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I would add that things seem a bit dry here. So for ambient especially, but also techno, one might think of supplementing with a little effect like Pico DSP, FX Aid, or Desmodus Versio?
-RYTM manda midi a erica synth midi, que queda debajo de la case, bajo la dfam...
-rytm tiene bombo, platos, percs... etc...
-desde un midi keyboard-->rytm-->case: grabo los sonidos del synth (brains), luego borro algunos steps, para que no sea tan predeciblemente yo... añado algunas notas agudas, y listo...
- rytm --> midi--> cv y trig para brains, y trig para dfam (siempre tengo una pista de rytm, con algo básico para dfam, por si cambio de pattern, dfam sigue sonando parecido...)
- fx aid: para brains
- pico dsp: para dfam y plonk
- malekko en modo cv: lfo brains, trig y cv para plonk (el trig. va a la mitad de tempo, estoy usando cv, dejando silencio en medio para poder trigar), un lfo libre para dfam, o plonk...
- envelope: para el brains
- mixer: para mezclar y tener volumen
-DFAM arriba
-bajo la case: midi erica
-en el lateral de la case: algunos otros ??
-opcional: filtro para plonk y brains ¿??
"I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."
Yes, ^this exactly.
Yes, very true. I started out thinking it'd be nice to get some analog tunes going with some noise added for percussion. Think the SID of the Commodore 64. That very quickly changed when I started using it and I added a Rample for sampled drums. I expanded based on what I needed after that. When somebody asks advice about their rack and "what to add next", it's more an opportunity to exchange ideas and options. With modular, nothing is set in stone anyway.
-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"
I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.
Depends on what you have. If you have 1 oscillator and 20 effects, yeah, you'd probably not want to use it all at once. However, I have more voices than effects, so I end up using all my effects almost all of the times, but not using all my voices. I try to make full tracks, my synth is not an accompaniment to a band or something like that. So I go as much all-out as I need to go to get the result I want.
-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."
And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal.
-- Jukeshoe
Yes, modular can be very distracting very quickly. I found DAW to be even worse, actually, as it's all right there available on the same screen. With modular, when I'm patching the synth and building tracks, I'm undistracted by anything that is not right there.
Hello! Newcomer here, I was playing with vcv rack and I am planning to go to a real stuff.
Going to start with 6U 104HP.
Mainly looking for a set to be able to play "techno" (sample drum for drum beat and pizza-ikarie for bassline/voices). Sometimes going ambient/drone would be nice.
Pico out so I would plug headphones and I wouldn't need any extra stuff to just play.
Dark matter for some overdrive and data bender for its glitchiness.
I would complete the first row initially and after some time playing with it I would expand with the second row.
Here's another post seeking feedback and constructive criticism on a potential rack. I already have a lot of these modules (current rack is here: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2104407.jpg, not sure how to post a proper link), but nothing is sacrosanct. Goal is to be a jack of all trades, but my main focus is on melodic generative music with a lot of playable sound mangling possibility. The image represents a Minibrute 2s connected to a Rackbrute 6u, with a Mantis case to the right.
General approach
Rackbrute - bottom row: usb interface, modulators, randomness and noise, s+h. top row: clocks, triggers, quantizers, general utilities
Mantis - bottom row: envelopes, mixers, effects, eq and output. top row: oscillators and sound sources, filters and effects.
I've tried to cover all my bases and be heavy handed with utilities, but it turns out I have 20 hp left if I stick with my current plan.
So my questions are:
1) what am I missing?
2) what do I have too much of/what's redundant?
3) how would you spend that remaining 20 hp?
Sería una case que acompañaría a la case grande.
Para tekno.
-brains: es trig y cv note, desde circuit-->midi erica-->brains-->
-malekko: envía un lfo a brains
-brains: envía audio a fx aid
-adsr: para brains
-hat: es trigado desde ladik, recibe su lfo desde maleko
-envía su audio al mixer doepfer (donde están radio, plonk...)
-quizás el mixer doepfer (donde están radio, plonk...) haga esto: su canal izquierdo-->filtro befaco-->pico dsp
tendría el filtro cerrado a veces, pero así puedo darle paso de vez en cuando...
opcional: manis iteritas sustituyendo a brains, filtro, y pico eg... (te sale igual de dinero)
opcional: pico seq: enviaría un sequencia/lfo para hat. Y así tengo un lfo libre en malekko.
