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Hi,

I am slowly moving away from digital effects with the look to replace them with analog ones.

I was wondering, what are your favorite eurorack analog effects?

I am particularly interested in:
1. Delay
2. Reverb
3. Flanger / Phaser

Thanks,
Regards,
Matteo

Ornament and Crime might be a good add for this setup...lots of functionality/HP.

Definitely not normal...I have two 6Us and a 3U....what Vow3II said for troubleshooting

Well, part of the problem is in the fact that there's something in the cab that shouldn't be: the DFAM. It already has a cab and its own power, so use that. Otherwise...well, your case costs $649, and it's got 168 hp in its 3U rows, which is what we'll be dealing with here. This is going to hurt a little...

649 / 168 = 3.86. This is the cost per hp for the case (barring the tile row, as it's not really germane to this).

Then, find the cost of 60 hp. 3.86 x 60 = 231.60

Now, a DFAM these days streets for $699. So 699 + 231.60 = 930.60

So, the DFAM, in this configuration, winds up actually costing over $900 if you leave it in here. So not only do monster-sized devices like this rob powered housing from modules that REALLY need it, it's not a very fiscally-sound idea, either.

And it's an impediment to revising builds as well. If you're looking at a case where over 1/3rd of the space is taken over by just one single device, you need to be thinking VERY carefully about how to use the remaining 3U space. Or if you just put that 60 hp chonk back where it belongs, you'll have opened up loads of space for MORE stuff that can integrate your system in with everything else. Same routine works with the other Moog 60-ers, and there IS a way to mount four of those in a big, curved master stand; see here:

Can't do that if the DFAM stays where it is...and you've got to admit, that curved 4-tier setup looks totally badass, sort of like a piece of TONTO that got left in the dryer too long!

This is also another good reason for keeping a spirit level around the studio. Besides levelling keyboard stand tiers, etc., it comes in handy for figuring out annoyances like this.

Yeah, it's just a really uncommon use, but then you see people using things like the Volca Kick as subbass synths...similar idea. Sort of goes back to an example I should've realized then...the "magic moment" in Stockhausen's "Kontakte" when a note starts descending, goes into the subsonic rates, then becomes a rapid pulse...and finally, very slow single pulses with their pitch being determined by a resonant filter. Sort of like extratone stuff, but in reverse.

Hi TumeniKnobs,

That's a beautiful piece of work. The music is nice and relaxing and then "suddenly" it stopped. I thought: "What happened?" Your track finished already. I thought it was only a few minutes but now I realise it's 21 minutes :-)

Lovely done and I hope you produce more of this peaceful music! Thank you very much for that and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Geoff,

Nice that you already have the ADAT parts. We use it in the office for parts of our audio (broadcast company) but for music I'm so humble to stay with USB and jacks :-) Now you mention the shortage of ES-9 it made me double-check because I want to order one for myself. Fortunately, it's in stock in one of my favorite shops.

I'm also looking at integrating external equipment with modular (who isn't?). The core will be my iPad Pro. With AUM and the multitrack recorder, it's quite powerful. I just bought a Teensy to set up a headless Dirtywave M8. Teensy is via USB, but the M8 itself is MIDI and audio jacks. The ES-9 would then be key to get the audio in, but I'd still need to find a way to sync clocks and start/stop. No PC, because that turns everything into a complicated mess. I've got lots to explore, but I'm doing it step by step. I also just started recording video for my YouTube channel, so I'm already doing everything at once.

As for Disting and similar modules (looking at you O&C), I stay away from them. It's true - you can turn them into anything. But I find that confusing. A VCO is a VCO and not a clock, in my setup. But they exist for good reason, so spend your time to get to know it well because there's plenty in it!

EDITED Feb 27th 2023, 07:04

I can not speak about your specific problem with the Rackbrute but i think it's a pretty common problem for hardware in general. I used to work with a Digital-Video-Tape-Machine (HDCamSR) from Sony wich is a realy expensive piece of technology (around 25k Euro). This thing was wobbling around when i we're pressing buttons or ejecting/loading tapes. A piece of beerfelt was the Bavarian solution to fix it. Some behringer stuff i own is wobbling and other Hardware too. I think the Problem are not the plastic feets underneath, Sometimes the housing ist not 100% straight/flat and quality controle is poor.

EDITED Apr 6th 2022, 17:54

That's an odd one; I've not heard of triggering drum modules with an audio rate trigger.

