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My 2 cents as a relative noob:

1) If you go for two sequencers, make one of them more playable, i.e. a Metropolis (unless the Eloquencer fits this bill?)
2) I had similar synth + computer visions to you, but I tend to totally forget about my computer when I'm playing my synths, they have a lot of magnetism and computers are terrible in comparison, so there's some chance you may not really want to use your ES-9 all that much
3) With a rack this size I would absolutely want at least one and maybe two analog voices, they just sound so good and they do a great job supporting your digital oscillators and adding weight (Ensemble Osc + a Dixie bass sine underneath it 🔥)
4) Realistically I'd throw another Maths in a rig this size, or a Serge DUSG, or a FrapTools Falistri, to keep things interesting, and tangible, but moving.
5) I'll second @farkas's suggestion to make sure you have some filter variation, and personally I haven't been blown away by this year's Ripples.
6) As always @jimhowell1970 is right about utilities.

Hi Ambi,

Perhaps for starters you start with a bit more simplified setup. Once you build up experience you can then try to play around with that build-in LPG of the Plaits. How about the following?

Connect your CV A (gate) from the A4 to indeed the gate input of an (ADSR) envelope, the output of that envelope to a VCA (CV input). If you have one more EG you could output that to a filter too; but you can leave out the filter part first. If your EG has a switch for the speed of the EG, for example: slow, medium or fast, then make sure that your EG speed roughly matches with your gate speed you "export" from the A4 towards that EG. So if the A4 provides a speedy gate, set the EG to fast and for example if the A4 provides a slow changing gate then set the EG to slow.

Then connect your CV B (1 V/octave) into the 1 V/oct of Plaits indeed, the output of Plaits (optionally through a filter) to the VCA input. Then output the VCA (optionally through a mixer) to your audio output module to send it from your Eurorack to your external mixer. Some members here skip that audio output module but my advice is to use an audio output module to make sure everything goes smooth; but technically it's possible without an audio output module if you are careful enough.

Start simple and try to get some sound out of it first, then continue to improve the setup :-) You also can show us here your rack layout then it's easier to advise you.

Good luck with it, and soon I hope you will have fun with it as well once you got it working and kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Looks like a great plan - of course it will almost definitely change between now and the rack being full

So I would go slowly - and keep the starter rack for overflow!

I agree with farkas - performance mixer seems like a good idea - you will also need a submixer - maybe 2 panmixjrs (for drums), as does links and a different second filter

I'd also add to that kinks and a matrix mixer - to help with modulation - I would prioritise these before adding more modulation

Wicked farkas! Thanks for the input.

Your proposed rack is actually very similar to my current rack, so I'm going to tell you that you are on the right track. :)

What kinds of sounds are you producing?? Playing live, or mainly studio use?

I would recommend eliminating one of the sequencers and adding a Pamela's New Workout as a master clock (and more). You could add a Euclidean Circles to Pam's and the Eloquencer and have a pretty powerful combo.

Here's a good question. I have Tempi currently, it's OK.. I figure, with NerdSEQ or Eloquencer, I can just pull clock off of one of them and mult it around. Is it a better practice to have a dedicated module for clocking?

It may be wise to eliminate the Mutamix and invest in a larger CV-able mixer like WMD's Performance Mixer.

Good thoughts. I was thinking I'd mainly mix Ableton, but that would limit me doing interesting mixing in-rack. The Performance Mixer is friggin' huge though....

I think I would make do without the patchbays, and replace them with a buffered mult or two, maybe something like Mutable's Links. That's my preference, anyway.

Really those patch bays just look so good. And at like 80 buck a pop... (dang it Behringer..) But 2 of them is probably superfluous.

Ripples is a great all-around filter, but it might be worth investing in two completely different styles of filter (Font and Ripples appear to be very similar). G-Storm Electro is making some cool reproductions of classic filters. A low pass gate would probably add some new flavor as well.

