Everything I do in the rack is pretty much generative, so my feedback comes from that side of things...

Firstly, if you're open to integrating this with a computer, get an ES9 and connect your physical modules with VCVRack. It will open up soooo many ways to learn. I do all my mixing and end of chain effects in VCV, including the amazing and free Supermassive reverb plugin from Vahalla. If you're dead set on a physical only rack, you could even sell on the ES9 when your case is near-full. You'll find a buyer in about 60 seconds after listing it on Reverb.com

Secondly, in your case, you need to increase the randomness (actually the Buchla random you had before would be ideal). I would definitely add dedicated Sample & Holds and put them next to your noise module. Would also add some free running chaotic random CV like a Sloths. Also consider at least one buffered mult.

The other thing I think you need are more ways to attenuate, invert, offset. One key thing about generative is being able to 'tune' your CV in order to precisely tweak that generative randomness into something listenable. One thing you could do is swap some your VCA choices with ones that can VCA but also do inversion and offset. You have a bit of that, but IMHO you need more.

Finally I would sprinkle those utilities all around your case.

EDITED Mar 12th 2022, 16:06

In different browsers, on different machines, I'm constantly unable to type or use the delete button when trying to reply to posts. Sometimes refreshing helps but it's frustrating.

Hi,

Im currently having a CO and VHO as main oscillators in my case (verbos system almost) but im thinking of maybe sell my Harmonic Oscillator and replace it with something else does that makes sense at all to you? Or are they too much the same and much overlapping eachother?

Im realized i dont use VHO as much and would maybe to consider to add one more complex osc.

Would appriciate your thoughts before pulling the trigger!

EDITED Mar 15th 2022, 15:32

This is one excellent module! Strongly recommended as it packs a lot of utility into 48hp, plus adds additional 4hp of LFO Outputs as well. Each section works by itself, so you have quad panning from the two joysticks, dual VCA's, two filters, dual VCO's, 1v/Oct tracking and a very complex noise source.

Feels intuitive in that you tune and play it like a radio. Makes an excellent companion to external sound sources: drums, other synths, envelopes, matrix mixers, whatever. I highly recommend picking one up and I don't think there is anything overtly bad about it... the thing is just very experimental and unique.

Before you get a Mimetic Digitalis try setting your Pam's to 4x, stepped random wave, and loop length to CV1. You can send 0V and it will just generate random steps, but then increase voltage to lock it in a loop. Then back to 0V for Turing Machine style random stepped voltage.
-- obscuremachines

What a cool trick, thanks!

I’m pretty sure the depth is the same throughout. I have a 2hp play I wish I could test the size for you.

"Module Depth: 45.5mm (37.4mm at each 1HP edge)". This is what their website mentions, I'll write an email to double check.

If not I’d just run off an LFO off your other modules, and I would expand to the 6hp FX Aid as it has more CV and also you CV its sample rate.

-- obscuremachines

Love this idea! Never occurred to me to use an lfo, definitely switching to the 6hp fx then. Thank you so much for your help and effort!

We will ship Monday to stores and to people who pre-ordered :)

Hi @tubbutec,

Any updates on the release date?

Do you already know the frist shops which will have it?

Thanks

I just sold a Palette 62, and I loved it. Great case. And the limitation drove me to squeeze every drop out of modules.

I’m pretty sure the depth is the same throughout. I have a 2hp play I wish I could test the size for you.

Never had a Zadar, but it does indeed seem like a great module.

The only thing I’m curious about is the clock. Are you planning on modulating it? If not I’d just run off an LFO off your other modules, and I would expand to the 6hp FX Aid as it has more CV and also you CV its sample rate. I run both the 4hp and 6hp versions and the 4hp gets used as set and forget verb cause the knobs are pretty tight. 6hp much more tweakable. Can’t go wrong with either though super sick modules. For either you will have to use a power cable without the clip on the top to make it fit which you can just pull off if needed.

Hope that helps!

Check the height of the Palette cause the 2hp modules are tall.

If you are going to be tweaking your filter I'd get something like C4RBON with actual pots and not trimmers. Also, more versatile.

Micro Ornament and Crime would be great in a small setup like this, worth a look.

-- obscuremachines

Good call! The palette is more shallow at either end so I have to move the fx and clock further in.

The C4RBN sounds amazing! Definitely gonna add that. Got the space for it as well with Twin Waves replacing MCO + the quantizer as CurioKid recommended.

The uO_C also looks super powerful, although there's something about the Zadar design I really like..

