All Posts

👍🏻

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.

I would get one first and then the second if you still have the urge to buy it - excellent module though!

For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.
-- wishbonebrewery

doepfer "invented" eurorack - lots of excellent basic building block modules at very reasonable prices - there are always special editions, vintage versions and the ability to change the knobs if aesthetics are important

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:38

if you post an actual link to a public rack - not a link to a jpg - you will get a lot more feedback

Personally I think you have way to much in the way of feature modules - and not enough support

I'd take out the five12 vector sequencer expander and replace it with a quad cascading vca (either mutable veils or intellijel) - I might then take out the xaoc vca - whilst you can never have too many vcas - in this size case I. should think 4 is enough - you can always add a 1u if you find you need more

in the space of the xaoc vca I'd probably add kinks and a 2hp passive mult

BUT I would strongly recommend that you go very slowly - buy a minimum viable modular synthesizer for you

a sound source
a modulation source
a sound modifier
es9

as a starting point and become familiar with each module and patching them together - probably a few weeks - then add another module and learn how it works and integrates into your workflow

I would leave the sequencer to last - if you can cope with the workflow with es9 - if not I'd be tempted to buy a simpler sequencer like the korg sq1 - which will always be handy to have - even if you don't use it constantly

I’m a Eurorack newbie. I’ve planned my first rack and I’d really appreciate any comments before I bite the bullet and whack out the credit card.

My goal with the rack is to use it to create sounds that are difficult to produce in my DAW with soft synths, and to just get a creative blast from working hands-on with hardware rather than plugins.

That said, I’d like to use the rack in conjunction with Ableton Live, sending the output back to Live via an ES-9 for effects processing, mixing and final production.

With this in mind, I’ve mainly chosen modules that seem to deliver functionality that’s unique to modular: Morphagene, Arbhar, etc. The rack also has a sequencer, and I’m intending to use CV Tools via the ES-9, but I like the idea of generating happy accidents on the rack using the sequencer’s probability functions, and just generally playing around and noodling.

The sound sources are an Instruo Ts-L, an Odessa, a Chainsaw, Morphagene and Arbhar, driven by a Vector sequencer. Although I’d like to apply most of the effects on the computer, the rack also has a Mimeophon just because I really love it. 😊

I may have too much fun stuff and not enough utility modules - I’ve got no idea! Any advice is appreciated.

You're right. Cv modulation brings life to patches. May I suggest to you those two well thought and affordable modules: Ochd (LFOs) and Rnd Step (S&Hs) by DivKid.
We only have 2 hands. They give us 14 more within 8hp :))

Among my first sparks for modular (and a new form of collaboration) there was this jam session. I felt in love with modular because I saw the ideal complement to my traditional synths and opportunities for live improvisations jams. Berlin school is great for that. Enjoy:

EDITED Aug 30th 2020, 12:53

Kinks is a thought, I feel I would need two of them.
For whatever reason I've not considered much Doepfer gear, its probably for more aesthetic reasons than function.

Many thanks @Sweelinck,

Indeed it is quite fun patching and tweaking modular! I came up with this funky wobble bass patch on the Doepfer A100 and used Korg SQ-1 to sequence it.

So far been trying different patches and finding out how useful modulation sources and functional generators can be as well as S&H modules. Doepfer A100 Basic system is well thought out with the key ingredients. I did order new modules to fill out the empty row that should arrive next week like the Borg filter and another oscillator plus some more modulation and utility modules like the Batumi Quad LFO and Intellijel Quad VCA plus more EGs and another mixer. I find that having two mixers in a modular setup is nice plus two sequencers so I can sequence and mix a bass track and then use the other separate patch for a drum track mixed into another part. I also have a regular external mixer the K-mix to use to chain my gear together nicely for future shows after COVID ends. I definitely want to jam with other modular artists in the future.

Hey I'm super new to modular, would appreciate any feedback. I'm not sure if I should replace Atom with nRings and something else instead.