That surprises me a bit, it is fun to sync them to oscillators. If it has V/O tracking they become playable oscillators.
I understand that isn't their primary goal use but in modular it means to me I can do a lot of neat tricks, pulling between drums and sounds so to speak.

Hi Arrandan thanks for getting back to me. Below is the link to my rack hope it works. I have acquired all the modules listed already so I have the ear no problem. I am using a miniDSP USBStreamer for ADAT in/out to PC. I got the ES-3/6 combo cheap. At the time the ES-9 wasn't going to be available for a loooong time. I am also using a yamaha A4000 sampler for fx through Rosie send/return. So at the moment Im using a bit of external gear to make do eg op-z to sequence and A4000 and PC for fx. Haven't got into the disting yet as its new but I thought it was a flexible module for someone still working stuff out. Thanks again.

().

EDITED Apr 6th 2022, 13:25

Hi Geoff,

It would make things easier if you can post a link to your rack here on ModularGrid. That way, we can click on it and review it easily.

Do you have ADAT on your PC? The ES-3/6 combo is very specific. Most people connect to a PC with an ES-9 as it provides USB. For MIDI, MutantBrain is a popular option as it provides more connectivity pretty cheaply. When you add the CVx to the uMIDI, you end up more expensive.

Ears is discontinued so hurry to find stock if you really need it!

If you don't know, Zadar can be a VCO
-- SamuelGeai

Hi Samuel,

Great tip! I remember reading about it. It's a bit fiddly though, trying to get the actual V/OCt working. That's why so far, I've refrained from using it as a sound source. But I might have a go at it tonight. I am already using Zadar as an LFO, where the speed is less crucial.

Hi all.

Got a new Rackbrute 6U.

When patching at the top right, the left foot will lift slightly. I could put something under it but it’s annoying as it’s an expensive unit. It not just ‘movement’ because it’s suspended in the air, it’s actually rocking back slightly. I’ve turned the ‘pole’ around and it makes no difference.

Before k try and swap it for another, I just wondered if this is normal - does anyone else have a wobble?

EDITED Apr 6th 2022, 11:16

Hi
This is my first modular setup. I have an 84hp Intellijel Pallete case with the modules as outlined below. I was considering using my op-z to sequence through the umidi 1U. Anyone have some advice/suggestions to complete the case ? Not sure how to proceed as option paralysis has set in. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1242767.jpg

Modules list :
Intellijel µMIDI 1U
Intellijel Noise Tools 1U
Intellijel DUAL VCA 1U
Intellijel Quadratt 1U
Expert Sleepers disting EX
Noise Engineering Manis Iteritas 
Intellijel Buff Mult
Mutable instruments Ears
Moog Music Inc. DFAM 
Noise Engineering Viol Ruina
Make Noise Rosie
Expert Sleepers ES-3 mk4
Expert Sleepers ES-6 mk2

In a setup like this, I'd strongly recommend you look at various switching options like:
-- Befaco Muxlicer
-- Verbos Sequence Selector
-- Boss Bow 2
etc.

With some switching like that in your system, you can sequence your control signals of any kind, including sequencers, lfo, envelopes, etc. With not much HP and $ extra, you massively extend the depth of your control rig.

Also, with the goal "have a modular sequencer that can easily be adapted to use with a wide variety of other system" that begs the question -- what will it be linked to? Hence, any of a range of interface modules like Expert Sleepers or Boredbrain might get you fun extra linkages out (to PC, MIDI, etc.).

My net recommendations
-- think of how many pitched sequence lanes you need, how many perc sequence lanes you need, how many spare sequence lanes you need, and get a bit more than that, with maybe different sequencers handling pitched vs. perc
-- very much consider ergonimics and workflow in a sequencer, it matters a ton. I like Five12 Vector for pitched stuff and Tiptop ones for perc, because of all the knob per function, and how those really make more sense to my mind than others. IMO sequencers are a very personal thing so take some time to find ones that jive with you
-- totally include some switching in the rack and sequence control signals, it's the bees knees
-- with a good signal out box (Expert Sleepers) etc., you could use a rig like this to cover a majority of scoring needs

Good luck, enjoy!

Now you'll put me in a rambling mood....
Yeah, I had to deal with eh Yamaha FM patent in the early '90s at the computer company I was working for, they had it locked up so tightly we had to go in a different direction, and fortunately that direction paid off, we did better than we could have had we licensed theirs.

