Thank you for the detailed replies everyone.
I now believe I have a clear path of what I need to take my rack in the direction I want to go.
I think the next module I will go with is Veils after more research. The updated version is really neat!
Although the fx aid xl that Jim mentioned is very very tempting. I've instantly fallen in love with it after seeing a few demos. Is there that much of a difference between the fx aid xl versus the fx aid, aside from the extra CV to control the settings?
I'll be DIYing a few things too, like my case, the aim now is 12U/104HP that I'll slowly be filling over the next few years or so. Could also get away with a DIY stereo mixer, hopefully that's not too bad.
Thanks again!