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Hi guys!

I just decided to expand my musical workflow with some modular synthesis. Because I'm an electrician I just like to patch cables and turn knob's :-)!

Mainly I use an Elektron Digitakt, a Moog Minitaur and a Doepfer Dark Time occasionally combined with some sounds from a Korg monologue and roland synths to make melodic techno "music" and I want to add some modular synthesis (nothing extravagant) to give me some extra options.

So after a lot of reading and even more YouTube movies this is what I came up with for now. So what are my intentions? I want t control my modular synth either way through the Dark Time Sequencer or send the sounds from my Minitaur through it and from there process the sound, experiment with it and so on. I also want to add some modular synth basics.

Since I'm completely new to this subject I want to ask you guys if 1 this is a good starting point? what would you change, add or let out? And 2 if there are any tips you guys can give me that help me would be very awesome!

Thanks in advance,

Jazzy

EDITED Jan 24th 2019, 19:41

Hi all, I have my first skiff built, check it here:

I'm absolutely loving it but already wanting more capability/complexity... I'm using this skiff as a mood board at the moment:

I'll be putting this all in another Intellijel 104HP case...

I'm making all ambient / experimental music. You can hear at http://sleeplesswaves.bandcamp.com/

I love the Rainmaker for delay, but it's so damn big.... Is Magneto enough for delay? I have a Chronoblob delay as well already. Also toying with idea of Big Sky delay pedal...

I love the Mangrove I have, should I replace the Plaits w/ another Mangrove? I thought go for different sound... Also fell in love with Shapeshifter after seeing demo...

Clock dividers... Rotating clock divider or QCD? Do I want to use HP for expanders? What about Octocontroller in comparison???

Filtering I have a Three Sisters and Doepfer Xtreme Filter... So far I'm struggling to get anything good out of the Xtreme, any replacement suggestions? I have the Jove in the new rack... Any other filter ideas? Maybe another Three Sisters, I'm absolutely loving that...

What am I missing? What should I ditch? What did I forget? Give me the modular gods interwebs wisdom from afar!

Thanks

D

Thanks @enn_n for the Moskwa module! The module is perfect, reliable seller and fast shipment. Recommended!

My take on the 4 hp and down world is that, when they have a function you need and space is limited, they're a blessing. Take Erica's mixer modules, for example; that would be about as small as I would think could work as a simple mixer. But when you start getting into shrunk-down versions of modules that have major functionality in their full-sized versions, I'm a lot more skeptical. For example, 2hp is great for things like their dual VCA, as you don't adjust a VCA all that much, and there's nothing complicated there: in, out, modulation. But I wouldn't consider their version of the Turing Machine to be a contender against a fully-blown Turing Machine, as there's a lot missing that really makes that module (module group, in truth) what it is. Small also works as "hole-fillers"...need an extra basic VCO to mix against a bigger, more featured one? Sure, drop in an Erica PICO if you've got 3 hp to spare. But I'd never use one as a primary VCO unless I was building something in the size of a single Moog 60 hp skiff or smaller.

And then there's manufacturers that specialize in small, aside of 2hp of course; one that comes to mind is Ladik. Ladik has things that fit in 4 hp that really don't exist anywhere else. In such cases, those ARE your primaries, and there's nothing wrong with using them to get that extra bit of functionality. One just ignores the fact that it's in a small footprint. One other one that comes to mind, also, is Konstant Labs' 1 hp power checker; if your cab has no power rail indicators and you do happen to have an extra 1 hp free, then I'd call that a "must-get". Slip it in on a row end, and you get valuable rail voltage info...again, tiny as hell, but tiny works in this case.

Otherwise, yes...if we're talking about something that needs a lot of interaction, like a VCF, then small probably isn't the way to go. But again, different builds and/or different users call for different things, and there's not really a hard and fast rule about size. If you've got Trump hands, then PICO might be the way to go!

