You can try to trade for whatever you want, it's no skin off my back, you may be waiting awhile though. Even if someone has one they want to get rid of, they would also have to want something you want to get rid of in exchange. And unlike a sale, there's no protection in a trade. So in answer to your question, yeah, I personally would never try to trade for something I could easily buy instead.

EDITED Apr 30th 2023, 20:04

don't skimp on power... failing to do it's job when you have a case full of modules is annoying at a minimum... and whilst any damage to either the modules or the power supply can usually be repaired it can take quite a while... and diagnosing what's been damaged can take quite a bit of time...

I see that you have sold quite a few modules, so I can see where you are coming from.

Personally, I would rather engage with the community and additionally skip a step in the search, if someone has the 'widely available' module and does not want it.

Are we only trading for rarities now?

Hi,
I don't understand your question very well.... My advice would be:
-Leave the moogs in their boxes, since they take up a lot of space and power in the rack.
-Use the power supply of the rack for the modules that you buy.
-A rack can have different sources and feed different modules, by rows, for example. Imagine a 12U rack with two PSUs, one for each 6U rows.
Best regards,

Do all modules in a rack need to use the same power supply?
Say you were tentatively wanting to get into modular, to dip your toes in just a little bit, because you already have the Moog DFAM and Mavis, and are thinking about starting very small, just a few modules to enhance those two. One at a time, as you can afford. Could a person in this position buy an unpowered case and mount the Moogs into it while keeping the power supply as is for the time being, with the standard wall wart adapter used when they are standalone on a desktop; and then as you acquired this or that module you could power it with the ribbon in the rack and build from there, and then switch the power to the Moogs, if necessary?
Or do they need to use the ribbon to go into the rack in the first place?

Dimensions

• 90 HP (88HP, 47,7 cm)
• 3U (2.9 U, 13 cm)

PSU

• NANO Busboards

That module is widely available, so if you really want one, why not just sell a module or two to pay for it? I don't understand why you need to do a trade specifically.

Hello again everyone, and attention prolific collectors!

First off, if I have not already done so in my few posts prior, thank you all for such diligent and passionate attention to this wonderful world; the collective excitement really ensures people are able to get good-natured information here.

That being said, I am looking for this same genuine transparency in acquiring a particular module, the process of which has unfortunately not always been so kind to some here. I would like to at least personalize and contextualize this conversation here for everyone to veer it in the right place and hopefully allow others to give some helpful information or alternatives.

I am in NEEED of the Boredbrain EQ ... mainly an eq period, somehow I missed that when I carefully built and planned my case and emptied my wallet last year!

Unless someone really feels there are others much better, the aesthetics and functionality of this module make it the only eq module I would like to consider if possible...

Note: This is operating as a broadcast stack and one-stop sound design reference, so almost all modules have been chosen for a very specific use. While I am fine with trading for several modules if there is a particularly large or expensive module not listed you would like, I am happy to trade with the following from my rack, linked below. All excellent condition in an immaculate home studio, so I will not accept trades with banged up gear. Just personal preference : )

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1844349.jpg

-Super Synthesis VCAR
-Cre8audio Cellz
-ES lorelei
-Eventide MISHA (would need to trade for at least 2 modules)
-Erica Synths Black Polivoks VCF
-Blue Lantern Subharmonics Generator
-Pittsburgh Giraffe
-Stem Modular Slew/Sum Mixer

Either way, feel free to give me more insight on your favorite EQs. This one seemed to be able to potentially solve a variety of needs for the future simultaeneously, so I hope someone has a fresh one they do not need :D

Regards,

-Paul

He’s on messenger find him on FB them hit him up on messenger. He’s easily accessible. As for the module it’s really like an all in one kind of thang but does play nicely with others. I have it in a mainly lzx system with the new gen 3 stuff and the module still shines…

not sure how to post a proper link

copy & paste the url... needs to be a public rack

-- JimHowell1970

Got it, thanks!

That's the current set up, but as I said, there's not too much that's sacrosanct. I've had to take some things out for the suggested rack above to make space, but I think all functionality is already covered by the additions.

Are there any utilities that I'm missing that might be helpful? I'm thinking that between the o_C and disting I have pretty good coverage, but would anything benefit by being a standalone module?

NB there are 3 versions of fx aid... fx aid, fx aid xl and fx aid pro...

