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I highly recommend the Doepfer Wasp filter for what your setup wants to do.

Edit: Am new to the modular world.

Have been toying around with a lot of rack ideas and finally came up with a rack that I feel like would suit my needs, my eventual goal is to play live.
The type of music I make ranges from minimal/lofi house, minimal techno and drum and bass.
I externally have a Arturia MicroFreak as another voice, and a Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK as a mixer.
My idea with this rack is to have the pizza and the freak to trade roles for providing bass, and lead sounds. The Rample will be used for most of my drums and some textures and one shots that I will externally make in Ableton, with the prok kick being a sort of backing kick as I transition from one song to the next. I want to be able to modulate a lot, and also in patterns like in drum and bass, like Waeys, Levela, Sustance, Rizzle, Klinical, etc. The dark gritty underground type of drum and bass, so I'd imagine a lot of "rolling" sounds if that makes sense.
I mainly plan on using the tetra pad to make my music sound more human, and to possibly put the snare "density"(?) on one to make off beat snares in drum and bass scenarios.
I want to use Squarps Hermod due to it offering a lot of things that I want in the early stages of my rack, as I wont be able to buy everything in one go.

This is my eventual rack that I am trying to work towards (I hope the thing updated it didn't in preview):

And these are the modules that I want to buy in the first round:

Is this a good first euro rack, will it fit my needs, are there modules that I should swap out for modules that would better suit my need and all the other questions a noob like my self could ask.

Thanks a ton in advance!

EDITED Dec 12th 2022, 00:31

This stuff sounds great and looks amazing. Wonderful visuals.

I made a real simple vid about how I layer melodies. If you have a few minutes to gift your eyeballs/algorithm food, I'd really, really appreciate it:

Hello there,

I just wanted to have opinions or my rack, knowing if i could supress some modules or change things for the best, even get a smaller rack, why not!

Cheers

EDITED Dec 11th 2022, 18:33

Hey again @JimHowell1970! Thanks again for the response, super helpful! I'll consider what you said and keep tetris-ing ;) You've been a big help!
-- slysteezy

No problem - happy to be of help!

Thanks guys, I didn't want to go buying Plaits then doing the firmware and finding I've nothing to Calibrate it with.

Shout out to @ak47exe. Bought his Verbos Multistage and Sequence Selector. All very well packaged, everything as described. Recommended seller.

Hey again @JimHowell1970! Thanks again for the response, super helpful! I'll consider what you said and keep tetris-ing ;) You've been a big help!

there is a sale on Plaits at a local store. I really enjoy what I've heard from Beads and Plaits in particular.

do not think about this just buy them if you wwant them - they will be gone soon enough and there will be no more (originals) and I've already seen big premiums on used modules... some of the clones seem ok - especially the full size ALA ones - the micro ones do not appeal to me at all so haven't really looked

I have use of my partner's East Beast and was wondering if this mash up of the EB and Mutable Instruments could be a workable starting point.

Possibly...

How are you going to play it? melodic & trigger/gate sequencing - via cv/midi? dedicated sequencer/computer? or a keyboard - again midi or cv? if the eastbeast has a sequencer built in you will probably break normalisation by patching it out - you'll want a buffered mult for pitch and maybe a passive for trigger/gate/envelope

How are you going to mix the outputs & listen to it?

How are you going to modulate it? Plaits has an internal (only) lfo - and I suspect the eastbeast has 1 too... which hopefully can be patched out, but does that cut normalisation - in which case you will want a way multiply the signal (again a passive mult) to send to other modulation inputs and replace the internal (normalised) routing in the eastbeast

for passive mults stack cables or headphone splitters will do - but lots of people like modules for these - all are useful and a lot of people (myself included) have all 3

get a much bigger case than you think you will need - as you will need it... a tiptop mantis is a very good starter case - it's the best bang for buck of size/cost/decent power supply/manufacturer reputation

see my signature for hints on how to expand from here sensibly - the equation scales very well from the 1st few modules all the way up to walls of modules

Hi Jim, thanks for the thoughtful response! I'm considering your advice right now! What type of utilities would you recommend in addition to what I have in the case already?

logic, matrix mixer, slew limiters, switches, sub-mixers etc etc - but you do need to work this out yourself, through research and experimentation - doepfer and ladik are definitely manufacturers to look at as both do a wide range of utilities that are inexpensive - remember in most cases utilities (including vcas) are for modulation as well as audio!

btw doesn't the vector have quantization built in?

