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Just looking at your mixing options, you could really use a more fully featured mixer so, as you say, you can deal with the stereo and mono signals in one place. Somwething like a Happy Nerding 4xstereo Mix would work. You could also use an external mixer as you can get them pretty cheap on eBay etc.

Would a Mutable Marbles or a Turing machine be something you'd be interested in to compliment the Rene & Pressure Points?
Or do it externally with a Beatstep Pro etc?
-- wishbonebrewery

Hi, thanks for your reply. I think you're right that mixing is the main thing I'm struggling with. I've just created another little case with all my extras, which includes an ALM Tangle Quartet and I fed three voices into that, and also multed them, so I could have a rudimentary send and return into the stereo input at the bottom of the XPan. That left me four more inputs on the XPan for the dry signal and even then I still didn't have an input for the Morphagene. I've been toying with the idea of getting an ADAT, such as the OPTX or something from Expert Sleepers and then feeding separate signals out to my computer and mixing in the box. I'm sure this would sound a lot better but I don't know if it would end up adding yet more complexity when what I'd really like is something simple. As you say, a small mixer might be a more straightforward option and it would have the benefit of some EQ and an easy way to pipe in FX. I'll check out the Happy Nerding 4xstereo mix, although I'm a bit wary of that company. I tried the 6 channel Panmix and it had very little headroom. Wasn't a fan of the FX Aid either. Modular is SO COMPLICATED!

Hi, I don't have a strong leaning to any particular genre. But definitely not techno or any kind of dance music. I've been listening to early electronic albums, Laurie Spiegel, Gil Melle, Else Marie Pade, Morton Subotnick... that sort of thing. I've also been enjoying albums by Benge and Caterina Barbieri. So in that sort of ball park I guess. I'd like to record some live sounds into the Morphagene then have them warble away against an atmospheric synth bed I guess. If that makes sense? I've just today removed the Brains module and replaced it with the ALM S.B.G. as I'd like to incorporate external effects. I think my real problem is figuring out how to route the sound so that it all comes together in a clean stereo signal. I'm not sure how to incorporate the Mimeophon without drenching everything in delay. Ideally, I'd have some kind of send and return but I'm not sure how to do that with the modules I have, or whether it is even possible.

Hi folks,
I have a tweaked Shared System that I am finding it difficult to gel with. Main problems, for me are:

1. Not sure about the best way to route signals for a coherent stereo out.
2. Finding it hard to make any music with it that I like.

I have quite a few other modules that I could swap into it, including a Tempi, Plaits, Erbeverb, Ripples, ALM MFX, Telharmonic, ALM Tangle Quartet.

Another route I've considered is to strip it back a bit and just go for a basic Shared System. Could even sell a module or two and get an Echopon.

Or do you think this set up is actually okay and I should just work at it to get the best from it?

Don't know. I'm a bit stuck at the moment, so any advice would be gratefully recieved. Thanks.

Update 2025: I published the album below on Bandcamp a few years ago, then took it down about a year later because I fell out of love with it. For some reason, I listened to it again last month and decided that it's better than I remember and reflects where I was in the pandemic, and what I was doing with my little modular rack. I'm quite surprised what I managed to squeeze out of the modules I had back then. I have a bigger rack now and am struggling to do anything with a similar focus as Covid Drones - I live in hope but perhaps the lesson is that less is more - not sure. I'm not going to do anything rash, like sell everything, but I'm wondering if my lack of productivity know is due to lack of a clear idea, too many modules, falling out of love with Eurorack or some combination. Don't know. Anyhow, I wanted to bump my album up the list, which is why I've written this post.

https://modlifecrisis.bandcamp.com/album/covid-drones

Hey! Personally I lean toward going for the smaller case and limiting your options. I did an experiment in January where I scaled down to 100 hp with a Benjolin, a dual filter, some envelopes, S&Hs,VCAs, and attenuators, a mini Clouds clone and a micro Ornament and Crime and had an amazing time exploring all the different sounds I could get out of just that. I was also choosing to record it direct (with a little looping and reverb at times), but if you want to record into a DAW or sampler you could do a ton with a smaller case. I strongly support limiting your options and forcing yourself to get creative to arrive at sounds you like. If you think you want to have whole compositions with multiple voices running simultaneously, it would certainly be easier with the larger case. Follow your bliss friend!
-- Progspiration

Thanks for your reply. I'm oscillating between the two options at the moment. My quandry in a way is process. Do I have a single sound train and record that, or multiple voices recorded as a stereo pair or multiple voices stemmed out. All options could work but which will yield the best results. I guess the good thing about modular is so many options but that is also the difficult thing about modular...

