Hey 33PO ///
I made a few adjustments as per your suggestions:
Swapped out the two Picos (Scale and 1x Drums), the Buff Multi and 1x 2hp VCA for Pons Asinorum, and one of the 4hp 1/2 Veils Clone dual VCA's.
I can't fit the Disting EX AND the 4hp Dual VCA, unless I can possibly use another module as a clock source/generator? I would think one of these other modules could act as the clock but I'm just not sure, hence the dedicated 2hp module...
Don't waste HP on the multiple
An envelope / LFO like Pons Asinorum would be a good choice
I'd keep one of the Pico Drums drop the 2nd, and drop the Pico Scale
Maybe switch the DistingMk4 for DistingEX
If there's room swap the 2hp VCA for one of the 4HP 2x VCA Veils clone
Like this little ridiculous thing...
Your attention has shifted. They have been selling their filter banks before.
Hey jb1264 ///
Thanks for chiming in! These are awesome considerations!
I looked at the O&C and it's variants, and I have the Disting MK4 in a few other potential cases as it seems like a no-brainer packing so many functions into a mere 4hp. My thoughts are that with Pam's, O&C and/or Disting in one small setup, while incredibly powerful and versatile, will be kind of time-consuming with the "menu-diving" and may inhibit creativity... but I also don't know for sure as I'm completely inexperienced and have never even seen or touched any of these modules in person. That's just my immediate reaction based solely on my amateur research. The Ghost, albeit big, still has the knob-per-function satisfaction I enjoy in more of the performative and messing around sense.
The Happy Nerding FX Aid XL looks awesome! MylarMelodies features it in one of his videos where he does builds in the smaller Intellijel Palette Case ("Suggested Systems" series) and creates some patches to feature each of the modules he's selected, so it's definitely been on my radar. Maybe the FX Aid teamed up with a Disting or Ornament and Crime module would be sort of a happy medium?
Again, thanks so much for your suggestions! This is all great stuff!
Late to the game on this thread but surprised nobody mentioned Ornament & Crime (or Disting EX or MK4) which give you a lot of flexibility in a smaller HP case like this, especially if you have Hemispheres installed on O_C, which is also available a 1U version.
Throwing in for FX Aid XL (or even Pro) which is 10HP smaller than Ghost (2HP less for FX Aid Pro). I think for a smaller setup like this, FX Aid XL will give you excellent effects in a much smaller module...and now you have 10HP more to play around with :)
JB
Hey Manbearpignick ///
Thanks for the warning haha! The book itself retails for $75, that's already a bit of a red flag for me!
Thank you everyone for the advice! I've definitely got some options to play around with. The ES-8 seems like exactly the piece of equipment I'd like to have, though my research is telling me it might not play well with Windows. Anyone have experience with that? Seems like it goes through ASIO4ALL which I recall being a bit finnicky to install but otherwise working fine on my old machine.
You're welcome. The Patch & Tweak book is nice but be warned, as it's a shopping catalogue in disguise and may make you lust for more modules!
Hey Manbearpignick ///
I really appreciate your advice and I don't find it patronizing at all! This is golden information!
I downloaded VCV Rack a little while ago and messed around a little, I should really focus and spend more time with it exploring and learning the voltage(s) themselves and how different modules are affected by or affect them. You nailed it on the head, I definitely need to spend more time learning before I put together a physical system. It's just such an exciting new discovery for me and I need to restrain myself, do the recon and gather intel so I'm better equipped if and when the time comes to start acquiring physical modules.
Thank you so much for the Omri Cohen Youtube suggestion, that's awesome as well as the book recommendations! I honestly haven't been able to find much literature supporting the ins and outs of modular synthesis, there's a book by Kim Bjorn and Chris Meyer entitled "Patch and Tweak: Exploring Modular Synthesis" that seems like a more recent publication that could be helpful too...
I can't thank you enough for your words of guidance and suggestion, it's incredibly helpful! Thank you so much!
Are there any chaos modules that have the ability to go from LFO rates to audio rates "smoothly"?
-- prester_john
Check out the Ian Fritz Hypster from Nonlinearcircuits: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/nonlinearcircuits-ian-fritz-s-hypster
My advice for you would be to focus less on the actual modules - what each one can/cannot do and instead, try to hold off on buying things and get on VCV Rack. Since VCV (DAW that follows the rules of modular) is free and many manufacturers offer virtual versions of their real-world modules, it is an excellent way to learn. Or if you already have VCV, spend more time on it.