Now we have a black panel for the ResEQ as preferred by some. The ResEQ has been around for quite a while. What I had hoped for is an expander module with CV over all the frequency bands. Add gate sequences and have fun! Much more exciting to me than any visuals ;-) I heard rumors that there is a 4u version of ResEQ with CV control. Anyone?
-- wiggler55550
who is we? where can i get this repanel?
-- hecko_doctor
I got this from a gent who goes by B0bcat on Modwiggler. PM him there and he can hook you up.
big modular = a rack per case and/or an overall rack, but you'll need an unicorn account for that (it's about 5 cents/pence per day)
I find it easiest to maintain the big rack and then delete the smaller racks if I move stuff around and then recreate them from copies of the big rack - my unicorn account has lapsed though and I don't need to make changes at the moment...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
A few nuggets of wisdom from this post, IMHO, need highlighting:
"I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."
Yes, ^this exactly.
I partially agree with this - there is nothing you actually need for your rack it really depends on you, but I do think its helpful to get some pointers in the right direction especially when starting out... but more focused I want to get a module that does this - or I want to move in this direction - can be quite helpful - although it is often a short cut from doing the research yourself
-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"
I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.
the more you have the less you use
-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."
And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal. I think I'd be a bit in over my head if I didn't have a crystal clear idea of what I want my music to be (and maybe even more importantly, what I DON'T want it to be...)
definitely modular can be a distraction from making music to start with... or your definition of 'music' changes...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
What do you do when the synth gets a little too big... especially for managing here on the grid? My system is in 7 cases, the Center, to which this post is attached, is pretty much that, the heart of my system featuring my mixer, basic send/return effects, monitoring, clock, modulation control devices, and some of the modulation sources.
The basic config is three 6u Doepfer 84hp bases with three 9u Doepfer 84hp cases set above them. In the case of Center, there is an additional 6u Doepfer case above it that I refer to as "Special Teams," containing my "trautonium" rig, Assimil8tor, drone/noise sources, and (for the moment), a Intellijel Rainmaker. Some cases include a Plumb Audio Rack Plumber, which passes 18 channels of signal via HDMI cable to several of my special purpose satellite racks.
In all, there is one large, very capable modular system (in 7 cases), with Center (described and included on the grid... I will get to the others eventually), right beneath the previously described Special Teams, as well as five others: a sequencer rack, a voices rack, a drum rack, a drum sequencer/drone rack, and a FX rack.
Among the satellites are: an electro-mechanical percussion rack, a Midi rack (tall and slender) beside my computer (with interfaces, monitoring, and input capabilities, and a Moog semi-modular system.
Okay, so I've started smallish (84hp rack) ... I can't seem to find the Mantis in stock anywhere, so I just got a HE Kit... sorry
no need to apologize... waiting is difficult...
It seems like the Arbhar can take audio levels for recording?
yeah most of this type of module do - output will usually be at modular level though - so much higher
However I would like to include some guitar pedals as sends/returns. I also need an output module?
not an "output" module, but an effects pedal interface - that copes with attenuation on the way out, impedance and amplification on the back in...
Also, a filter? Unless I use the Pro2s awesome filters, but again more I/O S/R and insert effects ... any recommendation for the limited space I have left?
-- Monib
fix the link and I'll take a look
-- JimHowell1970
Done, the instruo in/out modules are just place holders
A fun filter from Cubusynth.
A interesting option in this one is the simultaneous output of low pass, high pass, and bandpass signals, so one could mix all three together in interesting ways from the same sound input.
Also allows you to play ring resonance as it’s own chromatic semi-VCO.
Straightforward build, lots of components but not hard.
Fun.
I started with some semi-modular (4 Neutrons) to complement my digital piano and Nord Wave, got hooked and then gradually branched into modular as I wanted to try new things, learning as I went. Part of that was regularly trying out and selling modules when they weren't quite what I was looking for - I think I've sold at least 70 modules. I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick. My "rack" so to speak (it's really more of a sprawling mess haha) is pretty large now, but as you said, the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options when trying to find whatever sound you're looking for in a given instance. Mine grew to its current size over the course of 4 or 5 years, I couldn't possibly have planned it all out in advance. But I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people.
