I think it would be good to fill out the 104 7U case a bit (maybe not physically, just try different configurations here on modulargrid) then see what it's missing and compliment with external gear. Or do you already have a case? If so, what is it lacking?

Like you said, the Oxi is just a sequencer while the Octatrack is also a looper, sampler and effects box...picking one or the other would impact greatly what needs to be in the case. The Deluge is very powerful but also the most expensive.

All three of your options are good devices, but there's also the matter of personally clicking with them and their own idiosyncratic workflows. I initially paired my rack with a Digitakt, but while I don't mind the "elektron workflow", I soon realized that constantly going between that and patching was too much of a mental switch for me. It's all just deeply subjective.

That said, if budget isn't an issue and you can do additional sequencing/modulation in the rack, I'd say go for the Deluge. It has 2 CV and 4 Gate outs and it's a fully featured device.

The other two options are completely different and would require more work/investigation. The Octatrack might be old at this point, but I don't think it sounds bad at all, it has 16 or 24 bit sampling at 44.1khz, which is basically still standard for bost purposes. The main barrier people usually mention with the Octatrack is its arcane workflow, so make sure to watch a bunch of videos of how it works before you make the jump. It also has no CV outs so you'd need to invest in MIDI to CV module if you want to sequence with it. The Oxi is a very powerful sequencer with tons of CV and Gate outs but that's all it does, so if you also want looping, sampling or sample playback in the rack, in that case investigate your options there (such as Rample, Assimil8tor, SquidSalmple, Morphagene, Lubadh, etc.). Again, subjective, etc.


  1. How are you triggering/sequencing the Rample and Cursus? Do you have an outboard sequencer?
  2. You have a triple VCA, but no envelopes or other modulation to drive it. With only one oscillator that requires a VCA and a dual LPG it seems useless.
  3. Doepfer stuff is great but 20 HP for a performance mixer in such a small case is probably overkill.

Interesting challenge, here's my attempt: ModularGrid Rack

You're losing the outboard mixer so I added an A-138s and a Bastl Ciao!. If your chosen USB interface can take modular levels, then I would replace the Ciao with a modulation source. It's not an easy choice between your available filters and VCAs but the percussion modules I kept all have their own envelopes so the Skiis should suffice and I've swapped out the Doepfer LPG for a 4hp one (not necessarily this specific one, but a smaller one for sure). I've also kept both filters because I like filters. The Disting is worth keeping in such a small case because it can do so many different things. Kinks is probably overkill given the lack of modulation, but it's also a noise source and just a nice utility. Beatstep Pro can take care of the sequencing and some modulation with its CV outputs so I sacrificed the Pams for a Traffic, which can really add a lot to either the BIA or Crust. Also, the Crust can turn into a Pizza or Basil in a pinch, and if you keep it as a Basil maybe you can skip the Thyme. The only thing I'm really missing is more modulation. Ideally I'd keep the Pam in there but then I'd have to sacrifice one of the voices or the Doepfer slim filter and the Sosumi. Depends on your workflow and which modules you're more comfortable with.

EDIT: I think Tetrapad+Tete is just too big for such a small rack, maybe a couple of Glisses would be better. All of the above of course assumes you're willing to sell and or trade some of your existing modules for new ones. The DFAM is also amazing but people usually point out it's a waste to have it mounted in a rack, especially a small one. I'd seriously consider keeping it as a separate unit tho.


"Erosion" mostly makes me think of bit reduction/crushing and other audio degradation stuff. The Data Bender is the big one here, but you said you didn't like the sound of the "Qu Bit" (the company that makes Data Bender) so I'm assuming that's what you meant.

The aforementioned FX Aid could do the trick. It has several degradation/lo-fi algos (like Shallow Water, LoFi Junky, etc.), and it and you can apply voltage to its SRR input to reduce its clock and get bit reduction on top of that.

