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Hi guys

I am currently looking to build this rack in a NANO Modules CAIXA 104 case.

Now I want to add some nice effects, as I want to create a more orchestral, soft synth sound.
I would mainly use it to be sequenced in the background of my Live set.
example of sound I am going for:
Olafur Arnalds x Bonobo - Loom
()

I am mainly using for good delay + reverb.
(possibly the Intellijel Sealegs)

Can anyone give some tips?
I have 20hp left.

EDITED Apr 4th, 18:29

I would suggest the 4ms Tapographix delay, or even the Dual Looping delay (and use the feedback send to alter the original signals ?)

Has anyone else had issues with the sensitivity of the touch pads on the Swarm? It only registers about 1 in 3 touches for me in use, unless I lick my fingers.
-- chrisormitch

have just received the unit. same here, the sensitivity not working fine, sometimes it works most of the times it doesnt, im about to send it back to the dealer...

Hello everyone,
This is a sketch for building my first eurorack. I already have the Brains, and i also have a Behringer 2600. Im using the Arturia Keystep pro for playing/sequencing and a SP-404 mk2 for drums/samples, and I also hve a Prophet Rev2, that i mainly use for pads etc.
I would love to hear your feedback on this setup and whether i should add/remove/replace anything.

Excellent questions Athena_Noctua, and no offense taken. This is my first build so I imagine there may be some peculiarities. But what really draws me to this tiny corner of synths is the customization so I tried to build something that would meet my specific use case. So here we go:
1) Two outputs because this is a studio tool for me and my interface has four inputs. Priority is being able to record 4 sounds at once that I can independently mix.
2) The Mordax because when I added up the price of a tuner and a clock it was not that big of a difference to get them this way.
3) The DXG can be ran in dual mono, and I have 7 outputs from the EQD waveshaper so I could get a stereo signal out of the DXG from two different "textures" of the same oscillator. Also, my assumption is that I can trigger/gate this from the Mordax, the TM, and the OAM Uncertainty. I don't think I'll run out of clocks as the QQ2 is only responsible for quantizing the VCO, until I build another rack that has more VCO's.
4) Yes the TM will be clocked by the Mordax. Honestly the main draw for the TM was to get the Vactrol Mix, which is really the whole reason I built this thing. Sending 4 sounds into it (4 outs from VCO for a wobbly drone, and/or outs from the DRADD, DXG, and Quart for a rythmic drone texture is just the coolest thing in the world.
5) Excellent heads up on the Erica VCA, hopefully it works well for me. If not there are others I can swap it for.
6) I'm not concerned about the DRADD not being stereo, I just want the rythmic texture. I can always reamp it into my pedal board where I have UA Reverb which has stereo out.

I already own a mono synth and have several drone synths so this instrument is for creating rhymically interesting (random) pads, that I have independent mix control over, which will eventually serve as the foundation for live jazz musicians to play on top (a la the spiritual jazz textures from the early 70's).
If you go to my Bandcamp (jordanmullermusic.com) to the album Nobody Listens Anymore, the track Lyra is a fair representation of this concept.

Totally open to feedback and corrections on my assumptions here. Thanks for you time and consideration!

Odd rack!

Can I ask a some questions (I'm genuinely interested, not trying to be a snark!)? Just because it seems weird as hell!

Why are there two outputs? Even a very large rack needs just one?

Why the Mordax? Visualising waveshapes, imo, is only useful for people who say need to make youtube videos, who design modules, or have a vast rack and might as well. Is it going to be your clock?

Why the DXG? It is stereo but you don't have any stereo sources or modifiers in the rack. It will also need pings, I guess the Quart and the Mordax can ping. I'd worry you'll run out of clocks / divs, given the QQ2 might need four and Mordax might be tied up with clocking other things / making LFOs?

A full size Turing Maching? And vactrol mixer? You might want smaller variants. Also, that Turing Machine will need a clock to run as well. Guess you have the Mordax. Also, the QQ2 will double as a Turing Machine, so you might find the TM redundant.

I get that EQD make lovely pedals, but that is a monster VCO for such a small rack. You might want more filters and utilities.

Also - be aware that Erica Quad VCAs have a bizarre profile - before noon and there is nothing, which might throw you.

One more thing: mono effects, in my opinion, are never worth the time. I guess in the world of guitars, mono is standard, since it'll be going out an amp. But any effect from reverb to phasing, once you have those headphones on, is just incomplete unless it is stereo.

Oh bollocks that is modsplaining snark opinion carpet bombing isn't it! Sorry! Just trying to umm work out what this is!

