Didn't know about pitch follower! It seems super cool considering that I would like to integrate the sound of my piano with a voice or two in my rack, so I'll add a disting for sure. Sampler is something that I'm considering for the future, I really like morphagene and 4ms DLD that can also loop.
Regarding the mic I thought that maybe I could use a mic connected to the mixer and send the piano signal from there to my modular through the FX send. The output from the modular would go in the FX return, so I would just need a little preamp in my case. I don't know if I explained myself well, do you see any problem in my idea that I'm too noob to see?
Anyway, thank you for your reply and your hints!

I'm just getting into Eurorack (and hardware modular in general), and I'm planning on purchasing an Arturia BruteRack 6U to work in conjunction with my Minibrute 2S. I'm a little confused though when it comes to power supply requirements: is there a specific pin-number ribbon cable I need for the 6U? Or is it more determined by the module? And where would I find out which ribbon cable I need? I keep looking on the info pages for individual modules, but can't really translate what it means for this.

Thanks for your time!

I would buy the case, Maths, Disting, Veils, one of the vcos (BIA or Plaits) and one of the effects units and start with that - I'd also add MI Links and Kinks (as a superb utility starter set - you need more utilities) - and learn those modules well (including a few from Disting)
that may leave you with some cash in your pocket for future purchases once you actually have played with a modular, and then go slow - it's not a race - when you are ready for another module - add one or 2 modules at a time*, learn how to integrate them with your existing modules and repeat

*some modules benefit from extra utilities to get the most out of them - clouds needs attenuators, for instance, so sometimes a couple of modules are a better purchase than just one

104hp is not a must - it may work out better value ($/hp) and stave off buying another case by a few months in the future, though

Personally I always recommend 6u 104hp as a good starter size

This will also allow you to buy an actual MI Rings - so the person who created it actually gets paid!

And I would go for an MI Marbles over a Turing Machine

Otherwise, just get your minimum viable synth (4 or 5 modules) and then go slowly, ignoring what you think you want now, for what you actually need once you've started patching - more utilities probably

Now you have an SD card - check out favourites - this allows you to group some algorithms together so that you can switch between them easily - and it makes it more likely that you will learn these, so not be so frustrated at having to use a manual / look up table most of the time

The menu is not particularly difficult to navigate, nor is it particularly complex, it's just big and lots of simple - too much to hold in your head at once - so don't try

Just remember that input 1 modulates the same param as the knob, input 2 is the main input other than that unless it's stereo input algo 3 is cv and that the bottom 2 are outputs and concentrate on your favourites, you'll remember them in a couple of weeks and then only need the manual if you need something out of the ordinary - Buchla conversion for example

Price in euros?

I agree with garfield get a bigger case - 6u / 104hp is a great starter size (and mantis is one of the best $/hp in eurorack)

I think I'd want a better mic input - Little Mikey is the only one I know of - but it will be a better bet than microphonie - at least you get the choice as to how bad it is depending on mic, placement etc as opposed to being forced down a particular route - plus phantom power should you need it

Another option would be Ears - which is an updated microphonie - which adds an envelope follower, which is quite useful
or a doepfer A119, this will take a dynamic mic, and it probably will distort, but it does have an envelope follower and a gate extractor

If I went for Little Mikey, I'd want to add an envelope follower (disting has one and a pitch follower)

Your output from clouds for example to a mixer will definitely work

With an original clouds (and a lot of clones) you will want attenuators for cv inputs

If it was me trying to do this I would go for the Little Mikey, Disting mk4 (envelope follower), Maths (or Rampage, I prefer Maths - google illustrated manual), MI Kinks and possibly a used Phonogene or a supercell, and add a filter - ripples is nice - I'd also want to look at sampler modules and how to trigger them whilst playing the piano - create a loop, process it and then re route the piano in so that you can process that differently (in the future perhaps)

And leave the rest of the case empty - it will fill up at some point in the future, probably just before it's time to buy another one!!!

ie get a few things that will allow you to do what you want to do - process your piano - and then slowly and organically grow from there, instead of planning all sorts of stuff

