All Posts

Looks solid to me @ColdTurkey28, can't wait to hear what you make with it.

Hey @troux, I think I’m going to put this together tomorrow for my trip. I’ll definitely post some things that come out of it. Let me know if you think I’ve made any choice mistakes. Nice chatting with you.

Sat down at the Moog stack for a random jam. Just improvising with two Mother 32's and a Subharmonicon. Make Noise Mimeophon for space.

These things are so much fun for getting into something quickly and organically. They feel great to play, too.

Yep...the name of the module you're looking for here is a "diode OR"...it actually fits into the "Logic" category, as it passes a gate when any one of the inputs receives one, but it's not a "true" Boolean gate. There's also another similar module for combining CV/mods...adders, which have the fun capability of doing what the name means. For example, let's say you've got your pitch CV, but you want this to glide up and down in pitch instead of staying static. One way of doing this, natch, is to mult out a modulation source and send individual signals to each VCO's mod inputs. Which can sort of work...but it's messy and you have to adjust ALL of those mod input levels just right.

But the OTHER, more elegant solution would be to send the mod source to an adder along with your pitch CV. Combine, connect the VCO CVs as per normal. This cuts down on patchcables and hassles in general, and ALL pitch CVs are moving at exactly the same rate without futzing with the individual mod input levels.

...unless that 1A figure is the inrush current, in which case you'd better pay attention!

First up, I don't advocate putting synths (which this is...it's NOT a module!) into Eurorack cabs when they already have a case and power. This is costly, and wastes space that should be used for actual modules that have NO housing and NO power. And it makes the thing you've DEcased and DEpowered for this more expensive; case in point, let's look at a Mantis...

These cabs are pretty ubiquitous and not all that expensive. But when you put a Model D, etc into one, you're actually making that synth cost MORE than you paid for it. Each hp in that case comes out to a cost of $1.61. 70 hp = $112.70. So that Boog actually winds up costing you $411.69...instead of the $298.99 street you'd paid for it. Sure, it's convenient...but can you afford that sort of convenience? Sounds a bit extravagant to me...and ultimately, impractical.

Next, let's explain inrush currents...when you turn on ANY circuit, there's a period of a few milliseconds where it draws more current than when it's in normal operation. This is just basic E.E.-type physics at work. But that tiny interval of time is long enough that you can POP the P/S if the inrush current exceeds the P/S's current capacity. And also, trying to run a P/S at right near its maximum rated current damages the supply slowly over time, mainly due to heating effects on the components. The last thing you want to deal with with a modular is a power supply issue, especially one that could ALSO fire an overvoltage down one of your power busses. And, of course, heat in general in a modular synth is a cause for concern, as excessive internal heat can throw all sorts of things out of calibration.

This is yet another reason why I tell users to NOT put these in their Eurorack cabs. Also, keep in mind that while synth module makers are very fastidious about current specs (because of this exact reason, in fact), other companies often don't know or CARE how much of a load they're putting on your P/S. Case in point: Roland's AIRA modules...each of which draws 450 mA on the +12 rail. Users quickly found that trying to put the entire AIRA module range into their rigs was a huge no-go, since that would draw a grand total of 1.8 Amps just among those four modules alone. And these were released back when we didn't have some of the beefier power options that exist today...which explains a lot about why those things got discontinued.

The fix that I always tell people to do is to OVERSPEC their power needs. If your power needs on the +12V rail comes out to 1500 mA, then have at least 2000 mA on the rail...and preferably more...to avoid inrush issues. B.'s spec here actually comes close to my 1/3rd-more rule-of-thumb if, in fact, the 1A figure is the inrush and 600 mA is the "stable" draw. But this is why you have users who figure that 1500 mA would be the right amount in this example...and explains also why a sizable number of Eurorack users wreck their P/Ss. ALWAYS overspec! Always!

EDITED Dec 6th 2020, 03:18

Thanks Garfield,

Indeed, I am happy now as plenty of space. I do however need to move into a larger studio space to take advantage of my gear. Right now studio space is crowded. Fortunately the folding tables are great and MDLR case superb for travel and easy to fold when not in use albeit quite heavy! I probably will get some 1u modules and few more percussion modules, another complex analog oscillator and filter and some FX modules in the future then have all needed in one case. Add ring modulator for good measure like the Dalek modulator.

Hi Sacguy71,

Sounds like you got enough HP space for a while :-)

Enjoy your new modules and space and kind regards, Garfield.