Based on your posts, I'd recommend you really get to know how voltage works in modular by using attenuators, attenuverters, offsets, and other essential utilities in your explorations on VCV - you simply won't get good results from the various racks you've been posting without them.
Check out Omri Cohen's YouTube and Patreon for an insane amount of content that covers all of this. And for books, try "An Individual Note" by Daphne Oram". "Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls" is another 'bible' for modular and is finally getting re-printed soon (Nov maybe) thanks to a Kickstarter.
Hope that helps and apologies if this comes of patronizing - everyone goes through the same journey really, myself included!
Hey TOMMI001 ///
Great suggestion! I have a Circuit Tracks and I adore it, I remember throwing a track together within minutes right out of the box and thinking to myself "Man... this thing is AWESOME!" Similar to you, the Circuit Tracks has travelled with me and has certainly earned a place in my heart (and luggage).
My thoughts surrounding the portable modular case idea were encouraged by workflow and inspiration. For me personally, and in my very limited experience with modular (with my 0-Coast, which isn't technically "modular" I guess...), the sound creation is much more organic and rewarding, if that makes any sense. It's more of a process or journey, but when you get that sound (either by accident or on purpose) that you've been looking for or newly discovered, I feel like it's so much more rewarding. To be able to achieve that while on the road with a smaller system would be so cool.
What I could do for now, is throw my 0-Coast in the bag with the Circuit Tracks, and in the interim, begin putting together a larger, more proper eurorack case at home, just one or a few modules at a time as unanimously suggested. That seems like the smarter, more logical path.
I have to admit though, the Palette Case above that has been collectively constructed with the help of Shakespeare and 33PO is pretty fricken sweet!
Okay.. throwing another idea in :)
a Novation Circuit Tracks for traveling.. been my companion for a while now and before that the OG circuit; small and pretty tough device. Will set you back around 350 euros.
besides this; it has 4 midi tracks.. so at home it's my main sequencer plus drum machine for my eurorack system.
Hey 33PO ///
Nice! The Happy Nerding Mixer is a sweet addition, and I like that now with the 1u Stereo Out you can utilize the jacks on the case itself if you wanted to.
The voice of reason is valid though, for at least half the price you could get a piece of equipment that will actually do WAY more in a self-contained and portable unit than the palette case above... yikes.
Why are people selling their filter banks at this time (fuma, bark filter...)?
Is there a new module I missed? Cascadia? ^^ :)
2 dislike = 150e lost. Still loving modular (:
Great tips from Joris above. I'm using an ES-9 myself (kinda like a big ES-8) to send all my channels separately to my iPad. I guess you can do the same on a PC/mac. Put each in a channel strip, then add any EQ or sidechain compression you like. I worked with a basic Ladik mixer and Befaco out before, but when I finally switched to AUM (audio mixer on iPad), it was a revelation. The ES-9 also has outs, so I send the mix back from iPad to the ES-9 where I can send it out to speakers or headphone. Having every channel in a channel strip setup also allows me to add a few effects when I run out of effect modules
Muddiness usually occurs in a mix when there are multiple lower frequencies, these tend to clash more than higher frequencies.
Do you have drums and/or multiple voices in you system that you use as bass sounds?
There are a couple of things you can try here:
- Narrow down the deep bass voices to one at a time, or mix them in one by one to see when it starts to sound muddy
- If you use multiple voices/drums in the lower frequencies, use highpass filters to filter out the lowest colliding frequencies
- Create a sidechain with you kick and bass: mult the trigger signal that triggers the kick to a AD/AR envelope, invert this envelope and set the offset to +5V, so that when the envelope is triggered the signal is moved from +5V to 0V and back. Patch the bass voice into a VCA with the CV controlled by the inverted/offset envelope, and patch this to the mix output. Now the bass gets "silenced" when the kick hits, creating a more clean mix
- Use two separate mixer modules (doesn't have to be a mixer as a lot of modules can mix signals among doing other things, MN Maths for example) and mix on your PC, as you usually have more options in a DAW for equalizing and to see at what frequency the issue occurs. Something like Expert Sleepers ES8 can work as well, you can send your separate sounds to the ES8 and mix them in a DAW.
