Thread: rackv1

First off welcome, seems like you're just starting your modular journey.

Some questions to help us make some suggestions:
* What do you mean when you say "sound design stuf or to be able to sequence dubby note?"
* What are your specific musical goals, and what is is about modular that you think can help you get there?
* Do you have outboard gear that you're planning on connecting to this rack?
* How much of your planned rack do you already own, or can we suggest different modules?
* Do you already have your case?

Now, some thoughts. Looking at your rack, I'm seeing a lot of interesting modules that do not feel like a cohesive whole. Did you envision a signal path when designing this rack? I do that often when planning my racks: trying to visualize the signal from start to exit and think of the ways I might wish to manipulate it along its path. That way I start to think about which circuits and functions I'm likely to want.

So, let's look at your system: I'd start with the Euclidean Circuits putting out triggers, which trigger random voltages on the A-149-4, then sends those CV signals to the quantizer (potentially attenuated on Maths first). The CV then goes into v/oct on the oscillator/s and to a VCA. Simultaneously, the trigger would get sent to Maths or the function generator to become an envelope, then into the VCA it goes. Now, we send to the FX. Woohoo! A signal path, and one with some funky randonmess in it, too. Not bad. Of course, we're talking modular, which means that there should be innumerable ways to move a signal around your system to make for interesting results. So, let's start thinking how we're going to make a second, totally different patch from the first on your planned instrument... hmmm. Looking at your plan, I'm not seeing too many ways to move around your system and make workable signal paths.

You need to start thinking about the connecting pieces of your modular synth; the modules that tie things together, manipulate signals, and otherwise do utilitarian things - utilities. These are the modules that allow you better use the "interesting" modules you already have planned. You have a few (Maths, for example), but these should dominate your module collection. These utiltiies will provide flexibility in your patch designs and allow your to create more interesting paths around your system. Of course, there are thousands of utility modules out there, how do you know what you need, particularly when you've never played around with one before to see what it can do? Well, this is where you need to refine your goals for the instrument. Do you want it to be multivoiced? Do you want it to be stereo? Do you want it to be generative or playable (or both)?

Think about the above for a bit; watch how-to videos and read the manuals, and then try tooling around with your plan again. In particular, you may want to look at matrix mixers, sample and holds/track and holds, attenuators/attenuverters, and mixers. Of course, this being modular, the choice really is yours.

Good luck and have fun!

Edited since I'm a stickler for grammar.


Hello there, first post, first rack, at least one I want to talk about and ask for some advice on what could be improved / replaced.

here it is : ModularGrid Rack

I have an Intellijel 7u performance case and I want to do live (Ambient, glitchy, experimental, noise) around textures, use of samples, or even backing tracks, CC/EQ from Ableton with Es-8, maybe ES-9 ; and use eurorack for live sampling / fxs / treatment, live acoustic instruments with mics.

Got a Blofeld for pads, atmos etc... Doepfer Black Energy II for drones/basses (sequenced via Ableton) and I was thinking about using a turntable with external mobile preamp (Phono In/line Out) to use some concrete noises from vinyls I have through Arbhar. I also have Data Bender ,Monsoon, 100 Grit, Melotous Versio, Faille Temporelle.

I wanted a matrix mixer for maximum versatility, experiments and I think it's a + for live perfs.

As a drummer, I also wanted to implement triggers from hits on a acoustic Low Tom, cymbals, maybe a kick. Or trigger Plaits as a voice or Rample as a sample trigger (in the same key as the backing track or a 808 quantized through Ableton and ES-8).
IDUM is a possibility I though about for the Rample channels unused, that could do idm types of bleeps/bloops/bursts/ratchets.

I want it to be a case for collaborations with any type of (acoustic) musicians too and I feel the Endless Processor is a cool bridge between acoustic sounds and eurorack world.

I feel I may lack modulations/utilities ? I have rooms for 1U as well. (I already have a Line In from Mosaic for turntable/Blofeld)
right now I have a Hermod instead of ES-8 so I still have lfos and other modulation sources but it's overkill with the idea of using Ableton anyways.