I have the fx aid xl and it's a bit of a pain to work with - as you need a cheat sheet to work out which algorithm is running...

I intend to get a pro version soon - so I can use the 1st 32 algorithms as a cheat sheet for the xl

if I were you I would buy the pro... and if you want more of them - it's entirely possible you'll want a couple (or more) then get other ones... it will make your life easier...

I will look into 3xMIA and FX aid then.

Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks JimHowell1970!

I was thinking about Bastl Aikido as it is a 4 channel VCA and cascading mixer. Also Ikarie has a built-in vca in. Isn't that good enough?

For utilities would 3x MIA and/or Miso be sufficient?

-- przyprawa

between the ikarie and the aikido you've probably got enough to get you going - you may or may not need more in the future... NB vcas are for modulation as well as for audio...

again the 3*MIA or miso are probably a good start - see my signature and contemplate it for hours... in lots of ways utilities are more important than what sound sources you have... they exponentially open up your patching options... a matrix mixer for example is a great idea... spending a lot of time researching utilities is a really good way to spend time... and thinking about how you would incorporate them into your patching... both for audio and modulation...

I also agree very strongly with @Sweelinck - some effects would be a great idea... I'd go for the fx aid pro if you can... so you can see what you are doing (it has a screen to show the algo you are using - whereas the other versions only have a led array - which is not so understandable)

I would add that things seem a bit dry here. So for ambient especially, but also techno, one might think of supplementing with a little effect like Pico DSP, FX Aid, or Desmodus Versio?

Thanks JimHowell1970!

I was thinking about Bastl Aikido as it is a 4 channel VCA and cascading mixer. Also Ikarie has a built-in vca in. Isn't that good enough?

For utilities would 3x MIA and/or Miso be sufficient?

-RYTM manda midi a erica synth midi, que queda debajo de la case, bajo la dfam...
-rytm tiene bombo, platos, percs... etc...
-desde un midi keyboard-->rytm-->case: grabo los sonidos del synth (brains), luego borro algunos steps, para que no sea tan predeciblemente yo... añado algunas notas agudas, y listo...
- rytm --> midi--> cv y trig para brains, y trig para dfam (siempre tengo una pista de rytm, con algo básico para dfam, por si cambio de pattern, dfam sigue sonando parecido...)
- fx aid: para brains
- pico dsp: para dfam y plonk
- malekko en modo cv: lfo brains, trig y cv para plonk (el trig. va a la mitad de tempo, estoy usando cv, dejando silencio en medio para poder trigar), un lfo libre para dfam, o plonk...
- envelope: para el brains
- mixer: para mezclar y tener volumen
-DFAM arriba
-bajo la case: midi erica
-en el lateral de la case: algunos otros ??
-opcional: filtro para plonk y brains ¿??

EDITED Apr 29th 2023, 09:18

What do you think? What am I missing?
Thanks!
-- przyprawa

some vcas would be a good addition - do yourself a favour & get a quad cascading one - a veils clone for example...

maybe spend some time thinking about the hints in my signature too...

not sure how to post a proper link

copy & paste the url... needs to be a public rack

Please remove the latest duplicate entries found at the same link.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules/browser?SearchName=duplicate&SearchVendor=82&SearchFunction=&SearchSecondaryfunction=&SearchHeight=f&SearchTe=&SearchTemethod=max&SearchBuildtype=&SearchLifecycle=&SearchSet=all&SearchMarketplace=&SearchIsmodeled=0&SearchShowothers=1&order=newest&direction=asc

Thanks!

EDITED Apr 28th 2023, 23:30

Remove the version with the black panel from your rack, and click on the version you prefer in the module page: it will be directly added to the rack.

why did the faceplate turn black all of a sudden???
-- orangehexagon

Yeah I hate it! Can someone change it back to the new retail panel

• "I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."

Yes, ^this exactly.

Yes, very true. I started out thinking it'd be nice to get some analog tunes going with some noise added for percussion. Think the SID of the Commodore 64. That very quickly changed when I started using it and I added a Rample for sampled drums. I expanded based on what I needed after that. When somebody asks advice about their rack and "what to add next", it's more an opportunity to exchange ideas and options. With modular, nothing is set in stone anyway.

-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"

I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.

