All Posts

Check this Erica...208 hp capacity, MONSTER power capacity, all-metal construction. I dig how Erica goes all out on their power, also...very beefy 2.5A on each 12V rail, split as 1.25A for upper and lower since they use these integrated P/S + busboards, which is another plus as you don't have to worry about DC wiring inside the cab coming loose in transit.
https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/enclosures/travel/travel-case/

EDITED Jan 21st 2021, 21:13

Interesting build...in a very real sense, you've managed to come up with the modular synth equivalent of a Roach Motel: patches go in, and sounds can't get out.

Jim is spot-on with the point that you need to go with a bigger case. For one thing, if you're playing the guitar and realize that you need a tweak, the LAST thing you want is a super-tight interface, with little modules, knobs, and tight real estate. Remember, that thing is going to be festooned with patch cables when you're using it, so you want BIG modules, with BIG primary knobs (like your VCF cutoff) so that you can make tweaks while still maintaining optimal control of your axe. Case in point: http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/ems/synthi/hifli That is the very coveted EMS Synthi Hi-Fli, made by the same people who gave us the VCS3 and Synthi A, and most famously used on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". Now, while this is something used as a guitar effect, you'll notice that the EMS designers made sure that there was ample room to grab the right control by a guitarist that would be far busier on the strings. Your build needs to be closer to THESE ergonomics, and not like the initial build above.

And as for "generative"...I'm still boggled by users who feel that they can do a tiny 3U build and still think it's capable of doing the amount of self-regulation that, well...https://modularsynthesis.com/moog/cems/cems.htm Now that there is a REAL generative system in MU format, assembled by Joel Chadabe and Dr. Bob back in the 1970s at SUNY Albany. It's a bit...um...LARGER. And even if you shrink this down to Eurorack size and make ample use of multifunctional modules, it's STILL going to be larger. You're missing loads of things needed for this: comparators, logic, CVable function gens, discriminators, etc etc...in short, all of the self-regulatory functions that make generative generative. I'm even inclined to think that Jim's suggestion of 2 x 104 is too small to really get this right, especially if you get the ergonomics nailed.

I'd suggest spending some time studying MG builds done by experienced synthesists/builders that use generative/stochastic principles, for starters. Second, if you don't have a copy of VCV Rack, get one, as it'll give you a lot of insight into what's necessary to get that sort of build to work. Toss this build, then come back to attempting one AFTER you've sorted out what this will actually entail.

EDITED Jan 21st 2021, 21:49

Look at Case From Lake in Italy :
https://www.facebook.com/casefromlake/

EDITED Jan 21st 2021, 22:09

[quote]
I’m wondering if this is a decent starting set up?
[/quote]
No

too many shiny big feature modules (chord, uO_C, disting ex, plonk, monsoon, merge) and not enough support modules

for these modules to really shine double the size of the case and fill the rest mostly with utilities - if you think of the modules as silverware that needs polishing - utilities are the polish

there are no vcas - you almost definitely want these - a quad cascading one, such as veils, is a good start - modulation and modifying modulation in different ways - matrix mixer (to combine different waveforms, vcas (to reduce/increase the amount of modulation)

how are you intending to sequence? are you intending to use a pitch follower? disting?

are you intending to use external effects only? no cv controlled reverb, delay, etc etc again disting?

I'd be really surprised if you need either 6 sample and holds or 8 lfos in this size case - or even a 6u

it's difficult to turn knobs whilst playing the guitar - an expression pedal interface (or 2) would be a good idea

I would not recommend any clouds clones at the moment - clouds 2 is around the corner - also almost all versions of clouds (including the original) need external modules to use them to their best - specifically attenuators/attenuverters for cv inputs

as an engineer I would suggest maths as a great starter modulation source - more control than ochd - and it's a great learning tool for modular in general - see the maths illustrated manual for 32 patching examples

I would also strongly suggest bigger case (6u/104hp minimum - unless you want case buying/building to be a hobby), fewer modules (don't worry gaps are fine - they will fill soon enough), more research - much, much more research... try reading a few dozen - "I'm a guitarist wanting to get into modular" threads - there are countless - here, muffwiggler, reddit... and think about what the general advice is! then start again

Hi I’m new into eurorack but an engineer outside of it. I’m wondering if this is a decent starting set up? I’ll be grabbing modules as they and funds become available. I’m kinda going for generative, random, unsynced stuff that follows my guitar.

