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hi, this is my love, my happy patching rack!!!

We created Mudras as an alternitive to the two step process of
1.) Compose CV Sequence
2.) Play CV Sequence

Instead Mudras allows anyone to experience the exhilaration of live improvisation by combining the two parts into one. With traditional instruments this can take years of practicing technique and learning scales, but Mudras allows anyone to do this immediatly by translating hand motion into quantized CV sequences.

Check out the following demonstration video to see what we mean, would you be able to create the same melody using any other sequencer?
Features​
​
Record and loop up to 64 Steps

• 7 Quantized V/Oct Music Scales
• Linear CV mode for modulations
• All steps are input live in real time single steps or entire sequences.
• Recorded steps are output live in real time as you input the sequence

Analog Style Clock Input

• Sequence steps forward once for each rising edge trigger/gate on the clock input
• Lock directly with any trigger/gate sequence, including any swing or completely random sequences
• Responds to sub microsecond trigger widths

Novel LIDAR Sensor based user interface

• 700 mm range/ 1 mm resolution
• CV Output defined by movement of hand through the air as the sequence play
• Input up to 60 notes per second
• Sequence play back well into the audio range
• Can be used as a real time musical interface by holding the record button.

Available only directly from IC Alchemy at https://icalchemy.com

EDITED Jun 24th, 21:22

what the fuck

Shame it can't record external CV/envelope/follow, or it would be smaller HP competition for Ephemere.
-- mntbighker

Didn't the EWA expander solve this, as well as adding general CV control?

EDITED Jun 24th, 11:01

Nice jam!

How do find the sends on the Cosmix Pro? I'd prefer they were pre-fader sends so I could easily bring just the wet into the mix....

Also, are you using bank of attenuators in front if the Cosmix Pro? Some of my sources just seem to hot, and it would be nice to limit them then get full span on the sliders.

cheers!

Hello! Hope you are doing well. I made some changes to my case lately. I really needed a good mixer. I got te Cosmix pro by Cosmotronic. It's a great sounding mixer in a small footprint with tons of options. I also went to Superbooth this year, it was my first time. I went with my dear modular friend Estroe and we had such a great time. There is saw the Vostok modules and its maker. I was really impressed. Again in a small footprint you have 4 oscilators, 6 envelopes and VCA's and 4 filters. They sound amazing and alongside my other modules (Plaits, Rings, STO, M-32) I can create the complex melodic structures that I love! Because of the stereo send and return on the cosmix pro I can process different voices through Sealegs in different amounts for depth. Please enjoy this video and do let me know if you like the complex melodic structures in this patch!

There. Probably need to sacrifice the OXI Pipe. Will put in the hours to jam and see which next module makes sense to add first. Surely not going to buy everything at once but let this be a blueprint for the journey that lies ahead.

EDITED Jun 23rd, 12:12

I actually didn't plan to fill the third row, yet, and thought about a drum rack if I would.

However, I'm more inclined to keep the Rytm on foundational drum duty and let the rack focus on grooves and other voices.

More than anything else, moving voices and sounds around freely and uniquely with modulation is what makes modular sound special relative to regular complete synths and grooveboxes.
-- Zacksname

Well said. This is exactly what Im discovering lately. There are so many ways to modulate and I've probably just scratched to surface.

Will try to use freerunning LFOs from my DAW (controlled via MIDI controllers) for now. This will save HP and money so I can focus on live performance oriented utilties. Not sure how that's going to fit in 6U though :)

Thank you for your insights!

EDITED Jun 23rd, 12:12

Are you still doing a third row?

If you do a third row, it should be entirely utilities/modulation/VCAs/attenuverting. Maths is a good one (though it's not a VCA). Free-running LFOs, envelope generators, sample and holds, random modules, and more will give you interesting freeform contrast to the more steady rhythms from the sequencers. These are all cool sound sources, and if you perform with an Analog Rytm and/or Syntakt as well, this should just about work, but you need more stuff to make it all move. More than anything else, moving voices and sounds around freely and uniquely with modulation is what makes modular sound special relative to regular complete synths and grooveboxes.