Hey! Personally I lean toward going for the smaller case and limiting your options. I did an experiment in January where I scaled down to 100 hp with a Benjolin, a dual filter, some envelopes, S&Hs,VCAs, and attenuators, a mini Clouds clone and a micro Ornament and Crime and had an amazing time exploring all the different sounds I could get out of just that. I was also choosing to record it direct (with a little looping and reverb at times), but if you want to record into a DAW or sampler you could do a ton with a smaller case. I strongly support limiting your options and forcing yourself to get creative to arrive at sounds you like. If you think you want to have whole compositions with multiple voices running simultaneously, it would certainly be easier with the larger case. Follow your bliss friend!
-- Progspiration

Thanks for your reply. I'm oscillating between the two options at the moment. My quandry in a way is process. Do I have a single sound train and record that, or multiple voices recorded as a stereo pair or multiple voices stemmed out. All options could work but which will yield the best results. I guess the good thing about modular is so many options but that is also the difficult thing about modular...

Hi Zacksname. Totally take your point. I guess my question, though, is do people find they are more productive, have more fun, by limiting their options? I’m not planning on taking this out live, so portability isn’t an issue. If you were given a month to write an album, which of these above would you choose?

Hi folks,
I would like to record an album (or something) using my modular. I am at an early stage and don't yet know what genre of music I'll be making or what the recording process will be. At present, I am torn between using ALL my modules or scaling it back for a more limited palette. It's not like I have loads of gear - compared to some people :) - but I'm wondering whether to treat the modular like a sonic playground (all my modules) or limit my palette and work within the limitations to create something that is perhaps more focussed. I have come up with two alternative case layouts - both of which I could have without buying any new modules. Which would you prefer if you were presented with each case and invited to record an album using only that?

Small case
Small.jpg

Large case
large.jpg

Doesn't the center row of the Make Noise case function as a mult (or even multiple mults)? If so, I would probably eliminate any further mults from a case this size. Just my two cents.
-- farkas

I agree with you, but what I'm finding is that I'm using all the centre mults to mult random, LFOs, pressure points, CV from the Rene and PNW... I sometimes find myself needing more mults but I may be overdoing it. I'm still at the "I wonder what happens if I plug that in there?" stage...

This is my latest configuration. I fear the mash up of black and silver will be frowned upon. I'm still trying to work out the best place to put the mult or if I even need one. My thinking at present is to use it to send out multiple streams from the DPO and use the Morphagene/LXD/Mimeophon as it's own voice - so a two or three voice system, depending on how I use the DPO...

EDITED Aug 8th 2023, 11:30

My A.D.D. wants to put Pam with the other silvers
-- AEROCATONE

I agree, but i find it hard to see the screen on PNW if it's in the top row.

thanks again folks. I have purchased an FX Aid XL It should arrive on Tuesday. I'm sure it will make me sound 100 times better ;).

Hard bargain...
Our last word: FX Aid XL (6hp) + your Make Noise Blank (4hp).
Give me five!
-- Sweelinck

sounds like it's time for, the inevitable, case no. 2 then!
-- JimHowell1970

No way! :) I feel like even this sized case us too big for my Very Small Brain to handle.

Thanks for your replies everyone. The FX Aid Pro looks good but is 14hp (I think), so too big for me. I suppose I could chuck my ALM SBG in there and use a pedal but I do like the idea of everything being in the case. I'm also considering the Doepfer Spring but I'm not sure whether it would fit in the Make Noise case once it is wired up.

