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Le power supply n'est pas suffisant. Ici c'est jusqu'à 1.5A et je pense qu'il vaut mieux un PS plus puissant

Hi everybody,

Xaoc and Frap Tools are very beautiful.
I like Addac and Cwejman design.
Very sober and fonctional.
I like Blue Lantern too, even if they are sometime messy ;)
Rossum, Tesseract and Joranalogue to end the list.

Take care friends

Cheers

The Eno and Cluster collaborations are pretty cool too. I love all of that kind of stuff.
My dad was a Tangerine Dream fan when I was growing up, so I've always appreciated Phaedra, Rubycon, Stratosfear, and the Sorcerer soundtrack. I recently got hip to Edgar Froese's "Stuntman" solo album. Can't believe I had never heard it before. Love it.

Had more fun experimenting with octatrack and modular today.

The Elektrons pair nicely with modular stuff!

Thanks Garfield,

Yeah Kermit is great. So far cv.ocd is good and easy to use for managing eurorack from midi controllers like Octatrack. I want to try it out soon with Ableton Push controller and see how well it works on that area.

Thanks Garfield,

Cool deal- did not know you have an Elektron Analog 4! Great synthesizer and love the CV control options for modular. I do wish that it had 12 CV outputs versus 4 but still decent as you can layer 4 additional tracks for drums/bass to a small modular setup. I think having Octatrack + A4 and modular is great combo. You do need 1/4 inch to eurorack cables and Elektron sells nice ones for this task.

Thanks Garfield,

Yeah getting sorted on using the Elektron Octatrack to play with modular gear is fun. Love using the samples and drum loops from Octatrack with modular for complete set. As for the Doepfer, it is useful for recording direct via USB to DAW like Ableton so not completely useless but not as immediate as the cv.ocd module.

I gotta check Cluster out more too @Lugia, I actually had a live set very enthusiastically compared to them way back in like 2008 (edited to add, it was a good set, but not that good lol) when I was making weird micro noise drone pop in max/msp (the more things change, etc, etc...) but I never took the time and now I feel bad about it lol. It's looking like it's gonna be a krautrock week...

EDITED Oct 25th 2020, 03:11

Hah? No Cluster? "Zuckerzeit" rocks my shiznit 299%!!!! And it was very much part of the proto-techno intake by the Belleville Three...tracks such as "Caramel", "Heisse Lippen" and "Rotor" are very much part of techno's DNA!

I've always thought that every home should have an ARP 2600, frankly...standard gear, like a fridge, stove, toilet, etc. Thankfully, SOMEONE agreed with that who doesn't work for Korg! But yeah, 2600s make for magnificent "system cores", aside of the fact that they may well be the best thought-out teaching synth in history, PERIOD.

I need to listen to Tangerine Dream more @GarfieldModular, I was more a Neu! and Faust and Harmonia guy, but as always lots to explore in the world of great music. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the track, I worked on it a bit more tonight and think I have an even better version brewing. If it comes together I'll post it here again.

As always, thanks for listening!

First off, be VERY careful about your current loading if you intend to only use one uZeus. This size of build can easily get into the zone where a single supply like that can be very inadequate, and it might've made more sense to calculate the build first, THEN settle on power options based on your needed current load. At least with uZeuses, it's not quite so disastrous to add a second one, although it burns 4 hp that could've been saved for functionality.

And about 2 and 3 hp (and really jammed 4 hp) modules...they're great for things you don't have to/need to tweak a lot. But if you're talking about things such as VCFs, VCOs, etc etc, these can be a huge PITA unless you've got fingers like chopsticks. And another point to consider: they cost more, even if the price seems to be comparable with other, larger modules. The reason for this is because, if you calculate the hp vs cost on them, you get some alarming numbers. For example, the 2hp MMF: this goes for $119. Now, this might seem like a bargain. Compared to something like Doepfer's A-121-2 at $160, this would be a good inference...but it's wrong, because you're not taking into account the cost to fill spaces.

Huh? OK...take the cost of your cab + the power hardware, then divide that by the number of hp in the cab. That result is the cost per hp of your cab. The closer you can aim your build's module costs to that will mean you're coming in at a more economical result. Now, let's do the same for both of those filters...