I think this is where I'm at for now:

Get a larger case. You also want more utility modules.
-- sacguy71

Would you recommend substituting the Maths for more specified utility? I thought with having stages covering s+h, and the two 1U units at the top, Maths would be a great wildcard for all the other utility I'd need.

I'm quite fond of the palette, unless it's impossible, I think I want to try come up with a nice system within the size restriction.

EDITED Mar 12th 2022, 09:50

Moog released a firmware update (1.1.0) for Subharmonicon. Great improvements!
Just wanted to let you know I ran into an issue with the SysEx process (with solution, if someone has the same problem):
I have my Subharmonicon built into a larger Eurorack case and the SysEx transfer didn’t work at all (Mac mini M1, SysEx Librarian 1.5, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4)
...Until I put the Subharmonicon into the case it came in – then the transfer worked flawlessly!
So if someone runs into that same problem, that might help.
You can put it back into your Eurorack case after the process is finished, if you don't like cluttered desktops ;-)

EDITED Mar 12th 2022, 21:52

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could help suggest potential modules for a Keith Fullerton Whitman-style modular synthesizer.

I know like most people he's always tweaking his setup but I would like to explore some potential options inspired by him.

He mentioned in this old lecture he has a clock powered by an Atari 2600 chip and it sounds amazing.

And here's a video of one of his live performances:

Before you get a Mimetic Digitalis try setting your Pam's to 4x, stepped random wave, and loop length to CV1. You can send 0V and it will just generate random steps, but then increase voltage to lock it in a loop. Then back to 0V for Turing Machine style random stepped voltage. You also have additional control with Pam's attenuator, offset, etc. But that's only if you want the shred functionality of Mimetic which is all I used it for until I figured out that thing with Pam's. If you want to dial in sequences, well that's a different story.

Check the height of the Palette cause the 2hp modules are tall.

If you are going to be tweaking your filter I'd get something like C4RBON with actual pots and not trimmers. Also, more versatile.

Micro Ornament and Crime would be great in a small setup like this, worth a look.

Get a larger case. You also want more utility modules.

Wow the Twin Waves looks incredible! Definitely seems like i'll have much more fun with that than with the MCO + quantizer, thanks for the suggestion! Switching those out.

For Zadar, I thought it was a good fit because I'd be missing an envelope generator, lfo, or both if I use all of Stages for sequencing and s+h. If I need a noise source I could use a noise shape lfo as well. Although I guess Zadar, Maths and Stages all overlap a bit too much.

The ProK BD bass drum module. One of four drum mods based on the same circuit board and panel, just different IC programming, so seeing one shows you how all will go together.
C.K. builds a ProK BD module

I think you're on the right track. Stages seems like a large bite to chew for your first rack, but if you really want cv control over each step then it might be your best option in a small case.

Zadar seems overkill. I would imagine you will always have at least one or two unused outputs. Also, if you plan on using it at audio rates to modulate mco, then why not go with something designed to run at audio rates? Twin waves seems like a better option. The lfo modes are great and vco modes have a built in quantizer. Now that I think about it, just ditch MCO all together for twin waves, and then you could lose the pico quant as well. The quantizer on twin waves doesn't respond to trigs, rather it just continuously confines your sequence to a scale, so if you went that route maybe you would want to add a 2hp sample+hold to be able to achieve sustain. Or maybe you could just use stages in such a way where the s+h isn't necessary.

Hope this helps.

The main idea stemmed from wanting a melodic sequencer where I can choose certain steps and modulate them over time. Say, a 3 note sequence where I use a cv input on the lowest note to make a changing bass voice, whilst the two upper voices stay constant. That's where I thought Stages would be great, I can choose the sequence length, and for each stage I have the option for cv input.

The Steppy I thought was a good fit to trigger both the Stages and Zadar, even being able to keep some sort of arrangement going with the 64 sequence length.

I feel with the Zadar being able to oscillate at audible rates (even though I read the pitch tracking isn't great) I could still feed it into the MCO for some interesting tones.

EDITED Mar 12th 2022, 09:50

A Mimetic Digitalis sequencer would work well in this set-up. They are great for stepped CV modulation. It would work nicely with your Pam's.
-- Ronin1973

Thanks for the suggestion. I typically use the MB2s for sequencing, but I'd love to add more onboard ability to lesson my reliance on the tabletop units, particularly if they are good for playing live. With the Pam's and the A138m, that might be a great combo for complex weirdness.

I really like batumi and poti, but I'd be tempted to also consider zadar and nin - which can provide some very long complex modulation, which can easily be attenuated to mix with other modulation sources in the matrix mixer... I'd probably go with this and start saving for the next case - to put the other modules in - another very interesting module I'd probably look at is the Xaoc Samara ii - which has an interesting clamp function...