Yes Maths and veils first is a good start - then seriously take a look at links and kinks as the next 2 modules!
Veils will work perfectly for that application and for that matter the opposite (getting non-modular up to modular levels, as it has up to +20db gain)
It is unlikely that you will fry anything - most modules have input limiters which will clip the signal, to the range they specify, but will not fry at full modular levels, this generally applies to almost anything that you can stick a signal into - mixers and audio interfaces - you don't want that for these
But isn't that half the attraction of modular, that you can have a selection of whatever and mix and match?
Plaits has an lpg emulation, so the filter and vca are tied, you may not want this and want to just filter instead of use a vca, or the opposite, or have more control on the relationship between the filter and the vca (swap which is first, use different envelopes for the vca and the filter, etc)

not happy with @killian95
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/users/view/123606
the package never arrived and the tracking said the parcel returned to sender.
despite several attempts the french post never replied or he never filed a claim or didnt check for the parcel or i dont know - because HE ISNT REPLYING ANYMORE. his name is Killian Vaissade.

Vermona had something like that on display as a prototype at Superbooth last year IIRC. Hasn't turned up yet, though. You might want to try asking them about it.

Thank you!

I see the point about modulation: the more I have played, the more I miss some utilities indeed; having an envelope generator with a delay would would help, for example. So, MATHS and Veils first.
I've seen people using a VCA to reduce the signal level and connect it to a line input of a regular (non-modular) mixer or sound interface, do you know if I can do that with Veils? Not looking for a high quality sound in that case, but I'd rather not fry anything.

Regarding filters: minibrute already has one, so do I understand correctly that you'd plug Plaits into a filter? From what I see Plaits already has a low-pass filter built-in (although without direct CV input), so wouldn't that be a waste?

Hi Garfield, thanks for your reply!
For my piano input I thought I could use a contact mic and feed it through mikrophonie. I know it won't be super high quality but I don't mind it to sound lo-fi.
Regarding audio output I thought I could use an external mixer like a little Behringer one to have both headphones and L/R out, my idea would be to go out from clouds or from A-138b into the mixer, I've read that it can be done and that I don't need to attenuate the signal before feeding it into the external mixer.
Do you think that my idea for managing I/O is doable?

Hi Colo98,

Interesting idea of processing your acoustic piano but ehm... are you sure that modular will be the right solution? If yes, keep reading ;-)

As you indicated yourself, modular with just 84 HP is asking for trouble (space-wise). Go straight for 3 * 84 HP or 2 * 104 then at least you don't need straight away to buy yet another case.

I had a look at your rack but I can't find your audio (i.e. piano) input. Into which audio interface module does that go? I think you might have forgotten an audio input/output module? If you don't need a headphones output then Intellijel Audio Input/Output is a nice one.

Please carefully plan this rack since the limited space you have it will be very difficult to choose the correct modules for your need. On the other hand, once you got your rack, enjoy it :-)

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Exactly I got the same doubt if the user rating really works got the same
Bought a broken module and the person who sold me give me dump down to me Hahahah

I don’t think it’s good system maybe better a written feedback like discogs it’s better

I traded a module with him and it went OK, however he left a bad rating without ever telling me why which makes me doubt how great the new user rating is. I asked him why he rated like that earlier today, no response. I checked my old tracking, he must have gotten the module fine, weeks ago.

User men_chine is a crook!

This is a warning to alert fellow wigglers about this person.
I paid for a module last month (PP f/f) and then he/she/it disappeared. men_chine is still active on Modulargrid, updates rack layouts etc and the ad is still up for that same module.

-- vytis

-- doomglue

Hi Gcanta,

What does 4715 e and 3150 e mean?

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Edit: Remove typo

EDITED Jan 13th 2020, 01:31

Hi,
I'm planning my first rack, can you give me any advice or tell me if I'm missing something that I should consider? I would like to go in the direction of ambient/generative and also I would like to process the sound of my acoustic piano (that's why there's a mikrophonie). I know 84hp are a lot limited for what I want to do and I will probably expand in the future, but I want this to be my first goal into the modular world.
I'm unsure of having pico logic and also maybe I should consider changing something and adding a clock dedicated module, but I don't know if it's necessary since I could use rampage or tromso as a clock. Also I'm unsure if the DVCA is enough VCAs. What do you think about my choices for this little system?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

EDITED Jan 12th 2020, 21:33

I think the youtube videos linked in the manual are very good help.

