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Sorry you're having this trouble. Nothing mutes the joy of music making quite like a tech issue. I don't have any solutions, but bumping this in case more people will comment with ideas; it would suck for you to get this close to enjoying modular only to be stymied by annoying noise.

Though I don't have solutions, I do have a few thoughts.
* Is your audio coming through clean, but also has this noise, or is the audio itself distorted?
* Can you describe your external interface situation / what is the outboard mixer?
* What are you runnning your pre-amp module into / at what point are you introducing the balanced cables?
* Do you have a recording of the sound? Maybe one of the more keen-eared electrically minded folks here can identify it.
* Output module - I'm not familiar with your output module, and I certainly don't mean to bad-mouth a company I'm not familiar with, but perhaps it's introducing some noise? Also, it's description on the manufacturing page says that it's main use is to go from line level (significantly lower signal) to eurorack level (significantly higher signal). If you're already putting a eurorack level signal in there and adding gain, I'd imagine some noise or distortion would be introduced.

• Though I hate to suggest buying another thing, it might be worth trying a different output module, one that can attenuate the eurorack level signal, rather than add gain. What type depends on your workflow and what you're looking for. I'm familiar with the Expert Sleepers' ES-9 and Happy Nerding's Isolator, both of which I can recommend as being clean, but are very different. I've also heard excellent things about the cleanliness of the sound of Joranalogue's Transmit 2 and Frap Tools' CGM/mixer series. All of those directly interface with guitar / balanced cables and may make your system a little more streamlined.

Hope some of this is useful. Best of luck getting to the music making soon!

ok. i stopped being lazy and did a deep dive on the qu-bit chord, and it turns out it basically does what i wanted from the start completely self contained. so, i have 4 voices in the brainstep and 4 osc modules, plus a hypothetical keystep pro, so i think this is all playable as is. i just got a little antsy replying to myself when no one else was. can anyone please give some feedback about using this rack as a performance instrument? thanks.

peace. ✌️

also, i cant seem to finally clear this up:

does anyone know, the fm ins on the demon core expander, i know they are 1v/oct, but do they represent frequency parameters, or intensity parameters? cant find that info.

i know there exist possible techniques to create arbitrary overtones with fm tech, but is that what those ins do, or are there 4 'set' fm presets that you change the intensity of?

kind of techy, but i wonder if anyone knows.

thanks for anyone reading. peace. ✌️✌️✌️

what i was thinking about:

lets say i want 1 fm voice, where you can alter harmonic overtones using some kind of root note and chord type selector, like where chord choice alters tamber more than just adding more voices, like, where you can have a cv sequence and select some kind of tone parameter that seems chord like, does anyone have any idea how to do that in eurorack? i already know how i would ho about trying to build this in pd, etcetera.

...

but just, maybe, if anyone is still reading this, just give some feedback on 1st post.

...

thx. ✌️

also, if the devs read all the posts...

"claude 3.5 sonnet" can give really helpful modular advice already, and free credits are available. maybe consider a new feature that leverages llms to give direct feedback?

i dont seem to be able to post into the 'modulargrid' section for some reason.

just think instant ai feedback where you could converse with your racks and patches right from inside the forum would be a really cool feature. replies feel slow, etc.

just an idea. peace out. ✌️

Plaits firmware 1.2 has a decent string machine emulation along with a good chord mode.

gah, im making a mess accidentally.

what are yalls thoughts on a "chord v3" that has a toggle for cv mode, and the linear fm in turns into a clock in for arp out of mix?

am i the only one that would find this useful?

also, do any of yall have any type of information at all about single osc fm voices that take in multiple cv notes? ive played around a lil with original fm paths in pd, but like, are there any single voices yall know where you feed in chorded note cv? thx...

so, i somewhat recreated the signal path i thought the chord already provided. link:

any suggestions on how to recreate a similarly styled synth voice with less?

