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Path notes in the youtube link, TD fans might recognize the title :)

Again, thank you for your input, much appreciated, you are TOP.

I mean to use this mainly with external inputs, i don't see myself NOT use Ableton actually, (or if I could use Rample as a backing track machine, and play the (real) drums over that with a knee mic and enveloppe following -> plaits or just triggers, use Hermod modulations and sequences again like [Maysun ](
it revolves around randomness of kick hits with Twiigs, through fxs and Arbhar, playing samples with Rample that arer ein the same key as the backing track

I feel lik using multitracking with ES-9, using EQs and sequences from Ableton is my thing.

I am still a beginner experimenting so I could use some advice on VCAs and modulators as you said to make it really interersting, take me somewhere I don't know! I can sense the potential but I miss that extra knowledge in patching for now !

So yes I intend to use live drums too, but not regular beats, I mean free performance.
And what 1U modules could enhance all that ?

THANK YOU

EDITED Dec 8th, 21:23

I'll let others with more direct experience with these modules provide specific feedback.

As a side note, I have the ES-9. It's great, but it takes some figuring out. It is, however, very deep, so double check the specs of your rack before deciding where to put it.

From a general perspective, though, you seem to have created an effects rack for handlng external inputs and signals, but do not have many ways of accessing the many controllable parameters that make this rack so potentially powerful. If you are serious about using this with something like ableton or vcv rack, then this feedback might be moot, but I highly recommend more modulators and vcas. I see the Disting there, which is supposed to be very powerful and has tons of algorithms, but might not be the best choice for live playing given the size of the display. You have a lot of 1u space left, so those should probably go towards utilities.

Do you ever intend to use this instument standalone, without external inputs? Also, when you're planning on triggering with drums, do you mean an electric kit that can send out midi, or do you mean using an envelope follower on an audio signal from recording live drums?

An introduction to the music of Hans Otte, via a modular interpretation of two parts (2 and 7) from his Book of Sounds (1979-82).
Also contains several ideas for generative/aleatory sequencing in a modular system: in particular, decoupling pitch and gate, combining a multi-channel sample player (Disting EX) with a sequencer that has per-step gate outputs (0-Ctrl), and using a series of probabilistic gates (Missed Opportunities) to distribute/alternate pitch variations. Detailed patch notes in the video.

Thanks for the quick fb !
So I don't have :
-ES-8/9
-IDUM
- Disting EX
- nRings

And priorities goto ES-8/9 cause I'll def need it whatever I decide.to do
The rest are just options, but IDUM looksfun with Rample?

EDITED Dec 8th, 13:47

Cool, thanks! That all makes sense.

I've been worried about potentially overexerting the modules if I leave them on for too long (e.g, +6 hours). With how expensive they can be, it's hard not to treat modules with kid-gloves at times.

Hey, welcome! Glad you've taken the plunge to put a rack out and ask for feedback.

A few general points, first:
* Please provide a link to the rack itself, rather than a jpg. That way we can click on your rack and see what modules you have and maybe clone/redesign the rack.
* Can you clarify which of these modules you already own versus which you are planning to get?
* Agree with your assessment about modulators and utiltiies. We can suggest some once we get a better sense of the above.

Good luck!

First off welcome, seems like you're just starting your modular journey.

Some questions to help us make some suggestions:
* What do you mean when you say "sound design stuf or to be able to sequence dubby note?"
* What are your specific musical goals, and what is is about modular that you think can help you get there?
* Do you have outboard gear that you're planning on connecting to this rack?
* How much of your planned rack do you already own, or can we suggest different modules?
* Do you already have your case?

Now, some thoughts. Looking at your rack, I'm seeing a lot of interesting modules that do not feel like a cohesive whole. Did you envision a signal path when designing this rack? I do that often when planning my racks: trying to visualize the signal from start to exit and think of the ways I might wish to manipulate it along its path. That way I start to think about which circuits and functions I'm likely to want.