The d0 delay module seem to do this.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/mungo-enterprises-d0

I use a Batumi which has quad and phase mode.

EDITED Jan 12th 2020, 18:51

4715 e
3150 e

EDITED Jan 12th 2020, 12:02

Perhaps a bit different than what you are envisioning, but Ornament and Crime has a program that will generate 4 lfo’s with defined phasing. I think its called Quadraturia.

Also, a hearty thumbs up for Octasource.

Bought a uo_c built and sold by @usefulnoise. Arrived packed safe and sound, solid build, and no issues upon testing. Very happy, would buy again!

Hi Y'all. This is my first build and i've put a fair amount of thought into it. I'd like to make sure I'm not missing any important components as I'm a modular noob. Open to suggestions to better my goals.

The case is 6u 84 hp. I really like the idea of this size, feels comfy and will fit in to my tight quarters. However I am open to expanding to 104 hp if I have to.
I'd like to voice the following in one patch.
* Bongos - Mainly by using the Zularic repetitor to strike one of my lowpass gates or use it to sequence the Anti-Oscillator and send that through the LPG

• Kick Drum - FIL-1 Low Frequency Resonator has a trig input i'd like to ring from the pulse expander of the Turing Machine.
• Harmonic Sub bass - STO should cover this I believe. I am planning to get an Arturia Key step to send gate out to the 1v/octave or use the volts expander of the turing machine.

*Strings/Plucks - The Rings clone would come into play here. Love its polyphony mode and overall character. Sequenced by the turning machine. I could see me sending it through the optomix or QPAS. I also feel the organic and complex tones from the Anti-Oscillator being complimentary and sequenced with the volts expander if using the Arturia for the STO. If ran through the L/R channels of qpas I can envision a duophonic sequence with a nice stereo image.

*soft/noisy/mircro percussion - There is a noise out on the turing machine. Could this be used to strike the optomix or even send straight to the output?

I will use Pams Workout as master clock and its additional outs for EG and various utilities as needed. Quantizing with Ornament and Crime. It also has a shift register which could be cool. Maths for its various functions as needed (Lfo, slew, EG, EF, Attenuator, Inverter) Quad VCA by intelligel and another in the ADSR module by SSF. I have the "Bad Idea" to attenuate signals to line level which I would like to send to an external mixer for eq, panning, and performing as well as to an Octatrack for FX. I'm not sure that is a good way to go about it. I do like the idea of having up to 8 individual outs tucked into my last remaining 14 hp though...

I hope to be able to use this as a standalone device as well as a source for samples. (My main background is the groovebox workflow and could see this as a sound design tool for that type of thing) In the future it might be nice to build a box with a touch controller and some switches.

Is there anything critical I am missing? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
Much Love,
- G

EDITED Jan 12th 2020, 03:29

Hi Worstname,

If you go to your specific rack that you want to show us, you copy that URL into this conversation here, that should work, but please make sure that if you had it set to "Private" that that is switched off. But I can see your rack actually (by the way Defragmenteur mentioned here above). And here is the link to your rack, if I am not mistaken:

(I tested it in the preview possibility when doing a post and it seems to work)

Yes, exactly! That's what I miss a bit with the A4 as well, the input-trigger possibility :-) Other than that all quite fine. Oh yes, and if I could change something to the A4, the direction of the sequencer with a few options like backwards, back & fro, random, etcetera.

Why not the Intellijel case 7U then? That's a travel case and you got the nice 1U row as well for the util modules, saving you space for the 3U modules. And in the (far) future when that case is full you can consider yet another one of that, still easy to travel with them and they can be mounted together quite nicely!

Thanks a lot, I just need to find more time to play more with the A4 and discover all its possibilities.

Good luck with the planning and have fun :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

It’s a little silly to post your module over and over for each of its functions, don’t you think?

