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yes - the a-151 is small, passive and inexpensive and works well

Hi FatBerg,

The 258t is in Germany to be expected/estimated to be available around mid March 2022, accordingly to the website of my nearby dealer and the 281t supposed to be mid March 2022 as well but that has been moved up to mid June 2022 :-( So looks like you are much better off in Canada ;-)

For the other modules there is no estimated date yet.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks for answering!
Noise is with res off to, and if i use no lfo its there to.
If I use only filter + mixer i can here it when i am moving cutoff.
Funny thing I got it working. If I put filter out to mixer and vca to filter in there is no more noise. (intellijel quad vca)
Now i can go full volume and all good..: ) i dont know why this works but it does..

EDITED Jan 30th 2022, 23:38

Something similar has just happened to me - I received a negative rating out of the blue; going back through my records I found that I had actually interacted with the user 3 months ago - they had contacted me for a module I had listed, asking for photos - after I emailed the photos, they said they were no longer interested, apologizing for wasting my time. I'm confused they should rate me negatively three months later, and I believe it's not in line with how the system is intended to work (it says you should only rate a buyer or seller). I understand this is the simplest possible system and better than nothing (in almost all cases), but it would be great if there was a way to make sure it is not abused

Good stuff, glad to hear :)

It worked!!

Thank you so much!

I can’t get the Launchpad x to work like it’s supposed to with the westlicht any help

Thank you.
I'll read about it and try to implement it

The YouTube videos can be misleading. It is possible to get wonderful sounds with a few modules. But one has to choose them carefully and connect them in particular ways. One doesn't want only one wonderful sound, but many different wonderful sounds, and that might require more than a few modules.

I don't have direct experience with any of your components. I don't think that you can do anything interesting with the VCA, the Seq, Clouds, and the mixer by themselves. They're not junk, but they wouldn't work in one of those videos, not by themselves. They can be used to enhance what the Neutron does, but only if you know how to use the Neutron. You can avoid the constant sound of the Neutron (changed only by turning the tuning knobs) by giving the oscillator some pitch information via MIDI. A keyboard would be the best learning tool for this. You can use a computer or tablet, but it is more complicated to set up.

The link below my messages is my write-up of one possible introduction to modular synthesis. It doesn't talk specifically about your devices, but the concepts are transferable. You can find sections on the Neutron that correspond to things I talk about, and see if you can duplicate the results. If it is not to your taste, there are many other such resources.

Hi, thx for the answer.
first it`s the Erica Synths Pico SEQ.

I bought the Neutron first and it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for.

The only thing I got out of the device was a constant purring and humming.

I then saw videos on YouTube where different people conjured up wonderful spherical sounds with very small systems like mine.

That was exactly what I wanted.

Unfortunately I don't have anyone else to ask.

Have I bought junk now? I thought the modules were OK for starters.

Get a Behringer Neutron and a Korg SQ 1 to play with. Don't start with Eurorack unless you have a LOT of money. Gambling money to burn for an expensive hobby. 5 K at least. Will soon be 10 and you will have a wishlist for another 10 K.
A "small" case for a certain purpose will still cost 4-5 K and you would have to exactly know what you want and why. (Which i would slowly be able to do after having tried out about 100 modules and seen what i like and what not so much, not easy to do for a beginner.)
Or Get a 1010 music Blackbox (used for 400) and a field recorder and some free sample packs.
That makes a lot of sense for ambient/movie/performance soundscapes.

https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/eurorack-systems/pico-system-iii/

You could test the ADSR by plugging in the Square Waveform from your LFO into the IN socket on your ADSR, the light should flash.
A - Set Fully left
D - Set half way
S - Set Half way
R - Set anywhere really but a Fully left will be fine

Make the LFO slow, fingers crossed the ADSR light flashes.

Could someone please let me know when they receive their pre-order. I was told around February 1st by a canadian vendor. Thanks.

Why don't you start with just the Neutron, which is a self-contained semi-modular, so there are default connections made for you? There are some example patches in the manual that you can try reproducing and then altering. When you understand more about the functionality of the various parts, you will be able to introduce additional modules.

You might ask your Instagram friend the reasons for their choices and what they thought you would do with them. There are many Erica Synths Pico modules; you need to specify which one you have.

Im making ambient with the above.
Would it make sense to add a doepfer 151 sequential switch to this setup??

