Modular madness aka yet another noobie rack idea

Hi guys!

After almost 2 years of watching YT videos about modular synths, generating some bleep&bloops in VCV Rack I decided to build my own rack... As you know starting with modular is quite complex, so I'm asking you for help.

I'm not a professional music maker, just a hobbyist. I want to start "small" and then dive in. I really like ambient sounds with noisy electronic drums/effects like here or here.

My ideas how to use this:

• Clocking, sequencing, random melodies
  • Pam's - this is very versatile module, it's probably a little too menu diving but having 8 programmable outputs looks great.
  • Marbles - build in bernoulli gate and random sequencer is great for generative patches.
• Sound sources
  • Plaits - almost all newbie racks propositions have it and its sound possibilities are huge.
  • Basimilus Iteritas Alter - this module is crazy, I love this heavy, deep, noisy drums.
  • Cs-L - this is like lessons from oscillation theory I want to take: FM modulation, wave folding, cross-modulation...
• Sound modifiers
  • Wasp filter - it sounds just great
  • Dual FX - for wider sounds
• Utils
  • Pam's - so many nice things in one module: quantizer, S&H, LFO, envelope generator
  • ADSR
  • Quad VCA
  • Mixer & headphones out

Questions/problems:

• I'm thinking about Intellijel Quad VCA instead A-135-2 Quad VCA but deopfer is a cheaper. Is module from Intellijel better than A-135-2?
• Too many sound sources? Should I throw away great Cs-L (too big and to complex for newbie?) and get simpler oscillator (Befaco's Even VCO?) + effect (Dual Drive from Erica Synths)? Or just remove this complex oscillator?
• Am I missing some important utils/sound modifiers?
• No noise source... Should I add something?
• Sadly Mutable Instruments is closed, its better to look for secondhand offers (this modules are beautiful) or for clones?
• How many cables should I buy? ;)

Thank you for all advice!

EDIT: preview of rack looks like "old one", probably some cache.

EDITED Dec 27th 2022, 23:37

case is weird size if you are actually building it - 84hp or 104hp rails are easier to buy - and a better size - especially the 104...

if you're not building it and buying it just get a mantis ffs - best bang for buck - hp/cost/decent power/manufacturer reputation...

having space to grow into is a good idea - filling (or nearly filling) the case immediately is, well a decision that basically says I am prepared to get a new case almost immediately...

starting small is a great idea, but should be based on number of modules not size of case...

Pam's I don't really case as utility - more modulation source - even if it includes some utilities - but they're a biut of a pain in the arse to use compared to individual untilities - the new pro looks a bit better than the 'new' version, but not that much more

same with the adsr module - modulation source not utility

BUT that's kind of how I (and quite a few others) think about it - see my signature below for hints on how to get the most versatility from your modular for the least cash...

answers:
1 I'd rather have veils - but might be difficult to source unless After Later Audio have released a clone - or the happy nerding 3*vca - either of the ones you have mentioned will be fine, the intellijel one does have gain (ie is actually an amplifier as opposed to an attenuator) so that would be my choice - as amplification is always useful!

2 yes - you do have too many sound sources to start with and too many in the long run in this size case - buy 1 to start with and learn to use it - in your first rack you're probably best off sticking to 1 sound source per row - maybe cram a 3rd in if you go for 6u 104hp - otherwise you will not have space for the modules that you inevitably need to support them

3 again yes - I'd want more modulation sources (which you've lumped in with utils - imo erroneously!) - I'd go for maths if possible - this is a bit controversial though - some people see it as 'too complicated' for beginners - these are often people who do not read manuals or studeously watch youtube videos about their modules and do not want to spend a lot of time 'learning a module' - I say do these things - download the 'maths illustrated manual' and work your way through it many times - deeply thinking about what it is doing - the what, why & how

for utilities I always like to have a sequential switch, attenuators, a matrix mixer (useful for combining modulation sources to get more complex ones) and sub mixers - sub mixers are useful for combining waveshapes from the same vco (the c-sl has a lot of outputs - looks like at least 8 to me, but I don't have one, so idk for definite) - I'd want at least 2 4 channel sub-mixers just or that

