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Nice that you managed to make a choice! Sure, would love to see what you eventually end up with and how you like it.

I just put my own rack to public. Maybe there's some inspiration for you to be found there. The goal of my rack is to make a big noisy ruckus, with fat analog bass and lots of knobs (hands-on control) to turn. I have it connected to an Arturia Minifreak and Ableton on the computer to get in additional sounds and sequencing.

I like all of the modules I bought. The Cellz is the only one that is not amazing but it's still fine because it's very cheap secondhand.

I Really like your advice- will Research later
And decide on that - i Kick the sto and try to go for a Filter and eventually a LPG - sequencing i will do with the keystep or OP1 Field, but Iam not a great sequencer guy- i Play a lot like a Keyboarder or pianist and want to go away from the keys- or at least do more without it. I Like Both . Thats what makes it hard - but also more fun. And what always Keeps me motivated is - if it Would be easy- Everybody Would do it .

Thanks again for Talking the Time - i keep you Updated how things end up - if you are Interested - don’t want to bother you or steal your precious Time .

Thx P

I Really like your advice- will Research later
And decide on that - i Kick the sto and try to go for a Filter and eventually a LPG - sequencing i will do with the keystep or OP1 Field, but Iam not a great sequencer guy- i Play a lot like a Keyboarder or pianist and want to go away from the keys- or at least do more without it. I Like Both . Thats what makes it hard - but also more fun. And what always Keeps me motivated is - if it Would be easy- Everybody Would do it .

Thanks again for Talking the Time - i keep you Updated how things end up - if you are Interested - don’t want to bother you or steal your precious Time .

Thx P

this module was indeed redesigned, a new version is available, in 4hp :)

Hmm, it's difficult to make an oscillator choice for you. It's really personal. I think you should listen to as much material as is available for the Dixie, Sto and Buchla and choose based on that. I feel like the Sto is the 'weakest' choice here, it has the least amount of options and the least amount of knobs to turn, for the same price as the other two. But if you really like the sound of the Sto, then go for it.

The Wasp is cool and has a unique sound. It's a good choice. If stereo image is important to you, a stereo filter is a good choice. The modules you have selected now are not very focused on stereo. But if that's the way you want to move in the future it can help to go stereo on the filter. Even with a mono filter you can stack the oscillators in the mixer or the Quad VCA to filter more than one sound source at the same time.

For me, the module (it's a filter) that made me go 'wow, now I want a modular system' is the Schlappi Engineering Angle Grinder. In default settings it's a sweet sounding filter with low pass, high pass, band pass and notch, but once you start turning knobs, it will rip your ears off. For me, that is the sound I am looking for. I'm not sure if it's the module for you, but give it a listen on YouTube.

Seems like a random collection of modules in a random placement.
It'll make noises, but as an instrument, it's unclear what you're after, beyond a display of stuff you want.

There are potential voices there, but mixing the mess together is unclear.
You need more active mults. You have all of that signal creation but it can't be shared easily amoung modules.
Put the Pam's all the way to the left as your master clock/reset, then mult it out to the rest.
I'm unsure why you chose the Frap Tools module in the 2nd build. Not really what it's for.
Dump the modules from 2hp and keep looking. Save the frustration.
I wish that the Disting wasn't the interface nightmare it is. Such a good idea, but sadly, never stays long.

Are you going stereo or mono or hybrid? Are you sharing clocks with something else? Will you need midi?
You going to play actual notes? It's hard to tell, is there a quantizer in there someplace? Do you need one?
Both racks look chaotic to patch and play without some sort of signal flow plan.
It's no fun weeding thru a drape of patch cables all of the time.
Avoid using stackable and LED cables.
Don't know what to say about those two joysticks...