Nice! I need more knowledge around euro filters...

These are just a few things that came to mind as I was taking a once-over on your rack. You will have a blast with something like this, but take it slow... Just a few modules to start with until you realize what you really NEED next. It may turn out completely different than what you are planning now. Be adaptable.

Absolutely (:

Cheers!

EDITED Aug 31st 2020, 23:16

Your proposed rack is actually very similar to my current rack, so I'm going to tell you that you are on the right track. :)
I would recommend eliminating one of the sequencers and adding a Pamela's New Workout as a master clock (and more). You could add a Euclidean Circles to Pam's and the Eloquencer and have a pretty powerful combo. It may be wise to eliminate the Mutamix and invest in a larger CV-able mixer like WMD's Performance Mixer. I think I would make do without the patchbays, and replace them with a buffered mult or two, maybe something like Mutable's Links. That's my preference, anyway.
Ripples is a great all-around filter, but it might be worth investing in two completely different styles of filter (Font and Ripples appear to be very similar). G-Storm Electro is making some cool reproductions of classic filters. A low pass gate would probably add some new flavor as well.
These are just a few things that came to mind as I was taking a once-over on your rack. You will have a blast with something like this, but take it slow... Just a few modules to start with until you realize what you really NEED next. It may turn out completely different than what you are planning now. Be adaptable.
Have fun and good luck!

Greetings modular nuts.

This is my first forum post! Apologies in advance. (;

I never expect great answers to "noob-esque" posts in any forum (RTFM, dang it.), but this community seems so incredible that I am hopeful for some great insight. (:

So, like a small child learning to walk, I have been on my modular journey for but a few small steps, and am now taking the next step by acquiring a Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-420 (got a great deal, could not refuse).

I'm very familiar with DSP concepts and the modular workflow is making great sense to me, but I am inexperienced. So, I have laid out what I believe to be a pretty tight setup, and would love to get some thoughts from all you seasoned pro's out there.

I am not 100% sure what style of sounds I'm hoping to make, I love it all. Ideally, this rig can do it all. Ambient, glitch/idm, noise, techno, et al.

My main questions:
- Do I really want 2 large sequencers? Or will I likely end up only using one?
- Do I have enough utilities, VCA, Mixers? I am going from 2 oscillators in my small starter rack to 7, and adding drum modules.
- How's the voice to effect to utility ratio?
- I am an Ableton and Max fiend. Am I ok in assuming I'll be able to have lots of fun goin "hybrid" using es-9? I intend to multitrack, final mix, post-process, sidechain, etc. in Ableton, as well as use Max and CV Tools to bring CV into the rig.
- I don't really have any "east coast" modules. Will I regret this? All of my oscillators fall on the complex side of the spectrum (or digital). I feel like I may miss having any pure sine/saw simple waves at my disposal.

I'd also be happy to talk about specific modules I've selected.

Let it rip!

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1307555.jpg

EDITED Aug 31st 2020, 22:13

Thanks I will check when it arrives hopefully sometime this week. I chose these new modules to fill up my rack and have another sound source.

a lot of people like the overdrive on veils too - so maybe take a look. at that
-- JimHowell1970

I definitely will, I really like all the MI stuff - thanks.

as for an oscilloscope -if you are using the one in vcv rack - why not keep using it? as you have the es9
-- JimHowell1970

To be honest, I hadn't thought of doing that! Does it run as a VST/AU? Anyway, yes, I'll look into that.

I would try going to muffwiggler - there's a list of stores stickied in the eurorack forum - there are stores worldwide - not just US and DE! you might find something a bit more convenient!
-- JimHowell1970

I've been reading their forums but not the stores - I'll take a look. Thank you!

I think you will be fine with the Batumi/Zadar/Maths combo. No need to add Quadrax at this point.
-- farkas

Fantastic, thank you. :)

All that seems like a good idea
a lot of people like the overdrive on veils too - so maybe take a look. at that
as for an oscilloscope -if you are using the one in vcv rack - why not keep using it? as you have the es9

I would try going to muffwiggler - there's a list of stores stickied in the eurorack forum - there are stores worldwide - not just US and DE! you might find something a bit more convenient!

