well then leave it as it is but my advice would be to focus a bit more (not only, digital is still good) on analogue modules.

I hope you didn't mind me being frank with you, I just want you to avoid to start in modular and then getting disappointed with what you get. I don't want you to leave with a depressive feeling, that's not good either. Modular is extremely fun and good but it requires quite some research and conceptional thinking of what you want to do with your modular system. And don't worry about to make mistakes that's so common within a modular synth, that's half of the fun (okay a quarter then ;-) ).

At first you might be a bit disappointed by a module because it unexpectedly didn't do or give you want you expected or wanted to do but leave it alone for a while and give it a few months later another chance once you build up more experience with the other modules you might have and then try it again and it might give you surprisingly possibilities you wouldn't have thought of the first time you used it :-) That's all possible within modular :-) And then there modules that are straight away from the beginning stars, those are the modules you are really looking for, this initial wow and addictive feeling that you can't live without them, not even a single day! :-)

So if you think you are ready, go for it and enjoy it! Don't be shy and ask if you need to know something.

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Edit: Removed a typo.

EDITED Feb 5th 2020, 21:49

Good to know that they spent a couple extra bucks to reverse power protect it. I wish all manufacturers did that considering that modules are often hundreds of dollars each.

Ronin1973 - I agree with you completely in your description of complex waveform generation.
However, I interpret the name "Complex Oscillator" - with a capital C and O - to be very specific. I assume (humbly), and have always been of the understanding that this term specifically refers to the methods of creating complex waveshapes in the method employed by Don Buchla with his Buchla 259 Complex Oscillator.
photo here: https://modularsynthesis.com/roman/buchla259/259_cwg.jpg
Technically - the creation of a waveform using a basic FM schema of modulator and carrier, with further adjustments using symmetry and wavefolding. As opposed to say phase modulation, multi-operator FM, wavetable synthesis, etc...
I like the tradition and challenges that come with it.
Rubicon2 is a perfect example of the carrier part of this - add a modulator of your choice. Love that it's through-zero.
Even Buchla have evolved their Complex Oscillator - their newer module, 259e Twisted Waveform Generator is digital, and uses bits of of it's own operating code to create wavetables to use as it's modulator! Wish they had a Eurorack version! Probably the closest module we have to this is the Hertz Donut MkIII.
Great statement - "What brush would you like to paint with?" ...well said!

that's what I did. Here is the answer for our grandchildren if they will use google

"It s eed stripe down :)and it is reversed power portected."

got the WMD Performance mixer and I sometimes also put a gate in the level input without a curve, it can sound sometimes a bit plucky but also works depending on what kind of situation and what you like to achieve.
I like the WMD PM especially cause of it two send return and the amount of channels.

Maths is basically a Swiss Army Knife of functionality that is really easy to use. You may also like the Befaco Rampage as an alternative or even an addition.

The only drawback is the size is a bit big for a small rack or skiff.

They usually have a convenient "family tragedy" after you've given the money that's preventing them from dealing with you.

Never use friends and family as it's a scammers paradise. If anyone asks you to do that, you're asking for it unlubricated.

Complex oscillators come in all types and is a really wide category... it's basically everything that's not based on basic oscillator shapes and generation techniques. There are always exceptions, so don't take that as an absolute definition.

Complex oscillators offer some very interesting sounds and development of those sounds right out of the box. But if you stack enough modules together, you can get some very complex sounds out of traditional oscillators.

I think it all comes down to whatever blows your skirt up. I have a Rubicon 2. It's through-zero and I like it. But there's a lot to be said for digital modules, wavetable modules, phase, etc.

What brush would you like to paint with?

Hey Frank,

Good to hear that the module is soon in the shops, can't wait to test it.

Kind regards, Garfield.

There are mixers. There are VCAs. There are devices that blur the lines between the two.

With both mixers and VCAs, they can work with DC coupled signal (control voltages), audio rate (audio), or both. So it's best to know these specs before you buy something.

VCAs can respond in a linear fashion to control voltage, exponential, or both. It's best to know this before buying one of those.

If you buy a module with a set of VCAs, they will often be normaled to work as a simple mixer. The Intellijel quad VCA works in this fashion.

Some mixers also include a VCAs in each channel. It depends on the mixer: Happy Nerding, Befaco, and others have products that do this.

SIMPLE mixers are usually cheaper than VCAs. So if you just need to mix levels with no external control over the levels, go with a mixer. If you need control over levels, then VCAs are the tool.