Pittsburgh Modular suitcase racks are quite nice.

Toodee ...very very much appreciated !!!
and many thanks to all advices again !

yes you can - it says so in the description

"Quad Voltage Controlled Amplifier and Cascaded Mixer"

the important part is "Cascaded" or "cascading" - if a multiple vca says one of those 2 then it is also usable as a voltage controlled mixer

@troux
Can i use the quad vca as a mixer??

I think it is back now!
Phewww!!!! Relief!

Hi everyone,

So I am looking at a lighter travel case that can fit new modules for future trips after covid ends. Looking at custom builds from Amalgamod https://amalgamod.com/ and Nono modular http://nonomodular.com/shop/

Thoughts? I love my MDLR 14u case but it weighs a lot!

Maybe add a filter and attenuator?

The whole site must be under maintenance or something cause everything moves like really slow and the screenshot preview stays on the screwdriver image no matter refreshing it...

Or better still, you find an MXR Drum Computer with a blown-up sequencer but 100% intact ROM voices, and you make a pigtail for the triggers off of the Molex on the back, then feed it with pretty much anything that can kick out the right signal! Definitely optimal, just not all that likely.

Right...the Nearness gets one stereo in, the Doepfer mixer a second, and the Fracture has its own input pair on the 3x Mix. Plus, now that you DO have everything in stereo, it should make much better use of the Monsoon for processing the overall mix. That's the funny thing about the nearness, also...it LOOKS like some sort of nothing module. But for setting up things like drum submixes, it's perfect for that. And if one or two levels into the Nearness seems a little too hot, you can send them up to an attenuator on the Quadratt and back 'em down a bit. Super-easy!

Oh, and don't forget that passive LPG in the tile row...send that some pink noise and hit it with a fast envelope, and you get yet another percussive! Lots of neat functions in that build...

... wow. This is crazy.
I didn't think it was even possible to get all this control over your mixing, in such a little space, without sacrificing too much modulation. I had to read a couple of time to understand how Takaab Nearness mixer works, haha. But it looks like a cool useful piece of gear. So basically I can pan every voice from the Soundforce module and then send the outs to the main mixer (Happy Nerding). Splendid.
And also PWRchecker, great addition! Thank you so much!

EDITED Jan 21st 2021, 13:32

yeah it's already been noted that links aren't working properly - blank or this by the look of it!

It's actually an open piece of furniture, with four equal rooms. I probably used the wrong term for cupboard. Just google IKEA kallax.
It will add a piece of retro / high tech / geek touch to any living room. I didn't find any bus board and power supply combo for this size, so I'll be startibg
With flying cables.
-- glennbech

I think the befaco lunchbox power supplies will fit

I think shelving unit would be the best description

you are going to end up with a approximate 1.5" gap in each section at either the top or bottom

to be honest getting some wood from the local diy store (if open!) is cheaper and easier to get the right size for rails etc screwing together etc is pretty easy - rather than getting rails the right size or cutting them yourself - remember you'll also need brackets for the rails so you can screw them to the insides of the shelving unit

Weird - why is the rack showing in the post different?
Let me see if I can fix that ....

Hmm - regardless of what I do, it's not showing the full rack in the post - neither is the link you posted.
Copying the link directly to another browser works fine though. Looks like we have a forum bug maybe ...

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 22:58

...for trying to find a bridge between the current Intellijel vs Pulplogic tile mess! EVERYONE making tile modules needs to have a look at what they're doing here!

and so simple it's clever

And I'll also point out: if XODES can come up with a full series of drum tiles, this could go some distance to fixing the "drums don't work with modular" issue. You could easily devote a tile row to this, along with the requisite mixers, etc, and this keeps these types of modules OUT of the 3U rows, meaning that you'd have the space for the intensive sequencing needed AND space for the rest of the build as well.
-- Lugia

but the drums do work, they just cost you more... much, much more!

and even then not necessarily - I use a fss portland, which I built for under €300 - or a set of prok drums and a cheap mixer isn't much more - of course you need a soldering iron...

