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Hard to explain, but I'm looking for a module that can take an incoming CV signal and split it at a threshold, essentially making it two CV signals where the second doesn't send anything until the threshold is met. For instance lets say i have a single source and want to control two values, like decay time and filter cutoff, so when the input CV hits 50% it has opened the decay to 100% with the cutoff still at 0% and at 100% it has the decay at 100% and the cutoff at 100%.
I use various sound sources, three of which seem well suited to dark ambient/drone: Loquelic Iteritas Percido, Polygogo, Morphagene. And I agree with @lucas303’s suggestion: a matrix mixer would really be recommended for your work.
Okay so... My goals are to get a bit more toward the generative music side of things. I have been goofing around with different instruments for most of my life. I picked up a korg minilogue xd a few years back but it just never scratched the itch... I think its mostly because I found it overwelming everything it could do if I am being honest. I still have it and play around with it and plan to work it into my music.
Okay so I start looking into videos and whatnot to see if I can brush up on my music theory to help my son out and I stumble upon the rabbit hole of modular synthasis... We jump in the car and head to detroit modular and I come home with some stuff :-D. Went back the next day and swapped it out and come home with the nifty case, beehive, A-106-5 filter and 4ms EnvVCA and a korg SQ-1. Something to keep it super simple... It was a blast. I accidently made a frog sound and it inspired me and I recorded this Then I run into a rabbit hole and discover the Pachinko. I picked up a few more modules and think oh I need a Tukra for some drums...
And this is what I end up with:
I also have a Keystep Pro on the way for a more complex sequencer. But add it all up and the budget is shot ;-). This winter I am going to build a nice case for a bit more room. Shove in a few 2hp and you dont have much room to twiddle with ;-). I am happy for now and have a lot of room to grow with what I have BUT I want to start researching now to see what else I should be adding to get a good generative setup going. What might I be mising now that would be useful?
EDIT:
I am trying to stay a little more on the DAW less side. I am a software developer and get tired of staring at a computer all day... I also gooff with logic pro a bit...
A locking feedback delay based on the Princeton tech delay/echo chip.
A very good build, not too easy, not too hard. And a great sounding unit, I will be abusing the heck out of this one.
I make similar music to what you're talking about and what really unlocked the power of all my other modules the most was a matrix mixer. I have the Doepfer A-138m, but there are also stereo matrix mixers out there if you need that. I highly recommend a matrix mixer, especially for this kind of music. It's one of those things that's hard to fully appreciate the importance of until you start using it, and then it just opens up so many possibilities. I find it important enough that if for some reason I had to start over again from scratch, I'd plan everything around the matrix mixer.
Regarding the sound in that video, you could potentially get similar sorts of sounds through some feedback patching (which a matrix mixer also excels at).
A bit of an oddball suggestion, maybe, but the Lyra8-FX could be exactly what you're looking for (particularly when combined with a sampler/looper):
How about a way to set a module to 50% opacity or something via a shortcut to indicate I don't have this module yet, for example. Could help evaluating the feasability of a new rack layout. I used to use f=flip for that until I actually started turning modules upside down.
You don't necessarily need anything special depending on what you want to run the audio into. My system is not portable at all but I use a couple of keyboard amps at home and I just turn the volume on the amps down and run a 1/8" to 1/4" TS cable straight from one of my mixer modules to each amp and that works perfectly fine.
Thank you for replying! I see what you mean about the SWN being more of a replacement due to overlap with the Grone2. Good call! I went and searched vids on the 4ms and found this
After the 5:17 mark... now that is what I'm after, sounds similar to this! Stuff you would hear on a horror or scifi soundtrack, without sounding cheezy. I also love the fact that the 4ms is like half the price, so now I can purchase support modules for it. As for that; since I'm new at this whole Eurorack thing (I'm coming from Reason), I'm guessing, a Maths is in order also? Here is my rack idea so far:
Please... if you have any criticisms, let them fly. I really would like to make informed decisions before going further. For context; this is a dedicated Drone/atmospheric case that will be used together with a Korg Wavestate, MPC one (for percussive elements), and a 1010 Blackbox (for sampled elements), all going into a 1010 Bluebox mixer. I also have an Artuia Keystep 37 to input into the case. Kind of a performance rig for livingroom "gigs". I also would not mind sharing jams on social media from time to time. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
PS: for some reason my rack shows incorrectly on this post, but the linked one is updated.
I have SWN - Its a very deep and versetaile module, that can stand by its own.
It has sequencer and modulation + chords on bord, so u wouldnt need a external sequencer.