Maths is not a VCA, and for a tiny system like this, it's probably not what you want. You only have 22 hp left in the case.

I'd suggest spending that 22hp on a quad function generator such as Zadar, Stages, or Quadrax. They'll give you tons of flexibility, and can even act as sound sources if you like. Those modules range from 10-14hp, so you'd have either 8 or 12 hp left. With that space, add a VCA module. Plenty of options... a dual VCA like the 6hp Intellijel VCA would be good. That would leave you a few more hp for something else, and I'd suggest a Disting mk 4 (because it does basically everything).

Very good, I enjoyed that Max, thank you :)

Definitely useful to help anyone understand what this Drezno does, looking forward to see what you do next with it!

Hi troux,
Thanks. I get your points. Let me explain a bit where I come from and where I want to go ( my case is still chanhing so I probably should not have named it FINAL). I have been using a fairly traditional set up wth two VCO's ( the A-110's) with some stuff added like a wave processor, freq divider, noise, ring modulator. I like the use a seperate LP filter for each VCO and use envelopes for both VCOś and filters. I use LFO for the VCO feqentie and for the filter cut offf modulation. Key modlues for me are the Mutable Instruments Plaits and Rings. They are absolutely fantastic. Last week I got the Studio Electronics Quadnic and my first impression is very good. I just bought the cheap Dreadbox VCA second hand for 60€ to try as VCA with the Quandnic and I must say thay it is not bad at all. SO both will likely stay. With the Quadnic added, I will let go one of the two Doepfer VCO's. Another thing that I am considering is to get a MI Marbles. That will be a awsome combo with my Plaits and Rings. But this means that I need to free up another 18 hp.

About sequencing: I use sequencers out side the rack. I currently use the Korg SQ-1 and the Arturia Beatstep. Both easy, flexible and have sufficient CV and gate outs available. I have been using the Doepfer Dark Time for quite some time, but have sold that one a few months ago as I prefer the SQ-1.

About your reworked rack :
I don't have hands-on experience with the Maths but I don like the Maths or Function, the Make Noise stuff is just not my thing. I do like the Intellijel mixer/multi and should probably get one to try out. Also like the MI Links, seems much better than the simple Doepfer multiples. Curious what te Disting is, I don't know this one but seems an interesting multi function thing.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your inputs.
Take care,
Rick

EDITED Dec 9th 2020, 22:08

My current performance rack with or without the band. Actually 2 Behringer Go cases and a Behringer 104 skiff case. There are two major “ranks” for playing either separately or together (bottom row and 3rd row up), I use Logic Pro 10.6 to interface with the deopfers and polyend hardware. Liberal use of control switch 992 modules and oscillator switch modules allow for quick configuration with effects peripherals (s&h, sequencers, efs applied to vco’s etc.) The rest of my setup includes several midi controllers, a workstation, three botique synths (a couple of model d's and a wasp), and a poly d. Thinking of adding some mk4 quantizers to help with the tuning, but really, my technique is not to mess much with the synth voices, use cv switches, and simply setup everything prior to show-time. My patch scheme is completely uniform for my own needs...across all synths and voices.

BTW, I've modified some of the behringer 994 multiples modules to convert a single V-trigger input to triple S-trigger outputs. By doing this I don't need to load up on Behinger 961 modules... and I can convert the triggers very close to the envelope generators.

EDITED Dec 5th 2020, 22:20

would LOVE a way to subtract my power supply specs from the "power consumption" section at the bottom of my racks.... could be a good unicorn account feature.... that way i don't have to bust out a calculator to see how much headroom i got

Full-fledged studio corner together with a Behringer Neutron and the Arturia Beatstep Pro, no?

Nice !!

Nice jam @EroGumby, lots of great work by the lead here, I love the variation and can tell you're having fun. Looking forward to more.

I don't know what your goals are, but in this space and retaining at least one of each of the Doepfer modules and all of the more unique modules (the Quantic and the Eudemonia), this is what I'd go with:

Principles I was working from:
1) You don't need so many duplicate modules, especially without having used them
2) There's a core of modules that cover a lot of ground and will excel in any small rack, Links, Kinks, Maths, Disting, and FX Aid (XL or not), and that are generally reasonably priced. I would personally not start a 6U rack without them, the Maths and FX Aid being the most important.
3) Having a sequencer around is always a plus, especially with a quantizer (the Disting), so I added a Tirana II.
4) I aimed to keep the price in the same range, but added about $500. I think it's more than worth it here.
5) You had too many oscillators in the original, not enough utilities. Additionally, the Doepfer VCOs don't strike me as full featured enough for the HP they take up here, hence the Dixie 2+

EDITED Dec 5th 2020, 19:21

Any comments?

what in the bloody mary

I am pretty sure you will be able to fry your modules when trying to combine gates with a mult, switched or not. The thing that he is (ab)using is that some modules might have protection against this. But It's really no good idea to use this as a basis for your patch.

