I'm looking or some advice please on getting an envelope that performs like my Juno 6 envelope.
I also have a Moog Matriarch and the envelopes are ok, I just prefer the Juno's.
I'm a little new to this and am expanding my modular set up atm. Is the Juno ENV just a 'flavour', I mean, is there a type I should be looking at? I like the way it's snappy and bites.
I’m a big fan of the Dnipro Metamorph and would like something with similar functionalities until they are back in stock - which would probably be a while from now, given they are from Ukraine.
The Metamorph has trigger input which would allow me to advance the sequencer with a trigger rhythms coming from my Dnipro Dot. The only sequencer I know of is the Mimetic Digitalis by Noise Engineering if im not mistaken. Do you have any suggestions?
I see that you have 4 drum voices and an oscillator. I guess 4 drums gives you a lot of choice but if you don't already know these modules, I would suggest you start with less. Perhaps you aren't new to modular and you know exactly what you'll get. But if you don't, it makes sense to start small and to really get to know what you have in your rack. After all, the actual modules themselves are just part of the story. It's the patching that makes everything possible. And to make the most of that patching, you need utility modules, like Jim's signature says.
I have the Rample instead of the Erica Sample Drum. If you're not planning to sample while playing, the Rample is cheaper. I haven't done an in-depth comparison, but the Erica seems to be mainly a player anyway. I really like the Rample as it gives me 4 outputs in the same 14HP as the Erica, which does 2. The default sample set is already quite extensive. Obviously, you can add your own to the SD card. The Rample also has a built-in mixer.
Are you planning to control other gear via MIDI? I saw you added the MIDI expander to Pamela. I see you also added an extra quad-VCA. That's always useful. If you look at my current rack you will see I have 4 sound sources (Rample drums, noise, bOSC analog and Plaits) but plenty of VCAs + a stereo mixer. A mixing quad-VCA like your Intellijel or my Veils works very nicely with Zadar. Zadar is also very useful with a dumb VCA like my octuple Doepfer, as you can set the max voltage in Zadar, which allows a kind of mixing anyway. I never regretted getting plenty of VCAs (I actually added the octuple Doepfer afterwards with the Doepfer decay for noise). The saying that you can never get too many VCAs is really quite true.
You asked for a flow path of modules. I tried that, indeed. My envelopes are mostly left, then the VCAs, then the sources. Finally, filter/effects are right and so is the mixer/out. But in modular, anything is possible. I have already made a patch where I VCAd a sound source with a Zadar envelope, then sent it to FX Aid, then brought its L+R outs back to Veils for yet another Zadar envelope (multi'd because I wanted the same envelope on L+R). So you can try out an order that you think will mostly work, but you'll find that there will always be exceptions.
Very interesting discussion and it's giving me several ideas for my next filter!
As a kind of tangential question to this thread, I wonder what people consider their favorite "budget" VCFs to be, VCFs for under $200 that hit above their pricepoint in your opinion.
-- sparrowbred
I have the Feedback Lo-Fusion for around €100 which is very nice for a basic LP. It has a nice warm sound to it, which is what I wanted. I thought I'd save some money getting just an LP, but I miss a HP, of course. Getting the Hi-Fusion as well would still be quite cheap, but it starts eating up HP room. Still, if budget is important, you should check it out.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned [Steve's MS-22[(https://www.modulargrid.net/e/threetom-modular-steve-s-ms-22) yet. I mailed Tom, the creator, and he's obviously extremely dedicated to producing quality with a personal touch. Look it up on YouTube, it sounds great. Just don't add too many orders to the queue, will you? I'm still planning to order one myself in the coming months ;-)
I recently picked up a Mother-32 and now I'm hooked. I've been trying to build up a rack, have acquired a few 2nd hand modules and now I'm looking for some feedback.
What I'm considering as a setup in a Doepfer Low cost base rack:
The story so far...