Update: I'd really rather keep the Data in if possible, but slimmed down the drum and synth voices to add on the XAOC expanders.
-- slysteezy

I'm not suggesting necessarily getting rid of the DATA, just moving it out of the main case - I don't think you'll need it constantly (at least once you start to hear what's happening) - I've never had an oscilloscope in the rack - I could use one in vcv rack if needed though - although tbh I never have

So when you do a firmware update do you have to re-calibrate?
-- wishbonebrewery
Here no issues at all after updating the module. All works fine.

Hi all, I am yet another person who is really new to modular synths. I have been looking into modular for a bit and heard about Mutable Instruments closing down. I know there's others who have made clones, but there is a sale on Plaits at a local store. I really enjoy what I've heard from Beads and Plaits in particular. I have use of my partner's East Beast and was wondering if this mash up of the EB and Mutable Instruments could be a workable starting point. I really just enjoy making sound and would like to build this into something really creative and don't mind not being able to recreate the same thing twice. Eventually, trying to look into creating more spontaneous/random sounds.

Hi Jim, thanks for the thoughtful response! I'm considering your advice right now! What type of utilities would you recommend in addition to what I have in the case already?

Update: I'd really rather keep the Data in if possible, but slimmed down the drum and synth voices to add on the XAOC expanders.

EDITED Dec 10th 2022, 22:32

Thank you very much my friend. A friend of mine is taking care of it!

-- orys

That's good... hope it gets fixed!

to me it looks like too many voices for this size case - not enough utilities to support them - see my signature for some handy hints!!

maybe you've kept your original, smaller case... so you can use it for overspill - I'd definitely consider putting the DATA in it, along with some of the other modules - this would free up space for more utilities (including more vcas) and the expanders for batumi and zadar, which are really useful

Thank you for the nice suggestions. I also think that the last module choice will come automatically if I'm missing features for my needs in the rack

Huge fan of your YouTube series (all of them)!

Thank you for posting this rack!

Anyone got the Rectangular thing guys? I have a DIY unit and can't figure out how modulation works.
None of the MOD knobs do anything and nothing happens with external modulation through the dedicated MOD input.
-- orys

I'd contact Stijn above - you should be bale to private message him - however it seems like you probably have some defects in your build - so posting hi-res photos of the board to somewhere that's more oriented towards DIY might be a good idea - Modwiggler's Music Tech DIY subforum would be my choice!

good luck!
-- JimHowell1970

Thank you very much my friend. A friend of mine is taking care of it!

I'd spend more time looking at mixing - at a quick glance it looks like you don't have enough channels and don't have enough submixing - mix drums before filtering for example

How are you intending to quantize your 2hp TM? - DM me if you want to buy a used 2hp TM and Trim (quantiser) pair...

too much space dedicated to sequencing, sound sources and compressor (there are many much smaller ones that do just as good a job and are possibly available - iirc wladorf discontinued all their modules) - and not enough space for modulation or utilities (see my signature for some hints!)

I'm almost done with a starter rack, but fell in the starter trap of case too smol.

After exploring a bunch of different brands and playing with my current setup, I think I've settled on a case size and system that feels really good to me, but I'd love your thoughts to see if I'm missing anything.

