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5 years ago... VCV Rack

Hi, thanks for the info!

looks right to me

sound source -> signal in of vca, envelope -> cv in of vca, vca out to monitors (or wherever - mixere, processing etc)

nb I use signal in because vcas can also be used for cv and not just audio - modulate your modulation

a filter can go before or after the vca... whichever way sounds best for you in the current patch...

this is generally the concept of modular... generate a signal, do something to it, send it somewhere - try not to mix cv into the audio path (it's possible to damage speakers), apply modulation to things

see my signature for hints on how to get the most versatility in patching for the least expense

Hi everyone,
I am starting to build my rack and - since I am a beginner - I have some doubts about the right signal path.
My VCO is the Make Noise DPO and it does not have a gate-trigger in.
How can I control the gate? Currently - as shown in the pic - I am sending the gate from the sequencer to the Maths and from the Maths I go into the CV of the VCA.
Another question: where is the best place to insert the filter?
Thanks in advance!

I understand your situation but I do not agree. If we are allowed to make transactions we should also be allowed to value that transaction.
The lack of education of some people is another matter, and I think that the moderators are here for this, among other things, to put those people in their place.
-- ferranadsr

That's exactly the problem here.
As soon as you have had contact with someone, they can vote for you without having bought or sold anything!

I understand your situation but I do not agree. If we are allowed to make transactions we should also be allowed to value that transaction.
The lack of education of some people is another matter, and I think that the moderators are here for this, among other things, to put those people in their place.

Can i put the braids reloaded update on the original plaits or plaits clones?

I wish that users without a Unicorn account would no longer be allowed to make a ‘thumbs down’!

Hello everyone,
I don't know if this is the right place.
This is the second time I have received a negative review regarding the purchase or sale of a module without any real contact with the person.
I have written to Knut to have this corrected.
It's just annoying now.
alienalien, philip87 are the two people

I agree to the extent of allow users to request the 'availability' status be changed through some process. Nothing worse than the elation of finding a keystone module listed as currently available being turned to despair after finding a parked domain and astronomical prices on reverb.

I probably wouldn't have the MIDI module right on the side - I'd move it somewhere else and put something there that I fiddle with a lot. Go with what works, though. You'd know better than me about that at this point.

EDITED Aug 21st, 19:42

My 48hp system gave me a lot of joy for half a year. I found a way to synchronize the sequencer of my Subsequent 37 with Pam without MIDI (Sub37 GATE input -> STEP ADV). This enabled me to create very beautiful and complex rhythm tracks.

Over time, the desire to expand the system grew. Since I don't have the space for a large system, an 84hp case was the only option.

The following modules were added:
Intellijel µMIDI
Doepfer A-182-2
XAOC Zadar
2hp Div
ALA Beehive
Intellijel Mixup

The combination of PPW, Zadar and the Plaits clone is simply sensational. The complex sounds also let the Z5000 shine in a new light. The ability to control the system via a DAW brings additional flexibility.

I'm very happy for now and hope this feeling lasts for a while.

What do you think of my new system? What would you have done differently?

Keychain Holder, a keychain designed for synthesizer enthusiasts, inspired by Vaemi’s oscillator OSI-OP design. The Keychain Holder works with an adapter. It has a fitting at the top that allows it to be hung on the wall. The design includes lights. While the Vaemi logo in the center stays lit continuously, the Vaemi text above the jack inputs lights up one by one as you plug in the jacks. The product comes with 5 jack keychains. You can attach these jacks to the keys you use daily, and when you arrive home or at your workplace, you can hang your keys on this holder. The knob helps you adjust the overall brightness of the lights. Additionally, there is an On/Off switch.

Keychain Holder Features:

-Operates with Adapter: The Keychain Holder is ready for use by receiving power through an adapter.
-Wall-Mountable Design: It can be easily mounted on the wall thanks to the fitting at the top.
-Lighted Design: The Vaemi logo in the center stays continuously lit, while the Vaemi text above the jack inputs lights up one by one as you plug in the jacks.
-Adjustable Light Level: You can easily adjust the overall brightness of the lights with the knob.
-On/Off Switch: The product includes an On/Off switch.