Another observations is that you use many tiny modules (2hp and Pico). I am sure there are many different opinions about this (and I would be very interested in hearing Lugia's view), but I think it can be a problem, because: 1) they are hard to work with (tiny pots, cables too close together); 2) they are typically not fully featured compared to full size modules; and 3) they are relatively expensive for the functionality you get.

If you look through the list of the 100 Top Modules, rated by users, there is not a single 2hp or Pico module on this list.

I suspect you just want more functionality than what really fits in the case, and the easy fix is to just start with a bigger case, so you can get this functionality in regular sized modules.

I don't mean to say that one should never use tiny modules. They have their use, typically when you are running out of space and need to solve a particular problem. Of all things, I ended up with a 2hp, 3:1, because I needed switch, and it is great. But unless you have a particular reason, I don't think it is ideal to use them extensively from the beginning.

What Lugia said.

The Z8000 sequencer is huge and the outputs are unquantized. Perhaps look into an Ornaments & Crime 8HP multi-function module. The price is about $250US and you get two 16-note sequencers that won't require a quantizer. It also has a dual quantizer function in it as well. If you pair that with an Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4, you get a lot of functionality in a little space. Some functions overlap, which can be an advantage. You can always add the Z8000 to a larger version of this system and your O_C and Disting will find other uses... they won't become redundant.

Look into the 1010 Music Bitbox if you're going to have on-board percussion. It's 26HP if I remember correctly and $600US. But you won't need all of those sample-playback percussion modules and won't need any additional modules to mix them. It also has easy loading alternate firmwares (free!) as a synth engine or an FX box. You can also record and loop any audio signals from inside your modular (it doesn't record DC). This will let you record the output of the RainMaker if you have some sort of awesome ambiance going and want to buy-back some of your modules that went into making it.

A clock source or divider is also a must (IMHO) for starting a system. Pamela's New Workout or a Temps Utile would work out well.

Also, the Rainmaker and Erica DSP have stereo outputs. You'll want some sort of mixer to take your mono signals and stereo signals and combine them... the same for any stereo samples.

And last, the Batumi has an expander called the Poti. It's 3HP. It will give you a lot more functionality out of the Batumi in terms of waveforms and sync/reset. You HAVE to have it IMHO.

Peaks Parameters

LFO in Split mode
- 2 LFO's, whose shapes and frequencies are displayed simultaneously on the front panel

Tempi Parameters
- All channels take global tempo from Tempo knob
- CH. 1 1x (sometimes 2x)
- CH. 2 3x

Micro Sequence Parameters

• Direction Mode: Skip
• Gate In Mode: Ratchet
• Length: 8 steps
• Scale: Minor
• Clock: External

Overview

• 2 Sound Sources: Maths CH. 4 (cycling @ audio rate), Basimilus Iteritas Alter (via Maths Channel 1 Unity Output)
• BIA goes direct out (with Amp CV modulation from Maths OR Output, chose OR because 2hp VCA is not bipolar), while Maths CH. 4 is filtered at Cinnamon then sent to Quad VCA and out
• Maths modulates BIA Trigger In as well as CH. 4 amplitude cv
• LFO's from DixieII and Peaks, as well as a Pitch Sequence from Micro Sequence (which is both advanced and receives a separate Gate from Tempi) bring rhythmic and textural variety to Maths CH. 4's amplitude and filter cutoff, as well as to BIA's various timbral parameters

IMPORTANT, In DAW
- Used Klevgrand Brusfri to cut down on noise from the modular
- Duplicated the BIA Input, where the duplicate is centre panned and only plays frequencies below 300Hz
- Maths CH. 4 is panned left 20L
- BIA unfiltered is panned right 15R

That works, too...technically, you could take all VCF outs and send them to differing processing, then into separate VCAs controlled by different modulation signals, with the result being a constantly morphing sound (if you use LFOs) or a sound that changes across its duration (by using differently-set EGs from the same gate source).