Depends on what you have. If you have 1 oscillator and 20 effects, yeah, you'd probably not want to use it all at once. However, I have more voices than effects, so I end up using all my effects almost all of the times, but not using all my voices. I try to make full tracks, my synth is not an accompaniment to a band or something like that. So I go as much all-out as I need to go to get the result I want.

-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."

And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal.
-- Jukeshoe

Yes, modular can be very distracting very quickly. I found DAW to be even worse, actually, as it's all right there available on the same screen. With modular, when I'm patching the synth and building tracks, I'm undistracted by anything that is not right there.

Hello! Newcomer here, I was playing with vcv rack and I am planning to go to a real stuff.

Going to start with 6U 104HP.

Mainly looking for a set to be able to play "techno" (sample drum for drum beat and pizza-ikarie for bassline/voices). Sometimes going ambient/drone would be nice.
Pico out so I would plug headphones and I wouldn't need any extra stuff to just play.
Dark matter for some overdrive and data bender for its glitchiness.

I would complete the first row initially and after some time playing with it I would expand with the second row.

What do you think? What am I missing?
Thanks!

EDITED Apr 28th 2023, 13:18

Hi friendly modular experts!

Here's another post seeking feedback and constructive criticism on a potential rack. I already have a lot of these modules (current rack is here: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2104407.jpg, not sure how to post a proper link), but nothing is sacrosanct. Goal is to be a jack of all trades, but my main focus is on melodic generative music with a lot of playable sound mangling possibility. The image represents a Minibrute 2s connected to a Rackbrute 6u, with a Mantis case to the right.

General approach
Rackbrute - bottom row: usb interface, modulators, randomness and noise, s+h. top row: clocks, triggers, quantizers, general utilities
Mantis - bottom row: envelopes, mixers, effects, eq and output. top row: oscillators and sound sources, filters and effects.

I've tried to cover all my bases and be heavy handed with utilities, but it turns out I have 20 hp left if I stick with my current plan.

So my questions are:
1) what am I missing?
2) what do I have too much of/what's redundant?
3) how would you spend that remaining 20 hp?

Thanks everyone!

why did the faceplate turn black all of a sudden???

John, not sure who you were addressing?
-- wiggler55550

heko_doctor was asking where to get the panel....

Sería una case que acompañaría a la case grande.
Para tekno.
-brains: es trig y cv note, desde circuit-->midi erica-->brains-->
-malekko: envía un lfo a brains
-brains: envía audio a fx aid
-adsr: para brains

-hat: es trigado desde ladik, recibe su lfo desde maleko
-envía su audio al mixer doepfer (donde están radio, plonk...)
-quizás el mixer doepfer (donde están radio, plonk...) haga esto: su canal izquierdo-->filtro befaco-->pico dsp
tendría el filtro cerrado a veces, pero así puedo darle paso de vez en cuando...
opcional: manis iteritas sustituyendo a brains, filtro, y pico eg... (te sale igual de dinero)
opcional: pico seq: enviaría un sequencia/lfo para hat. Y así tengo un lfo libre en malekko.

EDITED Apr 30th 2023, 17:20

John, not sure who you were addressing?

Git an answer from Erica Synth.
Got a standalone Version ;-)

Now we have a black panel for the ResEQ as preferred by some. The ResEQ has been around for quite a while. What I had hoped for is an expander module with CV over all the frequency bands. Add gate sequences and have fun! Much more exciting to me than any visuals ;-) I heard rumors that there is a 4u version of ResEQ with CV control. Anyone?
-- wiggler55550

who is we? where can i get this repanel?
-- hecko_doctor

I got this from a gent who goes by B0bcat on Modwiggler. PM him there and he can hook you up.

well then - patience and good luck!
-- JimHowell1970
Thanks !

well then - patience and good luck!

EDITED Apr 26th 2023, 19:09

no idea but have you tried the erica website or mailing their support?
-- JimHowell1970
Thanks for coming back.
Yes i did. No response until now.

no idea but have you tried the erica website or mailing their support?

EDITED Apr 26th 2023, 14:39

Hello together,

I tried to install the Chrome extension for Pico Drum programmer on my new MacBook without success. This is no longer possible.
Is there a workaround?

Thanks a lot for your help.

All the best
Waldemar

big modular = a rack per case and/or an overall rack, but you'll need an unicorn account for that (it's about 5 cents/pence per day)

I find it easiest to maintain the big rack and then delete the smaller racks if I move stuff around and then recreate them from copies of the big rack - my unicorn account has lapsed though and I don't need to make changes at the moment...

