All Posts

Hi Garfield,

Sorry yeah I looked at the Erica Synths Drum sequencer but for the size and price point, would go with something like 512 Vector Sequencer, Winter Eloquencer or see what the new Endorphin.es ground control is like as these provide tons of useful features to chain songs and presets and more. I may just get a simple trigger sequencer for drums/bass like VPME Euclidian Rhythms and clock it with Pamela for the short run until I get a much larger 3rd case next year.

Yeah I ran various test patches after I hooked it up. By itself, it is very boring. However when you modulate it with a crazy LFO like Batumi it comes alive and sounds amazing. The only two modules that I am having trouble getting on with are the Malekko Varigate 4+ sequencer and Malekko Quad Envelope. Those work but are tricky to figure out and not very precise. I like precision in my sequencers. Probably need a good trigger sequencer and clock modulator like Pamela's New Workout. Thinking that and Expert Sleepers Disting EX will be the next modules for the year to round out my build as I need these tools. Maybe add Plaits and Erica Synths pico drums then have a solid jam portable modular system.

Hello All,

Today I was playing around with the Make Noise - Telharmonic and the QPAS, these two fit quite well together. The below track starts with these two modules only (except some LFOs and other stuff, naturally), slightly bit reverb on top of it, but not too much (though it doesn't sound like that but really not too much reverb), then later the track has some joining elements of "Searching For The Frog" (for details see: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/8963) and a bit of percussion.

This is third take since I am not having/using a DAW (yet), I have to redo the entire recording if I am not happy with it. Still not 100% happy with it, one of the percussion sounds on the left hand channel sounds a bit too loud in my opinion, but wanted to have this posted before saying goodbye to this nice weekend and have to start to work this coming week ;-)

Thanks a lot for listening and I wish you all a good start of this coming week, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

I am so glad that you like the Polivoks filter :-)

Maybe I do just something wrong with it, I might consider the Batumi, got that one on my wish list anway, so perhaps that helps me to get the best out of that Polivoks filter.

Thanks a lot and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Well to be precise here, Erica Synths - Drum Sequencer is not a drum module as such, it's rather a sequencer that can control your (Erica Synths or others) drum modules :-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks Garfield,

It is really fun building new setup from scratch. I love the black polivoks filter from Erica Synths! Especially when modulate from batumi it really comes to life. I can get some crazy acid bass lines to drones to weird bubble pads. Thinking pico drums or drum sampler would be great addition to my second case.

Hi Garfield,

Yeah think 2 Erica Synths Pico drum modules would work as the BIA has good bass/drum and that would not take up much space in the rack since I want another synth voice and support modules, clock source and sequencer. I've heard that Hexinverter and WMD also make superb drum modules. I really only use a bass, kick and clap drum in my music anyways.

Cool thanks Lugia. I plan to get some logic modules to pair up in my second rack. Trying to balance enough voices with filters, VCAs, envelopes and support modules is tricky. I think in a 6U case if you have 2-3 oscillators, LFO, and 2 filters then you have a base for tone and can spice it up quite a bit with support modules and sequencers. I look at the Moog and ARP 2600 synthesizer as reference point.

Hi Sacguy71,

Or how about Erica Synths' - Drum Sequencer? Would that be something suitable for you?

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Lugia,

Thank you very much for the additional information and hints. I put Der Plan definitely on my wish list and once I am going to do another "music order" (meaning CDs and Vinyls), at least one album of Der Plan will be on my shopping list :-) I just done recently an order so I have to be a bit patient. Difficult, knowing there is lurking so nice/fun music around there.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Jingo,

I am sorry to hear about your lost in the family :-( My condolences.

Glad to hear that you are picking up making music again and wow! You just plugged in a few cables and you come up with something so solid as this track! Nicely done, it could go on and on and I still wouldn't have enough of it. So give me more :-)

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

P.S.: Welcome back :-)

Yeah, logic and related clock modulators are the key to sequential voodoo. I include in that things such as pulse delays, as well, since that also shifts timing. Logic modules are infamous for looking boring as hell while ALSO unlocking plenty of rhythmic trickery, so they get the short end of the Sexy Module stick like a lot of other things...and this is a mistake.

F'rinstance, if you'd like to just play the last note of a triplet for a bit of polyrhythm. Normally, this would be a bit of a hassle. But if you have a Boolean module, it's easy...just use a NAND gate. Then send it your triplet pulses plus a pulse that covers up at least half of a beat. When both signals are present...nothing. But when only the triplet pulse is there at the end, THEN you'll get a pulse out of the gate that can fire things for JUST that note. Way easier than trying to gin up a second sequencer on a wholly different timing.