Better go for something that actually does the job. like the Low Gain Electronics Short Bus: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/low-gain-electronics-short-bus-v-3

I'm currently looking into fabricating my own dual or-combiner to go with my muxlicer. I'll start a thread on my progress later today.

-- zuggamasta

Thanks a lot - the Short Bus is exactly what i was looking for!

I am pretty sure you will be able to fry your modules when trying to combine gates with a mult, switched or not. The thing that he is (ab)using is that some modules might have protection against this. But It's really no good idea to use this as a basis for your patch.

Better go for something that actually does the job. like the Low Gain Electronics Short Bus: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/low-gain-electronics-short-bus-v-3

I'm currently looking into fabricating my own dual or-combiner to go with my muxlicer. I'll start a thread on my progress later today.

Hi,

I´m currently looking into combining triggers from diferent sources to drive e.g. a single drum voice.
As i read through a lot of threads, i get that a logic module (especially an OR function) would do the trick on a basic level.

Than i came across this old video from mylarmelodies

He uses a switched multiple to combine triggers into a single output. This way he´s able to toggle different trigger sources on and off - which i think is pretty cool.

Now, my actual question is, if this use of a switched multiple is more or less "safe"? I read multiple times, that modules could be damaged when fed combined trigger voltages (e.g. 10 v).

Can anybody confirm or deny that?

Moreover, can you think of another method to achieve the same? (being able to switch combined trigger sources on and off)

Thanks for any help in advance!

Nice, thank you.

Ended up making the thingy

Hope I could do it some justice

Definitely check them out, Garfield!

Piston Honda and Hertz Donut are super amazing complex oscillators and Kermit a super modulator plus Bionic Lester a crazy filter with lots of hidden tricks. I am really enjoying the Stillson Hammer sequencer as well. Black Friday sales and good return policy make it risk free for me as I can return in 30 days for refund or store credit. The MDLR case is great- now I have room for my larger fun modules and still 200HP free and plus 2 rows for 1u tile modules. I also have Doepfer monster base case that has 300+ HP free so good on space at last for the crazy massive modules that I have wanted. Befaco Hexmixer is surprisingly great love the mute switches and EQ section for 6 inputs/outputs. For tools, the Erogeneous Tones Levit8 and VC8 are superb and Mutable Instruments Shades.

Hi Sacguy71,

You make me curious about those Harvestman modules, I really need to check if I can test one or two of them with my next visit to my local dealer. It's just this stupid Covid-19 that keeps me away from doing that, let's hope that from next year onwards things are getting better on that front :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks Garfield,

Yeah Harvestman/IME are probably my favorite modules next to Mutable Instruments and Intellijel so far as a modular company.
The Stillson Hammer sequencer is everything that the Varigate failed to achieve. Super powerful, easy to learn and great for live on the fly performances. It can do quantized live, many different modes like reverse, pendalum, random and so forth and create lots of fun patterns quickly and easily. Hertz Donut is my favorite new complex oscillator! I can go from sweet flute tones and pads to brutal mayhem. I love the Rossum Trident as well. But the Harvestman just takes cake for industrial madness. Scott Jaeger is a genius.

Hi Sacguy71,

Nice demo! Next time I go to my local dealer I need to check out the Harvestman stuff (I always forget that new name).

Indeed about the Varigate, I had it tested last year at my local dealer and wasn't really impressed, I am glad that I didn't bought it, after reading your feedback :-)

Thank you very much and kind regards, Garfield.

P.S.: I looked it up, Industrial Music Electronics... what a name ;-) To me the Harvestman sounds nicer and especially easier to remember!

Hi Zuggamasta,

Great DIY picture :-)

Keep up the good work and kind regards, Garfield.

I haven't used Tetra, or either the 4MS sampler or the Morphogene, but taking a quick look the Tetra looks like it'd slot in quite nicely here and actually do a lot more than the Pressure Points. Good call. I can't speak to 4MS vs Morphogene, but to the Telharmonic, I find that I really like putting a module I haven't had luck with into a smaller rack where I can start to focus on it and learn its ins and outs more thoroughly. It does seem to be a well-regarded module, so if you've not had success with it in the past maybe this is a chance to fix that, and if it doesn't work out you've got two other oscillators anyway... That said, either a Plaits or a Rings could take its place and do quite nicely I think.