Done, the instruo in/out modules are just place holders

-- Monib

can't see the rack link - the rack needs to be public!!!

expensive place holders...

A few nuggets of wisdom from this post, IMHO, need highlighting:

• "I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."

Yes, ^this exactly.

I partially agree with this - there is nothing you actually need for your rack it really depends on you, but I do think its helpful to get some pointers in the right direction especially when starting out... but more focused I want to get a module that does this - or I want to move in this direction - can be quite helpful - although it is often a short cut from doing the research yourself

-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"

I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.

the more you have the less you use

-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."

And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal. I think I'd be a bit in over my head if I didn't have a crystal clear idea of what I want my music to be (and maybe even more importantly, what I DON'T want it to be...)

definitely modular can be a distraction from making music to start with... or your definition of 'music' changes...

What do you do when the synth gets a little too big... especially for managing here on the grid? My system is in 7 cases, the Center, to which this post is attached, is pretty much that, the heart of my system featuring my mixer, basic send/return effects, monitoring, clock, modulation control devices, and some of the modulation sources.

The basic config is three 6u Doepfer 84hp bases with three 9u Doepfer 84hp cases set above them. In the case of Center, there is an additional 6u Doepfer case above it that I refer to as "Special Teams," containing my "trautonium" rig, Assimil8tor, drone/noise sources, and (for the moment), a Intellijel Rainmaker. Some cases include a Plumb Audio Rack Plumber, which passes 18 channels of signal via HDMI cable to several of my special purpose satellite racks.

In all, there is one large, very capable modular system (in 7 cases), with Center (described and included on the grid... I will get to the others eventually), right beneath the previously described Special Teams, as well as five others: a sequencer rack, a voices rack, a drum rack, a drum sequencer/drone rack, and a FX rack.

Among the satellites are: an electro-mechanical percussion rack, a Midi rack (tall and slender) beside my computer (with interfaces, monitoring, and input capabilities, and a Moog semi-modular system.

EDITED Apr 27th 2023, 04:21

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2236002.jpg
** How do I post a rack?

copy and paste the url

Okay, so I've started smallish (84hp rack) ... I can't seem to find the Mantis in stock anywhere, so I just got a HE Kit... sorry

no need to apologize... waiting is difficult...

It seems like the Arbhar can take audio levels for recording?

yeah most of this type of module do - output will usually be at modular level though - so much higher

However I would like to include some guitar pedals as sends/returns. I also need an output module?

not an "output" module, but an effects pedal interface - that copes with attenuation on the way out, impedance and amplification on the back in...

Also, a filter? Unless I use the Pro2s awesome filters, but again more I/O S/R and insert effects ... any recommendation for the limited space I have left?
-- Monib

fix the link and I'll take a look

-- JimHowell1970

Done, the instruo in/out modules are just place holders

A fun filter from Cubusynth.
A interesting option in this one is the simultaneous output of low pass, high pass, and bandpass signals, so one could mix all three together in interesting ways from the same sound input.
Also allows you to play ring resonance as it’s own chromatic semi-VCO.
Straightforward build, lots of components but not hard.
Fun.

Build

When the Command Center page is loading a new rack, an alternate version of Clean up the Mess Cat appears.

WTF? Cat. I need WTF Cat merch.

Wtf.
Thanks,
mike.
-- mikenoface

I wholeheartedly 2nd this emotion! :D

I started with some semi-modular (4 Neutrons) to complement my digital piano and Nord Wave, got hooked and then gradually branched into modular as I wanted to try new things, learning as I went. Part of that was regularly trying out and selling modules when they weren't quite what I was looking for - I think I've sold at least 70 modules. I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick. My "rack" so to speak (it's really more of a sprawling mess haha) is pretty large now, but as you said, the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options when trying to find whatever sound you're looking for in a given instance. Mine grew to its current size over the course of 4 or 5 years, I couldn't possibly have planned it all out in advance. But I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people.
-- adaris

This is a great post chock full of great advice.

A few nuggets of wisdom from this post, IMHO, need highlighting:

• "I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."

Yes, ^this exactly.

-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"

I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.

-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."

And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal. I think I'd be a bit in over my head if I didn't have a crystal clear idea of what I want my music to be (and maybe even more importantly, what I DON'T want it to be...)

