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Hi everyone! I just launched myself into the eurorack world. I'm noticing the jungle of existing modules: my idea is to create a not excessively complex modular that allows me to experiment with overall melodic sounds. My reference artist is Caterina Barbieri. I tried to build the rack around the Metropolix and the Verbos oscillator, by adding other modules which for me were sufficient to achieve my musical goal. I refer to you, certainly more experts than me: do you notice any major limitations? Or rather, in your opinion is a system of this type "playable" according to my desires and assumptions? Thanks so much to anyone who wants to join the discussion!
With the extra 4HP (x 2) add an FX Aid or two—(you won't get bored using this one. Here's the list of FX you can load: https://fxaid.app/)
Also think about dropping the Doepfer Mix and GRP together and using the 8HP for a Bastl Neo Trinity (really good compact modulation source) or Ikarie (stereo multi-mode filter).
Also the Tangle Quartet is similar to the Quad VCA with 4HP less space and maths can be chopped in half with the Function or even further with Instruo Cnoc.
Thanks very much for the reply @Toccata ! My biggest concern is having a modular that isn't very "playable" and, although I know that everyone has their own modular ambitions, do you think that such a system could bring me joy and be playable? In the meantime, I'll start researching the modules you suggested!
Passive mults are maybe ok for clocks and gates, but using them for cv and envelopes makes things unpredictable
(not in the good way) and makes keeping things "in tune" futile.
Drop the passive mults for Rides in the Storm QAMs. They're terrific, well made and cheap for what they do in 4hp.
Were you going to use a mult to combine audio down by the Doepfer Mix? Don't do that.
And don't use those patch cables with LEDs in them, except maybe one for debugging. They are evil.
Give consideration to what's mono and what's stereo in your signal paths (looking at the Ghost and the M4s)
and if you'll be throwing away some of what you're generating. I haven't tried the Ghost, it looks really fun.
It looks like you have a certain patch/path in mind. But what about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... patches?
Will this have what you need?
Look at the Doepfer A-135-2 for a Quad Mixer/VCA.
Seems light on filters and LFOs.
Why does everyone like Maths? I don't get it.
Every box could use an ALM Pamela's Pro Workout.
Take a look at the Frap Tools 321 and 333 to see how they might fit in to your ideas.
Nazca Noodles are the only patch cables I use. They are perfection.
Same with Befaco Knurlies. Accept no sustitutes.
That Verbos sure takes up a lot of your space and budget for the one trick you get out of it.
Thanks for your precious feedback @noodle_hut ! For the multiples I had chosen some "randomly" without looking at whether they were active or not. Aware of what you suggest I would have purchased them active anyway. Thanks also for the tips on cables!
For the patches, maybe you're right: a system like that could be a bit limiting. Looking at the additions made by Toccata I think the system can become more flexible. I have various ideas and I'm trying to put them in order, both (indeed above all) for a question of money and to try to take a musical direction and not change it halfway.
Verbos attracts me, I don't know why! Maybe it's the colours, the fact that it's an harmonic oscillator or maybe it's because Caterina Barbieri uses it (listen to her if you don't know her): would you recommend anything else in its place? Also following your musical tastes, of course.
As you may have noticed my main source of "notes" is Metropolix - have you used it? What do you think about it? It seems like a large but worthwhile expense to me to use it as a command center.
Rossum's Mob of Emus does the harminic oscillator thing beautifully, and a lot more.
Doesn't have the fun sliders though.
It can give you six note polyphony and can sing sweet as a bird or tear your head off.
Outstanding build quality and precise tuning, at half the price of the Verbos.
But only six harmonics vs. eight with the Verbos.
The OXi Coral in also interesting, but it prefers to be midi driven and that's not the direction you're headed.
The upside is it also does VCF, ENV, and VCA without extra modules, unlike Mob of Emus.
I've not tried the Metropolix, mainly because I have a Frap Tools Usta and a SIG Inspiration Generator
to handle sequence-y duties. Metropolix looks like an excellent heart for your system.
