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@Jim: Thanks for your very helpful feedback and for sharing your experience! Seems I'm not the first to notice that working with Eurorack is time-consuming and can become addictive because it's a sea of endless possibilities ;-)

@Dave: Also thanks for your suggestions!

For now I'm thinking to swap the 903A with a 2hp VCA and a Meng Qi DPLPG because I have to watch the power consumption of the Doepfer LC1.

And yes, i can see a bigger case on the horizon (sigh).

EDITED Jan 28th, 11:09

Just did a thing by holding a Piezo onto my crappy soldering iron stand, scratching it with an allen key and sampling it in the SebSongs Sampler, I think it turned out kinda nice. NLC Sloths modulates Ochd, Ochd does stuff, then other stuff do other things, before 3 effects routs and a filter.

i think there is something to be said for small cases with a well defined purpose, like effects or modulation - but beware scope creep. although that ship may already have sailed.
if you really wanted to cram is as much as possible and don't mind tiny knobs, 2hp Sine and Takaab 2lpg would fit in 4hp give you some additional bloops.

To give you something different to your mini synth voice and the subsequent, maybe 2hp Pluck? Mount it with 1hp space either side...

Jim, you're my toughest critic and I understand your point of view.

The modular world has captivated me while I try not to let my passion get out of hand. On the long run that could be a dilemma.

Hahaha... yes... I do understand though... I kind of started off with something of the same idea... but quickly outgrew my first case (which was over double the size of yours) which took about 6 months... so bought a second... but then I discovered video and DIY... I now have 8... BUT and this is why I always recommend a mantis as a 1st case: I oftem look back and see that a mantis (case no2) would have been big enough to meet all my needs & I'd quite likely stuck with that... without getting into the habit of adding more cases

the biggest problem I see in ALL small racks is the trying to cram too much in and not having enough utilities - which are by far the most important and useful modules in my opinion

Yes, the next logical step would be a bigger case. Even though my small system may seem ridiculous to most of the community, I'm pretty happy with it for now. Combined with my Subsequent 37 I can get a lot of movement and noise out of it.

Anyway I would like to replace the 903a with another module, preferably a second synth voice. Does anyone have a suggestion?
-- Jockl

there's not a lot of synth voices in 4hp or less: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules/browser?SearchName=&SearchVendor=&SearchFunction=49&SearchSecondaryfunction=&SearchHeight=f&SearchTe=4&SearchTemethod=max&SearchBuildtype=&SearchLifecycle=&SearchSet=all&SearchMarketplace=&SearchIsmodeled=0&SearchShowothers=0&order=tag&direction=asc

out of those, I'd probably go for the erica pico voice, although my eperience with the pico series is both limited and frustrated... I had a pico seq and quite frankly found it near unuseable for my usecase - the lack of a reset input and the pressing of 2 buttons, one either side of the module in order to reset it made it impossible to use... ergonomics is really quite inportant!!!!

Jim, you're my toughest critic and I understand your point of view.

The modular world has captivated me while I try not to let my passion get out of hand. On the long run that could be a dilemma.

Yes, the next logical step would be a bigger case. Even though my small system may seem ridiculous to most of the community, I'm pretty happy with it for now. Combined with my Subsequent 37 I can get a lot of movement and noise out of it.

Anyway I would like to replace the 903a with another module, preferably a second synth voice. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Well done!
-- bopodoq

Thank you bopodoq!

Great set....
-- wishbonebrewery

Thank you Wishbonebrewery!

Yes that is my next step, install Pro tools again and go with an older version and see what happens. Try other DAW's also. But I have been using Pro Tools for more than 20 years so I would like to keep using it. Who knows how this will go

EDITED Jan 26th, 22:04

yes that has been my solution, generating new time code with a plugin on an audio track, sending it to bsp and from there to my other sequencers, worked flawlessly until I ran some updates to pro tools. Now nothing works
-- GunnarWaage

sounds like a protools issue tbh

is pro tools working correctly otherwise?

what was in the updates? do you need them, can you roll back the updates?

does everything else sync to the BSP ok?

is the output from the channel to the audio interface still set up correctly?

is volume of the output still the same?

yes that has been my solution, generating new time code with a plugin on an audio track, sending it to bsp and from there to my other sequencers, worked flawlessly until I ran some updates to pro tools. Now nothing works

EDITED Jan 26th, 20:12

what are you using as the master MIDI clock? the DAW? if so, the 'inaccuracy' of the clock is almost definitely a product of OS prioritisation..

