EDITED Mar 21st 2019, 01:04

The PICO Drums seems like a poor choice to me, especially if you have drums on some of your other devices (like the Elektron gear). It would make a lot more sense to have gone with a PICO DSP so that you can have mono-to-stereo FX as part of the build. This would leave 1 hp (like it does now) which I'd suggest you fill with a Konstant Labs Power Checker...probably the smartest thing anyone can put in a 1 hp 'hole'.

The other thing I'm puzzling over is that if this is in a Happy Ending mounting and not something with a powered cab, where's your power supply?

Not sure about that. I managed to fit an ADDAC812VU which is 35 mm deep, with no problems.
-- ParanormalPatroler hhhmmmm, weird. I measured mine with fairly decent digital caliper.

Not sure about that. I managed to fit an ADDAC812VU which is 35 mm deep, with no problems.

Ideally, with those 4ms pods, could a mismatch in depth be highlighted?
-- liquid_air

Unfortunately the data here cannot be fully trusted. I run into such an issue where the depth info both in MG and in the manufacturer's manual is not true, which made me purchase a module which ought to fit in a Pod but didn't. 2hp Rnd v1 still has depth set as 34mm last time I checked and I had to reach out to manufacturer for a change. Real depth is 45mm with power cable, 40mm without. Both are too deep for a Pod and I have no idea why they don't state the real depth.
-- ParanormalPatroler I know! I bought a 2hp NSE and it's deeper then stated and wont fit in a Pod.

Also 4ms seems to have over stated the Pod depth at 34.1mm, from my measurements 32mm and under will fit, under 33mm might fit, and over 33mm probably wont fit. Maybe their prototypes and/or manufacturing proofs were 34.1mm deep but the production copies ended up a little shallower?

Ideally, with those 4ms pods, could a mismatch in depth be highlighted?
-- liquid_air

Unfortunately the data here cannot be fully trusted. I run into such an issue where the depth info both in MG and in the manufacturer's manual is not true, which made me purchase a module which ought to fit in a Pod but didn't. 2hp Rnd v1 still has depth set as 34mm last time I checked and I had to reach out to manufacturer for a change. Real depth is 45mm with power cable, 40mm without. Both are too deep for a Pod and I have no idea why they don't state the real depth.

Is there a way to have different rows to have different widths to plan module arrangements across different cases in one convenient location?
Say four rows 3U 88HP with an Intellijel 7U 104HP case.
-- liquid_air

You could just make one big case with many rows and then fill in the "shorter rows" with blind panels?

Perfect transaction with @fredeke - great comms, well packaged, fast delivery :)

Is there a way to have different rows to have different widths to plan module arrangements across different cases in one convenient location?

Say four rows 3U 88HP with an Intellijel 7U 104HP case.

no, that is not possible

Ideally, with those 4ms pods, could a mismatch in depth be highlighted?
-- liquid_air

In the Data Sheets view of your rack you see the deepest modules like in a spreadsheet view.

Hello What to you thinks about this modular ?

This is my first modular synth rack on Tiptop Audio Happy Ending Kit.
Currently I only have left three modules, Plaits, Rings and Marbles.
I also have Moog32, DFAM, 0-coast beside this, and some other synths, microKorg, microbrute, Rocket and Elektron boxes.
I am going to control via Keystep and SQ1. May also connect with Analog four.

I agree with Lugia— I have a MB 2 and a MB 2S and the 3U rack can feel very limiting. (Currently working with one 6u and one 3u rack now.) Perhaps you might want to try a smaller module like Expert Sleepers Disting which would add a lot of functionality. Also echoing the thoughts regarding filter — adding Polaris to my rack made a lot of new sounds possible. Finally, you may find the clock limiting on the 2S. A small clock divider/multiplier is really handy. 4ms makes a quad clock distributor that would allow you to trigger events at different rates. Good luck!

EDITED Feb 6th 2019, 05:51

Tempi Parameters

Uses the default 16 States, except State 1 uses Channel 1 @ 2x multiplication (other 5 channels are 1x as default)

BIA Parameter Changes

• musical effects achieved by varying
  Attack (from 12 o'clock to added noise and back),
  Decay (from CCW to a bit, rhythmically),
  Fold

Blofeld Parameters

Saved into B037 as "Home Improvement" it is an edited version of "House HS", maintains the interval relationships (for now) and basic waveshapes, but the user varies the Filter Env and Amp Env. There is also 50% keytracking on the filter cutoff
- can experiment with applying the LFO at varying speeds to Pitch and/or FM

Overview

The name comes from both an edited version of the "House HS" preset on the Waldorf Blofeld, but also a feeling that with this patch i've achieved a new layer of complexity and sonic interest.