So, let's look at your system: I'd start with the Euclidean Circuits putting out triggers, which trigger random voltages on the A-149-4, then sends those CV signals to the quantizer (potentially attenuated on Maths first). The CV then goes into v/oct on the oscillator/s and to a VCA. Simultaneously, the trigger would get sent to Maths or the function generator to become an envelope, then into the VCA it goes. Now, we send to the FX. Woohoo! A signal path, and one with some funky randonmess in it, too. Not bad. Of course, we're talking modular, which means that there should be innumerable ways to move a signal around your system to make for interesting results. So, let's start thinking how we're going to make a second, totally different patch from the first on your planned instrument... hmmm. Looking at your plan, I'm not seeing too many ways to move around your system and make workable signal paths.

You need to start thinking about the connecting pieces of your modular synth; the modules that tie things together, manipulate signals, and otherwise do utilitarian things - utilities. These are the modules that allow you better use the "interesting" modules you already have planned. You have a few (Maths, for example), but these should dominate your module collection. These utiltiies will provide flexibility in your patch designs and allow your to create more interesting paths around your system. Of course, there are thousands of utility modules out there, how do you know what you need, particularly when you've never played around with one before to see what it can do? Well, this is where you need to refine your goals for the instrument. Do you want it to be multivoiced? Do you want it to be stereo? Do you want it to be generative or playable (or both)?

Think about the above for a bit; watch how-to videos and read the manuals, and then try tooling around with your plan again. In particular, you may want to look at matrix mixers, sample and holds/track and holds, attenuators/attenuverters, and mixers. Of course, this being modular, the choice really is yours.

Good luck and have fun!

Edited since I'm a stickler for grammar.

EDITED Dec 8th, 15:01

Hello there, first post, first rack, at least one I want to talk about and ask for some advice on what could be improved / replaced.

here it is :

I have an Intellijel 7u performance case and I want to do live (Ambient, glitchy, experimental, noise) around textures, use of samples, or even backing tracks, CC/EQ from Ableton with Es-8, maybe ES-9 ; and use eurorack for live sampling / fxs / treatment, live acoustic instruments with mics.

Got a Blofeld for pads, atmos etc... Doepfer Black Energy II for drones/basses (sequenced via Ableton) and I was thinking about using a turntable with external mobile preamp (Phono In/line Out) to use some concrete noises from vinyls I have through Arbhar. I also have Data Bender ,Monsoon, 100 Grit, Melotous Versio, Faille Temporelle.

I wanted a matrix mixer for maximum versatility, experiments and I think it's a + for live perfs.

As a drummer, I also wanted to implement triggers from hits on a acoustic Low Tom, cymbals, maybe a kick. Or trigger Plaits as a voice or Rample as a sample trigger (in the same key as the backing track or a 808 quantized through Ableton and ES-8).
IDUM is a possibility I though about for the Rample channels unused, that could do idm types of bleeps/bloops/bursts/ratchets.

I want it to be a case for collaborations with any type of (acoustic) musicians too and I feel the Endless Processor is a cool bridge between acoustic sounds and eurorack world.

I feel I may lack modulations/utilities ? I have rooms for 1U as well. (I already have a Line In from Mosaic for turntable/Blofeld)
right now I have a Hermod instead of ES-8 so I still have lfos and other modulation sources but it's overkill with the idea of using Ableton anyways.

I don't have the disting EX yet. Is that a good idea ? Any thoughts on the best fx chains ? best use of Matrix Mixer ?

THANK YOU for reading me, any advice, question are welcomed !

EDITED Dec 8th, 13:45

With that Doepfer supply, you'll be fine. Fill it up.
Putting another power supply in that box gives me the heebie-jeebies
and would make Dieter Doepfer very sad.

