After a lot of thought I think I've finally planned out all the modules I'll want for my first rack, but I won't be able to purchase them all at once. Does anyone have advice in regards to purchase order? It seems like it might be insignificant but I want to ask just in case.


Hi everyone, I'm working on a rack and want plaits, in case I can't find the original, even though I should be able to, I'm wondering if there's anything I should know about the clones. Is there one that's better / more accurate than others, or any I should stray away from? Thanks.


Thread: 60hp ideas

Older post, but I've tweaked a lot and I think it's now in a good place, just wondering if there's anything glaringly obvious, and I had a question. Just clarifying again, I want textured very glitchy music, and I realize fully accomplishing what I'm thinking with a rack this size won't be possible but I think with some other hardware I can probably get close.

I just discovered the Qu-Bit Data Bender which is something else I think would be great for what I'm trying, and I'm wondering if since the Morphagene is really the only sound source, is having the Mojave somewhat redundant? I really like the module and I know I'll end up with it at some point, I'm just not sure I'd see huge benefits from it with the limited size, in the meantime would Data Bender be a better option?

It would be more of a hassle, but I also have a 124hp rail I can probably cut down to 84 or so hp, and construct a case for that and fit them both. Kind of a disorganized post, sorry, but any advice would be great.
Edit:(Might just take a second to update, but for me the link preview is showing an older version of the rack, as a heads up)

ModularGrid Rack


I use the pico output from Erica Synths for my batery powered rack. I mostly use it with headphones but it also works great with speakers with a line in.
-- Niemandsland

My only issue is I dont really have space for an output module, which I should've mentioned earlier.


This question seems dumb but Ive searched a lot and haven't found a straight and applicable answer yet, so im asking here. I'm planning my first rack, which will be portable. I have everything I need for output at home, but constantly lugging around a clunky audio interface is a hassle and kind of defeafs the purpose of the rack being portable. Basically I'm wondering what people use for audio output when not at home, or potentially outside, which is something I hope to do at some point.

Knowing me I'm probably overthinking and missing something very obvious, but I'd appreciate any help.


Thread: 60hp ideas

I'd go for a 6u/104hp case ... you will need more support modules to get the most out of the rest of your modules...
I'd want at least a couple more vcos - 1 to FM the instruo vco and one as a second sound source...

I'd hold back on the sapel (pams can do random & is probably enough in this size case) and the stochastic inspiration generator (again pams can do similar) - also both these modules are quite big for what they are in this size case

nb the chord organ is possibly only available used - the teensy 3.2 it's based on has been end of lifed

-- JimHowell1970

Thanks so much this is great, ill see what i can work out for the vcas on the 60hp. Id love to expand some more and have 124hp rails, the issue is im DIYing the case inside an older suitcase, and it mihht be hard to find one that could fit 104 hp. Your sapel comment kind of sealed the deal for me, id been debating its inclusion for a while. While I do really like SIG I see what you're saying, I'll see what I come up with without those two, definitely agree with the vco comment. Thanks again!


Thread: 60hp ideas

1 post your 6u rack
2 state what type of music you are intending to make
3 what the purpose of the rack is - ie what you hope to achieve with it
4 how you are going to integrate it into other gear you might have: how you'll play it - sequencer, keyboard, DAW; how you'll listen to it - external mixer, audio interface; what other gear you have to use with or alongside the rack

the answers to all these will help us help you!

-- JimHowell1970
Yeah this definitely makes sense my bad, I'll do that now! I'll listen with an interface I have and play it with a keyboard or DAW. I want to make fast paced, textured, sound collage type music. I love lilien rosarians work thats the most obvious comparison I can think of. I don't really intend to make music to release its more self expression and experimenting that I want to do. Hopefully thats not too confusing and is enough info. This is the 6u
ModularGrid Rack


Thread: 60hp ideas

Hi everyone, I've planned out a larger 6u 84hp case, but it will take a while to complete as I'll be making the case myself, and it's obviously going to be expensive. In the meantime I'm planning to construct a smaller 3u 60hp case out of some plywood which will be less time consuming and will serve as a good introduction for me. Lettting me familiarize myself with a few modules before I end up with an overwhelming amount I'm not practiced with. I am wanting very textured sample based sounds, this is what I've planned so far, looking for any advice. The AI001 multiple and sloth chaos are unchangeable (unless you know of a more useful 4hp DIY I can replace the chaos with, or I can get my hands on a Radio Music). Anything else is fair game and I'm very open to criticism.

ModularGrid Rack


Check out Intellijels Rainmaker. I have both Beads and Mimeophon, and theyre awesome, but the Rainmaker is on a whole other level. Its a bit pricier than the others but its a super textured delay powerhouse.

-- anelekt

I would love Rainmaker I just don't have the room for it 😭


If you need an accurate and powerful Delay module, I think it’s better to differentiate specialized modules like Dual Looping Delay (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/4ms-company-dual-looping-delay), or Chronoblob2 (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/alright-devices-chronoblob2) for example, and all those whose function allows a mix of sound manipulations including more or less the Delay function (like Beads, excellent module by the way, or Mimeophon).
-- Sweelinck

I hadn't considered that but it makes sense, I think in my case I'm looking for more of the variation and it seems like beads it is for now. Thanks!