i wish this place was more active, but "claude 3.5 sonnet" does give instant feedback, just so yall know and you can ger a good number of free credits per day.

i wish someone would give some feedback.

peace out. ✌️

(edit)

or, suggest any ways i have not thought of to use a chord generator to modulate just the harmonics of essentially a single voice. etc.

just looking for feedback. peace. ✌️

EDITED Nov 9th, 09:26

oops, i thought the chord output cv. not really paying full attention. that kind of messes with the whole design. hmm, anyone know of a module that will take in one cv and output 4 chorded cvs? does that exist?

i guess this kinda still works as is, but i wanted more cv options for other oscs.

found a flaw in my own design.

etc. ... peace. ... ... ...

(edit)

oof. i was thinking about modulating the demon core fm with chorded cv, but i realize now, too, that those are fm amount ins, not fm frequency select ins. btw "claude 3.5 sonnet" is really good at working through this stuff if you copy paste the spec sheet. i just realized my whole ida is flawed. oh well.

...

feel free to comment on the general idea of a single rack case configuration that can be patched to fulfill on a variety of final sonic territory without needing to swap modules.

like, almost a personal daw replacement etc.

but yeah 'claude' spotted a problem i missed.

maybe i should delete. idk. peace out. ✌️

EDITED Nov 9th, 06:20

hey, im not on here all day, and i only use this website for fun (i like designing things) but i got some negative feedback on my '4 case everything system' i posted to this forum, so, i am back with a 2 row 100hp system, that again, i am thinking of as a total production solution. feedback, please. imagine i have a keystep pro, too. link:

EDITED Nov 9th, 03:45

Whats the best Modules for Strings Sounds, Solina/Streichfett Style?
Thanks!

Here is my case :)

!

Hi guys,

As I'm new to the world of modulars, I've just bought a beautiful case from Eowave (https://www.modularsquare.com/fr/shop/eowave/6u-studio-case-104hp-power-supply-2/).

After all my modular dreams had finally come true, a few problems brought me back to the harsh reality of all the technical adjustments to be made before actually making music.

The source of all my misery is a noise that is present all the time and is loud enough to be heard on the recording. I've tried various things to remedy this problem:

1) I changed my speaker cables so that they were balanced.

2) I then thought it was a ground loop problem. So I bought a box (https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0CQC7P7WD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) that reduced the noise. But it's still there.

3) Then I thought the noise was coming from my old mixer so I bought a new one. It didn't change the problem.

4) Finally, I'd been told that the Eowave power supply that came with my case (https://modulargrid.net/e/eowave-source-d-energie) wasn't great quality and could be causing noise. So I bought the Behringer CP1-A power supply module (https://modulargrid.net/e/behringer-cp1-a). But the noise is still there.

I'm running out of solutions to this problem and I'm beginning to despair.

I know the problem is with my modular system because the other machines I plug in and record are not producing any noise. I've also made sure that I respect the limitations of my power supply.

If you have any idea what it could be, I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Hoggres

Why can alternative panels be uploaded to the lib without being a module?
It's a bit annoying, kinda cluttering the library.

When the world feels dark and confusing, I turn to music. Hope, I believe, is like a muscle—you can train it. And in times like these, we need that strength more than ever.
We all need something to fuel our fire, something to inspire us to keep going. For me, that is making music, and especially with my modular synth. Creating keeps me going. It gives me hope. And I hope my music can bring you some light, too. We need music now more than ever—something to bring us together.

Exploring the new-ish module from Addac: Swell Physics. A brief explanation of the module, followed by two stereo patches (headphones recommended).

Just want to chime in with more love for the O&C, I keep two in my rack and they're both running the hemispheres firmware, which is even less menu-ey plus gives you access to a ton of simple utilities. Plus you can run two at a time (or the shift register can utilize all four channels). Super easy to switch from quantizer to logic to S&H to comparitor to envelope to chaotic modulation or whatever you need in the moment. Cheers!
-- Progspiration

Here here! Luckily, O&C was one of the earlier modules I got, so it really shaped my thinking about building my rack, as well as introducing me to the possibilities of generative music. Definitely a worthwhile module for those looking for a swiss army knife style tool. Even though mine is now pretty dedicated to a specific job and not as prominant in my rack, I still end up using it in most of my patches. Cheers to you, as well!