Simplify. I suspect that y0u'll never get to even a quarter of what those higer level modules do, just on their own.
I'd start with less than half of those higher level modules and put more time into building out
your clock/reset, the CV/gate/trigger distribution, and your mixing, and then focus on learning the modules.

p.s. Modular Grid has become essential to my work. It's a terrific and unmatched resource. They're great.

hi and thank you for the fast reply.
no you arent rude at all - Thank you for the great input - for sequencing i would use my keystep pro. you are probably right to dump the dixie and sto and oscilloscope and the pico mixer and get an Lfo or to dump the buchla and the oscilloscope and mixer and get an lfo and maybe filter . i kinda like both worlds . so maybe the best way to start is with the sto, dixie and lfo and a filter (and of course the other modules in the case) maybe that would be more musical. you are absolutley right . i can get experimental with just the o coast, even for noise music and droning in my opinion, but iam a noob. what do you think, cause i already think it is a good choice. your post got me thinking. Thanks a lot man, i really appreciate it. any recommendations on a filter - like wasp from doepfer or should i go more like a stereofilter ? hope i dont bother you too much with my questions. thank you

Hi,

I think a lot of it boils down to: help us to help you.

Maybe this rack is perfect for what you want to do, maybe it needs tweaking or even a full redesign, but without any context around what you want to achieve / music you want to make, it is difficult to offer advice or opinion.

Do you have any examples of the kind of music / sound you want to make?

What do you have in the way of equipment currently?

Enrico

Hi, I'm quite new to this myself, but I think I can help you along a bit.

I see four oscillators (counting the Buchla as two), but not a single filter. Filters are very important for shaping your sound. Some say that filters are more important to your sound then an oscillator. There's some truth in this.

You mention you also have the Dark Energy and the O coast. That's six oscillators I guess. You don't have the amount of envelopes to have all of this stuff running at the same time.

A lot of power of modular synths comes from the ... modulations. I think you would benefit from a LFO. I was also thinking you need an attenuator, but I think Quad VCA with Maths has you covered there.

The Quad VCA will already mix four signals to the OUT 4. Will you need that Pico mixer in addition to this?

How will you sequence all of these oscillators? Maybe you have some outside device for this. If not, a sequencer or a midi to CV input will help you, depending on your outside setup.

Maybe you really want it, but I would think the ZeroScope is not that important in this small setup. You can hear the sound with your ears right? Do you need to see the waves? I see you can use it to tune, but you can tune on the computer or on your mobile phone with a free app. A scope is more of a luxury thing, for when you have so many modules that you can't remember how they work.

One last thing to think about, maybe it's even the most important thing. You mention you want West Coast and Experimental. Do you think you will achieve it with this setup? Is it maybe not too 'normal'? If you want something very specific, you should lean into this specific thing. If you're crazy about Buchla, get the Buchla oscillator and drop the Sto and Dixie (for now). Any full, non-modular, synth can go beep beep boop. You don't need an expensive modular system just to go beep beep boop.

I hope this helps you. Maybe you think I'm being too rude, but I'm just inviting you to do some critical thinking.

A “spectral playground” from Befaco. Multi-band equalizer with returns and sends and VCAs for each band. Allows you to pull each frequency range out to its own jack, as well as a mix out. CV control for the filter range as well as sliders, which is fun.
A good unit. 1/2 surface mount pre-installed, but still plenty to though-hole solder, a satisfying kit.
Build

Found.

i dont think this place is being run great. ...
-- singular_sound

Discovering any Bugs? Post here!
-- modulargrid

there a quite a few 500 series modules missing in the database.
no blank panels and no burl b1d anymore

I guess I would choose the bigger one, then. If I decided later that I didn't need all the modules, I could just not use the ones I don't need.

Hi folks, as per the subject, been chipping away for a while, but I'm still at an early stage in my modular explorations. I'm not absolutely green, but I couldn't really describe myself as anything other than a beginner with this sort of setup.

It's a money sink of course, so mostly inexpensive modules for the moment, just to get me going and fluent. Looking for Berlin style sequencing as much as anything, drones etc.

So my question really is what do I have in there that I don't want or need, and what am I missing, or what should I buy next.

