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maybe a bit of background...

what are you going to use this with and what are you hoping to achieve?

1U section will also have some Visible Signals modules.

Anyone that would like to sell me a tiptop mantis?

This module is NOT available anymore.
I had communicated with two emails with the seller, decided to purchase one and the first problem encountered was that his website was broken. It was supposed to send me an email password and it never did so I could not create my account.

I emailed the site owner about this and from that point on he refused to communicate.
Then at the same time he was supposed to ship them, Feb 28th, instead he gives me a full refund with no explanation or communication.

Would NOT recommend wasting your money with this guy because he can’t deliver!
Very frustrating purchase experience!

It is a complete system, but perhaps a more experienced eye could immediately understand if some modulation or some other usefulness can be added. For example. And suggest what...

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 18:17

Hi Jim,
Thanks for getting back about this!

Ok, so here’s my scaled-down version:

I kept the Dust of Time, Beads, Maths and Chaos modules and added the Marbles instead of permutation, because I think it does actually look more interesting (knowing that I won't know until I really touched it).

I also exchanged the veils etc. clones for the real thing - could you explain what exactly makes them better? Is it the build or sound quality?

I’m still somewhat confused about the utility modules… like, how many I’ll need for what. And I’m uncertain if I have enough VCAs and whether I need an envelope generator.

About case, I am planning to build my own, so that should come much cheaper.

Quick answer :
I have a MiniBrute 2S and a Keystep, for now that are the sequencers and keys/pads.

Newest version of this rack :
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1531584.jpg?1617557269

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 17:28

@wishbonebrewery thanks a lot :)

Sounding good :)

Hey fellow wigglers :),

Happy Easter. I hope you all are doing well. It´s been some time since I wiggled my modular. In these dark time which sorround us I got nearly no spare time to turn knobs and so on. So I used this really day off to sneak away to my modules.

This piece of sounds/music somehow shows how I feel: dark with some sparks of hope here and there.

Here we go, stay healthy, try to stay happy!

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 16:59

All good suggestions, Soundstage is sounding good on @troux work, feels to open up the mix.

I've kinda had my eye on that PanMix cos you can CV it for Pan and Level @ThunderSound the ever-growing wishlist needs pruning regularly, its kinda slowly shrinking but shows growth-spurts after a prune, feeding it regularly with ModularGrid doesn't help!

A patch that started out very incoherent, took me ages to find the sweet spot in tuning the STO to the Even VCO, got the 2hp Tune in the same scale as the 2hp ARP, glad I persisted with this as it was proper wonky.
No filters were used in this just the STO's Shape control and the DannySound Timbre on wave-folding duty.
Newest module in the rack is the Pr0k Clap, Hats come from Patching Panda Hatz, incidental percussion and Bass drum come from ADDAC103. A bit of Monsoon Clouds Reverb on the slow notes and and Erica Pico DSP on the twinkly Arp parts. Extra percussion came from the Roland TR-09.
Soz for the occasional crackle, thats my crappy soundcard.

Cheers for listening to over 8 minutes!

Thanks Garfield!

I also found the PanMix from Happy Nerding, maybe that is another option, that is 6 channels mixing, seems to suit the situation better.
(and my wish list is growing again, but I can delete some from the list maybe with this one).

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 15:45

When you're playing with it now what do you find is missing? That'll help us know where to nudge.

Soundstage or a Jumble Henge or a Nearness plus some attenuators could do a lot of work for you. I have the first and the last and they're both really nice modules.

Quick question: what are you sequencing/playing with here?

DOT for Euclidean, LL8 for more of a fixed structure, I may end up using the Burst for more Twinkly synth bits rather than percussion.
Yeah I watched that Mylar YT, Percall does look lots of fun.
Rosie looks nice for a bit of end of line Reverb to tie things together.
MixZ sounds interesting, though would obviously couple best with load of other Tiptop modules.

I know the following is not about panning each percussion module, only the last option is about this I think (hexmix).
But you could use the stereo mixers to the Rosie Return stereo set.
Problem is that there are not many input channels in most mixers.
BTW dot / ll8 and Burst seems like nice combinations.

Already thought about the Befaco - Percall (on my wish list)?

