A lot of the reason to get into modular is the ability to turn anything into a percussive sound source. It's only limited by your imagination. An oscillator, wavefolder, low pass gate, etc... Even a self-oscillating filter, VCA, and envelopes... That's what makes modular fun.
There are plenty of drum oriented modules like Basimilus Iteritas Alter, Plonk, and the now discontinued WMD stuff, but drum machines are far cheaper. Just depends on what you are trying to do, and how deep you want to get into creating your own sounds.
Good luck and have fun.
Sorry I missed the part with the mixer. Sure, an external mixer would help.
I have an ES-3 and have used it for sound design and composition, but never for playing the case, mainly because I do not play a modular and use it solely for sound design and composition. Something like the ES-3 is good for communication between the DAW and the case. I also have a Mutant Brain MIDI-CV module that I had bought in 2019 for a specific project. I'll use that to send note/gate data to the case and use the ES-3 for sending envelopes, LFOs and also audio.
Personally I find most modular performances boring OR music that could easily be done using a laptop or other hardware boxes. Lots of reverb-drenched pointless ambient doodlings or never-ending arpeggios over 4/4 kicks. I think most people use a modular for the sake of using a modular - an extension of a pitfall in electronic music (academic or non-academic) - the tool or process is more important than the end result. I will, however, give myself a last chance at trying to play with a modular by focusing only on my Make Noise modules as a consistent, single-producer system.
If you want some more interesting, experimental uses of modulars in live performance and composition, I'd recommend checking names like Thomas Lehn, Richard Scott, Eliad Wagner, Thomas Ankersmit...
Electronic musician, improviser, composer, sound designer in Berlin
Solo, Böseblick, Ephemeral Fragments, Only With You, Pep Talk, Lettow Erel Duo
It's discontinued now, but Warps from Mutable Instruments is a useful wave folder/ring mod/crossfader/TZFM thing (further expanded with the Parasites firmware.) I'm not always crazy about digital modules or remembering modes and that kind of thing, but I've found Warps to be pretty darn useful. You might find something like that valuable in 10hp.
Also, shout out to Sam Prekop! I'm a huge fan of all of his and John McEntire's projects.
Good luck and have fun.
If I have a Yamaha MG12XU mixer, why do I need a stereo mixer in the rack?
Perhaps I do not need one of the expanders for the FH2. The idea was to be able to play polyphonically and also have some slots leftover for random lfos etc. But I'm sure 1 expander would be good. If I drop one of those any suggestions for another 4hp module to fill the case?
I'm a big fan of Trent Reznor and his experimental scores so this will heavily be a sound design rack...however I want to be able to play live with my keystep pro. Bitbox for percussion, keystep pro sequencing that. Then I have many voices leftover in my rack.
A sequential switch is used, for example, to channel the modulation signal from a source to several destinations dynamically by means of a trigger. You can also send a sequenced trigger to different destinations.
-- ferranadsr
Interesting, that's something I use stages for. I guess I was conflating it with sequencing.
So, would ornament and crime or a pams be more utilitarian? I know that o_C has a lot of different algorithms, and can have two operating at the same time, but I also feel like pams has more direct programming.
How would you define a sequential switch as opposed to a sequencer?
I will often use stages as cv sequencers
-- fretless19
Hi,
A sequential switch is used, for example, to channel the modulation signal from a source to several destinations dynamically by means of a trigger. You can also send a sequenced trigger to different destinations.
It is a basic module, for example https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-151
You can watch this video where they explain it very clearly with a lot of options.
Hi,
If you plan to put Pamela I don't think you need any more clock modulator.
I agree with @JimHowell1970, a sequential switch and maybe a matrix mixer and an attenuator/attenuverter could be good options.
BR
i would like to get some input/different look on my setup...i want to buy the metropolis seq. in the near future and would like to know if i miss something essential in my 2 boxes. . . .
(ps: i will replace the doepfer vco at some time. . . )
(music i like: jim o rourke, sam prekop, eliane radigue (literally everything from the grm circle).. . .
Definitely some unique sounds in your tracks and a lot of interesting listening in your albums. I particularly liked Récurrences. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
That doepfer-lfo is a nice basic module.. one of the first I bought and still in my case.
there are loads of 4hp attenuverters out there.
Instead of that 914 behringer; check the doepfer a128.. smaller footprint but different frequencies.
A deceptively simple sounding patch, and beautiful. A great listen. Thanks for sharing. And those Stoel modules look interesting too. You need to do more promo work. ;-) Cheers!
This would make my little effects box even more mediocre. But if anybody can give me an advice how I can fill up the 8HP from the 995 with flashy modules that suit my desire (at least 3 attenuators and a flexible LFO to modulate the Z5000) I might follow these suggestions. Thanks!
-- Jockl
don't doepfer do a 4hp quad attenuator and a 4hp quad lfo? I just checked, yes to both - more utilitarian than flashy though
"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!!!