I would also take a look at bigger, more playable filters. Big cutoff knobs. Or at least put those near the ends so they're easily accessible.

You don't need dedicated drum modules unless there's a specific one that does something you love and can't do any other way. The BIA is actually a good one for a tightly packed case like this since it basically operates standalone and is very flexible, doing way more than just standard drum sounds. Generally, though, it is just as easy to make drums from a basic synth setup (oscillator into VCA/filter opened and closed by an envelop or other CV) as it is to make a synth sound with them, and modulation/clever patching can help you blur the line in unique ways. You can even get a matrix mixer to help you smoothly move and combine modulation in your rack to change stuff from melodic to percussive.

EDITED Jun 22nd, 21:25

Quickly made a few updates. Going to research a few more interesting VCA options to replace Victor and uRipples with. Or maybe just Maths. Guess I need to get some try it out first to see what I'm missing.

EDITED Jun 22nd, 15:52

I have the 6U Rackbrute and like it for its design and expand options. Also noticed the power was a bit meh but figured I'd swap the power supply if I ever run out of juice.

E.g. https://modulargrid.net/e/konstant-lab-strongpwr

IIRC it works with the installed bussboard.

EDITED Jun 22nd, 15:04

Thats way too kind of you @sweelinck

Cheers

Forgive me if this is too obvious or you're already doing this, but with the ES9 you can do a ton with VCV rack. There are many copies of existing hardware modules available in VCV rack for free, which can help you get to know the workflow and determine what types of things you gravitate toward to decide what you want to invest in on the hardware side. Cheers!
-- Progspiration

I was just about to look into VCV too. Will definately do that, thanks for the tip!

Im not quiet familiar with the Oxi. (Im testing one at the moment for the first time)
But I guess you can do much like lfos, envelopes + logic gates and stuff with the oxi.
So its just a question of taste and workflow.
But in general, maybe you could focus on a more modular experience instead of just dropping voices to control it with the oxi. (Which is also fine, if this is what you want)

Your rack looks a bit shuffeled and incoherent to me. Seems to be a approach to become a groovebox rack .
A few good standard picks, almost everybody does like (BIA+Mimetic Digitalis+Lapsus Os) but not much coherence and context.

Maybe think about, which exact role your rack should take.
What does it need, what should it do?
If you go hybrid or with semi-modular stuff, a rack focused on utility could be useful.
If you use it with a analog rhytm - do you need a dedicated kickdrum?
So maybe focus on more standard building blocks.

Do you just want to replace the elektron stuff with a groovebox rack you patched once and set and forget?
Do you want to do complex patches and discover modular?
Do you really need the modular for generative stuff or is your oxi + elektron gear enough?

If you just do the same stuff with you modular as you do with the other gear, it could be a expensive toy at the end.

-- VONDENFUNKEN

Solid words here too. Indeed, I’ve tried to create an extensive techno groovebox—something that can create sequences with controlled randomness that come to life with modulation and 'minimal' changes over time. I’d say my style is not too experimental, and I enjoy putting in a simple lead or melody hook. That said, I want to explore ‘complex’ patching, but the rack should be playable with many sweet spots since I plan to take it on stage and perform with it rather than noodling in my studio at home.

I understand lots of practice is required to find those sweet spots, but I also think certain modules are more playable and encourage trying new things while still creating solid grooves.

Regarding the OXI and generating stuff, yes, the OXI can definitely do a lot by itself. However, I want to switch up the workflow of sequencing or maybe even combine methods now and then. The new Gamut Repetitor from Noise Engineering might do the trick and could be a better fit than the Turing Machine and its expanders.

From all the advice so far, I’ll probably drop the Bassline and Victor for now and replace them with utilities. Slim posted good advice before, which I’ll gladly take into account.

Lastly, please disregard the bottom row. I might replace the Rytm with dedicated drum modules at some point, but for now, I’d like to focus on a hybrid setup with the Rytm for drums, the rack as a modular groovebox, and a DAW. I mentioned it in my post, but it’s a long one, so I understand if you missed it.