Some key components here (some of which having not been used before):
1. KeyStep Sequencer Overdub Recording: where changing tempos of notes inputted changes the tempo on the Tempi (takes KS Gate Out as Leading Tempo)
2. KeyStep varying gate lengths, with interplay between KS gate lengths and Rings Damping length
3. Ears Contact Mic with Blofeld audio in
4. Ears Gate Out (dependent on both key press velocity (because Blofeld interprets it from Keystep), and Blofeld Amp/Filter Envelope values)
5. Disting B4 Clockable Delay/Echo including changing the Z Knob Feedback for different experiences of the delay
6. Tempi, Channels 1 and 2 dictating Disting's Delay Speed (CH. 1) and BIA's Trigger In (CH. 2)
7. Rings in Sympathetic Strings Mode

EDITED Feb 6th 2019, 05:15

Yes and no. Like you note, this current build is really limited. I'm presuming you'll be relying solely on the 2S's filter which is...OK, up to a point, but you could try and add something small here. The overall problem you'll be facing in a 3U Rackbrute is space, so going with large widths on your modules is a bad idea. Consider smaller alternatives or, perhaps more sensibly, go with the 6U version which would then open up another 88 hp for additional modules with which you can work in the Rackbrute or use them to alter the 2S's functions. But even then, I still suggest you keep the module sizes small...you want as much functionality as you can get in that tight a cab.

Is there a way to have different rows to have different widths to plan module arrangements across different cases in one convenient location?

Say four rows 3U 88HP with an Intellijel 7U 104HP case.

Ideally, with those 4ms pods, could a mismatch in depth be highlighted?

Should be working again.

Hi there!

I recently got a drumbrute impact and a minibrute 2s and I'm now planing to expand it with some modules. I'm a complete noob and I'd like to make sure if this setup makes any sense at all or I'm getting it completely wrong.

I wouldn't get all the modules at once - this modular thing is quite expensive - so I'd buy one at a time starting with the shapeshifter, which I could patch with the minibrute 2s sequencer and VCA. From there I think it makes sense to get more VCAs and envelope generators before getting the erbe-verb, otherwise my patches are going to be very limited.

Does this rack make any sense to expand on the minibrute 2s?

It’s a wonderful day for wavetables! Just added the super expressive Waldorf NW1 module to the rack.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bte2c42lSyx/

All of a sudden this morning it stopped displaying modules. I am signed in but my rack is but a shell. Internet Explorer 11

TrueGrid is back!

It's back!

TrueGrid is back

TrueGrid is a modular synth that runs in the browser. It was a very ambitious project in 2013 and for that reason never matured to a stable version. In times of VCV Rack I thought it does not make any sense anymore so I disabled it last year. (Though it was always kind of available if you had mad haxor skillz.)

But what the heck , some people like it, so it is back again. I have fixed a lot of small annoying bugs and added an Audio Enable/Suspend button. That is required for Chrome, because that browser does not allow to blast audio on page load anymore.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/synth

Wow, thank you Lugia for your extremely detailed explanations and your effort! This is absolutely inspiring, it is much more than I had tested in my modular grid rack. Need to wrap my head around it now. I know that I really need stereo delay and am thinking if a more multi effect with all these mod sources, but it‘s a great start!

EDITED Feb 5th 2019, 11:18

Hi Benjolin users!

We know the Benjolin is pretty much a instrument by itself, very capable of generating streams of amazing events with little tweaking effort. Lately though I have been experimenting with combining the Benjolin with other modules, with Benjolin as the center of generative patches.

How do you use the Benjolin? Which other modules do you surround it with?
Please discuss!

Thank you!

I'm not for it, but I'm now used to it when I'm looking for something that I know should be there. But then again, I know how to do a proper search. I haven't seen a huge increase in the number of duplicates - so unless something happens let's keep it at that.

Nice!

Thanks for that round-up, some exciting stuff there that would have passed me by.

