All Posts

I'm not understanding the point of Hazel's post. It seems to be hyper-critical of those who responded a year ago.

To shed some light on my take on the community: we're not sales people. This isn't a music store. We're not going to make a recommendation without giving some background. There will be side conversations related to the original post but straying away a little from the original post. That happens in most casual conversations. Lugia has a valid point regarding making ambient music. It's not the module du jour that makes a genre work. It's the knowledge acquired producing it.

In my short experience with modular, there's a large segment of new people who seek out specific modules but do not have the experience or knowledge to create a system around those modules that will work as a viable creative platform. So the conversation centers around someone putting together a collection of attractive modules with no infrastructure built in to actually make them work as a cohesive instrument.

Besides criticism of other members and their decades of experience... what are you offering to this year old thread?

Something to think about.

i recommend @toneburst. great builder and a kind and uncomplicated seller, cheers!

I was wondering if anyone used Neutron Sound QAT and/or QVCA ?
QVCA seems to be the classical OTA/TL0X4 design which from other modules I've tried is a bit blurry (for audio) when compared to say Veils..
For CV duties I think I could be better off with the quad attenuverter.

thanks to @rsillsley and @wazou, both very kind sellers who helped me begin this amazing journey into eurorack with modules in great conditions

Lol indeed!

Let’s recap what happened here as it seems perfectly illustrative of how modular grid can be at its worst.

The OP asks a very straightforward question looking for suggestions for modules that would be helpful for making ambient music. They receive a straightforward reply: “Rings, Clouds, Morphagene! These 3 are practically necessities in the 'Ambient Modular' genre...”

And then Lugia, apparently feeling slighted (that’s the only explanation that makes some sense), sarcastically remarks that they should quit making ambient music since they haven’t used those… that none of their “15+ albums of ambient work are valid anymore.”

Honestly, could it have been any more OBVIOUS that placebo92 was being suggestive and just trying to help? How anyone could interpret their response as implying that one needs those three modules to make ambient music is crazy!

Lugia then writes that a belief that certain equipment is necessary is a great way to kill one’s creativity. While there’s certainly truth to that, is this not a forum dedicated to helping people learn about equipment? Within this context, how helpful is that sort of comment? And that question is actually a bit of a tangent, since my main issue here is the fact that this thread became pretty much totally hijacked and did little to help the OP (hence their very understandable reply above). Modular synths are a pretty specific instrument… Might it be beneficial to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume there’s a good reason they’ve decided to invest all of the time, money, and effort required to use one, instead of, say, choosing to use a contact mic with a slinky?

Lugia clearly know a lot about gear, but I’m also reminded of professors who know their subject well and still make awful teachers. This is not the first time (or second or third, etc) that I’ve read their posts and found them not only unhelpful but actually discouraging.

IMO advice should always be taken with handfuls of salt, but... If you’re on this forum and reading this there’s probably a good reason. And… (referencing many other threads here), there are worse things than putting together a modular setup that lacks VCAs and envelope generators, or buying a module and having to return or sell it cuz it doesn’t do what you were hoping, or even spending thousands of dollars and countless time only to realize you’d be better off with a Pringles can. My point is these “mistakes” may be frustrating while they’re happening but they’ll also likely be priceless learning experiences that ultimately help define what you’re after.

Hi Ronin,

Yeah! That demo "says" it all, doesn't it? :-) So when are we going to the shop and buy it? ;-) Still my question stands regarding a convertor module for it... or how are you going to use it with modular?

Kind regards and thanks for sharing the above link, Garfield.

Hi Groc,

Please read the posts in this forum under the Rack section this post: "Why your 6U x 84 generative rig won't work", that's very useful to people new into modular. Please also consider to plan a (much) bigger casing. Please also read other posts in the Rack section to get an idea of what other new persons to modular came across.

Please try to plan less "fancy" or "sexy" modules however more classic components (they might look boring, they do look boring but you seriously need them) like VCOs, VCFs, EGs, LFOs, VCAs, etcetera.

The Arturia Keystep is a good start to get a sequence into your modular. Don't forget to look at an audio input/output module. The Eurorack signals are not 100% compatible with the audio signals so the best way to go is for an audio input/output module. But if you really plan to go for an Intellijel case (take the 7U, not the 4U), then that should be fine.

Good luck with reading, investigating, understanding (check/ask here if any info required) and planning your modular system, and please try to read the entire posts in the Rack section of this forum. Try to avoid the "TL;DR" principle ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Moderator,

Yes that would be great! Separately from the rack it would be good to be enable it for the public or keep it private (that note I mean).

Thank you very much and kind regards, Garfield.