MylarMelodies has a 'suggested systems' techno machine item on YT.
There he is using the Befaco Percall partly as mixer.
I am also changing very slowly evolving to a percussion rack, but my budget has been slashed this year (because I am in between jobs now).
My 'optimal' stereo set would be 4 Percalls to a Doepfer A138S stereo mixer, but that is very expensive.

(Title: How to make a TINY live techno modular synth in only 62HP.)

Another option (see my "end game" rack) :

Rosie + pico DSP
combined with 1 or more of the following:
Axys (on my wish list)
X-Pan (on my wish list)
A-138S
I have a A-138N for each (Rosie) channel.
and a A-138S between the Pico DSP and the Rosie (stereo return input).
But I do not know if this would be possible with the hex modules.

another option :
MixZ tiptop (combined with TipTop drum modules) (on my wish list)
There it is possible to bus audio, instead of the need for cables.

Or going to 'real mixers' like HexMix / Hexpander / Hex VCA combinations. (also on my wish list)
like you said yourself.

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 14:21

Bit by bit I am edging towards having a row specifically for percussion and I'm interested in what other people have for Mixing and Panning etc.
I'm currently a little bit short of Mixing capability having sold the Intellijel Mixup I had and I'm considering the next step in mixing.
At the moment I have:
Most of the percussion sources going via a WMD/SSF Quad Atten then into a Omsonic UPE (Universal Panning Expander) so I can tweak levels and Pan, I do like a bit of Reverb on Hatz so mostly send its outs separate to the UPE.

I fancy eventually upgrading the Mixing to a Befaco Hexmix with the STMix feeding it, though it would seem a waste to use up all the Hexmix channels with panning mono percussion sounds around so alongside the UPE I may get a Doepfer A-138s Mini Stereo Mixer.

But how would YOU do it??

Tips on this idea ?

I really like the Chromatic series, I have purchased some already.
Thinking about making a stand alone set from mainly chromatic modules.
But I have some uncertainties regarding this composition.

1) I have a feeling I can not put the Percal to its full potential .
2) there are 2 modules I am not sure enough to have 2 copies: Ataxia and Euphoria

Do you have any thoughts on that ?

EDITED Apr 4th 2021, 12:33

thanks!

I did a quick jam with base case and new mixer.

Once my new monster case arrives, I will add rest of modules in one place to have complex patches create cool tunes.
I plan to put my Doepfer 6u modules in the monster case on the way once it arrives and then use base case for mixers and sequencers. I also put my 14 U MDLR case in the same area so lets me create some fun patches in one spot.

Hi Gabe

you could try copying the rack Lugia made and then making a bare bones version that you think might work and post it back to check it will at least make sounds - possibly start with only 1 voice maybe a slightly less expensive case...

mantis case

a sound source (dust of time), 1 modulation source (Maths), 1 sound modifier (beads), a way to play (I'd go for marbles over permutation and expander), and a way to listen (the 4ms thing)

add in a bunch of almost essential utilities - not necessarily these modules, but covering the same functionality - links, kinks, shades, veils (I'd get a real one though not the clones)

play with that for a while and then think about how you want to move forwards - do you want to move towards a more complex voice, or a second voice

if by 3rd row you mean the bottom one - it is mostly modulation sources and utilities - modulation sources are needed so that you don't need to constantly tweak the knobs yourself like a deranged crackhead - you can patch these modules to do this for you - utilities increase the ways of patching so instead of patching modulation source to modulation input you patch via utilitiy modules which enable you to multiply, modify and merge them into more interesting waveforms - for example as an envelope closes an lfo is mixed into the signal to produce tremolo this is fed to the cv in of a vca and the effect is applied to the audio being sent through the vca

Thanks GarfieldM for your comment. I checked both and plugged it on another busboard, but it still doesn't work properly… :•(

Depends on your needs and budget. I started with a Korg SQ-1 sequencer with my first modular setup then progressed to in rack sequencers. Korg is ok but I much prefer my Eurorack sequencers like Eloquencer, Metron and Stillson Hammer now. I just ordered a new Doepfer 12U Monster case to stack on my Doepfer monster base case and reorganize my modular setup now that I have larger studio space. I probably will wait to end of year to order new mixers, sequencer and few more drum/voice modules plus more utilities like attenuator/attenueverts and so forth. One thing that I learned was to order the BIGGEST case and power you can afford as a beginner as you will quickly grow. I still have my 6u cases to throw a few modules in for jams in town once Covid ends and portable 14U MDLR case but that case is HEAVY and needs a tray to cart around.