I don't have the disting EX yet. Is that a good idea ? Any thoughts on the best fx chains ? best use of Matrix Mixer ?

THANK YOU for reading me, any advice, question are welcomed !


With that Doepfer supply, you'll be fine. Fill it up.
Putting another power supply in that box gives me the heebie-jeebies
and would make Dieter Doepfer very sad.

noodlehut.bandcamp.com


Beyond concerns for the electric bill, leave it on. Unless it's a power amp, there's nothing running that hot.
I have a Taiga that runs warmer than most other things in the box, but it's never caused concern.
Transients from power cycling might cause a problem some day. Warm is ok and temprature consistancy
is what helps keep the VCOs tunable over their range. I don't think temps of the EGs or LFOs would be of much concern.
5% off with a VCO is a problem, but in most cases(!), +-5% on EGs and LFOs would be hard to detect.
Ventilation and panel gaps aren't going to help to keep your temps and tuning consistant either.

noodlehut.bandcamp.com


doh... i plugged in a ES vco2 not the ES Fusion VCO2 :(. it's more power hungry.... that takes me right up to the limit. have to get the new power solution in play sooner than later...

I do stuff and things and whatnot...


80% is a nice general rule, and will certainly prevent any power onrush issues, but I think with the numbers you have listed you ought to be fine for the time being. If you want to give yourself some extra overhead power, I'd say just put a Tiptop uZeus or one of the 4ms 4hp power supplies in to power one of the rows. An even smaller option that I've had success with is the endorphines 2hp power. It doesn't sound like you'd need all that much extra power for peace of mind, and any of those options ought to do it.

Cheers friend!
-- Progspiration

Thanks. The extra power will be needed when I fill in holes :). I will check out the items you listed.

I do stuff and things and whatnot...


80% is a nice general rule, and will certainly prevent any power onrush issues, but I think with the numbers you have listed you ought to be fine for the time being. If you want to give yourself some extra overhead power, I'd say just put a Tiptop uZeus or one of the 4ms 4hp power supplies in to power one of the rows. An even smaller option that I've had success with is the endorphines 2hp power. It doesn't sound like you'd need all that much extra power for peace of mind, and any of those options ought to do it.

Cheers friend!


Okay so... I started small and y'all know what happened next...

When I got started I was in a nifty case. Its a handly starter case comes with midi to cv, power and 1/4" outs... Well I grew, got some moduals I like some I did not next thing I knew I was in two nifty cases.

Its the end of the year and I had a day off so I drove over to detroit modular, love those guys, with the goal of moving into a larger case and picking up a few new friends for the case... OOPS I forgot to do the math.... I picked up a DOEPFER A-100P9sw and it has the PSU3 in it. It's poweer specs are: 2000mA +12V| 1200mA -12V | +5V 4000mA

Below is my case... As you can see I have a nice disting ex size hole in row 1 and a Spherical Wavetable Navigator size hole on row 2. With that row 1 and 2 is what I currently have. Row 3 is what I picked up yesterday and is yet to be loved.
my rack

Now here is my delima... I am planing on selling the SWN. Its fun to goof around with but I should have done more research before buying it. I just can't for the life of me work it into my workflow... The disting ex being gone for now is fine. I am not in love with it BUT I want to spend some time getting to know it before I give it the ax...

Cutting those two from the rack and adding my new puts me at:
Power Consumption: 1792 mA +12V | 934 mA -12V | 161 mA 5V
80% would be: 1600 mA +12V | 960 mA -12V | 3200 mA 5V

So I went from more than enough power not enough space to more than enough space not enough power :-(. And I have not even open up the new case yet :-( My hope for today was to come ask. How do I fill the holes not what do I do with power so I can fill the holes!

Any reccomendations on solving power issues? I COULD canabalize one of the nifty cases but I would rather not start hacking up my nice shinny new case.

I do stuff and things and whatnot...