Just to add I got a different image when I linked one - looks to be an earlier iteration of some sort

here's the link for anyone interested

it maybe a good idea to differentiate between what you have and what you think you want - maybe that's what's happening - one image is displayed in this post and the link displays another - I guess you have tempi, rene, quadrax, veils and plaits? and want the others - if so why replace veils with intellijel? unless it's based on availability

i would probably add some logic, mixing for modulation (matrix mixer, another cascading vca - or possibly a matrix vca!), an envelope generator (zadar perhaps), a wavefolder, possibly some effect pedal interface modules - depending on the pedals - I have some that can cope with modular levels

i wouldn't rule out effects in the rack completely - there's nothing to stop you, for example, adding a load of reverb to a sound before hitting a vca and/or filter, then sending that to your end of chain reverb too - same with delays - also the modulation possibilities - unless of course your outboard effects can be controlled with cv, idk - same with clouds - you can use it as a vco - record something into the buffer and freeze it - granular oscillator - just because a lot of people use it as an end of chain stereo reverb, doesn't mean that's all it can be used for - not that I am particularly recommending it - just pointing out that it can be used for more than you may think it can - saying that I would probably add an fx aid xl

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 22:38

That, basically. Screenshot seems to be offline, so nothing's showing in the forums where there's rack links.

Xodes' solution is simple, very smart.

Worked fine when I put the address in the browser directly.

Actually, what you've got already is fine as a source for odd clangers and bonkers. I would suggest adding some NORMAL percussion sounds at this point so that your listeners will have a "point of reference" that they can grab onto to get into the ABnormal ones. And right now, one of the best and cheapest routes I've seen for that would have to be a couple of modules from SoundForce, their Samples (808 sample playback) or S-909 (909 samples, natch). So, in order to wrangle things around in here, I did a few changes...

The "screenshot" function on MG seems to have Covid or something, so this probably won't show up until the admins beat some sense into it...

The most obvious switch was changing the Mutable Marbles for a Warped Circuits Pachinko...same module, but in 12 hp. I also tossed the dual LPG, but also tossed the USB Power tile so that I could drop an LPG into the tile row. But the total function LOST here was exactly that: one single lowpass gate. Everything else got beefed up...you have the Samples and a little thing that LOOKS like a multiple but which ISN'T. That's actually a fixed level stereo mixer with pan positions determined by where you plug sources in. The white-ringed jacks are a Left and Right output. Mixing now has a panning stereo mixer for your other sources. And at the end of that chain is a Happy Nerding 3x Stereo Mixer...so how this works is that you connect the Doepfer mixer's L-R outs to the HN's first input, the Takaab Nearness mixer to the second, and the WMD Fracture to the third, giving you level control over each stereo source. Everything got reordered, too...clocking/sequencing/CV on the left, audio on the right, and the HN mixer can feed directly to the Monsoon. Oh, and did I mention that the HN mixer also has a headphone out that you can use to check your pre-processed mix before it hits the Monsoon? That helps with tuning, balance, etc.

Last little sliver, since I had one more hp, was filled with a Konstant Labs PWRcheckr on the left end so that you can keep an eye on your DC rail behavior, something that the Intellijel Palette 104 doesn't have. This seems LOADS better...for one thing, you now have stereo field control over ALL mono sources, and your main mix is reduced to just three controls for balancing between stereo sources. The signal flow is a lot clearer, which should make this better at rapid-fire changes, especially live.

Coincidentally, I just saw that Michigan Synth Works released an updated Pique and expander for CV to each parameter of the ADSR (plus many other functions) in 6hp total.

That's easy enough: 2hp's EG. Most basic synth functions exist as 2hp modules, plus a couple of other manufacturers that also make modules in that 2 hp size.

I'm downsizing from a large Modcan system, and slowly getting my 208HP Euro together.
Doing mostly slow evolving soundscape type stuff.