I want the system to so primarily four things (in order of importance):
1. Be a performable, generative electronic kusic system with decent versatility.
2. An effects processor for external audio.
3. A midi instrument to be played with keyboard (I have an arturia keystep).
4. Bleepblooper earcandy maker for my more pop-leaning music.

I feel like I got all my bases covered, but may be short on VCAs. I could get rid of the Happy Nerding Attenuators and replace with more VCAs, but not sure if I'd need the attenuation as utility. Please let me know what you think! Criticism + feedback on every element is welcome. Thanks for taking the time to look over :)

updated rack:

EDITED Dec 10th 2022, 22:30

So when you do a firmware update do you have to re-calibrate?
-- wishbonebrewery

iirc you shouldn't need to - manual states calibration is only for correcting inaccuracies of modulation sources - but at least the calibration procedure is in the manual (if it is needed)

Just did a quick google and couldn't see any mention of re-calibrating

I'm probably going to to this update myself tomorrow or Monday, so I'll let you know if I have any issues!

Anyone got the Rectangular thing guys? I have a DIY unit and can't figure out how modulation works.
None of the MOD knobs do anything and nothing happens with external modulation through the dedicated MOD input.
-- orys

I'd contact Stijn above - you should be bale to private message him - however it seems like you probably have some defects in your build - so posting hi-res photos of the board to somewhere that's more oriented towards DIY might be a good idea - Modwiggler's Music Tech DIY subforum would be my choice!

good luck!

EDITED Dec 10th 2022, 17:24

and the link to the public rack - as jpgs are shite!!!

I agree with @GarfieldModular

blind panel and save the money towards a second case - that way you'll have space for some utilities - which appear to be sadly lacking from your case

An 9 LFO module from Jolin Lab.
Not much to the build, all the surface mount components are pre-installed so there are just 9 jacks and 9 switches to install, so the build was 10 minutes.
The test and demo, though, came out at 20 minutes. Took a bit to change rates, and messing about with chaining was interesting.
For me this is a good studio module, but not live or jamming, since the rate responses are slow to start and not intended to be precise.
But fun.
Build and demo

Dump the mult to add 2 more HP. Then there's 10hp... enough room for Zadar or one of the new Noise Engineering FX modules

:D

Have you looked into filters or VCAs? Unless you plan on running everything through the benjolin all the time, an extra filter with a big ol knoby knob would be great for sweeping the Black Wavetable. A VCA can help get get some really weird sounds going. Modulating your modulators and all that. If you downsized your clouds clone you should be able to squeeze both in comfortably.

For the midi/cv you could save rack space and get a keystep or some type of external midi/cv converter.

Those Caixa cases look great, lots of functionality, which would probably cover your € per Hp between the cases you mentioned. Caixa is €6.37 per hp, the rack brute is €2.15, and the mantis is €1.53. There's always trade offs, In this scenario it's rack space vs physical space vs built in functionality vs cost. Personally, I'd go for a mantis, put in the utility modules I need (and also choose, which is important to me) and then have room to add whatever later on when I start figuring out what's missing

Just some thoughts, have fun!

Hi FWGW,

If I haven't overlooked it and to my surprise, your rack doesn't contain any filter? So I would use the last 8 HP for a multimode filter. 8 HP isn't very much, by heart, Doepfer comes to mind but I am sure there are other interesting multi-mode filters that fit within 8 HP too. Another option might be the TipTop Audio - Forbidden Planet, nice little filter!

Otherwise stick with Farkas' advice to put a 8 HP blind panel first, till you damn sure where the last 8 HP will be spend for ;-)

Yet another option is to stick with the blind panel option but save the money you would have otherwise spend for an 8 HP module and keep saving money till you have enough money for a second case. Once you got that second case you can stop worrying about your last module because you have enough space left! :-)

Good luck with choosing a nice filter (or a fancy blind panel or saving money for another rack) and kind regards, Garfield.

Maybe a sequential switch of some sort? Doepfer makes a decent and inexpensive, but limited, one in 4hp, though there are many different ones that could offer some fun alternatives.