Thanks nope I have it on low power monitors. Hopefully can move into larger place and have more freedom to crank it. I want another couple of drum modules for clap and snares. The BIA is great but hard to get more than one drum or tone at single time from it. Looking at VPME drum machine module as it has 4 voices in one module or maybe Mutant drums modules. Bass, lead and drums in portable case are perfect for jam sessions.

Der Plan is excellent. For a more avant-garde take out of them, look for the soundtrack they did for the ZDF film "Die Letzte Rache"...which was ALSO partly their production as well. VERY Residential. "Funf Jahre", if you can find it, is a great overview of their synth dadaism.

Hi Mowse,

Oh I missed this track this weekend. Nice demo of the mentioned devices. Nice picture by the way :-) Love to look at it while listening at your music.

Nicely done and thanks a lot for sharing this, kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Lugia,

Ha, ha, and I thought I would be the only one knowing Pyrolator or Kurt Dahlke, if you prefer ;-) Yeah quite funny music, especially "Wunderland" album is fun. Thanks a lot for mentioning Der Plan, totally overlooked that one (how could I?!), will check it out, sounds even more funny.

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

He, he, indeed some massive beats. Cool! Didn't you got any complains from your neighbours? ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

Congratulations on your second case :-) How is the Black Polivoks VCF from Erica Synths coming along? I hope you are able to get some nice sounds out of it? Let me know your opinion on that module.

Nice demo and I wish you much fun with your extension of your modular synth! :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

So I am planning this build

Does it have enough support and utility modules and if not, what else would you change to improve it?

The AI Synthesis matrix mixer is on my list for my second rack. Kinks arrives this week. I also should receive the Intellijel Quadrax with expander for maths type stuff this week. Since I already have Batumi in one rack, for second build went with IME Kermit MK3 which has 4 channels of LFO and EG goodness and ability to create presets as well.

I need some patch notes on string machine style pad state, that sounds rad 🕵️ The style I was referring to above is kind of pad-y too, spread up, root low-ish, put an analog osc underneath it for extra weight, add a pinch of the FM, and then run it through a smooth lowpass filter with just a bit of resonance.

@troux thank you. So far I've spent most of my time exploring the EnOsc on its own, understanding the modes and figuring out how the other parameters interact. And then left it in a string machine style pad state, which is stunningly beautiful but I feel also kind of underutilizing it. Forgot to set it into full mayhem mode and patch it through filters somewhere along the way... will try that once my current patch is done.

@senor-bling in the less melodic modes (high spread, many oscs, FM up) I mostly end up using it as a drone noise source. That said with the right filter you can tame the crazier modes and get some really interesting full but melodic textures, ones that I haven't seen elsewhere in eurorack, it's just a lot of work to get there.

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 19:27

Thanks for the jam and patch notes.

I agree, it's really worth reading the manual. I still find it tricky to integrate the EnOsc in a track. It's easy in unison mode, of course. And when using only a few oscillators and little spread. But for every other mode, I feel I need to "compose" a track around the EnOsc instead of just starting somewhere and then patching it in when I want to. Maybe that's just my haphazard songwriting style and could be solved a more theoretical approach?
How do you all work with the EnOsc?

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 19:10

I'd add an AISynthesis matrix mixer and kinks - multing your modulation to these will add more much variety than either zadar or batumi

looks like you'd have 2hp left for a 2hp trim module or a dreadbox div

I agree about maths - it is way more than the sum of it's parts - check out the illustrated manual online for (self) patch ideas

another option would be to buy another case now instead of a module - that way you don't have the I only have xhp left itch - hehehe

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 18:51

@nokulture, I think you'll find if you try a Maths out that it's super intuitive and solves so many problems, especially in a rack this size. That said, we're all on our own journey, do what makes sense to you and let us know how it goes!

Thanks a lot for tips troux.

5) Add an Ochd
I've considered a lot ochd, it's great to have 8 lfo on 4 hp, but I always wonder how useful could be it, considering all lfo are unsynced and it isn't capable to sync with a external clock, or maybe I miss something? Anyway I guess it was always in scope, just I've hope to find something more handy.

4) Add a Kinks
Yeah, you make me to validate :).

3) Add a Doepfer A-118-2 for your Clouds (and for #2, keep in mind that this needs a square cutoff to trigger)
Interesting... but adding this is worth it , considering you could generate differents waves on PNW (including random)?

2) Add either a Batumi or a Zadar, depending on your end priority here of modulation (Batumi) or expression (Zadar)
I think my priority is expression, but I'm afraid I haven't got enough modulation... maybe if I add an Ochd I'll get enough?