Like mentioned in the posts above, it can also be that there's an issue with the loudness of the output from your eurorack, as these are generally way louder than normal synth/instrument volume levels. Try to decrease the volume output of your eurorack to see it if sounds less muddy.
Good luck!
It's been fixed :D I had contact with RYK and they were very responsive and helpful. They instructed me to do some continuity checks the trace they've send me lead to IC9 (on the bottom left IC on the main PCB). This IC is responsible for the midi input I guess and it had a leg that was not soldered properly. Added some extra tin and the module works like a charm. Updating it through sysex was a piece of cake as well.
The module now works as intended for me, as the newer firmware has the option to use the midi input as a clock reset. This method is solid and patching the reset from something like a euclidean rythm is really fun.
Props again to RYK, their support is very responsive and even though a third party build it they were willing to help me sort out the problem.
Here's an update with headphone out and a stereo mixer. (click through - the preview isn't updating)
Sanity check... MPC Live II or Synthstrom Deluge are about 1/2 the price of this rack. Both are portable, battery powered and have everything needed to compose full complex songs.
I ordered them in the meantime, so I’ll let y'all know how it goes!
Hey Manbearpignick ///
I wouldn't say I'm entirely committed to the case, but the 64hp 4u palette case seems the best suited for portability. I have a bigger, more permanent shelf/rack in the works later down the road, but I'll be traveling for a few months this winter and I wanted to come up with a portable modular groove-box of sorts!
Have you already committed to the cases?
Okay... I think I'm getting close...
1u
•Swapped dual chainable mixers for Quadratt as it can be used as mixer/attenuator/attenuverter
•Added S&H Module
3u
•Brought Ghost back as it is so ridiculously versatile regarding effects
•Added 2hp Dual VCA
I'm feeling pretty good about this, but I'm unsure if that 2hp slot might be better utilized as something else as there are already two VCA's in the Delta-V? My other thought was the 2hp 4-Channel Mixer to support the Quadratt if necessary. Or maybe an equalizer or trimming module?
Fine transaction with @Inzomnia
Thx !
It might sound redundant, but I suggest you play with it for a while without planning or adding anything. Adding a second VCO might be early now IMO.
-- Harko93
Yes absolutely! It's super fun to play already. I just want to fully utilize the power of the Keystep Pro, this is where a second VCO would come in handy. Some drum modules would also be great or rather a drum machine to connect with the Keystep (still not sure what the better choice would be). But GAS is hitting me for sure thats why i plan ahead ^^
Cheers 33PO ///
After reading about the Ghost and watching a couple videos of it in action, it's a total beast! I feel your enthusiasm and hope you're able to pick one up at some point! I'm definitely an advocate of multiple functions housed under one faceplate, and will certainly add Ghost to my ever-growing wishlist of modules to research and/or eventually obtain.
Thanks for the advice on starting slow with a few modules at a time, it's tough to bridle my excitement and approach the whole situation with patience and common sense rather than just dive in like part of me wants to! Perusing the forums here, the multitude of information available from manufacturers, retailers, YouTube, Reddit etc as well as help from people like yourself has been priceless and so helpful. I truly appreciate your time and words.
A mixer with stereo output, with its pan controls, would partially solve this problem.
I have a Tesseract unit Mixer+Master Out
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-4-mono-channels
and
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/tesseract-modular-tex-mix-master-section
Good quality-price ratio.
This module has send-return outs, mute switches and it's expandable.
Ghost packs so much sound shaping into a single module it's impressive. Delay, Reverb, Compression (with side chain), VCA, multiple distortions, multi-mode filter PLUS the effects chain can be reordered with a single button press. To be honest I added it here because I want one, and I think it'd be awesome for a small standalone system.
Admittedly separate modules for all of the above will have greater flexibility, but also at greater space and greater cost. None will provide the instant gratification of a single module that does them all simultaneously.
The fun thing about modular is figuring out what works best for each us personally
Common advice to everyone is to get a bigger case than you think you'll need. AND start slow. Get a few modules at a time. Use them for a while to learn what you'd like to add next.
Pam's, Plaits and headphone out is enough to start making noises
Indeed! Cheap and effective. Weird it was not listed here so far, I felt the gap was to be closed :)
--
cmn
Totally agree. Solid, quality built and great value also in terms of HP space.
At the moment I have 2 MI clones (uTides2, nRings) + Ornament & Crime:
but planning to add several more MI clones and other exciting new gear (the COCO family).
