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I bought from @lumotint (Koma Field Kit Panel) & @clarinet (Intellijel Planar)
Both were very communicative and easy to deal with. The panel was dropped of directly and the Planar was shipped super fast/safely - totally happy with the items and the experiences.
buying modules isn't an issue. i'm just scraping by in one of the country's bottom 10 worst economies and can't even afford a DAW to do everything in freeware for now.
as to modules, if i ever DID get expendable income, i have a very good idea what i want... lots and lots of different sounding VCOs & VCFs mostly under MIDI control with possibly a control forge & several expanders as THAT utility totally makes sense to me and is 80% close to the "dream module" i'd have a genie build for me. the demos for it suck, but i can totally hear it wobbling, boinging, ahhh whooping & scratching in my head drawing segment curves & adjusting their timing. i have less than zero interest in clock dividers, logic & sequencers and all that noodling stuff and would treat "my rack" mostly as a straight forward synthesizer i can swap & stack voices with and resynthesize audio with. i think that both control forge & envelope following human beat boxing would be the core of "my sound" outside of sampling, percussion & extra twangy light string "new wave/surf" telecaster riffs.
if there were any modules that i'd want to get rid of, they'd be filters that don't have as much flavor as expected with juicy, rubbery & vocal" being my 3 favorite sounds ahead of grungy & fat. i'd basically build an ARP 3000 with a lot more oscillators & filters to essentially cram a room full of hardwired monosynths into a rack.
yeah... i'm a total outsider here.
this is MY dream rack. noodlers would DESPISE IT. LOL
OK... i had to copy the edited rack and create a new URL for it to display right. for some reason, this website is psychotically OBSESSED with kicking synthesis technology's E350 morphing terrarium out of the rack for no reason every chance it gets and fights me putting it back in. this time it did it "after the fact" with what i thought was a "settled" layout update. i'd LOVE an excuse to kick the 303 filter out. i DESPISE 303 filter sweeps. from what i can tell, the extra juicy ARP, SEM & diode ladder filters and the fat rubbery jupiter 8 would be my favorites (not counting digital morpheus "radical" modulation effects). i tossed the macromachines omnimod in as an afterthought in case it offers something control forge doesn't, if only faster & simpler editing after juggling some modules and kicking an EMS filter out.
Just bought the brilliant Make Noise Optomix v2 from @kansha aka Chris. Lovely guy, really understanding, module exactly as described, lightening postage, arrived the next day. Trade with complete confidence. Cheers Chris! :-)
So I have a Mother 32 and a Microbrute and I'm putting together a nice sidecar between the two. The goal is to use Reaktor Blocks along with the two units, sending CV from Reaktor thru ES-3 and into different patch points to modulate or trigger. The goal with the Shapeshifter is to have a digital sound source that I can run through the Moog or Microbrute or maybe even let it play on it's own and modulate the parameters through the various CV sources I have.
I think I have a "simple" yet versatile configuration here but would anyone have any suggestions or comments about the configuration?
ES-3 for routing LFO/EG CV from Reaktor into modules
Shapeshifter for a digital waveform source with tons of features (including delay and a vocoder)
24db filter for additional shaping
Multi for expanding the use of CV signals
Dual VCA (control via EG CV from Reaktor)
Stereo Out for sending the signal of the Shapeshifter directly into my UAD Apollo for recording if so desired
Another goal is to add one more 60HP rack to the Mother32 and expand into things like Clouds and Rings but that's a little further down the road.
Sounds like you've got your finger on the pulse! Yeah! keep up the good work....... I'm old enough to think that I've been down a similar road as you have been.
Loads of plugins.... Super software programs....... And for me, personally, it was all too much. It stifled my creativity....... It took me, like 12 to 15 years to realize that I need less..... I need limitations.
What I'm realizing is that I'm now going down the path that probably every modular guy goes through. The fact that I now need to thoroughly go through modules until I find the ones that work well in a case that I can take with me.
This is going to require not only trying out modules at the store, "if" I came make it over to the big city.... Also, making sure it works with my other modules. Probably Lots of time spent jamming and re-working modules........
I guess at this point I should be grateful of all the used modules out there and the used module market..... Because I'll probably sell a few after I try them out.