Here's a really old track using the Modcan to give you an idea. Current work is a little more calming and peaceful. I was much angrier back then ...

Don't really need audio effects (Clouds ....) effects modules in the rack - using an external Empress Zoia and some Eventide ...

I've already got about half this system up and running. Also have a 0 Coast/Control to go with this.
Just out of curiosity, what seems to be my most "missing" areas at this point?

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 22:54

Looks like something's not working on ModularGrid.

I tried, but it didn't appear...

I try again here:

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 20:53

Try adding an https:// to the front?

Don't know why it doesn't appear, I posted the link like this tho.

Chiming in to say Cold Mac might be a nice fit here as well.

Hi!
Sorry if I make some language mistakes, but english is not my mother language.

So, I'm planning a little eurorack drum case, the only thing is that I wanted to limit myself to a single 104hp 3U row (so I thought of the Palette 104 case by Intellijel).
Another important thing is that this system will be connected to my Synthstrom Deluge (via midi and cv), so I felt free to save on particularly advanced sequencers.

The sound I'm looking for is on the unconventional / idm side (not your basic 808s), I wanted to achieve more complex beats with glitchy yet rhythmic percussion.
So i tried to build everything in a random fashion, and I also like it to be playable and tweakable live. There are only three voices but I did put in a lot of modulation and random sources.

The main voices are BIA, Plaits (which can also do melodic stuff) and Fracture for snippets and grains, processed by Monsoon. I know there aren't many VCAs, but all voices should have envelopes, if I'm not mistaken.
Marbles generates / processes irregular clocks and voltages, combined with A-160-2 clock divider. Euclidean Circles v2 as a trigger / gate sequencer, also for modulating BIA with short gates. NE Mimetic Digitalis is more of a modulation source on steroids here, since it's unquantized. I was thinking of using Intellijel's Noise Tool as an additional clock / random / s&h source.

I have a little space left... what do you think I should add? Some other VCAs? Or maybe I have too much modulation and I should remove / replace something? Should I put in a quantizer like o_C if I want to use MD as a traditional cv sequencer? Or a small full-packed envelope generator like NE Pons Asinorum? Or maybe another filter?
Any suggestion or critique is well accepted! Thank you!

www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1442143

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 21:03

Hey, glad it could help ;)
I fully agree with Lugia by the way. Hard to be assertive about what YOU need because "ambient" can mean a lot of things and I don't know how you like to approach making music, so it's the point of view of a guy who's never patched your system or heard your music. You already have a lot of CV sources with the PNW, Maths and Shuttle Control, I personally feel that it can be enough for the size of your build, but having a CV manipulation toolbox of sorts would allow for more complex "generative ambient" patches. Something that allows your CV sources to interact, so your entire patch movement is an orchestra playing together rather than a bunch of lonely musicians each playing on their own, if that analogy makes sense...
Of course it's harder to get an idea of what your build lacks if you don't have patch ideas in your head. I believe the way to get there is by adding to that "mental toolbox" I referred to above. For me, it works by reading forum posts on here (I had a very interesting discussion about the modulation section of my build here if you want to have a look: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/9395, also keep an eye on the Racks section), and pages similar to the ones I listed above. Then try the suggested things, that's the important step ! By actually doing it myself, either on my system or in VCV/Drambo, I get to HEAR what those theoretical concepts can sound like, and also which of those things work best for the sounds I want to make and the way I make music.
Here's another one I learned a lot from:
https://www.noiseengineering.us/blog
The Noise Engineering blog written by Markus Cancilla, a really nice guy whose extensive patching experience is generously dispensed through those pages. Some of it can be really "advanced" and will most likely lead you on other searches for more info, I guarantee it will spur new patching ideas in your head !
What also worked for me to get new ideas was forcing myself to try and use Disting MK4's algorithms I didn't know about when I started modular. What could I use a comparator for ? What's the craziest patch I can come up with using a quantizer ? I saw Divkid experimenting with self-patching modules, so what can I do in those lines (PNW is a nice candidate) ? Those sort of "training exercices" helped me to add things to the mental toolbox as techniques I think of "naturally" when building more "serious" patches later on, maybe that could work for you ? You can of course try the same thing in VCV with modules you wouldn't know what to do with.
Finally, a more obvious one: look at videos and forum posts about the modules you already own. You're bound to end up reading/hearing something you've not thought of, or simply forgot. I'm often guilty of the later, I can't believe I waited so long to use my XAOC Belgrad as a voice, silly me

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 18:39

Toodee... that’s very kind of you. It does really really help indeed !! I have already ordered the book as well. Thank you.