Just want to chime in with more love for the O&C, I keep two in my rack and they're both running the hemispheres firmware, which is even less menu-ey plus gives you access to a ton of simple utilities. Plus you can run two at a time (or the shift register can utilize all four channels). Super easy to switch from quantizer to logic to S&H to comparitor to envelope to chaotic modulation or whatever you need in the moment. Cheers!

3. Musical goals are really just learning more. I have some Elektron boxes, an Arturia Minifreak, Moog subharmonicon, and the Moog grandmother. Modular has inspired me through the unique interactions with the instrument and with the modules themselves. I love surprising myself, realizing new sounds or patterns I can get with interesting patching I hadn't thought of before, and learning more about deeper functions.
4. Yes on those suggestions! I had been thinking about a matrix mixer because I know hardly anything about them, but it seems like another one of those "possibilities are endless" tools. I will check out the T-43. I had been trying to stay away from O&C just because I want to do less menu-diving....although I know it's an amazing jack of all trades.

-- greg0hh

Interesting note about reducing redundancy. Totally makes sense when hp is precious, however, don't be so quick to remove some of it, redundancy can be really useful as a patch grows (as they always do) from few cables to a full on spaghetti monster. Some people prefer single-function-per-module, but I like the depth of a module that can be used/misused in multiple ways. It's one of the reasons I'm such a superfan of Joranalogue, for example. No unitaskers there (shoutout to vintage Alton Brown), and such deep functionality.

Speaking of which, have you checked out the Compare 2 Practical User's guide yet? It's linked on the Joranalogue website. Really well illustrated and comprehensive patching guide to deeper functions on the Compare 2. Similarly, the now classic Maths Illustrated Supplement, available online, will provide path demonstrations for a bunch of functionality.

Other possible utilities that I've used to support interesting interactive patching are routers like Joranalogue's Switch 4, Doepfer's A-182-1 switched multiple, and Instruo's tain cv controlled switch. Also, I just love sample and hold circuits (After Later's SHTH is great and only 2 hp), so useful.

Totally understand the menu-diving hesitancy; it's not a dynamic way to interact with the system. Though to be fair, the o_c only has two levels to it's menu. It's super-useful in a pinch for smaller racks and gives good exposure to a host of potential uiltiies so you can try them before you buy a module. As the rack grows it gets somewhat less helpful, however, and for me at this point it's a dedicated quantizer and shift register. I barely touch the menu anymore. However, if you're not into menus, it's definitely skippable; your rack looks like it would be fun to play just fine regardless.

Hope this is useful and have fun!

1. How are you triggering/sequencing the Rample and Cursus? Do you have an outboard sequencer?
2. You have a triple VCA, but no envelopes or other modulation to drive it. With only one oscillator that requires a VCA and a dual LPG it seems useless.
3. Doepfer stuff is great but 20 HP for a performance mixer in such a small case is probably overkill.

Brighton UK :-)

Where are you located?

Not a bad start. A few things jump out:
* VCAs - it seems to be a universal truth that you always need at least one more VCA than you currently have available. You'll need more, particularly if you want to start adding motion to your signals at mutiple parts of the signal path. Additionally, your fx modules and final mixer are stereo, how cool if you had enpugh VCAs for stereo signal management?
* LFOs - batumi is a wonder in a small package, and I hear that version 2 is even better. Zadar though can also do some pretty complex waveforms, but I think I would want to go with a dedicated LFO personally. In addition to batumi, consider the ochd and it's expander from Divkid/Instruo. Small footprint, but quite organic feeling motion and the expander packs some cool funtions.
* Attenuators - You'll want to tame the lfos and any other cv, particularly if you enjoy random voltages. VCAs can also work for this, if you had them to spare.