Hi,
After getting into modular around a year ago I'm getting more and more confident that this is my "target" rack to be completed in the next 2-3 years. As you can see it's split into smaller building blocks designed (hopefully) to work good in various combinations. The ideas behind the individual components are:

Pod 64X (s) - fx rack (to pair e.g. with my MC-101) / standalone synth (Rings)
Pod 26 (u) - Maths (analog envelopes and all the goodness) + VCAs / crossfading / ducking
Palette 104 (s) - main synth (multi-voice: drums, basslines, pads, Mimeophon), guitar pedals (e.g. Boss RC-5 looper) send/return
Pod 60 (u) - analog "preset sequencer" + Beads as sampler / sequenced mod bus / audio mixer + Beads as reverb
Pod 32 (u) - 2 different sequencers
Pod 40X (u) - weird VCO + weird envelopes
Palette 62 (s) - drone/generative synth, modulation bank, VCV interface
Pod 26 (u) - complex oscillator + spare/mod bus mixer

(s) = standalone
(u) = utility

That said, I'll be grateful for any suggestions from more experienced artists/wigglers :)

Cheers

Pedal Order:
- Friedman Buffer Bay - Buffered Input (not pictured)
- Keeley Fuzz Bender
- Peterson Strobostomp HD (used Korg Pitchblack as placeholder)
- MXR Noise Clamp (the following indented pedals are in its fx loop)
-- All Pedals Macrodose (used SubDecay Prometheus DLX as placeholder)
-- JHS Unicorn
-- ProCo Rat
-- EarthQuaker Devices Monarch
-- MXR Ten Band EQ
- Meris Hedra (mono in, stereo out)
- DOD Rubberneck (from Meris R out)
- Strymon Blue Sky (ins from Hedra & Rubberneck, stereo out)
- Strymon Deco (stereo in, outputs go to Buffer Bay)

EDITED Jan 30th 2022, 16:25

I hope that I'm not violating any regulations here, but I haven't found anything suitable in a hurry.
So here are my questions.
I would like to start in the ambient area, where it seems to be a long way. I bought a few modules on the advice of an Instagram friend.
Here is a list.
Tip top audio power supply with a frame.
Behringer Neutron (not installed in the rack)
Doepfer VCA A130-2
Erica Synths Pico
Clouds Mutable Instruments
Behringer 305 Mixer

That's the current status.
I have no idea where to start or what I can and should patch.
I've already tried a few things, but haven't had a respectable result yet because, as I said, I don't have a basic setting or the knowledge of what module to connect to another one first, or which input and output of the respective module should use.

You have to start somehow.
For example, patching the output to this input.

Any beginning.

I sincerely hope that someone can help me.

PS.: Before the standard sentence comes, it's a years-long learning process, I know that, but there must be some basic setting so that you can lure out the first notes.

Greetings Iceman

Excellent proposals from @Amenbreak (with the Monotrail Tech Talk video) and @Lugia (with the technical suggestions). For my part: E352 Cloud Terrarium, Nebulae and Morphagene are some of my favourite modular sound sources for that musical genre.

But I think that with various means (and sometimes little means) we can obtain interesting things, because it's actually and mostly a question of mindset when creating and listening.

We can refer here to the music of bagpipes (wind sounds), Ravi Shankar (string sounds), and the historical works of La Monte Young (‘Trio for Strings’) who is one of Eno's references.

so cool. Thanks for sharing

Behringer Crave is a good choice under $400. Further you can check this for good options.
https://www.playpianotips.com/best-synthesizer-for-beginners/
I personally use Behringer Crave and its good. But The “note” buttons are not smooth but hard-clickable... on live a bit annoying... here you are forced to hide the hard click sound that every key press produces mentally.
Otherwise, the device is quite valuable from the haptics... deck and front/back made of metal... feels good so far.
However, the technical and audiotechnical characteristics are the main reason why you buy this device from Behringer.
Okay for the price too.... but the click sounds when operating the buttons... close to the microswitch sound of old joysticks - only unfortunately with higher resistance... on sound devices like this, the sounds should only come from the device and not quasi-mechanical from operating the buttons.

Like with any other genre, listen to the artists you like and ask yourself what it is you like about their music. And try to recreate that.
I'm listening to A LOT of Éliane Radigue lately and currently exploring her sound with my BARP 2500 build. The Modamp module does pure magic to drones if fed a couple of sines and connected as intended (outputs back to the VCOs). Feed that to a chorus and you can listen to that for hours...

You can also use the Toolbox as a primitive envelope generator by patching your gate to the top input. The Time knob will control rise/fall. Can you can patch the output to the VCA CV and hear notes? If so, then it's back to the ADSR module. Is the cable connected the right way around? If so, you may need to talk to Pittsburgh Modular.