Thanks Lugia,

I've been enjoying the Doepfer A100 modular system so far. I did order a few more modules to fill out the case and they should arrive next week: a Borg filter, quad vca, quad EG, and Richter anti-oscillator as well as Batumi quad LFO!

Well, given that it's a variant on Ken Stone's revision of the Serge USG, looking first at THIS might be useful: https://www.elby-designs.com/webtek/euro-serge/es114-universal-slope-generator/es114.htm Also this, from Serge's original docs: https://serge.synth.net/documents/datasheet/DSG.jpg

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules...
-- morphon

Given that this implies that BOTH cabs do this, my immediate reaction is that you're overtaxing the power supplies. But then, when I look at Pitt's site to check the current capacity, I can see that you've got 4A on the +12 and 3A on the -12. So, unless this thing's stacked with tube modules, you'd be hard-pressed to exceed that in 208 hp. The next thing to check, then, will be for flaky module behavior; it's a dirty little secret in modular that all modules are NOT quiet, well-behaved devices, and by unplugging/replugging each module one at a time from the busboards, you'll probably find a few "bad actors". The solution there is a little more...tricky, since the Pitt cabs also appear to have filtered busboards. This makes RF radiation more of a suspect issue here.

Now, the key to fixing stray RF is to isolate the problem component somehow. In a modular synth, this is going to be a major PITA, since there's nothing exactly "isolated" when it's in operation. It IS possible to add a ferrite across a ribbon (or two...one at the busboard end, the other at the module end) to keep this damped down...and if you're lucky, that might be all that's needed here. If NOT...OK, now it gets bonkers.

Also, check the power rails with an oscilloscope. No fooling. There could be power supply problems that, while you'll have the proper voltages on the rails, induce crud on the DC rails that can conceivably get past the busboard filtering. You want ruler-flat DC; if you see ripple or noise to an excessive degree, then the problem is the power supplies...and yeah, since they're OEM-type supplies, it IS conceivable that they could have the same circuit fault.

Lastly, and while I would be amazed if this was the case, how close are you to your current limits in each cab? It's worth noting that when you turn the system on, inrush current loads can be considerably higher for the fraction of a second when they happen than at any other time when the system is turned on. Best rule of thumb with current loading is to have at least 1/4th (and 1/3rd is better!) of your current max load "unused"...because the figures WE see in the MG specs are invariably for operational current, and NOT inrush values, and that headroom is needed for inrush. If you've exceeded 4 Amps in one of these...well, first of all, I'd be amazed...but if you're actually above 3A on your +12V rail, you're in that headroom area. Plus...the easier a load the P/S has to pull, the cooler it runs, and since heat is the enemy of electronic components, this helps lengthen the lifespan of the P/S itself.

Or in the end, you could just do what I do, and power your modulars with linear supplies. These are reliable, solid, noiseless as a rule, and while they're heavy and clunky, they ARE the sine qua non for powering modular synthesizers. I should note that I also do this with my amateur radio gear, and the results are worth it. Switching supplies are cheap, light, and simple, but even with decades of development, they're still just as capable of flaky behavior as they've always been.

Hi everyone,

Been searching high and low for tutorials on using the Doepfer A-171-2 VCS Slew Processor/Generator Serge clone module that came with my Doepfer A100 Basic modular system but cannot find anything on how to patch it and the manual is less than useless from Doepfer. Any ideas? It has Input, CV increase, CV decrease, exp CV, trig, cycle and end/output patch points.

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules they start to give off some noise.
-- morphon

what exactly do you mean by maxed-out - how close to the maximum are you on the power rails?

if you reduce the power draw - take out the most power hungry do you still have the problem?

maybe it's just time for another case and put a few lower power or passive modules in these cases to fill them up

otherwise Mantises have quiet and clean power (clean up to video rate)

Interesting. I'm running a full Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-420 without noise concerns or issues. Maybe ping someone at PM and ask about it?

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 20:02

Gonna throw this out there even though it might not exactly meet your criteria, but I've been considering buying a Crow by Monome to make a flexible microtonal quantizer, and similarly you could make a multichannel one, though given the number of inputs and outputs a multichannel one would require you to update the script to switch scales or change notes.