To "fix" your system there aren't any small adjustments to be made. That's the point we're trying to express. To make your proposed system worthwhile in the limited amount of space really isn't workable. We have to add functionality and there's just no space to do that. A larger case would make it possible. Until there is more space, you're not going to get anywhere.

For what you have here... you'd be better off buying a semi-modular synth and a simple desktop sampler. It will be less expensive and complete.

If you're going to do this all in the confines of Eurorack, you're going to need a bigger budget and a bigger case. Sorry to be that blunt about it. But there's no making this build work with just a couple of tweaks.

Thanks guys for your replies. I really understand your points of view and what you're meaning. Despite that I don't want to leave my modular departure before taking off (I've left numerous times). From your answers I perceived I really need more control over this system, of course through smaller useful modules. From where I need to start? Or...maybe, from where I can cut? Can I maybe remove the 4ms sampler? Actually I don't have a sampler in the studio and this is why I put it inside. Speaking clearer, I'm really an open mind musician and I was looking to a no controllable system (or i can say less controllable, obviously in a good and enhancing way...). I would make a system with more than one master clock, no related each one, and where I can experiment with melodies, my only beloved need in music. I put math because I read it should be the first modulator in a system. I know i'm following some intuitions, of course I gave too much importance to the single module and the whole system is now "unusable". What would you suggest? Could you please give me some "small" adjustments and try to make this system usable? Thanks for your time and your full answers.

I'm looking for a vector space quite some now; I'll definitely snatch one if it pops up in a good price!Seems like a well though out module..
Batumi and Zadar are nice dedicated LFOs/EGs.
I'm quite pleased with O&C quad LFOs which is less than half their price..
I don't quite like the envelopes on the O&C though, I don't like the Peaks' envelopes either; can't exactly express why they just don't feel "right"/snappy enough..
My other gripe with Batumi is that it's basic signals only and I think I'm quite covered on those with my two Stages..
I should take a closer look to Tides v2, it seems more useful than Tides v1.

-- belzrebuth

Now is a good time to buy as we're getting into Black Friday sales. Check out Perfect Circuit if you're in the USA.

If you're looking for snappy EGs, you'll probably have to go with analog envelope generators the Z4000 EGs from Tip Top are designed to be very snappy. The Z4000's also include controls for scaling as well as attenuverting the output (negative envelope generators, or EGs that start out negative range and peak in positive... you get the idea.

I've found the Batumi to be pretty useful in a small footprint. If you have alternatives then its redundant... but an option. If I'm looking for a "less basic" LFO, I have VCOs that get far down into that range and with some additional modulation can create some interesting LFOs.

I'm looking for a vector space quite some now; I'll definitely snatch one if it pops up in a good price!Seems like a well though out module..
Batumi and Zadar are nice dedicated LFOs/EGs.
I'm quite pleased with O&C quad LFOs which is less than half their price..
I don't quite like the envelopes on the O&C though, I don't like the Peaks' envelopes either; can't exactly express why they just don't feel "right"/snappy enough..
My other gripe with Batumi is that it's basic signals only and I think I'm quite covered on those with my two Stages..
I should take a closer look to Tides v2, it seems more useful than Tides v1.

Thank you again Ronin 1973

In between jobs and X-mas is looming in a not to far distance meaning some obligations money wise, so I'll bring your advice to myself into the next year some time.

Small builds are a lot harder to plan out than large builds. There are more factors stacking up against you. You need a lot of knowledge of modular to pull it off and get what you need out of your build.

If you're new to modular, it might seem counter-intuitive. But a larger build is going to be much more forgiving and give you what you want and need for more generalized and beginner purposes. A smaller set-up will be less expensive by the shear token that there are fewer components. But it's moot if the components you put together won't give you the functionality that you're going to need.

This is a common problem and misconception when planning your first rack: "oh, I'll go smaller to save some money." But you end up spending a fair amount of coin for results that will be less than pleasing unless you absolutely know what you're doing.

The K2 is on my short-list. I watched the Perfect Circuit demo of it. There are some modern applications and sounds you can get out of it... as well as some of those fat early 1980's funk and R&B sounds. But the Perfect Circuit demo seemed pretty tasty to me.

Modulation and an all-black rig.

Okay...
Worng Electronics Vector Space - combining modulation sources for interesting results
Xaoc Batumi and Poti in their alternate black face-plates - quad digital LFO with expander.
Xaoc Zadar in black face-plate. Quad digital envelope generator. An expander is also available for this (don't know name).

You can get smaller versions of most of the Mutable Instruments stuff if you're okay with smaller knobs.