MIDI in computer operating systems is low priority... so other things wich are higher priority, such as audio, usb mouse and keyboard signals and internet, for example, cause interrupts and hence can disrupt MIDI processing, to the point that it can be noticeable...

things that you can do to get round this are - sync to audio - ie use an audio track/loop to sync from the DAW at 24ppqn... or find something that can be used as an external MIDI clock and sync everything to that, including your DAW...

otherwise, turning off wifi and bluetooth etc may help to some extent...

So it's an extension module for Bartender that is also aligned opposite to bartender, being upside down.

Why?

Surgeon was using Octatrack to live loop. You might be inspired by checking out his take on it.

I've had it for one year so far and, 2 weeks after the end of the warranty, one of the outputs doesn't go into negative anymore as if it was rectified.
One week since I wrote to instruo, no reply.
It really looks simple to repair.

[Edit] It turns out it wasn't broken at all. False alarm.

EDITED Mar 14th, 03:58

Exactly, the problem has to do with usb and unprecise midi code. I wish there was a solution that doesnt require you to go through all this headache again and again. I have my modular and then I have my polysynths and softsynths. I multitrack ewerything, record a voice and then stack up more voices. Pretty typical working method, nothing new there. So therefore I am surpriced that there isn't a working hassle-free solution to this already.

EDITED Jan 26th, 14:54

Hi

I want to get a playable Live setup, where I can sequence, live sample and blend between recorded stuff and modular audio.

my idea is to get a oxi one
or
octatrack
or
deluge

to pair with a 104 7u case

My thoughts are

1. octatrack could be my sequencer + live sampler, to 1. record stuff from the modular into it or 2. blend live between recorded stuff and modular.
   Gear is quiet old, hard to learn and maybe bad sound quality?
   The sequencer is more oldschool and doesnt has the fancy blinking pads like the oxi :(

2. Oxi one seems to be very hands on to sequence everything, but I would need a other solution for live sampling and blending between recorded stuff and modular.
   What could be a alternative for this?

3. synthstrom deluge seems to be a compromise between both

Could you give me a advice?
Maybe there are other devices you can suggest?

Greetings

Chris

EDITED Jan 26th, 16:31

I swapped the 914 for some other modules. Still no larger case ;-)
Any thoughts?
-- Jockl

yes... the same as before... get a bigger case... you don't have to fill it... that's what blank panels are for...

it will allow you to NOT have to cram smaller modules into a small space IMPROVING ergonomics AND so making your modular experience much nicer and more fun... AND allow you to add more functionality as and when you want/need to...

you can never have too many vcas - & you have only 1... they are for modulation as well as audio!

...I would apreciate a healthy discussion on this topic, do you have sync problems or is your system working...
-- GunnarWaage

Maybe a bit off topic because i dont use "sample accurate sync" but here is my synchronisation experience:
We have a lot of jam sessions with all kind of electronic music equipment (dozens or close to 100 different syncable devices within the last years).
Everything is synced via MIDI clock and in some subsystems this MIDI clock gets converted to CV-clock/reset via Arturia devices (Keystep PRO, Beatstep PRO) or PAMs.
In those hardware based setups sync accuracy has never been an issue.

As soon as a laptop or tablet (windows, mac, ios, android) needs to be synced as slave things start to get inaccurate.
But every better software has the possibility to adjust the clock-sync-offset in milliseconds.
Strange thing i experienced is that the needed offset value is often very different compared to former jam sessions with the same equipment.