Complicated mixers with panning, effects sends, even EQ, are a lot more expensive than VCAs.

Just remember you can mix more than audio with most Eurorack mixers and VCAs. Just be sure to read the manual before you buy. Never assume.

EDITED Feb 5th 2020, 20:28

If this is your first set-up, I would think about getting a 1010 Music BlackBox or the new Akai MPC One.

The BlackBox has clock in and out, while the MPC One has four gates and four CV outs (I believe they use stereo 3.5mm breakouts).

You're spending a ton of money for the same or lesser functionality in order to place it into the Eurorack environment when a standalone device would serve you just as well and still interface into a Eurorack environment down the road.

Hello Frank,

Do you have already an accurate date when the Euporie becomes available? I am quite keen on that module.

Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Hey Garfield,
fyi - we start shipping the Euporie filter from 10. February to a few EU shops (incl. Schneidersladen).
We will also be offering it via our Reverb shop. In the meantime enjoy the audio snippets.. ;)

Cheers, Frank

The Mimetic has four sequencers in it. The outputs are not quantized. So a quad quantizer might be useful if you really want to use it for four pitched sequences. I'd really download the manual and understand what you will need to trigger the Mimetic and its range of functionality. It'll save you some heartache if it doesn't suit your needs; especially if you're using the Mimetic to send gates. (page one of the manual has most of the useful info). Download the manual.
https://www.noiseengineering.us/shop/mimetic-digitalis

Plaits doesn't have a quantizer built in. But if you use it with a Braids module... the Braids does. You have a Plaits. But a Braids might be better if the sounds work for you. Here's a link.
https://mutable-instruments.net/modules/braids/manual/

Contact the manufacturer... Shakmat (assuming you mean the Four Bricks Rook). They will gladly help you.

Don't take anyone else's advice unless you're willing to blow up your module.

Plugging things in backwards can cause some serious.

The typical (but not always) convention is to mark where the red stripe on the cable should align to. But different manufacturers use different symbols or may even include proper shrouding to force the cable the right way around.

It is POSSIBLE, that the orientation of the cable doesn't matter if the electronics are designed a specific way. I've had some stuff custom built that are agnostic to orientation. But never assume... contact the manufacturer.

EDITED Feb 5th 2020, 17:38

So, If I were to pick up a Korg SQ-1 or Tiptop Audio Z8000 I would get variable sequencing to go into it? The previous owner was using Native Instruments Maschine MK3, Maschine Jam and his PC, but decided to just use the reaktor 6 program that came with the software, it has WAY more blocks in it then he could ever own, hence the reason I picked it up.

If I grab a sequencer, do I have enough in the modules to have some fun? I have plenty of cables and splitters to work with.

Side note, what would you put on the ardcore? There are alot of sketches out there (no real VCA though).
-- abigroot

The SQ-1 would be an nice entry point into sequencing and not a big hit if you decide to go with something beefier later. You certainly have enough modules to have plenty of fun once you add a sequencer... or even plug it into your computer sequencer. My main point is that using a computer sucks a lot of the "fun" out of modular... especially if the computer isn't ergonomically situated well and you have to move between your computer and your Eurorack.

The Braids module is going to be the easiest to deal with at first. But you're going to have to learn all of its features before playing with it. It can fully produce sounds by itself or be used as more of just-an-oscillator. The Hertz-Donut is a complex oscillator that will probably need to be run through one of your filters and a VCA at a minimum... but it will offer the most "fun" as far as modulation possibilities via other modules.

You have more than enough here to keep you busy for several months. With that time you'll learn which modules you really like and what you're willing to part with.

Hi Ronin,

Thanks for the input! The NiftyCASE comes with USB MIDI in the back, which was a big selling point for me.

I was thinking the same thing about the Plasma Drive but I am pretty hyped about making really dirty, noisy synth lines with it. Would I be better off getting the Basimilus Iteritas...?

I was considering possibly removing Chips and Cells from the rig eventually once I filled up the other slots because I won’t be getting a ton of use from them.

This is hard!! Too many awesome modules :O
-- zwolf

Wow... that Nifty case is niftier than I thought. The Basimilus isn't a bad module. The Manis Iteritas is better for dirty synth lines. But both will require a lot of modulation to get that really filthy feel out of it... which means throwing other modules at it. They are both also horrible to try and tune.