-- adaris
This is a great post chock full of great advice.
A few nuggets of wisdom from this post, IMHO, need highlighting:
"I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick."
Yes, ^this exactly.
-"the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options"
I'm guilty of over-patching in an attempt to "use everything" but that's more an attempt at "learning" through trial and error than a "music production" aesthetic....and after my first few months of patching I've come around to the "less is sometimes more" aspect of not patching the kitchen sink each and every time.
-"I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people."
And this is key. Modular is a major distraction from music-making, IF you don't know how to funnel your energies in order to harness the tools at your disposal. I think I'd be a bit in over my head if I didn't have a crystal clear idea of what I want my music to be (and maybe even more importantly, what I DON'T want it to be...)
Thanks for your post, and for sharing your pearls of wisdom! Good stuff! :)
“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
I started with some semi-modular (4 Neutrons) to complement my digital piano and Nord Wave, got hooked and then gradually branched into modular as I wanted to try new things, learning as I went. Part of that was regularly trying out and selling modules when they weren't quite what I was looking for - I think I've sold at least 70 modules. I see people constantly asking what they need for their rack and I don't really relate to that very well because to me you should just start with enough to make some noise and then when you want to do or try something but can't, that'll inform what you want/need real quick. My "rack" so to speak (it's really more of a sprawling mess haha) is pretty large now, but as you said, the point is not to use it all at once - it's like having a bunch of guitars/pedals, it just gives you more options when trying to find whatever sound you're looking for in a given instance. Mine grew to its current size over the course of 4 or 5 years, I couldn't possibly have planned it all out in advance. But I did have a strong vision for my music, I think that's what a lot of people are missing and maybe what makes the journey more confusing for a lot of people.
Okay, so I've started smallish (84hp rack) ... I can't seem to find the Mantis in stock anywhere, so I just got a HE Kit... sorry
no need to apologize... waiting is difficult...
It seems like the Arbhar can take audio levels for recording?
yeah most of this type of module do - output will usually be at modular level though - so much higher
However I would like to include some guitar pedals as sends/returns. I also need an output module?
not an "output" module, but an effects pedal interface - that copes with attenuation on the way out, impedance and amplification on the back in...
Also, a filter? Unless I use the Pro2s awesome filters, but again more I/O S/R and insert effects ... any recommendation for the limited space I have left?
-- Monib
fix the link and I'll take a look
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Jim, thank you. I'm all about the utilities! Just trying to figure out which ones.
Samara II seems to be out everywhere. Samara the original, none available on Reverb.
Patience is a requirement when it comes to modular... it always was, but the pandemic knock on effects have made things worse than usual for the last few years (and I expect for a while to come)
If I were to get Samara, would that mean getting rid of Miso or Utopia, or both? Or keeping all three?
it would be the last option for me... but you may be different... I'd keep them and see...
Kinks looks great Im sold.
clones are available not sure of names though
I have 2 uZeus withe the stock wall-warts, so I think Im good for this 6u 84 hp, though of course its only 80 hp for each row withy the power headers there.
yeah should be ok...
I'm listening via an audio interface, Behringer 1820. It has a pad on each line level input, so good for attenuating hot euro signal.
Not sure about sequencing. I think I'm mostly interested in "old" ways of doing things (i.e. shift registers and logic and such).
then you want a clock, clock divider, sample and holds etc etc... search for "sequencing without a sequencer" on modwiggler - there should be some good advice there
Definitely interested in more West Coast type ways of working, from what I understand. Not necessarily bongos, but definitley creating rhythms through modulated modulation. That is to say, I'm interested both in the sound design potential of modular, but also the sequencing. Also: the west pest has a simple sequencer, and my DSI pro 2 has an analog 16 or 32 step sequencer, with pitch+gate+3 additional CV's out.
-- iguai
If you're in "West Coast" synthesis - then I'd look at modules from Random*Source, Tiptop/Buchla and Elby
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
I understand your answers and I agree that a quad VCA is the solution in order to add another voice and control those sounds in a more convenient way.
Now I'm using the EXT IN of the MOOG putting in it the Wavetable VCO ( ...before patched in th MIX on the MOOG )
So I'm using the VCF and VCA of the MOOG as you wrote.
