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Emilie is super quick on the mutable forum too!

Os was here yesterday!!!
-- JimHowell1970

Ha! So he was. Just saw that thread. He seems to be the most responsive and active designer/builder in the industry. I applaud that wholeheartedly.

muffwiggler is now modwiggler

apparently some people took offence at 'muffwiggler'

which just proves that some people have no sense of humour!

Os was here yesterday!!!

I believe Os from Expert Sleepers is very responsive to customer concerns. I know he is active on the Mod Wiggler forum. You should probably try to reach out to him for some guidance.

Thanks for the reply’s! I really appreciate it and agree fully! I also have two happy ending cases and a dfam and mother combo. This is def a focused live oriented case to jam bass lines and weird sequences over my digitakt and with my ableton live live set as well as general sound design to sample in my productions. Sometimes it’s nice to try and contain the endless possibilities that is modular. As far as the ornament and crimes, good call been thinking about one for awhile may indeed pull the trigger on that one :). And yea I’ve seen rickys stuff and am a fan but I’m also a fan of noise engineering and already had the modules :) Thanks again for the advice!

I definite recommend a larger case and more utilities over a bunch of larger sexy voice modules.
Get the largest case possible and with handles for easy transport. I’m loving my Doepfer monster case as
I won’t run out of room for a long time. MDLR makes really good 14U cases with option for a row of 1u modules.

Utilities are super important. I’m using WMD SSF Toolbox, Mutable Instruments Kinks and Links and tons of modulation now with complex patches. Good attenuators and VCA key as well. I only use one or two voice modules lately with great results. I started with a 6U case that I quickly outgrew. Now with a portable 14u case, I have room for lots of support modules, utilities, as well as the fancy voice modules.

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

I just bought a Disting EX from someone on another modular sales site and my first action was to update the firmware (had 1.7.1 on it and I wanted to update to 1.9). I followed instructions for downloading the latest firmware to the micro sd card and when you power on, you hold the "P" button down. You are provided a list of firmwares on the card to scroll through with the "V" knob and I can see the 1.9 version I downloaded to it. Once highlighted, you're supposed to press the "V" knob to start the install...here is where nothing happens. I've tried a few times now and it doesn't respond to pressing the "V" knob. I've also tried other "V" knob functions like diving into a menu and pressing the "V" knob is supposed to back out of the menu...nothing.

I am meticulously careful with my modular stuff, taking a lot of care when installing, etc...I think this is a valid reason to request a return from the seller and wondering what others thought in this case. I did purchase using PayPal with the 3% fee.

I've bought other stuff from sellers and never had an issue before this...so bummed as I was looking forward to having this in my rack. It works otherwise except for the "V" knob issue...which is a big issue.

Your contributions really killed it @TumeniKnobs, I'm glad we put it together. And thanks @Gworn, you're right about Akemie's Castle, it really is a special machine.

I seem to remember you mentioned that last time we talked @baltergeist, I'm glad things are moving in the right direction and excited to hear more when you're ready :)

Great advice from Lugia. One piece of advice- get the bigger case but start slowly with only a few modules at a time. That way you can get the right balance of support modules and so forth. I’m using utility modules like WMD SSF Toolbox a lot more in complex patches and they are critical. I use way more modulation now with advanced patching than when I first began. It’s really about cv control I find with modular. I’m using at least 8 LFO per complex patch since many of my modules each have many cv modulation points to tweak.

I'll echo Jim here: Bigger case, more utilities! You see a buttload of these microbuilds on YouTube, and either they're done by someone who thinks they know what they're doing BUT DON'T...or they're done by companies that want to sell you these silly-ass mini cases (coughcoughPerfectCircuitcough). Yes, they work GREAT if you need to add a few specific modules to an existing rig, but beyond that...nope. To his credit, Ricky Tinez is one of the very few synth-Tubers who HAVE said that these are "mission-specific" when you're (usually) building in a small cab like a Palette 62. The rest just seem to slap these things up with no comprehension that beginner modular synthesists need SPACE and need a WIDE selection of possibilities to explore, not merely some bespoke micro-box that's really set up for only a handful of uses.

Ah...then, my apologies. But I should also note that there's very little news on this side of the pond on the Fenix IV...just a clip or two on YT with Felix, so this wasn't information I had on hand. Much of what I did hear over here, though, was along the lines of "never expect this to happen", so I was going on the info I've had to work with. It also doesn't help that we've also got some janky sorts over here claiming that they'll have the [INSERT SYNTH HERE] reissue out next [INSERT SPECULATIVE DATE]...yeah, looking at YOU, Polyfusion!

