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Firstly, thanks very much for responding, your advice to go slowly makes sense.

I was thinking of buying one or two modules each month so hopefully that will fit the learning process.

I do currently have one Disting and am currently getting to grips with it. I take on board you point about the menu diving.
I like the idea of being able to repurpose it in different ways for different patches. My understanding is that it powers up in the state that it was last powered down in. If that’s the case then the menu diving shouldn’t be too painful as it’s more of a repatching activity.

The design of the rack at the moment is loosely based on the idea of the Erica Techno System hence a lot of voice modules and trigger generators but you’re right, for ambient stuff, it is light on VCAs so I will certainly give that some thought as well.

The reason for the 6->2 mixer was to preserve the stereo output of both FX processors but if there is a cheaper unit that fits into 2HP then please let me know.

It possible that a single FX Aid may be enough as some of the algos on it feature both delay and reverb in with case the small mixer would be redundant.

For sequencing the Bassline I was thinking of using the MIDI file playlist feature of one of the Distings and using CV from the Polyend Preset or the Pamela’s New Workout to vary the pattern playing. Would this work?

Thanks again for responding, I really appreciate it.

Joe

Go slowly... it is not a race

personally instead of 6 distings, I'd get one and play with it a while - it's a great module but a lot of people don't like it as it has (some) menu diving

I think you have a poor ratio of utility modules to 'feature' modules - but if you go slowly you can work that out

I'd go for a cheaper smaller mixer than the 6->2 mixer for that purpose

you almost definitely need more vcas (the ones on the WMD PM are great for your audio, but what about modulation??) - I'd get something like a veils or intellijel quad cascading vca (and replace 3 distings with it)

how are you going to sequence the bassline etc w v/oct?

Just in case someone else faces the same problem as me:
a de-install/re-install of Firefox did the trick. Everything's fine now, pheew!

Just don't forget to save your favourites before de-installing.

Sold Chronoblob2 to @mszzz great buyer, nice to deal with!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1089566.jpg

Finally considering taking the dive into modular. Seeing as how I already own a Neutron I figured that would be a solid building block. I want to be able to do some basic sequencing and still be able to utilize the Neutron as a standalone synth via USB MIDI. I tried to cover the basics, as far as I understand them. Also wanted to leave room for future modules. I think the Morphagene would be a nice addition. Looking for ANY feedback or advice. I also own a 0 coast and was considering implementing it but it looks a little tricky to add to the rack. I don’t consider myself tech savvy enough to alter it to make it work. But perhaps someone could let me know their thoughts regarding that and how it would complement the Neutron and the modules I’ve picked out.

Thanks in advance!!!

also many thanks to @rsillsley for a Pulsar in very good shape! I will definitely would buy from hopefully in the near future

Hi All,

I'm currently trying to put together a small techno system in an Erica travel case (2 x 104HP). I would be aiming to make mainly hardish, drum focussed techno rather than melodic but might sometimes do some ambient/drone or down tempo stuff.

I was hoping for some advice on module selection. I already own the Trigger Riot, 1 x Disting MK4, BIA and have the performance mixer on back order.

This is what I have so far:

My rational for module choices is as follows:

Trigger riot:
Coming up with unusual patterns that I wouldn't program on an X0X beat grid

Performance Mixer:
Place to bring everything together with fader control realtime, 2 x Aux sends, main FX loop, outputs and headphone outs.

BitBox:
Main voice module for non-synth drums allowing some sampled kicks, hats, claps and stabs. Would also get used in Synthbox mode for ambient.

Polyend Preset:
Would allow for 'playing' groups of CV settings when jamming e.g. filter cutoff on bassline, DJ filter on main output, FX return levels, CV inputs on BIA, MI & Knit etc.

Pamela's New workout:
Clocked CV source and additional trigger source. Am hoping that it could be used on the level CV input in mixer to simulate sidechain on the bassline input.

Basimilus Iteritas Alter:
Interesting Drum sounds that can be modulated dynamically

Manis Iteritas:
As above with a different voice

Knit:
Additional drum voice or melodic voice in the case of making an ambient drone track

Erica Bassline:
Primarily for basslines, compact voice with nice aggressive filter

6 x Disting:
General utilities like DJ filter for main output, clocked MIDI player for Bassline/Knit, HPF for MIA and MI, HPF for compressor sidechain, LFO.

2 x FX Aid:
Mainly reverb and delay, sometimes chorus.

WMD MSCL:
Bus compressor for the main outputs to glue everything together and hopefully add some very mild saturation. I would probably aim to sidechain this using an HPF on a Disting to stop the kick and bass from pumping it too much.

Rotating clock divider:
Additional trigger source.

Mult:
Distributing clocks and resets.

6->2 mixer:
Mixing the two FX processors so that they only use one stereo channel on the mixer.

All suggestions and advice would be most welcome.

