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I currently have Ts-L, marbles, maths, veils, desmodus, and HPO. Three voices might be too many at this size, but to my eyes I think it works. Ts-L is either a voice or an LFO and BIA is on percussion. I like Mixup and HPO in the case as I want to use it as a standalone instrument. Mimetic has double duty as pitch CV quantized through o_c running hemisphers and as a modulation source. The sequential switch is something I thought to try with mimetic and varigate to get longer and selectable sequences.

The oddball here is probably beads. I'm not sure about it in this rack but I think I need another source of sound morhping. Mimeophone would be great but make noise is impossible to get.

The other half of o_c will probably run envelopes most of the time.

I don't really have a patching style yet, I'm just getting started and only have a few modules. I lean to a more east style and I prefer sounds in scale and not a haphazard collection of beeps and boops or harsh noise. I tried to pick modules that have purpose and have good features per HP, though marbles and maths are debateable. I took marbles out of the rack posted since varigate and mimetic should be more than enough. Marbles is very playable though so it could find its way back in.

Or just get one of Syinsi's tile-only cases...

-- Lugia

I looked at that after I saw the post. https://syinsi.com/shop/specials/5u-case-custom/

That's completely new to me man. It looks like you get kind of locked into their design form factor, etc...

Eh. It was the smallest one I saw. I could always just duct tape a few modules together minding nothing gets grounded out.

Folks,

I'm new to Eurorack and am planning my first purchases. I am thinking of getting a Mantis case and four modules to start (I find constraints helpful).

I'd like to have system that is (i) immediately capable of generating sounds on its own and (ii) affords me ample learning opportunities. Eventually, I am interested in building out the rack and adding a complex oscillator, but would like to explore the Cloud Terrarium first (and also add some more modulation sources/utilities).

Any thoughts or opinions about this start would be greatly appreciated!

Link: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1808557.jpg

EDITED Jan 18th 2022, 04:10

Yes it is. I'm going to inquire what it does better other than an internal VCO than the competition. At 6HP it is nice and compact though.

Very interesting about the history of pitch tracking and synths in terms of p-2-v tracking. I'd think if you prefilter the instrument you can cut out the interfering harmonics coming into the envelope follower. However, if you wanted to mix acoustic and electronic, I'm not sure this is beneficial as you're taking away character of the instrument.

I think I'll muck with the Disting first before diving in. To make this work I'd think I'd need a mic pre first to get it up to a decent level.

Since you have the space, maybe consider a Doepfer A-143-9 instead of the A-145-4...

I would agree with everyone that you shouldn't necessarily plan everything out. I have a Rackbrute 6U filled out and now a 3U. I think in time I will get another 6U to combine with my existing 6U...I like what I'm building with the 3U accompanying my Minibrute2 keyboard synth...lots of effects/modulation in my 3U that really compliment/extend the Minibrute2.
-- jb61264

Great suggestion! Love the expanded functionality of the Doepfer 143-9…. Unfortunately all my Canadian retailers don’t have it in stock at the moment…

I do like having the Quad LFO module…. So useful for pulling out multiple modulation sources. Do you know if anyone makes a clock-syncable quad LFO? Does the Xaoc Batumi have this ability? I do suppose I could look myself… but where’s the fun in that?!

Since you have the space, maybe consider a Doepfer A-143-9 instead of the A-145-4...

I would agree with everyone that you shouldn't necessarily plan everything out. I have a Rackbrute 6U filled out and now a 3U. I think in time I will get another 6U to combine with my existing 6U...I like what I'm building with the 3U accompanying my Minibrute2 keyboard synth...lots of effects/modulation in my 3U that really compliment/extend the Minibrute2.

got the 'now shipping' newsletter. see modulargrid news for further info. yahoo!

and just to add bravo to tiptop for keeping to their prices! i had my doubts but they proved me wrong.

EDITED Jan 19th 2022, 15:41

I couldn't find DeoxIT in my local store either and looking at the distribution page it doesn't seem to be available in my country. However, searching on Amazon the DeoxIT D100S-2 seems to be available and I guess it would do the work too, so probably ordering it even though is much more expensive than the wd-40.