For a little percussion: Basimilus? (10hp).
The way you have arranged your modules seems well designed, in my opinion...
-- Sweelinck

Hi - thanks for your reply. People do amazing things with the BIA but it's not the sort of sound I'm after. I'm aiming for dreamy soundscapes that can modulate and evolve, which is why I was considering the MFX. Thinking about it, the reverb from Noise Engineering might be another option...

Hi folks,
I haven't posted for a long while, but I hope everyone on the forum is well.

A while ago I bought a Make Noise 7u case and have been slowly filling it up (mostly with Make Noise modules). I feel I need some help from the forum on the best way to arrange the modules I have, in terms of ergonomics.

If anyone has any suggestions for a better way to put my rack together I'd be very grateful. Also, if anyone has any advice for what to put in the final 10hp that would be good too.

My initial thought for the last 10hp is another fx module, I'm thinking the MFX from ALM as this also has a tuner and a scope which could come in useful - I'd be happy to leave the last 4hp as a Make Noise Blank (I quite like the idea of a bit of branding). But if anyone has any better ideas I'd be very happy to hear them. Thanks in advance for your time.

EDITED Aug 7th 2023, 07:46

I started out with a small case and a collection of small modules. If I had my time again, I would quite possibly buy a small case, but I wouldn't get the same modules. I thought having more smaller modules would mean more variety, but in the end I found it frustrating and a little unfulfilling. If I could start again, I think my first modules for an 84HP case would be:

A Wogglebug, or equivalent
A Maths, or equivalent
A DPO, or equivalent
An Optomix, or equivalent
A Mimeophon, or equivalent

I feel that those modules could keep me happy for months, if not years, and would be a good basis to build up to a larger modular system.

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1453324.jpg

EDITED Sep 8th 2022, 14:09

I'm already a sub, can't double-sub. But what I can do is add my voice to the choir: people of MG, subscribe to this great channel clearly deserving of your clicks: great production, great tips, great ideas. What else do you need really ?

-- toodee

Haha! Thank you. :)

Hi, I have been posting YouTube videos for a while now. I've gone a bit quiet recently, but I do plan to keep at it. I just checked my stats and I have almost hit 300 subscribers. I know in terms of YouTube this is basically pond life, but I can't help feeling quite chuffed that almost 300 people have hit the subscribe button. If I played a gig and 300 people turned up, I'd be over the moon.

I was wondering if anyone out there would consider subscribing to my channel and helping me get over 300?

Here's a link to my most popular video so far, which has had nearly 4,000 views and 160+ likes (it's gone viral!) :). I think you'll need to watch it on YouTube to actually subscribe. Thank you, in advance, if you do subscribe (or even consider it). Cheers! MLC

I've looked at this, and the only thing I would wish for is a separate unit that's just the synthesizer itself. It's very capable, but sticking with JUST tracker mod clips really sells the synth inside short. Even so, this is way faster than using an old-skool mod tracker on something like an Amiga.
-- Lugia

My experience of the Tracker is that the wavetable function is fun. The granular synth is limited because you can only have one grain. Hopefully they could update that if they can squeeze more out of the processor.

Well was interestingly cool...would you say the Polyend Tracker is relatively easy to get started with? Was watching you triggering the various buttons. Maybe the most time consuming part is getting all your samples loaded? Thanks for the video!
-- jb61264

Hi - thanks for the comment. So far I’ve found it pretty straightforward to load samples. There’s a bit of “housework” but nothing like as much as other samplers I’ve tried.

Recent visitors to my little corner of YouTube will know I've been looking at expanding my modular set-up to include a new case and lots of lovely new modules, inspired by my passion for Buchla.

Well, in the last few months, I have made zero progress. And in the meantime I've bought a new toy, a Polyend Tracker. I'm enjoying it so far, and can see that it will easily incorporate into any modular set up I end up with.

It's also great fun in its own right. I've been enjoying loading samples from my Plink and Tenor Uke Kontakt libraries and seeing what I can come up with. This is the first track I've made on it. Hope you like it.

EDITED Dec 9th 2021, 19:41

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread about My Next Rack. I actually ended up making a video about it.

Mat, this build seems pretty solid to me.