1) Upgrade the Function to a Maths
I'm not sure with this, function it's enough complex for me to keep it a while, upgrade to maths make me a bit scare. Sure maybe in a future when I feel more comfortable. For now, I try to learn and discover.

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 16:31

Hello,

I did another jam today adding in the BIA and taking the clouds mono.

Notes:
1) I made Manis to clouds mono (I lost some volume here for this round, but i'll look at why later)
2) I added in the BIA
3) I was playing with some mods on the devices and playing a bit with the filters and envelopes to change it up a bit

I hope you all enjoy.

Any/all feedback is welcome!

Thanks!

@Quantum_Eraser thought I'd share that you prompted me to reread the manual and to watch some more vids, and I'm finally getting some melodic stuff out of my EO to go along with the craziness, thanks for the inspiration!

I am guessing Jim will likely tell you you don't have enough utilities, which I'd agree with.

What I'd suggest, in order of importance:
1) Upgrade the Function to a Maths
2) Add either a Batumi or a Zadar, depending on your end priority here of modulation (Batumi) or expression (Zadar)
3) Add a Doepfer A-118-2 for your Clouds (and for #2, keep in mind that this needs a square cutoff to trigger)
4) Add a Kinks
5) Add an Ochd

To do all that you'd have to cut a module or two (downgrading a Veils for a smaller mixer is one idea to make space) but I think you'll get more out of what you leave in the case.

Oh Oh,

time flew by as I had to get some things going after a family member passed :(. So I was not in the right mood to explore the worlds of sounds any further.

Since yesterday: I patched some cables into my modular and just let one loop run. Recorded it and here we go, just wanted to share.

Have a nice sunday out there! :)
c u soon...

Hi Jim,
my actual rack is this

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_1154618.jpg

The place available I would like to add a modulation source, a multi... and maybe if it's possible a kind of utility module like kinks. But I guess the modulation is more prioritaire...

Thanks

@Lugia Power really is the next upgrade, and ensuring that I have more power than I need.
The List and other people's suggestions helped.

"What single module would add the most to this?" The single module that would give the most wide-ranging enjoyment, the single module that would expand the possibilities the most.

Since adding Beats into my case with the DNi Pro Dot + ADDAC103 T-Networks I've been enjoying much more beat and rhythm based music, I now need to take a step back and experiment with more long-form ambient with what I've got. A lovely moment was discovering what the ADDAC103 was like going through granular processing in Clouds without the reverb wash and lovely step away from beats with a creaky, glitchy and slightly spooky sound.

Other sensible additions with the most advantage would be:

Arturia Keystep - so I can get a bit more hands-on with the notes.
Pamela's New Workout with Pexp-1 Expander - so I can properly sync my external gear (While adding re-sets across my rack) while still leaving the Disting for Sample Playing.

I think Pam's has to be next after a case power upgrade.

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 08:34

Playing two Moog Mother 32's and Rossum Electro-Music Trident through QPAS, Panharmonium, SoundStage, and Mimeophon. Just having a bit of fun tonight. Nothing too serious. The West Coast is on fire.

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 15:23

I've learned so much this year about my personal approach and modular build. A few things have changed, all for the better. Early on, it was often 'cool module' gas, but now each purchase is very much, "want to do this, need that." Lo-Fi junky will be one of those. Most importantly: super fun to play.

Thanks, @GarfieldModular! Having a lot of fun with the mixing module.

show us your rack - what you alrerady have will help determine better what you should add

Nice! Did you use the Octatrack for the kick drums or the BIA?
-- sacguy71

I used the OT for the kick drum.
Currently I just have the 2 outputs on the modular setup, so those were running the left/right of the Manis + Clouds.
I plan to expand to have more outputs soon, but was mostly focused on seeing if I could evolve a sound by using the 0cht, the Zlob filter, the Manis, and Clouds.
It was fun to hear that come together.

Plus, adding the effects in Ableton as send effects added that little extra.
basically, I'm looking at a few pedals that I would like to buy: 1) a delay and 2) a reverb, but for now I figured I keep learning with what I have and pick up the pedals in the near future.

I was thinking about adding the patch as well in the future.
That way if people want to see how I hooked it all up, they could try it if they have the parts (or similar) modules.

Thanks for checking out the sounds.

Nice! Did you use the Octatrack for the kick drums or the BIA?

Hi,
I'm new in modular, almost finish my case with sources of sound, sequencer, vca/mixer, some modulation, but I keep some place to modulation between 8 and 10 hp. I would like complement my PNW and Function. I saw as true option on micro temps utile, micro ornament & crime or XAOC Zadar. What do you choose from those ? Do you have another option?
Thanks!