Package Contents:

-1 Keychain Holder
-5 Jack Keychains
-Adapter not included

With a 12-volt adapter, it draws around 20mA of current. It operates comfortably with 12-20V, 100mA adapters.
Operating Voltage Range: 12-20V
Power Consumption: 0.24W
Dimensions: 150mm (length) x 75mm (width) x 58mm (height)

It is not a musical instrument. It is a gift item.

https://en.vaemi.net/product-page/keychain-holder-diy-or-assembled
https://reverb.com/item/84260130
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1780922689

A little unit to listen to your rack or an individual module on the go. Use headphones, or listen to the little speaker it has on board. Handy when you’re setting up for a show, listen to things before you’ve got your whole rig set up.
Mostly surface mount already installed, and the rest is pretty simple to put together, I couldn’t find a build guide, but again, it’s pretty straightforward.

One thing to note: During the demo I found that when you drive the speaker with the volume knob more than 2/3s up the power draw rises from 10-28 milliamps up to a max of a whopping 280 milliamps, which could be a problem if you’re on a tight power budget, just don’t turn it up too much. Headphone does NOT do that, it’s a safe 10-28 mAmp all the way around the dial.

Build

In short: I request that ModularGrid admins unlock manufacturer-approved module pages when users discover, with publicly available evidence, that the manufacturer is defunct.

I have come across a few modules with editing privileges locked, accessible by the manufacturer only, for which I suspected that the manufacturer had discontinued or otherwise abandoned support. Rather than start a new thread for each manufacturer, I figure that it would be better to create a dedicated thread for reporting defunct manufacturers with module entries locked for their exclusive editing privileges.

Now onto the first case. I just came across this particularly egregious instance. It seems Birdkids is now defunct, and has been since at least December of 2022. I point to this article to support this conclusion: https://synthanatomy.com/2022/12/birdkids-viennese-modular-synth-company-is-insolvent.html#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20we%20have%20to%20say,at%20the%20beginning%20of%20December.

Many modules of Birdkids provenance have entries that are locked under manufacturer-approved editing privileges. It behooves ModularGrid to unlock these module entries for editing by users at large.

Hello! The joy of modular is that you can create your own unique perfect little instrument. I have been so happy with my current setup. I love to make intricate compositions with almost songlike structures. My Hermod+ sequencer is perfect for that, I love it to death and will always use it. But there was one thing missing.... I was longing for a hands-on sequencer that allowed
me to improvise on it and play it like an instrument. A module that would get me out of my hea, a module that would surprise me. That is exactly why I bought the Moskwa II by Xaoc devices. I’m in love! Watch the video to see and hear what I mean.

If you only have 1 Power supply then 1 PWR checker is all you need, if you have the odd gap in your modular case you can see through to the KonstantLab busboards with their own LEDs too.

Hoping you can help....I love my case and I love a Konstant Lab PWR Checker, but should I have a PWR Checker in each row, or does one suffice to cover all three rows?

I wanted to go to the Schneidersladen. I've been to the Music Store here in Cologne to test a few things, the staff were nice and they knew their stuff a bit, but it's not really just modular.
It would probably be worth the trip to Berlin. I'll see if I can manage it. But I'm already very happy with my bottom row, so I'll probably get that and then there's plenty of room to expand further. I'm in no hurry and I still have my grooveboxes. I'll slowly weave Modular into my setup.

Thanks pal 🙏🏻🌊

If you are in germany and have a chance to go to Berlin you should visit "Schneidersladen" - they advise you very well and can help you to start out.

They help you to craft your vision without buying to much stuff you won't need in the end.
They help to get a clear idea of what you want and need.

This helped me a lot.

Its worth to visit a dedicated modular store with people focused on modular.
(Dont go to casual music stores, they have mostly no idea)

...Its very difficult as well to see how far the two triggers are apart, since it's just milliseconds of difference.
How do you guys handle this issues?
-- deurstopjoris

i highly recommend to analyse the signals via some monitoring like the mordax data.
its not that cheap but its one of the most useful modules i have. it helped me out hundrets of times when i did not understand why this or that does not work like expected. Thanks to this module i learned so much about eurorack!

pretty sure with some multi channel oscilloscope you can identify the specific module(s) where the microtiming gets messed up!?

Hello, the journey continues :) I've read through your answers twice more and then got back to work on my rack.
I have chosen the Clank 104hp travel case. The small modules somehow confused me more than they would have organized things for me. However, I am still considering building individual cases. With the current version, I would start with the bottom row and the one above "is fixed", but I would then add to it bit by bit. I have already been able to test the Atlantix + Metro + Sea and I was in the store for three hours. I even forgot to drink. I think this combination plus Pams will be a good thing for my personal start. I'm currently reading and looking more at ALM and I also tested the Cizzle in the store. Like the sound.

