All Posts

Hi HGsynth,

Yes, by times I start always using the same approach however I don't mind to let go an (old) idea and start with a totally different approach. So on average I think that keeps things in balance. Once and awhile (especially when I am lazy) I start with the same (start-) setup and then evolve from there the patch however also on regularly basis I start with completely something new, never done before so to speak. Especially when I get a few new modules, I like to try a complete new approach and take it from there.

To summarise this: it really depends on a per case situation, sometimes that, sometimes something else :-)

If you recognise already the fact that you always start with the O_c as your starting point, then one day when you want to do a complete new patch, "forbid yourself" to use the O_c in the upcoming new patch and just try something completely new not remotely related and close to your usual O_c approach. Dare to try something else, and you will see after a few times you forgot you have an O_c ;-)

Have fun with the patching and try things you never tried before, don't care about the result, if it doesn't satisfy you then try again from scratch, till you find something that surprises you and you like, keep then that kind of creative approach in mind and try that approach in a similar but different way! :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

For me it's a bit different. To keep myself away from TV, I committed myself to making a new track every day. So every evening, I pull all the patch cables and start from scratch. 2-3 hours later, I post the result on SoundCloud. I've been doing that since March. I can tell you, it's a very fast way to learn a lot about patching techniques.
-- Arrandan

That's a hell of a disciplined way to learn, wow. Those are cool tracks, by the way!

I feel that this approach is somewhat similar to mine; each time I patch I try to find slightly different ways to connect everything to avoid a rut where each patch sounds the same. Also, after a few days, I'm usually out of cables and decide to start anew out of boredom (there's that impatience I was mentioning earlier). I also sometimes purposely limit myself to a small selection of modules, both to push myself by setting artificial restrictions to work around and to counter the impulse to use every module and cable in every patch.

@GarfieldModular, thanks! I remember you saying in another thread that you predominantly do generative stuff. Do you typically find that you start a patch the same way each time? For example, I've realized that I rely too heavily on O_c's shift register and quantizer to start a patch, and am trying to avoid being overly reliant on that same signal path.

Appreciate all the feedback, everyone!

Anyone knows a pre-build alternative for this one? Love to get one but have the soldering skills of a 6 year old.

Oh and regarding the "pedalboard pedals": This is clearly a sign that users need more pre-defined pedalboards. (So do I, the plywood sucks so hard...) Perhaps there could be even something arranged with the board manufacturers, it could be a nice lil advertise to have the boards available like that. I mean... Temple Audio even built something on their own with templeplanner.com.

Something on the pedalboard is out of scale. I created a 820x320 pedalboard using the plywood background and placed two devices with a height of 184 and 140 on top of each other. Visually it looks like there's even space left but in fact it's already exceeding the board dimensions. I almost fell for it and ordered the wrong board!

Please don't kill the synths, mixers, sequencers and other useful stuff. A pedalboard is a super useful vehicle to build portable live synth setups and MG really helped me planning with building mine on a Templeboard Trio 43. But I agree that trashy/bad stuff (Madagascar...) should be deleted. Maybe add a reporting feature?

EDITED Nov 28th 2022, 20:58

you mentioned a "hiss problem", when working with ES-9 and Morphagene or Mimeophon... what exactly is the problem there? Do you know, where it is coming from?

It's actually not related to the ES-9. The hiss problem has been discussed at length on Mod Wiggler, for example in the main Mimeophon thread. I'm not sure if the cause of the hiss has been identified.

You can hear the hiss at 00:54 here (not my video):

I have tried the modules in both an Erica Synths 6U Monster Case and a 4MS 40X Pod, and the problem has been present in both configurations. I will soon try with a Meanwell 120W PSU and Konstant Lab HammerPWR with a filtered bus board. I'm in Europe.
-- ecstatic_sutherland

Just a quick update: the hiss is still present with the Meanwell 120W PSU and Konstant Lab HammerPWR with a filtered bus board power solution.

For me it's a bit different. To keep myself away from TV, I committed myself to making a new track every day. So every evening, I pull all the patch cables and start from scratch. 2-3 hours later, I post the result on SoundCloud. I've been doing that since March. I can tell you, it's a very fast way to learn a lot about patching techniques.

Falta algo que seleccione las diferentes partes de frecuencia de los sonidos

Hi HGsynth,

For me it's similar as it is for Adaris. I also keep my patch usually for several months. Till I really can't find any more any variations on what I like and then I might start a total new one. I usually just keep on extending while finding other sounds, on the already existing patch. Meaning that it becomes at the end very complicated, most of the times most of all my patch cables have been used and then sooner or later (but rather later) I am forced to start completely from scratch. :-)

Have fun with the patching and modular in general and kind regards, Garfield.