It's not as versatile, but especially if you have one that has dedicated knobs for the blend-modes, it may be a cheaper option than the modules mentioned above. Here I can find the After Later Audio Typhoon for 250 euros for example. This way you can easily check if granular/looping delays are something that fits your style.

-- dubstepjoris

Thanks so much for the idea! I'm definitely trying to save some money and this seems like a great option to test stuff out.


At the moment, beads acts in my setup like a data bender for unpredictable random glitches and broken harddisk error- effects

-- MCGM

This seems super promising for what I'm hoping to make, thank you for the input!


I'm really struggling to pick a delay out right now. I want to make super textured sounds so beads seems obvious but sealegs has the tape sound option which is also interesting to me. And then there's also mimeophon, which seems great all around. I like the sound of them all and can see potential benefits in them all, so I'm just looking for any experiences with them or advice that might help me make a conclusion, thanks.

Edit: Also any other ideas I didn't mention


Thread: Rack Advice

Thanks!


Thread: Rack Advice

You need to start with an understanding of a basic signal path and routing in a subtractive synth. lfo - vco, filter, envelope, vca

Another type of setup would be additive, look up those concepts, read about them:

Subtractive, additive, wavetables, granular and wave slicing methods, Physical modeling, AM, FM, TZFM,,,,,read, listen, think and learn.

-- GunnarWaage

I'm familiar with all of these things, I've been working in VCV rack and MAX/MSP for almost 2 years and I've done plenty of research throughout that time. It's just that personally, when it comes to things like this I get somewhat anxious and feel like I need to know what I'm doing isn't wrong, so I want advice from people more knowledgeable than me. That said I have researched everything I've picked out at the moment and feel good about them, I just want to ensure that nothing is wrong before I devote so much time and money to them. I don't view it as people making the choice for me, I look at their ideas and spend time researching them and decide what to do after that.


Thread: Rack Advice

@Sweelinck's link above directs to the same image as displayed...

things I'd point out - the chord organ might be difficult to source... the teensy 3.2 is very difficult to find (probably end of lifed)

and the instruo ceis is quite expensive - you might want to look at the befaco vc adsr & it couldt be a good alternative and is available as a kit (or pcb/panel set)

-- JimHowell1970

Weird, it linked to the old one when I tried it out earlier, I've got very spotty wifi right now that's probably why. Thanks for the reccomendation, I'd rather do a kit anyways and cheaper is always nice.
I've also found a near exact dupe of the chord organ but updated to the newer teensy, though im struggling to find it again so maybe i made it up in my head.


Thread: Rack Advice

Okay so I've added quite a bit, I'm wondering if anything is too redundant, and if anyone has any other ideas to fill it out. Since it's a school project I'm going to be completing it slowly over the course of the year, and probably won't even have all the modules at that time, it's going to be a slower process. With that said what should I be prioritizing? The sloth chaos and ai001 multiple are definitely going to be first as I'm DIYing them, and I think I'll try and get the morphagene after that, because the whole point is very textured, sample heavy sounds. Beyond those I'm not sure the order I should get modules in.![]


Thread: Rack Advice

Hopefully that helps somehow, I had a list of suggestions ealier but they've sadly all escaped my head at the moment.

-- danlegg

This helps out a ton thank you so much for taking the time to type all that out. I don't mind the bias at all I'd definitely do the same thing


Thread: Rack Advice

There are some great passive and active utility modules out there that will probably help you make your system more interactive, but perhaps you might want to look at getting some more modulation sources and filters?
-- danlegg

I definitely need to add some, any ideas on some good ones? I've been thinking maybe polaris for a filter and I'm unsure about modulation, there's just so many modules its hard to pick out specific ones


Thread: Rack Advice

If you are a student, you should start by learning the basics...
Here is one of the most recommendable sources: Learning Modular.
https://learningmodular.com/

-- Sweelinck

I'm familiar with the basics, I've done tons of research and have been interested in modular for ~2 years now. I mostly meant I wasn't familiar enough with a wide variety of modules, so I'm not sure what to pick. That website does look very helpful though thank you!


Thread: Rack Advice

Hi everyone, I'm a student doing a yearlong project where I'm building a eurorack. A lot of it will be DIY, but I'm trying to plan out some premade modules as well. I want to make very textured music with samples, kind of sound collage-y stuff. I just want to ask for module reccomendations that might be good for that, or any other advice someone may have. This is what I have so far, the AI001 multiple and sloth chaos module are there because I'm going to be DIYing them, I'm still not sure if I want nebulae or morphagene. Everything else is just things I thought I might benefit from. Obviously this is unfinished and theres a ton missing, I know I need more utilites and other things but I don't have enough knowledge about many different modules to know what else I might need, so I figured I'd ask here. Thanks for any advice.
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2354487.jpg![]
(Idk how to post the photo sorry)