The case in your post isn't set up as a 7Ux104 case. Maybe your set-up has changed and the text portion of this message is outdated?

Hey! I am in the exact same situation! Got a Moog mother 32, a case with power and a Pico VCO module as my starting gear! And I am lost to what I should by next, I would like to create beat/electromusic so maybe drum modules! First maybe an output module for using it live?
What did you go for??

Thanks. That's good to know. I was just thinking of using a filter's bandpass out as the signal that goes to reverb or delay per the mylarmelodies/divkid podcast discussion of reverbs and effects.

If you're using a Minibrute 2S, why not use the Rackbrute cases? The 6U one comes with power, plus its stand connects to the 2S's frame to provide a fold-up portable situation. You can also, later on, connect two Rackbrute cases to each other in the same manner. Given that you'd get a lot more bang for your buck with these (as they have power + distros already installed, plus they're bigger), those would seem a lot more sensible.

Absolutely. This is one of the nice things about multiple outputs...you can use them + an audio mixer to tailor not only the filter's sound, but there's some response tricks that're possible as well. Some of what's possible will depend on the filter in question, of course.

Hi everyone.
This is my first post here and I'm really glad that finally, after many years, I decided start my journey with modular synthesizers. I'm a music producer and live performer since almost 10 years and after all this years in many clubs, raves and festivals with my laptop and midi controllers, I want develop my skills and go deeper with analog synthesis and I want do this with euroracks. I want ask You for some recommendations and some advice how can I start. I know that this is all my choice and everybody's got different perspective, but I would like to hear Your opinion what You'd choose on my place.

As a professional performer my main goal will be to play whole "sets" with my modulars and this is the plan for the future. But I don't have much money so I need to progress from year to year. For now I've got already Arturia Minibrute 2s which I can use also on start I guess. I'm playing mostly music around dark bass music with techno (deep dubstep, dub techno, dark chill). In music I love a lot of space and deepness so I know that I need a lot of effects (reverbs, delays etc.), but this also should be danceable - then system can't be without drum machines which will let me do fat drums and big snares.

My budget for now is around 1000$ and:
1. As I mentioned, I've got already Arturia Minibrute 2s which comes with sequencer.
2. I can use Ableton for everything, what I would not have on the start and change some functions to analog with time and new modules.
3. I need small and portable case. For the start I was thinking on Moog Mother/DFAM cases, couse they are cheap used and I can build small modular with three of them starting from one.
4. Main goal are live performances.

What You can advice, what modules should I check for the beginning before I'll buy anything in Your opinion?
Cheers!

Wonder how it would look like the simplest multitimbral skiff with 4 different voice midi channels.

For multimode filters modules that have outs for low, band and high pass, can they be used simultaneously?

Once you've had your system for a little while, you might want to explore additional filter types including low pass gates. If that's not your thing, you can try additional modulation sources. The Worng Vector Space looks tasty as well as the Xaoc Zadar quad envelope generator.

Granted, you can't go wrong adding an Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 for a sampler-pack of useful features you might want to add a dedicated module to reproduce.

Actually, that sequencer complement isn't all that different from what I presently have (2 x BSP, SQ-1 [for my own MS-20], Keystep) in addition to the various incorporated ones in other synths. And yes, they all play very nicely with each other. My plan for later this year is to cap this off with a Koma Komplex and use that as a 'hub' for all of the other hardware sequencers + direct interfacing with my modular. This'll then free up a BSP to use as a drum sequencer for an ancient MXR Drum Computer which has a blown sequencer but which recently received a trigger-in 'fan' for this exact purpose.