Rather than the Plasma Drive or the Iteritas, I would go for one of the Ruina series from Noise Engineering. They are basically different flavors of distortion in a much more affordable and SMALLER footprint.

So, If I were to pick up a Korg SQ-1 or Tiptop Audio Z8000 I would get variable sequencing to go into it? The previous owner was using Native Instruments Maschine MK3, Maschine Jam and his PC, but decided to just use the reaktor 6 program that came with the software, it has WAY more blocks in it then he could ever own, hence the reason I picked it up.

If I grab a sequencer, do I have enough in the modules to have some fun? I have plenty of cables and splitters to work with.

Side note, what would you put on the ardcore? There are alot of sketches out there (no real VCA though).

EDITED Feb 5th 2020, 17:12

Hey Rookie,

I'm using the 2S sequencer too, so far I've been using the LFOs as a kind of triggers, it works for simple things. Otherwise I've been considering adding a Steppy (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-steppy) to my system, it's a bit more expensive than the comparators but it has four independent gate tracks, so you may want to check it out too.
-- Exposure

Something like a Temps Utile might be a little more versatile than a Steppy. The Steppy is going to be great if you're changing your sequences up on-the-fly. But the Temps Utile will offer up to six sequences. It can also offer multiple other functions as well. It's comparable to the Pam's New Workout.

It will also sync to your main sequencer via clock as well as restart.

Hi there.
New here. Just stumbled on an ambient eurorack YT video. I really like ambient as a whole and what this user has produced.. which really pushed me researching so..
Since a few month, i have been reading and watching videos about modular synthesis- principles , concept etc and have read/watched videos about most of the presented modules to understand their respective functionality. But i am a bit at loss when see this rack and i read ‘you never have to many vca’ which is quite essential to allow ambient modulation..

NOw i do not mean to copy/paste this rack but i would like it to serve as a foundation for me to learn- i do not intend to buy everything that would be madness considering the need to understand and appreciate each module..

So i have a couple of questions!

1:Does this rack miss vca? Or the like of O_C , PNW & marbles are sufficient source of modulation?
2: what is the mult module used for in there?
3: any issues you see with it?

Advice much appreciated

Rack:

EDITED Feb 5th 2020, 21:06

Hi Ronin,

Thanks for the input! The NiftyCASE comes with USB MIDI in the back, which was a big selling point for me.

I was thinking the same thing about the Plasma Drive but I am pretty hyped about making really dirty, noisy synth lines with it. Would I be better off getting the Basimilus Iteritas...?

I was considering possibly removing Chips and Cells from the rig eventually once I filled up the other slots because I won’t be getting a ton of use from them.

This is hard!! Too many awesome modules :O

So this would be my first eurorack setup.

I'm trying to do noise, breakbeat, DnB and jungle stuff.

This is a pretty common setup from what I've seen, but it seems very powerful

Any opinions on this, it's use, or what people people think of these modules in tandem would be great. I also need to get them in person and even get used to using them, obviously. So any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

There are lots of Mutable Instrument clones out there that are a lot smaller in size. Some Mutable Instruments modules are also out of production, so a clone might might be your only option.

What are you doing for a sequencer or even a quantizer? I'm not familiar with Instruo's line so is there one in there? There's a lot of fun to be had by having an onboard sequencer or quantizer around. A micro version of Ornaments & Crime is a great place to start for simple sequences and quantizing. It's 10HP or you can go to Plum Audio and get a 1U version that fits in Intellijel's 1U row.

An output module might be a nice touch as well as a MIDI to CV converter if you plan on playing in sync with a DAW and recording.

I would ditch the Plasma Drive. Not because it's a bad module... it's a great module. But it's really expensive and quite an HP hog for a small case. Leave that space open so you at least have some wiggle room for additional, smaller modules.

Don't be in too big of a hurry to fill your case immediately.

I would replace nothing at the moment. I would make sure that I had plenty of patch cables, including splitters.

I would then spend a lot of time on Youtube learning the basics of modular synthesis as well as any tutorials or reviews of each individual module.

As far as I can tell, there isn't an internal sequencer that offers any pitch information. So you may be a bit limited. I would (I mean me) would buy something like the new Arturia Keystep Pro or equivalent with its own patchable sequencer. There is a MIDI to CV converter if you'd like to use your computer or MIDI sequencer... but I'm talking about the pure patch cable experience.

That would be my take on it.

I came into this rack through a friend and have very basic knowledge of the modular world but want to know more. Here is the rack I have exactly:

What would you add, remove or replace and why?