DeoxIT International Distribution:
https://caig.com/distribution-2020/?cn-s=&cn-cat=8

You can search by country from there.

All the best.

I currently use DeoxIT Faderlube for scratchy pots with great results but years ago I used WD 40 very often. I know it's a formula for water displacement but it also lubricates a bit and I could revive some pots and buttons with it.

Get that into a pot, and you're going to probably need to replace that pot soon after that.

It might not be the ideal solution but I don't have any broken pots due to WD 40, I don't think it is corrosive like Kontakt 60.

So… it’s been a few months and my modular journey continues! Here’s where my setup currently sits and I’d love to get some updated feedback from the group-mind!

So the top three rows are my current setup, with the 4th row being modules that are about to arrive. The top 2 rows represent a Rackbrute 6U case setup vertically, while row 3 is a home built skiff that sits in front of the Rackbrute.

In the future, I plan to build another 6U + 3U enclosure to house the Moog trifecta along with additional sequencing, utility and mixing modules…

My goal continues to be dabbling with a mixture of ambient/generative along with a smattering of simple house and techno beats. I create my drum beats externally with a Roland TR-6S and am also syncing up an MS-20 and a Behringer Crave into my mix. When needed, I’m using an Arturia Keystep Pro as a sequencer and master clock.

I suppose I’m looking for efficiency/redundancy tips and guidance. I feel like I’m lacking in a couple important categories:

• internal multitrack sequencing alongside the Pam’s to drive the oscillators and other sound sources
• stereo mixing output (I’m leaning towards a Befaco Stmix in kit form as a love the soldering/DIY aspect!)
• pitch quantizing (the 2HP Tune doesn’t quite feel powerful/versatile enough)
• more effects (😂)

Anyways, thanks for looking and would love some constructive tips and feedback…

Thanks everyone!

Hi,
I’d add one or two mults, a “rack internal” mixer or two (Doepfer mini stereo a-138s or Intellijel mixup for instance) and maybe some straightforward doepfer adsr or something like that. The MI modules are often very versatile in the env/vca field but I like to have a few smaller simple dedicated of these as well.
I’m all for the niftycase and its very functional midi/cv functions. I started out (for the second time) with Rackbrute 6U and a 4ms pod but I’m thinking of getting a niftycase too for more midi/cv possibilities.
If you’re still into keeping this relatively small I’d recommend MI Marbles for semi random sequencing and pattern creation. Marbles is just great, so musical and a real hub in my setup.

(Edit: removed unnecessary SQ-1 recommendation since you already have the Keystep :-) . )

EDITED Jan 17th 2022, 10:50

Hi Jim,
This is what I have already fella.....
All the best
D

...YEPPP!!!

...I've got myself one of these sound studio threes, ...and, I haven't yet got myself in the correct "mood", ...to start to learn how to use any of these things yet, at all, ...I just haven't done anything with them yet, ...but, with glorious videos like this one out there, ...it definitely helps, ...as they are just trully inspirational!!!

...ohhh, maannn, ...I really got to buckle down, ...and learn how to use all of these suckers sometime really soon!!!

...so, ...thank you for this inspiration, that you have shared with us!!!

is this a plan or what you already have or somewhere in between?

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Hi Everyone,
Thoughts on my rack would be greatly appreciated. I'm very much still learning, so your help would be great as I can appreciate it can probably be improved easily....
Cheers
Darren

Damn, that's spendy...but given that high-quality pitch-to-voltage conversion has been a "holy grail" of sorts in synthesizers, it's not surprising. The big problem lies in tracking...for example, with a lot of synth sounds, there's some significant manipulation of that sound's fundamental and harmonics. What eventually results, if one harmonic really pops out, is mistracking. Sometimes this is interesting...but most of the time, it's an annoyance.

It's also worth noting that trying to adequately implement p-2-v tracking is one of the main factors that wrecked ARP c. 1980. Look up their Avatar guitar synth for a dive into music business HORROR. Also, Korg's tried this twice...once with the MS-20's input section, and the other was the X-911 guitar synth. Neither worked as advertised on that one point, but they're great for glitchy chaos on unpitched signals such as electronic percussion; this is, in fact, much of the secret behind Aphex Twin's ear-bending drum patterns, as he used (and probably still does use) drum machines through an MS-20 and some "creative" settings to generate those distortional and damaged drum bonks and snarls. This is a lot of the reason why the reissue still has that section.

