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My new solo LP 'Etudes' composed with eurorack modular is ready!
It will out on amazing US label Whited Sepulchre Records in November on vinyl and digital!
‘Aimer est le grand point, qu’importe la maîtresse ?
Qu’importe le flacon, pourvu qu’on ait l’ivresse ?’
(Alfred de Musset - La Coupe et les Lèvres - 1831).
Which can be approximately translated by:
‘To love is the great point, what does the mistress matter?
Does the bottle matter, if we can achieve drunkenness?’
The only thing that matters is the pleasure we can experience when listening to music.
Whatever the instrument, as long as it remains that tool at the service of musicians and audiences.
(That said, sometimes, some mixtures... well, you know... ;)
@pointandclicksystems At least some concede us some decency by not removing your post. I strongly suggest you to invest the few dimes you'll make with sales with a professional psychotherapy help. You're putting in my mouth words and intentions which are just inside your little world. From the show you're giving here to your potential clients, I'm afraid you won't last long, even if you might have good some product ideas.
I recently released a matrix mixer; not as small as some of the others you mention, I'm afraid, though it does have built in passive mults on all ports which should help save some routing space, or splitters at least. happy-hardware.com
been a long time since the last one.> > Just saw that the Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter is being discontinued. I thought, ok, maybe
an upgrade coming, but who knows, maybe the market is flooded and they are cutting their losses.
-- halbroome
No, I think the processor/CPU thingie that series is built on is being discontinued so they won't be able to make them anymore. I'm sure they have cool new stuff in the pipeline
-- farkas
They need a better CPU, things just break apart and sound thin when they are modulated by too many sources.
they're just not in the spirit of 'modular synthesis'... they're 'synthesis with modules' to the extreme...
I actually think they're very clever, same as your module, well done for putting a full blown computer behind a panel!
but good luck to you... I hope you (and they) sell loads... just not to me...
-- JimHowell1970
@pointandclicksystems The post you wrote and then erased as an "answer" to my question does classify you. Good luck with your hobby.
-- TRAME
right. what do you think these modules are good for? do you think they do only one thing? can you make an open ended module your own without needing it to be so defined? can you define it or do you need it to define you? spirit of a modular synth? says who? yeah thank you for the big ups. all synthesists are not doing it the way you suggest. would you ever use a computer to record a performance or stream a performance or score video or make a sample collection or prepare and SCSI transfer samples to your vintage EMU sampler or use software for a lightshow you control with a euro LFO or a euro sequencer or do your taxes or automate your home security or watch star wars or make up for hundreds worth of utility modules or record cv or mix live synths or apply dynamics processes without breaking the bank or play wavetables without the thin nasal tone quality most euro wavetable modules have or convert mm to inches or kg to pounds or fuck it, check your email or chat on your beloved discord group about watever is so important to you? no? well good for you! i dont hate you for doing it wrong. i love myself for making these super cool tools that people with common sense dont simply dismiss. the world is full of musicians and music that isnt the style youre making, and there should be a bridge to unite their methods and here it is. will you adapt to the times? no? ah well theres a name for that... i cant think of it right now. anyway, these modules i make work very well for a multitude of needs that every musician is likely to face. keep an open mind maybe? you might see the worth at some point. but if you dont, too bad so sad, go on with ya bad self and have it your way at burger king. oh and soon there will be one of my modules without a screen so you can look like youre DAWless and still have the massive advantage a computer provides. oh but maybe you are not aware of what i speak of. its ok, you do you. you wont catch me insulting you or asking snide moot questions about your modules. dont be afraid that ill take buyers away from your products, im here to co-exist. arent you all about co-existing? no? well to be honest i cant say you have demonstrated that here in this thread. think before you post your passive aggressive questions. im here ready for inspection and someone will like what i offer, as i do. i did this for me first and foremost. if you like it, welcome! welcome to my studio! if you hate it then haters gonna hate. i dont really care. ill still be here doing me.
Lot's of really good advice here. I've been going at the generative stuff for 3+ years now and other than the general rule of creating modulation and ways to trigger events from it (comparators) IMO the real key lies in the ability to 'tune' the randomness - i.e. lots and lots of attenuation + offset.
Looking at your rack so far, I'd say it really needs random sources and ways to tune it.
For modules, a few more recommendations:
Caudal from Vult. Soon to be released in physical form (it's a module in VCV rack currently). It will provide two rows four smooth randon voltage outputs. Each row can be clocked to give stepped random output (S/H) and all in 1oHP.