RED stripe is -ve

there should either be a marker or a shrouded header on both the busboard and the module

if there is a shrouded header then the ribbon cable will only fit in one way

if there is only a marker - maybe a line, maybe the word RED, maybe -VE then match this to the red stripe

NB check the cable is made correctly: there is a tiny triangle on the cable header on the same side as the key - to the left - the red stripe should always match this

Hi,

I am triggering Mutable Instruments Plaits with Elektron Analog Four using the CV feature on A4.
All's good after setting up the CV track on A4 for pitch and gate going into the Plaits. In this case I am using CV A for gate and CV B for V/Oct.
CV A Gate goes into Plaits Level and CV B V/Oct goes into V/Oct on Plaits

BUT, how do I trigger the ADSR envelope?
I have read several forums and watched many videos and i just cannot understand.

NOTE - I am new to modular and this is my first post after exhausting my search or perhaps I couldnt find the right answers not knowing what to search for.

Questions

1. Do I need a ADSR module? (Tight on rack space so preferably would do without it)
2. OR do I need to set up another CV, CV C set up as VALUE LIN on A4? (Dont want to, as I want to use CV C and CV D on A4 to trigger MS 101)
3. OR do I feed the audio out of Plaits (Out and Aux) into A4 audio in (L and R) and set the Oscillators on a Track (e.g. Trk 1) and set WAV to IN L and IN R?

Any recommendations or solutions?

Thank you to all those who provide valuable information on this forum and help beginners like me motivated with answers and solutions to many newbie questions.

Cheers

Ambi

Another evening jam. :-)

I think you will be fine with the Batumi/Zadar/Maths combo. No need to add Quadrax at this point.

Hey, thanks everyone for the helpful advice, I really appreciate it.

I've decided to remove the Vector and just sequence everything from Live initially via CV Tools. I can always add an on-board sequencer later if I click with modular. It takes a lot of hp and cash for something I can (somewhat) replicate in my DAW. Although I'm really tempted to add a Metropolis there! If only it could handle more than one voice...

I've replaced the Tallin with a Quad VCA. I may go with two Tallins instead - the overdrive saturation sounds so good! Just have to decide if it's worth the difference in price...

I removed the Chainsaw. It's actually the only module in the rack that I was a bit hesitant about anyway...it seems like a one-trick pony, albeit a very good one. I can get the supersaw and those beautiful string sounds (from DivKid's video) on my DAW (even on my Virus hardware), so again, it's not something I should add to the rack.

I've also added a Maths (now that I have space!). I have a 1U Quadratt and 1U Buffered Mult as well as 1U Noise Tools. Do you think I'm missing anything critical now in support modules?

Do you guys think I need a Quadrax, or will the Zadar/Maths/etc be enough?

I also have the little 1U scope as a learning/debugging tool (I rely on a scope a lot when using VCV Rack, it's really helped me locate issues when I can't work out what's going on). :)

I do agree that I should start smaller and add modules gradually. The only reason I've included so much here is because of postage costs - there's a massive difference in shipping costs from the US to my part of the world if you ship everything together. That said, I noticed it's much cheaper to ship from Germany, so I need to investigate that route.

Hi Quantum_Eraser,

If you don't mind, I didn't use headphones, instead, since I saw it was you, I knew you would have something good up your sleeve, I straight away went to my listening chair and yes :-) I wasn't disappointed, very well done again!

Your track has a nice tension and provides a quite high excitement feeling to the listener, makes the listener stuck in the chair, can't move, just utterly impressed by your music! :-)

I stick with my statement earlier this year, back in May. Your music has a very good potential for movie sound tracks. For me you could be the next Hans Zimmer (and better if you would ask me). So let me know which first movie contains your music, can't wait for the movie as well as I can't wait for your music for that movie :-)

Thank you very much for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: If you don't mind I will press a few more times the repeat play button for your track, enjoying my night with your movie sound track, just waiting for the movie ;-)

Edit: Removed typo.