EDITED Jun 22nd, 13:25

With some subtle modulation you can get some wow & flutter out of the Make Noise Mimeophon but without much signal degredation.

It's excellent. You have acquired over time a great maturity and an ease which allows you ever more creativity. This piece, with its reverberated arpeggios, at the beginning and at the end, brings colors which made me think of Blade Runner (everyone can project their own vision, right?) So, welcome to LA in 2019, in Zhora's club. You can drink a very good beer there with Deckard :)

I've had the Wear & Tear for a couple weeks and highly recommend

I recently added a new module to the database (Delta Quadrant). I uploaded the creator's not exactly MG clean photo. Today someone added a cleaned up, much better picture. Is there a way to delete the old panel photos and keep only the latest one?

EDITED Jun 21st, 21:46

A narrow dual VCO, would be very handy in a small rack. And each VCO allows you to pull a square, triangle, and sine wave at the same time for various blending experiments.

Lots of parts to the build, though it’s not difficult. Maybe a third kit.

Sounds interesting worth it.
Build

()

Patch notes in the Youtube link

Forgive me if this is too obvious or you're already doing this, but with the ES9 you can do a ton with VCV rack. There are many copies of existing hardware modules available in VCV rack for free, which can help you get to know the workflow and determine what types of things you gravitate toward to decide what you want to invest in on the hardware side. Cheers!

Im not quiet familiar with the Oxi. (Im testing one at the moment for the first time)
But I guess you can do much like lfos, envelopes + logic gates and stuff with the oxi.
So its just a question of taste and workflow.
But in general, maybe you could focus on a more modular experience instead of just dropping voices to control it with the oxi. (Which is also fine, if this is what you want)

Your rack looks a bit shuffeled and incoherent to me. Seems to be a approach to become a groovebox rack .
A few good standard picks, almost everybody does like (BIA+Mimetic Digitalis+Lapsus Os) but not much coherence and context.

Maybe think about, which exact role your rack should take.
What does it need, what should it do?
If you go hybrid or with semi-modular stuff, a rack focused on utility could be useful.
If you use it with a analog rhytm - do you need a dedicated kickdrum?
So maybe focus on more standard building blocks.

Do you just want to replace the elektron stuff with a groovebox rack you patched once and set and forget?
Do you want to do complex patches and discover modular?
Do you really need the modular for generative stuff or is your oxi + elektron gear enough?

If you just do the same stuff with you modular as you do with the other gear, it could be a expensive toy at the end.

if you are building your own case and adding power I recommend the befaco excalibus power supplies as very good - 1 per 6u works well and they are very quiet - no noticable ripple up into video rates (MHz, not just KHz for audio), no rackwart, equal -ve and +ve rails and available DIY - a simple if tedious build (due to the number of headers that need soldering) - & low form factor - all headers are on the edges, not upright

Steppermotor provides a variety of different types of gear reducers including planetary reducers, parallel shaft reducers, and worm reducers.

Well I guess that LFO with knobs are much more performative, but this is a matter of taste.
I have a Doepfer A-145-4 in each rack.

Also, for you system, considering a simple VCO to be used for audio rate modulation duties would open many possibilities. I suggest very simple modules such as a Doepfer A-111-3 or an Intellijel Dixie 2+

This rack yeah?

Just paste in the browser link ;-)
-- wishbonebrewery

Oops thanks for the tip, edited the post and updated the link.

i think that you planned too many voices and effects, and thatbyou are seriously missing utilities.

you want to add vcas.
and adding other utilities will make your rack performative. i would add a quad lfo (doepfer ?), a clock divider, many vcas, a good filter (maybe two depending on the amount of voices that you keep in) and envelopes. maybe a math or rampage.

i wouod advise that you do not purchase all voices, to build slow and learn the process first.

-- Slim

Gotcha. Thanks for this!

It's so tempting to simply stick all those voices in there.

Got my eye on a Javelin and the clock divider from Noise Engineering. Will prioritise that and Clep over a few voices.