I'm waiting to arrive a Quad Multiplier so in the incoming future I'll be able to use more signals into the EXT IN
I agree for VCV RACK , I need to make some test with it.
I have a Minilogue XD and Monologue from Korg but I would like to completely dive into modular 'cause... I like it!!!
Hi,
From the advice I've read in forums, and from my personal experience, I think this has happened to almost all of us when we started.
In my case, I've been doing this for a year, and I'm already selling modules that I bought at the beginning because I barely use them.
And it's funny, because before I started assembling my rack, I read forums, and I saw advice from veteran people who recommended doing the exact opposite of what I ended up doing.
I think it's not about more or less modules, but about finding the module that gives you what you're looking for, for example, I started having 6 LFO's in my system divided into 3 modules, and in the end, I bought a NE Clep Diaz that it has replaced 4 of those LFO's. A module replaces 2 modules, and also offers, from my point of view, functionalities that are just what I was looking for.
---Ferran.
**the instruo input/output modules are just place holders.
Okay, so I've started smallish (84hp rack) ... I can't seem to find the Mantis in stock anywhere, so I just got a HE Kit... sorry
It seems like the Arbhar can take audio levels for recording? However I would like to include some guitar pedals as sends/returns. I also need an output module?
Also, a filter? Unless I use the Pro2s awesome filters, but again more I/O S/R and insert effects ... any recommendation for the limited space I have left?
Regarding using the Mother 32 with another VCO, I assume you're meaning using the 'external audio' input jack on the top left of the patchbay. Just note that patching there inserts the signal before the VCF and the VCA in the module, so unless you're looking to turn the Mother 32 into a 2-oscillator voice (going through the same filter and VCA) or to just use the ladder filter in the Mother 32 with an external oscillator, then you'll need something else to mix it with a second voice. Cascading VCAs are always a good idea :)
If you're not sure what modules you'll really need to make patches you're happy with, you should consider spending some time with a program like VCV Rack or another software modular environment to try and make a few basic patches or view other patches to get a basic idea of what you might need. Looking to non-modular hardware synths that you like for guidance can also be a good idea to get a feel for what most would expect to find in a typical synth voice.
Jim, thank you. I'm all about the utilities! Just trying to figure out which ones.
Samara II seems to be out everywhere. Samara the original, none available on Reverb.
If I were to get Samara, would that mean getting rid of Miso or Utopia, or both? Or keeping all three?
Kinks looks great Im sold.
I have 2 uZeus withe the stock wall-warts, so I think Im good for this 6u 84 hp, though of course its only 80 hp for each row withy the power headers there.
I'm listening via an audio interface, Behringer 1820. It has a pad on each line level input, so good for attenuating hot euro signal.
Not sure about sequencing. I think I'm mostly interested in "old" ways of doing things (i.e. shift registers and logic and such).
Definitely interested in more West Coast type ways of working, from what I understand. Not necessarily bongos, but definitley creating rhythms through modulated modulation. That is to say, I'm interested both in the sound design potential of modular, but also the sequencing. Also: the west pest has a simple sequencer, and my DSI pro 2 has an analog 16 or 32 step sequencer, with pitch+gate+3 additional CV's out.
I know this might be a daft question but looking for some feedback in terms of my journey through all this.
I guess I've been pursuing the idea of adding more and more modules in a kind of 'how can I make this next one work with EVERYTHING else'.. and eventually ending up with a complete mush of nonsense. And as a musician and producer of a couple of things I really should know better but it hasn't really clicked with modular until just now that I don't have to use EVERY module all at once just cos they're all nicely lined up in a case.
I've been having a good evening just mixing say 2 modules together, and then trying 2 others to see if I can compose something musical (in the harmonic sense of the word as I'm not opposed to discordant random noise either).
For example like many people I imagine, its been very hard to integrate Subharmonicon into anything because it's so challenging to tune. But isolated and quantized it becomes a very different animal capable of some very versatile melodies.
So how has other people's journeys been? Has it been a case of trying to throw it all together like me or more of a thought out process of 'less is more' sometimes..