The idea is to create a semi-generative system for noodling; maybe something like a high quality Buddha box. I'm in no way a professionel musician, nor do I harbor aspirations to be one, I just really enjoy the sounds coming from especially the mutable instrument modules and would like to create a system capable of playing these outside VCV. Like almost everyone else on the planet, I work with computers for a living, so I would love to be able to create something simple and flow-state conducive to coding and writing. Ideally, I'd like a system I could "play" or tweak in between blocks of code or when struggling with writer's block... I suppose a room with a view and a fireplace to tend would be perfect, but that's not in my budget, so naturally I looked into the second-most expensive thing next to buying a house, i.e. building a eurorack setup.
Module walkthrough
Pamela's NEW workout Been reading a lot of beginner guides to modular and going through a few courses in VCV. A clock seems somewhat essential, Pams was on my list of clocks and so when a used one cropped up on a local exchange, I picked it up as my first proper module, as it seemed like a safe bet. MI Marbles Had a little trouble distingising this from Pams, but playing with VCV I finally worked out that it's sorta one module split into 2, where the two play/trigger(?) in relation to one another. If I were to add this to my rack, it would be as a more "playable" clock, if that makes sense? MI Ears Wanted a Make Noise Morphagene, but couldn't quite justify the cost. Found this instead for adding external sound sources into the eurorack. The contact mic is a fun bonus, but I doubt I'll use it much. External sources aren't on the top of my list, but I worked in radio documentaries in another life and fear I'll end up wanting to add some backdrops (rain, fire, cracking ice, birds, etc) from my recorder at one point or another. MI Plaits Another safe-ish bet. This is one of the first modules I played around with in VCV and it seems an incredibly flexible sound source. Instead of this, I was considering the 4MS Ensemble Oscillator, since I don't think I'll be utilising the percussive aspects of Plaits much, except perhaps to play with the ears contact mic. I'm still kinda in between the two or even considering both. MI Rings & MI Beads The way these two sound together is just incredible to me. The hope is I'd be able to achieve something I'd consider soothing and melodic quite easily, so that I could always return to these two when frustrated with all the other modules. I've considered clones of all the MI stuff, but ultimately I wanted to support the author and the commitment to opensource. Make Noise Maths Already purchased this. I intend to use it as a mixer while learning the other modules and then do a deep dive into it later. Disting MK4 Since this is a small system and I'm just beginning to dip my toe into the modular waters, I saw this used and picked it up immediately as a stand-in for what might be missing on this list. Behringer 305 EQ/Mixer/Output This was one of the toughest calls for me. An output module. There are so many! I narrowed down what I need to a) headphone output, b) TS or TRS output for my effect pedal and c) a simple mixer. Tho this module is very expensive in HP, it is comparatively cheap in cold, hard cash. Mother-32 Nearly forgot to add this! The hope is I can trigger the mother irregularly for some moogish bass beneath the plinky-plonk of the MI modules. A few comments on my audio setup I own no external mixers or usb audio interfaces. The idea is to run the Mother-32 alongside the rest of the system, then use Maths and the 305 to mix and finally output to the microcosm hologram. I went for the microcosm over a pure reverb, because the microcosm can be a pure reverb, but the added looper appears an "easy fix" for quickly changing things.
So, there it is...
Will it work? I don't know. I'm sure I haven't thought of everything. There are no filters (Doepfer wasp?) for instance, barely any LFOs, nor any FX modules? Any and all comments are more than welcome. This is one of the more daunting shopping sprees of my life and even a little reassurance would go a long way.