And thinking about this made me miss Ensoniq again. Their chip in the Apple IIgs was a pretty awesome thing to work with in the mid-80's, the programming model fit my brain really well.

And... ah, I'm not going to ramble more tonight, I could have a problem stopping. Have a digital delay module out in the workshop I have to finish up tonight so I'll go do that.

Actually, Yamaha's exclusive license to John Chowning's FM tech which was developed at Stanford has been expired for a while now, so it's more or less "safe" now to do algorithmic FM if your company isn't Yamaha. But that was a bitch to deal with back then; most any company that attempted to head in that direction got dinged pretty hard by their lawyers. The only one I know of that dodged those courtroom bullets was NED, as the FM implementation on the Synclavier systems predated Yamaha's use, so they had to eat a bit of crow there. And the license being done means that we can have toys like, say, the Akemie's Castle...which gives you algorithmic FM with CVs. Wild!

Fact is, though...if Uli was better-behaved and housebroken, you wouldn't see nearly as much push-back as you do these days where Behringer's concerned. But he doesn't play nice, and has a long history of not doing so, either. Even so...the synths they've released are astonishingly GOOD; the Pro-1 is about as spot-on a copy of the Sequential Pro-One as you'll ever hear, the B.2600 (even the "Xmas tree" version) behaves exactly like a newer ARP 2600, one of which I did get to use from time to time in the early 1980s, and so on. And it's...

1) Available to purchase, and...

2) It's not "crippleware" like Korg's 2600M, and...

3) It doesn't have its origin in some very sus "make the celebs jump for joy...and f*ck everyone else" marketing BS, like the 2600FS. Or rather, it's the "antidote" to that. So yeah, I'm down with how these market disruptors are shaking up the idea that a "vintage synth" should cost you a kidney and then some. FYI, I find it very telling that Sweetwater is NOT stocking the Korg 2600M...the 2600FiaSco s**tshow was apparently something that Chuck and Co. took a VERY dim view of.

But yeah...I'm personally waiting for a $500 FPGA synth, or maybe we can prod Behringer into "copying" a synth that uses a synthesis engine that's Public Domain...namely, the "Bell Labs" synth (at Oberlin's TIMARA facility these days), which begat the Crumar GDS, which begat the DK Synergy and Synergy II, and then these begat the Mulogix Slave32 Expander. It's a cheap AF design these days, and could probably be done for $400-700 as it avoided the use of proprietal/esoteric parts, and the current state of microprocessors makes the original synth seem like it's made out of rocks and sticks. THAT would definitely be a welcome development, as none of those synths ever had huge release numbers and, in fact, were WAAAAAY ahead of their time.

Anyway, rambling...time to hit the sack/oil mod/Eliane Radigue CD thing...

EDITED Apr 6th 2022, 02:54

True
Democratization of design via inexpensive components, fast and inexpensive PCB development , and a reasonably open platform in Eurorack.
I think it's very healthy for the business, and (except for Yamaha viciously defending their patents) most folks don't mind too much when there are derivative products.

Well, the four Electrosmith VCAs aren't a bad idea...for modulation and CVs. These are linear, DC-coupled VCAs, which are better used for those purposes. For audio, you want exponential VCAs with AC-coupling, which is why you often see VCAs such as Veils, Intellijel's Dual VCA, etc used so often; since these have a control per VCA that can shift the VCA's response between full linear and full exponential.

Why this is important is because we perceive "apparent loudness" on an exponential curve...with a unit called the decibel. Decibel readings are confusing at first, but as long as you keep in mind that adding 10 dB of amplification to a signal, you're only increasing the apparent loudness in doubles.

Gonna mess with this, starting with a bigger and portable cab off the bat. I'm designing this around a Case From Lake 3 x 126 device, which is here: https://www.casefromlake.com/product-page/9u-eurorack-case-powered-120-or-126-hp-patched-resealable-modular-synthesizer And it runs only EUR 495, compared to EUR 379 (@ Schneidersladen) for the Doepfer. But the CFL one has a lid, strap, MUCH more amperage capacity, and if you want any tweaks to the basic design, they can do that too. Anyway...

Banged on this A LOT. Instead of having a bunch of Mutable modules, I opted for the ultimate tweak-head ones: Buchla. Or rather, the Tiptop reissues of the original Buchla 200 modules. Then I built around that.

