Additional gear:
- TR-6s > Strymon Deco
- Erica Synths Fusion Box
- CV controlled cassette player https://reverb.com/item/68324012-variable-speed-modified-cassette-walkman-selectable-photocell-knob-control-cv-input
- ^ goes into RC-505 > MV
- PreMix6 mixer/interface
- Soda water for hydration

Thanks! I know Make Noise did some videos a few years back on some of the example patches, and with the new release JDanielCramer of Poly Krell fame started a new series as well. Good stuff!

Pico & The Final Frontier

Pico MScale
‘The module is not limited for use with Moog Mother-32 only. You can use it as a regular eurorack precision voltage scaler': https://www.ericasynths.lv/media/Pico_Mscale_manual_v2.pdf
- Useful? Yes. For the scale difference -5V +5V / 0V +10V
- Essential? No. Because the pitch of the note can be adjusted by the frequency of the destination sound source.
- Tip: start without it and decide later.
- Testimony: my MScale has made the round trip between case and drawer several times. It is currently on holiday...

Mother-32
There are a few constants among modularists:
- A passion for exploring sound.
- The temptation to acquire new modules.
- Their need for space to house all those modules.

So if you want to, leave your Mother-32 in the RackBrute, but you may soon hear the call of the big spaces.

Modularists are pioneers at heart ('Go West! Young Man'), gold diggers, conquering sound: 'To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before!

That's why their cases are never large enough.

Baths.... 😪😪🤷 ....

Ok, I misunderstood the power issue.
Pam's can work as a quantizer, but perhaps better to use it for tempo tasks. Doepfer has a very affordable double quantizer and good features.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-156
Regarding the mixer, I meant a mixer in the rack to mix CV signals. Matrix type for example
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ai-synthesis-ai008-matrix-mixer-black
in only 10HP.
-- ferranadsr

No worries, does Pams not do both at same time? Still learning about it. I’ve decided to not get Renee and stick with my OXI one for time being so if I put a small power module in I shouldn’t need to worry about space and power now. I can get the other quantizer and mixer you mentioned. I also want the Strymon module to put guitar pedals in. Might still have space for XPO! Excited about the new make noise module coming out though, sounds like a new stereo reverb, thanks for your help

Ok, I misunderstood the power issue.
Pam's can work as a quantizer, but perhaps better to use it for tempo tasks. Doepfer has a very affordable double quantizer and good features.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-156
Regarding the mixer, I meant a mixer in the rack to mix CV signals. Matrix type for example
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ai-synthesis-ai008-matrix-mixer-black
in only 10HP.

Hi,
I think you will need more power for this rack. CP1A only gives 1A +/-12V.
With current modules, you will need at least 2A +12V.

-- ferranadsr

Thanks mate

I was under the impression that the CP1A would only be needed for a couple of modules and not the full case, Case power is 1,4A.
I found another one, The endorphines one which is only 2hp, that would let me keep Maths.

I've been using quantizers in Pam's, only learning about this so no expert, will I still need another.

Do you recommend any external mixer? Trying to figure out what I need is puzzling me.

Many thanks

Hi,
I think you will need more power for this rack. CP1A only gives 1A +/-12V.
With current modules, you will need at least 2A +12V.
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/4ms-company-row-power-45
With a brick power source you have the 4ms for example, but I would consider an internal source or perhaps better an already powered box like the Mantis. You lose the 1U row but you gain power quality.
Regarding the modules
-I would keep the Maths option as modulation source. Your effects modules and complex voices have a lot to modulate.
-I would add a quantizer and an auxiliary mixer for complex modulation shapes, maybe a matrix mixer.
Best regards,

Just to have an opinion...

The Pico Mscale of Erica Synth can adapt the Moog M32 -5v +5v to standard 0v 10v
Usually used to control the sequencer pitch with other Eurorack Modules

Do you think is necessary to have it, a must have in my configuration?
I plan to do not have another sequencer... I'm fine with the one in M32

The Pico Mscale resolve only the sequencer out of the M32 or can be good for other kind of controls?

