User Posts

Hi OuterSanctuary,

Welcome to modular synths :-) Let's start with the "easy" part. If I am not mistaken you are looking/planning here at an Intellijel casing, nothing against it, really. Just if you get yourself an Intellijel casing with a 1 U row then only Intellijel 1 U modules (or compatible brands to Intellijel 1 U) are going to fit in that 1 U row... this means the Pulp Logic isn't going to fit. So get rid of that Pulp Logic module ;-)

I have been attracted by the Atlantis module from Intellijel myself several times as well and I still once and a while look at it and think: "Hmm, interesting!"...

But then I sober up from my sexy module syndrome and hold a virtual mirror in front of my face and wonder...

Why should I have a modular synthesizer and then get myself a complete synthesizer module? What's the real point of that? Sure, it's easy and in one go, you got pretty much, kind of lazy way of deciding not to decide to go into the details of all modules and just go the easy path of getting yourself a complete synthesizer module... in a modular synth?

I gave that thought a few moments and then, at least for myself, I felt... oh that's odd... indeed why I want to go for a modular synthesizer and then buy a complete synthesizer module, that doesn't make sense, now does it?

That's the reason why I haven't bought any complete synthesizer module yet because... well then I could have bought instead of a modular synth, just a complete external nice interesting synthesizer, couldn't I?

Don't get me wrong here, I do believe the Atlantis is a fantastic module, I am still considering it, but the price keeps me away from it together with my above "philosophy".

To summarise this: To start with a modular synth and then as the first or second module to buy a full synthesizer module... mwaaahhh, that sounds odd and weird at the same time to me ;-)

I hope you do get my point here? :-)

Instead of starting with the Atlantis and Metropolis, if this was going to be my rack, I would get rid of these two modules for the moment and start with others. I wouldn't start with two Dixie 2+, just start with one, get some experience with it and then decide if you love it so much that you need a second one or if you would like to give another brand's VCO a chance instead? So wait with that Shapeshifter as well, most likely one of the best modules in the world but a heavy one to start with, so you might want to consider another second VCO to start with. Then when you got experiences with that Dixie 2+ and the 2nd other VCO, then check if you still want that Shapeshifter and a 2nd Dixie 2+.

Not sure if you should start with an ADE-32 module, looks quite "heavy" to me to start with, I would rather consider at least one or perhaps two more simple LFOs. EGs you have for the moment enough I think but you are lack on a few classic LFOs.

Beside the QPAS filter, you might want to consider a 2nd filter for some variation. I can confirm though that the QPAS is nice, I just got it recently myself and I am quite happy with it. As a second filter, just as an example, you might want to go with a Doepfer - A-124 Wasp filter, little beauty that is. Or if you want a slightly milder one consider the A-106 SEM filter instead, both are nice filters to use.

Assuming you will get rid of Atlantis, Metropolis and the Shapeshifter, you can pamper yourself with even a third VCO, let's say the Plaits from Mutable Instruments? Then you have a bit more of a variety to play with and the good thing is... you still have space left in your rack. Leave that free space, you need that for the near future once you got a bit experience with your rack, your ideas might change a bit on what you want to add, etcetera.

Regarding those 1 U modules, make sure you don't forget to add an audio output module, that can then connect to your Intellijel casing output connectors.

I think this should do for starters, should give you some "food for thought". Take it easy, don't plan the entire rack full and I wish you lots of fun with planning and later playing your rack :-) Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Edit: Removed typo.

EDITED Sep 22nd 2020, 21:25

Hi Sacguy71,

Thanks a lot for your extensive details on those brands, I will keep that in mind for future decisions. In October I plan to visit my local dealer (if Covid-19 situation allows of course) to hopefully being able to check out the Ground Control (of Endorphin.es), if I have time left, I think I should try a few Noise Engineering modules to give them a second chance :-)

Yes, I agree, from a financial point of view this hobby is a serious disaster but indeed not much as buying a new house ;-) At least not yet, I wish I had a bigger house so I have more space for Euroracks but other than that there is no reason yet to sell my house :-)

Going to zzzzzzzzz, good night and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Ha, ha, so you are saying that besides our modular synth hobby we should maintain a wooden toy hobby too? Hence buying a lot of Mutable Instruments modules?