S/H: RND STEP from SSF/Divkid. 3 cascading S/Hs but gives uni and bi-polar outputs - uni so you can use it better for sound sculpting.
Zadar from Xaoc. Says it's an envelope generator but it's not - it's an LFO machine that's particularly good for generative in that you can loop them and CV one paramter for each of the 4 LFOs (2 if you get the 3HP expander and totally worth it).
AxB+C from Befaco. My favorite module for attentuation and offset. Also a ring mod. The dials just make it really easy for me - especially for dialing in LFOs or smooth random that then go on to feed into a function generator for Krell patches. I have a Caudal protype with a Befaco on either side for this very purpose :)
@JimHowell1970
You are absolutely right. That’s why, for example, I plugged the ADDAC207 and the Fold 6 on my row 3, while they are physically screwed (and therefore seem installed) on row 4 in my second RackBrute. See the link.
We are all here to share and remember each other the right practices :)
Lots of interesting thoughts and good suggestions from @HGsynth.
But be careful, you should not ideally exceed 640mA on +12V and on -12V (per each row) in a RackBrute 6U, that is to say 80% of the 800mA available (for +12V and the same for -12V, there are four separate circuits of 800mA in two rows): and this in order to leave enough headroom for voltage peaks!
However the data sheet of the rack proposed here (in MG) indicates 743mA on the row2 (for +12V), which would be very risky...
Also, you only have 12 slots in the row2, and I see here 13 modules.
-- Sweelinck
physical location does not necessarilly need to reflect where power is plugged in... longer power cables are available (& easily made)
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
hmm - I have a couple of the smaller 10hp matrix mixers... tbh I'd rather have bigger ones... or at least a bigger one - completely due to ergonomics...
so maybe the problem is not that the matrix mixers are too big, it' s that the case is too small ... maybe it's time for another case!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
People shy away from CVilization because it looks like it might be difficult to program, but really that couldn't be farther from the truth IMO...but if you want something smallish HP that is a great matrix mixer but can do much more as well, its worth a look for sure: https://u-he.com/products/cvilization/
I have got 3 negative reviews, all from users I have never transacted with, just because I was on vacation and did not reply in time. One got even to a point of harrasment and verbal violence because I promised him I would send him the Paypal, although decided to blovk him cause he was abusive. The other one, I was on vacation and didnt reply in time... LoL
My question is why I have to have negative reviews from people I never even agreed to receive money or made a final deal with, because also I dont want to transact with stressful and abusive people.
This video explores some possibilities for using Eurorack (in particular the Disting EX) as a polyphonic sound engine for your standard digital piano – and to add some effects from Mutable Instruments’ Beads without taking your fingers off the keyboard.
Allemande, from J. S. Bach's French Suite No. 4 in E-flat, BWV 815. Further patch notes in the video: https://youtu.be/HZhtNBh71Sc
Reading over all your comments, i defo know i need more VCAs so 1st is another quad VCA (probably another Quad VCAfrom intellijel) and ive also ordered MOSKWA ii and selling the cellz. I watched a few vids on Monorail tech talk on youtube for some advice on utiliti mods and was thinking of the malstrom Arkan module along with a shakmat medusa module.
As for comupter integration ive never thought of it. I did plan on buying an es9 casue thhey appear in a ton of online videos and tutorials.
Thanks again guys for all the suggestions and help very much appreiceated
Patch a random from Pams (or an LFO from Maths) into Plaits Model input while triggering Plaits at a rythmic interval
+1 on utilities to get more out of this rack. Some suggestions below
Adding some random always makes things more interesting. MI Marbles, SSF Ultra Random or Frap Tools Sapel are just a few of the best at random. A sequencer like Mimetic Digitales that can be randomized would be a great source to add stepped modulation and interest to all the voices
There are some great multi-fuction modules that encourage creative patching. Maths is one, but Muxlicer, Stages and Tides also pack a bunch of different capabilities into a single module
If you're looking to work more 'in-the-box' Expert Sleepers ES9 audio interface is awesome for building a hybrid system with VCV rack. VCV alone will open a world of possibilities. Bonus ES9 feature is the MPC can use it to expand it's audio I/O and sample directly from the modular (depending upon the MPC firmware)
Lots of little utilities add flavour, consider adding things like a sample & hold, clock multiplier/divider, sequential switch and CV attenuation/inversion/mixing
this is a 'known' feature of some electrical items... including modules... it's called 'inrush'
if it's only when plugged into certain places, I'd move it - possibly some busboards have limits...