Ah but have you checked out the XL - extra modulation points - it's a bit more than a forbidden planet, but it is very good value for money

Same with Maths (again a bit more expensive) - there's a lot there for your money - and it would fill a lot of empty space!

another option for rectification is kinks - and you get sample and hold, noise and logic in a small inexpensive package

if you like inexpensive, then there's a lot of very good options with doepfer

@JimHowell1970 & @troux

I have had my eye on that FX AID too, I'm mostly always going for the keener priced options.

I also want to get the 8NU8R from Malekko Heavy Industry as it does Rectification, I could easily mult and i can mix and attenuate in the DPW AV-1. I've been suggested the Happy Nerding 3xMIA which looks like a good option for further LFO mixing, though if i didn't need Befaco STMIX for audio I could use that for blending some LFOs.

Good call on the AI Matrix Mixer, and its a DIY thats my sort of PCB density for my sanity when soldering!

I think I'll second @JimHowell1970 here, add a Maths.

It all depends on your musical goals.
Random and quantizing was important for me, so I first got Marbles (quantized random), then Bloom (opposite way).
And after a while, deeper 'ADN cooking' with URA plus Rnd Step, and... (the winner is :) ADDAC207, the solid choice.

It took me several months to discover (YouTube and forums), buy (Money, desperately a big key: 'That's What I Want', 'It's a gas', etc.), and learn (Manuals). And I'm still learning, and still resolutely don't want any traditional sequencer in my modular.

We must choose tools for the music we want to listen to.
So truly, which kind of music do you plan to ear from yourself?
The answer will be there. I'm not saying anything new...

PS: l use µMidi for Midi clock. Perfect.

@wishbonebrewery

@garfieldmodular
Just now I think the next module may be dictated by price (quite possible the Tiptop Forbidden Planet VCF), I do feel I'm always running out of effects I like the Wash of sound that Clouds reverb gives but if Clouds is doing proper Granular stuff then I need something to help create that ambient smeared wash of sound.

A bit more pricey - but a Happy Nerding FX Aid XL would do a significantly better job of 'ambient smeared wash sound' than a filter

@defragmenteur
I do have quite a bit of modulation, Ochd, 2hp RND which I'm really enjoying for the random gate lengths to control the Freeze button on Clouds, Noise Engineering Clep Diaz, but you are right, I do seem to run out of LFO's pretty easily. And I need to do more about modifying their range (Offsetting, Full & Half rectification and Mixing them).

I'd concentrate on the multing and modification of modulation rather than adding more - shades, kinks and a matrix mixer (AI Synthesis for example), maybe a sequential switch and some passive mults or stackcables will go a lot further than a few extra lfos

I'd also consider Maths as being an interesting complex modulation source - especially if you work your way through the online manual enough times that you can patch program it without thinking too much

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 12:36

@baltergeist
The aesthetic dimension is important. Regardless of the standards we have, our pleasure is visual too.
For example, please take a look at this page: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-beautiful-electric-guitar-ever-made, some are stunning. And you could easily find the same thing for pianos or harpsichords...

@sacguy71
Welcome in our 'wacky' universe, sacguy71. And yep, modular is fun. From the very beginning, and at each stage of our endless learning.
I saw your 'First patch Doepfer A100 Basic System' on YouTube too... a historical document!
A two notes primal loop caught out in a nearly total darkness :) Lovely.
I should have shoot my own first patch too... One thousand regrets.
Please keep yours forever!

True, but I don't really love the idea of changing two modules at the same time and they don't allow for custom scales or adding and removing notes. They do have the nice feature of CV-controllable transposition, though, which the µTune doesn't seem to sport.

You could get multiple 2hp Tune modules, fairly cheap, you could get 4x for less than the price of the ADDAC.

@garfieldmodular
Just now I think the next module may be dictated by price (quite possible the Tiptop Forbidden Planet VCF), I do feel I'm always running out of effects I like the Wash of sound that Clouds reverb gives but if Clouds is doing proper Granular stuff then I need something to help create that ambient smeared wash of sound.