I don't know if it's a EU/US thing, but if I google DeoxIT I get tons of WD-40 results in front. Is it the same product? It's certainly cheaper.
-- Mazz

Oh, HELL no! WD-40 is basically spray-on cutting oil, like 3-In-1 Oil or Liquid Wrench! Get that into a pot, and you're going to probably need to replace that pot soon after that. The only similarities to DeoxIT there is that both come in a spray-can...and that's IT.

Now, as for cleaning panels...I use a rather small shop-vac + a couple of tight-space brush attachments. Even with that vacuum, it still takes a brush to knock the dust up so the vacuum can deal with it. Note, however, that a vacuum will not deal with bloodstains...although, that will probably be of more concern to the 1st-gen Industrial and Power Electronics crowd.

I will be in contradiction with most suggestions on this forum but anyway...

Buy a smaller case
-- defragmenteur

Or just get one of Syinsi's tile-only cases...

EDITED Jan 16th 2022, 21:17

This feels really nice and I like the various layers that grab you for a moment only to disappear or fade before you can truly comprehend them—nice mystery.

Yes, this I'm excited about. I hope a Hi-Z option will be available. Wonder how long we'll have to wait?

Hmmm, guess they forgot about this one. Any good Hi-Z input modules with 1/4"/6,3 TS inputs you would recommend for electric guitar interfacing?

Not sure I want to go with the Instruo. I'll have to check out both MI Links and Kinks and CVlization as other options now that I've removed the Voltage Block. I was considering the Varigate 4+ as an alternative.

This is my current iteration. I've swapped the Ciao for the Befaco Out v3 and the Sonicsmith ConVertor E1. The Sonicsmith will be used to pitch track acoustic instruments.

I know that Disting can do this, but the results I've heard seem a little lacking.

I found this module from Sonicsmith.
https://sonicsmith.com/products/convertor-e1/

Looks pretty compelling and a little spendy at $390. However I suppose it does 3 different things - mic pre, envelope follower, and VCO. Thoughts?

Any other good options here?

I'm listening to a lot of old tunes atm which are something like a mixture between dub techno and ambient music (echospace/deepchord/basic channel etc etc)

for this one i've recorded two pad sounds from Radias into Arbhar and sent the result to the rest of the fam. I made 3 different patches with different speed and this is the second one. hope you like it, headphones are recommended. at the end i added a field recording and some compression. this will be part of my upcoming album.
enjoy:)

sounds like a live improvisation to some generative sounds, great work!

Do it, go full on Freddy Mercury.... Embrace that duster, if it works, it works :) I use a clean paintbrush but cat hair is still tricky.

Btw, Don't use WD40

I don't know if it's a EU/US thing, but if I google DeoxIT I get tons of WD-40 results in front. Is it the same product? It's certainly cheaper.
Also, I know it's not the manliest of sights, but I use one of these artificial feather dusters for all my gear and so far I've had no dust-related problems. And it's so light you can dust your VCOs without getting them out of tune!

I will be in contradiction with most suggestions on this forum but anyway...

Buy a smaller case

Well - I've finally decided to try this.
I've started by getting an Intelligel 4U 62HP case.
I've watch a many videos and played with VCV Rack to start getting an idea on where to go with this build. One of the things I've noted form other videos and builders is the suggestion to gear the rack for a particular sound or target output. To that end I've decided to attempt a Kraftwerk sound.
I want to have good filters, several LFOs and at least two VCOs. I've heard more than once you can't have too many VCAs, but the case is limited for a reason to 62HP... that being = I don't wan't to get carried away with the first try...

I'll update as time permits.

atomkey.

For cleaning — DeoxIT
https://caig.com/deoxit-d-series/
-- cmb_

I use and endorse DeoxIT, frankly! My can of D5 is currently sitting next to the Digisound 80, in fact. The stuff might seem like it's just basic "contact cleaner", but it goes a lot further than that...it adds lubrication to a pot that doesn't gum up after time, for one thing. And then, yep, it's got some anti-tarnish ingredients to help keep contacts from getting crapped up again.

