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Thanks heaps for your interesting reply! It really made me want to think about my rack more in depth, since this one was more of a compiled piece of stuff Ive seen on youtube that seemed interesting to me. Ive so far decided to start with pretty simple set up with Intellijel Atlantis and Metropolis and a MIDI interface () since I figured I want to get right into playing and sequencing stuff and having possibility to expand as I go along... Ive also looked at other similar options to this like Pittsburgs SV-1 and Moog Mother 32 but this Intellijel stuff seemed the best for me from what Ive seen online.
As for my experience with synthesis so far I only got Korg Volca Keys and I ordered Korg Minilogue not too long ago (still wating for it to arrive), and I do also have Korg Kaossilator Pro... Ive watched countless synth reviews and eurorack module demos to get an idea how it all works and I think I got somewhat basic understanding of it by now, but ofcourse I need to get my hands on some eurorack to really put my mind into it! :)
As I start building my first Eurorack (by the end of this year hopefully) I will be referring to your suggestions and ask more questions as I go along, I will not spend 4000+€ at once like you said I will save up and make meaningful purchases to get the modules I really need (because I really dont got much money going around and this is very expencive hobby : D), this was just the first touch on designing a rack and getting something to refer to when I am deciding what modules to get :)
For oscillators I considered the Make Noise DPO, Mutable Instruments Braids, and Erica Synths new Black VCO and expander. I chose the Erica Synths modules because they were the least expensive. The DPO is the most expensive. Braids is a close second to the Erica Synths modules. All are excellent in my opinion.
There are many good output modules. I chose Make Noise Rosie simply because I am familiar with it and like it. I rely on it and it delivers.
Make Noise MATHS is so versitle you just have to have it around. It's an envelope generator. It's a sound source. It's an ADSR when used with the Disting module as a gate source. It's a positive or negative voltage source.
The Expert Sleepers Disting is useful in its own right, but it is also a great learning module to experiment with functions that might cost a lot more $$$ if purchased as individual modules.
Erica Synths Black Hole DSP is not strickly necessary, but it brings a lot of fun into modular synthesis. Without it it is kind of like shooting black and white photographs when you really want to be shooting color.
Make Noise Pressure Points is purely optional but can really help when learning.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT to point out that there are more cost effective ways to get involved in synthesis if you don't know anything about it and putting a system together. For example, Moog Mother-32 or Make Noise 0-Coast. There is also the Erica Synths Pico system. If $$$ is no object, then take a look at Macbeth Studio Systems. They have a stand alone synth which is pretty sweet and classical. I think Doepfer and Pittsburgh Modular also make stand alone packages. Finally, there is also the DIY synth voice from Erica Synths if you might enjoy building your own synth and then playing it. And it sounds pretty good.
Hey, Doc! It looks like your post has been left out here with us crickets.
My Experience
I've been experimenting with eurorack modular for a little over a year now. I have two travel cases and a skiff I use. You can see my setup on my account (current system #1 and current system #2). I am in the process of rearranging my gear and selling off some modules which I hate to part with but they don't fit into my rig anymore. :-( Like Rossum's Evolution filter is a really sweet module but it's out of place for me now. You can check out my planned rig which is Erica Synths Rack v4.4.0 (horizontal arrangement). I also have a Dave Smith Instruments Pro-2 which I'm crazy about. LOVE that keyboard. Very well thought out. And a Nord Lead A1. That last one is a great keyboard synth to learn on. It helped me a lot. The Pro-2 interfaces with eurorack modular very nicely.
Your Question
If this is your first system, you have quite a mishmash of modules. It looks very much the way I started out a while ago. I had no idea what I was dealing with. However, I quickly learned how expensive modular synths can be! If you're interested in ambient sound and sound shaping to start, then you really only need an oscillator and an output module. This isn't very practical, but it can work. Let's take it a step further. I would add another oscillator or get a dual oscillator module. I see in your "I don't know what I'm doing" rack you have the Batumi and the Deeper A-111 which can work. Alternatives to this are Make Noise DPO, Erica Synths Black VCO and Expander, Mutable Instruments Braids. I highly recommend any of these modules for a sound source. Good quality and keepers.
The reason two oscillators are more fun (in case you don't know) is because you can play around with signal beating where two waves of same or different shape are near each other in frequency or an integer multiple of each others frequency. Very good for ambient.
Basic Signal Flow
By the way, since you are new to all this, the basic signal flow goes like this: (oscillator) -> (optional filter) -> (VCA) -> (optional filter) -> (optional mixer) -> (output).
The simplest pathway is (oscillator) -> (output).
A step up from that is (oscillator) -> (VCA) -> (output).
Modulation can come into any of these paths at any point. You can use an LFO for oscillation or another sound source. In fact, you can do pretty much whatever you want, just try not to put an output into an output. Many better modules are protected against this though.