I'm trying to get this case to work but went over power so got recommended the Behringer CP1A which solves power issues. Looking for some feeback on these modules.

at moment I have
Pams
Xpan
Mimeophon
Qpas
1 x Instruo VinCA
Instruo Csl
Instruo OCHD
MFX

I have Maths which Im thinking of replacing with XPO, Plaits which I'm changing for Coral.

Thanks

EDITED May 3rd 2023, 21:59

musicstore expect new mantises at the start of July

Oooh, thanks for the tip! And in black, too, so tempting.

EDITED May 3rd 2023, 21:21

Both good :)

Here's an exploration of hocketing in a modular system, using Disting EX's "Chord Engine." Detailed patch notes in the video.
Very nice and technically very elaborate. Great video, thanks moogul for post it.

-- ferranadsr

Thanks for watching and commenting!

Congratulations on your piece.

Below, a historical example of the hoquetus technique: 'Hoquetus David' by Guillaume de Machaut (14th century), vocal version. A beautiful interpretation and a video in which one can visualise the alternation specific to this technique. There are also many instrumental versions.

Thanks Sweelinck! I really enjoyed this de Machaut piece.

EDITED May 3rd 2023, 18:54

And this ‘little’ Stereo Krell by Todd Barton using the new Tiptop Buchla Quad Lopass Gate Model 292t...
Wonderful.

I'll check it out this evening. It definitely got me to get some new sounds out of my modular.

Yeah maybe that's it, the panel on mine is aluminum I think.

It could be because I turned mine around an the "reverse" Frontpanel seems to be out of some kind of hard plastic, but the normal front panel is out of metal?

There's plenty of "sampleable" phrases from all the series and movies imo... nearly every episode has something profound in it...

When I first heard of the Krell Patch I just totally didn’t get it, but after trying it I absolutely love it. This is an awesome exploration of the concept with such a huge variety of sounds and tones. Amazing! Have you checked out the 44 part super-in-depth series by Daniel Cramer? He takes it to crazy levels too. Cheers!

EDITED May 3rd 2023, 11:47

I wonder if that issue with the buttons might be particular to just your module or maybe just to the newer ones? Because I've had one since 2019, it's not even mounted in a rack, there's only a module on one side of it, and I've never noticed any bending of the pcb or sinking of any of the buttons. Admittedly I don't use mine much though.

I rarely listen to tracks people post... but massive star trek fan - I'm called Jim after Kirk - because I negotiated watching (I think) the first set of re-runs of TOS on the BBC in 1973 when I was 3 years old - they were on at 11pm and my bed time was 7 or something!

I'm guessing the biological responses sample is Tuvok, but it really sounds like Leonard Nimoy's Spock...

-- JimHowell1970

Thanks for checking it out! I find Star Trek absolutely fascinating, but I only got hooked when TNG was running. Yes, that’s Tuvok and Janeway. I’ve done three more “Trek Jams” since this one that you might also find amusing. They’re all on my SoundCloud in a playlist. “You Seem Apprehensive” is my favorite, but for some reason I think I listen to these more than any of my other recordings. I haven’t watch TOS in ages but there’s got to be a ton of sample worthy, inspiring dialog to build tracks around. Cheers!

Nice patching! Thanks for sharing . I haven’t had a chance to sit down with the Strange book yet, but it is really cool to hear examples created directly from the book. Cheers!

When bought (mine was bought 2023) , the module comes with a reverse panel so you can mount it upside down an have the IN / OUT writing in the correct way.
Only downside to the module is, that the button on the "bottom" sinks in when pressed, so the pcb is bending a bit, the pcb is held in place with the rings from the IN/OUT, but when tightly screwed and "squeezed" near other panels it gives enough stability to not bend.