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 23:48

I have a Malekko Richter Anti-Oscillator VCO and Dual Borg filter on the way. Unfortunately neither manual explains how to plugin these modules correctly in a case and I don't want to screw up and blow them up causing a loss of the product. Any ideas on how to align the module, ribbon cable correctly in a basic Doepfer A100 case?

Thanks @Sweelinck,

I will have to look into Rnd Step (S&Hs) by DivKid as having a second modulation tool for S&H would go well with the Richter Anti-Oscillator, Batumi LFO and Borg Filter that should arrive this week. Also looking at filling the last HP with Expert Sleepers Disting EX as it has quantizer, S&H, and so many goodies in one module. I need a good quantizer and more utilities to round out my setup. I also need more patch cables. Funny how many you end up using in one row to modulate everything completely.

Hi,

I made some changes based on your advices ("never enough vca's", audio processing / effects / modulation sources) and made some changes. Small rack, so I try to privilege polyvanlent modules. I just wonder if the digital mimetic cannot be replaced by an O_c and maybe i need a stéréo mixer ...

What do you think of this set UP ?

Thanks !

Salad

EDITED Sep 10th 2020, 14:40

I was looking at the York Modular one a couple of weeks back.

Power-wise I was thinking of Konstantlab, a couple of their bus boards first and see if I have enough power for a couple of extra power sockets / Modules then get their proper case power and sell the uZeus modules.

I'd be tempted to make a list of all the types of modules that you don't understand and then ask yourself what do you think they do before looking it up and once you have gone through that exercise go back and ask yourself what you would use it for note down any further questions you have about it, note them down - maybe the only way to answer some is to buy a module - a disting mk4 or ex may be a big help in this regard...

This is great advice. I’ve started putting a lot more energy into this and on top of sketching here in modular grid i’ve been poking around in miRack (VCV rack fork for iOS) to put some of that learning into practice. Sometimes it doesn’t really come into focus until I see/hear what is happening.

I hear you on the mantis! Will definitely look hard at it. Backpack option is cool.

Again, appreciate the thoughtful remarks. Lots to think about! Very glad to have had this conversation before just going for it.

Nice - I have a York Modular Active Matrix Mixer and a Reverse Landfill Video Matrix Mixer - If I ever get another - and you never know, the AISynthesis one is at the top of my list! Don't forget to experiment with feedback mixing!

Next purchase looks like a power upgrade, then - I've got an befaco excalibus kit in the mail (overhaul of power for case 3) - I've got one already (case 4) and it seems solid and reasonably priced + it doesn't take up rack space!

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 18:01

Just uploaded my first Test I made with the Mimosa today. Mimosa slowly kicks in at about 2:10. Maximum Drive i used is about 60%.

I really love how nicely the Mimosa distorts the Sound.

Please use Headphones!

Patchnotes:
1 Layer of Arbhar --> Mimosa --> ZDSP --> Out
Nebulae V2 is playing A Vocal Sample from the Movie "The Vengeance of She". The Sample is slowed down and pitched up. This goes into QPAS (Bandpass) --> Mimeophon --> Out

No MIDI output like on the little brother?
-- FLOz

There’s a midi expander, but you‘ll need specific firmware and I think it sacrifices two regular functions.

That's a serious system you're thinking of. As it stands, you could do some real things with that system.

I would worry that if you're new to eurorack, then you jumping right to that very sophisticated a system, you wouldn't deeply investigate each module's potential. I would start with a core set of modules, and step up from there. When I got Arbhar, I had to set it aside in it's own case so I could learn it by itself, without the distraction of the rest of my system.