I like mixers (particularly matrix mixers and sub mixers with offset and possibly inversion), logic and sequential switches - there are many many examples of all of these available - some modules that you might want to look at adding - wmd/ssf toolbox, mutable kinks & links, happy nerding 3*mia, doepfer matrix mixer & sequential switch
how are 4 voice to many..? would you 1/2 it..?
yes I would only really have about one voice per row, because there's not enough space left over for the modules that are really needed to support them - it's not the number of voices, per se, it's the size of the case... admittedly when some of that is 'percussion' then it may change slightly, as there isn't necessarily the need for filters and other effects for each 'voice', but there is then need for more fully featured sub-mixing, with panning and send/return and effects/filters to use with the send/return
again - look at my signature - the formula there is aimed at getting the most versatility from the least expenditure... it scales well from small systems to much larger systems - as the larger you get the more you want/need different layers of control
"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 utility modules.. would you recommend.
how are 4 voice to many..? would you 1/2 it..?
2 drum style modules (kick -snare) .
1 percussive glitch thang,
something for a B-line & a sampler for loops stabs & lost shit.
Hey Peeps,
Do any of you follow a flow path when setting up modules in a rack..?
VCO's on the left VCA's on the right...etc.etc.. that kinda thing..
i've got things moving along nice but i feel my layout could be better...
Also for feed back, is there something that is lacking..??
got 4 main voices, 2-3 modulation sources , some filters & EFXs.
Moogah Sem - among the barrage of clones going for this, comparing to my old sems, i feel this is the most faithful and best sounding implementation in euro.
Am Synths am8109- silky, bubbly Roland cascaded ota sound, that came with beginning of the new decade (Jup8, Juno 60,,,). this version has original IR3109.
Livewire Frequensteiner (Synthasystem) and Elby CGS735 (Synthacon) - two Steiner filter variants. vintage, almost archaic tone at times. can be liquidy, characterful, edgy, as well as go dark side of the moon, falling apart when you crank the resonance.
Wiard Borg 1 - MS20 Sallen Key realized with vactrols. works as wonderful slow lpg, and when you move into vcf mode and crank the resonance, Id comes out.. perhaps one of the true classics from the early eurorack era
micro Hadron Collider - dual SVF with distortion and industrial deep in its dna. works great with harvestman osc.
I'd like to share some experiences now that I'm one month into modular. Before ordering, I spent 3-4 weeks researching and having the discussion above. I then moved to VCV Rack to try out the ideas before commiting to the purchase. It was very much worth the time and the effort. Looking back, I really didn't know what I was getting into
This is my current rack. The Melotus Versio is on the side because it's been ordered but hasn't arrived yet.
Some thoughts on what I built.
I have three mixers. Actually, four, if you count the octuple Doepfer VCA, which can do summing as well. Just today, I was using 4 channels of Veils with 3 channels of Quadratt and three of the Ladik. The octuple Doepfer is very useful when I use noise for beats. As Zadar allows me to lower the voltage, I can do attenuation in there anyway. So yes, more VCAs are better.
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.
I spent a bit more money on envelopes and drums, getting Zadar and Rample. I regret neither. They are both incredible modules. And I haven't even put my own samples on Rample yet!
One LFO only, but with multiple outputs. Also, I use Zadar as an LFO from time to time. It's unipolar, but hey, set the start point at the bottom instead of in the middle and it works just fine. Great to have complex LFOs when I want them! Ochd sounds nice, but it's not on my urgent list.
I thought I would save some money getting the Feedback modules. Really, they aren't bad. Static has a lovely variety of noise sources and Lo-Fusion is a nice analogue filter. But looking back, I regret not spending a bit more. I really miss a V-Oct for the chip noise and a hi pass filter. A different selection would've gotten me those immediately.
The Versio. I lusted for a Ruina Versio from the beginning, but my focus has shifted away from distortion. The Electus looked nice too but wasn't in stock. I can try it any time by flashing the firmware, but I'll definitely get to know the Melotus well before I flash it to something else.
Next up will be a Joranalogue Select 2 S/T&H and a Pamela to clock it. There's a random CV on the Static that I can use with this. Pamela will definitely be a great addition in the long run.