Why am I buying new modules? .......hmmmm...
Uhgg..... What did I get myself into?
Okay,
Once I get all the right modules to fit in a Flight carry on case... I should be set. All limitations intact. Perfectly free to explore the infinite in one little box.
That is my goal.
Thanks for helping me out with this stage of modular prowess!!!
Be careful of my mistake..... Only buy new modules of the ones you know you're going to keep. buy used ones to try them out. (then sell them for the same price)
Grey
Would it be possible to list something as 0 hp for stand alone items, which arent required to be in a rack but directly interfacing with your system? things such as the Intellijel mult pucks, bastl Dude could be examples. Maybe another catagory such as 1u but not require a row and maye have them appear to the sides of the rack sorta like the excess modules will appear if they dont fit in the hp of your current rack?
Im thinking of this because of a "module" i am trying to add on here which does not require space is having its image really messed up whilst attempting to pretend it has some hp so people can see it exists.
Not sure if its feasible or worthwhile, but thought i would ask :)
So I recently sold my volca FM, but I've been feeling a bit regretful because I miss the sound making capabilities of its FM and additive synthesising format.
So I wondered whether it would be possible to make an FM modular as my first modular. This is probably very strange and maybe stupid-sounding to most of you, but I just find the FM style appealing.
Also I was hoping perhaps to use any modular equipment (at least to start) as either an ambient sound bay that i could use alongside other synths/samplers, a source of modulation for another synth (right now I'm thinking the microbrute), or perhaps as a strong monophonic synth in its own right.
So I made a mock up of a potential FM modular - tell me what you think!
Hi I am considering one day assembling a modular synth. I don't think i'll ever have that much money to put aside for it, at least not in the near future. So I made a synth that seemed to me quite simple, effective, and good value for money.
Can people please advise me on what modules I've got wrong and what could be good?
You know you can sort by Depth?
Click twice to change sort direction. Valid workaround?
-- modulargrid
It helps, but i still have to go through the module description do have an idea of actual depth.
A filter with x = max depth in mm, that excludes all modules without depth definition and deeper than x.
Workaround would be to see depth displayed in the overview, so no further clicks are needed to know actual depth.
A Eurocrack Pusher: "The first time is for free" ;)
Would it possible to add a filter on "Module Depth"?
Working a lot with shallow skiffs recently, and that would save me from digging through module descriptions to check if they are compatible.
A Eurocrack Pusher: "The first time is for free" ;)
Bought an Intellijel uScale v2 off of @alexanderL, which was shipped quickly and arrived in great condition. Questions were answered quickly, and he's quite courteous. Cheers!
well NOTHING would beat going someplace where you could get hands on with gear and check it out, especially if there's a knowledgable staff.
personally, i'm REALLY into rossum's control forge. it's a rack hog & has a deep interface, but it works a lot like my mind does picturing tones and beats as curves and stretchy rubber bands. THAT utility makes more sense to me than every clock/divider, sequencer and CV modulator put together, but that's me.
i don't have ANYTHING for making music except a binaural dummy head i made with sure PZMs, a sony portable cassette deck & a TC electronics chorus, all in storage. realistically, i'd start out doing EVERYTHING in a DAW with as much freeware as i could cram in it, then add a tube preamp, a sampler (or software), a cheap monophic analogue... probably a mopho, a twangy telecaster and keep building from there, but the job market here SUCKS, and i have other priorities... like getting my stuff out of storage that have to come first.
i'm just studying modular out of boredom & to learn more than the basics of synthesis & music production i'm already familiar with.
i'm just studying modular out of boredom & to learn more than the basics of synthesis & music production i'm already familiar with.
as to DIY stage cases... check parts express out. they have cheap carpet, spray adhesive & all kinds of handles & corners etc. for building road worthy gear along with excellent customer service. i buy most of my DIY audio stuff from them and have never been burned on an order over an issue they didn't resolve.
The Mother 32 is mono so it only needs a TS to TS 1/4 cable. So what your saying is in order to get each oscillator from the modular to a an external analog mixer or audio interface each on its own channel is you will need an output module in the end signal chain for each oscillator? Mother 32 to an output module then to channel 1 on external analog mixer. 303 Osc to filter, amp, e.g., lfo, effects then another output module to channel 2 on mixer. Wiard Osc to filter, amp, e.g. , lfo, effects then another output module to channel 3 on mixer? And so on so on?