The 3 points I have questions about:
-- what will PNW be doing in this setup? It's a great module, but I don't see obvious uses for it here
-- why Scan & Pan vs alternatives or other uses of that HP?
-- why the DUSG? Wogglebug + ER101 + Quadrax + QX already give you a lot of CV for this size a rig, I'm not sure DUSG adds a lot of value alongside your other CV, and it sure takes a lot of HP. If this was my setup, I'd be tempted to put Joranalog Morph 4 where DUSG is. Morph4 is totally different than DUSG, but you could do interesting things in this setup with Morph 4 such as pull several outs from DPO and morph them (at LFO, sequenced or audio rate!) or use it to morph CV that's fed to something else.

Hi Nick,
Those are good questions and thanks for asking them. I can't promise to give definitive (or even coherent) answers but my thinking was as follows...

PNW is in there to supply a clock to the ER101, which as I understand it, doesn't have an internal clock. I could get a clock from the Wogglebug or the Quadrax or the DUSG but I won't be certain of the BPM with any of these, and I thought that might be useful if I wan't to take anything into my DAW. I also imagine myself using it as an LFO and an additional source of random. But, it might be overkill, as you suggest.

Scan and Pan - that's there I suppose, because I'm trying to recreate the Buchla Skylab, which has a similar mixer (6 channel I think), with the ability to pan the inputs into a stereo field. It looks like it would be kind of fun to create stereo movement. I think Sputnik do one that is even more similar to the Buchla and other smaller options are available but I haven't researched them. Verbos is a pretty reputable brand I guess, and I see the Scan and Pan as the final point in the audio chain.

DUSG - you might well be right about this. I have asked myself the same question (above in this post if I remember rightly) but I guess there are quite a few other things you can do with it. I have considered swapping it out for Maths, which would give me the advantage of another mixer, attenuation, inverters, more logic possibilities and a smaller hp footprint. I might have to end up doing this because I'm not sure how available the ER101 actually is, so I may need to look at another sequencer - possibly the Rene Mk2, which is bigger.

I have never heard of the Morph4, which looks funzies (as my daughter says). I'll check it out.

And yes, I know what you mean about the TipTop Buchla - I imagine it being as hard to get as Beads - frustrating when you decide on a module and then it is unavailable. First world problems of course and I'm very lucky to have the modules I do have already to play with.

Choices, choices, choices... Sometimes I think I should just get a Buchla Easel or a Make Noise Shared System and be done with it... :) I'm sure I'd have a lot of fun with either.

Regards,
Mat

OH, HOLY CRAAAAAAAP!!!!!!

First thing I see right off is a 258...for $200!?!?!?! And the 257's getting reissued!?!?! Good lord...

And with Tiptop running the fabrication (I would presume?), we'll really be seeing these, as opposed to Buchla USA's never-gonna-get-done 100 series reissue.
-- Lugia

I guess one of the ways they’ve kept the price down is the absence of preset management which must make the modules simpler to manufacture. I wonder if they’re using vactrols too, which according to a podcast I listened to with the CEO of Buchla bump the price up. And then I guess they’ll have large production runs. It really is rather exciting news! Having said that, I’m still rather keen on the latest iteration of my next rack but this has thrown a haze of doubt over that …

EDITED Sep 16th 2021, 05:49

Mat,
Please Hold on before you buy anything. TipTop and Buchla are collaborating on bringing the 200 Series Modules to Eurorack.
Better see what the prices will be on those and then reevaluate the Build.

Best
Chris
-- Cangore

Thanks. Gosh, who saw that coming? And by the looks of the comment below yours they are not going to cost so much either. That really is very exciting to me. I bet they’ll sell like hot cakes. I wonder if they’ll make the weird keyboard?

EDITED Sep 15th 2021, 14:08

Mat, a couple comments:

— if you are looking at DPO vs Verbos Complex vs Furthrr, may as well also consider Instruo Csl and Mindphaser. I personally love the “complex OSC” setup which is very west coast and to me a big change from what I experienced with lots of prior VST exposure. In other words I find that setup a breath of fresh air. DPO sounds great to me; the dual primary routing is very good and it has a fat warm musical sound to me. CSL a lot of people love but to me it sounds a lot thinner than DPO. Anyways there are some very strong modules in this set and it’s worth some good comparison and consideration. And whatever the spec sheets say, man DPO really sounds great to me…

— from the thread above I have to mention FSS Makrow and ADDAC 306 which are basically macro controllers in modular. I have a hunch 1,2,3 of those might be a great fit with your overall setup.