You might try something like this: https://modulargrid.net/e/xaoc-devices-bytom

With that said, I wanted to ask: What are your favorite opinionated modules? What modules change the way you approach your system?
-- renken

At the moment definitely Just Friends, by Mannequins/Whimsical Raps. Phonogene has a lot of personality as well.

You should connect the Behringer Wasp to the ocean, by throwing it into it, dramatically and at sunset, while promising to yourself to support non-shitty companies/products.

Thanks so much.

Mavis is already blowing my mind,
and I'm only a few days into this journey.
so I'm feeling good.

I've taken about 15 pages of written notes from watching youtube videos about Mavis
I'm now working through the notes, every page is taking me to a lot sonic places

My original idea was to take steps module by module towards a basic Doepfer setup....
But i watched a bunch of videos about Mavis, and it felt like the best starting point for learning.

In fact, probqbly the next thing will be moog DFAM, which wasn't originally how I expected things would go.

The Doepfer basic VCO may be a bit of a 'stranded asset' for a while.
But maybe not. We'll see.
My plan was to get two Doepfer VCOs, and seriously learn the principles of osc sync, hands on, from first principles.
That could still happen along the way.

-- Tierno

Congrats, this shit is really fun to get into, and the DFAM is a really cool piece of gear.

Be warned it gets addictive fast, though! And if you're anything like a lot of people who get into modular, your plans and ideas will change and accelerate rapidly. I started with a DFAM, then added a Subharmonicon and Werkstadt, then decided I wanted to get into eurorack proper so cashed those in and, fast forward a few years, and I'm at 4x 126 HP with some modules on the side. Not as crazy as some people's systems, but considering I had 2x 84HP in mind at max, it's been a bit of a journey.

If I could go back and talk to myself as I was starting in, I'd have convinced myself to get a pretty robust, HQ PSU and a lot of cheap rack space right out the gate, so I wouldn't have to worry about reconfiguring my whole case/system every time I decided a few more modules were in order. The basic skeleton of my system (mounting rails and sides, PSU, busboards) can be replicated for around or under $400 I believe all in. That's what I originally paid for a dinky little 2x 84HP custom case that I thought was going to serve me long term with no extras. Waste of money.

A Mordax DATA though can be a good early investment. I thought it might be superfluous, more for influencers than end-users, but it can really help you visually learn what's going on in your system. You get to see the LFOs, the ADSRs, and unipolarity and bipolarity of signals, and see how they can be intermixxed into interest behaviors. You can also see first hand what effects like wavefolding, distortion, filtering, etc. actually do to the soundwaves. I'm jusssst now at the point where I could probably let mine go, at least setting it aside from the main system, but for quite some time it was just a valued staple of the system.

Anyhow, any questions we're here to help.

EDITED Aug 18th, 19:35

Is this your first rack? It's super hard to comment on such a minimal rack without knowing your experience and what you aim to accomplish. That being said maybe you want some kind of output module, an attenuator/attenuverter, modulation sources (LFOs/smooth random/chaos), a VCA or two, a mixer and maybe a clock. Envelopes, filters and wavefolders are also fun. I have no experience with the Stochastic Inspiration Generator so I'm not sure what it does exactly so I kind of ignored it.

If you're just starting out maybe consider getting basic building blocks instead like a sequencer, VCO, VCF, VCA and a filter and learn from there or in VCV and then when you feel comfortable expand with the "cool" modules from Mutable and Make Noise. Just a thought.

-i'll rearrange the rack in its current state and upload it again (I don't know how to edit or delete the thread)!

EDITED Aug 18th, 18:38

Recorded a segment from 90s spiderman > looped it until it sounded rhythmic > and then patched it through the Ryk Night rider. A lot of my production makes use of the night rider's four filters as four oscillators.

I have found with 2hp modules -- like the Plucks -- that they are so thin and delicate (the backing comes off easily), that it is better to separate them with a four hp or bigger module. Also (depending on the separating modules) it makes it easier to tweak them, as the identical cables side to side make that difficult.

Otherwise, looks like you are in for some fun!

Thank you all for your responses. I had slipped in a VCO as I made a patch I loved on Softube Modular and got greedy.