I'm already very happy with my setup. I mainly control my system with Marbles and Bloom and have a lot of fun with it. But I would like to get more into self-generated patching. Maybe a utility module?

With a blank panel until you figure out what you need! :)
Seriously though, what functions do you feel you are missing, or what would you like to be able to do that you can't right now?

Hello, how would you fill the last 8 hp of my case?

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_2109487.jpg

Help! I've gone modular blind!

Hi Friends,

After years of lusting after a modular, I've decided to pull the trigger and put together my first Rack which i aim to start buying early 2023.

Budget is about £2750 to start.

I'm a big fan of drone, especially mego records, Jim O'Rourke , Fennesz etc as well as krautrock such as Cluster, Harmonia etc , I don't require a drum mod at present as I can add any additional beats with Ableton for now.

I aim to record pretty much live then incorporate minimal edits / effects in my DAW. I do not have much room so a large case is out of the question, i certainly wouldn't be able to go bigger than a Arturia RackBrute 6U or a mantis.

I'm considering going for a Caixo 104 skiff as it seems decent value for money and includes a number of utility modules included although i still have an eye on a Arturia RackBrute 6U and i know there is a lot of love for the
Mantis also.

I also already own a Behringer Crave which i can use as a CV controller for now but may upgrade to something like a make noise Zero Control at a later date.

I want a system that can make interesting multi layered drones with moments of extreme noise and also twinkly generative granular beauty so have chosen an analogue Oscillator (Benjolin) and also a black wavetable VCO for more interesting granular sounds.

I'm hoping the remaining modules i've chosen cover most of the things i will require, especially incorporating the Caixa 104 modules. I would prefer more hands on mods and i'm not into menu diving too much.

Question 01 : Does anybody have a Caixo 104 and if so, would you recommend? the utilities and build quality look great although I'm aware of the space limitations.

Questions 02 : I welcome any feedback on this as a starter rack . Any suggestions for cheaper and smaller modules that will achieve the same kind of sound or any glaring omissions?

Question 03 : I know that i still need to incorporate a USB / CV module to sync with Ableton if required and would also welcome any glitchy effects that would help achieve that mego / autechre-esque sound. ( if my chosen mods don't already achieve this ) Does anybody have any suggestions?

I'm drowning in youtube videos and modular grid posts but it really is hard to choose anything! too much choice so i need help to zone in on exactly what i require to do the job in a budget /HP friendly way. Any links to vids / racks etc welcomed.

Any help for a complete newbie suffering for information overload would really be appreciated.

Many thanks for any help / advice you can offer.

Stoffaboy UK

Scammer MFR, right?

Reports of him ripping people off at random. Sucks. I got my module a few years ago

EDITED Dec 8th 2022, 19:41

Anyone got the Rectangular thing guys? I have a DIY unit and can't figure out how modulation works.
None of the MOD knobs do anything and nothing happens with external modulation through the dedicated MOD input.

I did a quick (1min) How to with the new FM engine, it's a no brainer :)

Hello,

Instead of the doepfer VCF, I would go for the Intellijel Polaris.
Instead of Ochd, I would go for the Abstract Data Octocontroler.
Personnaly I'm not fan of Pamela New Workout (I know I'm going of offence a lot of people), I prefer the Expert Sleepers FH-2, it does more.
Instead of Dual FX from Erica, I would go for the FX AID PRO from happy nerding
Instead of Triplatt, I would go for the Befaco STMIX and add the Befaco A*B+C for the logic part

Moi! Oisko mahdollista saada valmiiksi kyhätty ms-20 filtteri? Olen turhan onneton korvaaja.

Absolutely true to its name. The Star Wars episode 2 Sith Lord vibe is strong with this one

Robaux ll8"?