2 hp MMF = approx $60/hp
Doepfer A-121-2 = $20

So, this adds up. Eventually, it makes the difference between the same cab coming in at $5k versus $15k or something equally hideous. Slim modules make for good slot-fillers, to be sure...but I wouldn't build a system (or a subsystem either) solely with them, despite what Erica did in that respect.

Anyway, couple of other things: you can lose the buffered mult, for starters, unless you feel a need to try and cram four or more VCOs into that cab. And even then, I'd still question the need for it if you're using VCOs that have good input buffering. Small builds like this probably shouldn't be taking up function space with mults...use the inline variety or stackcables instead.

Second, when using the bigger modules, there's something of an INVERSE to that cost-per-hp thing. Take the Erica Black VCA you've got...it's $185. That means 1 VCA = $185 there, and that VCA has two CV ins, variable curving, and the rest is the usual stuff. Now, an Intellijel Quad VCA costs $189, is 2 hp bigger, and you lose the 2nd CV but gain a boost function for low-level signals AND a breakable mixing function, but everything else is pretty much what you'd expect in a VCA. But THESE VCAs only cost $47.25 each! And you get a 4-in MIXER to boot! Soooooooooo...

OK, yes, "why do they make modules like that Erica VCA, then?". Simple...some people DO have the space for 1:1 function:module situations, or there are users trying to make specific bespoke builds for a certain purpose. But in a small general purpose build, there should be NO reasons for using modules of this sort. Unless a module has a VERY SPECIFIC FUNCTION, it's definitely NOT a good idea to put 1:1 modules into a small build. If anything, you need to increase the functional density per module, NOT reduce them! Besides, using 1:1 for VCAs is a great way to paint yourself into a corner with a paucity of those essential modules.

...and speaking of essential modules...utilities. I don't see any. I don't even see any in that pile of 2hp modules. No attenuverters, no secondary mixers, no clock modifiers save for one lone Boolean 2 hp, no, no, no. Sure, they're not snazzy...but just try and program a modular synth WITHOUT them! If you haven't ripped all your hair out over the span of an hour or so out of sheer frustration, consider yourself lucky!

I really, really, REALLY hope you didn't get this cab already. This process doesn't appear to be anywhere close to where I'd suggest that someone jump on to hardware and $$$. Some of the danger shows in that last paragraph...

"...I really like what I've seen in videos on YouTube..."

YouTube is a mixed bag. There ARE a few creators who do a good job at demonstrating SINGLE MODULE FUNCTIONS (which are the demos you SHOULD be watching!!!), and then there seems to be a raftload of people who manage to look good on camera while holding up a Eurorack module like any other typical prop in their set-piece studios. Avoid those latter videos; invariably, they do things in their vids which look AWWSUM...but which wind up showing you absolutely ZERO about module function, interconnection with other modules, etc. If you click on a "module demo" and see a huuuuuuuuge cab bristling with patchcords with the module in question semi-buried in amongst that...AVOID. Like the plague, in fact! Instead, you want the VERY BORING module reviews where there's NOT a maze of wires, NOT a patch where you can't clearly hear the module at work, etc. They might be dull as dishwater, but you'll wind up knowing how that module can work for you if its explained effectively. But by following the really glitzy advice source, you risk running headlong into the unwanted "Sexy Module Syndrome" zone, where you've built up a kewl-lookin' box of lights and knobs and wires and etc etc...that can't make a sound that's any better than an Arturia Microbrute, but which costs MANY times more!

Hi Lugia,

That's fantastic news that it's compatible with our Eurorack stuff. Can't wait till next year when it becomes available, love to test it and somehow I have the feeling that I might straight away buy it, let's see! :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

And fifth. I think a lot of the problems with this feature are coming from the gradual diversification away from mainstream browsers due to security concerns. For example, my local cannabis dispensary has an online menu and ordering-in-advance system, which they REALLY want us to use during the Covid fiasco in the USA. However, my browser choices on my studio machines is Firefox...and their menu system really detests Firefox, necessitating what has to be about the only use of Microsoft Edge in here on them. Standardization to HTML5 is one thing...but on the client end, there's still piles of drawbacks.

Hi Mowse,

Nice music, yet again :-) First Troux catapulted me already in space and now with your track I got somewhere further hyper-spaced, no idea where I am but with your music, I actually don't care where I am, it's enjoyable, relaxing, the weekend will pass by satisfying this way!