Can we not forbid these kind of douchebags and send them off to Reverb? I am fine with selling rare modules with a markup but shouldn't there be limits?
@JimHowell1970
Thanks for your suggestions. I was aware that my tiny box loaded with uncool Behringer modules won't be regarded as the latest hip thing in this community. One thing I want to avoid is to expand to a full blown modular system so buying a bigger case is no option for me.
@adaris
I guess you are right. I'll swap the bulky 995 with a Doepfer A-138n and a Doepfer A-145-4.
This would make my little effects box even more mediocre. But if anybody can give me an advice how I can fill up the 8HP from the 995 with flashy modules that suit my desire (at least 3 attenuators and a flexible LFO to modulate the Z5000) I might follow these suggestions. Thanks!
You seem to be missing a stereo mixer. You have a Bitbox, QPAS, a Mimeophon, a Desmodus and a Nautilus... all of them are stereo. Unless you want to use them as one big stereo chain, you'll need a basic stereo mixer. Something like a Happy Nerding 2xSAM or Make Noise's own XOH would do. You might even want to go for a larger mixer if you want to be able to play all those sound sources and effects together.
What kind of music do you want to perform/compose with this case?
Electronic musician, improviser, composer, sound designer in Berlin
Solo, Böseblick, Ephemeral Fragments, Only With You, Pep Talk, Lettow Erel Duo
Yes, with the FH-2 you have enough modulation sources: and if you incorporate it with your DAW you can assign CC numbers to the outputs and draw in your automation—any curve you can create. Including the expanders, no matter how you arrange them, 24 outputs is a lot for your case. I have no idea where you're planning on putting them all!
If you can describe the type of music you make or want to make or can compare it to musicians you're inspired by, other members with similar taste might have helpful advice on finishing your rack.
Thanks for the feedback! The layout you suggest does make sense. I plan on going line out from various modules into a desktop mixer so that I can multitrack stems...so not everything will be going out the x-pan or case outputs necessarily. I do like the black, but I already own a lot of these modules.
As I'm looking to finish my case, are there any obvious or helpful module/s that I could be missing? Or replacements to certain modules that may perform better/allow for more options? Do you think the FH2 plus expanders and Maths offer enough modulation options?
Do you think I need a dedicated mixer module or is Maths and X-Pan suitable if I'm going out into a desktop mixer?
Experimental sounds but I don’t even know what style I enjoy tbh. Still new to it. But I use my expert sleeper for vcv rack so I have a lot of little things like clocks delays and mixers that I can use to blend in . But I want to hear what people think would go well . Whatever it is il look into . Maybe a Intellijel shapeshifter? Or some befaco mixer? I don’t know which would he better or if there is something better than those 2.
What kind of music are you making? What functions do you feel are missing? Is there something you wish you could do, but can't?
We will probably need some more details so that we can help. Otherwise, people might just start listing random modules.
Am curious to know how it turns out though, holler back when you get that sumbitch runnin again.
-- yeahivandalizm
Kinda forgot to update, but thankfully both the module and the case are in good working order! Thank you again for the proper advice. There are a couple of buttons on the module (oh, btw it's a 2nd-hand Maths with a black faceplate) that are a little bit sticky, but also work alright. At some point I'll have to do some triaging to clean 'em out, but I'm thinking I might leave that to the pros.
well there's absolutely nothing in there that I'd put in - including the case
start with a bigger case - you'll probably want to expand from this once you've got it and having the space already available will save you buying another case... bigger cases are often better value per hp and have better power solutions - tiptop mantis is near perfect starter case - buy (or make from cardboard) blank panels to cover the unused space
as a multi-effect unit I'd want one with a screen so it's easy to work out what algo you have loaded - fx aid pro would be my choice... because if you decide that you want another multi-effect you can then buy another one - either the standard of the xl and if you set it up right you can use the pro as a reference for the algos on the others - 1st 32 algos on the pro match the 32 algos on the other modules...
I wouldn't buy b-company modules without comparing modules from other companies - ie don't just buy something because it's cheap... find the one that you actually want - spend a lot more time researching before you buy...
you'll probably want to amplify the sub37 so it's actually at modular levels for processing
you will want more modulation and utilities than you think - these will exponentially increase the flexibility of the rack - they take up space - back to get a bigger case!!!
something to consider is that in order for a modular designed as an effects processor to be worthwhile - it is a full blown modular synthesizer, with an external sound source replacing the vcos - everything else is identical...
"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!!!
There's no need to use 8 HP for a triple passive attenuator module. You could replace that with a similar module or even one with more functionality from another manufacturer that takes up less space and you'll have room for an LFO module.
You're welcome! I should also mention that certain wavefolders can be used as both a clean VCA and a VCA with overdrive/wavefolding, at least I know this is true of the Bastl Timber. So that's something else to consider.
