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I was thinking that if possible, it might nicer if the Info, Zoom, Rotate and Trash icons were in a sub-popup menu that is opened by clicking on a single icon
They are too prominent, in the way? You can hide them quickly by pressing ESC.
The log out period seems really short these days! It used to be too short for my liking and then it seemed to get longer and more recently it seems extremely short! :-(
If it creates too much of a burden on the server to have lots of people logged in, maybe time out could be a lot longer for Unicorn folks? ;-)
Mhh. I did not touch the settings in the past. Maybe some PHP update changed some INI. I have increased the values now. The server should handle the users we currently have just fine. In future there should be an US proxy though...
Small HP case sizes needed for MU and MOTM.
-- JohnLRice
A bit tricky. I have checked it, the graphics of most enclosures look scrambled with 2HP MU/MOTM...
I would recommend you add some kind of way to mix the patterns, maybe something random, with chance, or just some kind of CV mixer or sequenctial switch.
Also, you could try replacing Grids with Marbles.
I suggest you view Perfect Circuit Audio's prebuild Rhythm systems, it can give you ideas.
Well,I think that in your case the best one would be an Expert Sleepers ES-8, that way you can use it as your audio interface. It has 8 outputs and 4 inputs.
Another very good option is Hermod, which also doubles as a midi interface and does a lot of sequencing. Mutable Instruments Yarns also could serve this purpose.
The limitation with the Mutant Brain is that it only has 4 CV outs, the others are Gate/Trigs so that limits what you can do with it. Yarns, for example, can be configured so that any output can be any kind, be it CV, pitch, gate, trigger.
@modulargrid I'm seeing issues both in Pedalboards and Eurorack cases. Pedalboards seem to have lost the ability to delete pedals, there are no more menu buttons when you mouse over a pedal. Eurorack cases are ok, but the drop-down menus get mixed with the panels of modules some times. Just FYI.
There are commercially available cases the hold as little as 2 MU modules so it would be nice if this were possible in ModularGrid. I know a 2 HP case in eurorack would be pretty ridiculous but in large format modulars it's quite reasonable.
The log out period seems really short these days! It used to be too short for my liking and then it seemed to get longer and more recently it seems extremely short! :-(
If it creates too much of a burden on the server to have lots of people logged in, maybe time out could be a lot longer for Unicorn folks? ;-)
I was thinking that if possible, it might nicer if the Info, Zoom, Rotate and Trash icons were in a sub-popup menu that is opened by clicking on a single icon (like a grey one with three ellipsis/dots). The reason I suggest this is because the 4 icons now cover over half the module face of 4 hp and smaller eurorack modules.
I wouldn't mind if the buttons were smaller also but I know that would make it harder for mobile users.
Alternatively maybe just a new option button next to Popover Off etc that would toggle the buttons on and off? Sometimes I just want to move modules around quickly and don't need and options but the buttons slow down doing so.
Ah yes, thanks you're right, I've got a Focusrite Scarlet 6i6 which is AC.
So now i'm looking at a whole world of other possibilities... I have an SPDIF output. I could get a cheap USB to ADAT and use an ES-3. OR. Get a MIDI to CV. I may just ask a general question about this as i'm not quite getting the answers from the copious threads i've read...
I basically would like to use the DAW to play out simple compositions which I can fiddle around with on the rack. I guess my priority is that eventually id like to have a few voices controllable through midi...
I agree partially, have you red this interview with the developer? https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2018/01/22/open-source-synthesis-behind-the-scenes-with-vcv-rack-creator-andrew-belt/
The last update solved a lot of issues, it was the biggest update yet.
Some of the modules in there are not emulations but clones, exactly coded like the hardware like for instance the texture synth (Clouds).
I am in experimenting stage with VCV but I like the potency of it. Like you can use your midi controllers easily within it and therefor within my harware rack also. And also using multiple audio interfaces I find appealing.
Time will tell if it is here to stay but because I am on a limited budged I'm very interested in a hybrid setup with it.
Processing rack, hm? Check this out:
Contains stereo phaser (fully patchable), Intellijel Rainmaker stereo delay line, the Erbeverb, an attenuating buffered mult for splitting incoming signals for parallel processing, then two channels of a KILLER combo between two Eventide EuroDDLs and two frequency shifters (think dual Eventide H949 or 969s, but way crazier) and last, the Dual Looping Delay. Toss in a couple of passive mults, and that's got it!