Over all it is a superb utility tool, I use 3 of it with an Erica Synths Sequencer to get seperate independent mute buttons.

Comes with screws, reverse panel, sticker.

EDITED May 3rd 2023, 09:39

I purchased a module on https://www.chipsmall.com/, and the seller was great - fast shipping and, most importantly, an honest person. I will definitely buy again. There are also many great obsolete parts available for sale on the website!

Here's an exploration of hocketing in a modular system, using Disting EX's "Chord Engine." Detailed patch notes in the video.
Very nice and technically very elaborate. Great video, thanks moogul for post it.

I loved this article on ediT and his modular journey, and highly recommend following his cooking sessions on social. In the article he spoke a bit about drum sequencing (WMD Merton) but didn't say much about modules he uses for drum voices (and it doesn't look like he's using the Elektrons for that). Does anyone have any idea what he might be using? Or something that would get me close to it? less

https://reverb.com/news/interview-glitch-mobs-edit-on-new-rave-and-diving-deep-into-modular-synths

I'm always building the next case before I fill the previous one... so I never run out of space... and never see a module as too big... I like decent ergonomics - and have some very large modules...

musicstore expect new mantises at the start of July

I got rid of the only erica pico module I had, the sequencer, I didn't like the reset...

Congratulations on your piece.

Below, a historical example of the hoquetus technique: 'Hoquetus David' by Guillaume de Machaut (14th century), vocal version. A beautiful interpretation and a video in which one can visualise the alternation specific to this technique. There are also many instrumental versions.

Howdy everybody!

I got my copy of Allen Strange's book a few weeks ago from the Kickstarter and felt inspired. I put this patch together based on the Dream Machine patch on p85 and was pretty happy with the results, so I figured I'd share it here : )

Main voice is After Later Beehive (micro Plaits) 2op FM going through one of the low pass filters in QuBit Tone. I have it enveloped by Maths ch1, whose "Both" input gets the random CV from Wogglebug that determines the tempo, so slower tempos get longer notes and faster tempos get snappier notes. I'm sending a slower/subdivided selection of notes to Paradox, which is then mixed with some noise and fed into nRings to create the underlying pad. An even more sparse trigger gets sent to self-oscillating Ripples for some bass-y punches every once in a while.

The main sequence was created by mapping the positions of the letters of the alphabet to approximate positions on the sequencer's knobs (eg A = 0/26, B = 1/26, etc) and I used the letters A S T R A N G E as the shape of the sequence. It's then mixed with random voltage and quantized, but I still felt pretty clever haha

Hope you enjoy!

Here's an exploration of hocketing in a modular system, using Disting EX's "Chord Engine." Detailed patch notes in the video.

Did you want to buy from someone and then not get back to her/him?
maybe this would explain it.

I'm not a big fan of "output modules" - in a lot of cases they are unnecessary... I've never used one in 7 years... but I've always had mixers with headphone outputs - a rebel technologies mix03 and a tesseract modular tex-mix... if I needed (& only if I needed balanced or isolated outputs - perhaps for playing gigs) would I spend money on an output module... so the question is what are you outputting to? I use a small old-ish (15years or so) yamaha mg10 mixer which can easily handle modular levels - just get your gain staging right (ie low) - and most mixers and audio interfaces will work perfectly...

and as for vc crossfaders and auto-panners - maybe get more vcas and patch them yourself - it's modular after all - and whilst pan-law is great - a lot of records were made without it...

-- JimHowell1970

You're right, in the end I am not really looking for a full blown output module with balanced outs etc. but just a mixer with a headphone (for standalone rack use) and a "normal" stereo out if I go into my "real" mixer. If I run into the need for balanced outs due to ground problems I can always use a DI box in between.

Although I know how to pan/x-fade using VCAs/Inverters I find it quite convenient to have a bit of voltage control built into the mixer - it's modular after all :-)

So I decided to go for a Happy Nerding PanMix (and was lucky to find a shop in Europe with one in stock ...)