It's a pity that IME (ex-Harvestman) is quite difficult to get here where I live, can't really have it tested. Noise Engineering is a slightly bit easier to get but... somehow... their front panels aren't really convincing me, but that might be just me. Besides that, I am not convinced about their price-performance ratio, are you? It's good to hear that you like the brand though :-)

How about Make Noise, Erica Synths and Doepfer then? At least I like them quite a bit! Did you checked out Xaoc Devices? They have quite a few nice bits here and there too. You have Batumi already if I remember well?

Definitely with modular synths we got ourselves a fantastic hobby, that's for sure! :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Hey, hey :-) Another enjoyable video from you, seeing you being happy with your second rack! :-D

To my surprise, I see empty spaces in this second rack, wow! ;-) In another post just now I saw you planned that second rack already full, so enjoy the last few moments that you have space left and then save money for a third rack, ha, ha, it looks like the modular synth "bug" bite you well ;-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this, please continue to enjoy the fantastic modular synth world and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Steve,

Wow, that's a nice and long ambient track! You did this live? Well that's fantastic, pity of the virus situation, it's about time to see concerts like this live! :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Mowse,

Yeah, great jam session :-) That's what my evenings complete, a jam session from your "workshop" :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

How is the playing with the new modules getting along? Lots of fun? :-)

That's actually not a too bad idea to use the Elektron Analog Four being the (complex) sequencer. If the Ground Control is going to be disappointing (or never will be released), I might just do that. Thanks for the idea!

Mantis? I thought you wanted to get a (mega) monster case from Doepfer or MDLR? :-)

Kind regards and have a good weekend, Garfield.

Hi Rookie,

Yes of course, I should have remembered that you have the Minibrute 2S in your Rackbrute 6U rack; that slipped my mind :-)

It's still a beautiful rack, even if one can't see that clearly in the dark! :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Regarding your clock question, yes the Pamela's New Workout seems to satisfy a lot of members here. Another option might be to use the Make Noise - Tempi in combination with the Shakmat Modular - Time Wizard module, it's what I am using and I am quite happy with it.

Good luck with the search for a good sequencer, take your sweet time for that one. I am more than a year waiting for the ideal sequencer and still didn't found it (well I am waiting for the Ground Control from Endorphin.es but it's still not available yet and I want to have it tested first at my local dealer).

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Rookie,

Oh that's beautiful and nice! Nice lighting in this video :-)

By the way, do I recognise an Elektron device in front of your modular system?

Interesting track with a nice concept as you described! Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Gabor,

That's a lot of fun that track and full with funny sounds! At some stages it sounds to me a little bit that the system is angry with you and yelling at you: "You have to use me more, get more sonic stuff out of me", something like that ;-)

Nice video too, it's joyful to see you playing around with your gear!

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Steve,

Wow, that's very nice and subtle at the same time! That's a serious cool and nice sound you got there, with the Pressure Point + Brain combination I guess?

What can I say? We need more of these beautiful Tuesdays Steve!

Thanks a lot of sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Troux,

Ha, ha, I didn't know (but could have guessed) that frogs where big mosquito munchers, good to know and my appreciation towards them suddenly increased a lot! :-D

Now calling frogs my friends... that goes pretty far because other than using them for some good frog-sound-samples and getting rid of mosquitoes, I do appreciate if they kept their mouth shut! ;-) Bloody noisy bastards, if you would ask me...

It's still an interesting idea, I need to talk with my wife about a pond in our (small) backyard... not daring to ask our neighbours, they will see (rather hear) this "brilliant idea" fast enough...

Cheers, Garfield.

Hello Pricto,

Thank you very much for your feedback and I am sorry for you that your VCA doesn't meet your expectations :-( Good luck with the search for a VCA without bleeding. It would be nice to know once you have found "your VCA", which one that would be :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi EroGumby,

Did you made this entire track with just the above small rack only? That's amazing! I like the variation in sounds you got in there too.