The micro version of the Temps Utile is 8HP. It offers up to 6 channels of Euclidean rhythms, gate sequencing, clocks, clock dividing/multiplying, etc.

Maths makes for great slew limiting since the rising and falling slopes can be slewed at different rates. You could also use a Befaco Rampage instead. It depends what other features you'd also like to have on-tap.

3)
I PM'd this earlier as a bug prevented me from posting. MG fixed it so now it is here 8 )

Hi Ronin and thank's for your input.

I have several setts of glasses and a dual music stand light by M&K that can run by USB or normal power outlets.
Anyway, my case is filling up so I will get another case, probably the new Nifty by Cre8audio after x-mas some time.
I'm more into ambient stuff so complex rhythm's are not that important to me, but yes euclidean circles modules are wherry intriguing but I will prioritize a Intellijel VCA and Joranalog slew limiter.
In case you need a LPG i found this one:
https://www.siammodular.com/takaab-2lpg-dual-passive-low-pass-gate-eurorack-synthesizer-module
Btw. I got all my modules except the Data either secondhand or on sale, so the order of my acquisitions is not that logical.

EDITED Nov 18th 2019, 16:47

2)
I PM'd this earlier as a bug prevented me from posting. MG fixed it so now it is here : D

Hi W Mr Lugia
Still can't reply in the tread. Have reported this but no reply yet, so that's why I PM you again.
Thank's once again for your time and valuable input. Yes that Intelljel VCA is something I'v tried to get hold on a few times. Something with that boost that would be useful for connecting external devices.
The case is filling up so I will probably go for a Cre8audio Nifty case in the beginning of next year.
I will also build a tiny case for passive/unpowered modules. I got a quad Atten and the Takaab LPG looks interesting with it's great reviews and low price.
I also got Xaoc Warna and Belgrade for a wherry good price since last.
One last thing. I got all my modules except Data either secondhand or on sale until now.
Thank you once again.

EDITED Nov 18th 2019, 16:46

1)
I PM'd this earlier as a bug prevented me from posting. MG fixed it so now it is here : )

Hi and thank you for your comments. I wanted to reply in that tread, but for some reason the wheel of hell is just spinning.
Anyway, sorry that I did not make it clear that this is my current rack for real, and silly me also forgot to mention that I already got two Mother 32's and a Dreadbox Nyx + a Zoma Lyra 8 and pedals that I use with the rack.
I acquired all my modules on the secondhand market and sales except the Data. Clouds was the first after the second Mother. The Data is the newest and has actually thought and helped me much in getting my head around things. Maybe because I'm educated in visual arts and started with music late in life..
After I played with Volkas I can't stand tiny modules/potentiometers. My sight is also not that good anymore, that's why Data and not O'Tool.
After I'v filled up this case the plan is to get another 104hp, but before that I will probably swap Elements for Rings and maybe Contour is a bit to big for what it does..

EDITED Nov 18th 2019, 16:44

Yea! Thank you
Looks like a cat to me

EDITED Nov 18th 2019, 16:48

That is a test message that should proove, that the eternal spinning bug on quotes is fixed. E.G. comments are working again on rack view.

Only just been alerted to this thread.

Thanks to the following, all a pleasure to deal with, accurately described, and well packaged.

@GordonBleu for the Cursus Iteritas (it sounds evil)
@SleepyStevo for the 171-2v
@Silo99 for the 124
@Con_Radius for getting me started on this journey with my first purchase, Warps. It still surprises me on the daily what it's capable of

This would only require me to purchase a A-140-2 and build a second O&C and a kinks.
I think this would be a more balanced setup altough this time I feel I would require one or two signal generators but peaks could provide a starting point if a patch is geared towards percussion.

idk why but the image is still showing the old rack ..

EDITED Nov 17th 2019, 17:52

Hello,
Very new to Eurorack.
I am looking to make music that is melodic, percussive and experimental.
I want to have a lot of diversity, functionality in a small rack.
I will be using this with both my Arturia Keystep (step sequencer) and Lifeforms SV-1 Blackbox addition (so it will not use any hp space).
Any advice on additional modules not needed or needed, cross over that I might not be seeing etc.
Thank you.

Reminder to myself: add a note section to the racks

Hi Lugia and Ronin,

Thanks for your help and for all the information. I looked at replacing the 8 HP mixer with the Happy Nerding 6 HP one, but there still wasn't quite enough room for the Nebulae on the bottom. I was racking my brain, so to speak, and had a very unoriginal idea: adding more space. With a third, separate rack in front (Pittsburgh Cell DC with +12V 900mA), I'd have plenty of power for the ER-301 and the Catalyst, and could also play it separately from the rest of the rack: on the couch or at a cafe, or possibly even on a couch at a cafe.