Beyond concerns for the electric bill, leave it on. Unless it's a power amp, there's nothing running that hot.
I have a Taiga that runs warmer than most other things in the box, but it's never caused concern.
Transients from power cycling might cause a problem some day. Warm is ok and temprature consistancy
is what helps keep the VCOs tunable over their range. I don't think temps of the EGs or LFOs would be of much concern.
5% off with a VCO is a problem, but in most cases(!), +-5% on EGs and LFOs would be hard to detect.
Ventilation and panel gaps aren't going to help to keep your temps and tuning consistant either.

doh... i plugged in a ES vco2 not the ES Fusion VCO2 :(. it's more power hungry.... that takes me right up to the limit. have to get the new power solution in play sooner than later...

80% is a nice general rule, and will certainly prevent any power onrush issues, but I think with the numbers you have listed you ought to be fine for the time being. If you want to give yourself some extra overhead power, I'd say just put a Tiptop uZeus or one of the 4ms 4hp power supplies in to power one of the rows. An even smaller option that I've had success with is the endorphines 2hp power. It doesn't sound like you'd need all that much extra power for peace of mind, and any of those options ought to do it.

Cheers friend!
-- Progspiration

Thanks. The extra power will be needed when I fill in holes :). I will check out the items you listed.

80% is a nice general rule, and will certainly prevent any power onrush issues, but I think with the numbers you have listed you ought to be fine for the time being. If you want to give yourself some extra overhead power, I'd say just put a Tiptop uZeus or one of the 4ms 4hp power supplies in to power one of the rows. An even smaller option that I've had success with is the endorphines 2hp power. It doesn't sound like you'd need all that much extra power for peace of mind, and any of those options ought to do it.

Cheers friend!

Okay so... I started small and y'all know what happened next...

When I got started I was in a nifty case. Its a handly starter case comes with midi to cv, power and 1/4" outs... Well I grew, got some moduals I like some I did not next thing I knew I was in two nifty cases.

Its the end of the year and I had a day off so I drove over to detroit modular, love those guys, with the goal of moving into a larger case and picking up a few new friends for the case... OOPS I forgot to do the math.... I picked up a DOEPFER A-100P9sw and it has the PSU3 in it. It's poweer specs are: 2000mA +12V| 1200mA -12V | +5V 4000mA

Below is my case... As you can see I have a nice disting ex size hole in row 1 and a Spherical Wavetable Navigator size hole on row 2. With that row 1 and 2 is what I currently have. Row 3 is what I picked up yesterday and is yet to be loved.

Now here is my delima... I am planing on selling the SWN. Its fun to goof around with but I should have done more research before buying it. I just can't for the life of me work it into my workflow... The disting ex being gone for now is fine. I am not in love with it BUT I want to spend some time getting to know it before I give it the ax...

Cutting those two from the rack and adding my new puts me at:
Power Consumption: 1792 mA +12V | 934 mA -12V | 161 mA 5V
80% would be: 1600 mA +12V | 960 mA -12V | 3200 mA 5V

So I went from more than enough power not enough space to more than enough space not enough power :-(. And I have not even open up the new case yet :-( My hope for today was to come ask. How do I fill the holes not what do I do with power so I can fill the holes!

Any reccomendations on solving power issues? I COULD canabalize one of the nifty cases but I would rather not start hacking up my nice shinny new case.

EDITED Dec 7th, 16:12

Thanks, that makes sense; so it's more about giving the vco time to stabilize its temperature than about "warming up" to a certain temperature. Does this means vcos are more temperature sensative than other circuits, or is it just that we are more able to notice the variance since it's in the audible range? For example, are lfos similarly variable without stabalization time?

As an aside, I dig your signature line. I've come to realize similar, but only after spending years trying to cram as many modules as I could into my racks. Part of it is realizing that this is a hobby I plan to stick with (so I need room to grow and space for whatever amazing innovation is always just around the corner). There's no need to ossify my instrument after only a few years of playing. The other part is realizing that a modular synth is by nature "unfinished;" it is only temporarily "completed" when the player finishes a patch, and then it starts again. The instrument is never stagnant; it grows with you as you grow as a player.