Thanks in advance

https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/discontinued/black-lp-vcfhp-vcfvcf-coupler-set/

(with VAT & UPS-shipping to France : 248 €)

Note : I don't work for Erica Synths; I like their modules.

EDITED Mar 11th, 16:52

Hi Zacksname. Totally take your point. I guess my question, though, is do people find they are more productive, have more fun, by limiting their options? I’m not planning on taking this out live, so portability isn’t an issue. If you were given a month to write an album, which of these above would you choose?

I am at an early stage and don't yet know what genre of music I'll be making or what the recording process will be.
-- ModLifeCrisis

I think you have to figure this out first. What kind of music/sounds normally come out of your modular experiments?

Hi folks,
I would like to record an album (or something) using my modular. I am at an early stage and don't yet know what genre of music I'll be making or what the recording process will be. At present, I am torn between using ALL my modules or scaling it back for a more limited palette. It's not like I have loads of gear - compared to some people :) - but I'm wondering whether to treat the modular like a sonic playground (all my modules) or limit my palette and work within the limitations to create something that is perhaps more focussed. I have come up with two alternative case layouts - both of which I could have without buying any new modules. Which would you prefer if you were presented with each case and invited to record an album using only that?

Small case
Small.jpg

Large case
large.jpg

Hi there, any news / updates / advices ? Got the same issue with a Knit with calibration through ES-9 and CV tools
thanks

Thanks a lot Chase :) Much appreciate you taking the time to write this long post.
I had a listen/look at the Pony by BEFACO and also the Doepfer A-111-3.
I suppose I coud also use my Braids though I would rather not sacrifice it "just" for FM purposes :) Hence my question.
The SY0.5 is really nice indeed; not as rewarding straight away like a BIA but in the end it is more of my taste (analog thing about it...). The fact that it responds to velocity makes it a joy to modulate :)
Will go and patch now :)
Thanks for taking the time once again.
All the best,
L

What do you think about it?
Next Module maybe will be Data Bender.
I youse the Erica Lxr-02 and Dfam for Drums and Percussion.

Hello,

Since the SY0.5 is a percussion voice, the pitch precision of the modulating VCO will probably be less important in most contexts. However, according to the SY0.5 manual, the pitch input does track 1V/Oct, so you could potentially use it melodically. I have never used the SY0.5 (although I have considered picking one up), so I can't say how precisely it tracks. If it turns out that it tracks with less than perfect 1V/Oct, then it wouldn't matter how precise the modulating VCO is because they would be tracking differently. You would also have to combine the voltages with a precision adder beforehand since the the SY0.5 only has one pitch input. Of course, this is only relevant if trying to control the SY0.5 melodically and FM the pitch simulaneously. Ultimately, it comes down to how you intend to use the SY0.5 in combination with the modulating VCO.

The Befaco Pony might be a good choice: https://modulargrid.net/e/befaco-pony-vco. It's very compact (4HP) with lots of waveform possibilities (but only one output). I think the lower rating it has here on MG is due to some peculiarities with it's TZ-FM input, but I get lot of great sounds out of mine. If you want multiple simulaneous outputs like the Dixie 2 has, then a smaller alternative to look at might be the Doepfer A-111-3: https://modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-111-3.

I hope some of that helps!
Chace

With a few years of Modular experience under my belt now and knowing what I know now, this is what I would start out with if I was starting again, I'd pair this with an Arturia Beatstep Pro for sequencing for some instant analogue gratification.
You could save some money with cleaper effects units.