The VCA suggestions so far are good ones. Tallin is a great sound VCA, but you'll want more VCAs, and something like the Quad VCA or the MI Veils will give you a lot more possibilities.

I'm not sure about the Vector for a system this size. Vector looks like a great sequencer, but it's only got 2 tracks, right? With as many voices as this system has, I would want a minimum of 4 sequencer tracks. Either Vector needs a smaller backup sequencer, or I would look into Eloquencer, USTA, Stillson Hammer or Metron with a CV expander. Don't get me wrong, Vector looks great.

You're on the right path, and you've often obviously really thought this out. Keep working!

*Ordered an AI Matrix Mixer kit. I fancied the possibilities this offered anyway.

*Just spotted I actually have 2 spare power sockets :)

*Ordered Kinks.

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 15:29

Hi and welcome Majestic. I agree with everything Jim said. You will want more VCAs than just the Tallin, and you do have too many feature modules and not enough utilities. The Zadar and Batumi will offer great modulation possibilities, but you will want to attenuate/invert/control some of that modulation (a Happy Nerding 3xMIA and a quad VCA, maybe?). Jim's suggestion of starting with the Korg SQ1 is spot-on as well. You may find that you want to go a different route than the more expensive Vector Sequencer.
I prefer larger modules too, so I had to get a much bigger case to accommodate the utilities that make the fun modules more exciting. All of the feature modules you have chosen are great, but you won't get the most out of them the way you have planned this out in such a small footprint.
My final food-for-thought is to consider a different polyphonic source besides the Chainsaw. I had the Chainsaw along with the WMD Triad, and found it to be very limited for the cost. I ultimately decided on an external hardware polysynth. Just an idea to consider.
Have fun and good luck!

thought as much - a few sub mixers would be useful though before filters!
as I said another row for utilities for making more, more interesting modulation from what you've already got - I'd probably squeeze an fx aid xl in too

Yes I have an external mixer and 2 effects pedals...

thanks!

looks great, but I would want another row for utilities - another quad vca (mutable or intellijel), a matrixmixer, a sequential switch, attenuators, kinks etc and all for modulation

how are you mixing - out of the box?

you could replace the atom with a full size rings - that way you would be showing Emilie how much you appreciate her work - instead giving all your money to cloners - but that's up to you!! - you may liked cramped,modules with minicontrols - I don't!

the modules that I would remove from this case without a second thought though are the plasma drive and the listen i/o

plasma drive - it is just too big you would be better with a 4hp one from Noise Engineering

the listen i/o is redundant the nifty case already has outputs built in and often they are not needed anyway!

if you replace the ATOM with an OG Rings, the plasma drive with something from Noise Engineering and dumped the listen i/o - you would have an extra 22 hp

I'd add a passive attentuator and Maths - check out the maths illustrated manual online to see why this is one of the most useful modules in modular synthesis

The best advice would be to get a bigger case - a Mantis perhaps - and go slowly

👍🏻

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.

I would get one first and then the second if you still have the urge to buy it - excellent module though!

For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.
-- wishbonebrewery

doepfer "invented" eurorack - lots of excellent basic building block modules at very reasonable prices - there are always special editions, vintage versions and the ability to change the knobs if aesthetics are important

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:38

if you post an actual link to a public rack - not a link to a jpg - you will get a lot more feedback

Personally I think you have way to much in the way of feature modules - and not enough support

I'd take out the five12 vector sequencer expander and replace it with a quad cascading vca (either mutable veils or intellijel) - I might then take out the xaoc vca - whilst you can never have too many vcas - in this size case I. should think 4 is enough - you can always add a 1u if you find you need more

in the space of the xaoc vca I'd probably add kinks and a 2hp passive mult

BUT I would strongly recommend that you go very slowly - buy a minimum viable modular synthesizer for you

a sound source
a modulation source
a sound modifier
es9

as a starting point and become familiar with each module and patching them together - probably a few weeks - then add another module and learn how it works and integrates into your workflow

I would leave the sequencer to last - if you can cope with the workflow with es9 - if not I'd be tempted to buy a simpler sequencer like the korg sq1 - which will always be handy to have - even if you don't use it constantly

I’m a Eurorack newbie. I’ve planned my first rack and I’d really appreciate any comments before I bite the bullet and whack out the credit card.