--
cmn
if you want to use your computer with modular buy an ES-8, that way you can send each signal separately to your computer and EQ to your hearts content there.
Also think about the frequency of your sounds and try to layer your sounds by octave range. This will result in a cleaner mix
Sometimes on filters you get different outputs like bandpass or highpass outputs which are good to use when you already have your bass sorted.
Maybe something like this..?
•Swapped Plaits for smaller 8hp Calsynth variant for space conservation
•Swapped Ghost for Pico DSP and Ampla Versio modules for FX and Filter
•Added Headphone out
Does this seem viable? Any noticeable red flags? I could potentially add another Pico Drums to expand percussion/sampling capabilities or maybe a Disting MK4?
Idem que el otro "CLAVSTRO sq1 en la caja - RADIO - picotrig"
Las cajas y la radio lo harían erica synths sample drum,
irían por 2 canales a parte, tendrían su propio fx, y su volumen se controla por 2 atenuadores o se controlan en el propio sample drum
atenuadores:
necesito un atenuador de esos pequeñitos y rojos que valen 30€, se lo pongo a los platos.
2 atenuadores para el mixer doepfer
2 atenuadores para sample-drum
mixer doepfer:
ahí tenemos bombo, plato, dfam, plonk
para que el bombo no tenga mucho fx, le pondría un puntito de paneo, para que no coja mucho fx (casi todo el tiempo estaría el fx en reverb...)
So i have decided to get rid of the Filtamp aswell as Chips and Cells, attached is a screenshot of what my eurorack looks like now. Any more suggestions on what Modules would be awesome to get (mixers, amplifiers, filters (i will look into ripples and forbidden planet))? I thought about getting MI Beads and the Erica Synths Fusion VCO 2 as a second voice. Sequencing will be done by the Keystep Pro. Maybe you have some more ideas :)
-- bibop
It might sound redundant, but I suggest you play with it for a while without planning or adding anything. Adding a second VCO might be early now IMO.
Modular level is much higher than line level, so an output module (Ladik, Erica, 4ms, etc) will solve some of the problem. I believe, but I could be wrong, that the Doepfer mixer you're using sends everything out as mono signals. While I'm a big fan of mono mixes, the muddiness you are experiencing is likely due to the fact the the individual outs from your modules aren't going into a traditional mixer, then adjusted for the combined mono out.
It also occurs to me, that if each sound is being output first through its own VCA, you might have better luck with the output from the Doepfer (and its attenuators).
Hey 33PO ///
Thanks for your input and the suggested palette case build, this is so awesome!
The bigger case is eminent, my brother actually does finishing/cabinetry work, so I think it would actually be a fun project for us to team up on and build a custom case that's more accommodating for 300-400hp and beyond. That being said, I'd still like a mobile, self contained Jam-Box of sorts and your build above is definitely along the lines of what I'm hoping to achieve, so thank you again, I really appreciate your thoughts and guidance!
I wasn't aware of the Delta-V. After doing a little research, it looks like a great module and perfect for what I would need, thanks so much for putting that in front of me!
I guess my only question would be if Ghost is more than I would need for the smaller setup? Would I be better off swapping it for two smaller modules? Maybe a Versio and a filter of some sort?
Again, I'm inexperienced and a complete amateur, so I truly appreciate your words of wisdom! This is so helpful! I can't thank you enough!
Get a bigger case. TipTop Mantis is a favorite for it's value / high quality
If the 62hp case is too irresistible, here's a small self contained system would be fun to jam with
3u:
Pam's for sequencing gates and clocked modulation
Pico Seq for note sequencing
Plaits to generate a wide range of sounds
BIA for Kicks / Bass and weird sounds
Delta-V for function generator / VCA
Pico Drums for samples
Ghost for FX
1u:
Steppy for gate sequencing
Chainable stereo mixers
My current rack is this 7U Intellijel that is 100% full (except for the 1U row):
I found a drawer in my shed that is just a bit larger than 6U 84 hp and at 10cm deep, it's just perfect. I'm going to put rails and power in there (Konstant Labs StrongPWR). For drums and sequencing, I was originally looking at the LXR and a battleship sequencer. But I realized that's just not how I work. I prefer minute control over minute details of randomness a la Autechre and for that, I’ve had a great time with Pamela recently. It's a little elaborate to set up, but it's giving me great results. So I’d start my drum pod based on Pam's in combination with my Oxi. Here's a view of a possible long-term evolution. Never mind the layout - everything left of the gap is what I already have and right could be added:
I'm adding Tymp Legio and two Skull&Circuits modules for drums. The latter sound very promising and versatile. The former… I really love my current Versio. That's why I’m adding a second here as well. And a Manis Iteritas for the bass part (which could also be done with Skull's Can I Kick It, I think). Punch is there to combine with the noise module.