@defragmenteur
I do have quite a bit of modulation, Ochd, 2hp RND which I'm really enjoying for the random gate lengths to control the Freeze button on Clouds, Noise Engineering Clep Diaz, but you are right, I do seem to run out of LFO's pretty easily. And I need to do more about modifying their range (Offsetting, Full & Half rectification and Mixing them).
Yes and Yes on the VCO and YES to Waveshaping, that is kind of the reason for thinking about a Pittsburgh Lifeforms Primary Oscillator as its already full of analogue waveshaping.
If I went for Rings or Plaits, I'd pick Plaits.

@sacguy71
Interesting, I quite fancy the Dual S&H from ADDAC, there looks to be plenty of options within it. Maybe a full on noise source like the SSF Quantum Rainbow.

Cheers All.

Hey, what's good? This is my very first post on the forums, feels like a great place.

I started assembling my rack in April and now I was looking to quantizers. I've got two voices in my rig and noticed the modules I've been having in mind only support a single input channel. Then I found this nice comparison chart¹ and extracted some candidates, but I'm still not really convinced and thought I'd ask for help.
My requirements would be 2 input channels, customizable scales, no screen, not wider than 10HP if possible and bonus points if microtunable.

ADDAC207: Unfortunately quite pricey
Kassutronics Quantizer: I don't really have good experience with soldering and stuff
Tenderfoot Quad: Only one custom scale and 12HP
Tubbutec µTune: Screen :\ But also a tuner and slim module
Shakmat Bard Quartet: Yet to be released

At first I was leaning towards the ADDAC, but now that I've gone through all of them again for writing this post I'm quite astonished as to what the µTune can do. I'm also looking for a way to get a clock from my MIDI sequencer and the µTune seems to be capable of handling that as well!?

So does anyone have any recommendations on this or practical experience to share in these regards?

¹ https://doudoroff.com/quantizers

EDITED Aug 29th 2020, 09:37

I have been experimenting with S&H using LFOs to trigger the module and noise module to sample. So far it is fun and I came up with this cool texture ambient patch this evening:

It is so relaxing to listen to. Amazing what one can do with this tiny module using a single oscillator and LFO.

Sample and Hold (S&H) and a noise generator would be great additions. I came up with some crazy ambient textures just with one VCO and one LFO because I fed these basic ingredients into a S&H module triggered by an LFO and sample noise.

Some suggestions...

More LFO (classic and random modulations)
Another analog VCO with FM input and Sync to complement the STO
A wavefolder
Rings to rule them all

Thanks, yeah will explore stuff tonite and this weekend. So fun! I did order a new Keith McMillen K-mix to chain my modular and other gear together and manage levels. Plus nice touch of the K-Mix mixer is that I can layer reverb and delay on the modular without buying a dedicated module for that. I do have some more modules on the way to fill the empty 84HP space heheh

Hi Mowse,

Yes, a very good start on a nice Friday evening :-) The track could go on and on and I still wouldn't have enough of it, I want more!

Nice work, enjoy your weekend and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Rijn,

That's a great part 3 finishing your project of video's :-) Pity of the current virus situation otherwise would be nice to see you at work in live situation.

Thanks a lot for sharing and I hope you will come up with more video projects like this one. Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Sacguy71,

He, he, yes, you are nicely busy with exploring your rack. Nice video, it's lovely to watch you playing and discovering the possibilities of the modules and modular synth in common :-) !

Try to give that A-110-2 VCO some CV input (as well as other modules).

Have fun, enjoy the weekend and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Morphon,

I am using several types of Doepfer cases (especially the low cost cases) and no noises and I am quite sensitive for disturbing noises. So with no noises I mean really no noises :-) Other than the noise(s) I produce with the modules themselves, naturally ;-)

Kind regards, Garfield Modular.

Hi Wishbonebrewery,

You are welcome :-) That's all what I wanted, have you made you think about some pointers I provided you. The rest is up to you, but looking at your comments, I think you follow up quite well on the subject :-) Provided the fact you have only one power socket free to use... that must give you some stress to make sure it's a good choice for the next module you are going to take ;-) Just teasing you!