Currently, I have multiple LFOs in my DAW that are patched through the ES-9 and also a few from the Oxi One. figured that was enough or am I missing on something by not getting a dedicated module for it?

Bought a Tiptop Echoz from @ezra, very fast shipment and super nice communication. Recommended seller!

i think that you planned too many voices and effects, and thatbyou are seriously missing utilities.

you want to add vcas.
and adding other utilities will make your rack performative. i would add a quad lfo (doepfer ?), a clock divider, many vcas, a good filter (maybe two depending on the amount of voices that you keep in) and envelopes. maybe a math or rampage.

i wouod advise that you do not purchase all voices, to build slow and learn the process first.

This rack yeah?

Just paste in the browser link ;-)

I started my modular journey by way of Korg DS-10 on the DS and Korg DSN-12 on the 3DS. I was in grad school and had packed up my old MIDI-based Groovebox/patch bay/DSP multi-effects studio so that music wouldn't be a big distraction. However, I picked up Korg's DS-10 MS-10/KAOSS game/app/DAW for the DS and was introduced to the almighty patch cable. Everyday I would experiment with it and make simple tracks, some of which I've released and have become some of my most popular tracks.

Fast forward to a few years ago and a producer friend of mine sent me a video of someone making dub techno with a modular setup and told me that we would both probably be using it soon. I was always a little afraid of the cost and of GAS, however, so I would look at it and then ignore it while looking for the next VST modulation/sequencer/effect. Then another friend of mine who is very much into modular told me I should get into it when we met up in San Francisco and went to check out ROBOTSPEAK. For me, it was practically a religious experience! I had never been to a gear store entirely aimed at someone like me.

I came up with a plan to build a modular that I could use as a signal path for two dub techno chord channels at the same time (I already have a Microfreak, a JP08, and my crunchy old DW6000) in my current productions, a bunch of modulation sources of increasing complexity, and two oscillators so that each row could conceivably be a stand-alone monosynth for a live modular-only kind of thing (using my Korg SQ-1 and the Euclidean Circles).

I finally finished it and I am having a blast playing with it standalone (well, almost standalone - Korg SQ-1) and running various signals through it.

Take a look at brand new module, Wear and Tear:
https://ampersandampersand.co/products/wear-and-tear
-- Toccata

Thanks, i will check it out.

This one looks pretty neat: https://modulargrid.net/e/jroo-music-machines-jroo-loop
-- farkas

Thankyou, it's always good to see alternatives, especially if you have not seen the module before.

All jokes aside, I’d love to have feedback from senior modular producers and performers. I’ve been producing with DAWs mostly and recently committed to modular after getting hooked on the OXI One and learning about its CV modulation features.

I’ve always wanted to build a live set that relies on ad hoc creation of sequences, focusing on the more “generative” side of techno. The OXI One helps me do that, and I’ve built a setup with an Analog Rytm for the drums, a Syntakt, and an Analog Four for other sounds like textures, drones, pads, and leads. It all routes to an Octatrack (yes, big Elektron fanboy), which I use mainly for master effects. Initially, I thought about using the Octatrack’s looping feature but haven’t needed it (yet).

Now that I’ve caught the modular bug, I’m moving many of my Elektron duties to my rack and wouldn’t be surprised if I eventually ditch most of my Elektron gear in this setup. I recently started using a DAW again with the ES-9. The Analog Four got replaced by a BIA and Coral, and I’ve significantly reduced the number of voices coming from the Syntakt. I still love it, but the sounds I’m getting from the BIA are incredible and the patching is too much fun currently. The mix is now done in the DAW so I got rid of the Octa too. Surely saved a lot of space.

What do you think of this rack? I’ve already own the BIA, Coral, Ghost, ES-9, and an attenuator. I plan to use this rack to generate loops on the fly while also using the OXI One to send gate and pitch for certain voices (and maybe swap between auto generated stuff and user generated). Since it's quite voice heavy, I might drop the Bassline and replace it with a pair of Clep Diaz's or such.