Since I am myself not much into techno, I am not sure if the following feedback is right or not, I think techno experts here can give you a better feedback, however I feel that heavy bass/kick sound, yes that's nice but I do miss over those 7 minutes a bit of variation on that kick sound. Yes at around 3:45 you stop that kick sound and a bit after 4:00 you continue it, but in the same "variation" as you did before. As I said, I have no clue about techno music, so perhaps it's a must to do it this way :-) For my opinion, I could use a bit of variation in that kick sound, however other than that, all the creations of the other sounds are A) Amazing and B) variation enough there, so those I really like a lot! Especially since you are able to do that with such a small rack!

Well done, thanks a lot for sharing and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Jingo and Troux,

Jingo: Thanks Jingo! I am glad to hear you liked them :-)

Troux: Strange, in the E-mail notification from this forum, your link works. He, he, quite some interesting sounds these frogs make and... not bad sounds at all to use in some of the possible future tracks... makes me think... Do I need to make a pond in my backyard and get some frogs in there? At the risk of getting complains of the neighbours but having some good frog-sound-samples? Difficult decision ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Exposure,

He, he, yeah it's one hell of a crazy space frog that is ;-) Thank you!

In this track I am kind of testing my "percussion", it's the Vermona - DRM1 - Mk III with trigger inputs. I wanted to wait till the Endorphin.es - Ground Control becomes available however after having waited for more than a year for the Ground Control and I got that DRM1 already for a few months now... I just couldn't wait any longer...

I kind of tested it with EGs and LFOs instead of using a real sequencer. Okay, I have to admit for the handclap I used the Centrevillage - C Quencer DLX sequencer, nice and interesting sequencer that is by the way, there is a fill knob where you can define how the 16 steps are being filled up (not extremely flexible but still nicely done), nice for live performances; nice if you want to get quickly some changes to keep it interesting, though I didn't use that knob during this track, I predefined it instead.

Well a good point you got there and that's why it took me 3 takes (and still not 100% happy ;-) ) before I was kind of willing to "release" this track (so what you hear here is the 3rd take/try). I do a bit of a mixture of what you are saying. I have now quite a few patches going on (it slowly grows and progresses) on my modular synth and try to keep them as long as possible, to "keep/save the sounds as long as possible" :-) Once I have enough of it, either finished the (test-) recording or just had enough of it, I remove all the cables and then it's bye-bye to this configuration that perhaps I could partly reproduce but this one I am not really going to write down, no. With the first ("real" and not demo) track I released, there I wrote down a few notes but I am afraid that would not be enough to get me the exact sounds back.

Well that's it with modular synths right? They forgot to think about a save button, so once you "cleared" your system, your patch is gone forever unless you have a very good memory or unless you are really willing to write down all the details, which I am not :-)

Thanks a lot for listening and your feedback and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Jingo,

Ha, ha, thanks a lot for your kind words, much appreciated :-) But please keep in mind these are not really my music or rather noise tracks, just some try outs on some modules I am currently having a lot of fun with, testing and trying them out. So the last two tracks you saw/heard from me are rather demo tracks (of the indicated modules) then anything else. However and indeed, I had a lot of fun playing around with those!

Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Baltergeist and Troux,

Troux: Thanks a lot for that link to the Cocoquantus, an interesting device that is! :-)

Baltergeist: Wow, another nice demo with the Cocoquantus. That really gives a nice and interesting touch to your music. Whatever you sell, don't sell that one :-)

Thank you both and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Troux,

Ha, ha, no this whole frog thing is rather for fun. Pity, I am not able to use your provided link, did you made perhaps somewhere a typo in that URL?

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Baltergeist,

Wow, this is very intriguing and special! The music is so special and at the same time builds up quite some excitement, listening it again now and for sure will have to listen a few more times to enjoy it to the full :-)

That anti-rhythm is indeed quite nice too. I can't find Cocoquantus here in the modules section, what's the exact brand name and model name?