Whatever you do, let us know, and I hope we get to hear some tunes! Which makes me think, you might want to swap a Disting in so you can record on the go, nice module huh?

I like it, thank you for taking the time.

I like Tetra over Points and the 4MS sampler over Morphogene. What are your thoughts / pros & cons in that regard? Also, tEharmonic scares me. I haven’t had much luck with it. Have you gotten much out of it before? I’m sure it’s just user error on my part.

Thanks @oliodnb for the suggestions - I'll check out White Gallop and Numeric Repetitor for sure. I need to make the plunge soon - Christmas is coming!! : )

In practice, this synth module does not draw more current than 600 mA! That's way less than 1000mA. So if you're planning your eurorack setup, keep this in mind. You don't need that much power, 1000mA is way overkill!

I finally got my Cre8 nifty case and added the modules show. I am thinking about buying the Make Noise Maths. This seems like it would do provide the four VCAs. Thanks for the advice. The fun begins soon.
dr Space

EDITED Dec 5th 2020, 16:40

The Rampage kit is actually quite easy. It's just A LOT of parts. But the muxlicer was quite the challenge for me with all these close sliders and different sizes of pots jacks and switches when aligning. Still not hard tho.

Here's a snapshot of the Entropy build ;)

Yep, it was very noticeable! Looking forward to your next tune.

I think the gap I feel I may have is that I don't have something driving rhythm into my tinkering and I've some poor/weak effects on my mixer. I suspect a bank of VCAs and Mutable Instruments Grids may be a good option? Pamela? Muxlicer? Or perhaps Erica PICO dsp could be a good tool to bring on board to help me figure out what I'm missing through easy-access trial and error - albeit I prefer knobs and wires over menus...

Any thoughts on quirky pairings that have some depth for a pair of semi-modulars would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
-- therumdiaries

For effects I'd recommend an FX Aid (regular or XL) over a Pico DSP, I own both and the variety and quality of the algorithms on the FX Aid is way better.
For rhythms I think it depends on your preferences: if you want a collection of patterns that you can modulate Grids is great (in case take a look at the Shakmat's White Gallop and Noise Engineering's Numeric Repetitor), but if you prefer more intentional programming you should go with a more traditional sequencer (if you want something small to start with I like the Dnipro DOT). IMHO Pam is always a great module choice for every system but if you don't like menu based stuff it could be not ideal for rhythm sequencing.
The Muxlicer is a powerful and versatile tool, but if you plan to use it as a sequencer you should know that because of a firmware change Befaco made to make it work along some Make Noise module there are revisions of it that looks for the falling edge of the clock signal to advance one step, and that might cause you trouble to have it sync to other modules. There is a fix available but you'll need a ICSP Programmer to upload the new firmware.

Hi @troux,
I listened to your Bandcamp and found a lot of interesting stuff on “modular drafts”, thank you.

Also I'm glad you paid attention to the space. Space and pauses was the most important thing for me in this patch. And I am pleased that this is noticeable.

And of course I know the GRM label and love it very much!
Thanks a lot for your feedback!

EDITED Dec 4th 2020, 09:52

I'd cut Kinks (and put it in your main rack) and substitute in a quad mute module (the DivKid one is the one I use... Happy Nerding also makes one). The DivKid module is very much a performance tool... three settings, and a very pleasing vatrol effect when muting channels... so it would make sense amongst other control tools.
-- Shakespeare

I'm playing with the idea of a control case myself and DivKid's Mutes will definitely be moved there from my main rack. I'm also considering the idea of a CV recorder to pair with my F8R and potentially a joystick module. I also find I almost never use all the 8 faders on the F8R, maybe having two is a bit too much, but I guess it depends on how you like to play your modular.

Had fun creating some noise tonite with my new Hertz Donut MK3 and new Stillson Hammer MK2 a great sequencer.
Here is what I can up with after getting it installed:

Definitely love it so wild and the Stillson Hammer is way better than Varigate sequencer that drove me nuts.

Would the FH-2 fit in the Niftycase? 48mm seems pretty tight.

Also, without wanting to divert the thread, would I be right in thinking "supports traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI" means the FH-2 could link early 90s synths and samplers into the Eurorack?