My use for this rack is really unknown, I would like to know WHAT I can do with it as well.

Any insight would be great.

Hi Exposure,

If you don't mind menu driven modules, Varigate 4+ (or 8+) might be your module. If possible, I strongly recommend you to have this module tested at your local dealer before buying it.

Good luck and kind regards, Garfield.

Sorry for the response "delay" but it took me time to look into all these suggestions.
To sum up, i'm now considering a 6U 104HP case that I will fill slowly depending on my needs and starting small.

@toddee
- I haven't played yet with AM synthesis, that's clearly something i'll try! I'm watching a few videos on the Veils and it looks amazing
- This "subharmonicon" concept is definitely something I'm going to look into aswell. getting a Maths was somehow a plan for the future but i'm not yet sure how to use it. thanks for mentioning it and making clearer the lesser need of the A-171-2 if I was switching to a Maths.
- Probably going to start with one voice playing around with tiny patches between 3/4 modules.
- Concerning the DT, I'm not a big fan of live sampling for many reasons (quality, portability..) but thanks for reminding that to me

Oh by the way, what is the A-183-3 for ?
-- toodee
Well, I naively though i could use it to mix multiple voices into one and send it to the output, I now start to think that might be wrong. Is it?

@Ronin1973

The Disting will give you a lot of different features to play with. You can then figure out if you'd like dedicated versions of those programs.
-- Ronin1973
Thank you for your feedback about the Disting, that is precisely what I was expecting from it

To be honest, I wasn't expecting so much warmth and detailed answers, I feel like i'm going to spend a few hours in this forum during the next months. I'm not going to use more of your time but will for sure keep you updated of the updates of this case through next posts.

Again, thank you very much to all of you for your help

EDITED Feb 4th 2020, 16:16

Quantizer?
Clever!
Works fine!
Many thanks!

Hi everyone,

After years of guilt-tripping myself, I've finally started building my first modular and I could not be more excited. I purchased the NiftyCASE with the two included modules (I know it's tiny but it will work for awhile until I eventually upgrade to either the Pittsburgh EP-270 or maybe even the EP-420).

I would love any feedback on what people think of this:

My main plan at the moment is to just have a fun little jamming box for whipping up beats and synth lines on recordings (and coming up with song ideas, and just having fun with it). The long-term plan is to have a self-sufficient song creation machine at my fingertips. So if I'm being honest, I'm more into having something I have a lot of control over than a machine that does a lot of generative or experimental stuff.

My two main concerns with this prototype are the following:

1) I like the design of the Dreadbox Hysteria. 10hp is great for such a tiny case and it's hard to beat that price, but VCO's are important to me (obviously) and I'm wondering if this is the best choice to start with. I'm considering a clone of Plaits instead, and I'm really into the Soundforce DCO, but I already own a Juno 106. Is the Soundforce a redundant choice..? I can't decide! Help!!

2) I'm not entirely sold on the Disting. It seems like a wise choice since it will fill a lot of gaps I'll have in my system at first and help me experiment with a lot of stuff instead of buying 50 different utility modules...but one of my rules going into this was I didn't want to do any menu diving. Like, at all. My goal is to one day be able to basically play this thing blindfolded. I know I can sell it down the road, but I'm just looking for feedback. Maybe there's a more basic and fundamental module I should get instead?

Any comments, suggestions or criticisms would be hugely appreciated. This is a huge world I'm stepping into as I'm sure you all know. I have no idea if there's anything I've overlooked or if there are any better options to consider for my limited real estate. I guess I should mention that I'm sequencing it with my Beatstep Pro and Ableton Live before anyone points out the missing sequencing options, haha. Thank you all, I'm really excited to finally be part of the community!

-Z Wolf

Disting MK4 again... :-)

Quantizer A-6
Send your CV to X
Choose the chromatic scale with Z knob (near the middle)
Output B will send a trigger for each CV change >= one semitone

EDITED Feb 4th 2020, 01:17

I discovered Math shortly after I started planning and building my first rack. It was the 3rd module I bought and it's by far the most powerful and unique module I have. I can't imagine not having one in my rack.

If you're short on space, I can recommend the Happy Nerding 3x VCA as a great mixer/VCA combo. Also take a look at the Make Noise modules like Optomix, Dynamix or ModDemix.

Looks good. To follow up with some of the other comments:

Two ADSRs would be nice.
You might also want to squeeze in a dedicated LFO module that can be restarted/synced.