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

Thanks for pointing out on this one. It looks great and sounds good! We only have to wait till end of March next year... Long wait but it looks like it's worth it :-)

Oh yes... and it has lots of patch points, so that's fantastic, do you know if they are Eurorack compatible?
-- GarfieldModular

Yeah...I'd definitely say that waiting a few months until DEFINITE availability beats the living crap out of waiting until hell freezes over for something that's one step removed from vaporware. Price considerations aside, this might be one of the few times that Uli's actually done the RIGHT thing.

As for the patchpoints, you betcha! I've crosspatched my 2600 to my Digisound 80 more times than I can count. It was the ARP 2600 that gave us the initial standardizations for analog synth interconnection, in fact...we still use their 1V/8va scaling and positive-going gate/triggers to this day. More than likely, when (and NOT "if") I get one (or two?) of these in hand, it'll wind up right back in the same position my old Rev.2 found itself in lots of the time.

Hi Steve,

Great stuff, I love the track. Ha, ha, and I like Farkas' reference to Tangerine Dream, it indeed sounds quite a bit here and there if Tangerine Dream was busy :-)

This track is very enjoyable! Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Great video and glad to see you are using those Richter modules again, nice ones! In my previous comment I asked you for feedback on the cv.ocd but looks (or it hears) like that works pretty good :-)

He, he, the poor Doepfer - A-190-4 is now sitting/hanging jobless in your rack ;-)

Thanks a lot for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Ah yes, the Kermit, great module :-) I like you are playing with the A4 too, nice!

And let us know how your experience is with the cv.ocd, quite curious.

Thanks a lot and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Great jam and thanks a lot for the hint, I got an A4 as well but I keep "forgetting it" to combine it with my modular setup, great idea, I just need to get the time for doing it. So your video makes me appetite for the idea :-)

Thank you for sharing this and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi The-Erc,

My favourite brands of modules to look at:

ACL (all of them but especially the Sinfonion)
IO Instruments

and not too bad either:
Doepfer
Make Noise

Does Behringer - Model D counts? ;-)

Actually... at the end... just a rack with a bunch of modular stuff in it to look at keeps me happy (no matter which brand)!

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Lugia,

Thanks for pointing out on this one. It looks great and sounds good! We only have to wait till end of March next year... Long wait but it looks like it's worth it :-)

Oh yes... and it has lots of patch points, so that's fantastic, do you know if they are Eurorack compatible?

Thank you and kind regards, Garfield.

Edit: Forgot about the patch points.

EDITED Oct 25th 2020, 00:30

Excellent work @mowse, great layering and everything feels really dynamic and fantastic to the ear. Especially loving the Terry Riley vibes. Looking forward to more!

This is the size of my case and power supply. Right now, that's all I've got but you need those first. Now that I have them, I'm trying to think about the types of modules I might need to make generative and ambient stuff like I do in VCV. The type of music I make is at modularzen.com to get an idea of what I'm looking to augment. On the bottom are modules I want with more than 90% certainty. Pam's is a definite, so is Blob. The Arbhar is so unique that I'd love to add what it offers to my music and unless I find a really good argument for a different module that does similar things, I'll add it eventually. Same thing with Maths except I plan to get it as my first module since just having it will allow me to interface with my computer and do fun and creative things. The Disting is another one that's so versatile that I'll get it early to get the most out of what limited gear I'll have.

The top row contains modules that have functions I know I need but are not necessarily the modules I'll use. Those are the ones that I'm really flexible about. All the 2hp modules are there because it's the smallest footprint/function I can find for use here. The 4ms modules are there since I really like what I've seen in videos on YouTube that featured them. However, they are in the nice to have category for now. Same goes for TipTop, Erica, and Pico modules.

EDITED Oct 24th 2020, 23:54

Fourth

Yep, the VCFS is pretty rad, I'm still yes and no on the VCF303 (the rhythm part) but I need to save some room on envelopes in this rack so it's doing the job for now. I kinda felt the Krautrock vibes here too, I think I'm gonna give this sound a couple more gos, even aside from this track, definitely some potential there...

Thanks for listening as always!

Sounds great, and that filter is killer. It's almost got a Tangerine Acid Dream vibe at that tempo. Very cool take on the acid sound.