Also, I realized I f'ing hate not being able to reach all the knobs when everything is patched up. I'm now adding in space between modules (or groups of similar modules) to help with access. Sure, I'll lose some hp, but I'll actually be able to reach all the pots. Yay!

I got often criticized, because I criticise behringer.
For me it appears as mockerey.
I dont like it.

Maths=Abacus,
Blades=Swords
Tides=Waves

even that naming is a farce

EDITED Dec 7th, 12:27

Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come
-- Fruarse

They're fine, have you ever played Buchla 200e modules? Some are astronomical in price, like 3k+ euro and more. I have, all of their knobs wobble. In fact, they are the same exact knobs Behringer uses and some wobble even more. Interestingly, they are the last things to fail in those systems. My Buchla Easel Command has these and they wobble way more than those on my Behringer Abacus.

-- Hutch979

It's your experience against what we are seeing in a video. Also, wether you find wobbly pots a non-issue it's up to you. Personally I have only seen Ciani's Buchla system up close, and never touched one, but if I were to buy one and got wobbly pots, I would be even more inclined to get a replacement, given the price. I find much more reasurring and indicative of good craftsmanship and quality sturdy pots and knobs found in Doepfer's and Frap Tools' modules, for example. But again, it's my opinion.

What is concerning to me (but has been said countless of times at this point) is how a giant like Behringer undercuts everyone by using open source designs and exploiting its production capabilities and distribution chains. This applies to mutable stuff, but in the case of your abacus —although buchla inspired— one needs to be completely blind to see how it is not a straight ripoff of maths. The panel interface is the same, the name is clearly a taunt (maths, abacus, come on...). And maths is still available.

Behringer operates well within legal rights. But if in the future manufacturers like Make Noise (whose cash cow is Maths) or other open source driven projects a la Mutable Instruments start disappearing, well, it's because of folks who support giant corporations with this kind of business practice.

My 2 cents, and have fun with your abacus.

Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come
-- Fruarse

They're fine, have you ever played Buchla 200e modules? Some are astronomical in price, like 3k+ euro and more. I have, all of their knobs wobble. In fact, they are the same exact knobs Behringer uses and some wobble even more. Interestingly, they are the last things to fail in those systems. My Buchla Easel Command has these and they wobble way more than those on my Behringer Abacus.

I think someone more knowing than me could answer that question.
I think there is 'cool' and there is 'stable' so the calibration of the VCO needs to be stable, if you ever DIY build any Modules you may come across 'Tempco' resistors (Temperature Compensation), the ones I've soldered are piggibacked ontop of another component and will vary in resistence depending on the temperature of the other component.

The 4TTEN doesn't fit in my Behringer Go, Tiptop-Audio or Eowave case, no way to mount it without violence. I like to have a module like that, because I will work with faders to drop in and out my vioces. Any ideas out there for an alternative module?

Awesome, thanks so much for the info!

Out of curiousity, since circuits like to be kept cool, is there a reason that analogue vcos need a warm-up period? Or am I misunderstanding things?

i need help, i want to build something to sound design stuf or to be able to sequence dubby note, i am new here, i am willing advices about how to fix and complete it
feel free to explain me what is wrong and why
-onekepez

I believe Beads has it's own reverb but still Strymon Starlab is an instant ambient machine.

Foley sounds! Yes, that's awesome. Thanks.

Just shitting on everything holy. Don't give them your money unless you have to plz

Specifically:
* How long can I keep my rack on in a single session?
For me, as long as the session lasts and I sometimes walk away letting it play to its self

* Should there be a cool-down/rest period between power-on cycles?
Nothing I'm aware of, circuits do like to be kept cool though

* Is there a correct way to turn off a rack (i.e., turn any ongoing signals down, etc.)?
I tend to stop any clocks from running, turn off my amp, turn off my mixer, then turn off my modular cases, do the reverse when turning back on

* What are the best ways to keep the electronics clean?
A soft brush a clean paintbrush, gently vacuum just don't go sucking off any buttons, sliders or knobs. When i reorganise my modules I vacuum out the case to get rid of dust and Cat hair!!!