TOP: This is the "audio" row. Starts off with the very useful Konstant Labs PWRchekr to keep an eye on your DC rails' health. Then a 1 hp blank, followed by a more comprehensive input module, the Doepfer A-119...sort of the OG of Eurorack input modules. It gives you a comparator for creating gates out of audio levels, plus a CV from the amplitude of the input signal...AND it has a proper 1/4" jack, not a 3.5mm. Then, a pair of Buchla 258t for s paired with a Dannysound Timbre...a waveshaper derived from the circuit in the Buchla 259, so I suppose the result here are "258 1/2s"? Anyway, Veils, then another curveball: Uli's clone of the ARP 2500 VCF. There IS a 200 series VCF...but it's not been reissued (yet), so why not drop in another famous early modular VCF? But after that, you get the Buchla take on that, with their 292t quad LPG...so you can have either a straight audio feed from the VCF to the row's stereo mixer, or you can have four of those vaunted Buchla lowpass gates...or both, why not? Anyway, the end mixer is right after the LPGs, a manual stereo mixer with four pannable inputs to help stereoize the signal before it hits the Beads, or you could just run the LPGs down to the performance mixer individually, or or or...tons of potential, and I've not even got into the next row yet! I put the Disting last in this row, as it'll be easier to get at both patch-wise AND finger-wise for the various purposes it's got.

MIDDLE: Modulation-ish. The famous Buchla "Source of Uncertainty" kicks the row off, then your Maths is after that. I put together a little array of the Electrosmith dual VCAs and a Buchla 257t for mixing and/or mangling modulation signals. Then there's a pair of Buchla 281ts with a Doepfer diode OR combiner for triggers and gates. It's worth noting that the individual envelope gens in the 281ts can be clocked way on up into the audio range, at which point they become something like CVable variable waveform generators. And there's a lot more of that sort of "hidden trickery" in here, since it's a weird hybrid of West and East Coast principles all functioning in Eurorack; back in the day, most of this would be in systems that couldn't necessarily be cross-patched due to CV and/or trig/gate differences that we, for the most part, don't have now across the Eurorack module gamut.

BOTTOM: Pam's, then a Doepfer dual quantizer for pitch constraint and a Eurorack Essentials 2 x 2 sequential switch. More about that in a bit. Then a second switch, this time from Doepfer and with a 4 x 1 circuit. After that is the first of two Buchla 245t sequencers, and then the second is separated by another Doepfer 4 x 1 switch. And why are those switches important? OK...sequential switches shift between two or more incoming CV signals when they receive (in this case) a trigger pulse. So the switches form a timed network to step through all sequencer rows, then send these over to the quantizer for discrete pitch tunings. Or you could just as easily use one sequencer as your "line" and the other as "transpose". Need divided timing for any of that? The Pam's deals handily with this need. After the sequencer section, you've got a Qu-bit Mixology. That performance mixer gives you CV control over your amplitude level, panning, and FX send per channel, plus a manual per-channel solo and mute. This also has a parallel FX processing bus, so your sends go out via the mono send and come back in through the stereo return. With that, I opted for a more straightforward FX processor, namely Freq Central's Stasis Leak, which gives you mono-to-stereo tap delay, chorus, and reverb. Note, also, that you can also opt to use the Beads post-mixer, hence one reason why they're close vertically. And all the way at the end is your balanced outputs, a second stereo return (useful if you split off the send to the Beads, then you can send the Beads output to the second return), a headphone preamp, and main level controls.

Yeah, OK...it's bigger. But unlike the Doepfer LC, this is designed to be portable, as the CFL cab comes with a lid (and yes, you have room to keep things patched beneath it) and a carry-strap. It's about the size of a large briefcase, which is a good form factor, especially for fitting it into an overhead bin on a plane. And the current limits are...well, if you go with the Meanwells that CFL offers, you'll never have to worry about exceeding current limits in this build. Ever. And while it definitely costs more than the initial plan, you probably won't need to add anything to this for years to come. You WON'T exhaust this build's possibilities!

EDITED Apr 6th 2022, 02:28

FYI folks I bought some for TOMMI001's vented blanks, they are great! The look nice, pass a lot of air, line up perfectly with a 4HP slot, and have small enough slots to reject cords and rack screws. He even did a custom (all black) design for me. Thanks Tom!

