All Posts

Quantizing:
I had been looking at the bard quartet for ages, and the new expander for it definitely would have appealed if I hadnt bought the arpitecht and the tenderfoot quad quantizer just as it came out. I have actually found the arpitecht is doing a ton of work for me lately and is incredibly flexible, and with quantised outputs from the metron/voltare I've barely touched the quad quantizer.

Mixing:
I'm still trying to figure this out, I've been relying on the Jumble Henge to mix down into stereo, but its not going to cut it for me much longer, and I've been trying to wrap my brains around what would, all I've narrowed it down to is having fader controls and being able to handle stereo.

FX:
The FX aid is great, I also use beads for granular/delay/reverb, and I have a Arbhar & lubadh for additional reverb and delay if not otherwise being used for their main purpose. This is an area I constantly find tempting, but I try to limit myself on so that I can make space for more utilities.

Sequencing:
I went a bit nuts in this space, picking up a used Metron completely changed my approach to it, alongside the Arpitecht which can provide grids like controls. The S8 is very straightforward, but definitely needs a quantiser as each pot has a large range. The varigate 4+ is a solid alternative, each slider has a large range too, but there is a combo to narrow down the adjustment to make it more usable.

take a look at the kassutronics quantizer.. nice lay-out of functions - awful wooden panel, but that's a taste thing - and double channel
-- T0MMI001

Thanks, I'd missed this had CV control first time I looked

Not sure about the buttons being in a circle and panels can always be replaced!

Mixing
I always recommend the same, I have it and I am very happy.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-master-section
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-4-mono-channels
There are 4 mono channels with CV, send and return, mutes and pan. They are also chainable, so you can grow using the same output. 4 channels plus master are 18HP, but the ergonomics are quite good, at least for me. The price-quality ratio is great.
-- ferranadsr

Thanks… the Tex Mix definitely isn't for me. I had one about a year ago, it was just too cramped and eventually got returned as it had a scratchy pot

I'll have a think about the other ideas, the only way the Pico DSP stays is if it can live of the right hand side of the case - it's just too small an fiddly otherwise

With the number of voices planned in this rack, I think your rig would definitely benefit from a mixer (the passive multi is definitely insufficient) and probably a few more utilities and as the saying goes, you never have too many vca's. Your math alone probably won't cut it.

Schneidersladen is often expensive compared to others and they don't make good prices even for loyal customers.
"even 5% is hard for us to do in this times" ... come on ... i know people who work(ed) there and i know the prices THEY get.
To give 10% to loyal customers would not be a problem at all.
-- hookedagain

I don’t personally find Schneidersladen more expensive. When it comes to European brands of modules, I find them (and Thomann) cheaper to be frank. Bear in mind that most prices on European sites are inclusive of VAT ( 19 or 20%) while American sites do not include any sales tax.
Being outside the EU, I don’t pay the VAT and modules (EU and US manufactured) can be imported duty free to where I live. Customs locally only collects a 5% federal tax and there is a small brokerage fee to clear it through customs.
As far as Modular Grid is concerned, I never paid attention to the prices listed on modules and to maintain it up-to-date would have to be a nightmare.

Yeah you're right, I also have some BL modules and they're great, that's why I got curious when I saw that 1 star.

There are people on the site that give companies they don't like 1-star (for whatever reason) effectively ruining the rating system. So don't put much stock in ratings. If MG showed the voters that rated 1-star, you would see the same people voting for things they haven't used. So yeah, useless rating system mostly. Unless it has lots of votes. Some stuff isn't even out yet and CoolGuys(TM) will "vote" 1 or 5 stars. BLM has an etsy store with legitimate reviews if you're curious (5 star seller, over 100 sales). I have a few BLM modules and they are fantastic.

take a look at the kassutronics quantizer.. nice lay-out of functions - awful wooden panel, but that's a taste thing - and double channel

Hi,
First of all, let me tell you that I've only been using modular hardware for 3 months, and I've started with a tight budget, so I've looked a lot at the price-performance ratio.
Quantizing
You could take a look at the Instruo Harmonaig https://www.modulargrid.net/e/instruo-harmonaig
It is a bit more expensive than the intellijel scales and bigger, but they have a lot more functions, for example chord progressions.
I've only used the virtual version in VCV rack, and it's amazing and very powerful.
Mixing
I always recommend the same, I have it and I am very happy.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-master-section
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-4-mono-channels
There are 4 mono channels with CV, send and return, mutes and pan. They are also chainable, so you can grow using the same output. 4 channels plus master are 18HP, but the ergonomics are quite good, at least for me. The price-quality ratio is great.
There is also the Befaco option https://www.modulargrid.net/e/befaco-hexmix but it is much more expensive and bigger, 6 channels 28 HP.
FX
I would stick with the Pico DSP, it is very versatile, takes up little space and you can always even use the granular algorithm, or the exclusive reverb or delay for some percussion.
A good option to consider is also https://www.modulargrid.net/e/erica-synths-black-hole-dsp.
What I do miss in your case is an MI rings or clone
Best regards,
I would stick with the Pico DSP, it is very versatile, takes up little space and you can always even use the granular algorithm, or the exclusive reverb or delay for some percussion.
A good option to consider is also https://www.modulargrid.net/e/erica-synths-black-hole-dsp.