"I own the Pico out and it's a great module, I throw it in tons of cases, but the odd hp size and the tiny pot drive me nuts. To counter the odd hp I usually pair it with 1 or 3 other Pico modules. Recently picked up a 1 hp blank to fill in the gaps if I find myself only able to use 1 Pico unit. That's all personal and ocd related, but worth considering. Have fun!"

Aaaahh.... I am little OCD myself, in fact, so actually this is a damn useful observation!

It will take a little while before I fill my 84hp so I have a bit of leeway and hopefully everything will add up (as mentioned elsewhere I rather like Pico too), but in the meantime I'm looking to get a little set of acrylic or perspex blanks cut.

Partly to hide as much Behringer as humanly possible. If I get them done in clear or smoked effect perspex, I can use the same material if I get into it and need a bigger case!

I'm excited af to get my Weather Drones so thanks for singing its praises, I look forward to some weirdness in my life. Peace!

Okay that's cool, you're basically confirming what I thought re: basic signal path, maybe seems like I'm too hasty wanting to add a second voice before I even understand what I'm doing with one, especially given what you and yeahivandalizm have said about WD's functionality.

Sequencing in-rack really fascinates me, but yeah, I'm also thinking about a Beatstep since I already use Ableton, hmmm.... as always, Pico and Ladik, thanks for the practical suggestions. Pico Seq would match the out I got for headphones... I will update this thread as I go ofc...

Cheers 33PO! You've really helped.

Excellent choice with the weather drones. I started with a semi-modular, and after getting into it for a while I got the weather drones. I quickly realized that would be the perfect choice for a first module. It's a really good combination of musically usable and modular weirdness. For your output you might want to consider a noise engineering sono abitus. At the time of writing this NE is running 15% off on their site. Same functions, but ¼" Jack's, bigger sturdier knobs, and 4hp instead of 3hp. I own the Pico out and it's a great module, I throw it in tons of cases, but the odd hp size and the tiny pot drive me nuts. To counter the odd hp I usually pair it with 1 or 3 other Pico modules. Recently picked up a 1 hp blank to fill in the gaps if I find myself only able to use 1 Pico unit. That's all personal and ocd related, but worth considering. Have fun!

edit
After re-reading, looks like you have the out already, my bad lol

EDITED Nov 27th 2022, 23:09

It's possible that I misread the specs, but Weather Drone seems like it's a full synth voice. If that is the case, all it really needs is a Keystep (or Beatstep) to get bleeping/blooping melodic note sequences right away. It could be done with the Keystep's onboard sequencer, or drive the Keystep CV outs from Ableton

The output module is nice if you want to connect headphones directly, but it's not necessary if you already have a mixer or sound card for your computer.

A basic synth voice would be:
Oscillator - Filter - Envelope - VCA

All of the above appears to be included in Weather Drone along with an LFO, sample and hold and some other nice bonus stuff.

If you want to keep sequencing in the rack. Check out the full line of Pico and Ladik modules. They have some great budget minded gate and CV sequencers.

Pico Seq is a personal favorite of mine.

Nice! Here we run into one of the problems of modular that's already becoming apparent to me: SO many tempting modules, SO many ways to modulate and process...!

Literally all of the options you outlined appeal to me in one way or another, and I 'm intrigued by the idea of paired modules.

Probably the most budget-conscious option is one Pip, second Pip, then... probably MISO, which I really like the look of over O/A/x2. The QARV is another module like the look/feel of, so I'll be sorta keeping an eye on a bunch of these options on the wait'n'see principle over the next couple months, so another good shout there.

My last question... with preamble lol...

The idea of the rack is to have the core drone and wibble maker as discussd, then the quad VCA (or an erica double black vca) and the wee little arp and burst mods to generate basic bleepitude and melodicity, adding modulation and FX as i expand (to be used in both aspects, obviously).

How far off base am I in my expectations there?

Sorry to keep asking but it's really nice to get such detailed and useful responses!

EDITED Nov 27th 2022, 19:31

Not a perfect module for me. With CV inputs on top, cables are on the screen and the knobs below.
I prefer buying a second FX AID XL.
-- Jihel
Never had cables over the display.

Pip Slope + O/A/x2 combo looks pretty awesome, but IMO function generators are best in pairs. Patching one into another to make all sorts of wild modulations.

Maybe consider 2x Pip before getting the mix/atten

or After Later QARV is cheaper than (2x) Pip and has more capabilities
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/after-later-audio-qarv

Tip Top - Miso has 4 channels and is the same price as O/A/x2

Weather Drones looks like a pretty complete noise-maker that would benefit from dynamic modulation and some effects.

Instead of the basic envelope / lfo consider Pam's New Workout (Pro), Zadar or maybe even Maths would give you a ton of fun modulation to patch in.

FX Aid to add a bunch of great effects algorithms
-- 33PO

Thanks 33PO!