Other things to consider if you find you have the space:
* Matrix mixer (Doepfer a-138m is what I'm familiar with but there are several out there) - great for blending signals (both uni- and bipolar) and super useful for feedback. The only downside is the hp, but there are other matrix mixers out there with smaller footprints.
* Sample and hold - I just love these circuits and find them so useful. That's all.
* Comparator - Same. Specifically the Joranalogue Compare 2.
* Crossfader - WMD axys (stereo) or even the Joranalogue Morph 4 (mono). Might be useful for drones.

Hope this is useful. Best of luck!

Do you already have any of these? Yes: Metropolix, Atlantix. Constellation, pam's, quad vca. have a math's envelope wise, but gonna put that in another case, because it's too big for tis one.
-- Zacksname

EDITED Nov 6th, 15:52

looking to make techno. i want the option to sequence either in the box or via external midi controller. I want drums, bass, and random weirdo synth sounds. does this rack look right??

EDITED Nov 5th, 23:01

Hello I'm kinda new to this stuff but I'd love an honest opinion on what is missing here. I'm looking for typical techno distorted noise just to clarify. Thank you!

Hi everyone, first time asking for feedback so appreciate your time in advance.

I am a music producer, have been working in the box for over 6 years or so with a classical piano background.

I'm actually so thrilled with the unit I've put together so far - it's exceeded my expectations on even just basic resampling, sample chopping, and otherwise providing me a perspective on old tracks and new.

I love happy accidents, and that happens with controls that I'm not familiar with (non-keyboards) and strange CV combinations that I can record and reharmonize with down the line. I often reroute my signal flow between the Morphagene, Mimeophone, and the Panharmonium to chew up the sound to something completely different than what goes in.

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2689653.jpg

However, I am still very new to modular in general, and would love to get perspective on odd modules or other interesting ideas on modular for resampling and resynthesis (I saw the Make Noise one, but not a huge fan of the spectraphon sounds). I have an extra Tiptop HEK for around 80 HP as well.

I am very much not interested in performing with this live, mono synthesis, or long ambient patches, as I have many other tools in my studio that cover this.

Thank you.

Bottom row is pending. Middle row are modules I’m on the fence abour

1. if o_c is needed for logic duties, rather than sending midi to dmx:
   • disting mk4 could be put into a 22hp 1u panel
   • " " could replace sample player, though then it's not possible to have samples (from it) and dmx control at once
2. currently, sample player and drums are intended to be put through the crossfader;
   • however, they could also be run into adder in mono, and from there to ikarie
   • or send drums to L and samples to R of ikarie, and sum them to the mono output, though filter them differently perhaps

@HGsynth — Thanks for the reply!
1. I'm using two Doepfer A-100 cases (4 rows of 84hp)...not necessarily looking to expand immediately...more of thinking of how i can optimize this rack and reduce redundancy.
2. I do have a lot of external gear, but i'm using this rack more as a standalone instrument. Occasionally i'll experiment with throwing guitar pedals in the chain.
3. Musical goals are really just learning more. I have some Elektron boxes, an Arturia Minifreak, Moog subharmonicon, and the Moog grandmother. Modular has inspired me through the unique interactions with the instrument and with the modules themselves. I love surprising myself, realizing new sounds or patterns I can get with interesting patching I hadn't thought of before, and learning more about deeper functions.
5. Yes on those suggestions! I had been thinking about a matrix mixer because I know hardly anything about them, but it seems like another one of those "possibilities are endless" tools. I will check out the T-43. I had been trying to stay away from O&C just because I want to do less menu-diving....although I know it's an amazing jack of all trades.

This is great feedback! You hit the nail on the head with what i was thinking in terms of expanding functionality or exploring new tools like the matrix mixer.