With the top two rows, I added the Magneto and two Xaoc modules. The total +12V consumption for those two rows, (with the Nebulae on 5V) is 727mA, which seems to be sufficiently safe.

But is it too safe? I mean, from a sampling/sound design perspective? I realize this is much more subjective territory, but the Magneto is taking up a lot of real estate, relatively. And while I love the look of the two Xaoc modules together, and the potential for slow and evolving modulation, maybe I could replace one of them with something more wild and/or crazy? As for digital vs. analog modules, this rack seems to be on the extreme digital end, which I don't mind if it's not distractingly noisy.

I had planned on just getting the ER-301 and the ES-8 to play around with Mutable stuff on VCV Rack, but now I'm in full modular avarice mode. Realistically, there are going to be gaps on the rack while I try to make up my mind and get good deals. The ER-301 is the one module I'm married to, and which will hopefully arrive next month. The Catalyst and Expert Sleepers stuff has been ordered. The rest, except for the headphone out, is still mostly up in the air.

Thanks again for your help.

Tyson

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules__racks/data_sheet/1052041

EDITED Nov 17th 2019, 00:41

Thanks for your insight Lugia..
Really appreciate your constructive criticism and I'm not that proud to admit that I really liked how all these black and gold panels look together; but was often frustrated when patching as there was always something missing..

On to your points:

1) More VCAs (I have the 132-3s I could use and maybe get another Veils down the road as I like how clean it is)
2) Ditch Shelves and Rings; use Ripples and Wasp VCF for EQing/shaping sounds (gain some space for properly expanding)
Maybe ditch Edges too and build its 10hp version or just see if I'm missing anything.
3)I actually do have attenuverters from Blinds so I could maybe get some more (maths?!)
4) I like A-171-2 and plan to mod it for it to be more usable; maybe incorporate it to my main rack
5) no idea about the expert sleepers stuff; never used any of their modules but may need to take a closer look.
This may help to incorporate the modular in a hybrid setup more easily.
Could you please be more specific about utilities that you like/use ?
CV processing utilities, trigger generators etc?

Well, first off...it's really...ah...BLACK. But that's not good. Invariably, if you're creating a Eurorack along a certain look, then all you'll wind up with is a decorative prop. You've done a little bit better than that, but at the same time there's weird flaws here. A 4 x 84 rig with only four VCAs is definitely a flaw...especially if you're trying to do lots of percussive work, because you need LOTS of VCAs for that sort of thing unless you're using percussion-specific modules (Tiptop et al).

The MIDI implementation is frankly lousy. You're running two of these mBranes to get 8 channels; why not dump BOTH and go with something from Expert Sleepers that fits in a similar space but which can be expanded AND provide a return channel for timing, digital audio return, etc?

There's an Elements...and a Rings? OK with the Department of Redundancy Department, perhaps, but a waste of space otherwise. Lose one or the other.

I could go on, but really, I think you've poured waaaaay too much effort into creating the synth version of the 2001 Monolith here and not enough in basic, practical modular design. All of these Mutable and clone modules might look awesome, but by ignoring very basic, boring-as-hell utilities and basic practicalities in favor of optics, well, it's a nice prop, and you'll continue to be frustrated. For example, your modulation source issue...you actually DO have ample modulation here, but because you've omitted utility stuff such as attenuverters or CV/mod VCAs, it seems like there's not enough when the real fact is you've just not got ways to implement what you have already. And having some of these huge, sexy modules means you're ignoring much better options in your "junk" rack; for example, I would think that using the Doepfer Wasp and Yusynth Synthacon VCFs would provide way more timbral character than the two resonant filters on the Shelves. And so on.

Musical instruments might seem like a fashion statement, but consider: is it important that Ornette Coleman plays a plastic sax, or is it more important that it's Ornette playing said plastic sax? Don't worry about looks...but be a lot more concerned about the music.

Unusable. This contains no VCAs whatsoever. No proper envelope gens, either. Lots of snarrrrrrrzy modules there...but none of the ones needed to make this work. Small builds require smaller modules, and this one's got only one (Manhattan's CP3 clone). And if you've gone to the trouble of cramming 4ms's STS in there, why isn't the final mixer stereo? Or at least, why no stereo output?

Two options, both beginning with scrapping this build and starting over...

1) Start with a larger cab. If you want to use these honkin' big modules, well, bigger = more hp needed. Plus, if you want to use these honkin' big modules (notice I keep dinging on that point where this smaller build is concerned), you will need more space (as in twice as much, most likely) for the necessary modules you've omitted as well as other modules that will make this much easier to use. Seriously. Try assembling something like your original in VCV Rack and see how UNsatisfying it is to use a synth with next to zero control capabilities.