-- Dom78

Likewise :-)

EDITED Feb 5th 2019, 07:25

Careful with your module depths, tho...the 4ms pods max out at 34mm, which significantly limits your possible modules. For example, a good Maths substitute in 4hp less space would be a pair of Doepfer A-171-2s, but at 60mm depth there's no way they'd fit. The Maths, at 24mm, may in fact be the right way to go here. Let's see...(pause)...OK, this:

60 hp 4ms Pod: Konstant Labs power checker, then a Bastl Hendrickson for an input, which allows you to crossfade with the output on the module. This means that you can use the Hendrickson's 1/4" output as a "clean" channel to your amp and crossfading allows you to control your wet/dry levels, either manually or via CV. An Erica PICO RND gives you a sine/pulse LFO, clock (plus clock in from an external sync), noise and random signals and one of two sample and holds, and next to that a Doepfer A-184-1 contains the other S&H, plus a ring mod and a slew limiter to 'smooth' your S&H shifts. Maths next, then I opted for an Eventide Euro DDL for massive delay flexibility, including looping, reverse delays, tap tempo (and the Euro DDL can also serve as your master clock, clocking the PICO RND) and CV over time, feedback, delay mix and an internal LPF. Following that is something very guitar-nifty, and that's a 3-band EQ with CV over frequency on each band. Coupled with the Maths, this will allow loads of timbral shifty weirdness. The CIAO! output allows you to run the EQ in either series or parallel, since it has dual stereo ins. Oh, and a headphone amp, too. Now, this doesn't exactly address things like reverb, etc for stereo operation, nor does this deal with the depth issue I mentioned...but I really intended this more as an example of what's possible in that tight a cab which you can work off of as a basis for ideas.

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 23:37

G-Storm's replications are top-notch, IMHO. I'm quite familiar with the sound of both the Jupiter-6 VCF (mine is sitting about 5 feet to my left) and the ARP 4012 VCF from the original ARP 2600 versions (loads of experience with those), and they pretty much nail the sound of the originals while adding a few extra bonuses such as dual inputs and much smaller sizes than quite a few of the other replications. Noting that you had the Jove in there was a big key in opting for that change, freeing up that extra chunk of space.

Thanks, best is probably to just start with anything and go from there.

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 20:19

@Lugia I love that G-Storm Jupiter-6 filter, sounds amazing from the demos. And that Happy Nerding 3x VCA looks awesome... Never knew that was even a thing!

So here's what I'm tentatively settling on at the moment:

The only things I'm tossing around are perhaps replacing one of the two DigiVerb 1U's with a second Pedal I/O, or perhaps replacing the uRings 8HP with some other tasty thing, maybe utility, another filter, or even more VCAs. Not sure if that additional voice is more important over other capabilities...

Thanks again for your depth of insight!!! Much appreciated...

I finally found an Intellijel 104HP in stock and ordered... Most are sold out here in the US... I'll be building it out over the coming months... I may not have a wife by the end of this journey... LOL...

D

2hp EG times two comes to mind. Add to that LFO, Mix, VCA as needed. All of that in half the rack space of a single Maths.

Thanks for that round-up, some exciting stuff there that would have passed me by.

The Harmonaigh gives the intervals from one source but gives a 1v/Oct signal for each so you need four good stable oscillators to get the most from it, you’ll probably find you use the Distings for reverb/delay/mod and controlling mod and you’ll probably want Plonk on percussive more than harmonic duties.Qu-bit’s chord generates it’s own sound for each and with V2 coming out soon the original unit might be pretty affordable(seen a couple on eBay already since NAMM) Quadnic’s got a polyphonic mode too and the wave sequencing mode with this is fantastic but no decent demos really, I’ve got both and if I’d picked up the Quadnic first I probably wouldn’t of bought Chord but I’m glad I’ve got it and doubt I’ll part with it anytime soon if that makes sense. I’ve not tried Marbles so can’t really comment on whether it would stand up to the task of sequencing everything but whilst it’s capabilities are quite exciting I wouldn’t personally want to be without a more traditional sequencer as well.

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 15:39

Hey guys,

I‘m thinking about replacing my Memory Man delay pedal (used for the Se-02 / 0-coast / digitakt) with something that allows deeper delay/reverb/sound transformations:

• 4ms pod 60 powered
• Erica synths Black Hole 2 or 4ms dual looping delay or similar
• a small fx modul to transform/shape the sound if enough space (ringmod, filter, etc)
• Modulation source

Modulation source:
Maths is overkill for this setup I think (is it?), but what alternative(s) come(s) closest in terms of depth of possibilities and is small enough to fit in a 4ms pod?

Thanks a lot!

Frank

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 15:42

Thanks for the answer,

I think the Harmonàig takes cv and spits a 3rd 5th and 7th out isnt? I was thinking to take for example x1 of marbles to the cv in of harmonaig and take the cv outs to other OSCs like osc 1 and 2 of neutron, plonk or other osc from disting mk4. Would that work?

For sequencing, I am relying mainly on Marbles, as I am planning this eurorack as an ambient machine, mainly with the use of controlled randomization, and chance

And the neutron there is mainly as I have it, and to keep things under 2k as a starting point :).

Would that work?