If you want to screw around with VCV, that is; see my thread on my experiences and conclusions regarding it.
As for digital generation raw power in Eurorack, my suggestion would be to wait until Xaoc Devices gets the Odessa on the market, supposedly this summer. Basically, as I noted in this past month's 'KICK ASS!!!' column, this module is more or less akin to having a monophonic iteration of the BellLabs Alles engine (ala Crumar GDS, DK Synergy) in a Eurorack module. You don't need many of these, but in order to get them to really shine, you do need quite a few modulation sources (LFOs, envelopes) to get the elaborate additive spectra moving in all the ways the Odessa allows for.
And as far as filters are concerned, honestly, I think Dave Rossum's Evolution is...ok...but the Morpheus filter would be very suitable with an Odessa or two. Again, modulation sources would be needed, but you can also use some mults/attentuators to split existing ones up to tandem modulation curves to both the oscillator(s) and filter.
I've been working on this rig for a while and I wanted to reach out with two specific questions.
First: what do you think of the power supply? I recently acquired the 4ms row power 40 because it seems like the best option. But if I get the 4ms flying bus cables, I only get 13 male header pins via two cables and it looks like I'll need a few more to fully power all the modules. Is there an easy way around this? (Sorry if this is a noob question.)
Second: I originally planned on the Pulp Logic 1u mixer, but it's currently unavailable. I'm looking for something simple that will function as a master out, so two 1/4" outs or a stereo 1/4" headphone out is preferred. The Synthrotek mixer is the only one I could find. Looks like it pretty much does the same thing, plus it has some panning options. Are there other 1u mixers I should be looking at? I have a Synthrotek 84hp 7u case, so anything by Intellijel is out, unfortunately.
In order to use your audio interface that way, it's outputs must be DC coupled. Most audio interfaces are not, so be sure to double check yours.
The advantages of the stereo mixer is that you can do panning but a quad vca allows you to have CV control over volume, but it ends up mono. It's up to you to decide which is better, but generally a VCA is more flexible.
Hey, thanks yeah I’m hoping to use expert sleepers “Silent way” from logic out of my audio interface. If I can’t get that to work then midi control yeah, maybe an Intellijel umidi? I’m wondering about swapping out the stereo mixer for a Doepfer A-135-1 quad vca? Might be a better bet?
Hola Tooth, how do you plan on controlling your modular? With the modules you have you'd still be missing either a sequencer or a MIDI interface to play it.
Agree with you guys here regarding VCV Rack, I tried to use it and it was flawed at best. Since I have NI Komplete and was trying the Reaktor blocks that is way more fun. Not rich enough to buy a full on Eurorack setup but think with Reaktor, Massive and my 0-coast that should tide me over for a while. It is sad how VCV Rack wasted its potential in reaching musicians.
I was hoping I could use the Doepfer a101-2 as a via or in dual mode for the moment? Do you recon I’m gonna need another V&A too? I kinda got tides instead of shelling out on a maths. I also like the way you can get an extra voice from it, which I thought would be good in a small set up. Que get a maths comments...
I was hoping I could use the Doepfer a101-2 as a via or in dual mode for the moment? Do you recon I’m gonna need another V&A too? I kinda got tides instead of shelling out on a maths. I also like the way you can get an extra voice from it, which I thought would be good in a small set up. Que get a maths comments...
Wanted to follow up with you in regards to my updates and (hopefully) continue to get your feedback. So I took your advice and tried to make the best out of my rack. I played with what I have for a few weeks and absolutely love it. I'm completely addicted. Here's what I ended up filling up my rack with...kind of a mix of things you offered in the first reply and second reply.
So now that I've used it for the first time, I'm understanding things much better (though I'm still a lost newbie). I love sequencing drums but am realizing it's taking up a ton of my voices. I barely have any voices left to fill out my sounds that I want. I also realized how much I miss delay and reverb (these are the 2 effects I use all the time on guitar). So what I'm thinking is making another smaller rack. I want a delay and reverb module, but other than that, I just want to make it as flexible as possible. Can you help me fill this out? Your advice was invaluable last time and I really appreciate it. Take care.