I’ll have to check out your videos!

Cheers,

Nicholas
-- nickgreenberg

Hi Nicholas,
Interested to read your comments about the complex oscillators out there. It's a tricky choice, because whichever one I choose is going to have such a major effect on the eventual sound. I really need to find a shop somewhere which has them all so I can play with each of them and see which floats my boat I guess. I like the look of the FSS Makrow and ADDAC 306, which would be great for transitions. Not sure what I'd take out though. I'm planning to pair the eventual case with a Make Noise 0-CNTRL or something similar to give me some hands on control.
Cheers,
Mat

Thanks Chris. That makes perfect sense. And thanks too for the thought you’ve put into this. I could never afford (or justify) a Skylab but this could be a brilliant alternative and actually have some cool extra bits too, like the echo and the logic circuits. I’ve copied your rack (so now it’s a copy of a copy). Cheers, MLC, aka Mat.

I do still find that my hands are the best CV control I've got...

-- ModLifeCrisis

Had to look up your “Perfect CV Controller” video on YouTube, and couldn’t agree more. I was just trying to explore this idea in a different thread. Personally, I think the human side is where modular artists find their own artistic voice. I know this is a gear forum, so any discussion of style, artistry, or philosophy is quickly shut down in favor of, “Just buy XYZ module.” I thought your video was an important consideration of something that new modular enthusiasts should ponder just as much as case size, budget, voices, and utilities. Thanks for exploring that idea. Just subscribed to your channel. :)
Also, good luck with your Skylab build.

-- farkas

Hi, thanks. Yep. The more I can get my fingers and gestures involved the better. The Buchla Skylab comes with a weird keyboard thing which is a bugger to program apparently but once set up is very expressive. For this build I’m considering the MN 0-control which doesn’t do as much but would be simpler and hopefully good fun. Thanks for the subscribe too. I’d better make another video! :)

Now you really got me thinking,
This morning when I got up I looked at the build again and noticed that there are almost no VCAs.
Then I read your Post and took a look at the Skylab.

I think that you‘d be best of trying to replicate half of the Audio Path of that thing and definetly drop one random source in favour of a quad envelope (closest Thing in Euro is probably Quadrax plus Expander) and add VCA‘s dedica
Also you completely omitted the Frequency Shifter.I think thats a pretty crucial one. Luckily Doepfer just put out a very reasonably priced one, yes it‘s a little small, but I think it would be your best bet.

Now I tried to do a complete overhaul that makes sense to me, while keeping the modules as big as possible and looking at the Skylab.

I actually really dig that build, luckily I don‘t have 5 grand to spend on modular right now ;).

Wish you all the Best
Chris

Hi Chris - that looks very interesting. Thanks. I’m going to have to study it. Couple of things come to mind immediately - think I’d prefer the sound of Mimeophon to Echophon - was there a reason you chose that? Also, what do you think the DUSG brings to the party now that there are four envelope generators? Do you see it as a second oscillator or is it there for all the other stuff it can do?

One Last Thing,
I just remembered you did a great video on interacting with the modular by using your Hands.
The Er101 seems to be the antithesis of that, atleast to me, have you considered putting Pressure Points in there? Or have you strayed away from that Idea?
-- Cangore

Hi, yep. The ER101 does look a bit fiddly doesn't it. Part of my inspiration was to recreate the Buchla Skylab which I could never justify buying (£15,000 for 10 modules) and the ER101 is the closest thing I've seen to the Buchla 251e sequencer you get in the default Skylab setup. I think I had in mind to pair my next rack with a MakeNoise O-Control or some such because I do still find that my hands are the best CV control I've got... Pressure Points would work too, but of course takes up space. I've been looking again at your revamped version of the modules I chose originally. It does make a lot more sense. I still think I'd like a complex oscillator though - the Skylab has two!
Cheers, MLC

Actually I tried and updated the suggestion: Beads leaves an extra 2Hp for Shakmat Sum-Dif which would also help greatly!
Just click on the link to see the updated rework. Don‘t know how to Update the thing here..