EDITED Apr 2nd, 21:56

Thanks, indeed low on quantizers. I've added an Ornament & Crime, should provide at least 2 quantizers. The disting EX can serve as 2 more if needed.

As for VCA's there are already 8 on board (1 Dual in row 2, and a Quad VCA + Dual VCA in row 3), apart from 4 EG's (knowing a slew limiter can be used as a simple EG, I might have 5). Shouldn't that be enough VCA's ?
As for mixers there is a 3-in-1, a 4-in-2, and 2 more 3-in-1 unity mixers. I may be using my external mixing panels .

What is a cascading VCA?

-- Ignis

I'd use all 4 channels of the O&C - better to use the same quantizer if possible... and the disting for somehting else...

maybe it's enough - I tend to use a lot of vcas - for note shaping, voltatge controlled volume control and for VC modulation (modulate your modulation!!)

I also tend to use a lot of mixers - mixing waveforms from the same vco, or from multiple vcos before filtering for example...

matrix mixer, matrix mixer matrix mixer!!!! unfortunately saying it 3 times does not summon 1 - my main application for these is to take copies of 4 modulation sources and mix them together in different ratios - to get 4 more related, but different modulation sources - which are also attenuatted - almost never use full range modulation.... but they can also be used for send/return to effects and for feedback loops... amongst other things - reallt, really useful!

cascading vca - it's a for example quad vca that also mixes the outputs - sometimes the inputs and sometimes the cv - veils for example, or the intellijel quad vca...

definitely appears to be missing quanyizers... more mixers would also be good... probably at least one cascading vca - as it looks like you are low ion vcas compared to envelope generators - maybe a matrix mixer - and fill the left over space with other utilities...

-- JimHowell1970

Thanks, indeed low on quantizers. I've added an Ornament & Crime, should provide at least 2 quantizers. The disting EX can serve as 2 more if needed.

As for VCA's there are already 8 on board (1 Dual in row 2, and a Quad VCA + Dual VCA in row 3), apart from 4 EG's (knowing a slew limiter can be used as a simple EG, I might have 5). Shouldn't that be enough VCA's ?
As for mixers there is a 3-in-1, a 4-in-2, and 2 more 3-in-1 unity mixers. I may be using my external mixing panels .

What is a cascading VCA?

Excellent point Vibe010, that's great advice. Thank you!

I love my main sequencer (Qu-bit Bloom), but it doesn’t have cv control over sequence length, direction, clock rate, glide, etc. Then I realized that I had two ingredients to build a more patch-programmable, four-channel sequencer: Disting’s Multi-Switch mode, which offers up to 6 customizable switches, and a fader bank, Tesseract Modular's Sweet Sixteen.
Further patch details in the video...

just make one from the list of 'Popular Modules' on the main page. Not that it would make for a good rack, might look fancy :)

wouldn't it be a good idea to have an all accessible rack with the most loved/used modules in it?
-the most used modules that users have in their racks that is

WJ

You need to pay & get a unicorn account...

It also depends is your're left or right handed...
But in general i would use a big playeble filter knob at the top so you can rest your hand on the top, for extra precision. I like to have sequencer or playpads or joystick like modules on the bottem (if the bottem row is horizontal)
Basicly the " set and forget" modules in the middle and the more playable ones on the edges. so that the spagetti is not too much in the way.

EDITED Apr 2nd, 09:13

Is it not possible to make your rack bigger than 4 rows in Modulaar Grid. I see some bigger racks. But i can't make mine bigger than 4 rows

Things I might be missing are CV quantizers or mixers. I'll need to built the rack myself (especially as I want cable guides), and then discover what I still may be missing.
-- Ignis

definitely appears to be missing quanyizers... more mixers would also be good... probably at least one cascading vca - as it looks like you are low ion vcas compared to envelope generators - maybe a matrix mixer - and fill the left over space with other utilities...

Thanks! Highly appreciated.

I use several random generators (next to stochastic and chaos modules), including Marbles. This module remains in my opinion one of the best sources of random gates and voltages. The Cara version seems very reliable. Chris Meyer (Learning Modular) uses it in his travel case. And I confirm: no menu diving.

**Berlin school oriented rack. **

The idea is to make a square rack of practical dimensions, that will be 60 by 60 approx. Cable distances are then manageable. Below each row there will be approx 2 cm space for horizontal cable guides not to have too much wiring in front of knobs.
In the middle of the rack on row 2 and 3, there is space left for vertical cable guides as well as multiples.
At the back of the rack will be 4 MIDI I/O: 2 for the Disting, 2 for the NTS1. I will be moving the power supplies to the back as well, to gain 8 useful 8HP in the front.