Maybe they won't...but again, maybe they will. That's an odd one; I've not heard of triggering drum modules with an audio rate trigger. You might be surprised, though, as there's a lot of modules that can deal with that already. Tech's pretty different from when I first got hold of synths c. 1978. The overall idea's the same as any old modular, but what goes on behind some of these panels is way more complex than old Moog, ARP, etc equipment.

There's a load of digital/analog hybrid modules out there, too, where you can't be 100% sure what's being done with the tweaks and inputted signals. But overall, I don't worry about the type of tech...just whether or not it sounds and behaves "normally".

Check the Dannysound listings, also...they've got a module that's just the Buchla 259's waveshaping section. Feedback themselves also have something similar.

Amazing, really...Buchla used to be prohibitively expensive, and now we've got loads of Buchla-type stuff, and even actual Buchla (via Tiptop, or via several other companies that do Buchla clones) stuff in Eurorack now.

A VCO from Feedback Modules, modeling West Coast style oscillators.
Not a simple build, but not too bad (no SMD), intermediate builders and up.
Fun sound, I plan to use this one a lot.
Two59 build

I dunno about that, aren't those digital driven? Meaning they will not keep up at audio rates.

true and WMD percussion modules are quite unique from anything else as well. I can make broken glass and gunshot sounds that do not sound like drums

I do not agree with Lugia here, (analog) drum modules are just specialized synth voices. I own a MFB Tanzbär and I love it but fixed drum machines tend to have a lot of limitations.
The Kickall is one to keep I would say, in essence it is a bass synth.

• I have only two possibly melodic sources: Plaits and the bOSC. I absolutely love both of them, but it's limiting. I'm eyeing a Klavis Twin Waves mkii next.
  -- Arrandan
  If you don't know, Zadar can be a VCO

Agree with Lugia, my cheaper boutique re-issue Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer cost me $400 sounds great, easy to use, has speaker and battery power option and less expensive than modular drums. I only went modular drums for the unique experimental oddball sounds that I can create differently. Even then, expect to spend 2k easily for case/power, few percussion modules, mixer, VCAs, sequencer and support modules for a very basic Eurorack modular drum setup. Yes, you can get an Intellijel 4u case, add the Endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles or VPME Quad drum, with a good drum sequencer, mixer, vcas and get by on a bit less.

Those are good suggestions, I hadn't considered a brains but that seems like an obvious choice now you mention it. Adding a quantizer/logic gate or some sort of "fun" sequencing module like one of the "Repetitors" from NE would spice up the options for sure. Thanks!

Mixer https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P0AKV

Hey Lugia,

thanks for your views of Drum machines...!!!
i've dumped some of these modules ideas...
just so you understand i running some of this stuff from a Beatstep Pro...
when it comes to classic gear... i still have some from the early 90's when old gear was mega easy to find.!

Hm...not sure why the Make Noise Brains isn't in there, as it'd allow the Pressure Points to also function as a sequencer. Lose the Dual VCA, since you don't use those on clocking signals or scaled CVs, and you'll have room for that. The X-Pan also doesn't seem like it should be there either, since there's no audio path in here at all. Space you recover from that should go to some logic, which will allow you a bunch of conditional Boolean logic gates that can make the sequencing more complex and capable. The Pam's should be able to output the various signals to cause the "hi" state depending on which gate you're using.

Another idea would be a quantizer or two. And if those, then you might also want an analog shift register, which is a clocked "store-and-forward"-type circuit with usually several outputs. That would allow you to output CVs in various "arabesque"-type patterns to several destinations. Lots of possibilities besides these as well...

Delete, start over. But this time...

1) NO DFAM. Put it back in its case, which you paid for, and on its own power, which you also paid for. Otherwise...well, let's do the math.

A 6U Rackbrute is $359, which gives you 171 hp to work with. 359/171=2.10 (ish). This is the per-hp cost of housing something in this case.

So...DFAM is 60 hp. 60 x 2.10=126. This is how much to add to the DFAM's price when it's installed like it is now.

So, let's do that. A DFAM right now at Sweetwater streets for $699. 699 + 126 = 825...which I'm betting you wouldn't have paid for it. But even so, incurring your own cost increases for "convenience" isn't necessarily a good idea.