1) what am I missing?
possibly nothing - what do you reach for? do you run out of mixer channels/vcas/envelope generators/lfos?

3) how would you spend that remaining 20 hp?
probably more utilities... and/or a 2nd fx aid... I'm contemplating a pro to add to my xl (so I can use the duplicate 1st 32 algos trick to see what I'm doing)

-- JimHowell1970

Hi Jim, thanks! If I'm not running out of cables first, it's usually attenuators and switches. I'm hoping to have solved that a bit in the updated version, linked below.

Any favorite utilities that are typically overlooked? Also, that fx aid pro looks great, and I'm really tempted, just not sure about that 14 hp size (I wonder if there are more mantis cases in stock...). I added an Erica Synths Pico DSP to my updated plan, but I haven't played around with their modules before, so I'm not sure if that's the right direction to go in. Definitely think it will be interesting to have some effects earlier in my signal chain, though.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Having been mentioned twice in this thread, maybe I should weigh in a bit...

1. whilst I can see the appeal of the tiny case - it'll fit in your handbag (or purse, if you're American) and they're on the cheaper end of cases - they're not really very good for beginners...

beginners need space to add modules to find out what they actually want and the modules that they really need to support them... part of the appeal of modular is that you can reconfigure your synth based upon how you patch it and having (over time) the ability to add 20 modules or so is useful as this will open up a myriad of possibilities in terms of patching which cannot be achieved with the contents of this rack... not buying a decent sized case also leads to the slippery slope of more cases - I should know I strated with a small (6u 72hp) case and having nearly filled it within 6 months bought a mantis - so I could fit maths in... I now have 8 cases...

also some small cases are quite shallow and won't fit some modules in (2hp, for example, as the pcbs are perpendicular to the panel and mot parallel) which can result in people using standoffs which is all very well until you manage to stick a patch cable in hte side and short something out...

go for a mantis (still inexpensive) or one of the intellijel performance cases if you must be tied into unnecessary things like output modules and midi in) they are still quite portable - I've taken my mantis on planes, trains and buses many many times and not had any issues

if you absolutely must have a tiny case - start with a bigger one work out what modules you absolutely must have in it and then buy the smallest case you can to house those - buy only once you actually know what you are doing...

MylarMelodies and others who show off tiny systems on YouTube are often only using them to highlight single modules or patches... having taken a few modules from their bigger case(s) and will then re-arrange them before the next video... and whilst it is possible to build a 'techno groove box in 62hp' it's probably not going to keep you interested for more than a few months...

2. work out the modules you want and then work out what you need to support them - and leave at least 20% if not more space and then find a case that can house those modules - and can power the extra space when filled - I always estimate 10mA per hp per rail - and then allow at least 20% headroom on top of that...

3. utilities, utilities, utilities... see my signature for some hints, but I'm not really talking about O&C or Disting EX - which can be useful but tend to end up being left as one thing when a dedicated module probably does it better* - I'm talking more about really basic things like vcas (you may or may not need a lot of these), switches, mults, attenuators, attenuverters, logic, clock dividers, and mixers... and whilst these can be inexpensive (doepfer and ladik, for example) they do take up space...

• my disting mk4 was used almost exclusively as a tape delay for years

4. ergonomics... small modules with tiny knobs do not make a pleasant playing field - not only do they need to be separated (you've managed to do this quite well) but they also need to be not next to other modules that either have jacks next to them that you will use or knobs - as you will not be able to get to the knobs to adjust them once patched without resorting to tweezers - which can be frustrating, to say the least

EDITED May 2nd 2023, 00:43

So my questions are:
1) what am I missing?

possibly nothing - what do you reach for? do you run out of mixer channels/vcas/envelope generators/lfos?