The prices on the modulargrid module sites are always much too low, i have no idea where that comes from. Just ignore it.

This is a sketch of an idea. I have the West Pest currently, but the idea would be to use that to start, and maybe switch to other voices later on.

Otherwise this contains a bunch of modules I find cool. They may or may not gel 100%.

This is where I currently am after 18 months into my modular journey.

Case is a custom 6u 104hp build with Konstant Lab's BoardPWR for power. At some point in the next year I'm going to go up to a 9u case but that's about as large as I can go for the moment (limited space in the house)

As far as other modules I've got a Noise Reap Paradox, Make Noise STO, A-151 and A-183n that I swap in and out. Also got a Zlob Triple Cap Chaos, Triple Diode Chaos, CuteLabs Missed Opportunities and AI Systhesis matrix mixer to build.

I can also see me buying some more utilities like a Compare 2, Branches, logic and attenuators etc. and perhaps some filters e.g. want to play with a QPAS, probably want to play with a complex oscillator at somepoint but not sure I'm ready for them ATM.

Generally I try to avoid anything 4u and below that has a knob on it but there are exceptions, and as work in tech I'm more interested in modules with tactile controls rather than ones with digital interfaces.

Music wise I tend to listen to mostly electronica and ambient - Carbon Lifeforms, Marconi Union, Jon Hopkins, Urlich Schauss, even occasionally Steve Reich etc.

And the music (noises?) I'm mostly making tends to follow evoling ambient with occasional percussive elements but I'm really still experimenting, exploring and having fun!

I'm still new to this and open to thoughts, comments and other feedback on what I've got so far and where I'm thinking of going.

Quantizing is the area I'm least sure about and I think I'm actually pretty OK on the others below but writing my thoughts out helps me so feel free to prod at them

Quantizing

This is probably what I need to tackle first as I'm current using the Disting for this and I really dislike it (don't like the UI). Know I could also use Pam's for this but want something that doesn't involve menu diving and has immediacy so unless someone produces an expander with buttons think this rules out O&C too.

I've read multiple manuals and watched a fair few videos and I think what I really want right now is the simplicity of a couple of uScale IIs but as they're discontinued I'm looking at other modules - Intellijel Scales, Shakmat Bard Quartet or ADDAC207. Are there any others I should look at? Must have buttons to chose the notes though

Mixing

The ergonomics of the Doepfer and ST Mix don't work for me as the ST Mix is too cramped.

Currently thinking of getting the SSF Vortices as it's got enough channels, and has voltage control for fading, panning etc. I can use the existing mixers as submixers if I need them, would use right angled cables for the lower sockets to keep the cables out of the way.

FX

I think I'm going to replace the Pico DSP with an FX Aid (XL probably) but not sure what to do with the Echoz... I guess it's OK but wondering about replacing it with a DaisySeed based module perhaps patch.init so I can experiment with programming it

Sequencing

I'm having fun with the Turing Machine & SQ-1 but want a bit more CV control so thinking along the lines of TipTop Z8000 and perhaps Transient Modules S8 coupled with something like a Grids clone, Steppy etc to clock / reset / hold them (can also PNW for euclidean etc, clock dividers, logic too)

Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading this far…

Bought a Turing Machine MK II from @RTFM
Well packaged, great build quality, and amazing communication!
Highly recommended seller.

It would be nice if the person who gave this module one star could post a comment mentioning what's wrong with the module.

Schneidersladen is often expensive compared to others and they don't make good prices even for loyal customers.
"even 5% is hard for us to do in this times" ... come on ... i know people who work(ed) there and i know the prices THEY get.
To give 10% to loyal customers would not be a problem at all.

EDITED Jan 4th 2023, 14:14

hello, thank you for your attention. Also, thanks for the warning. We fixed the issue
-- Vaemi

youre welcome!
@modulargrid consider to add some kind of instruction to insert 0 in case a specific power line is not used

@modular01 power specifications are exactly as written and written correctly. 5V is not used in the module you gave for example.
-- Vaemi

this "5V is not used" should be inserted as 0 mA
its impossible to distinguish between zero mA and missing information when you keep this field empty
thank you!