I'm not familiar with your ADSR/VCA combo. As long as the two circuits can be used independently, that's fine. Else I'd want them separated, even though plugging an ADSR into a VCA is pretty usual.

The Disting will give you a lot of different features to play with. You can then figure out if you'd like dedicated versions of those programs.

With all of the inexpensive case options that are about to hit the market, I'd definitely go bigger unless you really will not expand the system in future.

I'm now investigating into some VCA/enveloppe and/or LFO/enveloppe (any input appreciated).

For VCA's, my first one was a quad VCA from Intellijel, I still like being able to adjust the response between linear and exponential as well as the mixing possibilities. 4 VCA's was more than enough to start messing around in my first rack, I could have done with even less at the start. That being said, consider that a VCA is not only for audio but can also be used to control modulation (=cv) amplitude, so it's not necessarily 1 voice = 1 VCA. And on the other hand, some modules like Plaits, Plonk or Basimilus Iteritas Alter have integrated VCA's which are amazing space savers. Mutable Instruments Veils is another option similar to the Intellijel one, there are also many others so take your time to pick a module. Since you played with VCV, did you try experimenting with using VCAs to control CV modulation or even AM synthesis (amplitude modulation) ? Some practice using VCA's in your VCV patches should give you an idea of how many you like to use. If you really can't decide, start small, I suppose.

For LFO's, Garfield convinced me to get the Erica Synths Octasource and I'm grateful he did, it's loads of fun. The only "drawback" is that it looks like a simple module but it actually took me time to learn how to best use its particularities, clever patching is everything here and that's not easy when you're starting out (wasn't a problem for long though). Oh yeah, it's also not on the cheap side, albeit worth the asking price IMO. Another option I see recommended a lot is the Batumi, looks like a good module to me, less on the crazy side I think. In my rack, I also have a Mutable Instruments Stages which can be configured to offer up to 6 LFO's. The amount of options here is simply overwhelming, the best advice I think I can offer is again, take your time to select what suits you best. That being said, I don't think one could go wrong with any of the options mentioned.

For envelopes, I haven't tried enough options to really recommend anything, but I'd say decide first what sort of envelope you need. For example, I quickly realized, before I got into modular, that I'm generally fine with AD envelopes and rarely need a Hold stage (which stays open while the gate is held) or a full ADSR. I picked the Stages to be able to select the envelope type per patch, that kind of flexibility is really nice.
I feel like at this point I should mention Maths since you are considering a rack with more space. Maths is a large module but it's definitely worth it if you can afford spending some cash and 20HP on it. It's an amazing tool to teach newcomers about what I call "clever patching techniques": amongst its many uses are being an LFO or being an EG but there's a video out there (I think by Loopop) of it being used as sort of a Subharmonicon so really, sky is the limit. Also, you might not need that A-171-2 if you end up getting a Maths.

As this rack also serves an educational purpose I still hope I could get started doing 'something' with these few modules modules and get a taste of what's missing from this point.

Do you think I still can enjoy the basic concepts with this setup before going further?

Sure, if I were you I would even start with only one voice to begin getting a feel for it, you can always buy more later. Full disclosure, I didn't, but I'm definitely greedy :) You have the option to sample the voice into the DT and make another patch if you can live with sacrificing a DT voice for a while. I think that for the learning part of the experience, getting a Disting is a great idea, you can try many types of modular functionalities with it and discover which ones are worth getting their own module.

Oh by the way, what is the A-183-3 for ?

I bought a Make Noise Moddemix from @yari. Good buyer, very good packing, and very reactive! Module in mint condition
I also bought a Make Noise DPO from @aoxomoxoa again very good buyer, quick send and he even send me back some money as he over-estimated the shipping cost!!
2 very good experiences, I recommend both of sellers

toddee,

Thank you infinitely for your detailed answer and the time you took to look at my current project and share your experience.

I'm starting to understand the reason why people tend to tell me to use a larger rack. I'm going to consider getting a larger (104) 6U case based on these advices to start the project. Also, thank you for the advice concerning modules, i'm now investigating into some VCA/enveloppe and/or LFO/enveloppe (any input appreciated).

As this rack also serves an educational purpose I still hope I could get started doing 'something' with these few modules modules and get a taste of what's missing from this point.

Do you think I still can enjoy the basic concepts with this setup before going further?