One suggestion: you might want to get a bit more presence on Gearsource (ie: the site formerly known as "Gearslutz") and get the info about the Fenix IV in front of more eyes. That would not only get the waiting list filled in a matter of minutes, but clarify some of the info floating around. Same goes for Muff Wiggler (if it's even still called that!).

Thank you all!

Completely agree on the last point and appreciate you saying that. The idea is/has been really a big synth, one big voice, then I record and further mangle on the computer. So that’s how I’m thinking about it for now and use it. But love that you said that because you’re totally right, gotta keep my mind open.

Keep in mind, though, that the mixer in there does a lot more than just mixing. It has your end-of-path VCAs for signal level control, an autopanner (and manual panner, natch) on each mono input, allows you to use the CUE bus for tuning and other checks on the fly, has your parallel path via the AUX for FX (also with per-channel AUX VCAs), and it's also your headphone preamp.

In fact, this is how you get more into a build in less room for less money. Whenever you have the ability to use something with a large function set as opposed to something basic but which requires a bunch more modules, always go for the multiple functionality devices.

And one last thing: never assume beforehand what you'll be doing in the future with something as open-ended as a modular synth. Sure, it works as a sound design rig just fine...but what if you find out that the modular opens up some new musical directions you'd not entertained before? YT jam vids, live performance, etc...make sure you've got those bases ALL covered, because you really don't have an idea where the synth will lead you!

Slappin! That Akemie's Castle is quit a lovely machine, keep it coming troux : )

Very cool! So many interesting sounds here. I must admit I'm intrigued by the Ciat Lonbarde stuff, it sounds so unique

That is a very cool track! Great melancholy mood. I love how shaking the dictaphone makes it do vibrato!
-- TumeniKnobs

Thanks Tumeni! The dictaphone is so much fun to experiment with, I highly recommend it

Hi Gworn,

The usage of the dictaphone gives it somehow very authentic feel and touch to the track, nicely done!

Thanks a lot for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Thank you! The dictaphone really adds a lot of magic, I struggle to "get in the zone" without it these days. Hopefully the rings module I have on the way will help : )

Hi Gworn,

The usage of the dictaphone gives it somehow very authentic feel and touch to the track, nicely done!

Thanks a lot for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

That is a very cool track! Great melancholy mood. I love how shaking the dictaphone makes it do vibrato!

Hi Baltergeist,

I like your never ending creativity and this track is yet again one of your creativity-production-results ;-) A really nice, to me, relaxing track, lovely to listen at. I wouldn't mind you would make more tracks like this one!

Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

You’re more than welcome Garfield! I enjoy making videos as it helps me learn over t8me and share with others. I’m hoping to bridge the gap left by DivKid and others who assume an advanced level of mastery with Eurorack.

A short sketch featuring some 1/2 speed guitar (sounds a bit like a broken piano) and the microfreak being processed by my modular system. Pamela's new workout is clocking and modulating, Disting is adding ping pong delay to the Microfreak, and Monsoon is in looping delay mode processing the dictaphone. Everything gets a smidge of specular reverb set in 'spatium' mode.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 23:53

Hi Sacguy71,

Fantastic, yet another video & jam from you :-) That's very nice! I like your videos and jams because you cover quite a few modules that I don't have yet and I am (partly) considering, so beside the great jams and videos you do, they give me usually a good impression on the modules I might consider as well, being a nice buying help/guard to me :-)

Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

Swapped the VCF303 for my Polaris to see how a different filter sounded and with a bit more modulation capabilities, also trying something new with the MSCL, interesting module 🤔 This is an excerpt from a longer jam but I like the structure of it ok even if it starts out a bit slow, hope you enjoy!

Bundled the last couple tunes I made with this (along with the @TumeniKnobs collaboration) onto a mini EP which you can check out here https://stevehand.bandcamp.com/album/september-acid

-- troux

Nice track! I missed the whole rave thing (living in Tokyo from 90-95), and I won’t even pretend to know what “booty house” is… Haha! And that’s very cool dropping the collab version on the ep. Thanks for credit and the link. :-)

Cheers

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 23:29

This is fantastic. Thanks @baltergeist!