Your comments are duly noted and appreciated, and I will definitely look at finding something more dynamic. Would love me some Pam action, probably looking at the cheaper modules or multiple simple units (at least for now). A YT video suggested Pip Slope plus O/A/x2 as a Maths replacement, which appeals to me bc two cheaper modules are easier to acquire for my broke ass! Any opinion?

FX are slightly lower priority at the outset bc I have Ableton and some pedals to fall back on for actrual projects, but FX Aid is a really nifty looking wee module, really flexible, so it's now on my official Want List.

Weather Drones looks like a pretty complete noise-maker that would benefit from dynamic modulation and some effects.

Instead of the basic envelope / lfo consider Pam's New Workout (Pro), Zadar or maybe even Maths would give you a ton of fun modulation to patch in.

FX Aid to add a bunch of great effects algorithms

Many thanks for this tip Pixel_Music! I just updated firmware on a lot of gear and that was fun process.

Yeah there are weak points in monster case and sometimes it’s hard to get knurlies screwed into parts of the case.
I would buy something like Cases from Lake as my next large format case.
-- benscott

Hi Ben
This is easy to solve if you slightly loosen all the screws in a row. Then the modules have room to maneuver again and the knurlies can be screwed in easily.

EDITED Nov 26th 2022, 22:47

I agree. Idk how else to store chord progressions though. Maybe an Elektrofon Klang if I could find one. I'd like to avoid an ableton dependency. The Klee is huge but the flow is butter and dropping it sounds sad.

That's a lot of sequencer for a 7u 104hp build....

Downsizing and cleaning out. 7u 104hp feels tight but I already bought the case so here we go. Idea here is to use nerdseq to play fixed chord progessions through Odessa expander, while jamming basslines / melodies on Klee, throw in samples and drums. Id like more clock modulation I think.
I haven't found a method of generative chord progressions I like, so I'd like to take fixed structures and break them in real time.
Only non-negotiables here are Klee, Odessa, texmex, o_c, and Kermit. Very curious on any ideas you might have. Thank you.

EDITED Nov 26th 2022, 10:44

Howdy folks! I've been tweaking this patch for a week and I've really enjoyed the many forms it has taken to get to this point. This is a performance recording (probably take 5?) and I used the Moog Subharmonicon, MI Rings, VPME.QD, Make Noise XPO, MI Plaits, Qu-Bit Nautilus, Strymon Starlab, Stochastic Inspiration Generator, Rene2, etc. etc. ;-)

I also spent a bunch of time creating the animation in Artmatic Designer. It really is an incredible program for creating these stunning visuals.

Enjoy. Cheers!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2077374.jpg?1669410001

Updated screenshot -- the one at the top of the thread is from earlier while I was tinkering!

Comments welcome on practicality of setup and order of purchase. I admit I have a steep learning curve as I'm leaping blind into this with no advice or experience, so be brutal and honest please folks.

My aim at the moment is to build a beginner's setup to use mainly as a drone-machine for ambient and industrial music (currently I'm all in the box) but with some capacity for me to also experiment with bleepy electro and basic sound design.

So far I have soe of the plumbing (power, mixer, mult, out) and a cheapo 84hp rack (held nose, bought Behringer). Next up is the Weather Drones as a central unit, plus the ADSR and Quad VCA...

The Takaab RLFO in December, but then I'll be broke af.

The arp and burst generator, which are more geared to the latter aspects of my interests, are going to have to wait until New Year.

Yeah there are weak points in monster case and sometimes it’s hard to get knurlies screwed into parts of the case.
I would buy something like Cases from Lake as my next large format case.

This the best quadraphonic signal processor today (Nov 2022). This module will place one voice in the quadraphonic space using various internal patterns that can be sync to an external clock. Automations can be removed to control via CV the location of the signal using either polar (angle-distance) or cartesian coordinates (x-y).

The strength of this module is because it is tightly integrated with an LFO, which guarantees no audio bleed when the audio signal is abruptly moved from one quadraphonic output to another.

Additionally this module has a configurable output to, for instance, output the distance of the signal to the center. This signal can be send to control the reverb on an input signal. The further the signal is from the center, the more reverb is applied to the audio input, increasing the distance illusion on the final quadraphonic output.

This module can also be used to process mono or stereo, making it a kind of dynamic mixer, input 4 different audio signal and using the sum output get the module to create interesting mixes.

This module gives you many of the capabilities of the Buchla 227e, the reference for quadraphonic, but in Eurorack format. A must have module when starting in quadraphonic.

See more quadraphonic modules at https://www.peachymango.org/EuroQuad

I have a Doepfer Monster Base (the flightcase version), I don't like the angles (the 45° angle doesn't work for my setup) and it turns out to be too wide for my personal eurorack bandwidth... but what I really really like about them is the solid build, the handles, the PSUs and the fact that it has a lid that actually fits snuggly into place. I'm selling the base btw if anyone's interested, it has two PSU2s that were just about enough to handle my requirements.