-- JimHowell1970
Its a phenomena where a capacitor with very low ESR is demanding very high current (becaus of the super low resistance) during startup and therefore the PSU is driven into saturation. That will probably cause trouble initializing digital modules... So yes, moving it would be a good idea... especially considering the lifespan of your PSU
I'll second this. Asking which tool they use for the jack nuts and got talked to like a complete moron. Zero help, rude condescending replies. There are nice ways of saying no or not being able to help out a customer....
Ah so that's why they were awful and condescending when i asked support about PNW's expander pinout recently...
-- justarandomgeek
Cheers for all the info guys....
As you mentioned very sound heavy but im selling a few modules (TT filter, The Evelopes and Cellz) and got a couple on order intellijel quadrax and another quad VCA. Ill read trough te bulk of the comment tonigt and have check on some suggestions.
as much as I love my eurorack gear, for serious stuff in limited time, I fire up my Virus TI2 keyboard synth that has incredible sound and workflow. Easy to run 16 multi timbral polyphonic dozens of voices with many types of synthesis models from wave table to granular and tons of filter types and effects. Yes, it is digital but does polyphony well. I also love to jam on my Oberheim OB X8 if I want analog polyphony at simple keyboard level. Met a pro level pianist who wants me to teach her how to use Nord piano synthesizers and while I am not a keys player I do know synthesis.
The power thing is something you have to be aware of even with Mantis cases. The +12v power supply provides 3A, but split into three zones of 1A each. It's small enough space-wise, though, that it would take some really beefy modules to hit the max on any one zone.
-- PragmaticusMax
my big problem with the mantis is the -12v... but I am using it for video...
this happens a lot on all sizes of cases... a lot of small cases are underpowered...
the doepfer 9u cases are often underpwered... they have the same psu as the 6u (which the psu is fine for).. & the 9u are fine if you are using predominantly doepfer (or similar) analog modules, but start putting in small digital ones and...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Third, just a quick observation: you have a lot of oscillators and filters and not too much else, so it's not really a surprise that your patching is feeling repetative. You have many impressive sound sources (more than you may realize, with self-patching), but not much to play with them and manipulate them. I suppose you have the computer at your disposal (VCV rack has some great free modules), but I'm not seeing the midi 0r other interfaces to connect? In any case, you should consider a few additions (everyone likes buying more gear, right?). Your patching options open up exponentially as you get more modules and patchpoints.
this!!!
Consider for example, VCAs. You have the Quad VCA, which is a great module, but doesn't even give you enough channels for the voices you already have, and it certainly doesn't give you enough channels to play around with, such as modulating an LFO with another LFO to come up with more interesting cv. A Veils clone or Doepfer's quad mixer vca might be of more value than you realize.
get the veils clone... a much more versatile vca than the doepfer - not that the doepfer is not good, just less versatile...
I also always advocate for more modulation options, like Ochd or Batumi, so you can have motion. Finally, you're missing the essential architecture, utilities. There's been a few good analogies floating around the comments about utilities, but in the end, the unsung utilities are what enable you to actually use the big-ticket modules like VCOs.
an extra modulation source would be good - depending on how you are using Pams... if you are using that a lot for modulatiojn at the moment I'd prioritise a matrix mixer... probably less. expensive than a worthwhile an inexpensive modulation source
You might want to consider a mutli-utility module, such as a Disting EX or uOrnament and Crime, which gives you a taste of a lot of types of utility modules so you can figure out what's useful (again, VCV rack gives you plenty for free if you're already using a computer, but you need to be able to interact with it). For example, until you play with a clock divider, how would you know you can use it as a sub-osc? Or a that comparator can be amazing for taking LFOs and making rhythms, or just how fun switches can be?
I'd be more towards getting some basic utility modules - you can research more interestin things later... although something to interface with vcv rack is a great idea - es9 is probably best of breed - unless you already have a decent audio interface with ADAT I/O
In my mind, it's the ability to access these architectural circuits that makes modular unique. Plenty of standalone synths give you deep rawring sounds and luscious pads, but how many of them can create modulation and movement over time that can be controlled by other parameters? I'd say watch some videos about the modules you already have (look up that MATHS manual!) and about different utilities, and you'll get a good sense of where to go next with your patching.
architectural circuits ? more like the plumbing - no point in building a house (or any building) without the making sure the plumbing is properly there...
Edited: Just saw the link has already been posted. Ignore point 1.