Happy weekend,

The only thing not working for me is the ADSR. The light is not on, and I am getting no changes from it or triggers. I will have to check the power cable is in, and that it is working.

-- cj18

Before busting out the M3 screwdriver, try this... Turn all of the ADSR controls to the left (ie: very short to zero envelope behavior), then feed a gate pulse into it. Then, slowly bring up the Sustain level and Release time; your Attack and Decay controls should function as VERY short parts of the modulation signal without touching them. At that point, you should see/hear some proper function from the ADSR when its output is patched to either a modulation input or a VCA although you'll have to patch up a basic audio signal and feed that to a VCA. It can make sounds, but only when being clocked by an audio oscillator to bring the activity up into the audio range (and by using short ADSR values!!!); normally, you wouldn't send an envelope gen's output to your overall mix, as the actual envelope function isn't in an audible range.

The key to interesting drones is in getting movement going inside the texture. There's a number of ways to do this...

1) Modulation. Adding a little bit of LFO to one VCO in the synth will create subtle detunings in the drone itself.

2) Effects processors. Adding delays and/or chorus to parts of the drone increases the timbral complexity and puts movement in.

3) Panning. Don't treat drones like mono sources; instead, using something to modulate the stereo field again increases complexity. Also, pan your internal sources so that you've already got some stereo field action going on.

4) Fade-ins/fade-outs. Set up parts of the drone so that parts can appear/disappear by modulating the VCOs' output via a VCA(s).

...and so on. There's loads more methods, but these are generally variations on the above four main techniques.

Hi all

Very new to all of this still, so grateful for advice on what might be n00b questions...

I've only just got my first basic patch going, thanks to plragde, and I have noticed that my Pittsburgh Lifeforms ADSR doesn't seem to work. No red LED, and no effect when knobs are turned or keys pushed on my midi controller.

I am assuming that this is a bad sign...

I am comfortable that the right cables are plugged into the right jacks, so it shouldn't be that. I tried two other power ribbons, but got the same outcome.

Is there some way to test if this module is functional? I have a multimeter, but not an oscilloscope.

This module came out of 'display stock' for a store. This unit is also supposed to have reverse polarity protection, if that helps

EDITED Jan 30th 2022, 02:46

First of all, put that Lifeforms synth back in its normal case. When you put something that's already cased and powered into a Eurorack cab, it's worth seeing what that costs. In this case, the Palette 104 costs $399, and the Lifeforms was $599 when it was around, and it takes up 48 hp. Ignoring the tile row in the Palette, this would mean that:

399/104 = $3.83 per 3U hp.
$3.83 x 48 = $183.84 This figure is how much it costs extra to house the Lifeforms, so add that to the Lifeforms' price. Ergo:

$599 + $183.84 = $782.84 This is the ACTUAL cost of the Lifeforms when in the current configuration. And even if you didn't get a case with the Lifeforms, that's still too damn expensive since the Lifeforms has a fixed control density, meaning that you're stuck with the density as specced by Pittsburgh...where if you did this in basic separate modules, you could easily reduce the panel space needed for the same module complement by quite a bit. And in a Pallete, space is at a premium! Hmmm...let's give this a shot...

(several minutes later) OK! This seems to be a lot more functional:

There's quite a few changes besides the Pittsburgh issue. A few functions were shifted into other modules, added a crossmod section for the modulation...

The top row, of course, is the Palette 104 bus module. Then the tiles were switched around quite a bit: Input on the left end, then the two modules that make up the Temps Utile...this is a multifunction thing, with several sequencers, clock outs and so on. I put in a QuadrATT, also...mainly for mixing and inverting mod sources. Next to that is a Pedal I/O, then the Stereo VCA, which can be useful for a number of things...controlling output levels, splitting as VCAs for your Pedal I/O's levels, etc. And then last is the stereo output on the right end. All of the I/Os use the onboard 1/4" jacks.

The 3U row starts with something a bit beefier than a MIDI interface. It IS that...but it has two return channels for situations where you might want the synth to serve as the main clock, etc. And it's class-compliant, so all you need is a class-compliant controller (like a Keystep, etc) and there you are. Next are four "free run" LFOs, then Maths, and then a pair of modules for screwing around with modulation behavior: a Tenderfoot triple attenuverter/mixer and an After Later dual VCA, with the VCA topology based on the Mutable Veils. After this is a Zadar + Nin for your envelopes, then we get into the audio section.