-- modular01

hello, thank you for your attention. Also, thanks for the warning. We fixed the issue

i had great deals with mschacht, Yves18, JonasSchmidt, klodifokan, DirkB and originst - nothing but good to say!

@modular01 power specifications are exactly as written and written correctly. 5V is not used in the module you gave for example.
-- Vaemi

this "5V is not used" should be inserted as 0 mA
its impossible to distinguish between zero mA and missing information when you keep this field empty
thank you!

EDITED Jan 4th 2023, 10:38

@modular01 power specifications are exactly as written and written correctly. 5V is not used in the module you gave for example.

@Vaemi if possible please ensure there is nothing missing in the power specs:

thank you!

I would love to see a metric for price per hp. Basically $/hp when viewing specific modules or building a rack would be even better.

EDITED Feb 27th 2023, 07:23

You can now find Vaemi among manufacturers on Modulargrid. To do this, click the Modules tab in the Eurorack category. You can search from the Manufacturer section.

Below is the link for easy access.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules/browser?SearchName=&SearchVendor=1044

You can now add our modules to your cases.

My cases and power were not cheap but so far no issues. I invested in heavy duty dual power supplies for my cases. Worth the insurance against damaging expensive modules.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to build my own case.
Regarding the power supply, emphatically yes, you have to buy a reliable source with plenty of energy.

When I started researching ahead of my own leap into modular four months ago, the repeat guidance in countless threads to start with a Mantis case was clear and convincing - four months later and over half full, I think it remains the best tip I took on board. It might not be the most exciting part of the journey, but with so many other things to learn and navigate, keeping the case and power supply simple, reliable and reasonably cost effective would be my advice too.
-- alexandershawkins

Maybe I should add - "don't skimp on case and power - a mantis is the same price as a module!" - to my signature!!! although I think I'm at the character limit already...

Advice is a fantastic thing - you can either take it or leave it - and there's so much it's difficult to tell which is the good advice and which isn't!!!

-- JimHowell1970

Honestly I do think you should look to squeeze it in to your signature!

When I started researching ahead of my own leap into modular four months ago, the repeat guidance in countless threads to start with a Mantis case was clear and convincing - four months later and over half full, I think it remains the best tip I took on board. It might not be the most exciting part of the journey, but with so many other things to learn and navigate, keeping the case and power supply simple, reliable and reasonably cost effective would be my advice too.

Howdy folks! I recently reorganized the entire rack and added a few new modules. I wanted to make a big, multi-part patch and try out new gear and techniques and this is what came out. It's pretty dense and manic, just how I like it. ;-) This is a live performance recording and was captured in one take after rehearsing it a few times. Enjoy!

Rough patch notes:

Polaris - Filtering hats 1
Rampage - Modulating Blades
Plaits 1 - Arpeggios
Ripples - Filtering hats 2
Sloths - Modulating Rings
Maths - Modulating Plaits 2
Roland 531 - Mixing VPME QD
Marbles - Gating hats 1 and 2
VPME QD - Kick and Hats 1 and 2
Rings - Lead line
Matrix Mixer - Mixing Kermit
IME Kermit - Modulating Ripples
PNW - Gating VPME QD Kick
Brenso - Pluck line
Blades - Filtering Brenso
Plaits 2 - Bass line 1
100 Grit - Filtering Plaits 2
XPO - Bass line 2
Mimeophon - Delaying Plaits 1 Triple Time arpeggio
FRS - Gating Kick drum patterns
PPW - Master clocks
Sequential Switch - switching kick patterns
Tides - Modulating XPO and Plaits 2
Nautilus - Delaying Brenso plucks
Chronoblob 2 - Delaying Rings
Starlab - Reverting drums and bass line 1
Stochastic Inspiration Generator - Sequencing Brenso plucks and Rings lead line
Rene 2 - Sequencing Bass line 1 and 2
Keystep Pro - Arpeggiating Plaits 1
VCAs by 2x Intellijel Quad VCA
Envelopes by 2x Intellijel Quadrax
WMD Performance Mixer - Mixing all tracks

Recorded on iPhone 12 through iRig Pro Duo

EQ and Normalization in StudioOne 6

Titles from iMovie

The short answer is yes, of course you can. Whether you'll like what you end up with better than what you had is another question. There are numerous reverb and kick modules available, I personally am a big fan of the Z-DSP Valhalla room reverb, but I also use the ZVerb and FX Aid modules sometimes for reverb as well. Never used an Eventide Space though. I should mention that the FX Aid modules have some Roland bass drum simulations in them as well as many other effects. But I've never used a dedicated kick drum module, so I can't be of any help there really. If you search Modular Grid for "kick drum" you'll find quite a few though.