You’re not going to do much with the Harmonaigh with that setup and I’d definitely keep the Neutron standalone, are you sequencing from external sources?

Hi there!

I'm about to pull the trigger and get my first 6U. I have the Neutron so that is my starting point. I have been exploring for something like a year since I met modular last year. I wanted some recommendations on my sketch and I have not been able to get some on other groups. Here is my sketch:

My main interest in modular is tamed randomization, quantized polyrhythmic, or not synced sequences, mixed sound sources like analog VCO's with physical modeling, etc. I chose an insert fx module since I have pedals I like to use with synth.

Drums are not in my needs since I prefer boxes for that.

Thanks in advance

Overview

• A simple patch to get to know Ears by Mutable Music Things, based on the first patch in DivKid's overview video:
• Ears' Microphone/Audio Out is sent to the Audio Input of Rings, while its' Gate is set to the Trigger Input on Disting F6: Shift Register Random Quantized CV's
• Disting F6 takes each gate and advances a random sequence, which is usually free running but sometimes the sequence is locked in place (length: 16) by turning Z knob hard CW
• Disting A Output goes to Rings 1v/oct
• Rings' Brightness is modulated by a Sine LFO from DixieII, whose Linear FM input is itself modulated by the CH. 1 Unity Output on Maths (Maths is cycling with the AD envelope rate being modulated by Pittsburgh Micro Sequence)
• Pittsburgh Micro Sequence is in Direction Mode #6: Transpose mode, where instead of the normal 8-steps you have 4 transposed 4-step sequences (16 steps total)
• Operating Ears is done with quick finger attacks and/or scraping with a spare patch cable

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 06:14

Actually, this has more problems than just not enough VCAs. For instance, why have two dual ring modulators when you only have two sound sources (Mangrove and W)? That's basically three ring modulators too many. The excess of those huge Just Friends modulation sources are a problem as well. And while the Meng Qi output stage isn't a bad idea per se, it also doesn't leave you any way to control your output levels.

As for EGs, you actually have those with the Maths, albeit only rise/fall-type envelopes with a little extra trickery. The Just Friends works as these as well, but I've always viewed those as more LFO-ish. Anyway, the problem with the Maths is size; at 20 hp in this small a build, it hogs a lot of hp, then add to that the size of the Just Friends modules, and you've got more space being used for modulation than anything else. There seems to be an overall theme here; it seems as if much of this was done based on the "Top Modules" list instead of engineering the skiff build for maximum functionality, and while those are definitely good picks, they're good picks for a larger system. For a single row of 104 hp, you need to tackle the space problem as a primary issue.

Lastly, the Monome noise issue. I'm going to venture a guess that the noise in question is hum, and that when you switch in the Meng Qi's ground lift, it goes away. If that's the case, you have a ground loop, and the fault isn't any of the equipment per se, but an issue with your synth and your mixer/DAW input/etc being on different grounds and they're trying to establish a ground path through your audio line. But if the noise issue is hiss/frizz/digital hash sounds, then the problem is actually in your connecting cable, and you need a USB cable that has a ferrite isolator on it. But my guess leans very much toward the hum, as it's a lot more typical and the Monome Grid should be USB powered from the Ansible, if I remember right.

Gonna mess with this a bit...brb...

Now this accomplishes the same general ends as your build, plus adds some extra functions that you just didn't have room for. In the same 104 hp, and no deeper than 45 mm, we have...

A Konstant Labs power checker, for starters. There's an extra 1 hp left over, plus you seem to have some odd power issues, so this was a no-brainer. Then the Ansible. Next comes your Mangrove, W, and a 2 hp Sine which is a wavefolding sine VCO, added as a carrier for the ring modulator, which is in the next module along with a sample and hold, plus a slew gen. Last thing in this section is a 4 -> 1 2hp mixer.

Modulation section got majorly revamped. I went with Codex's 8 hp version of Mutable's Tides as a main LFO, then there's two PipSlopes, which are CVable AD generators with looping capability. Those do much of the same work as the VCS cores in the Maths. Four ADSRs under one panel are next with the Doepfer A-141-4, which allows you to change envelope values in a ganged fashion via CV. Taken altogether, that's actually a bit more going on than you'd find with a Maths. Then the Cold Mac goes next to these to allow complex interactions between modulation sources.