Its very complex and deep
its wavetable and spreads in 6 voices
SWN is amazing - but as I read your comment im not certain if SWN or Spectraphon are what youre searching for.
Maybe just pick a more simple voice for layering?
Or what about 4ms ensemble osc? - I think it could be a good addition, and easier to control.
If you get the swn, I guess it will be more like a replacment than a addition to the drone grone.
I had the SWN in my main case - but I prefer to have it in a small rack to focus on it.
You can spend hours only using the SWN.
You can do drones, melodies, chord riffs, endless timbress to explore
As far I know, the Spectraphon is more to make new sounds of existing sounds.
Hello. I was hoping if someone has any experience with these two modules. I wanted a voice to complement a grone Drone 2, to layer darker creepier sound elements on top. I have an outboard sampler aready so I would not need anything like that. What I was considering was either the 4MS Spherical Wavetable Navigator or the Make Noise Spectraphon. I was really impressed by both but not sure which would fit best for what I'm trying to achieve here. I was also thinking of sequencing one of these two with a Qu-Bit Electronix Bloom for evolving variation. I would also not mind either of the two to handle drone elements either once in a while, since the Grone can produce odd non-drone sonics also. The Spectraphon seems very experimental and able to produce some pretty interesting sounds, but I do like the fact that you can save presets on the SWN though. Any input or advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!
I use the pico output from Erica Synths for my batery powered rack. I mostly use it with headphones but it also works great with speakers with a line in.
-- Niemandsland
My only issue is I dont really have space for an output module, which I should've mentioned earlier.
Hello! My new video is online. As kid growing up in the 90's I loved playing videogames, especially rpg's like Zelda and Final Fantasy. This jam is a hommage to that music that is instilled in my heart and mind. I wrote my own " 90’s video game tune." I used the amazing Hermod+ module by Squarp Instruments to sequence my entire modular system.
Please enjoy and could you maybe like this video and subscribe to my channel if you enjoy what you hear and see? It really helps me to create more videos like this. Have a great day!
I use the pico output from Erica Synths for my batery powered rack. I mostly use it with headphones but it also works great with speakers with a line in.
This question seems dumb but Ive searched a lot and haven't found a straight and applicable answer yet, so im asking here. I'm planning my first rack, which will be portable. I have everything I need for output at home, but constantly lugging around a clunky audio interface is a hassle and kind of defeafs the purpose of the rack being portable. Basically I'm wondering what people use for audio output when not at home, or potentially outside, which is something I hope to do at some point.
Knowing me I'm probably overthinking and missing something very obvious, but I'd appreciate any help.
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.
It felt lke quite a natural flow. Not too many screw ups either ;-)
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.
Hey there,
I started to upload my music at irregular intervals on youtube/insta. In case someone wants to listen I'd be happy to get some response and connect with other modular fans. 😊
Mars
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.
Patch Notes - A couple of new modules added recently, the @amsynths AMS110 VCO which gives some lovely phat Sub bass, and a couple of @st-modular Modules, their WAVE LFO & ADSR the latter of which with its Speed switch makes it really performable giving me 3 parts from one sequence and VCO. This heads through the @GM1ify Zverb.
The other parts come from the @geosync TB-0 & TB-EFA for the squelchy Acid.
The weird shit in the tail-out ending is Rings into Clouds and Mimeophon with Pitches from Marbles and freaked with by the @DivKid / @instruo Ochd + Expander
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.
Thank you, All.
I am not racking the SubH, it's just there for representation (and I have a 60hp Moog rack for the top).
I do have another 104 skiff with 60hp available, so anything I put in here could join a Maths, Morphagene and Disting4.
Based on the feedback, I'll look for more utilities and moderators. Thank you!
Welcome here. I absolutely agree to what is indicated by @HGsynth.
We have to admit that all these things have been written a hundred times here.
So you will forgive me if I only develop one point. Actually the starting point: the size of the case...
If you want to enter the modular world, there is a good chance that you will buy other modules in the months or years that follow. For example, you will wish to complete your setup with a specific filter, an interesting effect, or simply be seduced by the presentation of a new module in a YouTube video. Or a concept that is not familiar to you today might seem indispensable to you tomorrow, a matrix mixer for example, a logic module, a sequential switch, another type of synthesis, etc. Or a type of module that did not exist before will be born and it will correspond to your philosophy, as for example recently with the Droid system: look at the incredible success it achieves (see page ‘Top Modules’). Personally, this does not correspond at all to my modular ethics, But I know many who have suddenly embraced it with sincere (and noisy) sighs of satisfaction.