The existing 7U would then gain some free space, which I could fill up for example like this (same idea - left is existing, right is added):
The CP3 would replace the Ladik mixer, which I’m barely using as I send everything via the ES-9 to AUM on an iPad. Punk - it's visually great (and sounds great, too) and I can always use more effects.
An important addition is the NE (again!) Vox Digitalis, which I’m planning to use as a sort of microsequencer or triggered by Pam's (hence the RJ45 interconnect, btw). EN Cursus is there as one idea to expand the sonic palette.
Then I want something to experiment with evolving melodies. I haven't decided on the right module yet. That Bard Quarter (also useful as a quant), CVlization and Bloom are there as a kind of mental support that each of those are interesting in there own right.
What do you think?
Both will be powered on the same electrical circuit in the home, sharing grounds. I hope that is sufficient to use both racks interconnected in many ways? I do have interference at the moment from time to time, when I connect the USB of my iPad to the ES-9. I'm hoping that Konstant's filtered bus boards could help with that.
Hello! I'm a relative newcomer to the world of modular synths and I'd like some advice on how to reduce the "muddiness" of my output. My basic knowledge tells me it's probably a result of having multiple sounds in overlapping frequencies, but I rarely see racks with EQ and that's my usual solution for that sort of thing. Anyone have recommendations or resources for me?
Currently I pipe everything through a Doepfer A-138n and it just goes into my computer or amp for me to listen to it. My preliminary research shows me info about output modules but I haven't been able to find any concise resources on the topic overall.
Thank!
message sent by one of the people above to my inbox lol:
Wunderbar, Herr greenfly from toodee
Received Today, 16:31
Please don’t call me names, you may not like logic and facts but if you insist on living in a fantasy world, please stay in there and don’t engage with others.
You’re one of those weak minds who ignore parts of the argument that they can’t respond to (like you just did - or is reading a full sentence difficult for you, a recurring theme with you as I understand?) because, well, deep down you know as well as I do that you’re full of shit and have absolutely 0 knowledge on synths but still insist weirdly on sharing that uninformed opinion with others to boost your self-esteem, that’s just sad and so cringe …
^ example of silly person because of course behringer characterising a silly purist with a big nose is anti-semitic lol
It's only some silly people on here that think Behringer is bad, they don't mind Arturia ripping off the exact same code as what you have in Brains.
-- greenfly
What's silly is not doing research then calling other people silly. Or maybe you're ok with anti-semitism (https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxe7qx/a-major-synth-company-created-this-fake-product-to-attack-a-journalist) and scare tactics against criticism (https://cdm.link/2018/06/behringer-have-sued-dave-smith-instruments-forum-posters-for-defamation/) ?
The code wasn't "ripped off", it's open-source, and Emilie said several times she was fine with it. But to understand that this isn't the issue most people have with Behringer, it takes more than half a second of thinking, then some boring reading, and then some more taxing brain activity, all of that before posting stuff. Ah, who does that on the internet nowadays, amarite ?
--- Voltage control all the things ---
Updated the first case taking into account Shakespeare's suggestions:
I have the Polaris in there for now as I think it'll be a solid filter and I like the phase shifting capability, but the NE Ampla and/or Lacrima Versio modules appear to offer more functionality in addition to the filter aspect?
It's only some silly people on here that think Behringer is bad, they don't mind Arturia ripping off the exact same code as what you have in Brains.
I have all these
They are all good - the clones are space savers and built very well, I never have issues with them.
There is no question of ethics as Emile made her code open source.
So i have decided to get rid of the Filtamp aswell as Chips and Cells, attached is a screenshot of what my eurorack looks like now. Any more suggestions on what Modules would be awesome to get (mixers, amplifiers, filters (i will look into ripples and forbidden planet))? I thought about getting MI Beads and the Erica Synths Fusion VCO 2 as a second voice. Sequencing will be done by the Keystep Pro. Maybe you have some more ideas :) 