Next are a pair of Tiptop's Steiner Synthacon VCFs. An incredible multimode with loads of character, having two allows you to split your audio and impose two different filter profiles onto that. Then a Dual VCA sums these down via its two-channel mixbus and sends this on to the Sisters for final formant filter manipulation. Then, a copy of the classic Moog CP3 mixer allows you to mix (with a touch of euphonic distortion, pretty much like the Minimoog's VCO mixer, based on the CP3) the Sisters with the Tiptop duo or your Meng Qi passive LPGs, if that's desired, and it goes on to the Erica DSP for effects and stereoization. Last, we have a Happy Nerding Isolator, which gives you a stereo pair of transformer-isolated 1/4" outs with a ganged stereo level control.

This, to me, makes more sense. This not only accomplishes the same sort of functionality as your build, but adds a lot more functions and also, a lot more in the way of possible routings in both audio and modulation paths. And with the Monome gear, you now have plenty of things with which it can interact, making for a more elaborate instrument in terms of sonic potential. I'm assuming, also, that for mults you'll be using inline mult widgets of some sort, which is the best option in a space-limited build such as this.

EDITED Feb 4th 2019, 01:12

Hey liquid thanks for the reply I’d use the 1 of the just friends as the env gen. I should of mentioned sorry I have a make noise powered skiff. The I/O I have really helps cut the noise issue out when my grid is plugged into ansible. Thanks for the link I will check out those options

Yeah, also getting all these sound sources out could be iffy, as I think you only have the ModDemix as a mixer.

In a system this size, I'm wondering whether Maths is the best use of HP real estate, as you could for almost the same HP get an Envelope generator (you do want one of those) and a micro quad VCA.

You also are going to need to power your rack, unless you have a built in power supply using no HP. Not sure why you would use a passive I/O module, but there are nice powered alternatives from Happy Nerding or 4ms.

See how this here resonates with you:

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_841372.jpg

If you don't need the 4HP power, you could always throw a Disting MK4 in there.

https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_693456.jpg

I have a monome grid and my thoughts were top line sounds from the mangrove and makenoise gear and just friends modulated by just friends but afraid their is not enough VCA

Instead of drawing it (didn’t really work on my iPad) here is a video.

The patch is described in more detail in the YT video.

So, to those more experienced, do you think this is overly complicated or sort of on point? To me it sounds really nice, so I’d say it’s just right. But, alas, you guys may have some nice ideas.

Btw. pending additions to the rig you see are: 4ms VCAMatrix, Malekko Quad Envelope, Mutant Brain, Manis Iteritas, QPAS (all ordered, so that’s a commitment).

KICK ASS!!! for January 2019

What the hell?...you'd think some sort of huge synth trade show had been going on. Oh...wait, it WAS!

As promised, NAMM month brought a bumper crop of Eurorack tastiness. Winter NAMM is the largest music retailer trade show in N. America, and as Eurorack moves on further into the mainstream consciousness of synthesists, it was bound to happen that this was going to be pretty brain-exploding!So, here's an ultra-long rundown of the best MG Eurorack picks for just the past month of listings here on everyone's fave synth reference.

Nonlinearcircuits Signum Hyperchaos, Spasm, Digital Filter Simulator, GENiE: Not just one new chaotic toy, but four from Nonlinearcircuits. The Signum Hyperchaos is an expansion of their previous Hyperchaos line, adding CV-controlled switching and further bits of randomness arcana. Spasm is a new take on jerk-type chaotic circuitry, using vactrols as control elements. Want chaos? It's got plenty of that! Then there's the Digital Filter Simulator...which is and isn't a filter as we're used to it. In this case, it's more of a complex bit-crushing chopping-type sample-and-hold, with other extremely wrong ideas, and capable of being used on either audio or CV! And the GENiE is a three-neuron logic (or, in this case, more like ILlogic) -based signal processing mayhem for CVs, although you could also use it with audio for interestingly problematic results. There's a lot here for a lot of different schools of synthesis...generative types will likely go bonkers on these, plus there's possibilities for the industrial/noise crowd, possibilities for intricate alteration of sequencing/clocking behavior, and on and on! Check the listings for each for hp and $$$, as well as more detailed descriptions of each plus video of these modules causing all sorts of trouble.

ADDAC System ADDAC306: Have you ever found yourself wishing you had five hands to make CV and/or modulation changes? ADDAC has your fix, without the painful and messy surgery: their VC Transitions module. This little wonder puts five different CV signals under the control of a single crossfader-type slider, allowing you to set up big global shifts under a single gesture. Not only that, but you have total control over the degree of change as well as direction, plus this can be expanded to four more channels of control with a second ADDAC306. And as if that wasn't enough, this thing also can function as something of an “envelope relay”...patch an ADSR to the CV IN, and then define five totally different voltage contours that follow your original envelope. Definitely one of the smartest controllers I've seen in a hot minute. 8 hp, approx $135.