-- Do0mal
I want to be clear here: to answer your question in bold above: YES.
And your examples are correct. I am not aware at this point of anyone who does this. It is perhaps less expensive to multitrack your recording in multiple takes using a single output module. A modular system is more than just a sound source. It's a sound system, but not in the traditional audiophile sense.
Than again it's hard to say. Perhaps you are developing a unique approach that no one else has bothered to develop yet. It's not like a ton of people on this planet are exploring this stuff. It's a pretty small community.
That is a the most general (or abstract) signal chain.
A more specific and typical signal chain is
sound source -> VCA -> output module.
This assumes you have a method of turning the volume up and down on the VCA. You could physically turn knobs on a VCA and create some pretty cool stuff. But you will never be able to "turn" the knob as fast as voltage can. That is where the VC part of VCA comes in. For this you need an envelope generator (EG) such as Make Noise MATHS or Erica Synths Black EG/LFO module. Then there is the new Rossum Control Forge with which you can design arbitrarily complex envelopes. And the term envelope as used here can be confusing because even another oscillator can be used to generate envelopes to VCA to open the volume up and close it down. The Mother-32 gives you access to its EG which you can patch in and out, I believe.
Here is a more specific signal chain I used recently in a patch with modules I have
Erica Synths (ES) Black VCO -> Make Noise (MN) Optomix -> MN Erbe-verb -> ES Black Output.
The Optomix was being opened and closed in weird and funky ways using a Synthesis Technologies E350 (Morphing Terrarium). Also, I was using Rossum Control Forge to move around in the wave tables on the E350 which was continually altering the way the MN Optomix opened and closed. Now that I think about it I was sending ES Pico VCO into the second channel on MN Optomix. The same envelope was being used to open and close both channels on the Optomix.
The point here is that modules such as Optomix are mixers which is what you want. The output from your mixer goes to your output module which provides a line level signal to the rest of your outboard equipment to interface with your DAW and keyboards and such. The ES Black Output module is also a mixer as well as an output module.
Taking a signal directly out of a modular system can be done but it will be too hot for most audio equipment which is expecting a line level signal voltage (anyone know what the limits are of line level voltage?).
Where is the the output module was also my first thought. maybe you should take a look at the make noise Rosie. It as a cue mixer and was made for live performance. So,maybe it's for you. But you may also consider the new Doepfer output module.
The Mother 32 is mono so it only needs a TS to TS 1/4 cable. So what your saying is in order to get each oscillator from the modular to a an external analog mixer or audio interface each on its own channel is you will need an output module in the end signal chain for each oscillator? Mother 32 to an output module then to channel 1 on external analog mixer. 303 Osc to filter, amp, e.g., lfo, effects then another output module to channel 2 on mixer. Wiard Osc to filter, amp, e.g. , lfo, effects then another output module to channel 3 on mixer? And so on so on?
Okay. I think I get it. I'm going with this explanation, "I am trying to create a system and need to know what modules to add to this one I am making on modular grid in order to send audio into a Focusrite Clarett 8 pre audio interface which I have or buy a mixer with plenty of inputs which I don't have yet."
I took a look at the Clarett. Let's say you were interested in connecting only the Mother-32 so that it's audio can be recorded in Ableton. Then what you would do is connect the stereo output on the back of the M-32 to any two of the Clarett's 1/4" inputs. Let's say you chose the two on front. To do this you would need a 1/4" stereo to x2 1/4" mono y-cable or breakout cable. Or you could use a "breakout box" which provides these sorts of connections in a box instead of a cable (it's more flexible options wise). Set your levels and you're done!
Example 2 : let's say you want to instead use the rest of the modules you've specified in your case maybe with or without the M-32. Then you would need an output module such as the Make Noise Rosie or Erica Synths Black Output. The Black Output provides two 1/4" mono outputs which makes it super simple to patch into your Clarett using two mono 1/4" TS (tip-sleeve or mono) cables.
You could patch directly out from any module into the Clarett but the levels will likely be too high. Without a way to trim them, then you will be clipping your signal. You need a way to bring the signal strength of modular down to line level.