EDITED Nov 4th, 14:26

Hi everyone, here's a recording of my latest live set, performed live at Modulab Eindhoven (NL).

I've used two separate cases for two independant voices. The first one is a semi-generative voice driven by NLC and Beers voltage sources, switches and sequencers. Oscillators are two Dannysound EN129's. The other voice is Frap Tools Brenso driven by Usta, & Sapel. Drums and percussion is the Weston B2, NLC Badumtisss and Patching Panda Hatz2 for kick, hat, snare, and a preset of homemade NLC samples using my Rossum Assimil8tor.

Enjoy, give it a spin. Thanks!

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify and all platforms.
https://driesgeusens.bandcamp.com/album/patterns-live-at-modulab-eindhoven

https://open.spotify.com/album/4WxiUEAq0dHcVfCQPUpiDB?si=aciNQ_gCSkmQtsabeh4udg

Hi HGSynth, thank you for you reply.
Here is my current rack

And here is what I aim:

Basically, I am a guitar player. I've got also some electronic gear like Analog Rytm mk 2, Sequential Prophet rev. 2, make noise 0 coast. The modular is to complete whole set. My aim is to do some ambient textures, drones, but also I really like to do sequencing staff using rene. What is worth to mention, I am not into techno or some agressive stuffs. I had a pizza oscillator, but for me it was too agressive.
And yes, I was using Maths as filter and Rene as modulator. Pamela is pretty good at modulation too :)

EDITED Nov 4th, 10:37

Not a bad start at all, but a few things to consider:

1. Do you plan on growing the rack / what case is this you're using?
2. How do you use this rack with external gear? I see you have a pedal interface, is this rack more of an effects unit, or is it more of a standalone instrument?
3. Any particular musical goals with this instrument?
4. I love that you've discovered the compare 2 and sequential switch. Those specific utility modules, along with vpme.de's T-43, doepfer's matrix mixer, and the Ornaments & Crime, made a world of difference to my own workflow and understanding of how to build an instrument and manipulate voltages (and therefore, sound).

Hey! A few questions / points to help:

1. Please provide a link to your rack, rather than just the jpg, that way we can explore it more easily.
2. Do you already own the case/modules, or is this all still in the planning phase?
3. What type of sounds/music are you aiming to make (aka, what do you mean by "experiment with textures")?
4. How interactive do you want the rack to be? Do you want it to be more playable and responsive to commands, or more generative and "suggestable," rather than directly controllable?

To your specific question, no, I do not think you have too many modulation sources; on the contrary, I would certainly suggest more. Something like a cv controllable LFO for example (for ever-changing modulation in addition to what Maths and Zadar can do - free them up for different uses). The longer I spend with modular synths, the more I realize that modulators and utilities are really what make the systems interesting. Sure, oscillators and filters and effects are fun, but any synth can do that, you don't need to dig into modular for those features. But if you want to have control over the fiddly cv details, want to be able to set up (and maybe make hands-free) changing parameters over time, or really explore unique methods of sound creation (for example, have you ever tried using the Zadar as an oscilator, or the Rene as a modulator, or the Maths as a filter - or anything really), well that's where modular shines. And for that, you should spend some more time looking at modulators and utilities. In general, I'd rather fewer sounds sources and more utilities/modulators than the other way around. What you have is a good start, but I'd think about how much space you're dedicating to effects and whether that will get you the synthesizer experience you're looking for.

You should update with a link and let us know how much of your rack is planned vs. already owned, and we can suggest further. Good luck with your sounds explorations!