Takaab SMIX: Too simple, you say? Nothing's too simple. Take this 2 hp widget from Siam Modular, for instance. Basically, it's a passive mixer; you get either two 3->1 circuits or one big 6->1 one. No current draw, stoopid-tiny (14mm) depth, $20. Why concentrate on something this simple? Well, I think loads of us have found ourselves in a situation where we just need to merge some modulation signals, but we didn't have a mixer with knobs handy, or maybe even space for another one of those, or just couldn't justify adding that cost-wise. If you've found yourself in that quandry, this is your fix. Granted, with it being a passive device there's a bit of signal loss, but if you're dealing with modulation signals that's not going to be majorly consequential.

And now, two different takes on stompbox integration altogether...

AI Synthesis AI006 Stomp Box Adapter: This is the simple approach. Send and return level adjustments to set your gain structure properly, and that's it. Oh...that's not it, though, because this useful little thing fits in 2 hp, making it the smallest stompbox I/O to date! For those wishing you could find a way to cram in a send/return module for an external FX chain, well, here's an easier way. $70.

Adventure Audio Merge: And now, the utterly bonkers approach! This is FX send/return taken to the point of utter madness...incorporating an envelope follower, logic aspects, a level comparator, rectification for additional distortion, all sorts of internal routing voodoo, in addition to the usual gain-staging controls and I/O connections. Amazingly, this is so complex that you really need a look at its listing for yourself, something I find pretty astonishing for a send/return. And you don't just have to use it for that, as it also makes for a useful line-level input module with a lot of bells and whistles. 16 hp, $249.

Erica Synths Plasma Drive: Gamechanger Audio came out with this pedal last year, a somewhat-frightening device with a little tube of actual lightning zapping around inside a plasma tube, which allowed for lots of distortion and waveshaping tricks of a unique nature, given that the main element functions as a tube rectifier. Erica's working with these maniacs, apparently...because here's that same thing as a Eurorack module with the addition of CV over the distortion level and mix, plus trigger-switchable octave-up and down tracking oscillators for more harmonic craziness. And the real shocking part (ahahaha!!! shocking! get it? uh...anyway...) is that even with the plasma discharge thingy, this only draws 150 mA, so not only can you use your regular old Eurorack supply, the draw isn't too hideous for a no-foolin' tube device. This drops later this month so no pricing for this 16 hp Frankenstein module yet, but given that the original stompbox retails for $299, expectations seem to call for a price somewhere not too far above that.

Ladik M-053: Ahhh, Ladik...purveyors of useful small objects for not a helluva lot of money! In this case, they've come up with an AUX mixer. Three thru-busses get tapped twice, then sent to two three-channel mixers. The idea, of course, it that you'd insert this into a signal path and use them as FX sends where needed, but I see these as having more possibilities than that. You could create different mixes of three VCOs, for example, and send those to separate VCFs. Or you can use use this to split signal chains up from any sources and apply different processing, envelopes, etc, making it a boon for transitions in longer pieces or live performance. Nicely done! 8 hp, approx $62.

Tesseract Modular TEX MIX System: Speaking of mixers, there's this. Or rather, these. The TEX MIX system consists of three different modules, which can be combined as you like. The main module, the Master Section, is where the power connection to your bus board takes place and is essential. It has two stereo AUX returns, two mono AUX sends, stereo master and cue outputs, and a headphone amp. From this, you can mix and match as you like with the 4 Mono Channels or 4 Stereo Channels modules. The former has vactrol VCAs, AUX 1 and 2 send controls (including a pre/post-fader switch for AUX 1), panning per channel, level, and a switch to either mute or send a channel to the cue bus. Similarly, the 4 Stereo Channels has controls as above, but no VCAs. So, between these three modules, you can cobble together a bespoke performance mixer that fits your specific needs. And not for a load of cash, either; the Master is $67, 8 hp, and the Channels are 12 hp modules for $78.

Happy Nerding 4xMUTE: ...and if you want true mutes, why not toss a few of these in? 4 channels of electronically-switched clickless muting in a measly 4 hp. Each channel has a status LED in its control button, and comes in either silver or black panels. The 4xMUTE also works on CVs as well, so that makes it even more useful as a live performance controller for dropping in or taking out modulation signals, killing CV sends to switch VCOs to drones, and loads more. $100, 4 hp.