Now, you could get patch cables with built in resistors to trim the lines, but quality might suffer. Or! You might want roll your own and solder a resistor into a patch cable! That's always fun.
So, what is your opinion of the M-32 and Clarett Pre8?
Okay. I think I get it. I'm going with this explanation, "I am trying to create a system and need to know what modules to add to this one I am making on modular grid in order to send audio into a Focusrite Clarett 8 pre audio interface which I have or buy a mixer with plenty of inputs which I don't have yet."
I took a look at the Clarett. Let's say you were interested in connecting only the Mother-32 so that it's audio can be recorded in Ableton. Then what you would do is connect the stereo output on the back of the M-32 to any two of the Clarett's 1/4" inputs. Let's say you chose the two on front. To do this you would need a 1/4" stereo to x2 1/4" mono y-cable or breakout cable. Or you could use a "breakout box" which provides these sorts of connections in a box instead of a cable (it's more flexible options wise). Set your levels and you're done!
Example 2 : let's say you want to instead use the rest of the modules you've specified in your case maybe with or without the M-32. Then you would need an output module such as the Make Noise Rosie or Erica Synths Black Output. The Black Output provides two 1/4" mono outputs which makes it super simple to patch into your Clarett using two mono 1/4" TS (tip-sleeve or mono) cables.
You could patch directly out from any module into the Clarett but the levels will likely be too high. Without a way to trim them, then you will be clipping your signal. You need a way to bring the signal strength of modular down to line level.
Now, you could get patch cables with built in resistors to trim the lines, but quality might suffer. Or! You might want roll your own and solder a resistor into a patch cable! That's always fun.
So, what is your opinion of the M-32 and Clarett Pre8?
i'm not an expert either, BUT looking at your system, you have a duophonic with 2 analogue VCOs...
-- bubblefunk
My friend, it seems like you are a eurorack master and literally one of THE MOST experienced persons on the field! Words can't describe how much I appreciate your effort into explaining EVERYTHING in detail and giving me a better understanding as to what is best for a system, how to save money and most importantly, providing a deep coverage on the technical side of things. Believe me, your explanation will be my bible into designing my next one.
Maybe you are right about the moog sound, I am a bit obsessed with it and in that case I overdone it! I'll edit this one and will be definitely removing the ladder filter. Checking the videos now and will get back to you.
It's not rack mounted yet. I am trying to create a system and need to know what modules to add to this one I am making on modular grid in order to send audio into a Focusrite Clarett 8 pre audio interface which I have or buy a mixer with plenty of inputs which I don't have yet. I record in Ableton Live. Do I need an output module for every voice ? I thought there was a way to sum everything together and send each synth voice from the modular to its own channel on the mixer or audio interface. How can I get this rack I am creating into a mixer having each its own seperate channel. The mother on one channel the 303 another and so on. I would be using a Vermona DRM MkIII for drums with trigger outputs into the circadian rhythms. How do I get the 8 parts of the Vermona drums out of the circadian into the audio interface or mixer?
Doc! Sorry for the really long delay. I've wanted to sit down and reread where we were at and these a long posts, man. It sounds to me like you are on the right track. You're developing experience and stuff. That's all you can do. Keep going. If/when you want to put together a modular setup, then say how much you have to spend and take it from there. There are so many ways to go here it's mind numbing.
MATHS is really cool. I recently was playing around with it and used it to get some amazing bass sounds. I really like MATHS and Optomix as a pair. And Function is excellent, too. If MATHS isn't available as an EG, then you will need something like Function. I like them compared to some other EGs I've used because they can be really snappy or very gracefully smooth and drawn out.
You said something a while back about taking courses locally to learn electronics versus watching YT and teaching yourself. If you have the resources and a little help around you, you certainly can teach yourself. But I would recommend taking a course or two instead. It would probably get you where you want to go faster. It would also engage you with other people interested in similar things. You never know what could happen!
I've been doing this for a little over a year now. What I'm learning is that a system can always be changing and there may never be a perfect setup. That said I run my synth directly into a Presonus usb interface and then into either Reaper, Studio One, or Logic. Actually, my perferred order is Studio One then Reaper then Logic way down the line. I also run my synth into my DSI Pro-2 keyboard or I run the keyboard into the synth. Either way audio out is somewhere and that goes into the usb audio interface. Or a mixer.