Hi all,
Modular mates, what do you think of my growing rack?
I run this besides a MFB Tanzbar and a AS Fusebox. Next to my daw (ableton) and other stuff.
The Popcorn was my first module and it is fun, liked it so much I've purchased the 2 expanders retail, the Links is the other retail purchase. The Befaco InAmp and Out are DIY's, got them cheap, the rest I've bought second hand.
I do not see my rack as a stand alone, triggers, gates and CV's can be digital or analog; I am experimenting with use in Ableton and VCV Rack, I do not have any sound generating modules yet.
Right now my first next module could become the Rossum Electro-Music Evolution, HQ ladder filter which I lack.
What I am aiming for is a versatile (polyphonic?) sound, or perhaps a multi channel mono set-up, I'm not sure at all.
What I do know is that digital modules are decreasing in attraction, for instance, Clouds comes within VCV.
Akemie's Castle looks good, I wanna build a powerhouse.
Monde Synthesizer Z Series modules
Inz to input balanced and unbalanced inputs like guitars and microphones.
Pedz for expression pedals to control VCFs, VCAs, and Panners like Panz.
Stompz to loop stomp boxes in and out like choruses or as an output to mixers and amplifiers.
I am rather new at this stuff, but I think you will probably need a VCA module in addition to the LFO and envelope modules.
The way it works is that a LFO generates your waveform, and you connect it to a VCA to control its volume. Then you link up the envelope generator to the CV of the envelope stage so that when you trigger the envelope you get a sound out through the VCA.
Both the Tides and the Doepfer modules are two different styles of envelope generators, so you might just pick your fav if you want to have fewer parts. The Doepfer is more of a standard East-coast Moog-style signal ASDR, while the Tides is like a new West-coast thing that other fancy features behind menu-pushbutton selection options. The downside to the Tides is that you have to read the LEDs to know what function it is set to, the knobs change their purpose depending on the mode.
How’s this for a starting point? I went Doepfer for affordable and trusted and mutable instruments for versitility and sound generation. I don’t have any effects yet, I thought I’d master this first. What you think? Am I missing or could have done similar cheaper / better?
This will allow you to use your guitar's sound to generate envelopes and gates while the output jack will pass the audio through for further processing/sampling etc. I've added one to my skiff for both external instrument processing as well as strumming MI Rings. My goal is to run acoustic and electric guitars thru Ears for sampling/looping playback via Morphagene (or similar modules) and using Ears' gate and envelope out for CV processing such as triggering sequencers, running Maths functions, etc. When not using Ears as an instrument input, I use it to play Rings, drums and other things. It's a really versatile module.
For large case, I suggest getting rid of the pre-built drum modules and go for less but more versatile modules to build your own drums. This way you can: modulate drum pitch, decay, release, volume etc.
I am fairly new in modular also, so my advice is with heavy grain of salt, but I have done tons of drum programming and therefore not a fan of generic drum modules UNLESS space is an issue (as for my own rack).
Get some noise/sine/filters with bunch of gates/adsrs and design your own drums. Otherwise get a ready-made drummachine. Only thing I see problem with patching manually is cymbal, which can be complicated, especially if you are completely new to actual sound design.
I am designing a drum rack with performance in mind. After weeks of going through various redesigns, this is my current thinking (I have a few of the modules already).
The aim is to have something robust and able to deal with most rhythm duties, but generally serve for glitch, tribal and industrial mayhem.
I think I might need more modulation sources, so might need to add a mult. Possibly a sequential switch. I was looking into clock dividers, but I think Pam and the various drum algo modules deal sufficiently with beats (I can modulate these to achieve what I need).
Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether it is missing anything, or what they might do differently or in addition?
I am trying to build a minimal dub-techno type setup that I interface with computer (sequencing with Pure Data). I also have a Doepfer Dark Energy I and Arturia minibrute (considering switching it to micro or 2. gen if I figure out what to do with the old one) which I think is enough for what I plan to do, trying to keep it minimal and with limited budget inside my 60hp portable case.
The most problem I have is figruing out how many midi to cv-out I need. There are either incredibly large modules which give me enough cv (like Polyend poly) or modules that are too small. I also prefer using Linux computer with Pure Data as a host since I already do a lot with it and like to program my own generative sequences from scratch. Windows is also an option since own a lightweight windows tablet.