Also maybe rethink the Complex VCO, you already have two Ringmods (wogglebug and Serge) and two waveshapers in there Maybe go for two simpler oscillators (Buchla 258 Clone?) or the Serge New Timbral oscillator plus another one?
But that‘s maybe taking it too far from the Original Idea.

Cheers.
-- Cangore

I just clicked on the link. Thanks for the input! That's given me something to think about! I haven't come across that Buchla clone before. Hi Ho, it's off to YouTube I go. :)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Nifty case isn't rackmountable, nor is it 3U. Or is there another version?

I like your module choices, especially the LxD and RND, thanks! I think you're right, I should be aiming for fewer, but larger, modules.
-- asleepwheel

Hi, sorry, I didn't pick up that you wanted it rack-mountable. My bad :). Yep, I love the LxD - it sounds nice to my ears and has two different flavours in 4hp. The RND is very useful too, for such a tiny module.

Hey Cangore,
Thanks so much for the advice. I think you are right. I guess the Maths I have fulfils some of those functions, which I won't get with the Random Source DUSG. Interesting. I've not heard of the SSF Toolbox. That looks ultra useful. Perhaps that and Shades might work. I take your point about Magneto, although as I said, part of my plan is to avoid smaller modules - especially if I plan to tweak them. I'm still not 100% on the Verbos Complex Oscillator. I can't really decide on that or the DPO or the Furtherrr Generator (or whatever it's called) without hearing them in person...

Thanks too, for what you say about my videos. I'm never sure whether the world needs more amateur videos about Eurorack, but it's nice to know that you enjoyed them. I haven't made one for a while (partly because of things going on) and also just laziness and my focus being aimed elsewhere at the moment. I do plan to make some more though - I have my Nifty Case patched up with a patch I like that I'm waiting to film...

A rackmount case that doesn't require 4hp for power sounds interesting, do you have a link?

I have indeed studied the small racks suggested by Lugia. His feedback posts are a wonderful resource here and I discovered several of the modules in my proposed rack from his suggestions. I suspect I will be doing some iterative experiments with this, for example my idea of using the input attenuators on the VCAs as a mixer is something I'll have to try out to see if it meets my needs.

-- asleepwheel

Hi, I have the Nifty Case. I quite like it. 84hp with power, two channels of midi to CV, plus a clock and the case itself is quite nicely built. As everyone says, though, you will probably very soon wish you'd bought a bigger case - although I do quite like having a small case personally. It fits on my desk nicely. But I filled it with some not quite so small modules. Here are my choices:

To me, that all looks a bit cramped and (I'm not sure why) a bit ugly. I wouldn't enjoy playing with it. Could you get a rack that is powered? You could do without the power supply then and gain a few more hp? Just my two cents... best of luck with it all.

I'm planning a second rack. My guiding principles have been large modules, old school synthesis and a west coast bias. I'd like it so that I can experiment with patch programability, sonic exploration and happy accidents where I haven't a clue what's going on. I'd also like to think it could create some really pretty sounds too. I don't need it to be self contained in a band-in-a-box way, but I would like to feel that I won't be needing to reach for any other modules when I'm playing with it. It would be great to hear what people think of my selection so far... thanks :)

Thanks Garfield - glad you enjoyed it.

Looking at synth designers can be a great way of re-discovering or re-imagining your own system.

I've recently been learning about Serge modules and some of the ideas behind his designs. One of the most interesting things to me is the idea of patch programmability - which, so far as I understand it, is the idea that Serge modules can be many things depending on how you patch them.

This prompted me to look at my own little case and try and put some of my modules to different uses - I've had a go at turning DivKid's OCHD into a drum, my 2hp Rnd into an oscillator and using Make Noises Maths as a subharmonic divider.

The resultant short piece of 'music' is a little different to what I might normally have come up with.