2) Start with a larger cab (again...yes, there's a pattern there), but only somewhat larger. Then scrap ALL of these big modules and try and reduce your panel sizes to something that makes more sense in a smaller build.

Actually, your best bet is to do both. But before that, get a copy of VCV Rack and examine why all of these "boring" modules are actually 100% necessary, and then spend some time studying other experienced builders' MG rigs. From both exercises, you'll notice a pattern that emerges regarding necessary modules, module combinations, setup and signal flow, and so on. But at the very least, do not drop a pile of $$$ on the above build. I can guarantee that you'll be extremely disappointed if you do.

Hi,
I'm about to finish my current 12U setup but often feel that I need more modulation and that I have more noise sources that I can use effectively.
This is a general duty rack but mostly oriented to drum duties maybe a synth line too and is supposed to be used along a machinedrum and a laptop running Ableton Live..
I was hoping to get into generative drum/percussion style patches to make things more interesting but probably need more probability modules and trigger generators so for now I'm just focusing on extra modulation.
I frequently patch it on its own and I seem to exhaust the modulators and VCAs pretty quickly so was thinking the following:
Get rid of Braids and Edges and replace them with NLC sloths, a second micro O&C and maybe a second Veils.
Another plan is to get the second O&C and a Pam's workout and start from there..
I could probably put aside Rings too since I'm not using it that much although it's nice for some additional bleeps.
Without Rings, Braids and Edges I think I could have a lot of space for extra modulation and maybe some more triggering options..
Any suggestions are welcome since I think I'm a bit stuck at this point.!

edit:
I also have a second rack in the making which temporarily serves as a storage rack for the modules I don't currently use a lot.

I could probably mix and match some modules between these 2racks if anyone has any ideas..Obvious choice would be the terminal tedium but I haven't finished it yet:P

EDITED Nov 16th 2019, 20:54

Just received the TiNRS Wobbler module from @nosp. Communication was friendly, shipping fast and the condition of the module is very good. Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Thinking of my first Eurorack. I'm looking for a little system composed by long life and good sounding modules (that's why I chose Synthesis Technology). I want to experiment with clock sources/melodies and see whats goin on.

What do you think? Am I missing something?

Looking for your suggestions, thanks in advance!

Marco

Hi Lugia, Ronin, All,

Coming back to this post regarding above mentioned Behringer & Arp Odyssey, the Behringer K-2 and a little on ASM Hydrysynth (desktop model).

Beginning of this week I had the opportunity to get to my local dealer and voila! There it was the Behringer Odyssey and the K-2, ready to test. I didn't had too much time but I had some quick looks and a short test on each of them. Here are my impressions:

Behringer Odyssey, well let's start again with the Arp Odyssey, personally I wasn't too impressed by it (scroll above to my post of the 1st of September). This time I tested the just new Behringer Odyssey. What a difference with the (new) Arp Odyssey! In a good way this time!

Let me start with the touch and feel of it, which is good, the switches are good to use and the (LED) sliders are quite nice to use too. The housing is made like a tank, there is pretty thick sheet- or plate-metal used and that's rock solid. I tried to lift up the Odyssey. The good news is that is possible but you can feel the heavy weight. For people who want to take it under their arm with them, it might be not so ideal but I actually like that kind of "build like a tank" feeling :-)

Then the sound, wow yes, that's some serious old, "fat" synthesizer sound, personally I like that. When I compare this one with the lately Arp Odyssey, I would definitely go for the Behringer edition and not Arp; sorry Arp. Here in Europe at Euro 449 it isn't too cheap (however compared to Arp it is) but for the fact that you get a "solid tank" with a good sound and switches and sliders that are nice to use, it might be worth it. Personally, the Odyssey is too deep for the space I have available left, so I have to let it go for the moment but will keep an eye on it. If there is ever a good special offer for it, I still might decide to get one.

Then the K-2... I got already the Neutron from Behringer and I am actually very positive about the Neutron. So when I tested the K-2 I just couldn't believe it... in my opinion the K-2 is beating the Neutron, it's beating it with ease! My goodness, what a lovely little synthesizer that is. Now I don't know the original Korg MS-20 (because that's what the K-2 is, a kind of replica of it) sound but this K-2 has a sound that's beyond believing (for that price) and that puts the Neutron easily in its shadow.

If the Behringer Odyssey sound was kind of old fashion, nice, fat, sound, the K-2 doesn't sound "as fat" as the Odyssey but it has its own characteristic of sound that's, at least for me, close to unbeatable, what a lovely sound.