Maybe I need another bassline module? Considering getting rid of the Grains since I lack ADSR etc and need different kind of switches between echo/delay (possibly custom DIY).
This is my first modular and trying to figure out what I need. I probably get the midi-cv interface and drums first and see from there. Anything I am missing?
Since I like customization, I thought maybe I give it a go, but I found absolutely no info/reviews on it (maybe I am just a dumb searcher, so google it for me).
Has anyone had any experience with it? How can it be programmed, is it with some interface or pure C++? I see it has some VST preinstalled and wonder how it works but I am hesitant to buy it if I do not see the manual and complete specs.
Hi! Just recorded a condensed version of a set I played live recently and want to share it with you! Just an example of modular being..so modular.
Im hoping to start doing consistent videos showcasing different setups, songs, and all things modular. Check out my youtube channel and subscribe for updates :)
I still have yet to get my first eurorack, but I have played around with most "modular" software and my favorite so far is Reaktor Blocks. Sure it is not emulating any eurorack modules, but I think it provides a professional-grade tool that is customizable and has some of the same spirit of eurorack. The best part is that you can use Reaktor to control and/or compliment a Eurorack setup.
In my opinion, VCV Rack is nice to get an idea of how a eurorack module works (provided there is an emulation of it) and could be a great option to explore new modules before actually commiting to them in your eurorack. But I would not use it as an actual musical instrument. Perhaps it'll get there one day, but that day is not today.
OK, in starting here, I'd like to point out that I haven't upgraded to VCV 0.6.x. There are reasons for this which should be apparent as I go on.
There's been a sizable amount of hype around VCV Rack being a be-all/end-all open source Eurorack emulation system. In theory, the idea seems like a good one, allowing users to experience the concepts behind modular programming in a very cost-effective way. And in a real sense, this is a very good use for VCV Rack. It's a nice set of...ah...introductory tools. But getting beyond that, there's some very real problems.
VCV's developers would like us to think that their creation is a just-as-valid item as the hardware. And this is where I part company with their aims and goals. As I've worked with the system, starting in 0.3.x and moving up to the final 0.5.x iteration, a lot of very irritating points have made their presence known, ones which are very much NOT part of the actual hardware modular experience. So, let's have a look at these:
1) VCV Rack is not a pro-grade tool. This shouldn't be too surprising at this point, especially noting the 'working-beta' status of the software. But even beyond that, there are issues with VCV that I've encountered that rise above simple beta-era growing pains. One of these is the automatic breaking of ALL modules upon each new iteration of the software. No, I kid you not. Every time a new beta appears, every plug-in developer is required to scamper back to the drawing board and recode their module sets for the new iteration. To me, this is the most egregious part of the unprofessional aspect. Consider what would happen to software plugin development if, every time a new version of the VST standard appeared via Steinberg, ALL plug-in developers would be faced with a scenario without backward compatibility. It would certainly stifle development, and moreso, stifle the value of the format. Do that, and the money goes away, then the platform falls flat on its face. In a professional-user environment, this sort of thing is totally untenable.
There's also no basic standardization of how the OS should work. Some knobs work one way, others in some other method, so you have to keep what works how memorized as you're also trying to do music. This eventually becomes a point of frustration and I for one don't appreciate being made to feel frustrated by the very tool I'm trying to create with. Certainly, this comes from the open source concept's somewhat anarchic way of dealing with its plugin developers...but at the same time, it's extremely annoying for those who don't see any functionality in allowing this degree of freedom in emulating a hardware environment where, yes, knobs work the same way, switches all perform the same way, and you can intuitively grab any of these and work them without having to remember how to turn or switch them.
These are just a couple of points. There's a lot more that I and I'm sure others have run across, and that list just gets too long to slap up here.
2) VCV Rack's developer seems to have a disconnect with its end-users. I encountered an issue in 0.5.x where the process I was working on was bogging as I added sampling modules, gradually wrecking all of the patch's internal timing. I examined what was happening, and quickly noticed that VCV wasn't multiprocessor-savvy; all of the work was being done on just one of my multitrack machine's 16 cores. leaving the rest to just idle while one single Xeon core was repeatedly being taxed beyond its limits. So, I did the logical thing one would do with open source software: I got on GitHub, searched amongst the loads of issues and bug reports, found little-to-nothing on what I was encountering after 45 minutes of searching, then posted about what I was running across, also inquiring about the possibility of multiprocessor support at some point down the line. What I got back was a rather prickly, snarky email from the developer that my thread was closed as my issue had already been raised (somewhere), then noting that multiprocessor support wasn't some idly-addable feature that, clearly, 'laypersons' woudn't understand the requirements of.