I'm currently using my BeatStep Pro for sequencing but I've been running into its limitations pretty quickly. Try long 3/4 (or any non-4/4) patterns, for example. So I ordered a Teensy to try out a Dirtywave M8 headless and if that works fine, I'll get a real unit. I worked quite a bit in ScreamTracker and FastTracker 2 so the workflow feels familiar.
I'm working on integrating the modular with my iPad, step by step. I bought an IK iRig Pro Duo to get a dual (stereo) input for recording, tuning and scope. Unfortunately, it hasn't been working well. I think it conflicts with the Motu M4 that's connected to the same USB hub. It's gone back and I'm eyeing an ES-9 next. Later on, AUM and Borderlands.
I've been really enjoying this setup so far. I like the limitations, as they force me to be creative. Some things turned out really well, some a bit less. You live and learn. To keep myself committed, I started a project where I do patching from scratch and publish a track after a jam every day. I just started a YouTube channel for this, you can find the link in my signature. I'm catching up the previous 2 weeks still, but the last few days are there. For the full list, check my SoundCloud playlist. Sorry for the blatant self-promotion, but it's more a request for review. Let me know if I should post that in another part of the forum!
Thanks for all your help here! I couldn't have done it without you
I love ModularGrid for planning out racks, but the one thing that keeps getting me is the panel versions feature.
It seems that whenever someone uploads a new image for a module, it also updates racks that already had the old primary panel version. Admittedly this is cosmetic, but it's a bit frustrating to come back to a rack and find that modules have changed color or design because someone else uploaded new images.
It wouldn't be such a big deal except that selecting an alternate panel doesn't actually seem to work most of the time. 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. This would be a big change so please consider it a feature request, but it seems like it would solve several problems here to add panel versions to the module finder.
Ideally, when adding a module to a rack, ModularGrid should remember which panel was used so that new panel images don't automatically apply to existing racks. When deleting a module, the module should be archived rather than removed from existing racks. HP and 1U properties should also probably not be editable after a module is created.
And, at the very least, starting from a rack, clicking the "i" button on a module, and then selecting an alternate panel should always return to the same rack. (Usually I'm returned to a different rack with the module added there.)
I have added some more free downloadable review reports of Eurorack modules in PDF format on my website, please refer below my signature for the link:
ACL: Multi II
ADDAC: 200b Buffered Multiples
Doepfer: A-106-5 SEM filter, A-110-1 VCO, A-124 Wasp filter, A-130-1 Linear VCA, A-131-1 Exp. VCA, A-140-1 ADSR, A-145-1 LFO and A-180-3 Dual Buffered Multiple
Erica Synths: Black 8 Mult, Pico Multi v1.2, Pico Switch and Black VCA v2
Frequency Central: Dual XVCA
Hikari Instruments: Quad Switch
Intellijel: Audio I/O
Make Noise: Multiple and STO
Patching Panda: Punch v1
Waldorf: DVCA1
Xaoc Devices: Tallin and Warna II
Quick guide: Read chapter 2, that's all you need to know if you suffer from TL;DR symptoms ;-) Or read the entire report if you don't. For those who want more detailed information on the parameters and characteristics used in these review reports you can go to my website and at the top right click on "Other documents" then click on the latest Review_report_appendices_version link to download the Appendices, the Glossary and the Change Log that goes with the above mentioned review report.
Kind regards, Garfield.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
I had the Doepfer A-190-5 and it disappointed me and you might notice that I usually like (or rather love) Doepfer modules, I am quite a fan of Doepfer modules. The exception are those A-190-x modules though, I didn't like to work with the A-190-5, not very logical, menu-diving and the lot and worst of all no manual available.
So I took the Vermona - qMI2 module instead, also 4 MIDI channels module and I love the module for it's simplicity in usage, it just does what it needs to do. I can recommend the qMI2 module instead of a Doepfer A-190-x module.
Depending on what you want to do with your computer towards your modular system, you might want to have a look into Expert Sleepers modules if you need more than that recommended qMI2 module can do.