Thanks for your post, and for sharing your pearls of wisdom! Good stuff! :)

They'll get to it when you clean up the mess.

I started with some semi-modular (4 Neutrons) to complement my digital piano and Nord Wave, got hooked and then gradually branched into modular as I wanted to try new things, learning as I went. Part of that was regularly trying out and selling modules when they weren't quite what I was looking for - I think I've sold at least 70 modules. I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick. My "rack" so to speak (it's really more of a sprawling mess haha) is pretty large now, but as you said, the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options when trying to find whatever sound you're looking for in a given instance. Mine grew to its current size over the course of 4 or 5 years, I couldn't possibly have planned it all out in advance. But I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people.

EDITED Apr 25th 2023, 12:25

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2236002.jpg
** How do I post a rack?

copy and paste the url

Okay, so I've started smallish (84hp rack) ... I can't seem to find the Mantis in stock anywhere, so I just got a HE Kit... sorry

no need to apologize... waiting is difficult...

It seems like the Arbhar can take audio levels for recording?

yeah most of this type of module do - output will usually be at modular level though - so much higher

However I would like to include some guitar pedals as sends/returns. I also need an output module?

not an "output" module, but an effects pedal interface - that copes with attenuation on the way out, impedance and amplification on the back in...

Also, a filter? Unless I use the Pro2s awesome filters, but again more I/O S/R and insert effects ... any recommendation for the limited space I have left?
-- Monib

fix the link and I'll take a look

EDITED Apr 25th 2023, 11:34

Jim, thank you. I'm all about the utilities! Just trying to figure out which ones.
Samara II seems to be out everywhere. Samara the original, none available on Reverb.

Patience is a requirement when it comes to modular... it always was, but the pandemic knock on effects have made things worse than usual for the last few years (and I expect for a while to come)

If I were to get Samara, would that mean getting rid of Miso or Utopia, or both? Or keeping all three?

it would be the last option for me... but you may be different... I'd keep them and see...

Kinks looks great Im sold.

clones are available not sure of names though

I have 2 uZeus withe the stock wall-warts, so I think Im good for this 6u 84 hp, though of course its only 80 hp for each row withy the power headers there.

yeah should be ok...

I'm listening via an audio interface, Behringer 1820. It has a pad on each line level input, so good for attenuating hot euro signal.
Not sure about sequencing. I think I'm mostly interested in "old" ways of doing things (i.e. shift registers and logic and such).

then you want a clock, clock divider, sample and holds etc etc... search for "sequencing without a sequencer" on modwiggler - there should be some good advice there

Definitely interested in more West Coast type ways of working, from what I understand. Not necessarily bongos, but definitley creating rhythms through modulated modulation. That is to say, I'm interested both in the sound design potential of modular, but also the sequencing. Also: the west pest has a simple sequencer, and my DSI pro 2 has an analog 16 or 32 step sequencer, with pitch+gate+3 additional CV's out.
-- iguai

If you're in "West Coast" synthesis - then I'd look at modules from Random*Source, Tiptop/Buchla and Elby

thanks @JimHowell1970 and @PajamaLlamaLand

I understand your answers and I agree that a quad VCA is the solution in order to add another voice and control those sounds in a more convenient way.

Now I'm using the EXT IN of the MOOG putting in it the Wavetable VCO ( ...before patched in th MIX on the MOOG )
So I'm using the VCF and VCA of the MOOG as you wrote.

I'm waiting to arrive a Quad Multiplier so in the incoming future I'll be able to use more signals into the EXT IN

I agree for VCV RACK , I need to make some test with it.

I have a Minilogue XD and Monologue from Korg but I would like to completely dive into modular 'cause... I like it!!!

Hi,
From the advice I've read in forums, and from my personal experience, I think this has happened to almost all of us when we started.
In my case, I've been doing this for a year, and I'm already selling modules that I bought at the beginning because I barely use them.
And it's funny, because before I started assembling my rack, I read forums, and I saw advice from veteran people who recommended doing the exact opposite of what I ended up doing.
I think it's not about more or less modules, but about finding the module that gives you what you're looking for, for example, I started having 6 LFO's in my system divided into 3 modules, and in the end, I bought a NE Clep Diaz that it has replaced 4 of those LFO's. A module replaces 2 modules, and also offers, from my point of view, functionalities that are just what I was looking for.
---Ferran.