I'm looking to replace a eventide space and a volca kick. I have a Moog mother 32, a subharmonicon, a cyclone tt303 and a Korg ER1.

I enjoy making live stuff in the techno, electro, IDM end of things (much love for mindcolourmusic, central processing unit, old rephlex, warp and the like) but have gotten into patching between the two moogs. Things like using the sequencers on the subharminicon to effect the filter cutoff and resonance of them for example, sending random CV to cutoff, sending the subH into the sound in on the mother. Also enjoying the ring mod on the Korg.

The ER1 is weak in the kick department so I got a volca kick which works really well and frees up the other 4 oscillators for percussion and other sounds. It takes up desk space though.

I put the three synths through an Eventide Space. It can get muddy but I use a send and return on my mixer to increase and decrease the reverb for each one. Again it's another box with cables in and out of the back.

Question, if I sell the eventide and the volca kick, can I get a kick module and some reverb for the three synths inside of a Doepfer A100 84 hp case. It would allow me to streamline the set up and when I have more more cash I like the idea of adding more filter, LFO or other modulation in the future.

Hi Warmofada,

Great looking rack! Enjoy modular :-)

I wish you and everyone a Happy New Year, may this be a good year for all of us. Stay healthy and kind regards, Garfield.

Basically what I was confused at was, Why are my Kicks rather quiet. Triggers are the reason.

Yeah that was one of my beginner discoveries, that there are very different gates and triggers and the triggered modules like envelopes react to that. Looking at that on the Mordax Data made it clearer.
Don't have a solution but learned to understand it and live or work with it.

Hiya...
The VCA does the trick putting the triggers through Veils works best with the exponential knob set all the way left.
I've just tried the Befaco Burst and all its triggers are big and fat :) makes nice punchy drums.
I'll have a read up on that ADDAC module.

Thanks

EDITED Dec 31st 2022, 17:26

The 7j send a ~8v gate signal. Pamela output is limited to 5v. Try boosting the output of Pamela to see if it fix the problem. (Math channel 2, a vca, frap tool 321 or any other utility that can boost the signal).

Another great kit from 4MS (I gotta get more from them).
This is their noise generator, and it's full of modification sources to make some really fun noise. Also allows you to put tones in to pass through the noise section.
Another great output is a noise-generated random CV source, in the test section you'll see me feed that to note CV on a VCO with very interesting results.
Moderate build, not bad.
I highly recommend this one if you want a highly variable noise source and random CV source.
Build

That's kind of the whole deal about (analog) triggers, I guess. The triggers can vary in length and voltage.

My Befaco Modules send pretty strong (10V?) and short pulses. The LL8 is some what slow and I think it's outputting less voltage.

I'm currently shortening some of the LL8 Triggers with Stages but also thought of getting something like this ADDAC217 to free Stages. https://www.modulargrid.net/e/addac-system-addac217

Has anyone got any tips on making drum triggers all the same.

I note that triggers from different modules will make for either less of more punchy percussion.

For instance on my https://www.modulargrid.net/e/patching-panda-bd-z the manual trigger button give a big whack of a Kick as does the gate button from my https://www.modulargrid.net/e/transient-modules-7j and Mutable's Marbles but my DNIpro DOT / Robaux LL8 and Pam's New Workout all seem to make a much more subtle trigger.
also give a good fulsome trigger pulse too.

Feels like I need a module to make all Trigger pulses alike when really all these modules should be producing the same strength of Trigger.

https://blackwarriorlures.bandcamp.com/album/heal

EDITED Dec 31st 2022, 12:34

I like the DB-01 a lot; it's great fun all by itself. I don't think you need the Pexp-1 just for that; the DB-01 is based on a Eurorack module, and takes clock in (just a regular Pam's channel), as well as pitch, gate, and filter CV in. Its output is hot enough for Eurorack and doesn't need boosting, if you want to take the signal back into the rack. I don't have experience with the other things you mentioned, though people seem to like the Beebo a lot.
-- plragde

Hi Warmofada,

I agree with Plragde about "wrong" questions, they don't exist! Only wrong answers might exist, so my apologies to you if this is a "wrong" answer ;-). Therefore don't worry, that's why there is this forum :-) So "shoot" your questions at us, we try our best to respond and you are welcome :-)

Still, I like to stress out the importance of testing as many as possible modules in Perfect Circuit, then if you are hesitating about module A, B or C (just an example) then of course you can ask their help to advise you, however test first, it gives you a much better understanding of each module that you might consider.