Good luck with the search for a good MIDI module and kind regards, Garfield.
For review reports of Eurorack modules, please refer to https://garfieldmodular.net/ for PDF formatted downloads
Wow, thanks a lot for the effort. That looks to me like a setup with a lot of possibilities. The miso seems like a simple useful module. Could you give me an application example? I can use it to sum modulation sources, invert them, etc. Is that correct?
-- FWGW
And more besides. MISO can also supply DC offsets, scalar changes, modulation signal waveshaping...it's a Swiss Army Knife for modulation sections. And coupled with some VCAs, that can get REALLY wild because you can tandem those functions with the VCAs in linear mode to control modulation amplitudes. For example, there's this: https://i.discogs.com/tR56UmH3E9cR204H0-eIzMI6F_IEF1KrxwiiiEp8bZM/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:500/w:500/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTUwMjAz/LTEyMjExNzgxOTMu/anBlZw.jpeg Note how the amplitude there is increasing over the scope's time window? That takes a VCA to accomplish. So, yeah...MISO + VCAs, or if space is limited, a Frap 321 + a smaller set of VCAs, which does a lot of similar things but being a 6 hp module, it's not got the panel space that the MISO has, ergo a bit less control.
Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.
Wow, thanks a lot for the effort. That looks to me like a setup with a lot of possibilities. The miso seems like a simple useful module. Could you give me an application example? I can use it to sum modulation sources, invert them, etc. Is that correct? I didn't know about the stasis leak. Does anyone have experience with it? In terms of usability and audio quality? I'm just wondering if morphagene and beads make sense together in the final state. Beads has a nice reverb and can also be used as a delay. The granular possibilities are also very interesting from what I've seen so far. Couldn't Morphagene and Stasis Leak replace Beads?
This has some very serious issues. For one thing, there's only four VCAs for this entire honkin' big build. That's not going to work out very well. You also have discontinued modules in here, the Shelves being one of those, so if you don't either have one or can't find one on the used market, you're not going to have one. The Moog should NOT be in here, since it's got its own cab and power, and using case space (which should be for actual modules that don't have those) that makes the Moog more expensive doesn't seem to me to be fiscally sensible. If you doubt that one, try this:
Cost of case / hp count. This yields a "cost-per-hp" amount for the cab. Then...
Cost-per-hp x 60. This is the actual cost to house the Moog in the cab. Then...
Actual cost figure + Moog price. Kinda spendy. Ouch...
The layout is pretty confusional as well. You might try laying this out so that you have similar-function modules grouped together, and then pushing those into cogent signal paths overall. Right now, the build's a trainwreck...definitely NOT something I would want to use. And a lot of that's because the panel's going to vanish beneath a mat of patchcords that go all over the place needlessly. Plus, you could stand to lose maybe a third of the modules that's there, especially the 4 hp and down ones, especially if you can consolidate the various one-function modules into a couple of slightly larger ones. That'll help clean up the panel as well; have a look at THIS for an example of what I'm talking about: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/steady-state-fate-tool-box
Wishing is good, but like the old saying says, "be careful what you wish for". This has an awful lot of operational booby-traps as it is; you might consider being a little more methodical with the module complement instead of dumping piles of "feature" modules into the cab. You have enough of those (plus the Moog) that you're in a position to build an uncontrollable mess, so don't do that.
You'll notice that I upped the size of the cab from 84 to 104, and added a tile row. This is designed with an Intellijel 7U x 104 in mind, which helps with a number of things, such as pedal interfacing, power, and so on as well as simply providing more SPACE in which to push the build a bit further. Went ahead and filled it on out, as well.
Oh, crap...what have I done here? Welllllllll....