There are indeed a few syncable eurorack modules that are always a single CV-clock-tick ahead.
To solve this issue i have built an arduino that holds back the very first clock tick after start.
Now i have 2 different master clocks in my eurorack to get everything in perfect sync
https://github.com/othmar52/blazing-baton-eurorack

This may not be anything to do with what you are talking about but I have Pams as my main clock and the Midi out controlling my Beatstep pro, while playing i see the BPM change on the beatstep and can hear the slowdown in tempo. As far as i can see i do not have any Swing or probability set on the beatstep and I never have an issue with Pams swaying about as its rock solid.

I swapped the 914 for some other modules. Still no larger case ;-)
Any thoughts?

Well done!

So one of the underdeveloped areas is sync. Although not exclusive to Eurorack it has to be said that sample accurate syncronisation of a DAW to USB Devices such as Arturia's Beat Step, remains an ongoing source of frustration.

Some time ago I had this solved. I bought a relatively cheap box from Expert Sleepers called USAMO. This box enabled me to install a plugin on a audio or instrument channel. The plugin then produced a time code that was sent through an audio output on my interface, from there over a jack cable to the USAMO box.

On the other side of the box a midi output to Beatstep Pro. And uallah I my DAW was in sample accurate syncronisation with my Eurorack.

Some time has passed, Operating systems come and go, I switch from PC to MAC and to make a long story short nothing is working at the moment.

I would apreciate a healthy discussion on this topic, do you have sync problems or is your system working.

Now I have 2 x Presonus Quantum 2626 running at 192 khz sampling rate and each connected via thunderbolt lll cables. They are synced between them by Word Clock BNC. Those then are set as one agregate device in the Apple Mini M1.

Here's the article I wrote and now seems to not be valid anymore, atleast it needs complete revision.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/8644

Great set....

Hi... is the price with the chicken included?! I'm new to eurorack, are there more modules like this? like that yellow duck that is on toilets on movies and ads - although I'm thinking since that doesn't make a sound it might be more trigger generator or so?

I also have a panel version i would like to upload, for ALM's Beast's Chalkboard. I have it in black, and I cannot figure out how or where to upload a picture of the module with the black panel installed. Any luck resolving this?

Voice 1 - (arpeggiated) Ataraxic It. to Sinc Bucina to BF22. Sequenced by Arpitecht
Voice 2 - (Bass) TS-L with Function to quad VCA to BF22. Sequenced by Varigate 8+
Voice 3 - (Leads) Synth/Sample from NerdSeq for 8-bit leads. Sequenced by NerdSeq.
Voice 4 - (Chords) Three from Edges to bubble mix to Tangle Quartet to Ripples with O&C envelopes. Sequenced by Arpitecht
Voice 5 - (Percussion) BIA, noise from Edges, sample from NerdSeq to bubble. mix to Freeze
Optional: Pairs well with TR-8

Hi Thermal,

Thanks a lot for your review of the SoundForce Dual Filter. Pity indeed of the jumper on the back to switch between LP & HP, otherwise it sounds great! :-)

Have fun with it and thanks a lot for letting us know, kind regards, Garfield.

I've also added a couple of WMD Soft Start modules that I am planning to attach to the Endorphin.es Ghost (130 mA on -12v) and Super Critical Neutron Flux (120 mA on -12v, 150 mA on +12v). These two modules could be contentious on startup with the two tube modules, the M/277 and Mimosa, which will require a surge at startup.

Unfortunately the WMD Soft Start does not support mA over 500, so it cannot be used to soft start the M/277. I may move the soft starts around the case to see what works best when they arrive, since this case could have power draw issues.

Dream come true! I performed my first live set with my modular synth at Paradiso in Amsterdam during Voltage Control Amsterdam. An evening with eight modular performances in one of the most beautiful concert venues of the Netherlands

It was a magical moment for me where a lot of things I have been doing in my music and theatre career came together in a wonderful mashup of storytelling and modular synth music. Please enjoy and do let me know what you think of my first liveset. Many thanks go out to Bart and Voltage Control Amsterdam for having me perform.

[]

Nice transaction with @loopspool. Module well packet. fast shipping and very communicative. Recommended seller.

yes, 6U and not 2U TY. Have been moving around non-Eurorack rack modules lately and misspoke.

Well yes he probably understood that his theory was flawed. But no I will leave it standing. Those are small companies making Eurorack modules and their work should not be torn down here on those pages of modulargrid.net without premise.