Ultimately, it should be performative, allowing me to create cool sounds through trial and error while minimizing menu diving.

p.s. Disregard the bottom row for now. At some point, I might also move drum duty from the Rytm to the rack but I love the Rytm for that. The sound from the Battering Ram did surprise me last time I played with it in my friends studio.

Appreciate the effort and thanks for reading :)

EDITED Jun 21st, 08:11

Made some werird noises, thought I'd share them. Starts weird, and ends weird with a dancy bit in the middle ;-)

Take a look at brand new module, Wear and Tear:
https://ampersandampersand.co/products/wear-and-tear

Hi, where can I find a tutorial of the squarp hermod mk1?
I need everything...
I’want to use it with my modular and my Desktop gear, too!
happy patching
best regards from germany
sebastian Sch.

This one looks pretty neat: https://modulargrid.net/e/jroo-music-machines-jroo-loop
I was very close to getting one of these but went with a Strymon Volante instead. The pedal suited my needs a little better.
Let us know what you choose. Have fun and good luck!

Hi there people - I am looking to add another modulation source to my rack in the form of a tape emulator / effect. Research has steered me towards recovery - cutting room floor V3 https://modulargrid.net/e/recovery-effects-and-devices-cutting-room-floor-v3 at 6hp VS the Bezzare Jezabel Athra https://modulargrid.net/e/bizarre-jezabel-athra at 10hp and dual stereo.

Visually, both look great and happy to purchase either but am intested in others views on these 2 modules - or any others you feel I should take a look at.

Thanks in advance.

And we just posted a new session!

As usual, this is recorded straight from the modular into the computer, with no editing.

This one is a beautiful session, pretty easy listening, with many soundscapes.

EDITED Jun 19th, 11:02

I think it depends how good you threat your modules.
If you have insuffiecent power in your rack it may occur that you grill a module.
If you buy used modules on MG, which gone through a couple of hands, there is always a chance that the people did some crap with it. + that they are not honest and sell you a troubled module.

QU-Bit for instance gives a lifelong guarantee. They will help always with issues and repairs for free, even if the regular guarantee time is over. I guess there are more manufacturers who do it too.

Since today, I had no function issue with my modules, only knobs or nuts got a bit loose.

But in 3 cases, MG-sellers did withold that they sell me a broken or troubled module, which I didnt see immedately. I guess the previous owners treathed them harsh.
The first module worked at the first runs, but after a short while it was not completly working - 1/3 of the features and inputs didnt response
The second module, had the problem that the nut of the trigger-input was loose and fall completly off.
The third Module had a broken clock input, the rest was working.

Things like that are pain in the *****.

EDITED Jun 18th, 16:56

I would give Westlicht Performer a try. It is also 34 hp and the black version is a perfect fit in the SS case. Many sequence and modulation possibilities, brings the whole system to life.

Smart transactions with @Gregi and @dosko64
Recommended Sellers.

Just compare with the obsolescence of computer products (PC or Apple), hardware and software (including OS), compatibilities, bugs, and so on. Nothing is perfect, no tool. We went to the Moon with nearly nothing compared to what we have today. Only the result counts.

Hey guys,

Im really loving my shared system to bits and i will never separate from it, however i dont really gel with the RENE and im thinking of bringing it out of my case and replace it with another sequencer (not sell it)

do you have some to recommend? im thinking maybe a USTA....

My only gripe with modules are the Tact switches (Buttons) that can sometimes be a bit fickle and an area that quite a few manufactureres could look for more solid components.

Overall though, I only have 1 module that I bought second hand that has developed a fault, it still works and has all functions but there is an intermittent fault in either the multi-colour LED or the Tact switch on my Erica Pico DSP.

I've something like 89 modules and have been 'collecting' / 'feeding my habit' since 2019 with very good longevity of modules.

Anyone had any dealings with user: timadam ? He is based in Germany - paid for a module on Monday then immediate silence, no tracking info, no response to any further messages
-- cfemery

I had a somewhat similar experience with him. Didn't receive tracking information but did receive the module in good condition.