Ummmm...excuse me? Are you aware of who your user base is? It's not coders, for the most part, it's musicians. To dismiss the primary segment of a user base as 'laypersons' is not only rather tone-deaf, it seems to imply that VCV Rack isn't really about the musician end-users, but to satisfy some segment of the coder community. As such, that revelatory email cast a lot of doubts in my mind as to the long-term usability of VCV Rack; there didn't seem to be a sense that, once the application reached its initial full-release stage, the developer wouldn't move on to some other coding curiosity, basically orphaning VCV Rack in the process.
3) VCV Rack doesn't work like the actual thing. Yes, the module emulations are stellar for the most part. But it has a serious flaw in its single-core operation. It's sort of analogous to what happens when we hit power supply limits in hardware...but unlike hardware, you can't go out and get a bigger power supply. So when processor bogdown starts and things begin to go awry, there's basically no fix. None. You simply can't do what you'd envisioned, period, end of story. And for something that is to emulate simple builds, that's not a problem. But to do massive, complex work, you either need to have some sort of howling-fast CPU so that the sole working core for VCV can max it out...or you need multiprocessor support, which is the real answer, but one which isn't tenable from what I gather. And also, when VCV glitches, it's not pretty! Things we might find musically useful in hardware translate into hangs and freezes of all sorts of things, ranging from parts of a patch all the way up to the computer's entire OS. Hardware doesn't do that, either!
So, for those wanting to merely explore modular synthesis...yes, VCV Rack is a nice...toy, ultimately. But I'm totally put off of using it seriously, which I'd had high hopes of doing and, apparently, a lot of plugin developers would like to see as well. It won't replace hardware; I don't even find it to be an acceptable substitute.
Yep...go to your rack's page and then select 'Screenshot' under the 'Show' menu. If the screenshot view doesn't coincide with the actual page, refresh the screenshot. At that point, you should be able to refresh the forum post and see that it now matches the current state of the build. This isn't foolproof, though...sometimes it takes a bit more prodding, putting the forum post into 'edit' and back out again, etc. But the main problem comes from the rack's screenshot not matching the rack's actual page, so when posting racks always remember to make sure the screenshot is in sync before putting the post with the rack in question up.
Bought a uO_C lately from @kansha. Clear communications and a speedy turnaround made him a pleasure to buy from. Did business with him before and will do again. Thanks a lot mate.
That keeps budget as close to under 2k for a starter system to learn on and grow later. I don't have 50k for a wall system right now and the nice prepackaged systems are too expensive. Doepfer A100 is the least expensive one at 2.5k though and the Endorphin.es looks neat as well.
Personally I would build it bit by bit as you have things to make noise and you will learn way more by building it bit by bit. It will also lead you down some weird alleys if you go to the second hand market as you will stumble across makers and modules that will change the way you think about what your doing.
It really depends on what sort of sounds your aiming to get out of it but I found doing it bit by bit I learnt so much more and it stopped me from getting overwhelmed with information.
You should also look at the 3 module series on youtube to get an idea of what can be achieved with a small system.
thanks for the response :-) sorry but i think there is a problem or some kind of bug, when im logged in, it shows me my current rack as i really laid it out. But when im logged off i can see there are still old modules (like the NE sinclastic VCA/AD) in there..... is there a way to ''refresh'' my rack to the current state?
Fine, I know...it's already May when I'm posting this. I got busy; for those wondering on what, exactly, see
[There's supposed to be a SoundCloud embed here. You'll notice that there isn't one. I really don't know why, aside of the fact that SoundCloud's embedded player process is an obtuse load of crap, IMHO. To my reckoning, I should just be able to paste the URL for the project in, but no...that won't work. So you'll all just have to continue to wonder what I was doing. Thanks, SoundCloud!]