I think Elvis made the right decision :)

Now I don't know what type of transformers you are using or the electricity structure in your facilities, but I would unplug it and have it analyzed by a specialist.
-- GunnarWaage

The original Poster has left the building! You might want to scrap all that as it's Yesterday's news Today ;-)

@mattroix was just piggy-backing on this topic with a question.

Well I don't think you are lying, however, I don't think your problem is the quality of your modules. Something is faulty in your electrical setup.

"the failure rate in my studio is almost 40%. No lie....."

Well this is not normal and it doesnt point to one faulty module but rather a faulty system.

I have had my øchd for two years or so and I just bought two expanders so I need to buy one more øchd.

I have a huge system and many high end modules and I can safely say that the build quality of the øchd is superb and up there with the best of them, and the same should be sayd about Bill Wilson's design, simply a badass modulation source.

Now I don't know what type of transformers you are using or the electricity structure in your facilities, but I would unplug it and have it analyzed by a specialist.

EDITED Jan 24th, 22:17

It may be worth making a short video of the issues and sending it to Instruo, there email is in their T&Cs info@instruomodular.com

For me as a producer of beer we like to investigate any issues that get reported and react as best we can to resolve problems or indeed in some cases our due dilligence tells us we have done everything correct and the customer is doing something wrong, each case is tracked back to production records and staff consulted so that we can always improve and if needed adjust process to target consistency.
Thankfully problems are vanishingly rare but we still take the time to see if improvements can be made.

Another Harvestman session from yesterday. :)

4 of the 8 outputs of my OCHD are faulty. First it was just 1 of them, but it gets worse over time. Had it for around 2 years.
I have a friend who has the same problem with this OCHD.

I had 3 Instruo modules and 2 of them turned out to be faulty, which is not enough experience of course, but I never had any issue with any other brands, I have a large system, and probably had around 150 modules so far.

The 2 compressors by GinkoSynthese are awesome too

I am not against it in general but it is quite an effort especially to port the data to MG. The images on that page don't look very useful either?
-- modulargrid

Ok I sent an email to "Look mum" about this thread so lets see if he can offer better pictures

thanks for the response! i picked up a keeley 4 knob pedal this weekend for $100 after trying about 9 others. also thinking about trying the dannysound or Gods box lollipop.

I am not against it in general but it is quite an effort especially to port the data to MG. The images on that page don't look very useful either?

I don't give up. There is a new update where the Search field will not lose the focus when the cursor hovers of the rack above.
This should prevent most accidental deletions of modules. However now you have to click on the rack again to make the shortcuts work.

The best module without doubt is the SCOPE if you have an es8/es9 - Its like a free Mordax. I use this all the time

I also think Omri Cohen is the shizz!

I also love the BogAudio, JW and Vult Stuff - I only have a few brands that I have downloaded and only go looking for other stuff when I need a specific thing as there is too much duplicated stuff on there.

It is a must have when you have a small rack and an ES8/ES9 but I think if you have a larger rack there isn't the need to use a hybrid approach in my opinio, but for sure using as an end of stage mixer is typically more fully featured in VCV

I have the same issue. I have looked all over (I guess ;-) and did not find anything. Quite unfortunate, because that would make Cellz really performative...

I do this all the time too - it proper annoys me because I have to get up from my chair and look at my actual physical rack ( I know right !!!), to remember which order I had my modules in. I much prefer to make examples on MG of how I can fit my modules in the available space than actually make music lol

EDITED Jan 22nd, 11:47

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Yes it can. Select the rack you want to copy. Select the Edit menu at top right, select Duplicate Rack. Give your duplicated rack a new name. Your original rack still exists.
-- Shall

DOH! Brilliant! I keep forgetting about that handy EDIT button! Thanks!

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Yes it can. Select the rack you want to copy. Select the Edit menu at top right, select Duplicate Rack. Give your duplicated rack a new name. Your original rack still exists.

Edit --> Duplicate Rack.
-- Shall

Edited the title (thanks)

So, can it be done?

Edit --> Duplicate Rack.