2) The Befaco OUTs. If you're trying to output individual tracks to a DAW, these aren't the right thing to use. If you want to do this, there are actually two ways to do so...

A level shifter. Have a look at the Ladik P-520. Dirt-simple: synth-level signal goes in, line-level comes out x 4. And once you have the line level, you can send that directly to a typical interface. There's other similar devices on here, but the Ladik is both cheap AF and it's very basic, with no need to pay attention to it. Or...

An Expert Sleepers "soundcard" module that can interface directly to the DAW via USB. And they have a few, so it would be worthwhile to look at what they've got and decide which one fits the bill. They also have software for this, but if you have Ableton 11, you have their "CV Tools" suite that can handle the same purpose. Or just don't use ANY modules, and run your synth-level signals directly to a DC-coupled audio interface; I use a MOTU 828mkii for this exact purpose.

3) Space. Or rather, the lack of it. If you're not using this with a Minibrute 2/2S, then go bigger. Just stepping up to a Mantis at 2 x 104 hp would give you another 40 hp to mess around with, for example. And if you add the utility modules that everyone's talking about here, you WILL need that extra space (and no DFAM, etc). Or, if the central point is portability, then you could do much better with a 3-row or 4-row from Case From Lake, who're doing some inexpensive yet killer portable Eurorack cabs with ample power, which is very important. See https://www.casefromlake.com/ ...and yes, if you want tile rows, extra length, etc etc etc, they can do that, and it'll STILL be reasonable. And although I still don't advise putting the DFAM in a cab like that, if you felt you HAD TO do this for portability, that sort of cab will give you the space to do that AND have a proper module complement in the same case.

Couple of things...first, lose the mults. This build is too small in scale to lose 6 hp to modules that should REALLY be replaced with inline mults and/or stackcables. Plus, you really don't need a buffered mult unless you're trying to split out a scaled CV to 4+ devices, as you'd need the buffering to mitigate voltage sag that can happen from this. But if you've only got two or three audio generators that (might) need this, the buffering is superfluous.

The other thing is the drum modules. I'm not sure if it's been said too much, but I'm going to say it again here: modular synths really aren't drum machines. You CAN build one, of course...but you'll only find a couple of advantages to it versus a proper drum machine, which is a mission-specific device that's designed for drum sounds and patterns. In fact, you could easily clock a drum machine off of a Pam's output; you don't have to keep the modular's signals only in the modular.

But looking at this as cost-vs-usability, the idea fails. Right now, your drum modules ALONE are going to run $1055. And you've only got Pam's as something of a sequencing source, instead of a proper trigger sequencer that allows you to write and SAVE patterns. And that module will probably run about $300 and up. Very up, in fact.

OTOH, the RD-8mkii sitting next to me cost $329. Yeah, I know...Uli's a trolling nutjob, and his behavior is sus at best. But it DOES have the 808 soundset (and it's very convincing) along with a few classic Boss DR-110 electro noises and a very familiar UI. I just cringe, get over it, and keep on going, actually, and the RD-8 (plus a pair of RD-6s...I'm recreating an OLD setup from before 1995 that I found incredibly effective at the time) ticks right along. I can lock it up on sync from a number of devices, ranging from Beatstep Pros to the DAW via my Antelope Orion 32, too. True, some people won't buy Behringer...for very well-grounded reasons, actually...but I don't have the $10k necessary for the vintage Rolands or a couple thou for the present models, and their "circuit modeling" in their new machines really saps the punch out of their sound across the board, not just with the drum machines.

@farkas
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom, it was massively helpful!

I do have another electro-smith VCA like the one already in the rack. I suppose I could just install them both giving me a total of 4 pure VCAs?

Maths has Rise/Fall and so does the Mother-32, so they will have to do in a pinch until I expand both my budget and my knowledge. A proper ADSR envelope is hereby added to my wish list for the future, as is øchd or something similar. I rather enjoyed øchd in VCV, but the Batumi seems more practical... I'm hoping playing with the LFO options on Maths, Pams and the Disting will help me hear what exactly I want in an LFO. There are so many that I'm finding it almost impossible to choose right now.

Great points about Pams. Would adding MI Marbles alleviate the menu diving for controlling tempo and triggers? I was hoping it would.
Yes, Disting is intended merely as a beginner stopover gap filler sorta thing. Like @Shakespeare wrote below you, it also contains a sorta tape delay, which I like the sound of, and it didn't break the bank as I picked it up 2nd hand.