All this long blah-blah about what? No one knows what your intentions will be tomorrow. But one thing is certain, a 'medium-sized' case to start is not the size of a grand piano. And its price is only that of a good module.
Depending on your sensitivity to an exterior appearance or brand, you may be interested in:
Tiptop Audio Mantis (2 x 104 HP)
Arturia RackBrute 6U (2 x 88 HP)
Behringer Eurorack Go (2 x 140 HP)
Doepfer A-100 LC6 (2 x 84 HP)
And of course keep your Subharmonicon in its box, needless to say :)
First, are you planning on racking the subharmonicon and you actually have two rows available, or is that just for representation? If the former, I'd recommend keeping the subharmonicon in it's case and keeping the hp available. Also, will you be connecting this to the other rack, or is it completely standalone?
60 hp is really small for modular. While you absolutely can build a rack in that space (depending on your goals, I'd think), it's not so simple. You have to be quite selective about what makes it in if you're going to get something that works as intended. If a bigger rack is possible, you won't regret it
I'm not seeing a lot of modulators. Yeah, there's Pams, which gives plenty of interesting gates, envelopes, and attenuation, but how else will you be generating cv signals or moving parameters? You need to consider LFOs. Something like the Xaoc Batumi gives you a bunch in a decent footprint, and Divkid's Ochd (now with expander!) is quickly becoming essential in my rack.
Also, you don't have the utilities that will be necessary to get the most out of your modulators. Attenuators, VCAs, slew limiters, s/h, you'll get a lot of modulating mileage about these types of modules. If you're looking to explore sounds, don't discount randomness. Thank you Pams for offering this, but look at something like Instruo's tagh is an interesting option to add more random flavor.
Thank you for the advice :) It makes perfect sense to go for bigger knobs and lose some of the sound sources! And I will probably double the rack size at some point :D
I've been tinkering around with it some more and as I said, I will start with a minimal setup and see what I really need from there.
What's up folks?! Background
I'm building a small rack to complement a Subharmonicon I already have.
My goal is a bit of modulation with some additional flexible sound.
I have a separate rack with Maths, Morphagene and Disting4.
Feedback
I'm looking for feedback on the top 60hp. Do you see any problems or ideas that jump out? I'm relatively new to modular, so I'm learning all I can. Thanks!!
If this is studio rack I'd suggest getting a bigger one and not trying to cram 2hp or micro modules in. Eurorack is a really tactile format and there really are diminishing returns from function per hp when it's packed so tight you can't play with it. It won't even cost you more money (well except the bit you'd spend on a bigger case) as 2hp modules usually cost the same as or more than doepfer equivalent
maths seems like a waste of space. you could add better modulators at a smaller footprint and add another fx module. maybe find a small clouds clone, or fx aid xl, or the electus versio. or if you really want a function genrator. maybe use the function junction, or just the make noise function genrator.
After some further digging, I'd say the term polarizer is a bit of a grey area in eurorack. When googling, I see several discussions on Modwiggler where people are debating whether the word polarizer is equal to inverter OR attenuverter.
The brand Doepfer consistently uses the term polarizer only in the context of attenuverters.
If search for the keyword "polarize" in the free text input field here to search for modules that have that text somewhere in the title or description, it only shows modules with attenuverters.
On the other hand, if I search for the function "Polarizer", it also shows modules that only have an inverted out and no attenuverter, which is in line with using polarizer as synonym for inverter.
I guess if everybody would agree on only using the terms attenuverter and inverter from now on (and abandon the word polarizer), there would not be any confusion, but that is probably never going to happen :-)
1) Think of ergonomics and playablity. If it's not easy and fun to play, you won't end up using it. Good on 2hp for doing an amazing job filling a niche, literally, but you really need to think about the playability of lots of little knobs next to each other. Are you really going to be able to comfortably tweak a parameter without knocking a different knob by accident? You should be thinking about spacing and tweakability as you go, so the system doesn't end up being a pain to play.
2) VCAs. I think a cascading VCA has more potential than 4 independent VCAs. Hard to beat 8 VCAs in that footprint, but you're missing out on some interesting functionality.
3) Drums in rack. People often caution against going drums in rack cuz it's not the most price or space effective way of getting drums, but hey, you do you. Personally, I think they're fun. However, you might want to consider a cv controllable sampler like vpme.de's quad drums, a bitbox, or the assimil8or (which is an absolute dream, by the way). They aren't analog, but they will give you a tremendous amount of flexibity in a relatively small footprint. They tend to be pricey, however.
4) Too much hp spent on sound sources. Sorry, but in a rack this size, you should be limiting your oscillators and sound sources so you can spare room for the other types of modules (like utlities) that really help set modular apart.