I realise - I want to be able to access and modulate what I have with ease rather than having loads of variables hidden in sub menus. Ivew got a Midiverb outboard for some generic backup hardware FX. So I ditched the Disting for starters.

After your comment and YouTubing I have revised to:
- Maths (Abacus - yes I know but I can afford it)
- 2 Plucks (TBC - but point noted above. This goes into the second round of buying)
- NanoRings - this all started as I wanted rings but no need for the full form factor. I like the CalSynth One
- Typhoon (Expanded Clouds Clone) - I realise I dont want to have to menu dive with Clouds so yes its lots of HP but as per comment above I either have it and enjoy it and have easy access or dont bother. I HATE MENU diving and sub functions.
- Ikarie - just seems brilliant
- Intelligel Sealegs - after much searching I just realised my favourite effect is always delay - plus the Reverb sounds good. Its alot of money and HP but I think its what I want and in many ways is the most creative effect when writing sequences.

I then have 8-12 HP depending on plucks. I will buy these first and see where I get but I feel I will need operators / mult / tools etc and just want to assess what first.

HAPAX has 4 CV and Gates Out plus the NiftyCase has 2 CVs + Gates so I can send LFOs / Automation and sequences from here.

I then think I will mix on my desk with seperate channels rather than summing in the rack.

Comments?

I really appreciate your guidance.

EDITED Aug 16th, 18:12

Patch notes in the Youtube link

-

EDITED Sep 13th, 02:55

i love this module. For me, LFOs were aleays just a way to give auto- variation to an otherwise static patch, just necessary sacrrifices of hp, amps & cables. But Mr Wavey is FUN!!! There are so many ways to get instant unexpected variety. The last time I had this much fun tweaking knobs was when i got to play a VCS3. Mr Wavey gives that energy.

This was a great case based around a harmonaig as well as an arbhar, all the while minding the underpowered thre MN case (mk1) Just finished and unfortunstely ill have to use headphones due to wife's work schedule...

===14August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 /4
shape: 비규칙 사각파
level: 70%
phase: 25%
probability: 80%

ㅇ out 2 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 70%
probability: 100%
loop beats: 8
loop wake: 1
flex op: swing 45%

===15August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 100%
probability: 100%

ㅇ out 2 x4
shape: 비규칙사각파
level: 100%
probability: 100%

===16August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 /8, /16, ...

EDITED Aug 15th, 23:43

RE the Pams suggestion..
All cool ideas. I have played about with quite a few of them already.
What I meant was, I can't work out how to achieve my specific idea with Pams.
I thought you where suggesting it could be done.

As you own Pams already, I think its worth to try it with Pams.
I had great results with it.
Dont overlook its great powers.
You can do it all with it.

different trippy clock divisions and patterns work well on the BIA inputs.
Try to play with Phase, With and Level on Pams with different settings each on the channels, if needed with a additional attenuverter, polarizer.
like set the Phase 25 % off on (attack of the BIA) for noise/hats
looped random on (algorithms of BIA)
a different looped random on (octaves of BIA)
on fold
on harmonics
and so on....

When you find something that works, you can save the settings of the channels as presets and recall them later, to play the same patterns, when you need it.

(may combine it with euclidean patterns)
Also the turing maschine functionality is very useful.

A big thing are the logic functions.
You can set different operations to Mix Channels, like combine channel 1 and 2 and get the Min, Max and so on

I enjoy it very much to do that stuff.

EDITED Aug 15th, 20:46

I have Pam's Pro Workout but I couldn't work out how to do what I'm suggesting with it.
The Oxi One sequencer is amazing and would totally do it but its way out the budget.
Malekko Voltage Block looks like it will do the job exactly.

Great suggestion !
Thanks all.

EDITED Aug 15th, 14:59

There are many approaches depending on the modules you have.

I do it with traffic from olive tress at the moment.
(Traffic, let you defince cv states, so you can get 3 sounds like a kick, a snare and a hat, to be triggered seperately out of the BIA.)

Back in the days, I used Mimetic Digitalis with Lapsus Os. It gives in sum 8 outputs. (4 sequences, each 2 times)

Voltage block will work well.

You can do it very well with Pamelas Pro Workout. (8 outs)
With cross channel logic, you get amazing results

EDITED Aug 15th, 12:59

checkout out the "voltage block" CV sequencer module, could be a good solution.

if you’re into the idea of a stand alone sequencer this wizard made this whole track with only 1 BIA and the Oxi One sequencer:

Thanks for the suggestion.
That is exactly what I'm talking about but with more than three channels.