But if you want modules-as-art, I'd have to give the nod to Folktek.
-- Lugia

Ooh nice! I didn't know about Folktek! The panels are amazing, and the modules are interesting too.

Thirded.

The thread name explains it all, first take of me trying for a cosmic drone + acid mashup:

https://stevehand.bandcamp.com/track/first-take-cosmic-acid-2

I think it turned out pretty good, but I'll probably do another take or two to tweak the intro a bit and try and get the drum feel a little more where I want it (I need to spend some time on this though, it seems tricky!). Also, like my other tries, this may still not be acid, but it's there in spirit 😆

Hope you all enjoy it!

Made with the below plus a DFAM for the kick:

EDITED Oct 24th 2020, 16:11

This is fascinating. As with all AI, I worry that it will discover and continue to reproduce an algorithm that is "popular" but uninteresting. Kind of like when you enjoy Seinfeld on Hulu or Netflix so the algorithm recommends Friends next. Haha
As for the Eno quote, that is pretty much exactly the musical idea that I have been exploring. I'm an Eno fan, but have never heard that quote before. I like the immediacy of recording live, I like the mistakes, I like the happy accidents, I like wondering why I made the choices I did while listening back to the recordings, I like challenging myself NOT to intervene in the music.
Of course all of these conceptual approaches don't always lend themselves to interesting music from the listener's perspective, but there is plenty of pop, rock, and hip hop that can scratch that itch for everyone (myself included). I just don't have any desire to work on anything with sparkling production, perfect EQ and mixing, verses and choruses, etc.
So, for me the answer to the question, "Of all the things you can do now, which do you choose to do?" is probably a selfish one. I tend to just do what feels right in the moment and move on to the next idea. If someone else finds it interesting, that is welcome but has absolutely no bearing on the next choices I make.

+1 for this, the number of time I wrecked my rack when searching for a module is very high while I hardly every use keyboard shortcuts. It would be a great improvement to deactivate them and lock this option.

It is amusing to note that, so far, the subject seems intriguing without eliciting any comments or reflections on it. Yet several bridges link the world of modular to that of artificial intelligence applied to music :

• The use of random.
• The self generative capacity.
• The integration of computer science, at least in digital modules.
• A common and progressive appearance in the Music of the 20th century.
• A remarkable shared development at the beginning of this 21st century.
• A strong potential for innovation, and even for mutual articulation...

I still have this beautiful reflection by Brian Eno on the subject of computers and sequencers that comes to mind, and which, I think, applies equally to these two worlds:

"The great benefit of computer sequencers is that they remove the issue of skill, and replace it with the issue of judgement.

With Cubase or Photoshop, anybody can actually do anything, and you can make stuff that sounds very much like stuff you’d hear on the radio, or looks very much like anything you see in magazines.

So the question becomes not whether you can do it or not, because any drudge can do it if they’re prepared to sit in front of the computer for a few days, the question then is, "Of all the things you can now do, which do you choose to do?".

I read in this Forum dozens of topics related to the choice of modules or the correct configuration of a setup. I am not saying that these questions are not interesting, on the contrary. I notice that the best answers, and by the best of us (I don't quote names, we'll recognize them) refer us most often to this same question from Eno: "Of all the things you can now do, which do you choose to do?

Is there any musician here for a comment, or even an answer to the initial question?

An amusing but legitimate question...
Mutable Instruments: sober, almost zen, well-proportioned and ergonomic. Like their manual by the way.

Another from my first album in the works, Reticulating Splines.

I love me the orange knob look of IME/Harvestman modules! Befaco look nice as well.

Artwise- the Instruo and Frap Tools have lovely looking art pieces.

@Lugia- yeah Folktek modules look super rad! The Folktek Matter module looks especially tasty
http://www.folktek.com/instruments/modular/matter_copper

EDITED Oct 24th 2020, 04:53

My new CV.OCD box came today to relieve me of the PTSD suffered by the Doepfer A190-4 module. Way easier to use! Here is fun jam I came up with my modular systems and Octatrack. Octatrack for most percussion and bass and BIA for kick beat.

Hi there,

I have the same Doepfer system that came with the A-190-4 MIDI to CV module and it has been a royal pain to use. You need to navigate the odd menu interface and set MIDI channel to match the MIDI on your Cirklon sequencer channel settings.
There should also be a clock and MIDI setting on your Cirklon and Octatrack sequencer. These have to match the values in the Doepfer MIDI to CV module or it won't work.

