- Musical goals are really just learning more. I have some Elektron boxes, an Arturia Minifreak, Moog subharmonicon, and the Moog grandmother. Modular has inspired me through the unique interactions with the instrument and with the modules themselves. I love surprising myself, realizing new sounds or patterns I can get with interesting patching I hadn't thought of before, and learning more about deeper functions.
- Yes on those suggestions! I had been thinking about a matrix mixer because I know hardly anything about them, but it seems like another one of those "possibilities are endless" tools. I will check out the T-43. I had been trying to stay away from O&C just because I want to do less menu-diving....although I know it's an amazing jack of all trades.
-- greg0hh
Interesting note about reducing redundancy. Totally makes sense when hp is precious, however, don't be so quick to remove some of it, redundancy can be really useful as a patch grows (as they always do) from few cables to a full on spaghetti monster. Some people prefer single-function-per-module, but I like the depth of a module that can be used/misused in multiple ways. It's one of the reasons I'm such a superfan of Joranalogue, for example. No unitaskers there (shoutout to vintage Alton Brown), and such deep functionality.
Speaking of which, have you checked out the Compare 2 Practical User's guide yet? It's linked on the Joranalogue website. Really well illustrated and comprehensive patching guide to deeper functions on the Compare 2. Similarly, the now classic Maths Illustrated Supplement, available online, will provide path demonstrations for a bunch of functionality.
Other possible utilities that I've used to support interesting interactive patching are routers like Joranalogue's Switch 4, Doepfer's A-182-1 switched multiple, and Instruo's tain cv controlled switch. Also, I just love sample and hold circuits (After Later's SHTH is great and only 2 hp), so useful.
Totally understand the menu-diving hesitancy; it's not a dynamic way to interact with the system. Though to be fair, the o_c only has two levels to it's menu. It's super-useful in a pinch for smaller racks and gives good exposure to a host of potential uiltiies so you can try them before you buy a module. As the rack grows it gets somewhat less helpful, however, and for me at this point it's a dedicated quantizer and shift register. I barely touch the menu anymore. However, if you're not into menus, it's definitely skippable; your rack looks like it would be fun to play just fine regardless.
Hope this is useful and have fun!