Hmm. I feel maybe I'm still missing the point of your question. Come to think of it, what are you using for audio output? I don't think I see an output module. The Mother-32 has a 1/4" audio jack on the back side when mounted in Moog's case, but if you have it rack mounted, then you have lost the audio output (?). I use Make Noise Rosie and Erica Synth's Black Output module which I prefer now because it's a three channel mixer and provides L and R channels that go directly to studio monitors or usb interface or mixer.
So, one last thing I think of: Erica Synths musician on hand, Kodek, is pretty into techno. There are some great videos of him using their Pico system for some pretty amazing stuff. Perhaps you might get some ideas by watching? Just a thought.
Right now I'm in the process of redesigning my system of 50+ modules and rethinking enclosures. I'm getting to the point in my understanding of modular synthesis and sound and CV that logic modules are becoming necessary. When I started I was overwhelmed with half a dozen modules and no understanding of CV. Looking back I could have started with just an oscillator, a VCA, and MATHS or Function (I like them both), and an output module. What is waaaay more important is knowledge of how to use those few modules well. That knowledge I was lacking and it would have made a huge difference.
I would like to perform techno live with this setup. I was just wondering what other modules I would need to properly get this system up and running. I have a Vermona DRM MkIII with triggers which I use for drums and was wondering if I could use that with the Circadian Rhythms. Then sequence everything else with the mother 32 or metropolis. I understand it's an expensive domain. I said I am creating a custom rack so it will be built over time.
If you want to combine modules with the mother 32 it should be possible to power other modules with the mothers psu (because it provides a lot more power than the mother actually uses).
Make Noise Rene, pressure points, 0-coast, tempi
Delptronics trigger man
Anything else?
Ps: looks like the image of the rack does not update
Well, I'll kick in here. It's really hard to say where to go with this because there are so many different directions to go. I guess: what are you thinking you would like to do with this setup? And if you already own the Mother-32, Wasp filter and such, then you already have quite a bit there. I can tell you about the Erica Synths modules. They are top notch (but their Fusion line is expensive). I have their Fusion Mixer and I love it. Without knowing how you might want to use this setup, it's hard for me to say. If you're just looking for drones and sound scapes, then the Mother-32 is a place to start and then adding another noise source or oscillator. Go slow. It's an expensive domain here. In fact, now that I think of it, the Wasp filter and Wiard Oscillator fed into the Mother-32 might be interesting. You already have these. You mention other analogue synths. What other synths do you have? Because you already have a modular system going here.
First I just want to say what an awesome community this is. I honestly do not know where I would be with out all of this.
I am creating a modular synth and I need some help on what to add to make this specific system I am building work properly. I am fairly new in the world of modular synthesis so anyone's help would be awesome and bare with me. It will be used for live techno. I already have a Vermona DRM MkIII with triggers which I will be using for drums and I wanted to sequence with my custom rack. Does this system have the right modules in what I am trying to do?
I was going to sequence the Vermona using a Circadian Rhythm and everything else with the Metropolis and Mother 32. Will this work? How do I get each voice from the rack into its own channel on a mixer and into Ableton Live.
Should I use the WMD performance mixer or get a seperate analog mixer outboard and hook it up with my other analog synths and have more rack space for other modules. I also would like to put this into Ableton which I use a Focusrite Clarett 8Pre. The system is pictured below.
Does anyone have any experience with the Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-420 Case? I have two Elite Modular 6U powered cases I'm looking to get rid of and I like the size of the EP-420 except that I would like to use M3 knurlies with it.
There is pretty much zero channel bleed and you have to have multiple signals turned up all the way befor the way before there is distortion. The distortion is pretty clean sounding and when observed on a scope looks like a straight clip. The 2hp mix also works really well with control voltages and the scaling on the knobs is quite smooth, without any big jumps in volume.