Thanks, that makes sense; so it's more about giving the vco time to stabilize its temperature than about "warming up" to a certain temperature. Does this means vcos are more temperature sensative than other circuits, or is it just that we are more able to notice the variance since it's in the audible range? For example, are lfos similarly variable without stabalization time?

As an aside, I dig your signature line. I've come to realize similar, but only after spending years trying to cram as many modules as I could into my racks. Part of it is realizing that this is a hobby I plan to stick with (so I need room to grow and space for whatever amazing innovation is always just around the corner). There's no need to ossify my instrument after only a few years of playing. The other part is realizing that a modular synth is by nature "unfinished;" it is only temporarily "completed" when the player finishes a patch, and then it starts again. The instrument is never stagnant; it grows with you as you grow as a player.

Also, I realized I f'ing hate not being able to reach all the knobs when everything is patched up. I'm now adding in space between modules (or groups of similar modules) to help with access. Sure, I'll lose some hp, but I'll actually be able to reach all the pots. Yay!


I got often criticized, because I criticise behringer.
For me it appears as mockerey.
I dont like it.

Maths=Abacus,
Blades=Swords
Tides=Waves

even that naming is a farce

Greetings

Chris


Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come
-- Fruarse

They're fine, have you ever played Buchla 200e modules? Some are astronomical in price, like 3k+ euro and more. I have, all of their knobs wobble. In fact, they are the same exact knobs Behringer uses and some wobble even more. Interestingly, they are the last things to fail in those systems. My Buchla Easel Command has these and they wobble way more than those on my Behringer Abacus.

-- Hutch979

It's your experience against what we are seeing in a video. Also, wether you find wobbly pots a non-issue it's up to you. Personally I have only seen Ciani's Buchla system up close, and never touched one, but if I were to buy one and got wobbly pots, I would be even more inclined to get a replacement, given the price. I find much more reasurring and indicative of good craftsmanship and quality sturdy pots and knobs found in Doepfer's and Frap Tools' modules, for example. But again, it's my opinion.

What is concerning to me (but has been said countless of times at this point) is how a giant like Behringer undercuts everyone by using open source designs and exploiting its production capabilities and distribution chains. This applies to mutable stuff, but in the case of your abacus —although buchla inspired— one needs to be completely blind to see how it is not a straight ripoff of maths. The panel interface is the same, the name is clearly a taunt (maths, abacus, come on...). And maths is still available.

Behringer operates well within legal rights. But if in the future manufacturers like Make Noise (whose cash cow is Maths) or other open source driven projects a la Mutable Instruments start disappearing, well, it's because of folks who support giant corporations with this kind of business practice.

My 2 cents, and have fun with your abacus.


Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come
-- Fruarse

They're fine, have you ever played Buchla 200e modules? Some are astronomical in price, like 3k+ euro and more. I have, all of their knobs wobble. In fact, they are the same exact knobs Behringer uses and some wobble even more. Interestingly, they are the last things to fail in those systems. My Buchla Easel Command has these and they wobble way more than those on my Behringer Abacus.


I think someone more knowing than me could answer that question.
I think there is 'cool' and there is 'stable' so the calibration of the VCO needs to be stable, if you ever DIY build any Modules you may come across 'Tempco' resistors (Temperature Compensation), the ones I've soldered are piggibacked ontop of another component and will vary in resistence depending on the temperature of the other component.

Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.

https://youtube.com/@wishbonebrewery


Thread: WMD 4tten

The 4TTEN doesn't fit in my Behringer Go, Tiptop-Audio or Eowave case, no way to mount it without violence. I like to have a module like that, because I will work with faders to drop in and out my vioces. Any ideas out there for an alternative module?


Awesome, thanks so much for the info!

Out of curiousity, since circuits like to be kept cool, is there a reason that analogue vcos need a warm-up period? Or am I misunderstanding things?


Thread: rackv1

i need help, i want to build something to sound design stuf or to be able to sequence dubby note, i am new here, i am willing advices about how to fix and complete it
feel free to explain me what is wrong and why
-onekepez


I believe Beads has it's own reverb but still Strymon Starlab is an instant ambient machine.