TOP: Konstant Labs PWRchekr, so you can keep an eye on your DC rails, then a 1 hp blank to help the PWRchekr stand out a bit better and to fill a 1 hp hole, natch. Then, TWO Plaits (since two oscillators allows for a lot more in the way of things such as audio-rate modulation, FM, and so on) which are followed by a Veils. Then that HUGE black thing there is G-Storm's redux of the famous Synton Syrinx filter, which is one of the most expressive VCFs out there. It works on vocal formants (and a bunch of other methods!), so the output has a rather voice-like contour to the timbre...provided you use it that way, as there's a lot of other things it'll do, filter-wise...especially with the expression pedals! Then Rings, Beads...and a Tesseract TexMix setup with four mono ins + the master module. The TexMix gives you VCAs for audio levels per input, dual FX sends and dual stereo returns, panning, your outputs and a headphone preamp.
MIDDLE: Manikk quad freerun LFOs with symmetry control over the square and triangle wave outs. Then Maths, and after that is a Tiptop MISO for manipulating/merging/messing with modulation signals, and a second Veils for VCA control over modulation signals. An Intellijel Quadrax/Qx combo handles basic AR envelopes, but also a bunch of other sorts of mayhem since the Qx can be used as a "cascader" for the EGs there, offering EOR and EOF outs. Then for more "normal" envelopes, a Doepfer A-140-2 Dual ADSR. After that are effects...the Morphagene, a Frequency Central Stasis Leak, giving tap delay, chorus, and reverb and stereoization, and a Happy Nerding FX Aid XL for all of the other onboard FX.
TILES: This is where it gets fun. First up is the stereo input module, which connects to the dual input 1/4" jacks on the cab. Then after that are two expression pedal interfaces, a third that uses a pedal switch to flip between A and B signal paths, and two sets of Intellijel external FX interfaces that let you add two loops of mono I/O pedals to the fray. Then the stereo out, which fixes the output module question as it connects, like the input module, to the output jacks on the cab.
Now, if you know the Intellijel cabs, you'll notice that this is built "upside-down". This is very deliberate, as it brings all of the external 1/4" jacks for pedals, stompboxes, and the synth's I/O plus the power switch close together so that you don't have 1/4" cables hanging all over the modular, and this will make using the pedal complement much easier. So you have to tote it around upside-down...eh, not an issue, really. This build effectively eliminates the original's power supply module, fixing that issue, plus it deals with the audio I/O question AND allows the build to be much more guitar-centric via the tile row's interfaces.
I have an amalgamod case and can vouch for the quality of the case (all parts replaceable), the power supply (each header is filtered, and external transformer makes swapping plugs easy) and customer service (I bought mine second-hand with some issues, sorted out without issue or cost). 100% worth the money and I’d happy buy a second if needed, I’m a very happy customer.
Ummmm...no. It's pretty and all, but it's going to be pretty useless like this. There's no individual VCAs (not counting the Optomix), you're using 76 hp for effects modules alone, and there's only three audio sources in the entire thing.
Modular synths aren't intended to be decorations. And yet, that's what this seems to be. I'd suggest rethinking the entire thing, scrapping the "one maker" idea (that pretty much NEVER works!), and proceed with a much wider module complement. You'll find that you can put more functionality into the build that way; I've only ever seen two "one maker" builds that I thought was worth a damn as an instrument. And yes, that includes things like the Moog modulars and the original ARP 2500. The two? Buchla and Serge...and these days, in both cases, you don't have to stick with the same maker in those formats anymore.
For example, if you tossed the DPO and STO, that would open up a 36 hp hole. Then you can fit a pair of Tiptop/Buchla 258ts into that hole, giving you FOUR VCOs. Pitch the Telharmonic, and you can add THREE of those 258s if you scrounge up another 14 hp from somewhere else. The three MN modules together = $1147. Three 258t modules = $600. So...six oscillators, more free space AND $547 back in your pocket? Yeah, I'd jump on that...as would most anyone else. That's just ONE example.