Personally I'd choose the mantis over the rackbrute for a few reasons - I don't like it aesthetically and it uses a power input module that reduces the amount of hp available immediately, the mantis is also efffectively 33hp bigger (power is 5hp)
However, as you are a minibrute owner, I can also see the appeal of it... and it can be connected to the minibrute and there's a bag
that fits both together and it's a bit cheaper
As for modules - to start with I would concentrate on modulation and utility as that will add most to the minibrute
So I'd either go for maths (or Pams) and a quad cascading vca (the intellijel that you mentioned, but also look at veils)
I'd also get mutable links and kinks as they are such a great utility started package
Then and only then would I consider adding an extra voice - plaits is a pretty decent choice - especially as you could use the model selection cv input to sequence the model - so you can hit it quite fast and change the percussion instrument between hits
Then I think I'd be tempted to grab an analog filter, probably a multi-mode one, and whichever of Pams or Maths I didn't get earlier
And a disting!!! - it's just so handy to have, really, really useful
And then some basic utilities - sequential switch, clock divider, maybe a matrix mixer
But go slowly and have fun

Thanks reidv, I wasn't super clear. Yeah I'll just be daisy chaining a flying bus cable onto the existing ones in each row. My consumption is about 2500 and there is 3.75 amps available, so as long as the daisy chaining itself doesn't cause a problem, I think I'll be ok because there's more than enough power available.

The case is 3 rows of 126 hp, but only provides 12 outlets (per flying bus cable) per row, and each module would have to average over 10 hp to fill that, which doesn't seem right. So I kinda think this is what you're supposed to do...

Its fine to just daisy chain a flying bus cable, as long as the power supply can provide enough amps, and the it won't be a problem (the same goes for AC power strips, although if ur already using up the power, obviously you can't magically get more by adding another) I reckon it might be better to install a passive bus board, I just looked in the manual and theres mounting holes for a few different manufacturers' bus boards. They're still pretty cheap, and lots of people prefer them for noise/convenience reasons, it's a bit nicer to plug modules into a fixed port than one thats dangling on another cable. But yeah daisy chaining them is fine and won't cause any serious issues

Good :)

But its OK to do if...?

You simply enjoy it.
You like the experimentation.
You occasionally make something that sounds good.
You can cope that you can never get back to that ace patch you did a while back.
You sell other things in your life that you don't use to fund your modular.
You can cope with not buying everything at once.
....and you don't have to be good at something to enjoy it.
-- wishbonebrewery
Yep!

But its OK to do if...?

You simply enjoy it.
You like the experimentation.
You occasionally make something that sounds good.
You can cope that you can never get back to that ace patch you did a while back.
You sell other things in your life that you don't use to fund your modular.
You can cope with not buying everything at once.
....and you don't have to be good at something to enjoy it.

I just purchased a Frap Uno case (Yay!), but there aren't enough power jacks provided in each row to accommodate my modules.

The Uno case provides 3.75 Amps. (All of the modules that I'll be putting in this case are less than 2.5 Amps total)

Do I simply add a flying bus cable with additional outlets onto the end outlet of each row? If so, are there any precautions I need to take? Will I be loading all of the additional power through one outlet, and would this cause problems? Or does the circuitry function in a way that I don't understand? (common sense says don't plug your household power strips into fully-loaded power strips just so you can power more things!)

EDITED Jan 10th 2020, 22:01

5 "No...no, it won't. Nor will any other piece of equipment you happen to be able to afford (see #2 above). And in all truth, modular will wind up frustrating you even more as a musician if you don't have a clear vision for your work."

I wish I had read this years ago. I would highly suggest to those who are in financial straights to steer clear of modular altogether.

Five years will go by, and you will have sacrificed many important things in your life to spent thousands of dollars on a modular rack.

When things hit rock bottom, you will realize that you are not special or talented in the realm of music, no matter how beautiful you personally think that patch is.

The truth is that your work is just mediocre, like most things modular, honestly. It hurts to admit that to yourself, but sometimes we have to accept facts that will help us become better in this world as opposed to fantasies that will only destroy us.