It was so ubiquitous in Nashville back in the day that, if you ran into a crackly pot or intermittent switch with the resulting noise, everyone would be lunging for the DeoxIT can, unspoken rule-style.

For cleaning — DeoxIT
https://caig.com/deoxit-d-series/

-- cmb_

"Rejuvenator and protector". I may use that one on myself instead

The 8 files have to be named "1.wav" to "8.wav" and be in the root folder of your SD card. Each file should be 32 kbyte.
I never had anything else on the SD card, and it always worked without a problem. You can also try a different SD card.

I originally tried to put most of the modules to the top row that have a screen and knobs on top, and patch points on the bottom, to make tweaking easier. Pam is top middle, because it's often my most patched module, and I was thinking that it needs to be as close as possible to everything else.

Thanks a lot for taking the time for this. I copied it over to my designs, I'm going to go over the changes you made.

This terrain is difficult for me, I would like others with more knowledge to present their ideas

hello colleagues, I accept recommendations from people with an open mind, I hope you enjoy the ideas of my module. Hugs

Hi, Yes I did. Super strange, lovely module though, you will not be dissapointed.

Have you named the files as per manual instructions? I'm getting this module soon so following this topic for eventual future troubleshooting.

For cleaning — DeoxIT
https://caig.com/deoxit-d-series/

Great track there!!

Not to mention Cat hair, it clings to rubbery knobs!!

I have a lid on mine but covering I with anything should help.
Befaco make a brush which I recommend

It seems like my modular gets covered in dust easily, so I've two questions you guys surely can help with.

Due to the dust a couple of modules have developed scratchy knobs, usually fully moving the knobs back and forth solves the problem, but lately the scratch seems to persist in one of the knobs and I'm not sure how to fix it. It seems like I need to clean it with "air spray", do I need to fully remove the front panel of the module before blowing the air or is it ok to just remove the plastic knob? Is there any other/better way to get rid of the scratchy knobs?

And then, how do you keep dust away from your modular? some cases have a cover like a suitcase, which I guess helps a lot keeping the modular clean, but other cases don't. Do you cover your modular in some way? or how do you keep your modular dust free? So far I've been cleaning mine with a brush, but some of the dust always seems to find it's way into the knobs and sliders.

Hi there, I dont get my head around this and need some help with my PH MK3, I dont actually understand to add the customized wavetables that I do myself and also download at waveedit to the SD card, do they have to be marked 1-8 in the SD card? Because when i add the wavetables it doesnt show up on my module,

thanks again

Here's a video for the track "Gravity" from a new album release called Air. Modular synth sounds are done mostly with Serge Eurorack for this track.

Full album here:
https://solitaireousolidaire.net/listen.html

All the best.

Threaded rails (or threaded rail strips...similar idea) are definitely solid, but if you're doing anything DIY or want to use an Analogue Systems module or two, you'll be very grateful for those sliders. Any time you have the potential for a module NOT matching the typical Eurorack spacing, that's when sliders become a godsend!

Optimize, actually. I did a rework of this, came up with...

Audio in the top row, modulation/control in the bottom. By clarifying the signal paths in this way, it becomes much easier to wrap ones' head around what's actually going on. There's really only ONE change I would suggest as far as modules, that being to replace the Zeroscope with an Intellijel Dual VCA ii, then placing this alongside the 3xMIA so that you've got your mixer/distro AND your modulation amplitude controllers all in one place. The Zeroscope is sort of a "luxury", and in smaller builds, it's important to minimize/eliminate things like that so that everything has actual synthesis functionality. Other than that, it's a pretty solid build.

Bopodog, very very helpful as well. Thanks for taking the time to go through those things, I'm learning a ton. I have updated my rack since the original post (I dont know if you guys can see that). I really also just don't want to look at any screens or doing any scrolling or menu diving as I do it enough on my day job. So I took out a couple of large items and added some other things based on what I'm reading here. Thanks again.

EDITED Jan 14th 2022, 22:45