3x Sound sources (2 complete Voices + STO so you have some nice sine waves and some wave folding)
2x Mixers (For mixing your Sound Sources and Percussion)
3x Percussion sources (You can get a good kick out of the ADDAC 103 as well as incidentak percussion)
2x VCA (Small form-factor dual VCA)
1x ADSR (So you have more control if needed and mainly use for the STO)
1x LFO (Everyone's fav LFO)
2x Effects (Delay and Reverb)
1x Power

EDITED Mar 9th, 18:29

Hi,
I am using a Michigan Synth Works SY0.5.
In this YT video, Ben a.k.a. DivKid talks about FM - audio rate frequency modulation through the pitch input of the SY0.5. I would like to know which OSC I should look at to perform this duty. I suppose one with as many waves as possible to have diversity. Would pitch stability be key?
Size and price DO matter: this VCO would nearly only be used to perform this type of duty.
Looking at a Dixie 2.
Any advice?
Many thanks,
Loersatz

EDITED Mar 9th, 10:10

I seem to remember Befaco saying that it was in need of a redesign a couple of years or so ago.
That and their ADSR need a little work in my opinion.

Its really too bad this is Module discontinued.
I own (2) and the added CV input control for up/dwn slew ( 0 to insane) and ablity to individually control the up/dwn slew rates with the sliders really made this a awesome Slew device.
I have 3 other Slew modules but other than the simple Barton BMC057 Gated Slew
the Mini Slew by SSF & Joranalogue Contour both have too much feature creap for my taste and while capable
they just dont have the immdiate form to function the Befaco Slew has.

I don't like the drum stuff in this small of a case. I don't necessarily agree with the comment above about too much sequencing, as I use sequencing as modulation, not just pitch cv, but i see where they are coming from, especially with drum sequencing. If you focus on all the things pams can do, then you see you do have some redundancies.

It is very difficult to pull off a complete-groovebox-total-production in eurorack. I like the idea above of looking at a ALM Squid Salmple as a core and then expanding as youve done.

I would even consider either pairing with a beatstep pro if you want to keep drums in, but would rather pair with an external drum machine, and then focus on the voice or pair of voices you'd like to pursue.

at around $3,000 this configuration might actually fit into my budget, and it still meets my total production capability aspirations. how do i go about getting a 1x3u 100hp case and what would that cost? can someone please critique this design? im looking for genuine feedback. i think i covered all my bases, but it would be nice to hear some genuine comments from the community...

please take a look and tell me what yathink

peace ✌️👾✌️.
-- singular_sound
For the cost of all of the drum and sample modules, you could get an ALM Squid Salmple for less money and eight channels individally triggered. Spend a couple of hundred dollars more, you could get a Rossum Assimil8tor which gives you eight channels of samples and lots of inputs for modulation. It can also produce single cycle waveforms (oscillator) and can sample and play back CV modulation. Personally, I think your rack has too much sequencing and not enough modulation or VCA's. Modulation is what makes Eurorack so powerful. I would pull your sequencing out of the case as there are lots of standalone options that are more cost effective. Believe it or not, if you take your two sequencers and the Pams Workout, you could just about afford a Squarp Hapax (see Thomann) which is an awesome and powerful 'forever' sequencer that gives you plenty of room to grow.

EDITED Mar 8th, 21:09

Clockwork is a prototype... so, you will want to look at something else... if you think steppy isn't enough triggers. if you're cool with all the 2hp models together... cool. for utilities look at Bear modular. uO_C goes a long way.
cheers!

but i 'could' get melodic results from the strange-r and i 'could' get rhythmic results from the clockwork (if the clocking works the way i think) and i have enough modules to fill out all the voicing chains. i feel like the 100hp at the very top of this thread does have good performance flow and the concept isnt being appreciated enough, still, and frankly its hard for me to work out this budgeting, so, tbph, id rather just have a conversation about this design on its own terms, to derive some satisfaction 'ahead' of the time i put it all together to find out if it works etc. it seems like all the advice i have gotten so far has been working against my general concept, instead of trying to steel-man it. like, specific advice, if the clockwork will even accept a clock in, or if i have made a calculation error would be most helpful...

etc. ... ... ... ... ...

peace.