Dont buy , the model cv input is unusable , this is where they seriously cut corners , also when i listen to my friend s plaits , it sounds 100times better , idk if it s in my head tho

I took the plunge! I filled my old dfam boat with the bitbox micro 18hp, erica synths LXR 28hp, erica synths joystick 12 hp and the endorphin.es 2hp mult power suppply. All Black Faces! It should compliment the grandmother, dfam, mavis, and BSP nicely. Thanks for all of the suggestions! Cheers!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2393267.jpg

Hi there. Here is my rack. Currently I am thinking if this kind of setup makes a sense? I mean I;ve got Pamela and Maths, and I am torn between Batumi and Zadar. I'd like to experiment with textures, that's why I'd stick more with Zadar, but please feel free to give you feedback.
Btw, what do you think about this rack overall?
Thanks!

Bug Fix: the Median Price function now calculates the median and not some fantasy values.

*dpo: LFO 선택

*pamela's Pro
-1out: /4, random squre, level 50%, probability 80%, cross op_mix, cross src_self, flex op_human, flex amt_25%, quantizeharm minor,
-3out: /16, 1square, width 50%, level 100%, probability 100%,

*디테일 조정은 math, quard vca, dual adsr

EDITED Nov 3rd, 03:37

Patch notes in the youtube link

a bigger case to have room for expansion

hi, all,

Looking for general feedback here. What am i'm lacking? What would you change? I'm still relatively new to modular. More of a reformed guitarist/drummer that's just been experimenting with synths for the last two years.

A couple of notes:
Genre wise I like generative ambient, noise, and experimental.
External Gear I have a Syntakt to cover drums, and the makenoise 0-ctrl and Korg SQ-1.
Modules I could part with: Data Bender, one of the delays (nautilus or mimeophon), Tides
Things I'm considering: More envelopes? another interesting osc? Or deeper logic functions?
Additional note: Still developing my understanding of deeper functions ("deeper" from a "beginner's" perspective). For instance, I just recently got a seq switch and the Joranaloge Compare 2--both of which have been blowing my mind in the possibilities.

Thanks!

EDITED Nov 1st, 14:58

Hey! I'm building my first rack. I really need some help. I have an extra 60hp case sitting around that I'm using for a Maths, Bitbox micro, Disting mk4 and something else. I don't know yet. I need a power source but I'm not sure what to get. I'm completely new to this. I'm working with a moog grandmother, dfam, mavis and a bsp. Any help or suggestions of better modules to get for that setup would be highly appreciated.
-- JayStax

i think you will be better served in either the modular Reddit or modwiggler beginner forums. I'm still very much figuring things out myself and not the best resource.

your answer will change depending on what kind of music you enjoy making and how you like making it (like are you a keyboardist or more of a sequencer programmer.)

I'm building a big mess of jack of all trades rack since i really like everything from techno to ambient and really anything with a pronounced symth soundscape.

If you're just looking for power, something like the TipTop uZeus or the endorphines 2hp power are great for small cases. for the modules you listed, they draw a little over 500mA on the +12v rail and less than 100mA on the -12v rail. With the right wall wart or power brick, uZeus will pump out 2 amps +12v and 500mA -12v, and the 2hp Power produces 1amp +12v and 700mA -12v. Either would give you headroom to add one or two more modules. Cheers!

ahhh great! Pam's and Steppy work wonderfully. And yeah, at minimum you want one envelope per sound you're making. Another pair of ADSRs and/or Scenes will let you be a lot more flexible. One other fun trick for hats is to set the waveform of one channel on Pam's to be a short decay envelope and have it at x2 or x4 tempo. That frees one of your actual envelopes for other duties. Plus you can do some euclidean things or random skips. Good times!

After Later Audio Scenes (stage clone) looks great, thanks for the tip. I'll do that instead of 2 dual ADSR. Will also check Sound on Sound series. Thanks again for taking the time.

Hey! I'm building my first rack. I really need some help. I have an extra 60hp case sitting around that I'm using for a Maths, Bitbox micro, Disting mk4 and something else. I don't know yet. I need a power source but I'm not sure what to get. I'm completely new to this. I'm working with a moog grandmother, dfam, mavis and a bsp. Any help or suggestions of better modules to get for that setup would be highly appreciated.

EDITED Oct 30th, 22:41