Listening now. Great stuff so far! I'd love to hear about your production methods. Whatever you care to share would be interesting to know. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Most or all of the additions you've made are already in the database, why make new entries? You can add your images to the existing entries or simply make your additions private for personal use.
well more rack wart than underpowered I guess - the uZeus - it takes up rack space... & it's not a great power supply, can be noisy and is tbh a bit underpowered... but sufficient for the rack you have pictured...
I think mixers are incredibly useful - especially matrix mixers - for creating interesting modulation...
I don't think you really benefit from a clock divider that much in this rack - not a lot to trigger & marbles can do clock division...
possibly don't need the output module - I'd get attenuators instead... unless you need the headphone output - and then I'd get the ALM hpo as it's only 2hp - odd hp modules are a pita
sequential switches are useful
as I said above expression pedal and to some extent on/off pedal interfaces are really useful - especially if you are going to play guitar or bass into your modular
"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!!!
@Wiktorian
I've been thinking about jack converters or about a send and return module. I only know the knob.farm ferry. Unfortunately, this is not available for known reasons. Are there others with the same function?
@JimHowell1970
What do you mean with underpowered rack wart?
Maybe I'll start with Hermod first. The LFO, Random, Scale and Sequencer functions seem very useful when playing with the guitar.
Which utility modules do you think would be important? A clock divider seems extremely useful to me. An attenuator could also be an advantage for the high levels in the rack.
As a CV function generator, i have planned maths that I want to learn down to the smallest detail and then see what else I need
I saw a lot of racks with ornament and crime on modulargrid. Especially in small racks. The many functions, especially in the area of CV modulation, are very impressive. But the module seems to me complicated, especially at the beginning
A looping ADSR from AI Synthesis. Good kit, a pretty easy build, the circuit board has lots of space and easy component installation. Good ADSR, though I can’t see how to control the pulse time for the loop, maybe feeding voltage into the retrigger jack will do that, but I can’t see it otherwise.
Good 2nd-3rd kit to build. C.K. builds a looking envelope from AI Synthesis
underpowered rack wart... by the time you've sorted a case and rails and the power supply and the boost psu, you might as well have bought a mantis - better power, no rack wart and bigger...
I don't see the need for both pachinko and hermod - in this size case...
I'd throw out the ears and the 2hp loop - the loop because morphagene will do this and the ears because - at the moment for guitar/bass interface I would go for the sonicsmith ev1 - it's got the best pitch follower, and gas other features that are useful
as you're a guitar/bass player, with pedals, then I'd also get at least one pedal interface module (will make life easier) - whilst some pedals will work fine at modular levels - moogerfoogers for example, most won't and need attenuation on the way out and then boosting on the way back in - I'd also want at least one expression pedal interface - so that you can control the modular with your feet whilst playing the guitar - it really helps
I'd also want more utilities - think plumbing - for both audio and cv!
"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!!!
Jdesole, planning racks is fun (I spend so many hours on ModGrid myself) but I suggest you log some hours and build up some experience with Modular on VCVRack2, maybe focus on the ‘real world’ modules available there, like Instruo, Mutable and Befaco. It’ll also solve all your mixing needs.
If you’re still early in your physical rack, get an Expert Sleepers ES9 so you can patch into VCV. It’s the first module I ever bought - invaluable for learning. Even if you want to be fully physical in your modular, unless you’re loaded and have immediate access to any module you want, it’ll be a long time before your rack is fully realized. You could learn with the ES9, help you make the right choices of what to purchase, then sell it later - they’re in constant demand.
Thanks you for advices. No clouds in my setup in fact.
I am going to studdies more.
But my first result give me confidence and show me that the road will not be short
I don't think you're missing anything important! Looks like a competent ambient guitar processing setup with possibilities to create new interesting timbres, even without an external instrument.
The only thing I can think about is maybe having some quality of life stuff regarding interfacing with your guitar and pedals. Maybe some jack converters etc?