For audio, I went with a pair of Klavis Twin Waves mkii, as these are actually rather complex AND they're quantized...which means you save money and space on not needing a quantizer module while getting a serious VCO complement. These FOUR (yep!) VCOs then feed the four inputs of the Veils, which allows you to either manually control the mix, or you can apply envelopes or other modulation sources for that purpose. Polivoks VCF is next (not a bad choice for a single VCF), then a Frequency Central Stasis Leak gives you your choice of tap delay, chorus, or reverb...and since this has mono-in and stereo-out, it provides your stereo signal via the effects. And last, a Doepfer A-138s is your stereo mixer, with manual level and panning. I would've liked to put in a couple of VCAs post-FX, but if that's really necessary, you can use the VCA tile above.

This is a really open-ended build, which is a bit surprising for a one-row cab, but the tile row really takes up a lot of slack, plus your bus row also gives you buffered mults and adders for a bit more tampering with the CV. Plus you now have a proper sequencer in there that can be used like the Steppy that was there, but also as a CV sequencer, which allows you to set up sequenced ostinati over which you can solo...ala Klaus Schulze, but all in one little cab. Not too shabby, I think!

EDITED Jan 30th 2022, 02:42

Good! Keep us posted.

This was my first time looking at the Dreadbox modules and their manuals, and I'm a little surprised at how sparse the documentation is. They're cheap and cheerful, but, for example, what exactly does the "Pulserizer" on the Utopia do? Perhaps the videos reveal all...

Ok, I did what you said before, and it seemed to work fine today. Clearly that was operator error.

The only thing not working for me is the ADSR. The light is not on, and I am getting no changes from it or triggers. I will have to check the power cable is in, and that it is working.

Thanks for all of your assistance. You've got me past that first hurdle :)

Hey...$4k for actual rubber in the form of an actual chicken WITH VOLTAGE CONTROL should be something that everyone'll want. I'll wait until Uli puts out a knockoff for $99, tho...

The big question I have to ask here is what did you have the resonances set to? It could be a problem...but at the same time, if the resonance controls on the VCFs is set too high, it can start to make a VCF behave like a VCO, which might explain the sweep sounds. Plus, if the ferrites are doing their jobs, that would tend to eliminate external sources as the cause. Try turning the resonance all the way down on those VCFs, then feeding them the sweeping LFO. You also might try feeding the VCFs' modulation via an attenuator between the LFO and VCF, as the incoming LFO might be a little too hot for the VCFs. Just use the attenuator to back down the LFO's level...this will result in a bit less span on the sweeps, but this may also keep the sweep sounds out of the VCFs.

The Focusrite is a good interface, but I wouldn't be surprised if it can't handle high levels. I have a 2i2, but I don't use it with my modular. I have output modules, which you no longer have space for (you might have to sacrifice one of the Dreadboxes for one if the problem persists). INST mode is off, right? I would be happier without the stereo adapter. I think you need to disconnect everything, and then see what combinations of connections and power on/off result in the buzzing. Is the interface connected to anything else besides the modular? Is it plugged into the same power strip as the modular, or a different power source?

Ah, I didn't realise that was an output.

I was trying to hear the VCO without anything else, as per your first step (I hadn't gotten to the second step yet). However, even with the AI (Focusrite 4i4) gain at zero, it still came in too hot. Hence, I ran it through the mixer first, as someone suggested to me before. I stopped at that point, as the buzzing was clearly a problem, and I didn't want to push on until it was rectified.

I am connecting to the AI via a 1/8 mono cable with a stereo 1/4 adapter on the end - it has been a drama getting a 1/8 to 1/4 mono cable from my supplier. Might that be part/all of my buzzing problem? I am not used to using 1/8 mono... This is connected into the front 1/8 jack with the adjustable gain.

I will ignore the buzzing for now, and push on with what you wrote before (and not plug outputs into outputs...)

Hi! Monotrail cover the topic in this video:

check it out! :)
His channel Monorail Tech Talk is full of useful techniques, very informative and straight to the point. He's a very cool guy!

https://blackwarriorlures.bandcamp.com/album/hello

A Brunswick synth from Future Sound. Not a eurorack, a general purpose synth with some good sonic characteristics and a excellent way to get started with modular synths. A but pricey, but still a good deal.

The pulse jack on Hysteria is an output, not an input. Look at the manual. That's why I told you to use the gate to trigger the ADSR envelope, and then use that envelope to control a VCA.

In the earlier thread, you were told to turn down everything as much as possible, either using a VCA from the modular or the input gain control on your audio interface. Eurorack voltages are higher than line audio, and some devices will have trouble with it. What audio interface are you using, how are the cables connected, and how is the power supplied to everything? What happens if you unplug the switched-off modular?