• Top row: 2 old school sequencers.
• Row 2 : EDU synth from Erica Synths, with a thrird simple sequencer.
• Row 3 : Sound path 2nd synth: oscillators going into mixer, filters, VCA
• Row 4: Modulators for gate and CV at the left, and filter bank + built in NTS-1 at the right

Apart from the 2 main sequencers the rest is already in house.
The NTS-1 can serve as a third synth (the disting even as a 4th) , but has rather meant as FX box.
I do have a Minibrute 2S, a B2600, Model D and a Kobol apart from this, so I'm not running out of sound generation yet.

Things I might be missing are CV quantizers or mixers. I'll need to built the rack myself (especially as I want cable guides), and then discover what I still may be missing.

I love it!
Ganz großes Tennis!
Weitermachen.

The Doepfer A-149-1 might be an option, however it is 12 hp wide...
it's heavily inspired by the SoU.

https://m.

If you have the ability to use vcv and your modular together then I'd explore the random sources in there to start with - as they are free... they may help you decide... there's no menu diving on Marbles... just a few modes & especially with vcv where you can choose them from a menu, it's very easy to get on with!!!

maybe an fx aid... it has both bit reduction and some lo-fi algos...
or just get a noise source and mix a little in either to the audio or whatevers envelope you are using to open the vca
-- JimHowell1970

That's kind of what I'm trying to avoid here, I thought of that way, with an enveloppe follower and noise source, but that's require a lot of modules and a lot of patching.

Not really... it only needs a 2 channel mixer & the noise source on top of what you already have (& you may already have the mixer) send the envelope from the black sequencer that you are using to open your vca and send it to a small mixer instead, also send the noise source to this mmixer, send the mix of the envelope and the noise to the vca instead of the envelope...

& both a basic noise source and plenty of basic mixers are kind of useful in the context of any modular synthesizer...

Hey folks,

For the small system I'm crafting around my Mavis and some TipTop x Buchla modules, I have around 10hp to dedicate to random modulation. This rack is geared toward 1-voice experimental sound creation, think generative krell patches. I want to try to keep everything relatively knob-per-function; I understand that things like Ornament_Crime and Disting EX are super powerful and can do almost whatever I want, but none of these kinds of modules really inspire me in any way. I am a big fan of working within set limits!

With that said, my initial idea was to get a Make Noise Wogglebug, but after a couple months of planning things out, new modules have come out that look really intriguing: Nano VCV Random, SSF Ultra Random Redux, ADDAC Random Bezier Waves. I've also been told about MI Marbles clones, and I've found one in the same HP as others (though Marbles pushes the limits for me in terms of "menu diving", I'm still open to the idea for now).

What would you all recommend? Are the pricier modules like the URR and the RBW worth the cash to spend? Can I save some money and still be satisfied with a VCV Random, or find a good used deal on a Wogglebug? Should I learn all the ins and outs of the Marbles interface? Let me know!

*To note: I would eventually love to expand my setup to create a complete TTxB system, so my end goal random module is of course the 266t Source of Uncertainty. I have no room for one now, and it won't be anytime soon when I pull the trigger on a new case to begin that project. Just some additional info for y'all to see where my head is at with this.

maybe an fx aid... it has both bit reduction and some lo-fi algos...
or just get a noise source and mix a little in either to the audio or whatevers envelope you are using to open the vca
-- JimHowell1970

That's kind of what I'm trying to avoid here, I thought of that way, with an enveloppe follower and noise source, but that's require a lot of modules and a lot of patching.

Maybe something like this?

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/blukac-endless-processor-both-panels

-- halbroome

Thanks! I'll check it deeper later, from what i've seen, it's more something like a looper.

It all depends on what you mean by 'texture'. Maybe a waveshaper like Fold 6 will give you the 'texture' you're thinking of...
-- Sweelinck

I often use the Erosion to create "shakers" from other signals, it's kind of working like a noise and enveloppe generator I guess, but with nice controls on the noise source. I've checked a bit wavefolders and need to get my head around what they really does. The Fold 6 doesn't look as something made to treat stereo signal but like I said I don't fully understand what it does.

"Erosion" mostly makes me think of bit reduction/crushing and other audio degradation stuff. The Data Bender is the big one here, but you said you didn't like the sound of the "Qu Bit" (the company that makes Data Bender) so I'm assuming that's what you meant.

The aforementioned FX Aid could do the trick. It has several degradation/lo-fi algos (like Shallow Water, LoFi Junky, etc.), and it and you can apply voltage to its SRR input to reduce its clock and get bit reduction on top of that.