* Do I need to worry about ventilation or temperature inside the case?
Cool circuits are happy circuits, I need to drill some holes in my main case to aid air flow, some modules do get quite hot

-- HGsynth

EDITED Dec 6th, 07:58

If this is based on the MI Blades it is not an SEM filter, in other words, it will not do what it says on the tin.

Damn right...
Overmore, it's ugly AF...

Looks like a lot of fun! Do you find the Morphagene and Data Bender redundant at all for glitchy stuff? What kind of music are you doing with this rack?
Every time I think I'm finished building my rack, I think of something new that I absolutely MUST have within a few months. Haha
Have fun with it.

Well...after countless trials and tests and cash...the rack has finally reached a position where I think I can leave it alone for the next 12-18 months!

There is an Oxi One sequencer for melodic and drum sequence duties.

Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts.

Reposted because the layout was completely wrong in the previous post.

As someone who has been in the modular world for a few years now, and hopes to have it as a continuing hobby for many more years to come, I'd love to learn more about what it takes to keep a system healthy and running without issue. What are some basic "how-to" steps that I can take to keep my modules running at their peak as long as possible? Apologies if I'm missing some basic info listed elsewhere or in an older thread.

Specifically:
* How long can I keep my rack on in a single session?
* Should there be a cool-down/rest period between power-on cycles?
* Is there a correct way to turn off a rack (i.e., turn any ongoing signals down, etc.)?
* What are the best ways to keep the electronics clean?
* Do I need to worry about ventilation or temperature inside the case?

I'd love to hear some thoughts from people with electrical knowledge and know-how. Thanks!

Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come

Rings would probably be a good call.

Be sure to balance modulation and utilities (both playable and flexible) with the effects so you're getting the most out of each module.
-- Zacksname

Seconding Rings. It's incredibly easy to make it sound beautiful.

As for effects, I've been enjoying the Nautilus by Qu-Bit. A wide range of very cool clockable watery delay sounds, though it can get noisy a bit too easily. Nice for ambience. With the Rainmaker, however, I suspect you have the delay end of things covered.

Also, bumping the advice about modulation and utilities, this can't be overstated.

Good luck with your rack!

We've just launched our new WS2812 Pixel Contoller on Kickstarter for making beautiful LED lighting effects syncable to your Eurorack system right down to the pixel level!

I'd really appreciate it if you'd check out the Kickstarter Campaign and consider backing our new KOLOR module if you're keen to make beautiful lighting effects for your modular jams, videos and live performances.

Now live on Kickstarter!

Wow, crazy low price

It's pretty, and the look of it touches an old synthesist's heart in a primal way.
But I don't envy getting that thing in tune with itself.
It could use a few active multiples spread around the case.
Those Boog oscillators want clean power, and there's a ton of 'em there.
Take the hit, buy a doepfer case. It's one less thing to mess with, and will last a lifetime.

I am kind of puzzled by the arrangement of this.
The oscillators on row 3 get mixed on row four, then you have to go back up to row two for VCAs and EGs,
then take their outputs ?? back down again?
Put the i/o interface and the midi inputs up in the left corner where the fixed filter bank is,
next to the sequencers, because they're both your note event sources.
I'd sacrifice some oscillators for more filters. Are there any LFOs at all?

Rings would probably be a good call.

A resonant filter bank might also be worth a look, like a Serge ResEQ or the Erica Synths one. A dual/quad filter arrangement (like QPAS, Eowaves Tempetes Magnetique, or the Xaoc Belgrad) might also work. There are lots of options for both, so take a look around.

Be sure to balance modulation and utilities (both playable and flexible) with the effects so you're getting the most out of each module.

Dionisi is now available at Perfect Circuit.

Turns out (and I should have noticed this on the other build) that the EBB (which I did last week) and the Flow are IDENTICAL except for the front panel and the microcontroller, you could swap these and get the other unit.
But it deserves its own build guide since you, viewer, might just have the one and searched for that.