-- HGsynth
classic cross posting!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
First off, if you copy and past the link to the rack, we'll get to look at the rack itself and not a jpg, which really isn't useful.
Second, other folks can give you specific recommendations to patch the sounds you're looking for, but don't forget about self-patching (looking at you MATHS and QPAS). In fact, look up the MATHS Illustrated manual for a ton of patching examples. Also, many module manuals provide patching ideas; it may be worth menu-diving and watching some videos.
Third, just a quick observation: you have a lot of oscillators and filters and not too much else, so it's not really a surprise that your patching is feeling repetative. You have many impressive sound sources (more than you may realize, with self-patching), but not much to play with them and manipulate them. I suppose you have the computer at your disposal (VCV rack has some great free modules), but I'm not seeing the midi 0r other interfaces to connect? In any case, you should consider a few additions (everyone likes buying more gear, right?). Your patching options open up exponentially as you get more modules and patchpoints.
Consider for example, VCAs. You have the Quad VCA, which is a great module, but doesn't even give you enough channels for the voices you already have, and it certainly doesn't give you enough channels to play around with, such as modulating an LFO with another LFO to come up with more interesting cv. A Veils clone or Doepfer's quad mixer vca might be of more value than you realize.
I also always advocate for more modulation options, like Ochd or Batumi, so you can have motion. Finally, you're missing the essential architecture, utilities. There's been a few good analogies floating around the comments about utilities, but in the end, the unsung utilities are what enable you to actually use the big-ticket modules like VCOs. You might want to consider a mutli-utility module, such as a Disting EX or uOrnament and Crime, which gives you a taste of a lot of types of utility modules so you can figure out what's useful (again, VCV rack gives you plenty for free if you're already using a computer, but you need to be able to interact with it). For example, until you play with a clock divider, how would you know you can use it as a sub-osc? Or a that comparator can be amazing for taking LFOs and making rhythms, or just how fun switches can be?
In my mind, it's the ability to access these architectural circuits that makes modular unique. Plenty of standalone synths give you deep rawring sounds and luscious pads, but how many of them can create modulation and movement over time that can be controlled by other parameters? I'd say watch some videos about the modules you already have (look up that MATHS manual!) and about different utilities, and you'll get a good sense of where to go next with your patching.
Edited: Just saw the link has already been posted. Ignore point 1.
well I'd want more utilities - a matrix mixer would be a good start - and probably some attenuators....
seems far too sound source heavy... see my signature for hints...
patch ideas - work your way through the 'maths illustrated supplement', use the fx directly after the sound source and before filtering...
write a python script on that MBP - to generate random patches - if you search there's an example one floating about online... if you can read and do basic maths it'll be easy to adapt for your rack...
write some selection tables on a pad and use dice to generate patches...
mix outputs of sound sources, before doing anything else...
tune your sound sources to different intervals...
mix & modulate your modulation!
hope this helps!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
The power thing is something you have to be aware of even with Mantis cases. The +12v power supply provides 3A, but split into three zones of 1A each. It's small enough space-wise, though, that it would take some really beefy modules to hit the max on any one zone.
To cut a long story short, I had expendable cash during covid and bought a Doepfer A-100 and slowly slowly Im filling it up.
I was hoping that some people here could give me some patch tips for my setup?
Since buying all of it ( I bought an Akai MPCx and a 2nd hand MacBook Pro 2017 aswell) ive just been loving all the interesting sounds i can make however, ive become terrible for patching the same thing over and over, maybe with a slight diference in tonal character or movment.......BORING nonetheless.
I cant stop myself from patching what i already know works, such as oscillator to filter to VCA with an envelope controling the filter cutoff.
Maybe some patch ideas for some nice pads or a some crazy rises/dives or impacts.......
I love 90s big beat music such as Chem Bros, Prodigy and Leftfield so once ive got a little bit more know how with the mod synth and the MPC i will do my best at recording some matrial.
this is a 'known' feature of some electrical items... including modules... it's called 'inrush'
if it's only when plugged into certain places, I'd move it - possibly some busboards have limits...
-- JimHowell1970
Yes, it's likely I had too many high power usage modules with significant inrush on the same busboard. I should have mentioned I have fixed this by plugging the problem module into a different busboard on the same power supply.