Hello everyone! my system above all for ambient experimental drone and industrial music is expanding and I would like some advice for the final upgrade! I don't know if an ornament crime, an envelope adsr, still modulations..(stages) a vca? happy for some advice!

EDITED Apr 3rd 2021, 17:36

Hi , this is Fabio from Italy.
I. am experiencing an issue with VCA A 135-2 but , as I’m new to modular world , I don’t know if is an issue or is normal….
If I have an oscillator with an high frequency , while in channel1 , 2 and 3 everything is ok and the “gate” is closed properly , on channel 4 I can hear the “original” wave in background….not so much….but I can hear it….
same oscillator , same cables , same VCA settings ,in channel 4 I can hear more.
That doesn’t happens if I go out from individual output on channel 4.
If the note is not high pitch , then there’s basicly no difference between channels….
Is this becouse of summing channels , so 1 go in 2 , 2 in 3 ecc , so 4 is more noisy? I can see that the noise raises even if I raise volume from other channels , even if nothing il plugged in....
All jumpers are in factory settings , I checked the schematics , so it should work 1 on 1 , 2 on 2 ecc
Has the unit some problems? ( I’m still in time to give it back….)
I can deal with it , (maybe I’m still not into “modular tollerance… :-) ) but i want to veryfy if the unit is ok…
I post a video , is in Italian but the Issue is clear.

Hi Garfield

I see why you were shocked then!

Jim

Wow, thanks so much for getting back about this so quickly and in such depth!
tbh this is a lot to take in... I'm trying to get a grip on row 3 but it's a bit hard to clearly see what's doing what since I lack the experience to really be able to tell what these modules will do in practice. (I'm digging through them right now, just to figure out what they do ... bear with me ...)
Because atm I really have to limit my spending to 3k but also because it might be better to start off smaller and see what I will actually use in practice, is there a way to boil this down into a 'light' version that costs around 3k...? what would be the essential modules?
thanks again!

EDITED Apr 3rd 2021, 00:08

Hi Jim,

The only one 8 Multi I have, I bought that one for Euro 42.35 (including VAT) and guess from whom?

From Erica Synths' their website-shop. If I knew at that time that it was such a good offer and that they were going to be sold out and that it is such a good multiple, I would straight away have bought some more...

Dealers had the opportunity to buy at a reduced price this and other modules from Erica Synths as well, hence my reaction that the price is far too high. Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Baltergeist,

Nice experimental jam! :-) There are lots of fun sounds to be discovered here!

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

The fix for DC crud: linear power supplies. Now, with the Intellijel cabs, you've got to deal with the internal switching supply, and there's not a lot you can do there. BUT...you might consider replacing the Meanwell "brick", which is ALSO a switching supply. Reason is, if you've already got crud coming into the cab from that brick, this can then screw majorly with the noise factor of the Intellijel TPS unit in the case.

With my AE system, I use a Tektronix PS281, but this is probably a bit underpowered for the Intellijel's needs. Instead, the next model up (the PS282, as shown here: g~gAAOSwTOxfoFD0" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-PS282-DC-Power-Supply-5A-18V-TW10205/402528809979?epid=1117948359&hash=item5db89633fbg~gAAOSwTOxfoFD0 ) can deliver up to 18VDC at 5A. And if you need more current, you can parallel two of these easily, as they have tracking link connections that lets one supply control the second. Price on the one listed is a bit steep (you should be able to find these under $200), but they provide dead-quiet DC on output...very little junk on that DC feed to cause the TPS to get noisier.

Much love to all the talented artists who were a part of this. I got to speak with a lot of super cool people putting this together.
Thanks and enjoy!

https://communitymodularelectronic.bandcamp.com/album/acid-exploration-2-a-compilation-cme-025

@Lugia 321 is a good idea. I'm having difficulty finding any Happy Nerding OUTs...
-- merzky_shoom

Try Analogue Haven. Their site currently lists this as "in stock". https://www.analoguehaven.com/happynerding/out/

@Lugia 321 is a good idea. I'm having difficulty finding any Happy Nerding OUTs, any other alternatives with 2 stereo ins you might recommend? I do like the idea of having 1/4" outputs rather than needing to convert with a 1/8" splitter or 2 1/8" to 1/4" cables.