If you can afford to purchase a new car every year and not worry about it, feel free to get into modular. If you barely make ends meet, stay away from modular. You will be better off throwing your cash into a fucking bonfire, because at least if you did that, it would be something people would talk about and remember for a little while, unlike your eurorack based music.

And then one day you'll find
Ten years have gone behind you

Don't make the same mistake I made. It doesn't matter how much you love music. Not everybody should be a part of it. Don't waste your life away chasing something you have no business being a part of.

Save your money. Become financially responsible. Live life and experience the great things this world has to share. Make and keep good friends. Spread love. Having a modular by itself will bring you none of these things.

EDITED Jan 10th 2020, 17:59

Hi,
I've got the semi-modular MiniBrute 2s and I'm looking for a reasonable way to expand it to modular setup. I currently route its output into VCV Rack and add extra stuff: mostly rhythm section (perc/bass) and effects; sometimes other voices. This is all fun, but it's not really a hybrid modular setup: I just route one audio channel from Minibrute into VCV rack. I enjoy fiddling the actual knobs, so I'd like to start assembling the case that would shift the weight from DAW more into hardware, maybe eventually getting rid of the PC completely. This is not supposed to be a live setup any time soon.

Now, I would be grateful for advice on rack construction there. My plan so far:

1. For the second voice or rhythmic sounds, get Mutable Instruments Plaits. Everyone loves Plaits :D
2. Something for triggering percussive Plaits with. I was thinking about either Pamela's New Workout or Grids. How should I choose? I was leaning towards PNW, because I can also use it for all kinds of modulation (LFO/random); Minibrute 2s has nice sequencer, but the modulation is a bit limited (e.g. LFO's have no offset).
3. Modulation. In VCV rack, I sometimes do simple CV manipulations, e.g. modulate envelope output with an LFO, so I would need something for that. I was considering IntelliJel Quad VCA, because it seems quite versatile (both lin and exp, and is a mixer), but I'm not sure if that's not an overkill this early. Or perhaps just save for Maths instead?
4. For effects, keep the poor man's output to DAW for the moment. I think adding a reverb/delay as a last step is rather easy in the DAW. Later on maybe Clouds? I know a lot of people use Expert Sleepers Disting, but as long as I have a PC in the loop anyway I don't see a benefit of using it.
5. More percussion? I like twisted rhythms in general, and I'm worried that I will not have enough drums&clicks. In VCV rack, I make extensive use of 16-step trigger sequencers with all kinds of sound sources. I was thinking about Basimilus Iteritas Alter, but I've read that it tends to dominate the patch and that it's crunchy; I'd rather do something smooth/soft and I may be short on VCAs/attenuators to make that happen. I would totally use a module that has two trigger inputs and produces two different sounds there, so that I can patch two PNW outputs there. Does such a thing exist? Or can I just keep hitting Plaits four times a second and still make it sound nice?
6. For sequencing... Nothing, at the moment. Minibrute has a 4-track sequencer, and each of these tracks can be of any type; with PNW being a good trigger/modulation source, I can devote 3 or even 4 tracks of Minibrute for pitch sequencing.
7. Case - I should have probably started with this - everyone keeps saying "get a bigger case", so I guess I'll skip the single-row episode and go for a 6U.

I haven't bought anything yet, so it's a good time to point out everything :)
Ah, I should mention that I don't have a dedicated studio, so I have to set up my gear on a table for every session, and then clean it up. As far as I understand this means I should not get the cheapest cases; I was thinking about RackBrute 6U or TipTop Mantis.

Now, I'm not going to do all of this at once; I'd do this one item at a time and see how it goes - since I'm starting with Minibrute, I can immediately plug any new modules and fool around. I would be very grateful for any comments and hints, though.