5) Utilities! You have attenuators and VCAs and mixers, but there are some interesting other options that can play nicely with rhythm based music. Logic modules, comparators, clock modulators, routers/switches, and sample and holds are just a few types of modules that can really help add intricacy and complexity to your sequences and rhythms and give you a ton of flexibilty. Take some time looking through the different utilities listed on here, or watch some videos about the types listed above. You'll probably be getting ideas popping off in no time.
6) Computer connections. Depending on what you're aiming for you might be interested in connecting your system directly to your computer. That way you can record directly to your DAW or, more interestingly, use your rack in conjunction with software modular programs like VCV rack or voltage modular (I think there are a few others now, too). Something like Expert Sleeper's ES-8 or ES-9 (both come in black) do this magically.
Suggestion: add 'Inverter' to the list of available options for module functions.
-- MPCman
it's already there, although not as 'Inverter' - Polarizer - means the same thing
-- JimHowell1970
Thanks for mentioning that. Interesting, I thought that polarizer was synonym for attenuverter, but it apperantly is not :)
It looks like there are currently a lot of modules with inverter/polarizer functionality that do not have that Function label in the database.
after beeing very interested in eurorack for some years now I finally put aside a little bit of money to start my first rack. Since I am on a budget I want to make a 6U/104HP.
I made a first concept here and would like to hear your opinions and advice
My idea for this rack is to be a solid studio companion and analog sound design tool for somewhat harder techno. For that I wanted the Mindphaser since I just loved everything I heard about it :) I also liked the sound of the black polivoks and the wasp filter.
But I also just want to have fun with it and be able to jam without to much trouble. So I included some Drums and percussion as well as the bassline module.
Since the size is a bit limiting I decided to use a Beatstep Pro as the main sequencer and record everything directly into an external mixer. The Rack will only be making an manipulating sound.
I wanted to include some effects and use the Ghost mostly for my drum bus and the noise engineering effects for synth voices. But of course thats interchangeable. I like the Quart and ochd and was always amazed of the possibilities of Maths (also I'm a mathematician^^) . The rest of the space, I tried to fill up with as many utility stuff as I could.
So what do you think? Is this a good setup? Am I missing something? Can I improve things? Do I have a decent amount of VCAs?
I also made a bare minimum set with wich I plan to start and expand it over time. So I can get into the workflow and better decide what I really need. And also I don't have to spend so much money at once. I would also love to hear what you think about this setup :)
sent 330€ with friendly payment.
registered package is lost (at the moment they are searching for it), not even got over his local post office checkpoint.
he refuse to refund in case the package is lost forever claiming it's not his responsability.
not even considering or proposing a partial refund or something similar.
the package could actually reappear and be found by LaPoste(french postal service) but anyway his intentions and ethic i think is worth to be aware of.
you can read more on this thread: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/12592
updates: after threating going to kick his ass at his address he refunded half of the money
here the new answer from Mr "hundred of transactions"
Listen, i will answer you with some points :
-First, the adress was correctly indicated. I don’t make any mistake. Also, if the adress is wrong , the package would return to me.
-Secondly, all your explainations about responsability and rules were quite non respectfully acceptable. I already explained to you how things work usually and i manage an hundred of transactions here without any problem
-Thirdly, about my local post, i can only say that they suck because i don’t have any answer about my case and no, they don’t gonna refund me, becauseif it was the case, of course i would refund you ! I’m not a thief !
So yeah, this situation sucks and for now i can’t do much more unless wait an answer.
That’s all i can tell
Sorry about that… I will keep you in touch if something comes in
Have a nice day
For my Palette 62, I got a Befaco AC/DC. It has 4 ins and 4 outs, so 4 to PC and 4 back to modular. I like its size and functionality, but I need to say it's very noisy. I found this out the hard way and found discussions about it on the forums as well. I contacted Befaco about it but no reply yet. But if you can live with that (which I can, because the Befaco is in it only when I'm out of the house on holiday and taking only the Palette case), the Befaco is a nifty small module that's not too deep for the Palette cases.
The ES-8, as well as the ES-9, have a depth of 50mm. There is this solution: 4ms Pod34X or Pod64X (Powered): 55mm of available depth. The advantage is also that you can place it halfway between your modular and your computer.
I'm playing around with an Intellijel palette case (62hp) and wondering if there is any sort of alternative to something like the ES-8 that would allow me to get audio into my DAW? I have the ES-8 but it is too deep to fit into the palette case.
In the end I do have a spare Focusrite audio interface and I can just get the 1U stereo line out and use the Focusrite but was curious if there might be a different option.
