User Posts

It seems like you're using up a lot of hp with your compressor and mixer. Although I imagine you'll be using the Roland 531 as your main mixer, it's handy to have several submixers in your system. Perhaps you intend to use the Doepfer A-130-8 as a submixer, but the Frap Tools 321 and Intellijel Triplatt (listed below) offer many useful features in addition to mixing.

For a smaller compressor, you should look into:
Steady State Fate - Autodyne [4hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/steady-state-fate-autodyne
Noise Engineering - Librae Legio [6hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/noise-engineering-librae-legio
Cosmotronic - Messor [8hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/cosmotronic-messor
God's Box - Lollipop mk2 [12hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/god-s-box-lollipop-mk2

For submixers I really like:
Frap Tools - 321 [6hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/frap-tools-321-
Intellijel - Triplatt [6hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-triplatt
Joranalogue - Mix 3 [6hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/joranalogue-audio-design-mix-3

A possible alternative to the Roland 531:
AI Synthesis - AI007 Quad Mixer [12hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ai-synthesis-ai007-quad-voltage-controlled-mixer-vca
Toppobrillo - Minimix [14hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/toppobrillo-minimix-black-panel
Cosmotronic - Cosmix [16hp] https://www.modulargrid.net/e/cosmotronic-cosmix

Good luck and have fun!

Lugia, this looks a really fun system. Thanks for the write-up!

I've often asked myself this same question. How do other people practice and learn new techniques.

We share a similar beginning, I started getting into synths and effects a couple of years ago, without knowledge of how to play an instrument or write a song. But I read a lot, bought some equipment and began to understand the basics of subtractive synthesis.

Last August I started building a eurorack system. I bought too many modules, way too fast. It's been exciting to get hands on so many great sounding modules, but I've found that my time in front of my system hasn't been very focused, at all. I've been nagging myself to come up with a more deliberate way of spending my time, something more structured, that's building toward achievement of an ultimate goal. I often think it would be easier to stay focused if I had a friend who was also into synths, we could work towards something together. Then I think to myself that I could likely find a bud to learn with online someplace, but I feel like I'm at my best when I interact with other people in person. So I end up spending my practice time doing basically everything you listed, but sporadically and without much focus.

I think all three approaches mentioned in your post are valid and will lead to an accumulation of knowledge, ability and confidence. For myself, I think it's simply a matter of setting specific goals, planning out my practice time, taking notes & recording sessions, and perhaps making more of an effort to meet people online who are also learning and looking for friends. :-)

I had no idea that this Modular News section existed. Thanks!!!

Yeah, I noticed the 80mm depth on the modules’ page and thought it was weird. I haven’t measured the actual depths myself, but the half of the 6U Rackbrute without the bus board is the deepest the case gets, so I’m guessing that 75mm is the maximum depth.

The Rackbrute manual (and the module page on modular grid) seems like it has inconsistencies in general. Pay close attention to the Power Supply section of the manual. It seems like you need to distribute your power between the two rows of pin connectors on the board. This way you don’t overload the power supply.

Maybe someone with more Rackbrute experience can clarify?

EDITED Sep 18th 2019, 19:10

also, watch your module depths, as the Rackbrutes really only have about 40mm in practicality.
-- Lugia

According to the Arturia website —
The max depth available on a RackBrute 6U is:

53mm on the upper part. (power bus)
75mm on the lower part. (no power bus)

Yeah, Esoteric Modulation is a nicely crafted show. It’s extremely informative and a real pleasure to listen to. As for writings about modular synths, there was one blog I forgot to mention:
https://moinsound.wordpress.com/

Articles appear as infrequently as you’d expect from a personal blog, but everything I’ve read has been interesting.

It seems like forums and youtube are the most useful resources for information on eurorack modules and discovering artists and releases.
These forums are indispensable:
Muffwiggler (https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=f34e6a2114a226bed010bbce6366b4d1)
Gearslutz (https://www.gearslutz.com/board/modular-mania-all-things-eurorack-and-modular-synths-effects/)

These youtube channels are essential:
Divkid - the monk of modular, Ben is the go-to source for everything modular.
MylarMelodies - great tutorials, recent focus on playing live, Host of "Why We Bleep".
Learning Modular - The best tutorials!
Future Music Magazine
Synth DIY Guy
Color My Sound
Comparative Irrelevance
Modular Podcast - Divkid's other "podcast" (by which i mean that the episodes are best watched as opposed to listened to)

There are several podcasts out there, all of which are worth listening to:
Esoteric Modulation (https://www.esotericmodulation.com)
Podular Modcast (https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm)
Why We Bleep (https://www.whywebleep.com/whywebleep)
SysEx Dumpster (https://www.sysexdumpster.com)

I know that I strayed a bit from your original question; these sites (besides Wiggler and GS) aren't always concerned with what's new or brightest in eurorack. But as someone who just recently began building their first modular synth, these were the places I've found to be the most informative. I have seen a stray module review in Sound On Sound magazine. And although I've yet to read an issue myself, there are two brand new magazines out there:
Waveform Magazine: (https://www.waveformmagazine.com)
Synth and Software (https://synthandsoftware.com)

Artists and releases are your typical underground music affair. You have to put in work to discover what's out there. Pick an artist you like and dig, dig, dig. :-)