It's not a good idea to put stress on any PSU, as it might break (no big deal) and take a few modules with it when it dies (probably a big deal).

(I'd stay away from the Meanwells if possible. Many makers (that don't sell PSUs so they aren't trying to sell their stuff to me) have warned me about issues with those. )

The third panel seems to be custom.

Phisynth used to have double this amount, but seems to have cut down. Commenting he really didn't need that much and that this is now about the right size.

"PRO MIX" is actually labelled "CV MIXER" on the custom panel.

Not the usual TKB.

EDITED Nov 25th 2022, 19:38

Doepfer monster cases have lids and covers with handles to transport them places. I like the clean aesthetic and power but Case from Lake look fantastic as well.

I ordered a ZLOB Skew fade LFO to @RTFM and everything went perfectly. New module, well packaged and with a fast delivery.
He has a large number of DIY modules, perfect for those of us who are not good enough with a soldering iron.
Highly recommended seller.

Bought a TipTop BD808 from @alex974 and everything has been perfect. The module as described. Perfect packaging.
Good seller.

Cool, thanks!

If you want to post a link to your rack, just click on your user name, right click on the link to whichever rack you want to show, and then select "copy link address".

EDITED Nov 25th 2022, 14:10

Interesting, thanks for the response. I suppose I would agree that it's very connected to all of those variables (goals, style, size, etc.). At the moment, my system is still relatively small (https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2086285.jpg - how do I post a link to my rack rather than the jpg?), so I think part of my issue is that I can't work around an existing patch too easily if I want access to a module. The other part is that I'm just an impatient person (sigh).

The temporary nature of patches is part of the fun for me, but as I said, I'm starting to realize that maybe I'm not actually exploring them deeply enough before I remove the cables. But as each patch is a learning experience, I suppose that it's just a matter of gaining more experience with my modules and my own workflow.

The last module on the The Human Comparator 73-75 Homebuilt #1, looks to be an audio output. I cant find an equivalent module from Prism at this time. So have just used another brands out module. I don't suggest using that however. I think the best approach is to talk to Prism about creating an out, using a modified version of adapter, to convert to 1/4 jack out. i suspect that the THC out is a mult to mono out with an attenuator on it. We could ask someone to find out.

EDITED Nov 25th 2022, 23:05

I know I'm not typical but if I come up with something that I know I'm going to use on a track I'll definitely leave it patched up for months at a time. Yes, I'm a slow worker haha. If end up needing to use some of the modules involved then maybe I'll write the patch down before disassembling it. But I have a pretty large system so that's not always necessary. Anyway I think this kind of thing is highly individual and just depends on your goals, your method of working, the size of your system, etc.

Hi all!

General question, but I'm curious how long you typically keep a patch before starting a new one? Additionally, how do you know when you've fully explored your patch and are ready to move on to something new?

I find that my patches only last between a few days to a week before I feel the urge to explore something new. I realize that I'm most inspired when building a new patch, rather than returning to the befuddling spaghetti of an older one. However, as my rack and experience grow, I'm finding that there are seemingly infinite variations to explore within each patch. Also, I've read several posts of people who keep patches together for weeks or even months! Due to that, I'm starting to wonder if I'm exploring each patch deeply enough, and if my lack of inspiration with older patches actually comes from a lack of knowledge.

How do you know when you're "done" with a patch and ready to move onto greener musical pastures?

Do you have any strategies that you when use to explore your patches to ensure that you've squeezed out all the music you can from it?

Thanks everyone!

Working out the system used by Rastko in this video:

Smart contact and fine transaction with @Mosko75
Recommended seller !

EDITED Nov 24th 2022, 15:27

Worth noting that the tank that comes with this is huge! Doesn't fit in my LC6 case, does produce a nice long decay though... this is a quality spring reverb. Befaco make great modules.
-- wuhnder

agree to that.

keep care about the levels !

Usefull tool and all in one solution.

can sound well in different setups. Its low end can be used to fill a simple Basseline. in general it as not many sound variations but ist stabel and very handy to use.

The lfo does a good job to.

This Rating is salty.

I realy like this module you can play alot with it and it sounds allways good.
All in one voice 4 small setup.

I think 4 live performace keep in minde (like all analoge gear) to head up you rack before you start and tune them.
No plug and play.

When I read your 'intention', yes... (Ideally Zadar + Nin).

You would replace the quad envelope generator with Zadar?

There's something I really do not understand about this module.

Why are the effects individually stored on proprietary memory cards? Couldn't they be stored on a USB drive or an SD card and loaded to internal memory as needed?
-- fabulis

If they stored them on USB drives or SD cards, they could be easily copied.

Zadar :)

Worng Soundstage or Jumble Henge might help each sound find room in the mix