Yes... for percussion I have a bit the same struggle as you do... shall I do that externally or also within Eurorack? Difficult to answer, I am not sure myself either. Hopefully time will teach us (hence more experience). I am still waiting for the Endorphin.es - Ground Control sequencer to become available, with that I hope to do some percussion, but I wonder if the Ground Control ever will be released?

Samples?! Yes good point, your feedback about my track I made is still in the background of my mind. I think I am going to follow up on your advice to use the Disting Mk4 for that but I need a few quiet moments to do some sample recording of some sounds and then see what Disting Mk4 can do for me. You done that already, so more sampling possibilities? How about the Erica Synths - Sample Drum? Or the Make Noise - Phonogene? I need to look a bit more into it as well but haven't come to a conclusion yet for my own situation. Let me know your experiences once you have moved forward with the sample "stuff" :-)

It would be interesting to know what your last/final module will be once you have made the decision before you have to think about some power extension.

Good luck, have a good weekend and kind regards, Garfield.

Morphon I have two Pittsburgh Modular cases (an EP-208 and a 360) and I'm curious how maxed out you're talking, I've never noticed this before.

Thanks Farkas!
I will check that one out.

Any other recommendations, anyone?

I've had great luck with my TipTop Mantises (Mantii?). No noise at all.

I am looking for recommendations for a super quiet powered case.

Currently, I have two Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208 cases but when maxed-out with modules they start to give off some noise.
Does anyone have any ideas for great quality 6U 104hp alternatives?

Thanks!

Recently purchased Radio Music from @templar arrived super quickly, great packaging, and perfect condition.

And finally, part three!

I'd like to find one

BeeqSynth

Sequencing & controle
- Nerdseq + 16 trigger + 16cv expander
- Polyend Preset
- 2x WMD Sequential Switch Matrix
- 2x Acid Rain Navigator
- 2x Shakmat Knight Gallop for Drums

3 voices:
- SSF ZPO (for bass)
- MI Tides (for lead) (Waiting for Frap Tools Brens0)
- Acid Rain Chainsaw (for chords, arps, drones)

drums:
- WMD Crater (KD)
- NE BIA (KD + percussion)
- WMD Chimera (percussion, metal hits)
- Patching Panda Hatz (CH + OH)
- Erica Pico Drums2 (Clap, Snare)
- 2 Channels Nerdseq Sampling for other percussion, drops, rises, etc)

Drum modulation:
- NE Mimetic Digitalis
- Malekko Voltage Block
- Patching Panda Punch
- Abstract Data Event Boss

Enveloppes / LFO:
- Frap Tools Falistri
- Intellijel - Quadrax
- XOAC Batumi
- O&C Robots 1U

Utilities / Random:
- Mannequins Cold Mac
- Frap Tools Sapel
- Frap Tools 333
- 2HP Comp (for sidechaining)
- Doepfer Waveshaper
- Doepfer Ring Mod + S&H

Filters:
- Verbos Four Pole HP, LP
- Joranaloque Filter8
- MI Ripples
- Erica Pico VCF3

Effects:
- The Gristleizer VCA module overdrive
- Allright Dev. Chronoblob2
- Tiptop Echoz
- Zvex Lofi Junky
- AJH Synth Next Phase
All Effects are mixed and muted by 2x WMD Sequential Switch Matrix

Aux Effects:
- 2HP Verb
- Erica Pico DSP

VCA/Mixers:
- Verbos Scan & Pan
- Joranaloque Mix3
- 6x Intellijel Quadratt 1U
- Acid Rain Switchblade
- XAOC Praga + Hrad (2x stereo end mix + Pan + aux + headphone)

it's common to refer to doepfer modules by their number, not their name - weird I know as it's difficult to remember!