I finally decided to live the dream.
Started with some nice VSTi's like Z3TA+ 2 and Diva by Uhe. Still nice but then wanted to know more so I got
ahold of Syntorial. Excellent. But then...
Well all of you know, theres that itch for hardware. Not just any hardware, that "Dream of Wires" hardware.
So I have lists now, I'm taking my time and doing it right. I know there is no one size fits all in this, and
thats part of its charm. So let me tell you my goal(s) and maybe start there.
I want to do generative music, and have stereo output. However I want the /option/ to be able to connect in
my midi keyboard and use it that way if I want. At least two voices, probably more like three but I can build
up. Eurocrack is only sort of a joke. I haven't even started and I want every other module I see reviewed on
Youtube. As for a case, right now I don't care about the asthetics, I'll build one myself, or get a cheap one
with power. I'm imagining 9U by 104HP but thats a guess at this point.
Budget? Well, this years I'll get a bonus at work for about 1200$.
The thing that hooked me was when I saw RF Nomad. I've always loved those sorta shortwave sounds in
certain analog synth bits and wow, why not just put the shortwave directly in there?
I know y'all probably get someone coming along like this all the time but any suggestions, comments, advice
for how to start strong with these goals in mind would make me a happy boy. Thanks!

Maths Bouncing Ball Patch with a twist. Standard Bouncing Ball patch using Plaits in Wavetable algorithm + filtered noise from Mother 32. Bouncing ball is then duplicated into the delay time of Eventide Euro DDL, and EOC into Clock input. The sound source into the DDL is the raw Pulse wave from Mother 32 with some Linear FM applied to it.

EuroDDL Delay Attenuation (INVERT+DELAY KNOB) to 400ms

EDITED Jan 10th 2020, 05:34

My current rack is like this: https://imgur.com/a/tbfHnnq

What modules I can add to it to extend the sound possibilities of Moogs?

FH-2 is sending sequences (also can act like LFO), so I don't need a sequencer and not planning to create a self-contained generative system (I want generate this from computer).
Using that module, I can also send sequences from some gear like Digitakt.

Also, I can send 2 outputs from my audio interface using Ableton's CV tools for some purposes.

The universal thing I want to add is a Disting MK4. But what else?

I thought about adding a Maths, but it is pretty big for this small skiff, so it should be reasonable.

If matters, I'm creating melodic ambient-atmospheric stuff, but I want to keep it somewhat universal to use as instrument, but for sound design purposes too.

EDITED Jan 10th 2020, 00:49

Hi GarfieldModular,

at first thank you for your detailed answer. If you give me a hint how i correctly integrate the rack with working links i will do so. At first i tried it with the URL to my rack but it was showing nothing at all. A link to the screenshot made the rack visible at least.

Yes, i'm certainly more drawn towards the more "fancy" modules. I own a Minitaur, a blackbox and a TB-3 besides the already mentioned Tr-8s and Analog Four. So i have already a little bit of the classical Stuff going on and went for something else with the proposed rack. But a logic module is an interesting idea and i will have a look into those again.

The mkII Version of the A4 actually has two control inputs. Each of those can be routed to 5 Parameters and you can route them to nearly everything. One thing i want to do with the Maths module is using the slew limiter to build some kind of ducking effect on the A4 with the triggers from the TR-8s. Sadly the control inputs can be used only for CV and expression pedals, but not for triggers.

The Rene is not set in stone. Maybe i want a more traditional and less space requiring sequencer like the Hermod. For the start i would focus on other modules and use the A4 for that kind of sequencing duties.

A more "musical" approach to randomness would be a Marbles instead of the Wogglebug, but it's using quite a lot space in my opinion. Some randomness should be included in the rack.

I don't like to have a bigger rack size, because everything should be a least a little bit transportable. When i need more space i would invest in a second case and find some kind of loose arrangement of those cases. I can't acquire all modules at once, so there will be free space in the beginning if i change my mind on some modules. Any advice which modules would be the best starting point? I thought about one row of 104 HP in the beginning and the second row over the next half year.

Thanks a lot again for your insights and advices. I wish you much fun with the A4. It's a quite flexible device in small form factor. You can do a lot with it once you’re familiar with the interface.

Kind regards
Worstname

happy to buy from @nosp. quick delivery, well packed and mint condition!

EDITED Jan 9th 2020, 14:34

thanks to @nnop. quick delivery, well packed and mint condition!

Hi Defragmenteur,

Great, thanks a lot for the hint, didn't realise that yet :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

GarfieldModular, you can see a user public racks when you click on his username.