Other possible modules would be the VoicAs ReduXer, or maybe something like the Befaco Crush Delay. You can technically patch your own bit reducer with a S&H and superfast clock/audio rate triggering. Another option are various rectifiers, saturators and distortion units, but that possibly sounds more aggressive than what you want.


Honestly, you seem pretty set. If anything I'd maybe add a utility vca and more another modulation/envelope source. The real question is what do you need, what are you missing when you patch?

If you're set on using your Alesis keyboard look into the Befaco Midi Thing or the Noise Engineering Univer Iter. Otherwise you can go with a keyboard with CV outputs or you probably have enough space in your rack for a TSNM or another Pressure Point or similar controller.

You could also consolidate down and move your effects skiff into the main rack if the sizes here are representative.

Don't let unnecessary GAS get you. you have your bases covered, practice and master your modules and eventually you should naturally figure out what to weed out if it's not working for you or where to expand if you're missing some functionality.


I've also only recently gotten into NS with plans to use it live, but I've only barely scratched the surface of what it can do.

Don't forget about the 4 CV ins on the Nerdseq, which can be mapped to pretty much anything, including generating euclidean patterns on the fly (it used to require the trigger expander, but I think you can do it in a regular track as of the most recent firmware, haven't tested it yet). The Nerdseq isn't the most immediate or "playable" sequencer out of the box and requires some setting up, however, once you have some stuff going, the CV ins can be invaluable to mess with your patterns and evolve them on the fly. I'd consider a joystick or something like the Lapsus Os with several CV slider offsets to pair it with the NS.


I stand partially corrected, Brains did add new modes in an update, but yeah, it's not directly compatible with Plaits FW as it'a not a direct clone.
https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2023/03/02/behringer-brains-reloaded-adds-5-new-modes/


I started with a very small rack and one thing I learned was that a small case was a viable setup as long as it's very focused in its purpose. Especially if you are learning and exploring I would recommend you start with only 2-3 modules you really like, and then figure out what else you need through patching.

Going through the proposed rack left to right:
The ethics of Behringer products aside, an uPlaits might be a better choice due to its smaller size (hp is at a premium here), plus it can load Emilie's final firware, whereas I understand that Brains cannot. The MCO is fine I guess, I know many people like it. You might also wanna consider a Twin Waves for your first oscillator, again smaller than Brains, mutli-algo and you can use the second output as a noise source/lfo.
Forbidden planet is an interesting choice here, but I think a dual/stereo filter or one with multiple outs will do more for you here in the same real estate (frex, the ADDAC dual filter, Dual Dagger, Ikarie or one of the dual Ripples clones).

Maths (Abbacus ) is a fine modulator, but when people wax poetic about it it's usually for its snappy, percussive envelopes, not exactly a hallmark of ambient. It can do a lot more of course (at least Maths can, I don't know how faithful of a clone Abbacus is). Anyway, tl;dr: I feel you definitely need more modulation options and utilities like a CV mixer/attenuverter. Like a poster above said, ambient is about texture and that means subtle but complex modulation of timbre, fiters, panning, etc.

Tallin is a great VCA, no notes. Dual FX I'm not that familiar with, but again, since space is at a premium here, a FX Aid or MFX might fit better in here. Another option is to eschew in-rack effects and just add a pedal integrator module, as mentioned above (although I'm personally not a fan of that option).

Scales is good, but what are you feeding it with? Could use one of the Maths outputs I suppose, but again, some sort of extra modulation source, S&H, random source would be most welcome. Perhaps even a small rudimentary sequencer like a Tirana or Ryo Penta so you can add some intent to your music. Mixup is good.

Final question is how are you taking this out to your speakers/computer? Do you already have an outboard mixer that can take eurorack levels? Otherwise I'd recommend an output/euro-to-line module, or those Mixup knobs are going to be pretty much at minimum all the time.

tl;dr: 1. rethink your oscillator and fx choices to save space, add more utilities and modulation (especially to feed scales and modulate parameters on your voices and filter)
2. optionally look into a more versatile filter and (depending on your situation) an output module