Foley sounds! Yes, that's awesome. Thanks.


Just shitting on everything holy. Don't give them your money unless you have to plz


Specifically:
* How long can I keep my rack on in a single session?
For me, as long as the session lasts and I sometimes walk away letting it play to its self

* Should there be a cool-down/rest period between power-on cycles?
Nothing I'm aware of, circuits do like to be kept cool though

* Is there a correct way to turn off a rack (i.e., turn any ongoing signals down, etc.)?
I tend to stop any clocks from running, turn off my amp, turn off my mixer, then turn off my modular cases, do the reverse when turning back on

* What are the best ways to keep the electronics clean?
A soft brush a clean paintbrush, gently vacuum just don't go sucking off any buttons, sliders or knobs. When i reorganise my modules I vacuum out the case to get rid of dust and Cat hair!!!

* Do I need to worry about ventilation or temperature inside the case?
Cool circuits are happy circuits, I need to drill some holes in my main case to aid air flow, some modules do get quite hot

-- HGsynth

Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.

https://youtube.com/@wishbonebrewery


If this is based on the MI Blades it is not an SEM filter, in other words, it will not do what it says on the tin.


Damn right...
Overmore, it's ugly AF...


Looks like a lot of fun! Do you find the Morphagene and Data Bender redundant at all for glitchy stuff? What kind of music are you doing with this rack?
Every time I think I'm finished building my rack, I think of something new that I absolutely MUST have within a few months. Haha
Have fun with it.


Well...after countless trials and tests and cash...the rack has finally reached a position where I think I can leave it alone for the next 12-18 months!

There is an Oxi One sequencer for melodic and drum sequence duties.

Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts.

Reposted because the layout was completely wrong in the previous post.


As someone who has been in the modular world for a few years now, and hopes to have it as a continuing hobby for many more years to come, I'd love to learn more about what it takes to keep a system healthy and running without issue. What are some basic "how-to" steps that I can take to keep my modules running at their peak as long as possible? Apologies if I'm missing some basic info listed elsewhere or in an older thread.

Specifically:
* How long can I keep my rack on in a single session?
* Should there be a cool-down/rest period between power-on cycles?
* Is there a correct way to turn off a rack (i.e., turn any ongoing signals down, etc.)?
* What are the best ways to keep the electronics clean?
* Do I need to worry about ventilation or temperature inside the case?

I'd love to hear some thoughts from people with electrical knowledge and know-how. Thanks!


Wow, crazy low price
-- fuzboxz

no r&d costs + piss poor build quality = low cost
I mean, look at the demo video, the pots are as wobbly as pots come


Rings would probably be a good call.

Be sure to balance modulation and utilities (both playable and flexible) with the effects so you're getting the most out of each module.
-- Zacksname

Seconding Rings. It's incredibly easy to make it sound beautiful.

As for effects, I've been enjoying the Nautilus by Qu-Bit. A wide range of very cool clockable watery delay sounds, though it can get noisy a bit too easily. Nice for ambience. With the Rainmaker, however, I suspect you have the delay end of things covered.

Also, bumping the advice about modulation and utilities, this can't be overstated.

Good luck with your rack!


We've just launched our new WS2812 Pixel Contoller on Kickstarter for making beautiful LED lighting effects syncable to your Eurorack system right down to the pixel level!

I'd really appreciate it if you'd check out the Kickstarter Campaign and consider backing our new KOLOR module if you're keen to make beautiful lighting effects for your modular jams, videos and live performances.

Now live on Kickstarter!


Wow, crazy low price


It's pretty, and the look of it touches an old synthesist's heart in a primal way.
But I don't envy getting that thing in tune with itself.
It could use a few active multiples spread around the case.
Those Boog oscillators want clean power, and there's a ton of 'em there.
Take the hit, buy a doepfer case. It's one less thing to mess with, and will last a lifetime.