I see in your rig that you have multiple low frequency oscillator (LFO) sources. You probably have too many. The MATHS module is excellent. But it's complicated. It is not so much how it works but what can be done with it. Exploring the MATHS module to fully understand it is a small job. But very worthwhile. The Make Noise manual has some excellent exercises to try. Even better (from my experience) is find someone that would be willing to walk you though it's operations and teach you how to use it not just how it works.
Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCAs) are important if you want to shape the sound by volume. And you will. However, for every VCA you will likely need an envelope generator (EG) or LFO. Typical envelope generators are AD or AR, or ADSR. Let me know if you need clarification on what these are. I see you've selected the Doepfer A-131 and the Intellijel Dual ASDR. These can work for you.
The Pressure Points module is also a good idea. It is a great learning tool and is fun to play around with. It can be used for control voltage (CV) or pitch information (to a sound source). With multiple oscillators you can play three note chords.
Wrapping It Up
If you are interested in ambient sounds and such, then I would forget about most of the modules you have in your rig. No sequencers yet, for example. (That means you would have no need at this point for a clock or clock divider.) Stay with the basic signal chain and learn how things work. It's a steep learning curve and you won't benefit from making it harder on yourself. That's my two cents.
One other thing I would recommend adding because of the joy/fun factor is a reverb and delay module. I have used Erica Synths Blackhole DSP, Make Noise Erbe-verb, Synthesis Technologies E580 mini delay, and the Expert Sleepers Disting. I would recommend the Blackhole and the Erbe-verb most for the money. And I completely forgot to mention the Disting a while back. I recommend looking into the new Disting module by Expert Sleepers. It has delay and reverb functions. It is not any easy module to work right out of the box (Os loves to be cryptic, I think. And he programs in his sleep :-). The new mk 4 disting is more accessible though. And it has many functions that can teach you what other modules you might like to spend $$$ on in the future. For example, clocks and clock dividers and sequencers. And it can convert midi files to CV and play audio and granulate! In fact, the Disting modules are also a small job. :-)
So, my final thoughts, since you asked, are start light, learn, and build up saving your $$$ for better more meaningful modules as you gain experiment and start putting A and B together. $4000+ is a lot to spend if that is what you are thinking. If it were my money, I would want to make it count. Then again you could always purchase a gorgeous acoustic guitar for $36,000. Heck. You could spend that much on a drum set!
I like to share what I learn. It helps me learn more. So, if this has been helpful to you, please...ask questions. I will do my best to point you in the right direction.
Even though it's not DIY or pure analog, you might want to check this module out anyway. I just got one and it seems a perfect fit for the styles you mentioned.
so right now, this tiny case is a supplementary one for my 6u (unit 01) that i have planned out for some live shows i am doing this summer.
its function is really two fold. 1) it acts as an efx/processing case for everything going on in my 6u and 2.) if for some reason something were to happen to my 6u, i could still play a minimal set using just what is here in this 4u case.
This one looks sick. I like the idea of smaller contained modular pieces that serve a set function/purpose. The 1u rack above the 3u makes them more realistic sizewise.
If you don't mind me asking how you envisage yourself using this one? Like what roles in your music/sound experiments?
This one looks sick. I like the idea of smaller contained modular pieces that serve a set function/purpose. The 1u rack above the 3u makes them more realistic sizewise.
If you don't mind me asking how you envisage yourself using this one? Like what roles in your music/sound experiments?
Do all the modules work if connected by themselves? Also, a lot of power supplies have overcurrent protection and will shut themselves down to protect your equipment if too much amperage is drawn. It's possible you could have a power supply that doesn't match it's published ratings or a module drawing more power than the spec. Have you tried starting with just one module and adding the others back one at a time?
Even though it's not DIY or pure analog, you might want to check this module out anyway. I just got one and it seems a perfect fit for the styles you mentioned.
Below is the layout for my first eurorack modular synth. The actual case is an SKB 3U shallow rack with a Happy Ending kit. It's a bit of an odd duck because I already have the Korg MS-20 mini, Korg SQ-1, Arturia BeatStep Pro, Arturia KeyStep, etc. I looked toward adding sounds rather than duplicating functions that I already have for my first purchase. In spite of that, I think it's a fairly interesting synth even standalone. I've already gotten some intriguing sounds out of it. The guys at Control Voltage in Portland did a great job helping me out.
So now that I've explained a bit about my synth, what would you suggest for the wish list that I'll be working off of when I'm ready to add another row?
As $subject. The parameters are: DIY-only, analog signal only (I'm OK with digital control, depending), and trying to keep the per-module cost less than 100$US (flexible on that; kinda have to be :D)
Inverted panels represent DIY projects in progress.
Stylistically, I'm interested in drone/ambient/generative/random etc...
