Feedback on the Rig

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!

ModularGrid Rack

a bigger case to have room for expansion

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).

@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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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!

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!

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!