I'm looking for a drum sequencer like the circadian rythms but in a smaller size, I love the steppy but it only has 4 channels.
I like rythms and steppy cuz of the on hand controls without menu diving.
It also needs to have both mute and fill buttons on hand.
Anyone know about such a module?

So when you do a firmware update do you have to re-calibrate?

Cool, thanks for pointing this one out.

Although, frankly, it's just one more module in the huge list of modules that needs a firmware update.

... where did we go wrong?!

There's a new firmware v1.2 available for Plaits (works also with all Plaits clones like Beehive, etc...)!
It features 8 new additional modes, which are pure bliss and cover a lot of sounds and textures from ambient/drone, 80s synth FM galore, and up to noise/industrial/harshnoise bonanza.

Here a play thru ALL new sounds available in the new Modes, just Plaits/Beehive as free runner oscillator!

Find the files to update your module here:
https://forum.mutable-instruments.net/t/plaits-firmware-update/20719

Thank you for that! That's incredibly helpful. I'll do some editing and see where I land.

For a first rack, that's a great mix of modules!

However, if you're going with a Rubicon, then I think you might want one more oscillator. The Rub's most notable feature is through-zero FM, which means you want something to FM it with! (Usually that means another VCO generating a sine wave, though you can use other waveforms, and if you have a filter that track 1/v over a good range, and which will self-oscillate, then that could work too).

I'd be tempted to lose the Disting, the 2Hp Compressor and the 2Hp Mix, and replacing them with a Dixie II+ to get that extra oscillator.

(The Disting is great, but it's a pain to use because it does so much with so little UI. The Mix is useful, but you have a Quadratt, and the Comp is a bit redundant when you have the Ghost).

Next up, the uMidi is also redundant - the Expert Sleepers does everything that can do and more. How about ditching the uMIDI and buffered mult (you can use stackable cables, and all your module choices are properly buffered, so you shouldn't need an active mult) and replacing it with a second Quadratt. (I have three of them in my current case, and I use them for just about everything).

I'd also consider swapping the Quad VCA for a Mutable Veils V2; it's another quad VCA, but would save you 2HP and it has a nicer interface (if you like sliders, which I do!). And you could use that spare 2HP to drop the 2hp adsr and replace it with a Frequency Central System X envelope. (The 2hp modules are actually really good, but they are a bit fiddly. IMHO they work better for things you don't tweak to much, like noise. For an ADSR, I'd rather take the System X in 4hp and have bigger knobs!)

Lastly, do you need the input and output 1u modules? Again, the ES can do all of that... Give you more room for something fun?

But yeah, this is already a damn nice selection

EDITED Dec 7th 2022, 10:26

Heyo I’m not planning to slice and sequence a breakbeat, I’m not planning on making standard drum and bass just music inspired by it, so around the same tempo with growly bases, which the waverazor should supply.

I will be using my micro freak for sequenced melodics, while the brains will probably act like some sort and of poly meter or drone. I might be replacing it with something else later but right now it seems to be my cheapest option, I’m not trying to cheap out but this rack is already more expensive than I was planning on ahaha. I’d probably later want to replace it with something else but I don’t know what yet, I could replace it with two simple doepfer oscillators but I don’t have enough sequencing power for another voice, I do have enough ADSR though.

Disclaimer: newbie myself as well. Also looking to build a rack so I have read a lot about many modules. So I also read about Brains and the Microfreak, both of which use Mutable Instruments' open sourced Plaits source code. So they'll share quite a few instruments (I don't know which exactly). Looks like you are well covered in the percussive area with other modules, which kind of implies you are planning to use the Brains for something your Freak can already take care of.

If you are planning to make Drum 'n Bass, which module will take care of slicing and sequencing breakbeat? Just curious.

Recently really got into hardware music, and I want to build a euro rack, I have this rack designed but I'm wondering if I'm forgetting anything. I Mainly wish to make drum and bass inspired music, but also make some forms of minimal house / minimal techno like music. Externally I also have a Arturia MicroFreak