I have an Elektron Octatrack and it took a lot of back and forth with Doepfer and Elektron support to get the stupid module to work. I did but decided to get the CV.OCD box which is portable and easier to use. I now use the cv.ocd as it took me 5 minutes to setup and get working with both my modular systems. I do use the Doepfer moduler to record to my DAW as it has USB that works well with Ableton but other than that it is too obtuse for me to use. I will probably sell mine and get a more useful module for other stuff. I highly recommend the CV.OCD box - cheap, easy to use and no cryptic ancient LED screens. Plus it is small and you can use it with multiple modular systems should you ever buy a new case or expand or want to connect to a friend's modular system.

Explore using Kermit Mk3 as complex dirty oscillator and LFO at same time

It is easily one of the greatest modules created in what it can do in small space. Up there with Expert Sleepers Disting and Ornament and Crime.

Came up with this jam today using Elektron Analog 4 as master sequencer/controller plus drums to modular:

Works great as I get to control two modular systems at once in sync with the Elektron Analog 4 as master clock/sequencer and also add more layers of percussion from the Analog 4 to modular.

I didn't realize the AJH folks were involved with this.
-- farkas

Probably because I really meant to say AM Synths. Got all those alphabet-soup makers names mixed up...easy enough to do!

I didn't realize the AJH folks were involved with this. I love everything about those guys.
I'm also coming around to Uli's willingness to put these slightly modernized clones out in the world. People have been clamoring for them for years, and my RD8 is incredibly fun. They sound great too.
Korg could have nailed it, but really blew it. No sympathy here.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_2600.htm

Korg? Who's that? Ohhhhh, yeah...right...the guys who made the ARP 2600 "reissue" for SPECIAL people.

So for the rest of us, here's this. Cheaper, AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!, and in preorders now, apparently. Oh, and none of that "limited" bullcrap having to do with a "road" "case" that seemed to be made of black saran wrap and posterboard.

Normally, I'm not really down with Uli and how he runs his business. But this WAS partly designed by the AM Synths people with the specific intention of replicating the ARP 2600 in a more modern manner. And if you buy one, you can help starve a Korg marketing exec, hopefully the one that yanked us all around back at Winter NAMM. This one time, they deserve whatever Uli can pull off here after the s**tshow Korg put us through with the biggest bait-n-switch since the Micor Coupland!

EDIT: almost forgot the cherry on this cake: $600-ish. NOT nearly $4k.

EDITED Oct 24th 2020, 01:36

Frap stuff is quite cool...very symbol-oriented layouts. The Instruo modules also have a really great post-Buchla semi-industrial look.

But if you want modules-as-art, I'd have to give the nod to Folktek. I have a Mescaline with the gold panels, and it looks at first glance like some alien artifact...but when you start to work with it, you discover how intuitive it all is. A brilliant balance between eye candy and pure function.

MiRack is nice, but have you looked at Drambo? Definitely worth checking out. Its interface is less skeuomorphic and more optimized for taking advantage of (touch-)screens, I'd say.
-- senor-bling

Touchscreens, you say? Hmmmmm...this might need a bit of investigation...

Random*Source, ALM, Make Noise, and some of the Oscillosaurus MI clones (Rings and Clouds in particular) come to mind for me. I'd also agree on Frap Tools, I need a Falistri!!

Hard for me to argue against Mutable Instruments. XAOC are great too.
I am also one of the weird people that like the gold panel Endorphin.es modules. Haha

Not beautiful sounds, or concepts, or circuits designs, the question is about the prettiest face. Whose front panels could you look at all day, even without wiggling? (Blank panels don't count -- only modules that do something!)

I will nominate (in no particular order)
- Frap Tools
- Xaoc Devices
- Nano modules

Who's your favourite?

Thanks Garfield,

It is fun creating techno on modular systems. More hard hitting and cutting than regular synthesizers for sure. I don't have the Mutable Instruments Marbles module but I've used it with VCV Rack. It is on my wish list as I'd love to build a Mutable Instruments/Intellijel modular system with so many great modules from both companies. Perhaps after I get a much larger new case.

Wow! I loved it.