My goal with the rack is to use it to create sounds that are difficult to produce in my DAW with soft synths, and to just get a creative blast from working hands-on with hardware rather than plugins.

That said, I’d like to use the rack in conjunction with Ableton Live, sending the output back to Live via an ES-9 for effects processing, mixing and final production.

With this in mind, I’ve mainly chosen modules that seem to deliver functionality that’s unique to modular: Morphagene, Arbhar, etc. The rack also has a sequencer, and I’m intending to use CV Tools via the ES-9, but I like the idea of generating happy accidents on the rack using the sequencer’s probability functions, and just generally playing around and noodling.

The sound sources are an Instruo Ts-L, an Odessa, a Chainsaw, Morphagene and Arbhar, driven by a Vector sequencer. Although I’d like to apply most of the effects on the computer, the rack also has a Mimeophon just because I really love it. 😊

I may have too much fun stuff and not enough utility modules - I’ve got no idea! Any advice is appreciated.

You're right. Cv modulation brings life to patches. May I suggest to you those two well thought and affordable modules: Ochd (LFOs) and Rnd Step (S&Hs) by DivKid.
We only have 2 hands. They give us 14 more within 8hp :))

Among my first sparks for modular (and a new form of collaboration) there was this jam session. I felt in love with modular because I saw the ideal complement to my traditional synths and opportunities for live improvisations jams. Berlin school is great for that. Enjoy:

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:53

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.
For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.

Many thanks @Sweelinck,

Indeed it is quite fun patching and tweaking modular! I came up with this funky wobble bass patch on the Doepfer A100 and used Korg SQ-1 to sequence it.

So far been trying different patches and finding out how useful modulation sources and functional generators can be as well as S&H modules. Doepfer A100 Basic system is well thought out with the key ingredients. I did order new modules to fill out the empty row that should arrive next week like the Borg filter and another oscillator plus some more modulation and utility modules like the Batumi Quad LFO and Intellijel Quad VCA plus more EGs and another mixer. I find that having two mixers in a modular setup is nice plus two sequencers so I can sequence and mix a bass track and then use the other separate patch for a drum track mixed into another part. I also have a regular external mixer the K-mix to use to chain my gear together nicely for future shows after COVID ends. I definitely want to jam with other modular artists in the future.

Hey I'm super new to modular, would appreciate any feedback. I'm not sure if I should replace Atom with nRings and something else instead.

Thanks Lugia,

I've been enjoying the Doepfer A100 modular system so far. I did order a few more modules to fill out the case and they should arrive next week: a Borg filter, quad vca, quad EG, and Richter anti-oscillator as well as Batumi quad LFO!

Well, given that it's a variant on Ken Stone's revision of the Serge USG, looking first at THIS might be useful: https://www.elby-designs.com/webtek/euro-serge/es114-universal-slope-generator/es114.htm Also this, from Serge's original docs: https://serge.synth.net/documents/datasheet/DSG.jpg

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules...
-- morphon

Given that this implies that BOTH cabs do this, my immediate reaction is that you're overtaxing the power supplies. But then, when I look at Pitt's site to check the current capacity, I can see that you've got 4A on the +12 and 3A on the -12. So, unless this thing's stacked with tube modules, you'd be hard-pressed to exceed that in 208 hp. The next thing to check, then, will be for flaky module behavior; it's a dirty little secret in modular that all modules are NOT quiet, well-behaved devices, and by unplugging/replugging each module one at a time from the busboards, you'll probably find a few "bad actors". The solution there is a little more...tricky, since the Pitt cabs also appear to have filtered busboards. This makes RF radiation more of a suspect issue here.