-- MPCman

how strange - thanks for letting me know, gives me a tiny bit of hope yet! one other person messaged me and said he had almost no contact from him too - what a strange way to conduct business - he was communicative right up to point of payment, then radio silence and no tracking info

Hello, new here. I just wanted to say that I never-ever paid the price displayed on MD for a module (always more lol). I'd really love to have a "what I paid for it" option for each module I add to My Modules so I could keep track of the real value/spend of my rack.

If you keep dust out and avoid spilling liquids and foods they have been pretty rock solid. I began my modular journey several years ago and out of my 100+ modules, all work except for a few ones. Support also is way better as small boutique makers tend to pay greater attention in the customer support area.

Got 2 requests

1: 19 inch rack gear please! Been hoping for years Modulargrid would get on it. Why hasn't it still been added though?
Seems like a pretty straightforward thing compared to all the other options right?

2: Pedalboard too small, please let us extend it beyond what we currenty have.
It's been very populair for people with desktop gear not just pedals.

I have modules that are up to 8 years old... I have over 100 modules, from over 40 manufacturers & have had 3 failures in that time... one of which was a button... which was fixed for free by the manufacturer, out of 'warranty'... and another of which may have been damage in transit (used module)... this I had to get repaired... it was 60€ for the repair... as the module was an uncommon and out of production one this was my best option - it ended up costing me slightly over the original retail proce, which wasnt' that much to be honest - is it better ot spend 60€ (or whatever) to repair a module than to effectively throw it in landfill - of course it is... in reality some modules will not be able to be repaired, due to obsolescence of parts - particularly things like processors for digital modules - but this is unforeseeable in most part by hte manufacturer - although covid did cause other issues - basic unavailability of non-obsolete parts...

the 1 year guarantee is ok in most cases - electronics usually fail very early or very late... plus local trading standards "fit for use" periods would supercede this in a lot of cases (3 years for EU & 6 for UK) - although getting that enforced can be problematic - so modules usually either fail almost straight away - often component faults - or after quite a long time - longer than any reasonable guarantee or "fit for use" has run out...

I think you are massively overestimating the amount of failures of modules - like a lot of things - if you spend a lot of time on the internet you will find complaints about something... there may seem to be a lot of complaints - but in reality there are only a very small & of users, most of the time... a lot of the time there will be clusters of failures - due to the manufacturere buying parts in batches - and maybe one batch has a tendancy to fail much earlier than other batches - for some reason only known to the original manufacturer of the part - see leds, encoders etc... the small % of users with failures tend to be much more vocal than the larger % of users who are happy & just get on with using their modules

i don't buy modules for their internal memory... nor have I had any digital modules fail on me - except in the above mentioned button failure (which was an analog component of a digital modules) if you arre worried about this stay away from modules that don't have it or use sd cards for storage, but again see previous paragraph!

as far as quality of build/customer service/repairs to modules - I generally see that anything above the absolute cheapest modules - it's quite good - most manufacturers will repair modules - you may need to pay for shipping and possibly parts...

some manufacturers have poorer reputations in other areas - generally this also seems to be reflected in this area as well - so if you want good customer services, repairs instead of landfill etc then steer clear of manufacturers with dubious ethics etc

unlike in fast moving consumer goods, there is no built in obsolescnce - ie the item being deliberately designed to fail or become unrepairable after a certain time... modules are generally designed to work for as long as possible... but it is also impossible to guarantee that every module will work forever...

How long are you leaving between turning on your modular and tuning and playing?

if they are digital modules it should make no difference, but analog modules need sometime (anything up to 1/2 an hour & possibly more) to warm up and stabilize... if you tune before they are stabilised they will go out of tune whilst you are playing...

with marbles for all 3 X outputs to output quantized notes related to the settings on the panel you must set the X mode (button N in the manual to green) - if you have a different colour displayed on the related led, this may be the problem

https://pichenettes.github.io/mutable-instruments-documentation/modules/marbles/manual/

()

Best with headphones, patch notes in the youtube link

EDITED Jun 15th, 20:18