Just bought an ornament & crime module from Virgil. Great attention, super nice transaction and great built quality. Highly recommended.

Nothing in here so difficult to reply to something that's not mentioned ;-)

Hi Worstname,

Ha, ha, I like your name :-) !

Well... I can see your rack as a picture image but not as a link to your rack. So please allow people to have a look at your rack and provide the link to your rack. Then I can have a more detailed look at it.

My first few impressions:

Yes your rack looks nice but for my personal taste a bit too many "nice & good looking modules" used and less focused on classic components, the "famous but partly boring ones like" VCOs, LFOs, EGs, filters, VCAs and other stuff like a logic module or something else to make your rack a bit more spicy :-)

I recognise the Maths module, certainly nice but a bit pity to use it "only" as a dual or semi-quad EG. René is certainly a nice module, it's also on my wishlist but it uses a lot of HP space and you might want to focus instead on other components first and then later with more (modular) experience looking into those "real nice modules" ;-)

Also found the Tempi in your rack, yes that's definitely a nice module, I use that one myself and I like it, so that one you can keep in your planning first.

Do I see there the Wogglebug as well? Funny and weird thing. I just got that module myself and just played a few days ago with it. Man what a module, it's difficult to tame that thing but I believe once one got more experience with using it, you can do some really weird and nice stuff with it. However to start with a module like that? I would rather start with the STO of Make Noise, that's a nice VCO and though it might look simple but after using the STO for a while one will realise that's a damn good oscillator.

By the way, we can shake hands regarding your Elektron A4, I just got recently one too. Nice device! I love the user interface and the decent quality of just using it, fantastic! I am still practicing with it. Yes it got 4 CVs/gates out and you need that. It sounds a lot but personally I feel a device never can have enough CV/gate outputs :-) Still... I am missing CV ins and gate inputs (or a clock input) on the A4, a real missed chance I think. So controlling with your A4 a modular system, yes that's feasible. However controlling with your modular an A4 (without using MIDI) that's difficult or just not possible; so I feel that's a bit of a pity other than that: A4 versus modular, yeah great! :-D

So in general please consider following:

• Check out the classic components and see if you can use a bit more of those and a bit less of the "fancy" ones
• Check out the rack size you are going to plan. You planned now already a full rack, so no space for extension. The "issue" with modular is that you always need more HP space. I planned a huge HP rack space and just recently got it full (seriously in no time it was full), not knowing what to do now, my hands in my hair so to speak (I am overdoing this here a bit but keep an eye on your HP space) --> thus plan a bigger one either plan to start with for example an Intellijel 7U case so you can extend it in the future with yet another same rack (there are rack plates on the market from Intellijel to connect two such cases; nice combination!) Or straight away plan something bigger like a Doepfer A-100 LC9 PSU3 (3 * 84 HP) or even better a Doepfer A-100 (3 * 168 HP) it's the most cost efficient rack if you look at $ or Euro per HP.
• Plan also free space in your rack, so let's assume you get yourself a rack with 3 rows, keep at least one row free when you start into modular, so you have at least some initial space to extend without the need to buy a new rack

Modular is quite different from your A4, they are so to speak two different worlds, both are fantastic if you can value the positives (and accept the negatives). Once you got into Modular, wow, it's so great, especially in your case in combination with the A4, heaven opens to you ;-)

Welcome to modular, careful with the planning though, few thousand bucks is nothing in modular and wrong planning means bye bye bucks. Make sure that what you plan, is what you need and want. On the other hand don't worry to make mistakes too much, it's part of modular too, as long as you are open to learn from mistakes, with future extension planning you can then improve your modular system.

Good luck and kind regards,

Garfield Modular.

Edit: Update a typo.

EDITED Jan 9th 2020, 08:06

Hi Beardobees,

Perhaps the fuse solved your problem? Now slowly start using one by one or batch of a few modules by a batch of a next few modules, to see what caused it? Most likely your power consumption was too high when you switched on the system. I managed at home to blow out the (automated) fuse on the electric circuit I am running my modular system. I am nowadays slowly powering on one by one my racks to avoid blowing a fuse.