googling the doepfer a-147-2 vcdlfo - https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&ei=RclIX_T9Ao7UsAe-q6EI&q=youtube+doepfer+a-147-2&oq=youtube+doepfer+a-147-2&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQDDIFCCEQoAE6BAgAEEdQwLwBWMC8AWDL4gFoAHABeACAAViIAaoBkgEBMpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwi0tIeJxr3rAhUOKuwKHb5VCAEQ4dUDCAw

lots of videos - but basically it's a resetable lfo with 4 waveforms, that has a vca attached which will open and close with the rise and fall of the delay lfo (unless something is plugged into the vca cv in - if nothing is plugged into the input then the triangle doepfer is sent to the vca input) and a delay which triggers after the lfo and starts a ramp which opens the vca and holds it open until re triggered - unless something else is plugged into the vca cv in - the delay ramp can also be patched to something else

same with the a-171-2

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&ei=Y8lIX6zmEsqxkwWf8bWICA&q=youtube+doepfer+a-171-2&oq=youtube+doepfer+a-171-2&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoECAAQR1CGyQlY484JYPbSCWgAcAJ4AIABUYgBigGSAQEymAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjso76Xxr3rAhXK2KQKHZ94DYEQ4dUDCAw&uact=5

basically slew is the rate at which a signal changes - a slew limiter slows this down - you have 2 ways of limiting the slew of a waveform - on the way up and on the way down - so you can take a waveform that looks like this |\ and turn it into one that looks like this /\ by altering the up-slew amount and then to this /| by altering the down-slew

if nothing is patched to the input and trigger is sent to the trigger input then a single envelope based off the up-slew/down-slew will be output

if the cycle switch is engaged - then it becomes an lfo based on the up-slew/down-slew

midi out of elektron to midi in of module - set elektron midi channel to the same that the module is set (read manual on how to set this) - at a guess - cv1 is pitch - patch this to the voct of a vco - patch gate to envelope

hope this helps - might be a good idea to get a basic oscilloscope - so you can see what is happening to your waveforms

Just bought something from @sebastopol and everything is fine.

Hey!! Thats an interesting way to look at things. :)
I recognise that I may need more VCA, though a lot of my patches only ever use one channel of the Veils at the moment, a VCA addition would be a MI Blinds as it will Offset as well as Attenuvert, I mainly started thinking about this when I was patching up for Ducking on the beat which meant setting an Offset with the AV-1 and inverting an envelope output from the Pip Slope which then went to 2 channels of the Veils so i could duck the volume when the Bass beat hit (I notice ST Modular do a well priced Stereo VCA with an offset, it looks like a perfect module for ducking).

Btw, my reason for asking for 1 more module, I have 1 power socket left with the current Tiptop uZeus' so 1 more module then I need to think about some Konstantlab Busboards and my future power use.

Multiples - yeah, thats plenty, though I could use a Buffered Mult for keeping some of my Clock signals at full strength as I sometimes find I can be stretching them a bit too far and it will miss triggering something at the end of line.

VCF - I have my eye on the Tiptop Forbidden Planet, its a good price and looks interesting.

VCO - I feel I have maybe 3 options here, Befaco, Electrosmith (good price) or Pittsburgh (bit expensive).

Percussion - I'm slightly torn whether to keep most percussion as outboard gear or whether to bring more into the rack, if mor percussion comes into the rack I would be looking at getting a good sequencer like the WMD Metron, I like that Drum Machines are easy to program and very direct as outboard gear, though when within the rack there are endless other possibilities for percussion that is not necessarily used as percussion.

Cheers for that Garfield, you have made me think!

One other thought... haha, is more ability to bring samples into the rack (but that would men me buying a digital recorder too so I could do some field recordings).

Played live on two Moog Mother 32's and a modular synthesizer.

Thank you both for the kind words. Looking forward to getting more time in this week.

Hi everyone,

Been learning how to use my new Doepfer A100 Basic System 1 that came with a few modules including two weird ones that are not common: the delay LFO called VCDLFO and the VCS Serge type Slew Processor/Generation module. I read the Doepfer manuals but they were confusing at best and lack patch examples. Unable to find anything on how to use these. Any ideas?

I am also trying to figure out how to hook up my Elektron Octatrack to the Doepfer A-190-4 USB/MIDI to CV/Gate module that is confusing for me.