Thank you again Garfield,

just in the spirit of sharing my process and journey I'll be showing what a relatively small and basic setup can do. Also showcasing my black tape 6,3mm to 3,6mm jack module

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 15:47

Yes, if you click on the picture of Lugia’s rack, you should be able to select edit/duplicate rack in the top left of your screen.
-- farkas

Thanks

Yes, if you click on the picture of Lugia’s rack, you should be able to select edit/duplicate rack in the top left of your screen.

I would highly recommend QPAS. It’s really just an unbelievable filter. The stereo applications seem tailor made for your purposes.

Good communication and nice transaction with @filipl.
Bedankt Filip.

EDITED Jan 20th 2021, 12:51

Hi there,
my new case will arrive tomorrow and the new setup will look like this:
1. MDLR 14U / 126 HP with 2x1U rows
2. Endorphin.es Shuttle System
3. Intellijel Pallete 62 HP
4. Digitakt

I'm mainly interested in creating Ambient / (Dub) House/Techno. Just for fun and experimentation. No real recording ambitions for now.

Which modules would fit into this setup / what is potentially missing?

Some ideas I have in mind: Rainmaker, Rings, disting EX, a stereo filter like Blades, Ikarie or QPAS, Imitor Versio

Thanks in advance!

Is there some way I can copy Luiga's suggested rack setup to My Modular page so I can work on it please?

Thanks guys much appreciated. Lugia, thanks for spending so much time on it. Much to consider and probably a bit more than I have time or money to achieve it. Looks like a great setup and I can probably take some of that and run with it. I've been thinking about getting an extra case, something small like an Intellijel pallete but I would probably get more bang for the buck from upgrading from 6U 84HP to 104HP, reorganising it and adding some of the suggestions here.

A couple suggestions come to mind:

1) Add something like a DannySound CaliOsc + a Timbre or a Make Noise STO + an Intellijel Bifolder to get into some analog wavefolding and variation territory, I've been doing that with Random*Source Serge modules and really loving it.
2) Get a 4MS Ensemble Oscillator, tons and tons of stuff to explore in it from chaotic drones to lush synth strings.
3) Get a Tanh, don't change anything else and start exploring feedback patching.

Specific additions aside, the main thing that comes to mind for me looking at this rack is actually to set aside the Rings and to keep the Kinks. It's too easy to dial in good sounds with Rings which ends up making me lazy at least. Substituting it with something that requires more effort and skill will bring some of the excitement back into your patching, imho.
-- troux
Thankyou food for thought to check out. I really like Rings but starting to feel I am overusing it. The 4ms module sounds interesting

The Bastl Grandpa granular sampler and Spa expander are an interesting, quirky, 10hp, lo-fi combo. I've been eyeing it for a while myself. Seems like a deceptively powerful texture generator.
-- farkas
Thanks will look into those.

And it's a perfect vinyle record storage!

It's actually an open piece of furniture, with four equal rooms. I probably used the wrong term for cupboard. Just google IKEA kallax.
It will add a piece of retro / high tech / geek touch to any living room. I didn't find any bus board and power supply combo for this size, so I'll be startibg
With flying cables.

Fun jam using my new Winter Modular Eloquencer to create songs and random modes plus scale and ratchet patterns:

I think this is now my favorite Eurorack sequencer as it can create presets, save hundreds of patterns chain them together for future edit and playback plus random, pendulum and other modes to spice up patches.

I think you'll have fun with this rack for awhile and learn a lot. One suggestion: I personally wouldn't duplicate modules this early, instead add an STO or a Dixie II+ so you get a little variety in your analog oscs.

Once you get started let us know how it goes!