Pretty straightforward build, 3-4th kit worthy.
And an interesting LFO in the end, particularly the chaotic waveform it can produce

Build

Hello!
I mostly play synths and acoustic instruments. I have a small modular unit that use as synth, too. At any rate, I recently bought a Rainmaker and a Beads module and realized that I really, really love using my modular as a complementary effects rack. It's smaller and in many ways more powerful than my giant pedalboard, and it's more versatile, to be sure.

I'll be putting the Rainmaker, Pam's, and Beads modules into the synth (stolen from my other rack), and I expect to be using the Tip Top Audio Mantis case.

Most of the music I make these days is more ambient in nature, and the closest analogue is Jon Hopkins' 'Music for Psychedelic Therapy' in terms of what I'm trying to do with my most recent project.

Any thoughts on good modules? So much in modular seems to be focused on the edgier side of things, but I probably skew closer to Lightbath:

I don't need an oscillator in this rack, I'm planning to build a separate rack for sound sources, and I have too many desktop synths anyway!

Thanks!

Positive experience bying a module from @orgix_2000
Recommended seller.

Hello My name is Rickard Gustafsson and i am a teacher in Bay house school in Gosport Hampshire UK https://kgabayhouse.uk/ I am begging the eurorack community to donate a module or two for the school so I can start doing an after-school club for pupils to get an insight into making music in a different way . I am building a eurorack case in woodwork here in the school, now I just need to fill it so I can start teaching about the wonderful world of modular. The reason i do not use VCV rack is because I want the student to make a connection to the system. I am not asking for a full system, any module will be great Many many thanks Rickard Gustafsson 07880717641 King's Academy Bay House, Gomer Lane, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2QP UK •

Mixer Channel
ch1 incus > A
ch2 plasma > A
ch3 external tb303 > A
ch4 external > A
A > Wyvern EQ + Saturation > Ch5 (sidechain) > B
Syntakt > Distortion+EQ >Ch6 >B

Mixer A send prefader > Databender > return A
Mixer B send post fader > Electus Versio > return A

B > Polydactyl Versio > out

EDITED Dec 4th, 08:50

I have a dozen eurorack modules for sale and a few synthesizers as well:

ALM Busy Circuits Super Coupe
Analogue Solutions Leipzig v3
Endorphin.es Shuttle system
Endorphin.es Ground control sequencer
Vector 512 sequencer with expansion module.
Rossum Mob of Emus

Hit me up if anyone is interested in a great deal!

I try to keep things left to right, with a sort of normlization of proximity, so I can use short doepfer yellow wires as much as possible to avoid a drape of wires over everything. I'm building in 3 rows, so what's above and below also matter.
I also try and put a mult after signals that are valuable enough to spread around (if there's room).

Almost all of the racks I see here look like random modules in random positions, that they think are cool.
A wooden box full of interesting strings and pickups and knobs and wire is not a guitar.
How many racks laid out on Modular Grid ever got built?

A side note: See those two Doepfer Multicores, one by the clocks, and another starting the OXI Coral section?
You can use two ribbon cables on the backs to connect them, and they're passive and bidirectional.
Really helps to keep things neat, and the RJ45 connectors still can be used to extend to other cases.
Saves up to 14 long wires to distribute the clocks and triggers, and shorting RJ45 can turn a multicore pair into a distributed multiple.

EDITED Dec 1st, 20:14

Hi there

Amazing module!!!! I will order 2 units directly Lol

When you plan to release it and at what price approx.? Available in UE ?(France/Belgium)
Thx in advance

EDITED Dec 1st, 00:54

Only when you have enough VCAs.
-- Zacksname

So... never?

Only when you have enough VCAs.

Is that Link safe, not seeing any Modular action in your My Modular?
I'm thinking of others here seeing as its an abstract post to a random link.

EDITED Nov 29th, 07:48