Other possible modules would be the VoicAs ReduXer, or maybe something like the Befaco Crush Delay. You can technically patch your own bit reducer with a S&H and superfast clock/audio rate triggering. Another option are various rectifiers, saturators and distortion units, but that possibly sounds more aggressive than what you want.
-- teataine

I missed a word. I looked at Prism from Qubit.
Erosion also have a "noise" mode that is different from but reduction, but I guess a good bit reduction could do the trick. I didn't checked all the algo from FXaid and I don't remember these algo. It could be a good option to try, and if it's not working I still can use it other way. This VoicAs module looks cool actually! Thanks!
About distorsion, I think this will be too agressive and affect the whole signal, I thought of something that add on top of existing sound, but maybe that doesn't really exist in such a simplistic way.

"Erosion" mostly makes me think of bit reduction/crushing and other audio degradation stuff. The Data Bender is the big one here, but you said you didn't like the sound of the "Qu Bit" (the company that makes Data Bender) so I'm assuming that's what you meant.

The aforementioned FX Aid could do the trick. It has several degradation/lo-fi algos (like Shallow Water, LoFi Junky, etc.), and it and you can apply voltage to its SRR input to reduce its clock and get bit reduction on top of that.

Other possible modules would be the VoicAs ReduXer, or maybe something like the Befaco Crush Delay. You can technically patch your own bit reducer with a S&H and superfast clock/audio rate triggering. Another option are various rectifiers, saturators and distortion units, but that possibly sounds more aggressive than what you want.

It all depends on what you mean by 'texture'. Maybe a waveshaper like Fold 6 will give you the 'texture' you're thinking of...

A recording sequencer, you play notes in, it will play them back. Has rests, glide, etc., and 3 outputs, which you can assign to any of the 8 sequence slots in the machine.
Mostly surface mount pre-installed, so the build is pretty quick. Only issue I had was I needed to file the push-button holes on the front panel to prevent the switch handles from binding, not a big deal.

Pretty good little unit.
Build

Maybe something like this?

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/blukac-endless-processor-both-panels

SPAM

Toodee and Jim- TY so much for your in depth answers, and also helping me understand how better to think about my questions! Theres a lot of wisdom there that I will be trying to unpack over the coming weeks. I'm very appreciative and touched to be part of a community that is so supportive. I'll update the thread with any changes I make!

So far I was able to pick up a Plaits clone and Pams New Workout with a PX extender for $220 on craiglist which felt too good to pass up. I'm going to take the advice to bolster myself on the utilities front a bit more moving forward, as well as go as narrow and deep as possible on the current equipment I have

EDITED Mar 30th, 00:12

maybe an fx aid... it has both bit reduction and some lo-fi algos...
or just get a noise source and mix a little in either to the audio or whatevers envelope you are using to open the vca

Thank you, apprexiate the feedbaxk

Thanks a lot mate, great work and so usefull !!!

Hi there,

I have been thinking on a "generative groove machine" in eurorack with using incoming main beat or drums to creative new texture.
I've made some test with Electus Versio and I think this is one good way to approach this (incoming audio > QPAS filter > electus > VCA triggered and modulated via Black Sequencer > CEQ for eq and compression).
I feel like I'm missing something to "add texture". In the computer world I would go for something like erosion basically.
I've comme accross a couple module such as Noise Plethora or Hexinverter VCNO but they are more about noise generator than audio effects, and I want something that can process existing audio, and not add an extra source (saving space in the case basically)
I've found QuBit but I don't really like the sound of it on the demo I've seen.
If you have any recommandation of a good module, stereo, that would suit I'm all ears out

For serious polyphony, I reach first for my Access Virus TI2 keyboard hardware synth that gets me the best all around results quickly with dozens of voices, effects and filters. Sort of like modular in a box. I do have a couple of eurorack polyphony modules but getting them patched and sequenced to make lovely trance chords is sort of a pain and far more of a rabbit hole challenge to sequence in modular than my Virus. You still need a good complex sequencer like Vector 512 and a filter bank, polyphonic eurorack module(s) and mixer.

Good stuff, had a listen the other night.

With a bit of tinkering you can great an entire patch that runs from a noise source, if thats your thing.

I regularly put noise into a VCA and turn down the amplitude, feed that into the ADDAC T-Networks and you get a lovely grungy crackle, feed that Crackle into an Envelope Follower and you can get a Clock/Gate out of it along with an envelope slope.
Meaning you can adjust the VCA, the Envelope follower or the T-Networks and get subtle changes to the triggers you are getting.
Sloths is a great module As @geusensdriesmusic says, I'm currently using it to modulate Divkid Ochd.
Marbles might be a good starting point for a bunch of Triggers, Gates, V/oct and modulation (Just remember to modulate your Modulators).
2hp RND has planty of options for such a small module
Befaco Burst is good for triggers guided by probability
Noise Engineering Clep Diaz is a nice little LFO, Stepped and Stepped Random module that will keep in sync with your clocks.