One of the aspects of modular I have noticed is how all-consuming it can be. I think about modular a lot, and I have been neglecting my other synths. Another thing about modular I've noticed is that it has changed the kind of music I listen to and also the way I approach more traditional synths when I play them. I'm 'thinking' more modular and 'playing' more modular. This isn't something I've chosen, it's just happened. I filmed this little performance on my Roland SH09 which highlights the change in my style of playing.

I started listening a while ago and I'm in the middle of Lockdown. So far it's been awesome. Can't wait to hear the rest! Was Lockdown recorded in one take as a live recording or are there overdubs of different parts. Just curious. Cheers.
-- TumeniKnobs

Hi there TumeniKnobs. Thanks for your comment. Glad you're enjoying it. Yes, Lockdown was recorded in one take - four mono tracks (if I remember rightly) into my DAW. There was some post-processing, with some panning and extra reverb. All of the tracks on the album are live except for the two with additional vocals by the current UK prime minister who I had to get in for the overdubs :)

Hi Garfield, ha ha. Sorry, didn't get the Latin Quarter reference at all. Funnily enough, the bass player to that band lives very close to where I do. I used to see him quite a lot at jam nights... he's a brilliant bassist.

Hi Mod Life Crisis,

Oh yes, a complete album made by you! I am struggling with writing yet another review report however by listening at your album suddenly this work becomes more pleasantly. Once and a while I can't work on the review report because your music needs my attention :-)

Which module did you use for that robot voice?

In a few tracks I recognise here and there bits of Latin Quarter ;-) I love that kind of yelling sound in "I Struggle To See", nicely done!

Great album and I continue to listen at it, I want to hear all of it! Thank you very much for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.
-- GarfieldModular

Hey Garfield! Thanks. Glad to think of accompanying you in your report writing. I used Plaits for the robot voice. There are also some additional voices from the UK's current prime minister (I'm not a fan of his although many people love him).

EDITED Jun 26th 2021, 22:06

So, here goes. I've released an album of modular music on Bandcamp. All of the tracks were created using Plaits and Morphagene as the main sounds sources, together with external effects. I pleased with the way it turned out and I had a lot of fun making it. Hope you like it too.

https://modlifecrisis.bandcamp.com/album/covid-drones

Here's are the modules I used:

EDITED Yesterday, 13:34

Very cool. I have two S.B.G.s in my minimal system.
-- baltergeist

Do you! For FX boxes I'm guessing?

Yeah, the uses for the send/return modules go deeper than just an insert point for stompboxes. For one thing, it's basically an "unfixed" effects processor, as the actual processing done depends on what you choose to drop into the insert, and this can be as simple as a fuzzbox or as complex as an entire pedalboard. And then there's their uses as extra mono-outs or external signal inputs.

One thing I need to try is using something like this to admit a no-input system's signal into a modular for final manipulation. My AE system has a couple of their 4I/O modules (like these, but with four "soft" I/Os instead of the dedicated input and output), so it should be a good candidate for this.
-- Lugia

Cool. As I forgot to say, it's also a great way to bring in an external synth or even a guitar, say, where the level is too low otherwise for modular. All in all, a useful little gizmo!

Nice work :)
-- wishbonebrewery

Thanks a lot :)

Hi ModLifeCrisis,

Wow, that's amazing, you have a waterproof Eurorack ;-)

Drone or not, nice ambient track it is! :-) It's lovely relaxing to listen at, watching the video, feeling so relaxed. Yes nice, I want more of this :-)

I miss a bit your commentary at the beginning of each track, any chance of that happen again? :-)

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

Thanks Garfield. Just for you, I have uploaded a video which is virtually all talk - about the ALM S.B.G. Hope you enjoy it.
Regards, MLC.

I was recently asked in a forum (not this one) why I had the ALM S.B.G. or Stompbox Gateway in my rack when I could just put an FX module in instead. This got me thinking about the S.B.G., which I often use to plumb in external guitar pedals I have, such as the MXR Carbon Copy analog delay.

But with so few modules in my rack, I have also found myself using the S.B.G. for other things, besides routing audio to stomp boxes. In this video I go through some of the bonus uses I've discovered for the S.B.G., which make it, for me, a surprisingly useful little box to have in my Nifty Case.