I am kind of puzzled by the arrangement of this.
The oscillators on row 3 get mixed on row four, then you have to go back up to row two for VCAs and EGs,
then take their outputs ?? back down again?
Put the i/o interface and the midi inputs up in the left corner where the fixed filter bank is,
next to the sequencers, because they're both your note event sources.
I'd sacrifice some oscillators for more filters. Are there any LFOs at all?

noodlehut.bandcamp.com


Rings would probably be a good call.

A resonant filter bank might also be worth a look, like a Serge ResEQ or the Erica Synths one. A dual/quad filter arrangement (like QPAS, Eowaves Tempetes Magnetique, or the Xaoc Belgrad) might also work. There are lots of options for both, so take a look around.

Be sure to balance modulation and utilities (both playable and flexible) with the effects so you're getting the most out of each module.


Dionisi is now available at Perfect Circuit.

ΑΔ Alfa Delta V.O.F. - Music & Technology
alfadelta.mt@pm.me
https://alfadelta.be/technology.html


Turns out (and I should have noticed this on the other build) that the EBB (which I did last week) and the Flow are IDENTICAL except for the front panel and the microcontroller, you could swap these and get the other unit.
But it deserves its own build guide since you, viewer, might just have the one and searched for that.

Pretty straightforward build, 3-4th kit worthy.
And an interesting LFO in the end, particularly the chaotic waveform it can produce

Build


Hello!
I mostly play synths and acoustic instruments. I have a small modular unit that use as synth, too. At any rate, I recently bought a Rainmaker and a Beads module and realized that I really, really love using my modular as a complementary effects rack. It's smaller and in many ways more powerful than my giant pedalboard, and it's more versatile, to be sure.

I'll be putting the Rainmaker, Pam's, and Beads modules into the synth (stolen from my other rack), and I expect to be using the Tip Top Audio Mantis case.

Most of the music I make these days is more ambient in nature, and the closest analogue is Jon Hopkins' 'Music for Psychedelic Therapy' in terms of what I'm trying to do with my most recent project.

Any thoughts on good modules? So much in modular seems to be focused on the edgier side of things, but I probably skew closer to Lightbath:

I don't need an oscillator in this rack, I'm planning to build a separate rack for sound sources, and I have too many desktop synths anyway!

Thanks!


Positive experience bying a module from @orgix_2000
Recommended seller.


Hello My name is Rickard Gustafsson and i am a teacher in Bay house school in Gosport Hampshire UK https://kgabayhouse.uk/ I am begging the eurorack community to donate a module or two for the school so I can start doing an after-school club for pupils to get an insight into making music in a different way . I am building a eurorack case in woodwork here in the school, now I just need to fill it so I can start teaching about the wonderful world of modular. The reason i do not use VCV rack is because I want the student to make a connection to the system. I am not asking for a full system, any module will be great Many many thanks Rickard Gustafsson 07880717641 King's Academy Bay House, Gomer Lane, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2QP UK •


Mixer Channel
ch1 incus > A
ch2 plasma > A
ch3 external tb303 > A
ch4 external > A
A > Wyvern EQ + Saturation > Ch5 (sidechain) > B
Syntakt > Distortion+EQ >Ch6 >B

Mixer A send prefader > Databender > return A
Mixer B send post fader > Electus Versio > return A

B > Polydactyl Versio > out


I have a dozen eurorack modules for sale and a few synthesizers as well:

ALM Busy Circuits Super Coupe
Analogue Solutions Leipzig v3
Endorphin.es Shuttle system
Endorphin.es Ground control sequencer
Vector 512 sequencer with expansion module.
Rossum Mob of Emus

Hit me up if anyone is interested in a great deal!


I try to keep things left to right, with a sort of normlization of proximity, so I can use short doepfer yellow wires as much as possible to avoid a drape of wires over everything. I'm building in 3 rows, so what's above and below also matter.
I also try and put a mult after signals that are valuable enough to spread around (if there's room).

Almost all of the racks I see here look like random modules in random positions, that they think are cool.
A wooden box full of interesting strings and pickups and knobs and wire is not a guitar.
How many racks laid out on Modular Grid ever got built?