Tokyo Tape Music Center Sequential Voltage Source Model 123, Timing Pulse Generator Model 140, Bandpass Filter Model 194: As of NAMM, it appears that Buchla has taken back their Series 100 mantle, taking over production of Catalyst Audio's Series 100 reduxes as their “Red Panel” line. And add that fact to these fun toys from Tokyo, and we're getting damn close to having real Buchla 100 happiness again, but in Eurorack (although Buchla's also making the 100 modules they have in 4U as well)! Tokyo Tape Music Center's got their version of the Model 123 8x3 sequencer ready to go, along with the corresponding Model 140, basically the system's clock generator. Plus, they've also tossed out the first of the bandpass filters, offering four audio passbands from a single input, as the Model 194. This is pretty cool, as it means that much of the bread-n-butter of the Series 100 is now off-the-shelf available for Eurorack. The 140 and 194 are 14 hp, and $390 and $240 respectively, and the 123 comes in at a double-width of 28 hp for $590.

Rossum Electro-Music Trident: OK, we all know what a complex oscillator is (speaking of Buchla). Two oscillators played off of each other to create complex spectra, of course. But Dave Rossum could leave well enough alone, so this would be...an insanely-complex oscillator? Not two, but three VCOs are in this thing, with one acting as the 'carrier' and two more in various sorts of modulation guises. And they have Zing! What's Zing, you ask? Well, check the listing...because this one needs to be seen to be believed. Way too much complexity to explain here, plus so many uses I'd be going on for a whole page running them down! Could this be the ultimate West Coast VCO? It's possible... 30 hp, $599.

Make Noise QPAS: And yet more West Coast-tinged craziness! Tony Rolando's been popping up on YouTube and such with this module, a stereo state-variable multi-peak, brain-meltingly complex VCF. This is another one of those “I'm not explaining it here; go see it for yourself” ones, as the potential for use/abuse of this is off the charts. This is so versatile that if your small build has room for only one VCF, you must consider this one. All this craziness fits in 18 hp for $379.

Qu-Bit Electronix Prism, Bloom: ...and the hits just keep coming! Qu-bit dropped a pair of new toys. The Prism is described as a “multi-dimensional signal processor”, offering several useful manglers behind a 12 hp panel. It's got a state-variable VCF, bit-crusher, a “freeze” buffer and a comb filter-based reverb/resonator all in one for $249. But perhaps crazier still is the Bloom...a 32-step “fractal sequencer”that generates patterns based on fractal algorithms. Two channels, too, with 32 memories for sequences per channel, per step slewing and ratcheting and onboard clocking. This is definitely another “must-see” for the generative crowd, or anyone who wants to add some spice to their sequencing arsenal. 16 hp, $329.

2hp Grain, Bell: And don't leave the tiny module guys at 2hp out, no! They dropped a few new toys, but notable among them are an insanely-small granulator for a stoopid-cheap $149, and a physical modeler based on struck metallics for $149 as well. These go a bit beyond the 'space-filler' category many people put 2hp's modules in, being very simple and cost-effective devices with which to add some interesting and CVable digital textures.

Verbos Electronics Mini Horse, CV Processor: Mark Verbos has got a few new West Coasty toys for us. The first is a compact 12-plate touch controller, with individual and bussed outputs for gate, pressure, and position. This has a bit more going on than your typical keyboard, as pressure and plate-position are used here as extra modulation aspects, in addition to a fixed 0-10 V CV and a per-step variable CV on each plate. Also, the position outputs are latched, so not only could this be used as a pitch controller, but as a set of twelve touchplate faders for any sort of use. (42 hp, approx $675) Then there's the CV Processor...which combines Serge-like VCS fun up top with two lower CV processing sections not unlike the long-discontinued Buchla Model 257, offering loads of voltage math and mixing functionality. Plus, this has a very interesting “Bounce” circuit that adds the fun of “voltage overshoot”. More or less a Swiss Army Knife for CV manipulation that most anyone would find a use for. Pricey at approx $505, true, but for the Cadillac of CV alteration, I could see dropping that much, especially for that much function in 18 hp.

Plankton NUTONE: You know you want this. No pricing as of yet...but what we have here is a module that makes use of Korg's Nutube triode, a vacuum tube based on a fluorescent display, giving two VCAs with lots of overdrive potential for warm, fuzzy hollow-state distortion. Each channel also has a “feedback” control, which can increase gain to the point of internal feedback, allowing a lot of sonic mayhem. Plus, unlike normal tube circuits, this thing is very current friendly, drawing only 55 mA on the +12 and 17 mA on the -12 rails. Switchable between individual and parallel processing, making it very stereo-friendly. When we gonna know the price, Plankton!?

ph Multiple dual channel: Back to the simpler things. One of the annoying things about switched mults is that it can be difficult to see which way the switches are pointing. Enter ph's Multiple dual channel, a dual switched mult...with the added benefit of bicolor LEDs to show which channel is switched to the two mult busses. Smart! Plus, they give you a third middle position for 'off', so you can quickly drop something off a bus. There's three LED color combos available, but for the best contrast I'd recommend the BR (blue/red), as blue LEDs are glaringly (literally!) obvious, making for easy on-a-glance checks of the routings. A great live performance tool, to say the least! 6 hp, and dirt-cheap at $52!