-- CryptoGreen
Oh, I interpreted "The 2hp Mix has superior channel bleed" as if it had major/significant channel bleed. Thanks for sorting that out :)
i'm not an expert either, BUT looking at your system, you have a duophonic with 2 analogue VCOs... if that's all you have, it looks like you have too much mixer for your little system and could get by with a smaller & cheaper one like doepfer's
A-138b https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-138b as you'd only have TWO audio chains. that would free your rack up for other modules. the quad VCA seems like overkill for your system too as you only need 2 VCAs max, and your mother 32 already has its own VCA, so you're wasting 3 channels, money, and rackspace that you don't need to (unless you were mixing & matching different types like tubes & vactrols for different tones). you'd also be better served with getting a single dual channel VCA (optomix, with its 2 vactrol channels is popular & would add to the sound of your moog VCA if you patched into that, intellijel's "regular dual VCA" is popular too) and an envelope generator, particularly an ADSR as you need that to control the envelopes for your second voice.
i have no opinion on the hadron collider VCF, but the minimod ladder filter seems redundant as its another moog filter. why not get something DIFFERENT so you could add to the types of sounds you can make? doepfer's WASP filter is popular, cheap AND is available in black. it would give you some very different distorted tones while saving you money & rackspace to expand your sounds and/or abilities, eg. ring modulation. a good multimode filter like intellijel's polaris will not only take less space up, but also give you all kinds of tones your "2x moogs" won't like JUICY. you could also go with a different synth clone filter eg. SEM, ARP, or korg MS-20 etc. as each of those will give you different tones, or you get get REALLY radical & get a bright yellow rack hogging metasonix tube VCF for radical distortion effects.
personally, i'm biased AGAINST the "moog sound". it reminds me of bad sci-fi movies whereas ARP & SEM filters have a "classier" (to me) sound that's juicier & has more character, but you really have to audition filters in youtube videos to hear which ones YOU like. plenty of people love moog sound. i'm just not one of them. i's take am R2D2 sqeaking ARP 2600 over a moog any day, if nothing else, because tit offers modules that aren't common on moogs.
the tiptop VCO is popular, for sure, and not bad, BUT you already have an anologue moog oscillator. why not expand your tone potential with a wavetable oscillator like erica synth's popular black one? if you wanted another analogue oscillator, intellijel's dixie II+ is very popular & doesn't take a lot of rack space up. there's SUPPOSED to be something "special" about triangle core VCOs, but i don't know what it is. still, a dixie takes up half the space of the tiptop & a wavetable one would give you TONS of different tones you can't get out of an analogue. while it would REALLY reat your rackspace up, intellijel's cylonix shapeshifter is an INSANE oscillator (has its own SEPARATE wave folder BTW) that includes all kinds of vocoder effects and just really deep and crazy stuff that virtually makes it a standalone synthesizer. if you watch this demo, you'll see SOME of the crazy things it can do that were driving the EXPERIENCED reviewer out of his mind
i'd gladly trade "boring" utilities for that kind of tonal mayhem, but that's me. even if you didn't want to go that route, virtually ANY wavetable VCO will give you all kinds of tones that anologue filters with just sine, sawtooth, triangle, square & pulse width can't do.
also, adding a noise generator will add to your tone even if you stay totally analogue. i'm not sure if the mother 32 does noise. it's kind of limited.
the two power adapters seems overkill, especially when you can internally power a rack, probably cheaper, but you have to do the math & choose the right box. according to this site, you only need 968 milliamps positive and 333 negative worth of power. you could probably buy a rack that can handle that easily. i think people only use power modules on big power hungry systems.
i'm not familiar with your sequencer choice, but if it doesn't offer LFO & clock modulation, then pamela's new workout is a pretty powerful 8 channel clocking utility that's also programmable, though the more analogue batumi is probably more popular. one of those might help if you free some rack space up.
another total rack hog i'd replace pretty much ALL of your utilities, INCLUDING your sequencer with is rossum's control forge. it's like a wavetable LFO/sequencer for voltages. you can program 8 step voltage sequences (& link them, apparently) to create really long sequences, but best of all, you can control the CURVES and TIMES between steps to do all kinds of timing changing effects you can't get out of regular (i HATE 'EM!!! LOL) sequencers, not be stuck with "same old same old" linear transitions as you can choose each step's "curve" and then EDIT IT further and do some crazy granular, crossfade & wobble stuff i don't think anything else does. best of all, like with the pamela's new workout, you can SAVE presets!!!