VCOs aren't the whole problem with how VCOs sound, btw. Very pure VCOs tend to sound rather meh, so by putting some things inline with them that introduce some nonlinearities, you can beef their sound. Also, just one VCO is probably two fewer than you need, because you want some slight detunings and waveform nonsynchrony to get a more interesting sound. The whole key to the Minimoog sound is, in fact, these two things; not only do the VCOs have a tendency to drift slightly even when warmed up, the Minimoog also contains the guts of the CP3 mixer for mixing these...and the CP3 isn't a very clean mixer, but it's not clean in a musical sort of way, if that makes sense. Feed that on to the classic LPF on there, and that's "that sound".

As for effects...unless you want something non-replicated in outboard (such as Intellijel's Rainmaker), my suggestion would be to grab some cheap outboard devices and a 1/4" patchbay for them, then have fun routing all sorts of processing cascades, insert loops, etc.

Missing from this patch is the SEM. The SEM provides pedal tone.

– Dixie Square to SEM Audio 2
– RCD 1 to SEM ENV 1 GATE
– SEM ENV 1 OUT to Mult #2 IN
– SEM LFO modulation VCF - in LP mode

–uVCA stereo out to sound card

EDITED Jan 20th 2019, 18:46

Love both. So many timbres to explore. Enjoy, my friends.

Hi all,
I’m new to the modular world so looking for advice on the rack I created. I already have the Treadstone module but nothing else so far. I’d like some sort of drums and something to sequence the beats and heard Workout and the Alter on a friends rig hence adding it in.
Any pointers would be appreciated!

BEWARE @modulante has sold me DIY clouds with a disfunctioning mode button and blend knob.
Sadly due to some other things it took me a lot of time to first find out about the issue, than test many repair options like different firmware etc.
I asked about the issues 6 days ago and there was no answer so far. I will retract this message when the issue is resolved, obviously.
His PayPal is
audionoyz@libero.it

PSU: Frequency Central Microbus DIY
http://www.frequencycentral.co.uk/?page_id=1911
With 12V AC 1600 mA wallwart.
+/-12V: ~750 mA
+5V: 100 mA

So I think for the price, I am going to grab a beatstep pro. Itll help me with having extra sequencing power without taking up room or costing too much.

The Korg SQ-1 does seem nice for the MS-2o, I might want that in addition to the beatstep! That would give me two 16 step sequencers (BSP) 1 8 step (Lifeforms) and then two more 8 steps from the Sq-1. Do you all think that is a good enough amount of sequencers and would they all play well together?

FX are on my list down the road. What are some top ones for more ambient and sequenced music? Obviously a good reverb and delay, but what else would you suggest?

What are some of your favorite VCOs? So far, I have not been a huge fan of the A-111-2, nor do I like the sound of the A-106-1

An outboard Korg SQ-1 might be just the thing for keeping the MS-20 in check with the rest of your system.
SEEK or the Varigate 4+ are other nice sequencers to check out besides SHmkII. Also have you thought about any FX in eurorack or a mixer? Also why not get another VCO, noise source and a WAV player like TipTop One or Pico Drums to get some different flavor in there for small HP.

Many thanks to the hundreds of folks who responded to this survey. View a summary of the results here:
https://infogram.com/eurorack-enthusiast-survey-2018-1h7z2ll9ojjl2ow

What's inside:
- Threaded strips > sliding nuts
- Folks don't expect to spend as much in 2019 and they did in 2018
- Mutable Instruments takes first

Hi
about the Klangbau Köln Frequency Shifter : do you know if the two outputs are identical (feedback ?) or, as one can expect in a FS, there is an upper side band output and a lower SB ?

The Stillson Hammer mkII can definitely function effectively as a master clock. It even has a direct clock out with no division/multiplication as a normalized patchpoint. Given that, you could easily run a trigger sequencer such as a Four Bricks Rook, Circadian Rhythms, Knit Rider, etc from that to provide various rhythm patterns in sync to pass on to the MS-20, Juno, etc, plus most any sort of clock modulation module will work nicely for clock maths.