Thanks a lot for this little jewel and kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks Steve :-)

Hello All,

Today I was playing around with the Make Noise - Telharmonic and the QPAS, these two fit quite well together. The below track starts with these two modules only (except some LFOs and other stuff, naturally), slightly bit reverb on top of it, but not too much (though it doesn't sound like that but really not too much reverb), then later the track has some joining elements of "Searching For The Frog" (for details see: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/8963) and a bit of percussion.

This is third take since I am not having/using a DAW (yet), I have to redo the entire recording if I am not happy with it. Still not 100% happy with it, one of the percussion sounds on the left hand channel sounds a bit too loud in my opinion, but wanted to have this posted before saying goodbye to this nice weekend and have to start to work this coming week ;-)

Thanks a lot for listening and I wish you all a good start of this coming week, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

I am so glad that you like the Polivoks filter :-)

Maybe I do just something wrong with it, I might consider the Batumi, got that one on my wish list anway, so perhaps that helps me to get the best out of that Polivoks filter.

Thanks a lot and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Well to be precise here, Erica Synths - Drum Sequencer is not a drum module as such, it's rather a sequencer that can control your (Erica Synths or others) drum modules :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Or how about Erica Synths' - Drum Sequencer? Would that be something suitable for you?

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Lugia,

Thank you very much for the additional information and hints. I put Der Plan definitely on my wish list and once I am going to do another "music order" (meaning CDs and Vinyls), at least one album of Der Plan will be on my shopping list :-) I just done recently an order so I have to be a bit patient. Difficult, knowing there is lurking so nice/fun music around there.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Jingo,

I am sorry to hear about your lost in the family :-( My condolences.

Glad to hear that you are picking up making music again and wow! You just plugged in a few cables and you come up with something so solid as this track! Nicely done, it could go on and on and I still wouldn't have enough of it. So give me more :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: Welcome back :-)

Hi Mowse,

Oh I missed this track this weekend. Nice demo of the mentioned devices. Nice picture by the way :-) Love to look at it while listening at your music.

Nicely done and thanks a lot for sharing this, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Lugia,

Ha, ha, and I thought I would be the only one knowing Pyrolator or Kurt Dahlke, if you prefer ;-) Yeah quite funny music, especially "Wunderland" album is fun. Thanks a lot for mentioning Der Plan, totally overlooked that one (how could I?!), will check it out, sounds even more funny.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

He, he, indeed some massive beats. Cool! Didn't you got any complains from your neighbours? ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Congratulations on your second case :-) How is the Black Polivoks VCF from Erica Synths coming along? I hope you are able to get some nice sounds out of it? Let me know your opinion on that module.

Nice demo and I wish you much fun with your extension of your modular synth! :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Mowse,

Oh yes! This is you all right: nice, good and solid. Definitely worth it to listen at :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Troux,

Nice one, kind of mellow isn't it? At least to me it sounds like a nice mellow entrance into the weekend :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Igor,

Oh man, oh man! You are giving us here a very good treat and it's a nice idea of the 10 years compilation album. I love the "Human Or Not" track, very nicely done!

If you don't mind, I continue listening at your album, this is just what I needed to have a good start into the weekend. Thanks a lot for sharing this, and while I am going to have a fantastic weekend listening at your album, I wish you are going to have a nice weekend like me too :-D

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Quantum Eraser,

Yes, that's a nice jam session :-) It's a good demo of the Ensemble Oscillator, you make me start to think about this module! :-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Mikeyip,

That's indeed some nice experimental music but for me indeed quite ambient like too. Everything is nice subtle, I like that. When are you picking me up from outer-space where you hyper-spaced me to? ;-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Damon,

Wow, a complete album, yet again! I am still listening at your album, so far really impressed. I love your track "Deep Calls To Deep", you really take the listener here to far outer-space and looking around here I see tons of stars, I must be far, seriously far away from our solar system because I haven't seen this before yet :-) As you can see, your music really helps the imagination!

Yes, nicely done and if you don't mind, I continue listening at the tracks of your album. Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Quantum Eraser,

He, he, of course you don't want to be a 2nd Hans, stay as you are. It was as a matter of speaking, naturally :-)

I will stay being Garfield as long as you stay as you are and come up with more good stuff ;-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Exposure,

Wow that's a nice track! To me this sounds so professional, it reminds me far away a little bit of Pyrolator and a bit of Kreidler perhaps? :-)

Very nicely done and I continue to listen a few times more to this track, yeah, nice evening for me ;-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Pricto,

Sounds to me that the module might have an issue. Let's see what Erica Synths says. You might need to send the module to them for repair or check; but up to Erica Synths of course to analyse this accurately.