Ok, I tried putting the Hysteria directly into the AI, and it went crazy and reset.

So I put the VCO into the mixer on the Eudemonia, and plugged the CV gate into the 'pulse' jack on the Hysteria. The pitch was still in the 1V/Oct jack on the Hysteria.

For the first time I heard something from pressing the keys, but there is still that buzz that is FAR louder than the notes. The notes were barely perceptible, but at least they were there!!

I'm guessing the buzz is some sort of ground loop or something? Either way, it is there even when the modular synth is switched off, but the mixer (Eudemonia) out is still connected to the AI.

Thoughts?

I use my modular mostly for techno, just drop a kick and almost everything goes. But when I try to create drones all I get is dull and absolutely boring tracks. I just don't know how to approach droning and I realised I really don't know what makes a good drone.

So, what makes a good drone? how many VCOs do you use? how do you tune or detune them, what about filters and effects? what are your patching tips and tricks? can you share some drones, made by you or other artists, that can be used as examples/inspiration?

Looking forward to improving my drone skills.

Hello,
Has anyone used Befaco VCMC to trigger samples and instruments in Kontakt? I have a Varigate 8 and a few modulation modules and would like to use them to trigger samples in kontakt and to trigger and modulate Kontakt instruments such as Spitfire and Sound dust. Would the VCMC be a good option?
Thank you,
Ezra

Just a couple of Friday evening patches…

Have a great weekend! ✌️

Thanks, all, for the kind words. Finally getting some free time to jam.

Thanks! That is really helpful. I'll give it a go!

First of all, patch the out of Hysteria into whatever you are using to listen. See if you can get a drone that changes pitch when you play the KL. If not, pull the connection from that, and tune with the Oct slider.

When you can get a reasonable tone out of that, patch the out of Hysteria into the 1 input of Eudemonia. Turn the knob below it fully clockwise (up), and all the other knobs fully counterclockwise (down). The LP slider should be all the way up, the other sliders all the way down. Patch the out of Eudemonia to what you're listening to, and push the VCA slider up and down, and see if you hear that previous tone rise and fall in volume.

Next, patch the out of the ADSR into the VCA CV in of Eudemonia, and see if you can get the envelope (triggered by the KL) to do what you were doing with your fingers on the VCA slider. There you have a basic patch. Now you can play with the filter sliders on Eudemonia, the envelope settings on the ADSR, and the root pitch and waveforms on Hysteria. After that, you can start bringing in modulation.

EDITED Jan 29th 2022, 04:44

I only really started playing with it a few days ago, but I am not having any luck getting sound out of it.

I understand much of the theory of what I am trying to do, but cannot get it to work in practice.

Part of the issue is that I am having trouble with the Dreadbox modules. Being multifunction, I am not entirely sure how to get the single function that I want to work, and all videos on how to use them are about more elaborate patches/sounds - not how to simply get them to work!

Amongst other attempts, I've been trying to run the Hysteria (VCO) output into the Lifeforms (ADSR) input, then this output into the Eudomonia (Mixer), but I am not sure how to get the VCA part engaged.

And this is all set up (possibly incorrectly) using CV from my Arturia KeyLabs 88 Mk2, from which I am running the gate signal to the trigger on the Lifeforms and the pitch to the 1V/Oct on the Hysteria. The Eudomonia out goes to my AI.

I only get a buzzing noise out of it, which I am sure is not from the synth itself. After a few minutes buzzing, it starts making some weird alien noises, but they go away as soon as I press a key on the Keylab.

As I said, I am just trying to find a basic patch that will make a noise, so that I can learn SOMETHING that actually works (and experiment from there), and whether my modules are working/if it is my fault. I assume that it is probably me.

You've been working with this configuration for a month, right? What have you tried that did something you want to expand on? What have you tried that didn't work?

Hi all

I am very new to modular, and I have a bit of a weird system. As such, I am having some difficulty working out basic patches.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could show me some really basic patches for my system so that I can get started (also, so I can tell if it is 'operator error', or if something is not working properly).

Thanks

Happened to me one time and it was a dodgy Erica synths mixer. The way I identified it was buy putting my modules in one by one and then turning the power on and off to see if a particular module was causing the issue.

I'm so glad I put in the extra money and bought the Intellijel’s 84 hp 7u case which gives you 3000mA on the +12v compared to arturia's 1600mA (I think), I know people rave about Arturia products but I personally have never been lucky with that company. I had power issues with a beat step pro too and when I took it apart the usb power was unsoldered from the board - really poor and cheap design choices.