Then the touch & feel, for the housing that's very similar to the Neutron (and the Model D), however the knobs of the K-2, somehow I feel they are even better than the Neutron, or at least very similar/good as the Neutron.

So I definitely will consider the K-2, most likely I am going for that one. The only issue is... what would be a good and available(!) Eurorack convertor module to be used with the K-2 to make it Eurorack compatible? I think we started that discussion about the convertor module already earlier in this thread (somewhere up here) but if I remember well we didn't found an available module yet that would be suitable. Or is there an available convertor module that does?

Then I spoke with my contact at my local dealer about the ASM Hydrasynth, not sure when that becomes available, let's hope in December but that seems not to be sure; at least not here in Europe. This guy I spoke with had tested for just a very short while the ASM Hydrasynth desktop variant and he was very impressed about it. It seemed to be build good, the synthesizer seems to offer a good deal. The only con he could find in the limited time he had was the limited number of available preset sounds. So I can't wait for the Hydrasynth to arrive in Europe and to have it tested.

Wish you all a good weekend and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Ronin,

Skiff? I don't have that, at least not yet, my desk is pretty full with some Doepfer A-100 casings. I might consider a double Intellijel 7U case because I am recently a lot away from home and don't have much time left to play with my modular system (when I am back home) but I put that "traveling case" on hold till next year and then will check if I want really a traveling case or not. Let's see.

Oh that's good, that the Rubicon 2 got an LFO that can go quite slow, sounds good too :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Danjas,

Regarding point 1, not sure but maybe the ACL Sinfonion can do this, you might want to check that module out. The con is the price.

About point 2 not too sure what you want, do you mean something like a random generator or something like that? If yes, there are several random generator modules, just go in this forum at modules and look there for what you might need.

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Reading glasses. I've given in to my age and I use them when I need them. It's best to just leave a pair of readers next to your set-up. I found a pair of fold-up glasses that fit into a case the size of an oversized cigarette lighter. I keep them in my pocket.

The next issue for older eyes would be proper lighting. I love a dimly lit room when I'm being creative. But dim light makes seeing tiny print even harder. For this, I have tree solutions. I placed a large lamp in my music room. I also have a desktop lamp with a gooseneck. The third thing is having a USB charging port connected to the 5v rails in each of my 3 cases (Intellijel). I can then use USB gooseneck reading lamps in my case. But you'll want to check if they inject noise into your signal and pull them before recording.

For rhythmic complexity... I like Euclidean generators. I won't explain them here, but you can find several modules capable of generating them either as dedicated modules or a function within... like the Temps Utile module. I'm also considering buying a second hand Trigger Riot after watching a few videos on it. I really like the idea of creating rhythms by indirectly influencing a parameter than simply just programming them by hand. You can get pretty wild by patching from one Euclidean generator to another, throw in a logic module, and possibly triggering a reset periodically. You can also use/misuse clock dividers to great effect in the chain somewhere. You can also literally mix gates/triggers together at low volume and where they align you'll get a legit trigger (devices like logic modules want to see a minimum voltage to count a signal as being true, so they are great to add to the end of the analog summing to make sure you get clean gates/triggers).

ha. didn't even know this was a forum, thought it was like "notes". lol. deleted

Hi Lugia,

Thanks for your detailed reply. Unfortunately, it's not what I wanted to hear, so I demand a retraction. How dare you lecture me about some made up "rules" after I put my heart and soul into that theoretical rack?

No, seriously, thank you. Is there a downside to powering the Nebulae with 5V other than needing to keep a separate tally of the power usage? According the the ER-301's website, its peak current is 250 12V+ rather than the 300 listed on MG, which would bring the 12V+ total down to 772. I understand that the consumption listings in MG shouldn't be taken as gospel, but it seems I'm painfully close to being able to safely power this little rack with the supplied power. And I admit, just aesthetically, I'd rather not have two separate "on" switches, even if - especially if - one isn't being used.

But I'm prepared to hear what I don't want to hear.

Thank you,

Tyson

-- tyson

Hi Tyson,

I'm going to include some info that's loosely related to your posts and some that's more on target.

Some modules offer alternative powering solutions and set-ups. For example, modules with vacuum tubes in them may require additional power supplies because of the huge draw from tubes at start-up. Erica has a vacuum tube series that requires a separate "tube warmer" power supply for start-up. I believe they may have solved the issue for later models in the series. But if you see a tube in your gear... you really want to focus on start-up voltage draws. What Lugia said is important.