Filters and/or wavefolders added to wishlist. Thank you, again, this was massively helpful!

@Shakespeare
First of all, I love your plays :D

There's a mixer on the rack in the form of the Behringer 305 EQ/Mixer/Output. It's not ideal, but I was hoping it would do for my modest starter rack? To be frank, I'm unsure exactly how it's 'parametric EQ' performs and chose it mainly for the mixer, pedal and headphone output.

A random source like the ones you mentioned is a very good suggestion and one I did not think of. I thought I could patch Pams to Marbles and get something similar to Wogglebugs bursts of triggers, but if I'm understanding it right, you're talking about something like a noise generator? I'm intrigued. If you have the time to do so, please tell me more.

You've also been massively helpful. Just getting some eyes on my rack has been very, very helpful!

Hi GarfieldModular,
thank you for your answer.
I'm looking for Mutant Brain silver and Befaco Midi Thing also Erica Synths.
My goal is to remote my mac during composit phase.
Peace

A - Macbeth. If you do not know what that means I cannot help you there.

B - A filter envelope, voice amp, and amp envelope are also part of the unit. (Also, all at Macbeth level quality)

True, at the time I was but it came together pretty quickly! Turned out to be a functional setup for sure.

Ah, ok. Your original post suggested that you were looking for recommendations. Looks like a fun sequencing setup as is, so enjoy it. :)

Indeed, thanks! I never caught on to the fact that it was the last rack where I had moved any module that ends up with the selected panel. Definitely a bit wonky, but it works.

This looks like a great idea. Probably something I’d do as well in the future. What case would you be adding these to?
-- Avesta

I have the MakeNoise 104hp skiff, will be adding them to that!

@Farkas I already own all these modules, not looking to spend more. Just repurposing the system!

@adaris Been very curious about the tube modules. The Karltron Tube looks nice and the Saevitum seems to be the tube version of Ripples.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/karltron-tube
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/abyss-devices-saevitum
-- t4mber

I have Saevitum, it's awesome, I don't really think of it as a filter though, it's more of a distortion/VCA with a filter section.

EDITED Apr 4th 2022, 11:34

Between the Ochd and Batumi - which one do you prefer? I was also thinking about adding the Vermona FourMulator later to a second rack as it has sample and hold. The Kermit is another option as well, but any thoughts on that? Patch and Tweak book recommended it for the built in VCA. For now, do you think the LFO on PAM’s will suffice for modulating Plaits and BIA?
-- Avesta

Personally I prefer Batumi as it is clockable and really easy to operate, but Ochd is hard to beat for the price and HP. I've never used the FourMulator or Kermit, but both also look excellent. Pam's will definitely suffice for modulating Plaits and BIA (and would have been my first recommendation if you didn't already have it). The only problem with Pam's is that it is so useful you find yourself using up all the eight outputs quicker than you might expect. A micro Ornament & Crime might also be worth considering as it offers a huge array of options in a similarly small form factor.

I’ll check the filters you mentioned. I was thinking of adding a Joranalogue Filter 8. Any thoughts on that? It self oscillates so I can use it as another sound source if I want. I would need VCA’s and Envelopes to make use of that feature right?
-- Avesta

Filter 8 is a really great all-rounder. Not only does it give you eight different filter modes (I particularly love the band boost+notch output) and great self-oscillation but it can also run in LFO mode giving you 8 phased LFOs and has a dedicated ping trigger for percussive sounds (and modulation). Definitely worth getting, but as you noted it would need a VCA and envelope generator to get most out of it as a voice. The thing to keep in mind about VCAs and envelopes though is that they're not just useful for shaping sound. A good VCA will also allow you to mix and modulate your modulation. A looping envelope will give you an LFO that you can change the shape of so becomes a great source of modulation in itself. A huge part of the fun is finding these things out as you experiment with them yourself.

EDITED Apr 4th 2022, 11:05

T> rack wart advert wastes space

semi takes up too much space and costs too much to house in eurorack when it already has it's own case

black sequencer is overkill to some extent unless this is just a stepping stone to a much larger set up - ie at least 1 more voice

Thank you for your reply. What do you mean by rack wart advert? Are you referring to the rack brute power unit?

yes - bloody awful hp stealing, wastes of space

The DFAM does take space in the rack - I know, but I do prefer it in there for now as I want to consolidate everything into a small portable set up to take with me for live gigs, etc. I’d like to just travel with my rack and a drum machine.