Hi Lugia,

Thank you for your input. I agree a better sequencer would be a good idea. I love the idea of getting the SMmkii. I had no idea the ms-20 did not communicate well with eurorack. Getting the English Tear would be an easy fix for that to help trigger it. And with the Juno, if I could just sync the arpeggiator I would be happy, no need to trigger it right now. Could the SMmkii act as the central clock? I would love to get something with an actual digital bpm display to help with accurate tempo!

I had good experiences with @BrokenBo who I bought a Wavetable VCO from a while ago and recently with @hallmar who sold me his Ears ;) (excellent condition and shipping and very friendly communication)! Cheers

@fernmelder is a good buyer, paid on time and everything went smoothly.

EDITED Jan 18th 2019, 11:52

Thanks to @Jefz for the cwejman spatial phaser, nice and safe trade.

The Expert Sleeper is a great sampler plate of audio and CV functionality. It's super clunky to use and requires a cheat-sheet print out or an iPhone open to the manual to adjust anything. For the sub $200US, it's worth the hassle for features you're willing to take a few minutes to set-n-forget.

For simple sequencing, have you looked at a micro Ornaments & Crime? The sequencer, Sequins, is VERY useful and offers a LOT of features for a basic sequencer. Plus you have all of the other modes available (like a dual quantizer, etc.). You're looking at $250-300 for the micro version (8HP). Some functions overlap with the Disting. But that gives you a lot more options between the two modules.

So after a lot of hand-wringing, I ordered some more Eurorack modules. I had been debating more and more over the mixer... whether to add a 1010 Music Bitbox at this point and a bunch of other modules. I settled for a Blue Lantern STEREO mixer. It has the most ins and outs and TWO aux sends and returns.

I added a switch, some mutes, an attenuverter, some nice Tiptop ADSRs, and a Joranalogue Filter 8. I took a step back and thought about where I was hitting roadblocks in patches rather than thinking about gear lust. I'm trying to get into the undiscovered aspects of my set-up more and more rather than adding new gear, but I just didn't feel like I was at a point where ideas could develop to the point that I was comfortable taking them into a DAW.

There's more modules planned and probably another 4U Intellijel rack that will become "master-control" with sequencing, interfaces and anything else that was hands on.

Overall, this patch was just ok, and the recording leaves much to be desired. Some ways it could have been better:
- periodic changes in direction, length, scale, and clock rates fed into Micro Sequence
- Filter Cutoff Modulation
- BIA Morph, Harmonic, Spread, and/or Fold Modulation
- Could have added Plaits
- Peaks Drumsynth was somewhat unnecessary

Colour Scheme

Red
- MS Pitch to Buff Mult and both Buff Mult Outs
- any cable whose voltage originates from Micro Sequence

Black
- everything from Polyend Poly
- Maths Channel 1 out

Green
- BIA out to Quad VCA and both Cinnamon cables
- any cable whose voltage originates from BIA

Yellow
- Rings ODD and Quad VCA to Mix 3
- any cable whose voltage originates from Rings

Orange
- Peaks OUT1

Grey
- Mix3 to Kompressor

MIDI
- MIDI OUT 1 on Seq to MIDI In on Polyend Poly

Polyend Seq Settings

Tempo 118.5
MIDI Out 1
Each track has a different numbered midi channel out to Poly
Tracks 2, 4, and 8 are off
Frequently using the Roll knob on Track 7 (kick drum) as well as Track 6 (Rings)
Step configuration: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsdkBRIREHjWiroi4G3OsSZ6w3utUQ

First up, the sequencer. If you're trying to do heavily-sequenced pattern-based stuff (Berlin school-ish), that little 8-stepper won't cut it. You need something that you can directly work with while it's in action, like how Chris Franke would literally play his banks of Moog 960s. I'd suggest something that internally quantizes, also. My inclination would be toward The Harvestman's Stillson Hammer mk II, but with that 8-step and some other trigger sequencing to increase the possible complexity by crosspatching them with the SHmkII. This wouldn't bring the MS20 into the mix, though.

