Fellow Eurorack Enthusiasts,
I just wanted to share my approach with you since, after a three-year journey into eurorack, I am finally happy with where I am at in terms of production workflow! Most of the stuff is probably not new to most of you, but hopefully it helps others to get a better grasp on their own setup-design. I made the decision to go hybrid as well as eurorack-exclusive about 9 months ago as I grew increasingly dissatisfied with juggling between different UI and workflows (I owned some elektron boxes and other gear) while coping with the realities of everyday life.
Basically, I figured if I wanted to produce electronic music, I would need to grow accustomed to a DAW eventually anyways; additionally, my take is that eurorack (after a period of learning) is actually the most immediate way to approach synthesis and is quite logical or simple. After finding out about ableton's CV tools as well as sequencer options, it became clear to me that most of the bread-and-butter stuff could be done on the computer. A lot of VST effects are also more powerful than their Eurorack counterparts. However, as I am a very haptical person, I felt like I need a touchable instrument to get the creative juices flowing. The deep raw analog sound is also something software fails to replicate.
When it comes to the signal flow, you can see that I have two Boredbrain OPTX v2 (a dc-coupled interface in the eurorack format, TOP quality) connected to an RME digiface USB (4x ADAT in&out plus a headphone output). I am sending triggers from ableton to my drums, vca's and envelope generators as well as pitch information to my oscillators. Besides receiving audio from my eurorack sound sources, I am using the ins and outs on the OPTX to create external audio effects in ableton, for insance by routing the Smoothie Audio Smear as a send-return. Sometimes, I am even using my Euroack modulation sources to change parameters in ableton if my instrument racks get too messy. Believe it or not, I am using almost every connection on both OPTX, despite having only 6U 90 HP of Eurorack - after all, you want to modulate the SHIT out of all the capable modules you own. I am super happy about the cable management (only 4 lightpipe cables between eurorack and digiface plus one USB-cable to the laptop, which also powers the interface), the tiny amount of desk-space it requires as well as flexibility and replicability the setup allows. Moreover, with a strong laptop, sync is never an issue. Usually, I am recording at 48 kHz, but it would be possible to record in 96 Khz without much difficulty. It is also quite an affordable solution (granted, if you already have a powerful computer) if Eurorack is your main studio tool. But above all, I am happy that I stopped feeling like I am UNDER-utilizing my gear and software.
Since the Digiface USB has still two unused IO ports, I am considering adding a Cranborne Audio 500 ADAT to route audio quickly with some 500 Series Modules or a Ferrofish Pulse8 to add studio speakers, but I like producing with headphones, that's why the Digiface is totally sufficient. By the way, its really a shame that Ferrofish stopped manufacturing DC-coupled versions of their pulse interfaces.
all in all, I do not want to convert anyone that this is the way to go for electronic music producers, but I wanted to share my approach to those who are still in the process of figuring out how their setup could look like. Feel free to ask any questions, share your thoughts. Do you see some downsides down the line?
good luck and tons of joy with your music-journey :)