I build this to add a few basic effects to a Subsequent 37. Now is this pure genius or plain boring? I would love to expand on a LFO module but have no space left in the Doepfer LC.
Small request for a longer period of time before logout. Modular synth builds don't seem mission critical, but I feel like I get logged out faster than my bank. I "sketched a patch" today and lost it because I was auto logged out. I would love it if I was never logged out, ever.
There are quite a few VCAs that can amplify but are basically clean until the amplified signal hits a ceiling of 10V or thereabouts, so I don't think the overdrive in the Tallin is a natural function of it being an amplifier, rather it's something they specifically built into the module. I see people make the claim that "most VCAs just attenuate" sometimes, but that hasn't been my experience in Eurorack. I think almost any VCA that isn't strictly linear is going to be capable of amplification, and even some of the linear ones can amplify to a degree if the control voltage is high enough.
As far as other VCAs that do some type of overdrive or distortion, my first thought is tube VCAs like the Metasonix RK2 for example. Abyss Devices Saevitus and Synthetic Sound Labs Tube VCA/Timbral Gate are a couple others that come to mind. But if you search MG for "Tube VCA" you'll find quite a few. Aside from Tube VCAs I know Expert Sleepers makes a JFET-based VCA, "Persephone" that can be used to overdrive the input signal as well.
I recently heard the XAOC Tallin and found the built-in overdrive very intriguing. I'm guessing that this is the product of the module actually being an amplifier and not just an attenuator like other VCAs.
It still got me thinking if you guys know of other VCAs that, instead of transparently modulating the amplitude, either react uniquely with the incoming CV/audio or modify the output interestingly?
Bonus points for modules with unique features directly linked to the VCA format. What I mean is: I'm expecting a drive + VCA module to be able to produce a similar effect to the Tallin, but I can imagine that there are some funky modules whose combinations are more dependent on the VCA circuit
Hi fellow synth nerds
I've been building a live rack for 3 years now and I've gave about 20 to 30 live perfomances with it in various projects.
What I love the most about modular synthesizer is the fact that as the posibilities are infinite, everyone have a different way to work and make sounds with it. For me, my eurorack as helped me to be more confident to express my fellings thought my music.
I built my rack to give live improv shows
Beats are made with a roland tr8s
I can mix with a 4 channel focusrite thats goes to ableton live were i threat drums and euroack then do a master
Or
I mix with a 8 channel focusrite were i treat kick, bass, snare&claps, hats&shakers, manis histeria and chords&arps independently then do a master. I can also live multi-track record this way.
In both ways i can adjust sounds and send effects with a small midi controler. I play with 120ms latency that doesn't impact the playability (i got used to it really fast)
The transportation and the importance of the show are the reasons why i'll choose one or another way of mixing.
In his "little" version my live setup fits in a 100L backpack (forclaz DUFFEL 100 BASIC) It is fully wired, can be installed and tuned in 20 minutes for a live show and does not require a car.
The "heavy" version require a larger computer. I choose that one when I have to record or if my performance require a better mix
Here is a video with one of my project "Jean feutre" with a french cartoonist :
The goal here is to treat music and visual arts as equaly. It is mainly based on improvisation and we can synchronize visual effects with sound thanks to midi.
I don't assume my way of doing live shows with my modular synth is the best one. I'm just here to tchat about it
If you have questions or feedbacks fell free to answer the thread !
I've used a Fold6 with drive at 50% and fold just barely on to get kicks to punch specifically a ModBase09 mk2 through around 80 of 90 multi-hour techno streams. This worked well for 909 style kicks. I tried with a Unicorn Boom (808) and didn't like that much, but through a 100 Grit it got a super fat sound. So it all depends. I also use 2x TriTones with a smile curve on the master and this really helps out to get the hats, kick and sub to sound huge.
I’d black out the case and rearrange some modules:
The FH-2 is gonna have a long usb cable attached so best to keep it off to the side so it doesn’t hang over your Maths.
The X Pan Out at the top makes for cleaner patching to your In/Out just below.
2HP VCAs spaced apart for easier patching. (Wherever you put them)
Bitbox and Rene for faster dominant right hand navigation. Especially bitbox screen usage. And you can tuck the bitbox output cables up the side to your master out so they’re not in the way.
The top row progresses logically from Sound to Space, Mono to Stereo modules. Your sound sources then Desmodus for synthetic tail mono in / stereo out patching followed by your stereo modules: Qpas, Mimeophon, Nautilus, XPan. Or Desmodus after Nautilus if you’re using it as a final reverb.
Maths next to the LFO and Tempi (time defining modules), just below the mults for system wide patching.
Go to the “Sketch a Patch” in your My Modular, and draw up some patches. You’ll learn whether your modules and layout inspires you or needs improvements and tidying.