Another possibility would be to go outboard, which is what I do with a pair of Arturia Beatstep Pros and a Keystep at present. This would then open your system up to some external control. The most extreme thing of this sort that comes to mind immediately would be the Koma Komplex. It's worth noting that the BSPs as well as the Komplex can be programmed to deal with the Korg's Hz/V scaling and inverse triggering...the BSPs require this be done in their PC software utility, while the Koma can be changed directly. Plus, if you use a Keystep or any other USB controller, Expert Sleepers' FH-2 can function in MIDI Host mode over USB, so those can be plugged directly into the modular there.

As for the Juno...that's more problematic. I assume you know that this requires either one of Roland's DCB-MIDI adapters or the JSQ-60 sequencer to link it in for pitches. However, you can send a clock pulse to the external trigger input to sync the arpeggiator, which would be a much simpler fix than hunting down esoteric Roland accessories and allow you to 'play' the arpeggiator as another sequencer channel.

As far as clocking goes, any modular trigger pulse will work on everything BUT the MS20. In that case, you need something like The Harvestman's English Tear, which is a bidirectional converter for Euro MS-20 signals. With that, though, you can then run the MS-20 alongside anything in the modular and it'll respond properly to Eurorack CV/gate/trig signals.

Hey everyone! New to eurorack modular synth so I am looking for some advice! This is the setup I have right now to learn some of the basics without having had to spend too much money on it!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_802971.jpg

In looking towards making some sequenced ambient music, what does it look like I am missing? Is there an essential module that you think I should get? Additionally, I have a Juno 60 and a Korg ms20 mini. In looking to connect this system with those synths, what should I get. Is there a cv hub/clock that could help with that?

Thank you!

Thanks Lugia that's very helpful and thanks also for the module recommendations.

After speaking with the shop I bought the modules from it turns out that my Ripples filter has a VCA output on it, so I got it working by patching my gate CV into the Gain on the Ripples, and then patching out from the Ripples VCA :)

Where's the Grayscale Supercell? It's basically Clouds on steroids.

You need the VCA. That, in fact, is exactly why they exist. For audio, use an exponential so that the response behavior works in line with what we psychoacoustically expect as a "loudness curve". Or better still, plan ahead by adding something like an Intellijel Quad VCA, which not only gives you four to work with, but tailorable response curves as well, plus mixing capabilities. As your system grows, you WILL need more VCAs, both for audio as well as linear ones that're DC-coupled (which the Quad VCA ones are) for CV/modulation level control.

Also, if the VCO and EG are all you have at present, you're going to need a VCF so that you can use the EG to also vary the timbre. One I'd suggest as a great starter would be TipTop's Forbidden Planet, which is a clone of the Steiner Synthacon multimode VCF...and I can tell you from experience with the actual thing that that's a VCF with character for days. Plus, for what it is, it's quite cost and space-effective.

Thanks for your thoughts. The level control thing was particularly helpful. I had seen the functionality playing with it in VCV rack (I was very excited to see it released just recently in the preview build), but hadn't made the connection to using it in audio mode. I've been stuck on the excitement of chords mode and just like "wait, where do I send all these voices".

For whatever reason I'm really drawn to the module, thought I cant articulate exactly why...

This is (roughly) my current setup (KOMA units are both stand alone modules IRL) At first I'd thought I jumped the gun on Blinds, but it has proven invaluable really for shaping CV, I was glad to see it as a recommend.

Anywho, thanks again for weighing in.

You can find micro versions of Plaits and Tides. That will save you some HP to add in other modules. I would get the Poti expander for the Batumi. Being able to access the additional LFO waveforms as well as sync and reset functions without pulling the module and moving jumpers is a MUST in my opinion.

I would also look at the 2HP line and think about logic modules and switches after you get the core of your system up and running and start thinking about more complex patching.

So what's going in case #2? They don't call it Eurocrack for no reason. :)