I'd also take a look at your end of chain (eoc) mixer - not enough channels for what's in the case already... no send/return

plaits has 2 separate outputs (different versions) not necessarily stereo bit can be used as such (but it also has vca/filter ie an lpg) so you probably want 2 eoc mixer channels for that

BIA has a mono output - so could go into the wasp and then into the eoc

c-sl has 2 halves - again needing sub-mixing = 2 channels - and possibly a stereo filter (doepfer wasp is great & cheap, but mono - maybe 2 of these or add another mono filter or add a stereo filter) - again probably wants another 2 eoc channels

the multi-fx, which I'd replace with an fx aid pro, wants a stereo send/return...

4 I wouldn't worry about a noise source to start with - get one in the future if you need one

5 if you can find reasonably priced mutable modules used (and you can, if you look hard enough, at least some of them) then buy those - otherwise there are some full sized mutable which means they maintain the ergonimics - which is one of mutables strong points - Aftrer Later Audio for example

6 add up all the patch points and divide by 2... a 1/4 to a 3rd of them stackcables (or buy some passive mult module or headphone splitter type things - intellijel hubs for example) - this might seem like a lot - but you will be prepared - and you'll almost definitely forget to buy cables in the future when you buy modules at least a few times

Agree with Jim, the A-135-2 is not capable of amplification, whereas the Intellijel Quad VCA is, but personally I would go with Mutable Veils (2020 version) if your budget can handle it and you can get a hold of one - I see Signal Sounds still has one available as I type this, and there are also DIY versions out there.

EDITED Dec 28th 2022, 02:16

Hey luinnar,

— Buy a Plaits before they are all gone and upgrade it to the latest firmware. You'll hear so many sweet spots in the Orange mode you'll be fine delaying the Cs-L until you have a bigger case (and you can still practice using it for free in your VCV rack anyways). And Plaits offers some noise, drum sources, to cover your concern.

— For ambient, look into Zadar. It is 4 envelopes in 10HP. But instead of ADSR it is 260 different shapes that can be warped, sized, shifted, and reshaped. The length of the shape can go from a tiny fraction of a second up to 30 minutes. And the shapes can be set to repeat infinitely so it's also 4 LFOs. What's really cool about it is that you can use one shape to modulate another. So you can set the first envelope to be warped by the second, being warped by the third and by the fourth. You can make really interesting unique shapes quickly; it's impossible to exhaust and you can save presets if you hit on some good ones. Perfect for ambient stretches that always evolve. https://www.modulargrid.net/e/xaoc-devices-zadar

— Try out the free ALM Tangle Quartet in VCV. It's 8HP and much less cramped than the Doepfer. Intellijel Quad is 12HP so it won't fit your constraints, you'll need to rearrange your rack.

— One recommendation I'd make is to buy Befaco Knurlies. They are little screws you can turn with your fingers. No rack rash. And you can swap modules so quickly and painlessly—I have a big fixed case but also a small portable 64HP, and for Christmas I boxed up some modules and I must have switched things five or six times in an hour playing for my family. I couldn't imagine using a screwdriver.

— I love multis because you can send one cv source to multiple destinations--like a macro control and to keep your modulations tight and musical. Also try the Instruo [1]f in VCV. It is a crossfader, but also attenuates / polarizes a single source, and can offset.

Remember in modular, you can solve every obstacle with a little more space and a little more money. :)

15-20 cables is a good start, but you may find yourself not using more than 10 often. Using your hands to play the knobs is more fun.

That's my advice'ishness.

personally I would go with Mutable Veils (2020 version) ... and there are also DIY versions out there.
-- adaris

it's a bastard of a DIY module though not as difficult as some of the other mutable modules - unless you are very experienced at building smd electronics - I would stay away - hopefully ALA will get a full size clone out shortly

EDITED Dec 28th 2022, 02:33

Yeah I meant there were already built DIY versions available.....