I know, your case is a slightly bit different because you blew the fuse inside the Doepfer case. It's still the same though, too much power consumption at once (especially during the startup it consumes more power). Check if you can move a round a bit with high power usage modules to another PSU to balance it better. If you have already everything nicely balanced then it means that you total power consumption is too high, hence adding a new rack (with higher PSU capacity) might do the trick.

I am not sure by heart (but it's mentioned on the doepfer.de site) when Doepfer updated the PSUs of their racks, anyway, the newer Doepfer racks have the PSU generation 3 units and they can handle more power. I got already those newer Doepfer racks so that's why I don't have a problem with the racks itself but with my electric circuit providing the power to the racks ;-)

Good luck with the troubleshooting and kind regards,

Garfield Modular.

max 500mA

EDITED Jan 8th 2020, 19:56

Hi Diego,
Thanks a lot for your response it opened my eyes on few factors and it was greatly helpful. I have to agree with you with everything you said, thus I had to change my setup a bit. Also to answer your question, I was messing around a bit with VCV Rack but certainly not enough. I will spend more time with it although I still would like to order first modules pretty soon.

https://i.imgur.com/o8L85kA.png

So this is how my current setup looks like but honestly, first I am mainly focusing on modules that I plan to buy soon as there are too many things to talk about otherwise. My first modules would be: Rings, Clouds, Varigate 4+ and Quadratt 1U.

I guess it should be enough to start my modular working? I chose Varigate instead of New Workout because of the integrity with Voltage Block which might become handy in the future.

I know that I am a bit messy in my ideas here but modulars is such a huge topic that I think that it would really work well for me if I could actually start creating my patches using some modules. I have a very strong urge to start having trials and errors even if it means losing a bit of money.

Regards,
Rajmund

EDITED Jan 8th 2020, 19:48

This looks fun, Plaits & BIA give you a lot of sonic possibilities. The FH-2 looks like a good way to get MIDI to the sound sources, what are you going to use to get clock and do sequencing etc?

It's a common refrain to mention tight rack space as a drawback. I can also see a benefit in that the constraints of less hp means that more research and planning will go into a careful choice of modules—and (by necessity) will tend to yield a quite focused rack.

If there are a few modules that you end of replacing or adding as you go, and you run out of rack space, the extra modules can go on the shelf for a future, bigger rack, or an additional rack. There are more and more affordable rack options becoming available. Not a huge problem to tackle.

Also there are space-saving micro plaits to consider, I have the Tall Dog one that comes in at 8hp.

Have fun & keep us posted

Hi there !

Didn't know about Tim Hecker, pretty nice sounds, thanks for sharing :)

With regards to your rack, I would personally miss at least a few VCA's, a clock source (I don't know the Voltage Block that well but Steppy won't advance without a clock, Pamela's New Workout would provide that and some more, or you could just use of Maths' channels in cycling mode) as well as a mixer since in your plan there seems to be no way to hear all your sound sources at the same time... Also, what was the reasoning behind the buffered mult, what do you plan to use it for ? These are generally only used when you need a very precise copy of a signal, otherwise inline mults could do and save you both space and money. Finally, as a very personal choice, I would not go for a Zeroscope in such a small setup. For me, but that's just me, an oscilloscope is needed when creating very complex signals, I don't think I would get a lot of use out of it for a "small" setup like yours, although that may be due to my lack of experience with such devices.

If you want to start with just a few modules based on the above, I would go for the classic Rings into Clouds + Steppy and Voltage Block for sequencing, some fun to be had experimenting with these very deep and complex modules I think, although I have never owned any of those except Steppy in my setup.

Have you tried VCV Rack ? It's free and while you might not want to make music on a computer in the long run, I found that some time with it helped me understand some modular synthesis concepts before diving into the actual pool. It's a rather good option as it allows to better decide for yourself where you want to go, rather than entirely relying on advice from the interwebz.

Hope this helps !

Cheers,
Diego

Received a VSL VCF-74 from @He_lium. Super quick service and everything as expected. Top draw, thanks!