Hi all,
Did another jam focusing on getting some good variation going.
Check it out here:

Any and all feedback is greatly welcomed!
Thanks.

Hi,

I've gone from a Neutron/Keystep/SQ1 to a Deepmind 12 (totally wrong move and now sold) to an O-Coast (totally the right move!) I'd like to add a few modules, but not sure where to go next??

I think the gap I may have is that I don't have something driving rhythm into my tinkering and I've some poor/weak effects on my mixer. I suspect a bank of VCAs and Mutable Instruments Grids may be a good option? Pamela? Muxlicer? Or perhaps Erica PICO dsp could be a good tool to bring on board to help me figure out what I'm missing through easy-access trial and error - albeit I prefer knobs and wires over menus...

Any thoughts on quirky pairings that have some depth for a pair of semi-modulars would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Mick

EDITED Jan 29th 2023, 08:20

Awesome, thanks so much for your insight! Yes, there are quite a number of great tutorials with Befaco modules. I'm seriously considering the muxlicer and the rampage kits. Got a few other tasks I'm working on ahead of that, but I'll be thinking on it!

And your clips of the jams are awesome! Such a great example of doing a lot of creative things with very few (but powerful) utilities.

Thanx Evan, this list is exactly what I was looking for.
As sumbmited on another thread, I will quickly have to use external fx units.. before I extend my rack with a second row.
DSP knobs are ridiculously tiny :)
Dual FX was my first choice, but space optimisation changed my mind. Good to know for later..

Cheers

Cédric

Ha, great having you, korpret1!

I enjoyed building the befacos a lot. But I should not have started with the skiff, as that build was the hardest for me -> soldering A LOT of SMT pins for all the power connectors.

My first reaction if somebody asks me about the DIY kits is always positive. The did pack a lot of goodies in my big order from Barcelona HQ with a branded desoldering pump and four good quality 50cm cables (big life saver now).
But I also had some really weird screws in the package of my jump skiff (m5 skink heads, instead of domes) which I then got in a local hardware store. And a missing thonkiconn in my bag from an order with exploding shed. But these guy's where super cool and sent me a replacement next working day, no questions asked!

The quality of the PCBs, and front panel Silkscreen is really neat and clean. I'm happy that the modules are super sturdy. Before diving into this I wondered if it will be as solid and level as a prebuilt module. But it's much cleaner than my 2hp module where the pots sit a little off center from the holes.
The instructions are also well done, every time I might have messed up it was always me not reading the manual first, or not reading the IC names fully ;) But it's also helpful that befaco sent some kits to the usual suspect youtubers, if you want to double check something.
The modules, being hit and miss could still be true, I have yet to find out why sometimes the midi in does not start to receive midi and a minute later everything works as I need it for the full time I use it. I also use the A*B+C as an audio VCA and wondered if it's correct that it's not fully closing, but reading more into this it seems a lot of VCAs have this issue.

Maybe I should flesh this out more but this sums up my experience quite well. Here is another super linear jam while I wait for the zlob entropy to arrive and modulate my muxlicer triggers.

DSP has granular delay, overdrive/bitcrusher, Leslie Speaker
DualFX has high pass delay, stalker reverb, ripper, and dual pitch shifter.

They have in common stereo delay, mono delay, reverb, saturated reverb.

I don't have pico DSP, but I have a pico module and the dualFX. I prefer the knobs/aestetics of the dualFX, but if you're working with 88hp then you might want to save the extra 4hp. Also depends if you just want to use one power connection instead of two.

I shouldn't have watched the 60 Cycle Hum vid.

I somehow lost my post, so you're getting the shortened version, but I put together a drone/ambient rack for you that's similar to the 104 x 6U case I've been working with a lot lately.

It's got 3 VCOs, tons of effects and modulation, a pinch of touch control, I skimped on mixing (using the Quad VCA and Links for that, also notice the HPO I added that you don't have), but all together I think you could get some really nice texture and movement out of this. The only question open in my mind is whether I'd swap the Terci Ruina for the Clep Diaz, you might already have more than enough CV control, and distortion opens up a lot of possibilities...

Thank you for the advice ! And all the explanations.
I really love the mod/control part, it looks really powerfull.
In fact I own an A-100 LC9 from Dopfer, so it seems i have room for the A-110-4... and the others. I just have to find 800€ more....
Again thank you very much it makes me want to work on it again !

I had the same thoughts as @Lugia. @Orium what are you looking to produce with this? That might help us get you pointed down the right path.