Hy I bought a Clouds (Mutable instruments) and not work well.
There is a high sound like beep loud and I hear the sound very low.
Also Even though I follow the instruction It doesn't install the original firmware.
Someone can suggest me.
Oh, you're right; thought I still had the Ripples in there. On the subject of VCAs and filters, is there an advantage to having a low pass gate like the Optomix as opposed to having a discrete VCF and VCA?
Hi all. As a college student on a limited budget (research stipend, lol) and with relatively limited knowledge of modular synths, I was wondering whether this rack makes any sense at all. Any help or feedback is welcome; thanks!
hello i am confused. my current modular, brand new assembly, does not start. there is some kind of power issue. however when looking at consumption it shoulds be fine, do you guys have any clue why? This Doepfer handles 1200 mA, in 3 rows of 400 I presume. Each row stays below 400mA. Actually even when leaving only the 3 Moogs and unplugging the rest, that thing wont start.
Tried to create a rack with some gear. Somehow, stuff seemed to disappear, so I re-added it. Now I see there are supposedly, 17 modules but only 9 are actually visible and the visible ones are the only ones I actually want-- how do I find these invisible modules to delete them? They show up in the data sheet but the data sheet doesn't allow me to delete them there. Consequently, the power and price calculations are way off...
Alright to all of that.
It just expected to see my latest module on top of that list. In fact it is not.
Instead, they are sorted by some other date, probably when the module was first entered into the data base.
Am I more clear now?
It follows the same rules like a standard search. So you can sort by Newest, Popular, Alphabetic, Price, HP, Manufacturer, Depth.
All the other search parameter work, too. So you can filter for VCA or manufacturer.
When viewing the My Modules tab in the module browser I expect to see at the top of the list the module I added most recently. The order follows some other rule though. Maybe it is sorted by date it was added to the site? Wondering...
thanks a lot! you have the eye cause it's almost out of fashion now :) but I love it's analog sound palette.
I am already following you on soundcloud -you make great tracks! thank you for commenting my rack
I started a video production business 3 years ago, spent those years pretty much away from music.
Hope to come back to it and post a lot of new tracks this year!
Sync to computer offer so much possibilities, I could not pass sync-gen, very tight sync.
This module will let the people know about this http://sfwriterstoolkit.com/ so that the interested people could know about the sep up procedure for the best module.Hope you could find a reliable helping hand.
If you are really into long, non-repetaive drone soundscapes you should take a look at some of the NLC modules like Sloth. Something that does slow, chaotic modulation like this is a must.
Tesseract is undergoing a transformation. I am switching from a 126hp case to a 12u portable for live shows. tesseract will be integrated into a new system called Antiprism.
Great deal with @GOLDEG - very nice to deal with, good coms, sent me the tracking number as soon as it was posted, and it all arrived safely! Please also see his post above detailing his name change from @penrose_riots
Hello
I am new here and I just purchase an Intellijel TPS30 MINI bus board. I need some beginerr advice for my first modules.
Without any musical knowledge, I want to star small and slow.
I make few options from 44HP to 60HP setup that I will like your opinion.
All the racks have the Oscilloscope DATA (16HP). I like the idea to visualise what is going on.
Instead, to mix and match brands I opt for same modules brand
Do they make sense?
Do I miss anything important, is there something I can omit?
One question that is almost shameful, where are you connecting your monitors or cans?
Thank you!
Erica and Make Noise my two favorites configurations.
In order of preference
LeRAW 60 Erica. Alternative: Black VCO instead Black Wavetable VCO
LeRAW 54 Make Noise
LeRAW 60 Doepfer
LeRAW 60 Mutable Instruments
LeRAW 44 Intellijel. Alternative: PLOG instead one Dixie II+
I forgot power will be on the side.
The 1U Will not be in use at the moment
Hi, thanks for the reply, yesterday I noticed this and the rack has changed though not updated on here, swaped the doepfer A-111 for a mutable veils? that a good plan?
Got a mother 32 a while back but looking to add a little custom eurorack. Don't know much of what I am doing and am looking for help regarding power and audio output? Help is appreciated!
the edits spurred the rant about had this field set already - ie Doepfer stuff. A quick search yields that 24 or 37 with the word discontinued in it, have this field set.
I agree it's a community effort. That's the point, really. There is quite a bit of effort to be had without people added to the the pile. (duplicate entries, incomplete entries, person modules not marked as private, etc).
I personally updated the field on 250+ modules. There are some that are manufacturer locked but generally the major manufacturer stuff is marked properly.
) since I figured I want to get right into playing and sequencing stuff and having possibility to expand as I go along... Ive also looked at other similar options to this like Pittsburgs SV-1 and Moog Mother 32 but this Intellijel stuff seemed the best for me from what Ive seen online.