EDITED Sep 13th 2020, 00:22

Speaking of percussion, I am really loving the Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter (what a tongue twister name!) module that I just put in my setup and it can do crazy bass lines to wild drums. Plus it is small and easy to learn. Here is a demo of it:

It also holds up quite well in a mix like this:

No menu diving, dead simple to figure out how to patch and use and endless percussion options from weird kicks to cowbell sounds.

It's not a bad list of suggestions at all. But trying to categorize specific modules as more or less "important" is sorta pointless. Instead, you should look at a modular NOT as a collection of parts, but a bespoke SYSTEM that you've assembled, which has functions specific to your music. But if I answered the question literally, I'd say it was the power supply...and beyond that, the "importance" of modules really is something between you, your music, and the device itself.
-- Lugia

Sure, but outside the esoteric nature of 'connection,' there are obvious necessities when it comes to building a modular. It's the same thing as when building a guitar. There are going to be required parts, and the luthier (and maybe the customer) gets to put their own fresh take on that particular instrument. And as I appreciate Garfield's semi-scientific approach to categorizing and enumerating those vital parts, I am interested in his further elaboration of the concept. After all, if there is no such thing as importance in a modular build, then nobody really needs VCAs, do they?

Word Lugia! Indeed and we can thank the wealthy Youtubers who focus on flashy modules and not utilities. Well at least Divkid and MylarMelodies do videos on the benefits of utilities! Here he explains the value of boring logic module utilities to his credit:

Now I have Kinks and Links on the way for my second rack build as well as a Hex VCA so I can better patch my systems. Plan to get Pam and Disting EX for holidays to balance things out.

The Rosie got me with the send in/out but the matrix mixer could do it too. I'll dig the output modules.
-- BousierMort

I'm not big on the Rosie or the X-Pan, either. The Rosie just seems like a concession to DJs, while the X-Pan is an expensive solution to a somewhat simpler problem set.

But, if you're really jazzed on the idea of having FX send/return capabilities...you DO know that you can CV that as well, right? Have a look at a few smaller performance mixers...Qu-bit has the Mixology, Toppobrillo has their Stereomix mkii, and so on. What THESE mixers offer are features such as muting, cue sends, CV over level (ie: AC-coupled exponential VCAs), pan and FX send, and the like. Much more capable, and if you toss a Happy Nerding OUT in after it, you then have a second stereo return for FX on that module, too.

This build is on a scale where something of that sort could be very beneficial, even with the (slightly, over the pair of Make Noise modules) expanded size of those. It'll free up VCAs for CV/mod uses, for one thing, plus it adds a bunch of internal "primitives" that, if they were separate modules, would take up far more space than the mixer would in of itself.

@GarfieldModular Words cannot express how much I love this. How would you order the list if you were to rank them by importance, instead of alphabetically? And how many of each would you say meets the criteria of sufficient?
-- TeslianCowboy

It's not a bad list of suggestions at all. But trying to categorize specific modules as more or less "important" is sorta pointless. Instead, you should look at a modular NOT as a collection of parts, but a bespoke SYSTEM that you've assembled, which has functions specific to your music. But if I answered the question literally, I'd say it was the power supply...and beyond that, the "importance" of modules really is something between you, your music, and the device itself.

oooooooooo KURT DAHLKE!!!!...or Pyrolator, if you prefer. His stuff is so much fun (as is his band, Der Plan) while at the same time, if you dive deep into it, you start noticing the complexity there. Der Plan was part of the whole Neue Deutsche Welle scene, but also had a real interest in noise and trouble. They sort of get tagged as Germany's answer to The Residents, but that's way too simplistic an analysis.

Problem with utilities (and I'm using a wide definition here that includes things like VCAs, mixers, attenuverters, etc) is that they SEEM optional, while those of us here on the other side of the looking glass know that they're not. So, in addition to a list of important ute modules, some explanation for WHY these matter as much as they do (with examples!) would probably also go a long way to curtailing (some) the Sexy Module Syndrome.

yeah - not a bad go - not a fan of xpan or rosie - do you really need crossfading? I'd go happy nerding panmixjr/stereo mixer instead and a 2hp headphone module

which would save 4hp with the 3hp you already have free - that gives 7 which is a pain - something 4hp and something from the erica pico series - or maybe 2 2hp modules - maybe they do a crossfader if you need it

you might want to update your maths to a more modern version - the one with white knobs is the latest!
-- JimHowell1970

Thanks for your reply !
I hadn't checked the math version.
The Rosie got me with the send in/out but the matrix mixer could do it too. I'll dig the output modules.

Some massive beats

Just for the record.... Until another month or two I won't have any more power sockets to fill.
I just added the AI Matrix Mixer and MI Kinks and I'm experimenting with both.