Wow that Ground Control looks pretty freakin amazing. It's not cheap though. You could get two SQ-64s for that price and still have $100 left over. After a week of getting familiar with the Rene, I am actually thinking to keep my pre-order for the SQ-64. I believe there is probably not a lot of overlap. The Rene is an amazing instrument, and I have had so much fun just messing with it's up front features, but it's definitely not a traditional sequencer and I have a need for one.

got the batumi and love it,havent looked into firmware,how do you apply it to the batumi?

Batumi has a USB port. Download the zip file and follow the instructions in the readme file.

-- defragmenteur

thanks,might beworth trying out

Release is in 6 hours. Taking submissions all the way up until the end.

I used my Morphagene for the first time in ages on this one, ran a PO12 into it, and everything is loosely synced to it. Otherwise, the usual suspects are at play - Plumbutter, double Double Knots, Tetrax into Cocoquantus, and Mother-32.

The shop in Greece indeed still sells them but at what price...? Wow!

Hi Garfield - I just checked the synthesizer.gr link and they seem 'reasonable', how much were they before?

EDITED Apr 2nd 2021, 10:16

if you want to find the least noisy power supplies then look towards modular video synthesis - virtually all lzx modules up til this point are very susceptible to noise and up to much higher frequencies (MHz instead of KHz) - you can literaly see the noise on the video output - small blocks appear that shouldn't be there for example

the PSUs that are generally recommended for video are the Doepfer PSU3 and the TipTop studio bus - and Malekko used to do one, but have discoontinued it I think

of the power supplies I have:

The PSU in the Mantis is very similar to the studio bus and works perfectly well for video

The Befaco Excalibus also appears to do a great job

Frequency Central PSUs introduce noise - for me - horrible - but are perfectly fine for audio

Haven't tried the meanwell in my Bastl Marton case for video - may give it a quick go next time I re-arrange things - which could be within the next couple of months

From all accounts the Intellijel ones are not suitable for video

Regarding outputs - I live in europe so don't bother with one - the only reason I would get one is if I needed balanced ouputs - which I don't - and I use an es8 as an audio interface anyway - current output patch is master out of tex-mix into streams for compression into 2 multiples - each one patched to es8 (usb to iphone), a unity mixer (to create a mono mix for sensory translator) and attenuators to go to speakers (so I can reduce the volume without impacting the audio reactivity)

got the batumi and love it,havent looked into firmware,how do you apply it to the batumi?

Batumi has a USB port. Download the zip file and follow the instructions in the readme file.

also thought about looking into modules for adding "randomness"again preferrable smaller modules,without getting to cluttered,but in this regard im abit in the dark
-- Broken-Form

Batumi has an alternate expert firmware that add a bank of random waveforms.

-- defragmenteur

got the batumi and love it,havent looked into firmware,how do you apply it to the batumi?

also thought about looking into modules for adding "randomness"again preferrable smaller modules,without getting to cluttered,but in this regard im abit in the dark
-- Broken-Form

Batumi has an alternate expert firmware that add a bank of random waveforms.

EDITED Apr 2nd 2021, 09:11

I actually diy'ed a couple of those over the years 🤔
-- some_dude

For live performance purposes I believe...

I actually diy'ed a couple of those over the years 🤔

for now i have ditched the ES-9(might add it again though)but i ordered a blood cells d.o.mixx https://bloodcellsaudio.com/products/domixx

that should give my multitrack recording.also ordered the acid rain navigator,next thing on my order list is the tetra and tete
-- Broken-Form

what are you using as an audio interface?

-- JimHowell1970

im using a Presonus Studiolive 16.0.2

Haha the video was perfect!

Has anyone done any tests or have some user experience, what's your opinion on the best eurorack case, power and output module in terms of specs/sound?

I'm currently using an intellijel 7U TPS80W Max with nw2sio

The nw2s has been an improvement in sound for me as far as noise is concerned relative to the previous module that I was using which I shall not name.

Ofcourse every rack is different and performance is a matter of configuration, but let's say all things being equal and ergonomics/portability aside which power and output would you go with if looking for the highest fidelity?