Hi Gastonn,

Excellent advice by Garfield as usual, I would like to add my voice (no pun intended) to the "you probably will need a bigger rack" team. Let's see if I can explain why.

If you want to create a multi-voice modular system (so at least 2 voices), you will already need at least 2 sound sources, here I can only see the Dixie and the STO, excellent in their own right but using the Dixie as a VCO prevents you from comfortably using it as an LFO. How many LFO's you need is a question of taste but just Disting (+ maybe Dixie) on LFO duties is not nearly enough for me.
Sound source is not the only thing you would need more of, in my opinion:
- I would definitely need more envelopes, at least one for the filter. One could do without it, of course, but it would make me sad.
- I would also need another filter for the 2nd voice. Another module that could use modulation like LFO's and envelopes, most likely.
- Ideally, I would like a (cv controllable, if possible) mixer/vca to mix waveforms from the VCO's and get some timbre variation

Let's look at the whole project as well, how much of it could not be achieved with a more "traditional" synth like the Elektron Analog Four ? For now with this setup, I'm thinking "not much, actually", which would prompt me to suggest getting that synth instead if your only goal is having a few mono synth voices with "limited" modulation. You'd get an interesting sequencer, effects, a few more voices, audio via USB etc. Should you get the A4 instead of a modular system ? Maybe, perhaps not. My point is that in my opinion, for one to get into Eurorack, one should probably have (or plan to have) needs that could only be answered in modular. Or simply have a lot of money to spend I guess hehe :) In other words, for your setup to offer more than what can be achieved with a "traditional" synth like the Elektron Analog Four (which BTW is not necessarily a goal that needs to be achieved on the first iteration, but it's good to look at the foreseeable future too), you would most likely need more modules, hence more space.

You have some space left in the rack right now but not much and you said it yourself, the size "can be ok for now", so there is a risk that you outgrow this. It is my personal opinion that it would happen much faster than you anticipate, as it seems to be a common experience for most of us. Hell, I was a modulation freak before but not nearly as much as now that I got into Eurorack, I could have never anticipated that the format would challenge my synthesis and production techniques so much, but I guess that's what great about it. As a result, the rack I have now is very, very different from the first plan I made. More importantly, it's much bigger now that I learned to use my rack and realized I wanted more out of it. I had to buy a bigger case after buying a small one, which is définitely more expensive than just buying the big one straight away.

The risk of outgrowing your current space is enough that I feel I should encourage you to consider a bigger case like TipTop Mantis or Intellijel's popular 7U cases. At first, it will look huge and empty but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets filled eventually. The final decision is always yours, but I hope my comment will help you make the best decision for what you envision.

Have fun and make music !
D.

Sorry, I didn't intend for this to be public. I'm planning my first modular system and my comments are notes to myself for the various options.

This plan is to expand a Moog Grandmother. I'm just building this for fun as a new hobby; I've always wanted to learn to play an instrument and the idea of "building" my own is compelling. I need to set an upper size/price limit so I don't get carried away. I chose a 104 HP Powered Make Noise Skiff because it can sit behind the Grandmother. All I really wanted to add to the Grandmother is granular synthesis, but of course I have found other modules that interest me along the way. Now I just need to determine the best balance between the modules I would like to have and utilities. I'm OK with the 104 HP limit, I may just have to scale back the number of voices/effects. Limits are good for creativity.

I have read some comparator manuals and I do not think that the output from my sequencer can be used for creating trigger pulses, but I can be wrong.
With the linked picture I try to explain.
https://tinyurl.com/v8sz54g
Fig. 1 shows the output from my sequencer and fig.2 shows how I think the output must look like for creating comparator triggers.

Hi Winterlight !

Hard to say, depends on your build I guess. VCA's and mixers are not exactly the same thing, although I have used my quad VCA module as a mixer more than once. Rather than reiterating, I'm linking here to a couple of threads seen elsewhere on the subject:

https://www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/30egtz/question_re_vca_vs_mixer_modules/
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=193870

Hope this helps,
D.

Thanks for your time and reply Garfield, I truly appreciate your feedback.

This rack purpose is just getting 2 voices so I think the size can be ok for now (?)
Concerning the LFO, I was wondering if I can use the DixieII one (which is described as VCO/LFO).
In addition I was also planning to use a Disting mk4 (space left blank on the left).
Do you think Dixie + Disting should be enough LFOs for 2 voices?

Kind regards

10mins!!! I never thought i typed quite that slow!
It will be all the edits when i attempt to not sound rude! ;-)