Thread: rackv1

ModularGrid Rack

Keeping in mind that you already have the case and the phaser, and you want to integrate with the TR8S and still do generative sound creation, I took a swipe at reconfiguring your rack. Please take this simply as a suggestion, don't feel like you need to buy these modules just because I suggested them. I had to make a number of unfortunate cuts to keep things fitting in the rack, which means there are other ways of revising your plan. I welcome other users' input/critiques on what I've designed.

In this version of your rack, the bottom row is control voltage creation and manipulation, and the top row is your audio. The signal typically goes bottom to top, left to right.

So, let's start bottom left, where the signal starts: Pam's for clocking and the expander to MIDI sync with your TR8S. Pam's can work as the master clock in this scenario. Pam's is also quite versatile, and can do some really nice random voltages, and even quantize them. Then we have Divkid/Instruo's Ochd and expander - musically related triangle waveform LFOs with interesting functions. Then Instruo's Tagh, giving some flavors of random. After Later Audio's very useful SHTH (sample & hold / track & hold) takes up 2 hp next to it. Then, these signals can all be attenuated/invertered by the Happy Nerding 3XMIA, making them tailorable. Joranalogue's Contour 1 provides a function generator and further LFO (and even VCO) capabilities (I had to cut MATHS for space). Intellijel's chainable Quad VCA allows audio signals from above or CV signals from the left to get modulated. Then the very useful Frap Tools 321 for further signal futzing, mixing, attenuvertiung, and phase playing; just a useful little module. The intensely useful micro Ornaments and Crime provides access to a number of programs (they call them applets), including up to four channels of quantization. Finally, a stereo matrix mixer to mix and blend the audio signals from above.

Ok, now we have a lot of cv control, let's put it to use in the top row. Finding the right oscillator really is a matter of taste and what sounds good to you. Space is limited in your rack, so we have Klavis' Twin Waves Mk II, a gnarly sounding digital dual VCO. Complimenting that is the analogue TS-L from Instruo. Filters are similar, it's a matter of personal preference. I selected a dual LP filter in the Shakmat Dual Dagger followed by the Doepfer A-121-3 multimode filter. Now we have a minimum of three voices and three filter options (and of course, the Contour 1 can act as a crude LP filter, if needed).

With our sound sources behind us, we have a buffered mult (Joranalogue's Link 2), which is always useful, and a quad VCA (Doepfer's A-135-2) to help sculpt the envelopes from Contour 1 and the mOrnaments and Crime. Now some sound fun: nano version of Mutable Instruments Rings. You just can't make this module sound bad. I kept the phaser and Qu-Bit's M0jave since you've already identified those as things you like. I've had to drop the Nautilus for space (unfortunate, since it's a cool module), but I gave you Happy Nerding's FX Aid XL - a number of great sounding effects in 8 hp. Finally, your various stereo lines get mixed down by Befaco's STMIX, and the now mixed down stereo signal heads to the Joranalogue Transmit 2 to head to an outboard mixer/speakers.

So let's review. We have sequences and quantized random from Pams, Tagh, Ornaments and Crime, and potentially outboard gear. We have at least three voices to accept 1v/oct signals (Twin Waves and TS-L) and filters, but we have more (nRings and Contour 1), if needed. These voices can be manipulated and sculpted through one of your eight VCAs with any number of modulating signals (which are also available to change the parameters on your modules). These sculpted sounds can be effected by Mojave, FX Aid XL, and the phaser, and then get mixed down to a single stereo pair. You will need an outboard mixer or speakers to hear the signal. If you wanted to connect directly to the computer and mix in your DAW instead, you might want to consider taking out the STMIX and Transmit 2 and replacing with an Expert Sleepers ES-9.

Anyways, this is just an example of how I might approach this rack. Like I said, however, this is only a suggestion. I'd love to hear what other users come up with.

Best of luck with your music making.

Edited because I love grammar.