Digital modules are noisy. It's just a fact of life; especially with modules with display screens. Digital modules are also built to different specifications depending on the builder. You might find people putting digital modules in a separate case or in a corner of their case away from modules that might be more sensitive. Some modules, like those from Noise Engineering, have a toggle switch on the back that allows them to be powered from the 5v bus in order to improve interference.

If you hear the term "passive" it means the module requires no power. A passive mult or a simple attenuator would be examples. Some will work passively, but have "active" portions. The Noise Engineering "Mutis Jovis" is passive four channel mute module, for example. It works passively. But if you plug it in, the LEDs indicating signal level will work.

Hope the information is helpful in some part.

EDITED Nov 15th 2019, 21:08

Hey. My advice:

Delete this post and reformulate it towards your end goal. Post a link to the proposed rack. I realize that this rack will evolve and change as your building it. But there might be some advice that spurs you to make additional tweaks or changes along the way.

Also, take a look at some of the feedback on others racks and take not of the criticisms and why they may or may not be valid.

Looks like a nice list of modules cherry-picked into a rack.

If you wanted to change the polarity of a CV signal... how would you do that with THIS rack?
If you wanted to scale a CV signal, mix two CV signals... again... how would you?

I don't see any traditional ADSRs. Why not?
The Batumi can always use the Poti expander. In a large set-up, it's very much worth the 3HP.
The only dedicated effect is a Chronoblob... if you're doing ambient, where is your reverb?

All in all, this looks like a fantasy build that has very little study behind it. Sorry to be so harsh. But if someone else putting together a rack sees this they should take these comments to heart.

The Rubicon 2 makes sense for a mature rig. For a skiff... I wouldn't think so as getting a nice palette of modulation sources out of skiff would be a bit difficult (sources, attenuation, attenuverting, etc.).

I've managed to get some sounds out of it that put it in league with some of the coarser sounding Noise Engineering stuff. ALSO... it has an LFO mode that can go pretty slow. So you can use it as a source for complex modulation of other oscillators/filters etc.

For me, the value is there due to its usefulness. But the cost rises proportionally. :)

Thank you! It works perfectly for me, let's see what others say. I understand that it's useful to be able to have 1U/3U/all option as a drop-down, but it got a bit frustrating to have to change that part back to full size every time.

Many thanks!

I liked how 1U was hidden unless you turned on that radio button

1U manufacturers hated that function.

but now whenever I hit Reset I get to see all the 1U modules in there. Would it be possible that the Reset also retains/remembers the last Height selected?

It breaks the expected behaviour of what a reset does but in this case it seems like a good idea, so now it works like you suggested.

Or am I just being weird?

That is a complete unrelated question!

EDITED Nov 15th 2019, 12:28

Currently it's not possible to add the power consumption of Series 500 modules like we do it with Eurorack systems.
That should be improved. The goal is, that it should be possible to calculate the power requirements of all modules that are added to an enclosing/rack so it would be easy to verify that a power supply is sufficient.
We missed to collect power data for Series 500 modules so that must be added at first.
I am not so deep into electronics so I need some help:

I have read in the 500 Module Series Spec that a bus connector delivers +16, -16 and +48V.

That matches with the API lunchbox that has three LEDs, labeled with +16, -16 and +48V.

I guess these basic assumptions are correct:

• Every 500 Series compatible enclosing has a power supply that delivers +16V, -16V and +48V.
• To calculate the power consumption of the system, all three values of all modules must be summed separately.

But I am not quite sure how that matches with the spec of e.g. the API 512c module.

512C has a switch for 48v phantom power but the spec only says:
Power Consumption: ±12/18 Volts/DC, @40 ma.

That mismatches with the 16V spec.
1. How should user enter this data into the database?
2. Can those values be converted to 16V?
3. Do we need additional fields in the database?

Hi.

1. I need a module that could change the incoming cv sequence. For example, i have the sequencer playing some notes, and i want to play with this sequence - change this notes to a different order, to the another speed or another speed between each note.
   So maybe does such module exist?

2. And another one i need to generate bleeps and glitches from the incoming signal. From example, i have a patch of pad and i want some module to generate bleeps, glitches, some effects based on that incoming pad.
   Can you guess any eurorack module for this purposes?

Thanks!

EDITED Nov 15th 2019, 13:34

Hm, am I the only one that gets irritated that the default search function has All Sizes included? I liked how 1U was hidden unless you turned on that radio button but now whenever I hit Reset I get to see all the 1U modules in there. Would it be possible that the Reset also retains/remembers the last Height selected? It does remember the radio button statutes.

Or am I just being weird?