If I add another VCO I need also another filter and VCA for it or I can let it work with Mother 32?
possibly not sure on patching as I don't have any semis - but more vcas (get a quad cascading one - think of it as an investment (& it can also be used as a vc mixer) - and filters are almost always a good idea
I already have the Wavetable VCO and I'm patching it with Mother 32 but I do not have so many IN and OUT more (I ordered ad multiplier in the meantime...) and I'm triyng to understand how to add another VCO voice
probably using a mixer pre-cv out of moog mixed with vco out, mixer out into vca in of moog??
I also need a Mixer?(Math can be used for this...so probably I'm already ok for that).
whilst Maths does include a mixer, using it as such kind of stops you using Maths for anything insteresting... get a quad (or triple) cascacading vca
so...the real question is:
for any VCO I have in the system is required a filter, LFO and VCA in order to use it?
well not required as such - depends what you are hoping to do... but lots of people have multiples of these per voice... multiple filters can give choice... multiple lfos (and/or envelope generators and/or function generators ie modulation sources) will allow you to modulate more parameters on modules... vcas are useful for both audio and modulation sources... a matrix mixer is incredibly useful for mixing modulation sources together to create more complex ones - especially when patched into vcas and sample and hold modules...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Maths - it's a good learning tool - what with all the video resources and the 'maths illustrated supplement' - work your way through the latter a few times concentrating on what, how and why and you'll do yourself a big favour... & it's also incredibly useful and not small...
A matrix mixer - incredibly useful - from taking multiple modulation sources and making them more complex to setting up send/return or feedback processing for effects
xaoc samara would also make a good addition... as would a kinks clone
I'll point you to my signature - as I usually do in most posts - for a few hints on how to get a versatile modular for as little as possible - the formula scales from tiny systems, to the truly massive
I only see one uZeus module - and the power draw is over it's capabilities - on the +12v this can be remedied by using the higher powered 'turbo' power adapter, but the -12v is probably quite bit over... not only should you leave at least 20%, better still 30%, headroom on each rail, but 533mA is more than the max draw on this rail even with the jumper switched - regular setting is just 400mA (so you don't really want to be going much over 300mA - don't skrimp on power - it's really important!!!
all this of course can be remedied by removing the West Pest...
how are you playing this? a sequencer might be a good idea... at least 2 channels...
how are you listenimg? via an external mixer or audio interface?
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
We means all of the Eurorack community. Bad wording, sorry my bad.
I do not speak for Random*Source (or any other manufacturer).
For any inquiries turn to the manufacturer please.
Now we have a black panel for the ResEQ as preferred by some. The ResEQ has been around for quite a while. What I had hoped for is an expander module with CV over all the frequency bands. Add gate sequences and have fun! Much more exciting to me than any visuals ;-) I heard rumors that there is a 4u version of ResEQ with CV control. Anyone?
-- wiggler55550
If I add another VCO I need also another filter and VCA for it or I can let it work with Mother 32?
I already have the Wavetable VCO and I'm patching it with Mother 32 but I do not have so many IN and OUT more (I ordered ad multiplier in the meantime...) and I'm triyng to understand how to add another VCO voice
I also need a Mixer?(Math can be used for this...so probably I'm already ok for that).
so...the real question is:
for any VCO I have in the system is required a filter, LFO and VCA in order to use it?
Interested in modular for a long time but I always steered clear. Then in February I bought a DSI Pro 2 (which has CV in and out),
so I thought I'd buy one of those West Pests to have a wave folded analog extra oscillator to run into the Pro 2. Then a week later I visited my friend who gave me 2 Happy Ending kits. Later that week, I bought 6 fairly random modules (the cheapest ones!) from a local music shop. I had those until yesterday when I went a little crazy and bought a Rubicon, STO, uFold, uVCA, and Quadrax on Reverb. Those are in the mail today. So, heres what I will have by the end of the week. The West Pest can of course come out of the rack, and will Im sure. Just more convenient for it to live there now until I need the space.
So: opinions on what I need. This is all in a desktop 19" rack with HE kits. I could add another set of rails and go up to 9U, but thats as far as I want to go within the next year for budget reasons. I really don't like the Dreadbox modules; too tight, trimmers, etc..
So I think I'm actually interested in BIG modules, or well spaced out ones, not maximizing per-HP return.
Thanks!