Hi Jim,

Thank you for your feedback. I've been torn between the Batumi and Zadar for quite a while, but since they keep being out of stock, I've been stuck in Xaoc limbo for both. We'll see which is in stock first, but definitely think I'm going to end up with both eventually, once a new case arrives. I hadn't looked at the Samara ii yet, that one seems quite useful, might be a good fit.

a good habit when you get a case is to charge rack space (ie save the cost of the hp for the module in a piggy bank or savings account) - by the time the case is full there'll be enough cash for the next case...
-- JimHowell1970

That's a great idea, thanks!

A Mimetic Digitalis sequencer would work well in this set-up. They are great for stepped CV modulation. It would work nicely with your Pam's.

13hp is an awkward number of hp to be left with...

all the modules you mention would be good - it's mostly a case of fitting them in...

batumi and poti would fill your 13hp nicely... as would toolbox and rnd step (leaving 3hp over)

if you want the functionality of toolbox then this is one to go for as the last batch of them should be in stores now...

but... Pams should be able to cover the random into sample and hold functionality, as should (iirc) O&C with hemispheres...

I really like batumi and poti, but I'd be tempted to also consider zadar and nin - which can provide some very long complex modulation, which can easily be attenuated to mix with other modulation sources in the matrix mixer... I'd probably go with this and start saving for the next case - to put the other modules in - another very interesting module I'd probably look at is the Xaoc Samara ii - which has an interesting clamp function...

a good habit when you get a case is to charge rack space (ie save the cost of the hp for the module in a piggy bank or savings account) - by the time the case is full there'll be enough cash for the next case...

Duplicate, already exists here https://www.modulargrid.net/e/vpme-de-qd-quad-drum-voice

I've been slowly piecing together this 6U rack with a goal of making an instrument that can function alone for generative music, but also supplement the Minibrute 2s when I want a more hands-on, guided session. I've got 13hp left, and I'm curious what feedback y'all would have for this? Obviously, the correct answer is a bigger rack, but that's gonna have to wait for a bit, unfortunately. I'm currently thinking along the lines of the Xaoc Batumi, WMD/SSF Toolbox, or DivKid/SSF RND sample and hold for the last piece.

Are there things I've overlooked or skimped on?
Any suggestions for organization and signal flow (particularly if it results in more usable space)?
Anything you would replace?

Thanks!

Fantastic! Really nice music from that patch.

This is my second recording with the classic Todd Barton Krell patch. Again, huge thanks and acknowledgement to JD Cramer for his most excellent recent tutorial series "Krellberg Variations" on YouTube.

This is a patch I got going that follows that series up to part nine (with some of my own twists). I have the primary Krell function coming out of Maths and driving VCAs for Brenso and DPO, and EOC driving Strum on Rings (2.5 krells) - lots of modulation of the oscillators and filters, and all in stereo. The Maths EOC is providing the click that advances the Stochastic Inspiration Generator which is feeding three different sets of 1v/o CV data to the three OSCs. I have another Krell function from Quadrax (making it 3.5) that is driving the VCA for Plaits running in Formant OSC mode. That EOC from the Qx Expander is advancing a sequence in Rene 2. Yes, I removed the S&H+Quantizers from the patch completely. Using sequencers to get pitch info I can exert more control over the notes but still retain some randomness, especially with SIG. Looking forward to more. Cheers!

Used Price History

We have a nice chart on offers in the marketplace that shows the price development of the module and the average price asked for the module. It's not the price the module is sold for so it is not super precise but it gives sellers and buyers an idea. The chart only shows up if data is available of course.

This is an exclusive feature for Unicorn users.

It's good that you have a local manufacturer that you can support and get advice from, but unfortunate that you still don't have the main components of your system. The shortages affecting them are worldwide, and even in the US, there is a fair amount of frustration over availability.

I think that each of your three possibilities is valid, but they are all quite different, and it's not going to be easy to choose between them (probably impossible for us, but even difficult for you). It's hard to know how to expand or augment a system when you don't have any experience with it to know what you might feel is lacking.

I also understand that this is a purchasing opportunity that you may not have again for a while. One way out of the bind could be to try to get some modules on this trip that you could start using immediately on returning home. That rules out (2). You could combine (1) and (3), by getting Pam's, a sample player, and something "tactile" (and, depending on budget, something more to support those). You could get some experience with those, and they would not be rendered superfluous by the Lizard system arriving.