Nozoid NOZORI: And now, we blow your mind. These two modules are based on an ARM Cortex M3. The 68 is dedicated to analog-style synth functions, while the 84 handles the digital-style ones. And each module has the ability to pose as 20 or so different virtual modules! With the addition of the 2 hp Expander, which has the behind-the-panel function jumpers of each Nozori brought out to a DIP switch pack, you can change the Nozori modules in your rig at will, potentially giving you a wholly-different modular in the process! Nozoid is working on additional module models, also. And these are quite skiff-friendly things, with 27 mm depths and only 150 mA draw on the +12V rail. Can't make up your mind about what you want in your skiff? Fine...use these, and you don't have to! Switch 'em, drop on a new function overlay, and you're golden! 12 hp, $280 each.

Konstant Lab FleXi: Blind panels are a pain. As your build progresses, you find yourself swapping and swapping them, filling the new gaps with combinations of these. There's got to be a better way! New, from K-Tel...uhm...Konstant Labs, the FleXi! These blind panels are actually sliding panels, allowing you to cover a variety of widths simply by unmounting the FleXi, adjusting the width, and remounting it. The S covers 6-12 hp, $13, the M deals with 12-24 hp widths for $17, and the L covers 24-48 for $20. Brilliant! How did you live without these!

Reverse Landfill Creep Cluster: Noise. Lots of it. Droning, hideous, jarring. Like that idea? You'll want this, then. The Creep Cluster contains two oscillators that pass through a switch that's also clocked at audio rates, fed into a filter...and the result is TROUBLE. Doubt me? Follow the link on the listing to Reverse Landfill's Etsy, and check the audio clips. It's sort of like a poor man's complex oscillator that woke up on the wrong side of the bed! One of the most noiserrific things I've seen since Schlappi's Interstellar Radio, the harsh noise crowd is going to go batshit crazy over 'em! 8 hp, $62-ish.

SSSR Labs Wobla: Another interesting controller, this...in two flavors (jack-up, jack-down), you get a CV offset source under the control of a single fader, with switchable behavior characteristics. At 3 hp, they take up very little space, making them idea for slapping together in a bundle of several to create remote fader controls for other synth functions elsewhere in your rig. Or you can connect 'em to multiple mixed VCAs to create a VCA mixer with fader controls. Or probably a lot of other stuff. $40...which is stoopid-cheap!

Paratek: Now, we all know that synthesizers contain only two essential parts: twistenknobs und blinkenlichts. Do YOU have a blinkenlicht deficiency? The Russians at Paratek have you covered! In under the wire on 31 January, they dropped eighteen new modules, all of which are useful in various indicator-type ways. LED bargraph meters, analog meters, “magic eye” tube meters, signal visualizers, and nixie-tube gate counters are all part of this line, which also provides passive mults in each module. So now, you have no excuse...make that modular BLINK!!!

And now, a little dive into the 1U zone...

Plum Audio 1u Tiles: This sort of blew my mind. Plum Audio, which also does normal 3U versions of some of the Mutable and other microprocessor designs, has four of these in 1U tiles as well! In 20 hp for $150, you can have the Apex (Peaks clone) or the Wavelet (Ripples clone). And in 30 hp for $300, you can get 1U tile versions of the super-useful Temps Utile or Ornament & Crimes! These are super-useful modules in their own right, but being able to mash them into this tiny form-factor is truly amazing, and for those using standard tiles, super-beneficial. 1U has been simmering for a while, and really started to open up with Intellijel's adoption of their take on the format. Now Plum Audio's got some high-end function for the rest of the 1U user base.

PulpLogic Selecter: And from one of the originators of the whole tile thing, here's a very nifty adder device: three inputs get added in different combinations with a five-position switch. Three positions add the A, B, or C with the addition of some internal +/1 1V offsets. And note...I said “add”, because this does some CV math, allowing you to also use this as an octave switch with no A or C inputs in addition to adding the sum of inputs A+B or B+C. A very smart device, with loads of possibilities for live performance or just all-around convenience.

And that...is...IT for January 2019. Took me an extra day to sort and collate all of this, but these are the sorts of inconveniences I like to run into, because it means that modular is alive, well, and thriving! Until next month...