Building on (and agreeing with) what others have said…
1) Get a MI Veils (V2) for a VCA. There is one left in stock at Signal Sounds at this very moment. Do not hesitate, buy it now! Do not think twice, don’t think about import fees if you do not live in the UK. This is a rare and disappearing opportunity, don’t pass it up!
It is 4 VCA’s in 10hp with offset, a huge amount of gain to bring line levels to Modular levels, is DC coupled so can handle both audio and CV. It can sum/ mix and runs 0v to 8v (rather than just 0v to 5v) which is important for some modules (Verbos for example). Again, all in 10hp. It will hold its value in the future.
2) Xaoc Zadar is great for envelopes. It can be dialed up quickly and the envelopes range from simple to more complex and can be attenuated within the module itself. The four separate envelopes match up with the four VCA’s in Veils. All in 10hp.

Good luck!

For ambient music, as a second oscillator in addition to the versatile Plaits you can perhaps start with a double oscillator and a waveshaper
A serious cheap option
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-reap-paradox-- (oscillator)
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modulaire-maritime-tarot (waveshaper).
They are the ones I have in mind for my next case extension.

I'd just say that you'd be surprised how far you can get with just one oscillator or sound source, split the audio off 2-3 ways into different effects or through a Wavefolder etc. I'd suggest any VCO with multiple outs or the MakeNoise STO with its S-Gate will practically let you do a melody line with a baseline all out of the same module.
Options for utilities would be MI's Links & Kinks, the latter has a noise source in the S&H section.

For ambient music, as a second oscillator in addition to the versatile Plaits you can perhaps start with a double oscillator and a waveshaper
A serious cheap option
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-reap-paradox-- (oscillator)
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/modulaire-maritime-tarot (waveshaper).
They are the ones I have in mind for my next case extension.
-- ferranadsr

The Noise Reap paradox is fantastic. And the latest version has some great additions (which make the module a little more crowded). I'm using the v1 in my rack and it's already very versatile.

NB I think Noise Reap closed

NB I think Noise Reap closed
-- JimHowell1970
Yes, unfortunately. My idea was to get a second hand Paradox.

First of all, thanks for all of your comments! I need to learn a lot :) It's hard to wrap up all of my additional questions, but I will try.

I'd rather have veils
I would go with Mutable Veils (2020 version)
Get a MI Veils (V2) for a VCA

I bought last in the World Veils, so I'm doomed and my modular sync adventure has started ;)

case is weird size if you are actually building it - 84hp or 104hp rails are easier to buy - and a better size - especially the 104...

Yes, I want to build one. I changed its size to 64 because this helps me think small, I want to build 6u x 84hp case. My idea is to start with ~10 modules.

you do have too many sound sources to start with and too many in the long run in this size case
I'd also take a look at your end of chain (eoc) mixer - not enough channels for what's in the case already... no send/return

I removed Cs-L, so Plaits and BIA as sound sources. I decided for this mixer because it has headphones out... Right now I think that it's better to have separated modules for mixer and for headphones to have more creative possibilities. 4 channel mixer (with some stereo inputs) will be enough for this or I need more? I'm not quite sure about this Stmix from Befaco.

For ambient, look into Zadar.
Xaoc Zadar is great for envelopes.

Yes, this is much better option than double ADSR. Do you think that I should replace Pam's with this module or this is just great addition to Pam's features?

the multi-fx, which I'd replace with an fx aid pro

Fx aid pro has bazillion effects but only 1 channel, more to explore but one sound sorce at the time... Tough decision.

This is my second approach, but I still think that I'm missing things. Some more utils needed. But I want to limit myself to 10 (max 11 modules) and try not to cross 2,5k euro.

EDITED Dec 29th 2022, 17:45

Yes, this is much better option than double ADSR. Do you think that I should replace Pam's with this module or this is just great addition to Pam's features?

-- luinnar

Keep Pam's and Zadar. Pam's is the heartbeat of my entire rack. I mostly set it and forget it and tweak other modules, but it drives almost everything in my rack.
Have fun and good luck.

NB I think Noise Reap closed
-- JimHowell1970

It is but the designs have been open sourced with few restrictions

https://github.com/odeliy/noise-reap/tree/master/modules

This will be terrific to get started with. Pam's + Zadar + Plaits + BIA + Marbles could keep you going for a good long while before you really "need" anything else.