Cheers,

Joe

Had good transactions recently with @fluffymuff and @mszzz

Cheers!

do you have any experience with the system80 810 or erica bassline?
i have to choose this two or only atlantis.. don't know if manther growl would be a good prospect

Cool track

This is such a wild composition! A great collection of synthetic sounds evoking a natural jungle! Excellent job!

GarfieldModular - Thanks for the reply. Here's the image as a link (i hope).

I already have the modules shown. I make my own cases so the cost is limited to hardware and PSU. My next case will definitely have a 1U row.

I agree 100% with your ADSR comment. I actually forgot that was one of the next modules I intended to buy. Do you think something like the MI Stages could serve as an envelope generator while taking over some sequencing if I omit the Metropolis? The Metropolis is huge but I felt it would increase the "playability" of the rack. There's plenty of smaller sequencers, though.

I thought a third filter would be too much for two rows. Glad to be wrong. The Jove System 80 filter sounds great...or maybe a ladder filter.

Any recommendations on "must have" envelope generators (besides Maths) or filters I could check out?

Maths can do so many things!

Thank you!

Hey Garfield,

strange, the (vimeo) video plays without any issues for me.
There is also a version uploaded on Youtube. But this seems to have some slight audio issues due to the Youtube compression?!

Thanks for your support!

Regards, Frank

EDITED Dec 30th 2019, 12:41

Just bought a WMD Fracture from @templar. Super smooth transaction and really quick postage. 100% recommend!

Cheers Guys...

A quad VCA is on my wish list (either Veils or Blinds), I must say I like a few of the dual VCA though from Frequency Central or Eectrosmith, skinny enough to dot around a system close to what they will mainly be used on.

So with Maths, can you shoot it 4 separate triggers and get 4 separate envelopes?

Note to self:
To start off, I'm planning two streams:
1. Contact microphone, regular microphone or iPhone (sound recordings or app drums) into Supercell, possibly passing through Rings. Use this stream for ambient drone, crazy noise or beat repeat drums.
2. Grandmother triggered by keys into Mimeophon. I may want to add a filter or some sort of effect between the Grandmother and Mimeophon. Take out the Links to do this? Maybe reduce the Quad VCA to a µ4xVCA or µVCA so I can keep the Links?

Hi Hedgemunkees,

That's quite nice. Thanks for sharing the link.

Is that you making this music from CyberneticOhm or are you just sharing the link here?

Thanks and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

I cannot find your work anymore. I clicked on your link, but it does not open up your music.

I have only one classic ADSR and rarely use it. I prefer Maths or Zadar. For the VCA I suggest a quad VCA with linear/exponential response, bipolar CV input and cascaded mixer like MI Veils or Intellijel Quad VCA.

this is a controller for stupid people. what’s a stupid people? somebody with little to no music education. i’m a stupid people. this controller is for me (duh!).
the arcade buttons will be used to trigger gates and cv values while pressure points does it’s thing. as of right now i have no idea how i’m gonna patch it. suggestions?

Hi Rookie,

Nice one and a nice Arturia casing too! :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Wishbonebrewery,

Oh this is a good one! Lot's of fun here! :-)

Fantastic, keep it up like this! Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Wishbonebrewery,

That's a very good question. I asked that myself about the Erica Synth Black VC EG. I like that one so much, should I just get yet another piece of it or should I rather get different ADSRs to extend my horizon? I got already a few other ADSRs by the way and so far, for me, the Black VC EG is the nicest one (under the ADSRs).

I think at the end, nobody can answer our question; I do think, we have to answer ourselves that question. I think my approach is going to be:

If I like that module so much... so what?! Just get another one and enjoy even more!

It's just that I am running at the moment short on HPs and my extension plans need some time, so that's why I haven't bought the second Black VC EG one yet.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Gorilla,

Is it just me or do I miss your questions in your above post?

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Turk128,

Could you please provide the link to your rack, so it's easier to have a look at it? A picture doesn't help much, since I would like to check certain modules to see what they do, hence a link to your rack is required.

First impression: you are using some very huge modules for a very limited space-wise rack, you might want to reconsider that or better start to plan with a larger rack :-)

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi JH Dees,

Even though you mentioned that you will be adding more rows in the future, why not starting directly with a larger case, saving yourself money for near future so you don't have to directly buy another casing?

The above rack is I think a picture but not a link, so I couldn't have a detailed look at your rack and the used modules for the details. I think (from what I can see from your picture without being sure) you could need at least one more filter and one more ADSR; hence at least another row to plan/add :-)

The pressure points and Metropolis are for sure nice modules but they take up a huge amount of your space and you should consider to start with an additional filter and ADSR first before thinking of using/adding such large modules, at least that is what I would do if I would have had such limited space.

By the way, the WASP filter (Doepfer, A-124) you plan there is a fantastic filter. I got it myself and from all my filters that the best so far I got. Now I have to admit that I am having a bit of a lack on filters in my setup but still this A-124 is a beauty (to use it)!