Hi everyone,

I see some names that were really helpful with the new eurorack users, seeking that I will try to extract some good info if it's possible.

Keep in mind I'm just posting now with not much knowledge because I manage to re-book a trip to the USA (it was cancelled due to covid in May 2020), so I have 1 month to decide what to buy.

I'm from South America, so it's really hard to find and buy modules (just to note, the biggest social media marketplace for eurorack modules in my country has 400 people). Happily, we have locally a great builder and engineer, Vinicius from Vinicius elektric - https://viniciuselectrik.com/, and I ordered a Lizard system and some extra modules with him. Unfortunately, he had some problems and delayed almost 8 months (I didn't receive yet). I'm just with the Clock divider, Expert sleepers ES-9 and the eurorack level to line level converter (to plug my guitar).

I'm playing with VCV RACK for one year now, it's great, but it's too easy to over do the modules by the lack of limitations, so I don't feel comfortable to decide alone the new stuff.

Some modules from Vinicius weren't available, so I traded for a "similar": Level Fixit (mine will have a 4 channel attenuinverter), nw2sm (a simple multi), ADDAC200PI (the eurorack to line level for instruments) and RING (to be honest Vinicius insisted that this will be worth, and I don't really know the HP size and all the feature's haha).

From what I understand, I have a really solid voice, great modulation possibilities with the LFO and others, some white noise and plenty of possibilities to sequence and process with the ES9. I don't have any problem to be in front of the pc or use it to make music, to be honest I enjoy too. The question is, where to go from here... I feel that I have 3 alternatives:
1) I really enjoy random triggered sample sound, white noises, drums, crazy tempos most focused on percussion sounds. But I don't really know if it's possible in such small frame. Maybe a Pamela's new workout with a sample loader.
2) Advance the 1 great voice that I have with more utilities and modulations.
3) Get some "tactile" modules to play, some hands on action would be really cool. Kind of use a fraction of it to "perform" live.

I feel bad to post such a vague post, but I just can't handle the overload of possibilities to buy in the USA, how the hell you people decide with such a crazy amount of stuff hahaha

I'm looking for help not to choose the modules but if the options I described are valid, which one is the most logical and possible one... if nothing is correct in your view, maybe give a hint to where should I look for.

My budget, it's between $1.000 to +/-$1.500.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modules_racks/data_sheet/1861530
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1861530.jpg

EDITED Mar 10th 2022, 14:14

Hi Lugia, All,

Well the 2600 (Blue Marvin) I got it now, very happy with it as I mentioned already elsewhere in this forum. Now I just got to know that the BCR32 is likely going to be produced. It's just a matter of a few more years now... ;-) But it seems to be coming.

I can't wait for having the BCR32 tested at my local dealer! :-D

Kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: Don't tell me you got the BCR32 already in your studio and you were one of the first ones? ;-)

Hi Modulargrid,

That's great, thanks a lot for that! :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks TumeniKnobs!

Endorphin.es are wonderful very unique sound and approach to modular. A bit unconventional controls too as well and funky labels like Make Noise. I usually record audio to DAW via audio interface or to my 1010 Music Bluebox. Since this was a quick and dirty live session, I did not think of it but can record to it next time and split audio from video. I do send the modular output to my 16 channel Mackie mixer. Using the mult hex devices works great to reach long distances between the modular and mixer.

and thanks @farkas I'm finding a kick made with a ADSR has more scope for sound shaping thought the simple decay on the Patching Panda Punch works well enough.

Just keep the percussion in another rack like I am.... I'm sure that will help how far down the rabbit hole you go! ;-)

Very nice! Getting some Underworld vibes from this.

Vortices is a very cool mixer. Sounds great here (and your kick sound too). I was scoping out Vortices for a long time, but ultimately picked up a Strymon Deco pedal for a similar tape saturation sound.

I've been resisting drums in the rack, but there are a ton of cool percussive sounds in this noodle. I think see another rabbit hole... :-)

Build for https://www.modularseattle.com Modular Nights 03/13/2022
The 1u blank houses the WMD MSCL compressor sideways and the 14hp blank is for performance notes.
This performance also includes an Analog Rytm MkII which handles drums, samples, final-stage mix/compression, and acts as the main clock source (with DIN sync into Pam's).
Patch: https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/patches/modulargrid_90045.jpg

EDITED Mar 9th 2022, 20:40

[https://mebitek.bandcamp.com/track/landing-to-vega]

Breakbeat track
Landing to Vega, the bright star
let the journey begins

produced with custom modular system
except some #maschine additions
mastered with #ableton #live and #izotope #ozone

EDITED Mar 9th 2022, 19:36

@modulargrid - thank you!!!