A side note: See those two Doepfer Multicores, one by the clocks, and another starting the OXI Coral section?
You can use two ribbon cables on the backs to connect them, and they're passive and bidirectional.
Really helps to keep things neat, and the RJ45 connectors still can be used to extend to other cases.
Saves up to 14 long wires to distribute the clocks and triggers, and shorting RJ45 can turn a multicore pair into a distributed multiple.

noodlehut.bandcamp.com


Hi there

Amazing module!!!! I will order 2 units directly Lol

When you plan to release it and at what price approx.? Available in UE ?(France/Belgium)
Thx in advance


Only when you have enough VCAs.
-- Zacksname

So... never?


Only when you have enough VCAs.


Is that Link safe, not seeing any Modular action in your My Modular?
I'm thinking of others here seeing as its an abstract post to a random link.

Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.

https://youtube.com/@wishbonebrewery


Can a rack be used to reverse gravity and float in the air?


You could look at options from Konstantlab https://www.konstantlab.audio/product-category/power-suppliess/ looks like you need to spend the money you will have saved buying all B'ringer modules hehehe.
In seriouslness though, Konstantlab do some great power solutons, it all depends how much your are comfortable spending.

Enjoy your spare HP, don't rush to fill every last space, this is not like filling sticker books. Resist the urge to 'complete' your rack, its never complete so just relax.

https://youtube.com/@wishbonebrewery


I am looking to power a monster sized system: 36 x 84hp rows.

For context, my System 55+ is 22% of my total build... ModularGrid Rack

On recommendation from this forum, I am thinking that I will go with the Befaco PSUs (though open to other suggestions), but need to work out exactly how to do it. It seems the older Power Bus (which can daisy chain) or the newer Trolley Bus (which I think can be used with passive busses) are what I am going to need, but would like some advice on which is likely to be the best for me.

Would I be better off with a lower power, daisy chainable setup, or a higher power system with added busses?

How would each of these work in practice on (for example) the System 55 I have linked up above? And how would I scale up to the full size of my massive modular wall?

Big modular power is new to me, and I am trying to level up beyond the multiple TipTop PSUs I have been using up to this point. I particularly want to reduce the number of switches that I need to use to power up the beast.

Grateful for any advice you might have!


it is basicly a "pelican case with a aluminium frame that I can tilt in an angle out of the case. Powered with a laptop batery charger thru a 4MS power suply. I a'm currently redisigning this case to make it more sturdy, protect the backside of the models and get some extra HP from a tighter built and by placing the power suply on the side of the inner case.!

-- Niemandsland

That's so cool! It's a dream of mine to be able to synth-out in a forest or park somewhere, preferrably without extension cords. I'll have to look into something like this.



For me my system is just as my mind, chaotic. I work with an erica megarack in my "studio" and a 2X80HP portable batery powered case for working outside (where I get most of my inspiration). Modules go in and out of the rack and the case and never have a permanent place in both of my cases. This way I invite my self to experiment, puzzle and avoid patching routines.
-- Niemandsland

I've heard other people say similar, but I think I'm too attention deficit to handle such chaos and be efficient. That said, I can easily see how it leads to deeper experimentation. On another note, I'd love to hear more about this battery powered rack. Did you DIY this?

-- HGsynth

it is basicly a "pelican case with a aluminium frame that I can tilt in an angle out of the case. Powered with a laptop batery charger thru a 4MS power suply. I a'm currently redisigning this case to make it more sturdy, protect the backside of the models and get some extra HP from a tighter built and by placing the power suply on the side of the inner case.


Basically, I have three 3U 84HP "monosynths" (one based on a GTO/QPAS combo, one based on Tiptop Buchla modules, and one expanded Mavis) and then a home base rack with a Nerdseq, Sweet Sixteen, BearModules matrix mixer, Doepfer Octal Linear VCA, and some other things I wanted to try or plan to try but not necessarily take on the go with me. I like being able to take the "monosynths" to play with musicians in band settings while still easily being able to use them in tandem as a larger, more vaguely defined system at home.