Since you plan anyway quite a bit of Intellijel stuff, why don't you consider at least an Intellijel 7U casing? Then that output stuff you can do by those 1U-tiles and that gives you just that bit more space for other modules. Just an idea. I know the 7u case is a bit expensive (at least if you live in Europe) but I do think it's worth it.

Good luck with the planning and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Blackpaws,

I got a Wasp filter (Doepfer A-124) and have no problems. Thoughts... did you check the connection to the power bus? And all the modules on that same power unit too?

Other than that, nothing comes to mind. Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Frank,

Your video is somehow not working, not sure why, will try it another time. I like the idea (and the realisation within this module) of a dual 6-channel mixer, that's pretty neat!

I will consider this module too, first I wait for your filter then let's see. I need HP space, my rack got almost full just recently :-(

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Frank,

Interesting! Just...

when do I win the lottery so I can buy all the modules I like (which are tons) and I can buy a house where that all fits? ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

it’s an 808 bass sampler. this is a prototype. i do not have all of the modules yet. sound is created by sampling the «asteroid» into the «isd_sampler». during sample playback, «freez» will be used for live slicing. «monsoon/clouds» is the glue holding everything together. «loaf» for clock and modulation. «simple adsr» to shape it up. «audio mixer» for layering.

Demonstrating some of the CV mix possibilities...

Marbles feeds four ocillators with a Cdim7 chord (C, Eb, Gb, A).

I can see two ways of thinking about this...
I currently have the WMD SSF ADSRVCA which I'm really liking, is this a good enough reason to buy more of them or is it better / more interesting with varied possibilities to buy things like the Befaco ADSR, Instruo Ceis, Intelegel Dual ADSR, Qu-bit Contour etc etc??? (Think exactly the same question for VCAs)

For the Befaco I'll probably do the DIY, Instruo looks pretty similar to the befaco then there is the Intellijel Dual ADSR which I really like the idea of as its based around the SH101, I used to own the Roland MC202.

I don't really have intentions to ever own a wall of Synth so maybe sticking with the WMD SSF ADSRVCA is the way to go, I'm also interested in something with a long cycle time.

NZ modular synth electronica outfit "cyberneticOhm" has made their debut album a free download until the end of the year:

https://cyberneticohm.bandcamp.com/album/c-57d-album

I've had a Wasp filter for a few weeks and it's started behaving strangely. With the level control turned to full and all the other controls set to zero, listening to the LP output I would expect to hear nothing - but I now hear the input signal coming through clearly. Turning up the resonance seems to have no effect any more, and opening up the filter there is some timbre change but nothing like what I was getting before. Prior to this I had a few instances of unusual behaviour from the filter, in which the level would suddenly drop or increase. But now it doesn't seem to be behaving as a LP filter at all (when listening to the LP output). I have seen in various posts on the web that these filters can be unreliable - any thoughts?

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_823560.jpg

I replied without RTFM! :)

I can highly recommend @Ides as a seller. Super-friendly. Many thanks!

Eventually when I've bought a few more modules I want to fire the 2hp bell off via a Befaco Burst as a one-shot of notes via a 2hp ARP, so hope for a flurry of notes that can be fired off with just one slowly clocked trigger.
I'm assuming A-2 on the Disting is like a Clock Multiplier?
-- wishbonebrewery

With 2 audio signal in X,Y it's a ring modulator

EDITED Dec 28th 2019, 15:05

btw, Defrag... your tracks are very film score-esque, some dark and foreboding stuff :)

Eventually when I've bought a few more modules I want to fire the 2hp bell off via a Befaco Burst as a one-shot of notes via a 2hp ARP, so hope for a flurry of notes that can be fired off with just one slowly clocked trigger.
I'm assuming A-2 on the Disting is like a Clock Multiplier?

I plan on finishing this system with a Metropolis, Malekko SND/RTN (to compensate for lack of effect modules), two Mixups (cheap mixers that can mute), and a Tiptop Audio One. That leaves 4 HP.

I'd really appreciate any comments on things I may have overlooked or modules that would be more useful than the ones proposed above. I'll be adding more rows in the future, but until then, I'd like to know I have an effective "core system." Thanks!

Super-smooth purchase of an ER-301 from @aze_007 - thank you, sir!

A-2 should add some good vibes with the 2hp bell... :-)

EDITED Dec 28th 2019, 02:35

Definitely go with the larger pod cases. Not only do you make a good point about the prototyping space, having ample extra space would allow you to have some "swap-in" space to check out modules you're thinking of adding into the main build.

The -Envelope from the ADSRVCA is modulating the speed of sample playback and there's 2hp action from Pluck and Bell along with some subtle Vowel, Erica Pico DSP and 2hp Verb on effects duty.

Hey,
there is a new overview video available for the Themisto VCO, check it out:

Hey,
the production run for the first series has been initiated. Hopefully we will have them ready by end of January 2020.
Once I know a more accurate date, I will let you know.. :)

Thanks, Frank