Sacguy! Always love watching your videos, and this tour of the smaller systems integrating is great. That Endorphines system does look very cool. Also glad to see you active over at ModWiggler. Have you tried recording the audio direct, as opposed to through the open mic. I feel like I am missing a lot of the nuance of the great modules you are highlighting here. Is all your stuff going into one central mixer? Cheers!

Forum: buffer texts

If users are idle for too long, they will be kicked out of the system. This is especially annoying if they were in the process of writing long texts in the forum, because they might lose all their well thought out thoughts.

Now text in the forum forms will be continuously buffered to the local storage of your browser.
This should survive page reloads as well as a logout, meaning if you are kicked out just log in, hit Reply again and your texts hopefully will still be there.

thanks jim for the suggestion! i will give it a thought, but i think space issue within the case will be an issue :)

hey, garfield! super thanks for your thorough reply!!! I own a Ritual Flexibilité already, I know of them and like it :) I'll check out the Altar, and the rest! cheers

I would've loved a Quad in/out Offset with Scale-module. would be a little tight. but i got tiny fingers :D

I wrote a really long reply, but when I was to submit I had been kicked off. UGH

Sorry for that! I have now uploaded a patch that will continuously buffer the text to the local storage of your browser.
This should survive page reloads as well as a logout, meaning if you are kicked out just log in, hit Reply again and your long texts hopefully will still be there.

Something a bit more uptempo this time, I just love running a keyboard through Ears to distort a bit and then into Mimeophon, having ears envelope follower control the feedback, so whenever I play I get sustained notes if the delay time is on the shorter zones... what's your favourite moment?

Patch Notes:

Voices:
- Studiologic Numa Compact 2x amped by Ears through Mimeophon, is playing chords and melodies.
- Eowave titan into ST Werner and Takkab LPG doing 2 syncopated basslines bassline,
- Calsynth Rangoon is doing the counter melody, controlled by SIG.
- Ensemble oscillator through Bizarre Jezebel Pkhia, controlled by Doboz XIIO.

Drums:
- Instruo Ts-l through Takaab LPG as bass drum
- Blue and White Noise from through Patching Panda Punch v3 as high-hat and snare.
- Erica Pico Drums through Dreadbox Splash as snare.

Modulation:
- Clank Chaos as clock divider and random CV generator, sequencing most drums and bassline.
- Mutable Instruments Stages as envelope generator and LFOs
- Instruo Ochd as LFOs

Utilities:
- MIAx3 as attenuation, mixer, offset.
- Super Vcas as vca, inverter, mixer and sidechain.
- joeSeggiola's Nearness as panning sub-mixer.
- Cosmotronic Cosmix as mixer, using Mimeophon as send effect.
- Music Thing Startup as mixer and clock generator and divider.

I started building this around my Moog Matriarch. Initially I just was interested in expanding the Matriarch’s capacity, but then I realized the rack is more of a hub that could function on its own or with various external gear (drums, guitar, additional keyboards, guitar pedals, etc).

EDITED Mar 9th 2022, 06:48

Fun cross patching my smaller systems

Hi Diego,

How about an Intellijel 1U Dual VCA at 8 HP?
Or a passive LPG 1U module from Intellijel at 6 HP?

Some more modules from Intellijel at 10 HP or less: 1U FSR, 1U Headphones, 1U Line In, 1U Line Out, 1U Pedal I/O Jacks, 1U Stereo Line In Jacks, 1U Stere Out, 1U Stere Out Jacks, 1U USB Power, 1U XY IO or 1U µMIDI Jacks.

Then there are 1U modules from Mosaic (those 10 HP or less): 1U Clock, 1U Line Input, 1U Line Output, 1U Sample/Hold or 1U Tap.

Also Ritual Electronics has 1U modules that fits your 10 HP requirement: 1U - Flexibilité (audio interface), 1U - Krach (noise) and 1U - Pointeuse (switch). This guy from Ritual Electronics is completely a cool guy, I met him at the Superbooth back in 2021. He makes some real interesting modules. Check out that Altar filter module, wow! That filter can make some real great noise :-)

Ah yes, Shakmat Modular also has two 1U modules: Tessitura Tailor and Time Apprentice (clock divider).

Bad luck with the VoicAS modules they are 12 HP :-(

Anyway, I think that should be enough choice to keep you going, right? ;-) Good luck with filling up that 10 HP 1U gap, have fun with it and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Sacguy71,

Ha, ha, sounds you guys had a lot of fun there! :-D

Kind regards, Garfield.