Good luck with this modular adventure, it sounds pretty exciting what you are sharing here with us. Besides all the excitement, I wish you good luck and lots of modular fun, welcome to modular synthesizers, one of the best inventions :-) Enjoy your first abroad travel, I hope it will be a good memory for you in the future! Kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Guys, thanks alot for youre help, i'm finally with all set, made a diy side panel for the rack and it´s just a blast. I'm just enjoying the process of modular, try things for days then ripp all apart and start over. SO NICE!!

The rack:
https://freeimage.host/i/Huugh11

I think 104hp is going to be too small for the amount of variation you are hoping to achieve (twinkly and abrasive). To maximize space and gain a lot of different functions in 10hp with no menu diving, I HIGHLY recommend one of the Noise Engineering Versio modules. You can flash them with different firmware (super easy process) for the task at hand. I love the Desmodus (reverb/delay), Melotus (granular), and Ruina (distortion) firmwares. Melotus could cover your Clouds needs in a smaller footprint and give you access to even more functions if you choose to pursue them. This is one of the better investments I have made in euro.
Have fun and good luck!

-- farkas

I've put a 126hp skiff together which includes Ears, Wogglebug, Morphagene, Imitor Versio and an FX Aid Pro. For the sort of thing you've listed as musical intentions/interest I'd say you'd have loads of fun with the Morphagene and a Versio or Mimeophon. I've flashed my Versio with Repetita Versio written by Hirnlego. It's an amazing looper and delay. My understanding is that it's inspired my Mimeophon. As Farkas said it's flashable to become a range of good, interesting effect modules. I do however recommend checking out the Repetita.

https://github.com/hirnlego/repetita-versio

I bought the FX Aid Pro yesterday and think it's a good multi effects module, but not "wow!". If you have limited space it may be worth checking out a stomp box adapter like this:
https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/ai006-kit/
and picking up a used Line 6 M5 multi effect. they go for really little money and are far better than the Zoom offerings. I payed £50. It even has an expression pedal input which can be assigned to any parameter.

This is one of my current skiffs

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2049997.jpg

I also have another with Pressure Points and Rene Mk1

EDITED Dec 31st 2022, 12:29

I've had a good time with this module. I'd recommend it to anyone getting in to Eurorack. The filter has a bit of a Moog sound.

EDITED Jun 10th 2023, 00:26

Bought a Xaoc Zadar from @peabreu.
Very fast shipment, nice communication - highly recommended seller!

Quid sidechain du master effect (trigger ou audio ?)
Quid dual sampling du mk4 ?
Quid sync tonalité m32 et osc ext ?

EDITED Dec 30th 2022, 19:03

That's true, but if we compare modular synths to an instrument, it's like you have to build your guitar every time before you start composing. Surely for each song you had in mind, you would choose one type of wood or another, more or less strings, etc... This is the theme, you have a sound in mind, and you are looking for how to achieve and you end up acquiring new gear.
There are sounds that can be achieved with your current equipment, but especially at the beginning, there are sounds that you can only get with a specific setup.

@modulargrid

@gumbo23
1. open the two racks in two different browser windows.
2. be sure Keyboard Shortcuts are enabled
3. in the first window hover over a module and press c
4. in the second window hover over the rack (important) and press v

-- modulargrid

Your workaround does not work properly on mobile devices like iPad :(
Also it's complicated when trying to store iterations of your whole setup.
To have two (or more?) cases with separate power consumption charts on the same page would definitely let me pay for a unicorn account :)

EDITED Dec 30th 2022, 05:05

Friends and /W arrived tonight. Have not touched /W yet, but Friends is already a freakin Monster. Well worth the wait. Their stuff is insane quality too. I can't wait to get Three Sisters, and Mangrove. I want to get a Monome Teletype to take advantage of the I2C bus behind the panel. Disting Ex has I2C. but I'm not sure how they may interact. I need some I2C cables.

Friends and /W arrived tonight. Have not touched /W yet, but Friends is already a freakin Monster. Well worth the wait. Their stuff is insane quality too. I can't wait to get Three Sisters, and Mangrove. I want to get a Monome Teletype to take advantage of the I2C bus behind the panel. Disting Ex has I2C. but I'm not sure how they may interact. I need some I2C cables.

This will be terrific to get started with. Pam's + Zadar + Plaits + BIA + Marbles could keep you going for a good long while before you really "need" anything else.

Its probably best skimmed through haha