It's a ways-away, unfortunately. We're just now climbing back to some normalcy after my wife got laid off in May. She's working again, and making more money than before, but she hasn't gotten her first paycheck yet. As such, had to tighten the belts and stop most non-essential expenses. I'm hoping I'll be able to have it out on bandcamp some time next year. The upside is that I'm getting time generate more material to choose from when it's time for mixing and mastering. :)

Lovely as usual @baltergeist, but where's the album???

ah - well, it was a rhetorical question...
the difference between midi A and B conversion cables is in which pin on the midi out that the tip and ring of the stereo jack is wired to... buy the right cable for the module (either A or B) and being able to switch is completely redundant!
if you have pile of these cables and mix up A & B then I can see the advantage of the switched module

I’m also looking at Squid Salmple as an option.

Totally irrelevant no.
Maybe a little bit.
It's not an expansive breakout.
I'm very beginner in midi and when I've bought it I didn't know there was an Expert sleepers tiny breakout available.
There are many subtilities for me to learn about midi.

EDITED Feb 27th 2023, 07:15

but isn't that totally irrelevant if you just buy the correct 3,5mm->midi cable in the first place???

I agree.
I like the xoxo breakout because you can switch the input from midi type A to type B with a switch on the frontpanel.
No need to unplug everything.
But only one module by breakout.

EDITED Sep 20th 2021, 17:18

yes, but why would you when the expert sleepers 2hp midi breakout is cheaper and can support 2 modules if needed...

I've watched exactly 1 Ricky Tinez youtube video - the one where he openly admits to having a proper rack too - not just beauty cases - he makes an excellent point that beauty cases are great for focusing on specific modules to demo them, but that he changes it up a lot - and they also fit in his handbag!

interesting patch idea! what does the DFAM sound like when patched to O_C? layout-wise I would place the DFAM all the way on the left so that the patch cables don't stand in the way when turning knobs. If you patch the Velocity Input on the DFAM and don't use the internal sequencer for pitching the VCOs then you can use them for other modulation duties and eventually even with it's own clock rate! Been toying around with the idea of decoupling the DFAMs inner building blocks to use them for different purposes.

Hi,
You can use this with Disting 4:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/other-unknown-midixo-model-92-

I don't know about availability.

Cheers

I'd ditch scales and go with a Ornament & Crime, which will function as a quad quantizer, which pairs up nicely with the Mimetic. Of course it has other features you may like in addition. This Palette feels like you've been watching a lot of Ricky Tinez. Yes?

been eyeing the Erica Synths Sample Drum. I've heard somebody saying that it felt like two channels of the digitakt without the sequencer in Eurorack. Imagine 4xSample Drum + Westlicht Performer + FX Aid to emulate Digitakt on Eurorack? xD

Hi all,

Right now I've been using my Elektron Octatrack to sample modular but looking for an in rack solution. So far it seems like 1010 Music Bitbox and Rossum Assimil8r would do what I need to sample cool modular sounds for editing and playback like what my Octratrack does. What are your favorite sampler modules and why did you go with the particular solution? Rossum is very expensive compared to Bitbox so trying to see the pros/cons of both or perhaps consider another module? I just picked up Mutable Instruments Beads which is a granular sampler quite different than to read in an audio source and mangle for recording and playback.

The user manuals contain the pin outs in terms of DIN socket pins 4/5.

-- os

thanks for the quick reply!

Putting it all together even used the Mutable Instruments Shades and WMD SSF Toolbox utility modules that were not getting much use.

Shades is quite good can be attenuator or inverter and the sheer number of cool modular utilities in WMD SSF Toolbox is superb. I like using invert and the switch for good results in my patches last night.

The user manuals contain the pin outs in terms of DIN socket pins 4/5.

Hey Os...
I've got everything to connect the midi headers of my GeneralCV and Disting mk4 (brilliant modules btw, thanks) to case mounted din sockets... I keep meaning to implement it, but am not 100% sure about the pin outs - do you have a reference other than the picture of the midi breakout pcb that you could share?

If you're that short on space, don't waste 4HP on the breakout, just DIY a cable and run it out the back.

there are cables easily available with trs one end and din socket the other end - if you need to save space in a tiny case this or the drilling holes in the case method i described above would seem to be the best options...

There's also the 2HP sized breakout: https://expert-sleepers.co.uk/tinymidibreakout.html

Then that plus a disting mk4 is 6HP.

-- os

Os you got me anyways 🤗 I can't do the tiny midi breakout because I need the DIN connection, but my plan is to go with a mk4. This is going in a 40hp 4ms pod so there isn't a ton of room. The only reason I've been reluctant to go the mk4 route is because MIDI-to-CV is almost all it would be doing. Feels like a waste, but for the price and hp, it's probably my best option.

Currently waiting for Control to restock.