2) what do I have too much of/what's redundant?

nada - 'redundancy'/duplication is a good thing in modular - you never know when you'll want something for your nth voice that you used up in your n-1th voice

3) how would you spend that remaining 20 hp?

probably more utilities... and/or a 2nd fx aid... I'm contemplating a pro to add to my xl (so I can use the duplicate 1st 32 algos trick to see what I'm doing)

I'm not a big fan of "output modules" - in a lot of cases they are unnecessary... I've never used one in 7 years... but I've always had mixers with headphone outputs - a rebel technologies mix03 and a tesseract modular tex-mix... if I needed (& only if I needed balanced or isolated outputs - perhaps for playing gigs) would I spend money on an output module... so the question is what are you outputting to? I use a small old-ish (15years or so) yamaha mg10 mixer which can easily handle modular levels - just get your gain staging right (ie low) - and most mixers and audio interfaces will work perfectly...

and as for vc crossfaders and auto-panners - maybe get more vcas and patch them yourself - it's modular after all - and whilst pan-law is great - a lot of records were made without it...

Hi mate, thanks for the detailed feedback and suggestions. That gives me a lot to go on!

I can't help with your main questions, I'm afraid. I'm actually pretty curious about this myself.

But I wanted to say that I wouldn't wait on uO_C unless you have to. It's not glamorous or necessarily fun to play with, but it will give you access to a number of tools that will allow you to do a lot with the modules you already have. It was seriously a game-changer in my own rack. Best of luck!

I agree with @Sweelinck, particularly about watching that video. If you haven't seen them already, Mylarmelodies' videos are immensely helpful in putting together a rack and just understanding modular in general.

As for your case, my first thought is the QPas is taking up a whole lot of territory. It may sound great, but if you can't fit anything else in the rack to use with it, it won't work for you the way you want it to. To be honest, Plaits is so robust and flexible (particularly with the new firmware update) that you could probably get away without a dedicated VCF.

Next, you need modulators. Things like lfos that will give movement and flow to your patches and let you change parameters without futzing with tiny knobs like on the 2hp modules. 2hp makes great modules, but you really need to think about usability and spacing with their knobs. For example, would you be able to play with the Mix's knobs during a live set without accidentally messing with Plaits' settings? Back to modulators, one great module is DivKid's ochd, 8 triangle lfo's in 4hp, it makes really organic motion. Doesn't help with other wave shapes, but I love it. Though it's a bigger footprint (10hp), Xaoc's Batumi is a classic and gives you access to a wide range of lfo options. Amazing when self-patched, too.

How about percussion? It doesn't usually makes sense to waste space with drum modules if you don't have much hp to spare (use outboard gear for that), but if you wanted everything on rack, something like Erica Synths Pico Drums (3hp) might be interesting. If you are using off rack percussion, or just because it's awesome, then something that can send out triggers would be helpful. You could use that to build patterns or any number of other useful things. Of course the Pamela's New Workout / Pro (10hp) is a standard, but there are other, interesting ones like Euclidian Circles by vpme.de (10hp) or various logic modules (which, in fact, Pamela's can also do).

Finally, but maybe most importantly (@JimHowell1970): utilities. Your case already comes with a good starter pack (attenuators, mults, vcas, mixers, Maths), but that's really only scratching the surface of what's out there. You can squeeze so, so much life out of your system using utilities. Also, they're often cheaper than the sexier vcos and vcfs, so that's a plus. Something like Ornament and Crime (particularly with hemisphere loaded) gives you a huge number of utilities and therefore flexibility in something like 8hp, depending on who makes it. I haven't yet used it myself, but Expert Sleepers' Super Disting EX Plus Alpha is a monster for utilities (also 8hp). While they're not very fun to play and do have some menu diving, either one will open a ton of doors to different tools that will change your modular experience for the better.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

(edited 'cuz I thought of more things to say)

EDITED May 1st 2023, 18:28

First, turn on the headlights:

Then forget about this setup. Sorry, I don't have the strength of @JimHowell1970, or some others, to explain things in detail. And there would be too much to say.