Have you tried doing a Krell Patch?

Error Instruments make the Indian Reasonator, which you could think of a as a One-trick-Pony but I find it quite flexible for some background sound scapes. Filter it, combine it with Sine waves and wavefold it.

Patch notes in the youtube description

I don't agree with much in this post but then I usually don't agree with anyone about anything in connection with music.

I think this is not such a big deal, if someone wants to try playing the electric guitar he goes out and buys one. Then he/she ends up selling it, end of story, or he becomes someone who likes to play the guitar. A basic modular costs something similar to a basic guitar and amp. Im not going to tell someone not to buy a guitar and amp. Sure a modular synth is not for eweryone, so my suggestion is get one, if you don't like it, sell it.

By the way my modular does not replace my awesome polysynths, Omnisphere for example, Pigments, Cobalt ect. Or my computer, I think people who don't like using computers in music production or sound design are living in the stoneage seriously;)

EDITED Mar 29th, 00:54

It's an interesting question for sure!

Maybe you really should have a look at NLC Triple Sloth: it's a slow to very slow chaotic lfo module. The slowest cycle can be 30-40 minutes: very well suited for slower evolving pieces.
Similar modules that might be of interest: Joranalogue Orbit3, DivKid Ochd, SSF Ultra-Random... and many, many more.

A basic S&H module - Wogglebug Smooth, TipTop Buchla 266t... - into a channel of Maths. Apply offset and attenuation, mix with another Wogglebug voltage... can be a super nice signal to work with throughout the patch. Wiggle some controls from time to time, change the mix.

Seems like you have a nice selection of modules to work with. Ask yourself, which elements in the patch you'd like to modulate over longer periods of time. Look at what you have, then buy some more utilities.

Maybe a matrix mixer, a polarizng (ALA Monocle), a sequential switch like the Befaco Muxlicer, more litte mixers, mults, logic...

As a beginner in Modulars, i would have difficulties to define my system as you mentionned.
I own quite few (Math, Wogglebug, Cloaks, Beads & Strakal Orsel, Skorn Orsel) & Intellijels, Behringer modules.
Any patch i do works on its own and can/may modulate, surprising me. I bought modulars so to fill some free hours on our radio calendar, meaning it would be great if my patches would start with some modules which would modulate and Change the normal behaviour of the patches, as bringing some chaos in it. I am not searching at all for compositions, more to develop a kind of improvisation machine which would play by itself, developping and ever changing sequences on a long period of times. (direct English written, not my mother tongue!)

-- Vikinge

EDITED Mar 28th, 22:14

As a beginner in Modulars, i would have difficulties to define my system as you mentionned.
I own quite few (Math, Wogglebug, Cloaks, Beads & Strakal Orsel, Skorn Orsel) & Intellijels, Behringer modules.
Any patch i do works on its own and can/may modulate, surprising me. I bought modulars so to fill some free hours on our radio calendar, meaning it would be great if my patches would start with some modules which would modulate and Change the normal behaviour of the patches, as bringing some chaos in it. I am not searching at all for compositions, more to develop a kind of improvisation machine which would play by itself, developping and ever changing sequences on a long period of times. (direct English written, not my mother tongue!)

Notes et tempo de l'ordinatuer
Connection midi

Oscillateur 1v/oct vers contrôleur

Thanks a lot guys :)
There is quite a bit of stereo filter reasonance in there too which is lots of fun.

Has anyone else had issues with the sensitivity of the touch pads on the Swarm? It only registers about 1 in 3 touches for me in use, unless I lick my fingers.
-- chrisormitch
Gross haha
It probably needs thouroughly cleaned after being all gummed up by human secretions.
I bet it will work like a charm after that.

Electric circuits and spit don't play nice together

NLC Triple Sloth and/or The Hypster: patch all outputs anywhere and hit rec...
Like Chromat1c wrote: there's an insane amount of options if you're not specific about your system.

There are too many options to answer that. You need to be specific like what type of "auto generative" system are we talking about? We need more info. Are you talking about musical data that is being generated? Noises?
Maybe you need a Sequencer? OXi ONE is good at procedual.

Great piece of music! Thanks for sharing.

This piece is a success from A to Z. This is truly a production that only modular is capable of.
Wonderful painting... Well done Adrian!