I already own the Black Sequencer so it’s the one i’m currently using. Yes, this is a stepping stone to a bigger set up which I’ll gradually build over time. I do love how you can randomly make sequences with just 2 buttons - that’s one of the reasons I bought it (will come in handy for a live set).

yes I have one too and I really like it...

I also already own the Pams and was thinking about using it as an LFO or perhaps clock the Dot and the Black Sequencer and then route Dot rhythms using the trigger outs into the Advance Clock on the DFAM to advance the steps on the built in sequencer.

Pams is also a great module you can use it for all these things at once!!

No VCA’s because I’m using the internal VCA on the DFAM, Plaits, and BIA. I will definitely add in VCA’s and some envelopes in the future though, that’s for sure! I’m still learning about the different modules I need.

don't worry it's a constant learning process.... but more vcas are useful - they're good for not just shaping notes, but controlling levels and modulation

The 3 modules between Dual FX and Dot are Befaco Out V3 as I mentioned so I can track the 3 sound sources (DFAM, Plaits, BIA) or others separately into my DAW or mixer. The Doepfer mixer is there if I want to mix two or more sound sources and patch that into the Dual FX. It’s also a CV mixer too so I can make use of that later with my second rack.

I find matrix mixers are better for cv mixing - 4 cvs in, 4 different cvs out...

unless you experience clipping when going into your DAW or mixer then I really wouldn't bother with these - and I'd try attenuators first! cheaper/smaller

Again, this is just a small set up for now which will be expanded into a larger set up later with more utility modules, etc. It’s just a stepping stone. Hopefully everything is playable as it is, though, right?

Modules I currently own:
1 Befaco Out V3
1 Erica Synths Black Sequencer
1 ALM Pam’s New Workout
1 Mutable Plaits
1 Erica Synths Dual FX
1 Moog DFAM
1 Doepfer Mult
1 Doepfer A-138 CV and Audio Mixer

Here is a link to my rack. Hopefully it works.

First Rack

-- Avesta

link works, thanks

I would recommend taking a look at the Winter Modular Eloquencer instead of the Varigate. I weighed the pros and cons of each when I was deciding on a sequencer, and found that the Eloquencer's eight channels of CV/gate and probabilities for gate, ratchet, and note value made it the best option for me. I also use the Voltage Block, PNW, and a few interesting clock dividers. Either way, this looks like a fun sequencing skiff.
Good luck and have fun!

Do you know that you can change the panel version directly in the rack view with the Panel Selector function? You don't have to go to the module detail view.
I tried to explain it here: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/1749

If I open a rack, get info on a module, and click an alternate panel, it does add that panel to one of my racks, but it's usually not the one the module was actually in.

You will be redirected to the last rack you have changed. That is your active rack.
Current workaround: just wiggle a module slightly in a rack to make that rack active. I know that is a bit wonky ...

Filters -- don't get me started ;-). Had a Doepfer A-121 first and still have it. Does it all without much coloring.
Polaris - very versatile and a good and only one in a small rack. Selling mine was kinda dumb.

Most fav'd ones... Hard to say. Recently I use Blades a lot, for its versatility and dual use as a VCO. As far as character, I love my Doepfer Wasp and Bastl Cinnamon. Also, Steve's MS-22. Font is a good and versatile one.

On a more neutral perspective, Ripples is great. Toying with the idea of having a stereo version in my sum. Joranalogue Filter 8 is clean and precise and a 8-phase oscillator, too.

As for specialties, the Klangbau Köln Twin Peak Resonator is great, almost an instrument in itself. King of pings!
And last but not least, the mighty Serge Resonant Equalizer. Not a filter but a fixed filter bank - and a very opinionated one at that! Squelchy squealy feedback goodness, as those distorting filter bands interact which each other. Can it get any better?

Still interested to get my hands on a Three Sisters, North Coast Coiler and Leap Frog, as well as Moon Phase and Linnaeus (not so much the Morpheus). Keep hearing great things about IMÁGENES and Inertia as well as Neutron Flux (which seems to be deeep).

Right, filters. Don't get me started.
BTW, who needs oscillators when you can have filters that oscillate?
I should build a rack devoid of oscs.

That's perfect! Thank's for taking the time to show me. Cheers.