In exchange, if techno is your thing, this rather famous tutorial from mylarmelodies; you'll find more on YouTube. I sincerely hope that this will help you.

Hi guys, initial thoughts for first setup

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2241266.jpg

Trying to make a little techno sound box that I can jam on to (kinda) get me off my laptop. Currently living out of a van so the travel friendly case is a must atm. I want to sequence from Ableton and record back in and apply effects etc with an audio interface.

From videos I've seen the maths gives loads of flexibility and mod options. I love the sound of the QPAS and like that the plaits has a diverse range of sound sources.

Do you think any modules need swapping out? Any modules that are not needed?

Thanks in advance :)

EDITED May 1st 2023, 03:59

Hi,

I am currently planning my 1st rack and the thing I am really unsure about is the choice of output options. I would like to have some stereo mixing capabilities as I have a couple of stereo out modules. And I would like a headphone out to be able to use the rack standalone. I have configured three output options I am considering in the top row for comparison/comments.

Here is the rack:

• 1st option would be a panning Doepfer mono mixer going in a Doepfer stereo VC mixer going in a Befaco Out V3
• 2nd option would be an ADDAC805 3 channel VC stereo crossfader going in an Erica Synths Black Output V2
• 3rd option would be again the Doepfer stereo VC mixer going in a an Erica Synths Black Output V2

I like the VC crossfade/pan options of option 2 but this is the plan for the module choice I am really unsure about …

Any suggestions / advice?

Also happy on any other comments on the choice of modules … anything obvious I missed? The only one I do not plan to get initially is the uO_C … and all the MI clones will be from Tunefish Modular in Germany (but same size and layout), most of their modules are not in the database … I have some other gear to go with that that covers my analog synthesis pretty well (Elektron Analog Four and Analog Rytm and an ARP 2600 clone) and have tested my choice of MI modules in VCV.

Thanks a lot
Chris

You can try to trade for whatever you want, it's no skin off my back, you may be waiting awhile though. Even if someone has one they want to get rid of, they would also have to want something you want to get rid of in exchange. And unlike a sale, there's no protection in a trade. So in answer to your question, yeah, I personally would never try to trade for something I could easily buy instead.

EDITED Apr 30th 2023, 20:04

don't skimp on power... failing to do it's job when you have a case full of modules is annoying at a minimum... and whilst any damage to either the modules or the power supply can usually be repaired it can take quite a while... and diagnosing what's been damaged can take quite a bit of time...

I see that you have sold quite a few modules, so I can see where you are coming from.

Personally, I would rather engage with the community and additionally skip a step in the search, if someone has the 'widely available' module and does not want it.

Are we only trading for rarities now?

Hi,
I don't understand your question very well.... My advice would be:
-Leave the moogs in their boxes, since they take up a lot of space and power in the rack.
-Use the power supply of the rack for the modules that you buy.
-A rack can have different sources and feed different modules, by rows, for example. Imagine a 12U rack with two PSUs, one for each 6U rows.
Best regards,

Do all modules in a rack need to use the same power supply?
Say you were tentatively wanting to get into modular, to dip your toes in just a little bit, because you already have the Moog DFAM and Mavis, and are thinking about starting very small, just a few modules to enhance those two. One at a time, as you can afford. Could a person in this position buy an unpowered case and mount the Moogs into it while keeping the power supply as is for the time being, with the standard wall wart adapter used when they are standalone on a desktop; and then as you acquired this or that module you could power it with the ribbon in the rack and build from there, and then switch the power to the Moogs, if necessary?
Or do they need to use the ribbon to go into the rack in the first place?

Dimensions

• 90 HP (88HP, 47,7 cm)
• 3U (2.9 U, 13 cm)

PSU

• NANO Busboards

That module is widely available, so if you really want one, why not just sell a module or two to pay for it? I don't understand why you need to do a trade specifically.