EDITED Aug 15th, 11:52

===14August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 /4
shape: 비규칙 사각파
level: 70%
phase: 25%
probability: 80%

ㅇ out 2 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 70%
probability: 100%
loop beats: 8
loop wake: 1
flex op: swing 45%

===15August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 100%
probability: 100%

ㅇ out 2 x4
shape: 비규칙사각파
level: 100%
probability: 100%

EDITED Aug 15th, 12:03

Traffic from Jasmine & Olive Trees does up to 3.
I think it's sort of what you're looking for

Hi all, I need some help please.
I want to sequence my BIA by feeding it sets of upto 8 preset cv's per trigger.
So basically set one would create a kick, set two a snare set 3 hats etc etc.
So I then need to be able to choose which preset cv's are output
on the beats of the bar. EG step 1 = Kick preset cv's, step 2 Hat cv's, step 3 Hat cv's, step 4 snare cv's.
So what I think I need is a sequencer that has eight lanes and is CV addressable. But I could be wrong.
I have tried finding such a module with no luck.
Any advice would be great as I'm still fairly new to all this.

EDITED Aug 15th, 09:29

Hi

Apologies if this is posted somewhere else but is there a space here to sell cases? Over the last few years I've swapped quite a few out so have some spare which could free up some funds for more modules (Yippee!) . Thanks in advance

===14August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 /4
shape: 비규칙 사각파
level: 70%
phase: 25%
probability: 80%

ㅇ out 2 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 70%
probability: 100%
loop beats: 8
loop wake: 1
flex op: swing 45%

===15August2024===
{ pamela's pro } clock BPM 120
ㅇ out 1 x1
shape: 사각파
width: 50%
level: 100%
probability: 100%

ㅇ out 2 x4
shape: 비규칙사각파
level: 100%
probability: 100%

EDITED Aug 15th, 12:03

I need to take a closer look at some of the modules you have selected. Read the instructions, watch YouTube videos to see if it works for me, but your explanation of the connections and where they make more sense in the case is very good. Thank you for making the effort.
If I were to split this into two 104hp, I would automatically have a little more space in the u1 row. What would then make sense with the output would be a mixer to bring the individual tracks together.
Thank you! nice help!

When dealing with huge racks that are very full its often a pain to perform tiny rearrangements
it would be great to workaround this by temporary injecting empty rows and remove them again
something like this

Row functions
├── Swap Rows
│   ├── Row 1
│   │   ├── with Row 2
│   │   └── with Row 3
│   ├── Row 2
│   │   ├── with Row 1
│   │   └── with Row 3
│   └── Row 3
│       ├── with Row 1
│       └── with Row 2
├── Move Row
│   ├── Row 1
│   │   ├── to position 2
│   │   └── to bottom
│   ├── Row 2
│   │   ├── to top
│   │   └── to bottom
│   └── Row 3
│       ├── to top
│       └── to position 2
├── Insert empty row
│   ├── 3U
│   │   ├── top
│   │   ├── between rows 1 & 2
│   │   ├── between rows 2 & 3
│   │   └── bottom
│   └── 1U
│       ├── top
│       ├── between rows 1 & 2
│       ├── between rows 2 & 3
│       └── bottom
└── Remove empty rows
    ├── all
    ├── empty row y
    └── empty row x

-- modular01

@modulargrid have you ever considered to implement this feature (at least the move row functionality)? It shouldnt be that time consuming!? i am still willing to help out.

...filter/sort "My Modules" to only show modules not currently used in the displayed rack...
-- proppy

...A filter on "My Modules" to show only modules not in the current rack would be very helpful when contemplating swaps...
-- gimbalgambit

...I wish I could filter/sort by whether a module is in the rack I am currently viewing...
-- adamj

@proppy @gimbalgambit @adamj & many more who requested this feature within the last years
As an ugly workaround you can open the javascript console of your browser and execute this snippet:

Hide modules that are already in the rack

$('.box-module').show(); $('.box-module.in-rack').hide();  

Hide modules that are not in the rack

$('.box-module').show(); $('.box-module:not(.in-rack)').hide();  

But be aware that this only applies to already displayed modules! So you may have to scroll down after clicking My modules

EDITED Aug 14th, 05:29

EDIT: Please scroll down to see the final synth

EDITED Sep 13th, 02:57