Hi Nniikkoo (Niko? :-) ) and Ronin,

Nniikkoo/Niko, thanks a lot, I definitely will consider the E330, though I don't have a dealer where I can test it, but it's on my list :-)

Ronin, thanks a lot for your information. Yes I thought already it would be something like that but it's good you had confirmed that in details. So looks like I have to go for the Rubicon 2 then, instead of the Dixie 2+ :-) I will change in my wish list the priority of Dixie 2+ (lower the prio) and prefer in my list the Rubicon 2 (higher prio).

I got the Doepfer A-110-4, it's a more simple VCO but also has this "through zero" capabilities, fantastic what you can do with that, so since the Rubicon 2 got that capability as well, I am really thinking of that Rubicon 2 now (instead of Dixie 2+); it's just the budget ;-) But yes, you are right, it's worth it to go that extra mile (i.e. extend the budget) and go for the Rubicon 2 instead.

Thanks a lot and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Ikke1996,

To be honest, I do think you need to get more experience with the Neutron. The more experience you get with it, you will start to feel what you might miss on the Neutron and that might translate into what you might want to consider to look at it in modular. If I may say it like this: "I don't think you are "ripe" (i.e. ready) yet for modular" ;-)

So build up more experience, while doing that you can check things like check your budget, what are you willing to spend on modular (do realise that it can costs several thousands and that's just for the beginning of it). Check the size of your planned modular case, choose a size that can hold for the future too, not that after a few months or something you need another case. So think in terms of at least 2x104 HP (Intellijel 7U case for example) or 3x84 HP cases (Doepfer A-100 for example) as a real minimum, better is to think bigger. Meanwhile still building up experience with the Neutron.

You also can check for yourself how happy are you with components of Neutron like:

Oscillators (VCOs)
LFOs
Envelopes (EGs)
Filters (VCFs)
VCAs
Effects
Utilities
Mixers
Audio input/output interfaces for modular
Etcetera

Check component by component what's important for you? How should it work, what should it give you? You can check the basics with the Neutron, try to create an opinion for yourself with that for each component. Once you got that, you can answer easier your above questions by yourself. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to help you but the best learning curve is if you are going to figure that out for yourself. That requires experience and with that you can easier build an opinion for yourself what you want from each component and from modular in general.

This might sound dull but it really helps is to read the posts in the Racks part of the forum. Don't read the first few lines but read the entire posts to understand why people give certain advices. Start to read with the post that's called "Why your 6U x 84 generative rig won't work" post, that covers most of the starting issues, after that some other posts in the same section (Racks) of this forum.

Modular is not only about making music with it, it's in the beginning a hell of a job to start reading into it, learning about its components and its basic understandings, then the planning, investigations that are required for that planning. And then, and only then, perhaps then start think about buying a modular case. Not straight away fill it up fully, no keep it about half empty. Start with getting experience with the basic components, build up again more experience, adjust your opinion again on the gained experience and then check again what you might require. It's a long road to go (if you don't want to waste money like hell), but a very nice way to go if you are really into modular.

Oh by the way, and also be prepared to learn from mistakes, that's pretty common in modular too ;-) I mean to make mistakes, as long as you see that positively and take that as a lesson learnt, then that's fine.

I hope this helps a bit for starters and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

EDITED Nov 16th 2019, 01:52

OK...after checking the edit above and the PM, some suggestions...

First up, given your sight issues, I wouldn't lose the Elements. That's a very useful device, inasmuch as you have the modelling generator and the resonator (aka Rings) in one package here, and it's bigger and clearer to use than the 3rd party builds. The Contour should definitely stay as well...not only does it have the ability to work as four AD envelopes, you can loop these and use each section as an LFO with CV-controllable rise and fall. And the Penrose quantizer + dual S&H actually give you the rudiments of an analog shift register, so those need to be there. Basically, the module compliment (aside of the DATA) is fine...you just need to fill the hole with the right toys.

If you need the larger panel space (yeah...my near vision is totally shot, too) for VCAs, your best bet is probably Intellijel's Quad VCA. Basically the same thing as the Mutable Veils, $10 cheaper. Then you can use the Blinds as a quad CVable attenuverter, which should really help that OTA VCF sing as you can then feed it inverse envelopes and/or complex mixed modulation. As for a second filter, try something more exotic; the OTA VCF has your basics covered. Maybe Dave Rossum's Linnaeus would be a good fit there.

As for the next 104 hp you're thinking about, consider dedicating that largely to sequencing and timing. The quant setup there could make use of a good sequencer, which also means a decent clock and clock-mod setup. Definitely consider adding some logic gates at that point; logic + things like comparators, skippers, divide/multipliers, etc add lots of potential rhythmic complexity. As for which sequencer, that depends more on the sort of music you tend to create, as some sequencers do certain things better than others.