Good luck and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yes Metropolis is nice, if you don't know this one yet, then check this out:

First two minutes are kind of funny history lessons, after that it's getting interesting.

Hikari Instruments might be difficult to get, I was lucky to be in Japan last year summer for holiday and managed to get a few of Hikari's modules. I got the Triple AD as well, very nice module too (recommendable) and the Atten/Mixer, 7 channels mixer in 8 HP, nice and good but Triple AD & Quad Switch are my favourites.

Let me know how you like the Eloquencer, if you are getting one, I am not so sure about that one. Hermod, I heard is also good indeed but too much menu diving for me. I like to keep it easy and simple without wanting to remember how to use which button for what and how to do what in which part of the menu... but of course up to everybody, that's just my opinion.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yes I saw that MDLR case when you provided that link in one of your previous posts. That's indeed pretty impressive, the price too :-) I am not so sure, I need first a lot of space here at home which I don't have any more. I cleared up already some space for a new rack but that rack is going to be full soon as well I am afraid... I need to win the lottery to get a proper big house with tons of walls to put all full with Euroracks (and then the modules of course) ;-)

But yes, MDLR cases looks nice, just their price (here in Europe at least since we have to add on 21% tax (i.e. VAT) onto it...) should be about half of what they are asking now, their power modules can't keep up with the Doepfer ones, so that's yet another concern.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Thanks a lot for your feedback on the Batumi. It's good to hear that's easy in use, I like that :-) Good hint about that Poti, I saw that already but it's good to remind me on that one. If I decide to buy the Batumi then indeed with the Poti.

Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Yeah, LFOs are nice and crazy at the same time. Okay, it might be a bit early for you to get it since it's a complex thing but you can put it on your wish list (if you like to consider it, that is) and when you ready for it then get it :-)

I am talking here about, I am calling it myself, a psychopath of a module. This module has some serious issues ;-) But in a fun way! It's the Erica Synths - Black Octasource, it's a total nutcase LFO with 8 outputs (phase shifted). Even your most dull modules can be lighten up with this LFO. It can do some serious crazy but funny and nice things. I have to warn you though, this beast is difficult to tame and you need to get to understand it first before it becomes useful. So don't give up after a few attempts, this needs a bit more patience approach and "understanding" the craziness of this beast. But once you start to understand and appreciate it, this beast becomes a beauty! My top LFO by far.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Looks like you had a very enjoyable night :-) Nice experimenting and you came up with some interesting sounds too!

The Xaoc Devices - Batumi, what's your opinion on that one? I consider this module. Are you happy with it? Logically to use?

He, he, and you got some noises that are quite close to voices, nice, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Saqguy71,

Another secret word: Metropolis.

Fun sequencer (that can do ratcheting) that's still on my wish list but I am not daring to order it because yes, lots of fun with it I think however expensive and for the moment I want to have a multiple track sequencer.

If you look for a VCS (Voltage Controlled Switch) then consider a Hikari Instruments - Quad Switch or one of those from Doepfer, for example the A-150-8.

I wish you a lot of planning & design fun and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

If you find the perfect sequencer then please do let me know. I am still struggling with finding the sequencer that matches me most or best. Not sure if I mention it to you but mentioned it already a few times here in the forum, I am currently putting all my hopes on the Endorphine.es - Ground Control sequencer, once that one will be released, that is...

Yeah, the VPME - Euclidian Circles might be nice. The Hermod is good as well if you look at the quite few positive posts here around. For myself I wonder if that one (Hermod) isn't a bit too much menu-diving?

Since you have already two Elektron sequencers... that should be quite good already, isn't it? Why not use them in combination with your modular system?

Good luck with TD and the sequencers and kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks a lot Steve! :-)

Good night and kind regards, Garfield.