✌️.

found the underwuridz second hand... but was again unsure, thought some glitch sounds could be fun. but again, I'm new and dumb so non attached, but willing to learn! 🤣
-- mantraflow

If you found it and you like it, I say go for it if it's what you want. If you do, you should take some videos of it in action - I've never seen it before, though I've admired some of the module concepts from that company (like the Bluetooth receiver with envelope follower).

now trying to save some space, but i also liked the idea of the quad VCA. I have enough space for two larger units.
Now with a quad active buffered multiple. The previous one only had 3. Really trying to squeeze alot of inputs and outputs into this space. The QAM doesnt seem like a bad choice (from my quick search of reviews), and gets the job done.

swapped out the huge multi for a smaller yet still versatile multi. It seems like doepfer has offered alot in my quest to have as many functions but also save a lot of space. Now to just sit on it for a while and think a bit. I think there's always room for improvement. As it is now, i've managed to save alot more space. However, i kind of feel i could possibly merge some of these into single modules and save on sockets. But i wonder if that would end up using more space? I guess it's a balance of space and sockets? Maybe something which could serve as both a VCF and mixer?

So, i guess i learned you really can do alot with a little space. While my first attempt wasnt bad. Giving myself time and having others help. I've managed to make something that's both small but powerful.

next are patch cables. Ive seen several different manufacturers of patch cables. Also, stackable cables and splitter cables.

EDITED Mar 8th, 07:30

waw thanks a bunch mate, alot to digest and dive into. will play arround with this, and thanks modgrid for this sandbox.

found the underwuridz second hand... but was again unsure, thought some glitch sounds could be fun. but again, I'm new and dumb so non attached, but willing to learn! 🤣

still trying to hold all thise considerations up against the nifty keys case, it's functionality and viability for my need.
still unsure if it really is the way to go, or just a gimmick...
basicly the only thing i dream of is controlling base note... but piching everything to smithereens through mods and lfo might make that redundant anyway...
unsure.

I think the Maths and Wogglebug are good for a setup like this. The Ochd+expander you have in the new configuration is a good choice - you can also feedback it by plugging the various outputs back into the CV control input for more varied and unpredictable LFOs. Since Maths gives you two attenuators already in addition to its other goodies, VCAs are probably the way to go here. In a small system, VCAs with knobs are the most convenient. The classic is the Intellijel Quad VCA or Mutable Veils (discontinued, but After Later Audio makes a clone called Cloaks, as do other companies). Omnitone makes a quad VCA called Ampera that is smaller if you need the space. I wouldn't worry about finding a special VCA with special audio character, because those ones are said to sound good already and you'll want them more for CV here. Just go for value and control capabilities. The main thing here is just to get control over more signals and more aspects of signals.

I did up this just so I could keep track of everything. I put Ghost in instead of the other effects unit because the other one appears to be currently unavailable in Eurorack or standalone format, but you can always find another effect or multieffect that suits you (or track that one down if you need it). One thing I see around a lot is the Folktek Alter X and Y pedals, which are more like Eurorack modules in pedal form with CV control, and offer similarly grimy and potentially experimental (yet varied and tameable) effects like that other unit. That might free up some space for you to add more utility/modulation or maybe even squeeze a second small signal path in there (or expand your current one).

These are all just guidelines, and I imagine you'll want to go over all these things and check out the alternatives. Hopefully that helps. Your sound sources/effects are obviously the most personal part, but as you play around with stuff you'll get a lot more confident with all the other pieces and knowing what suits you. Don't be afraid to test ideas in VCV Rack as well. You won't be able to use all the same modules, but some are available and the concepts are all still the same. Multifunction modules like Ornament and Crime, the Distings, or the Empress Euroburo/Poly Hector (the latter two can exist in their own cases) are also great ways to experiment with new and interesting functions in a relatively small setup.

yeah, the price is "a bit" too much just for an expander.

awesome input my friend, i see you point!
a filter is also a great fun tool for hands on control aswell, so I guess the goust can be swapped.
regarding the "VCA/attenuator for CV" and mixer, I love a hint on wich direction to look.
any recomendations on modules are welcome!