But the wait is worth it, I suppose. There's been another big uptick in amazing stuff popping up as we get toward the summer months. To start with, there's the jaw-dropping pair of...
1) Mutable Instruments Stages and Marbles. Oh...holy...crap! Stages is a transient-shaping/mod-generating one-stop module. I'm not even about to go into depth about everything Olivier tossed into this stunner! Just check it. Same goes for the Marbles, an insanely-complex randomness/sample-and-hold/quantizing/sequencing thing that clearly says that, if you can't find a use for it, you are tragic! Both of these demand serious consideration on the order of modules such as the Make Noise Maths et al.
2) Arcus Audio Buff Mult with Attenuators. Y'know, this is one of those 'it's so simple, why didn't someone come up with this sooner?'-sort of modules. Very, very simple...the description says it all, but the functionality is actually a bit more elegant than that implies. It combines a lot of ideas all behind a 6 hp panel very smartly; I'm thinking a lot of users have been looking for something like this for a while.
3) Erica Synths Black Code Source. It makes my head hurt just thinking about it. Stereo noise. Rewindable randomness. Polynomially-generated signals. And an expander that provides AR envelopes, pitchbend (yes, pitchbend on NOISE) in order to help the main module come up with all sort of chiptune-type craziness in addition to what it already does, which is a veritable buttload. Noise redefined, quite possibly.
4) Malekko Heavy Industry Quad Envelope and LFO. Wow...more hyper-versatile modulation sources, with multichannel capability and – surprise, surprise – the ability to store multiple presets when used with Malekko's Varigate modules. Live performance heaven, these...Malekko's really building on their quad architecture and coming up with some special stuff that might be a major solution for anyone taking a modular onstage, or for users who need a library of certain modulation behaviors for on-the-fly recall. I hope this trend continues...
5) Monde Synthesizer Ribbonz. A real ribbon controller setup, on the order of the discontinued Doepfer A-198, with a proper-sized ribbon controller. For those wanting to work out their Keith Emerson-isms or experimenting with all sorts of microtunings, this thing is a godsend. The controller looks quite serious, too, with a lot of extra performance controls present on it besides the sizable ribbon itself and what looks to be some beefy build quality. This would work great as either an expression controller or, for the intrepid, a master controller in of itself.
6) The Space Case TE-2. This one makes my head swim from the possibilities. On first glance, it looks like a cassette deck in Eurorack format. Which it is...on the most basic of levels. But the massive addition of CVable controls, multiple presets and on and on and ON belie the fact that this is more than just some tape delay effect. Again, this is yet another function-packed device that should be looked at to be believed. The website (http://spacecasetapeecho.com/) states a release date of April 3, 2018 and contains a massive amount of info on the module, which can also function as a stand-alone in its own skiff. It's not cheap, not by a long shot at $1250. But damn....
7) Pittsburgh Modular Electronic Sequence Designer 128. Uhhhh...wow. Sort of like nearly half of a Koma Komplex in a 48 hp module. Mad complexity and feature set. Onboard quantizing, too. Internal Euclidean pattern generator on each channel, ratcheting, just too much to detail here. Again, check the MG listing on this one for the rundown.
8) Behringgggg...no.
8) Kitsch-Bent PISSbox. Hey, it's a golden shower of noise reduction! OK, fine...I couldn't resist that one. But seriously, that's what this is about, plus a bit more. The PISSbox uses a transformer circuit to invert half of a stereo signal, then recombine it to a summed A-minus-B output. If you put your desired signal into A and the noise only into B, the result...kindasorta...will be phase cancellation of the noise, plus a little bit of (in theory) artifacting. But also, since Kitsch-Bent used a little iron in the audio path here, you can also take advantage of that in mono with a bit of overdriving to create nice, euphonic transformer-saturation harmonic distortion. So...a tad more useful than it might seem, plus it's cheap enough to warrant tossing one into most anything if you've got the 6 hp for it.
9) Dreadbox Lil' Erebus. Need an extra voice module for cheap? This could be it! Basic little monosynth with a delay, very patchable, in 42 hp for a measly $200. Not much to say, aside of this being a killer value, done right.