It's frustrating to discover a problem like this after installing all your modules, and maybe you are using all the plugs on a busboard so swapping things around isn't a simple matter. I have found it invaluable, especially after moving to a big case, to have a few multi-power cables / flying bus cables around to give me some extra plugs or even act as an extension cable to a far-away busboard. 4ms has always served me well for this: https://4mscompany.com/power.php
I bet it is more common to run into problems like this in a big case because you're installing more modules. More modules = more likely to encounter a problematic combination. It totally depends on your module collection, but if you have power hungry modules, you might end up with a layout with too many of them on the same busboard. So be aware of this potential problem, and my tip is to get some of those power cables and try swapping around which modules (the ones having problems) are plugged into which busboard.
My theory is some modules (probably digital) have a spike in power usage when first booting up. During an initial "cold boot", not every digital module gets the surge of power it needs and it crashes during boot-up. The module is unresponsive and does not work at all in this case.
-- adamj
this is a 'known' feature of some electrical items... including modules... it's called 'inrush'
if it's only when plugged into certain places, I'd move it - possibly some busboards have limits...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
Adam, from the name I can tell you have a Volkskabinett from Eric Needham, right? Are you happy with it? How´s the PSU? Any noise or other complaints?
-- ak47exe
Yes, that's right! It's a solid case. I don't really have anything to compare it to in this size/price range, but I'm plenty satisfied with it. It's got plenty of power, and I have some pretty power-hungry digital modules. I never worry about hitting power limits. Physical build quality is very good and it's designed for good ventilation. I think the price is reasonable for what you're getting (though I did get it during an initial launch sale, so that helped). Be aware: Assembly can be very challenging if you are not a DIY person, but I think with patience and determination, probably anyone can manage.
There are a few minor issues / things to note: You need to use a good amount of power or the power supply can emit a fairly noticeable high-pitched whine. I was warned about it and it's apparently expected with so much power being supplied. Once I had the case mostly full, it was not an issue. So you should be able to mostly fill it before investing in it.
I think some module in my rack is still emitting a faint high pitched noise though, but the room has to be quiet and I have to really listen to notice, so I just ignore it and it doesn't bother me. It's not clear if that's the module's fault or the power supply, or the combination of the two. The quality of my recordings is fine and I rarely hear it in practice, so I never bothered to diagnose this any further.
The only other issue is: depending on my layout, I think if I have certain combination of modules plugged into the same row of the power supply, certain modules (namely an original Mutable Instruments Marbles) does not always boot up correctly. My theory is some modules (probably digital) have a spike in power usage when first booting up. During an initial "cold boot", not every digital module gets the surge of power it needs and it crashes during boot-up. The module is unresponsive and does not work at all in this case. It's pretty obvious because usually there are some LEDs on but they aren't when this happens. Whenever this has happened, I wait a few seconds, power off, and quickly power back on. Then everything works fine. I guess this because some residual charge is still in capacitors or something, so more power is available on the second power-on then the initial cold one. I have always occasionally had this issue in other racks, so I really don't think it's this power supply's fault. Once you put a lot of modules from different manufacturers together, there can be issues. Maybe they are more likely in a bigger rack? But in my current layout, I don't seem to have this problem at all, so that's cool. It's not a big deal when it happens. You just gotta be aware and check your modules after powering on for the day.
Sorry if that's TMI, but with an investment this big, I know some people can be a bit "audiophile" and maybe get really upset hearing any high pitched noises or anything. So maybe my story will give you pause. I wouldn't be surprised if I experience all these things with a different manufacturer's "monster" case though. Like I said, the Marbles power-on issue happened in other racks too. For the most part, I feel thrilled things generally work great and any issues are ignorable.
PS - I live in the same city as Eric's workshop so I picked my case up in person and got to take a tour. He's a cool guy and seems really passionaite about making awesome high-end modular cases. I'd recommend his products if you think they are a good fit for you.
Market has slowed down but I see new companies driving new types of interesting modules. I bought most of my eurorack a few years back and have no real desire for anything new. I still have a lot to master since getting into the modular world and at a gear saturation point cannot see reason to buy much for a long long time. Love my Make Noise Shared System and several cases of modular. Only thing would be the Erica Synths Techno System and Intellijel Cascadia or maybe new Buchla system but I am good for now. Plus I need to fund home repairs and a new car purchase.
I can see that its nice to have some portable gear, I don't consider my main case Portable cos its Blooming heavy but I'm working towards having a my Top Case and Percussion Case as being portable and easy to combine with a Beatstep Pro. This leaves my Main Case to be more Generative and experimental.
the original 6u case looks really portable to me...
I've had my mantis on planes, trains and buses many, many times with ease in the past...
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!