The "clutter" comments aren't about having too many things, but about having an imbalanced setup and impractical module arrangements that would make your setup almost impossible to get results from unless they were just harsh noise or pure drones. A single row can be cluttered and cramped while a giant setup can be balanced and user-friendly.

For this size, the Loki is probably a good start. The Spherical Wavetable Navigator does a lot of stuff, but it also demands a lot of stuff to fully maximize its complexity.

Overall, it looks like a good start to me. That mult is surprisingly big, but if you have the room and can get a good deal on it, that's fine.

took some more time in looking to improve my modular. im thinking the quad vca/vc mixer might be enough for the mixing?

the wave table is super funky and interesting.

I'm leaning twords the pro workout for the sequencing.

the Plague Bearer PB-1E has some interesting filtering.

the multiplicity gives alot of output.

the quad vca because having more probably wouldnt hurt?

the mixer, i feel might be okay. Not sure if the stereo is completely nessesary?

updated rack 3

changed a few things in this version. I'm kinda leaning more twords the loki as my sound source.

the dual LFOs and Dual ADSR can add alot of interesting signal manipulation.

we will see. i have not 100% gotten the budgeting in order, etcetera etcetera....

by the way, related to the comments about how overly cluttered my original designs were, check out how much gear is owned by 'renku corporation', lol. check the link: ...

peace ✌️

You'll probably be a lot happier if you ditch one of the oscillators and one of the effects units to get yourself a filter outside of Ghost (nothing against Ghost but you need a filter or low pass gate that acts like a synth filter and isn't meshed in with the other effects), a bit more modulation (LFOs), and a VCA/attenuator for CV. Maybe a mult/mixer as well. The craziness you get from a patch on a system full of utilities like these will be a lot more varied and playable.

Just my suggestion. More sound sources/effects doesn't necessarily mean more sounds in Eurorack.

Mostly looking for someone knowleadable, to tell me if something is grosely misplaced, or some vital element glaringly missing...
thanks so much

thanks for listening - and for sharing it with your mate! interesting that you detected a pythagorean tuning, as it was actually 12ET.

Be sure to post some examples when you finally buy this stuff and get going. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

took some more time in looking to improve my modular. im thinking the quad vca/vc mixer might be enough for the mixing?

the wave table is super funky and interesting.

I'm leaning twords the pro workout for the sequencing.

the Plague Bearer PB-1E has some interesting filtering.

the multiplicity gives alot of output.

the quad vca because having more probably wouldnt hurt?

the mixer, i feel might be okay. Not sure if the stereo is completely nessesary?

unrelated, but for some reason. the link which would normally link to the rack wont work properly. Like it wont show the updated rack.

EDITED Mar 6th, 05:21

pythagorean scales are not my favorite, and i prefer a good bit of melodic progression (see: scriabin) but im enjoying this anyway. has almost a 24/7 chill study music vibe. ...

passed this along to a fellow music dude etc.

peace

✌️✌️

hey, zacksname. i fixed the 3rd row just for you, etc.

.edit.

also, i wanted to point out, i came onto this forum with a 4x 12u 100hp concept, and got it down to 1x 3u 100hp (if you only count the 3u 100hp i have any intention of acquiring.)

thats a 16x reduction in complexity. i feel like modulargrid should give me a badge for this.

etcetera. peace.

✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

EDITED Mar 6th, 03:10

Really excited to announce my album, pianola, which came out today on the Expert Sleepers label on Bandcamp. It's a collection of minimalist (and quasi-minimalist) tracks I've been making on the modular in the past year or so. As so many minimalists composed for the piano, I decided to limit myself to piano multisample libraries, loaded onto the Disting EX.

https://smallchanges1.bandcamp.com/album/pianola

You can find a patch breakdown for each track, in the videos on my youtube playlist, "pianola: patches":
https://www.youtube.com/@electrummodularmusic

EDITED Mar 6th, 02:23