10) Hexinverter Mutant Brain. I was somewhat upset when Hex discontinued their previous small, versatile, and well-done MIDI-CV interface. I'm not upset now, booooyeee...because this is that, times 4 and then some! Reconfigurable via SysEx messages, this again is one of those devices that live performers are going to be drooling over. It's still in prototype phase, apparently, but this is one to wait for.
11) Happy Nerding PanMix Jr. Damn...the simple stuff keeps rolling out, too! Same form factor as the other triple HN modules, but in this case we get three channels of manually-pannable stereo mixing for the dirt-cheap price of $100! And you can use it as a 3-channel attenuator/distributor, too. This is another of those “it's soooo simple...” devices that fix so much in so little space for so cheap. A no-brainer.
12) Xaoc Devices Zadar and Odessa. Superbooth 18 prototypes both, these are not exactly what they might seem to be. Very much digital-in-analog clothing for all the RIGHT reasons, the Zadar offers four very complex EG/LFOs under a massive amount of user control, with a planned expander for CV patching. But the Odessa...oh...my god. FPGA-based additive. In a Eurorack module. On the scale of something like a single Crumar GDS generator. Done right. I...uh...think I'm having a stroke or something. Literally, I cannot believe what I'm looking at, but knowing Xaoc, it's not a prank. Just read the MG page on it. This changes so much in terms of VCO architecture possibilities. It is definitely THE NEXT STEP in VCOs. And for me, one of those 'warm fuzzy moments' when I know I'm looking at where the future should go!
13) Synthrotek Fold. And for the last, another simple, small, inexpensive, and super-useful tool. A six-stage wavefolder plus ring modulator in a tiny 4 hp package for a paltry $125. West Coasters, take note...this is a toy you won't want to live without! Also, those doing small builds who want big sound altering capabilities need one of these. Or, for that matter, anyone else!
Like I said, the month of April(ish) was a wild one, and there's some things in here that are going to be game-changers. It's a good time to be doing electronic music, folks!
A question: if this is a two-voice build, why are there not two of the entire signal chain needed to make up a voice? There's two complex VCOs -- check. Two VCAs(-ish; not how I'd do this) -- check. One VCF...ah, that might be a problem. Basically, this isn't how two-voice polyphony works. You've instead arrived at something referred to (not very well, I think) called 'paraphony', where two independent sources get funneled into the same modifier chain. By default, you lose the separation you're referring to when that happens. Plus, once you mash it all into the single VCF, there's no point in having two of the Noise Engineering EG/VCAs anymore. You're just dynamically modifying the same sound in two different ways.
For reference, go have a close look at an Oberheim Two-Voice. These have been around since the early 1970s, still made today with some modern upgrades, and for very good reasons. You'll notice that, since it uses the SEM-based Oberheim architecture, you actually have two discrete signal paths with their controllers, modulation sources, etc. That's what you're trying to do here.
From the prebuilt synths you're describing, I think it might be possible that you're painting yourself into a corner by limiting the budget on these. The M32, small Phattys, original Minibrute...all of these are pretty limited solely by the fact that they're inexpensive and therefore don't contain the complexity of higher-end prebuilts. But when you start getting into the more complex monosynths, or going away from the analog (which is another 'too trendy for its own good' thing) end of synths to explore good digital synths, you get back into the sort of sonic complexity I think you're aiming toward.
Again...back up and do some research. The solution to doing things over long-term is to never act quickly, but consider where you want to go in the long-term. And this takes time. Hell, you might find you can get sounds out of an old Casio CZ-101 that are just what you've been thinking of, but without a lot of research into where you should go with your musical ideas, you'll never figure an intuitive leap like that out.
Thanks.
What has steered me toward even considering modular in the first place is that while I love the sound of various hardware synths, they all seem to paint you into a corner. I liked my Minibrute for what it was but grew to want a different filter and snappier envelopes, which made me think I would be happier with a Moog Little Phatty or Sub Phatty. After demo'ing a Sub Phatty I realized it scratched an itch, but it would limit me in it's own way too in short time.
I'm always drenching synth sounds in delay and reverb or looking for other means to try and create layered ambient sounds, so when I heard some of the stuff people were doing with Mutable Instruments modules that can't be done at all on existing fixed architecture synths - then it felt right.
I might scale back my ambitions, get the Mother 32, an extra VCO, and the Rings - then think harder about what's actually missing. I'll likely need time for my wallet to catch up anyway.