Now, the key to fixing stray RF is to isolate the problem component somehow. In a modular synth, this is going to be a major PITA, since there's nothing exactly "isolated" when it's in operation. It IS possible to add a ferrite across a ribbon (or two...one at the busboard end, the other at the module end) to keep this damped down...and if you're lucky, that might be all that's needed here. If NOT...OK, now it gets bonkers.

Also, check the power rails with an oscilloscope. No fooling. There could be power supply problems that, while you'll have the proper voltages on the rails, induce crud on the DC rails that can conceivably get past the busboard filtering. You want ruler-flat DC; if you see ripple or noise to an excessive degree, then the problem is the power supplies...and yeah, since they're OEM-type supplies, it IS conceivable that they could have the same circuit fault.

Lastly, and while I would be amazed if this was the case, how close are you to your current limits in each cab? It's worth noting that when you turn the system on, inrush current loads can be considerably higher for the fraction of a second when they happen than at any other time when the system is turned on. Best rule of thumb with current loading is to have at least 1/4th (and 1/3rd is better!) of your current max load "unused"...because the figures WE see in the MG specs are invariably for operational current, and NOT inrush values, and that headroom is needed for inrush. If you've exceeded 4 Amps in one of these...well, first of all, I'd be amazed...but if you're actually above 3A on your +12V rail, you're in that headroom area. Plus...the easier a load the P/S has to pull, the cooler it runs, and since heat is the enemy of electronic components, this helps lengthen the lifespan of the P/S itself.

Or in the end, you could just do what I do, and power your modulars with linear supplies. These are reliable, solid, noiseless as a rule, and while they're heavy and clunky, they ARE the sine qua non for powering modular synthesizers. I should note that I also do this with my amateur radio gear, and the results are worth it. Switching supplies are cheap, light, and simple, but even with decades of development, they're still just as capable of flaky behavior as they've always been.

Hi everyone,

Been searching high and low for tutorials on using the Doepfer A-171-2 VCS Slew Processor/Generator Serge clone module that came with my Doepfer A100 Basic modular system but cannot find anything on how to patch it and the manual is less than useless from Doepfer. Any ideas? It has Input, CV increase, CV decrease, exp CV, trig, cycle and end/output patch points.

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules they start to give off some noise.
-- morphon

what exactly do you mean by maxed-out - how close to the maximum are you on the power rails?

if you reduce the power draw - take out the most power hungry do you still have the problem?

maybe it's just time for another case and put a few lower power or passive modules in these cases to fill them up

otherwise Mantises have quiet and clean power (clean up to video rate)

Interesting. I'm running a full Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-420 without noise concerns or issues. Maybe ping someone at PM and ask about it?

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 20:02

Gonna throw this out there even though it might not exactly meet your criteria, but I've been considering buying a Crow by Monome to make a flexible microtonal quantizer, and similarly you could make a multichannel one, though given the number of inputs and outputs a multichannel one would require you to update the script to switch scales or change notes.

Ah but have you checked out the XL - extra modulation points - it's a bit more than a forbidden planet, but it is very good value for money

Same with Maths (again a bit more expensive) - there's a lot there for your money - and it would fill a lot of empty space!

another option for rectification is kinks - and you get sample and hold, noise and logic in a small inexpensive package

if you like inexpensive, then there's a lot of very good options with doepfer

@JimHowell1970 & @troux

I have had my eye on that FX AID too, I'm mostly always going for the keener priced options.

I also want to get the 8NU8R from Malekko Heavy Industry as it does Rectification, I could easily mult and i can mix and attenuate in the DPW AV-1. I've been suggested the Happy Nerding 3xMIA which looks like a good option for further LFO mixing, though if i didn't need Befaco STMIX for audio I could use that for blending some LFOs.

Good call on the AI Matrix Mixer, and its a DIY thats my sort of PCB density for my sanity when soldering!