modulars are very personal. MOST modular fans, it seems, like lots of utilities they can noodle with & create automations. not me. i prefer adjustment knobs over patch jacks every time. that's probably another reason i like control forge... you can do everything within the one module and get visual feedback from the display. for ME, it would be the BASE for much of my sound... creating lopsided ahhh-whoops, bass wobbles, scratches & boings & maybe even doing sequences along with an envelope follower module that i could use to human beatbox CVs with, but my approach is almost totally PLAY the rack instead of letting it play itself while you just twist knobs.
the best thing to do is let you take a look at control forge and decide for yourself if it's either interesting or a pointless complicated toy. it totally blew my mind though as it's VERY CLOSE to a module i imagined that i didn't know existed. analogue modules have sooooo many limitations that have been around half a century with no progress, but you can do so many more complicated things with digital. you can HAND DRAW modulations in a DAW sequencer, EDIT sequences with far more resolution, create an unlimited variety of waves (oscillators), create complex modulations, and even create crazy filters that do what analogue can't (rossum's sick morpheus z-plane rack hogging digital filter)
back to control forge... here's food for thought for you...
hopefully SOMETHING i've said helps you find YOUR SOUND
again, your triple wave folder is overkill as you only have 2 oscillators. it's better suited for a big system AND, back to wavetable VCOs, they'll give you way more variety than an analogue/wavefolder combo. if anything, get a small & cheap wavefolder like a doepfer and their small & cheap ring modulator for additional tone mangling potential.
you chose a harvistam polivoks filter... OK, but, you can get a smaller erica synths one that would match your black row, & back to envelope followers, get their polivoks to match. personally, i like larger roland & intellijel dual ADSRs because they're dual and moreso, use sliders which are more visual than knobs, but you can't go wrong with a cheap doepfer ADSR or two if you're OK with knobs.
i'm not too into the joystick mixer thing, but i wouldn't be using a rack for live noodling. if you kept it in your rack, you really wouldn't need the extra mixer for all the extra audio you don't have. the joystick would cover your entire system well enough as you'd only be mixing 2 voices or maybe 3-4 if you run more than one VCF per voice and want to morph between voices or blend them. the extra mixer is both overkill & redundant in your small system.
as to utilities, i won't comment on those. they're very personal, and necessary for noodling. that, and they generally don't agree with my simpler synthesizer with multiple voice options approach. i prefer to control modulations myself or with a computer sequencer using a midi in module.
using MY BIASES, i would aim for a bit more flexibility in tone &cut back on the redundancy... then, i'd get rid of all the utilities and add MORE VCOs & VCFs, but that's me. i don't do complicated patches. noodling doesn't sound interesting to me at all, but then again, i DESPISE perfect timing quantization.
HA!!!! the forum TRIED to waste my time & delete this reply by logging me out, BUT, now i know to back up & copy long replies BEFORE logging back on when attempting to reply, then paste it after logging back in! i've lost a couple really long replies already which drives me nuts!
well... if you REALLY want to conserve money, then just do EVERYTHING in freeware. i'm pretty sure there used to be a freeware modular synth that was so deep, you could even build your own modules and there's ALL KINDS of freeware synths and all the polyphonics you could ever want, BUT it would sound digital and if you're looking for portability, you'd be limited to how many parameters you can tweak with outboard sliders, but it's sure be a lot cheaper.
i'll probably do EVERYTHING with, likely cubase, and freeware if i ever can afford to do anything.
I am planning to make the Kb37 my first project. There are a lot of other instruments in line for purchase before I build this euro. I decided to take it on because it isn't a whole lot to take control of. Its something I can use as a learning curve, considering you can call me a eurorack infant. Maybe only 4 months ago, a friend recommended it to me because of my various experimentation with basic hardware. I don't exactly have the best in Eurorack advise atm. Honestly, I'm feeling a tad disconcerted, after reading your feelings towards this racking. I was wondering if there was any way I could get your ideas(weather I may or may not being doing something wrong in configuring this device) on my configuration of the fartar t9 kb37?
That is a huge bummer, I am so sorry to hear. I hope it all gets resolved. Keep your hope up though. The modular community is amazing even if there is a dick head thing like happening. It's just the company shooting itself in the foot in the long run.
