I was really enjoying this thread till the business401k bot decided to ruin it.
MicroSequence runs the clock
Clock divided
2hp Euclid then opens and closes the envelope controlling the Freq and Res on a VCF
2hp Turing machine and Tune control all the Pitches
STO is split off to: 2hp Verb / Erica Pico DSP / Monsoon Clouds
There is also a little 2hp Bell in there which goes through the Stereo Tape Delay on the Disting MK4
Mostly mixed with the Befaco STMIXCurrent Rack below (Ignore the DNI Pro DOT as its somewhere between Ukraine and UK on its way in the post)
-- wishbonebrewery
Just had a chance to listen to and read through this post. Some amazing stuff you are doing which is a great inspiration for someone like myself who is just taking those first shakey steps into modular synthesis, so thank you for this!
Random question but is this the Wishbone Brewery where Oli, who used to work at Cap and Collar, works?
Looking it over, briefly... you're loaded up on filters. I can't make a judgment call there as they seem to be focused around different ideals/sonic possibilities.
Some areas to research
Noise
Sample and Hold
Envelope follower
Quantizer
Logic
Mixers (get two simple mixers that handle DC and audio)
Audio mixer (stereo output with sends)You might find a combination module with noise and sample & hold... and possibly an envelope follower all-in-one.
Noise: at least white... plus pink if you can find it.
Logic: AND, OR, NOR, XOR, etc.
Quantizer: you have one in Ornaments & Crime. But if you use it, then you burn the O_C for other functionsIf you can handle the clunky interface, a Disting Mk4 is always a great module to have if you want to try out a particular function before buying a dedicated module. At under $200 and 4HP, it's a great way to figure out where you want to go without traveling there first (aka buying a dedicated module).
-- Ronin1973
Nice! This gives me a lot to think about so thanks again for your time and advice.
I agree about using the O_C as it may have more useful applications. And I was thinking about starting with a Disting MK4 as a number of forums suggested it as a good place to get to grips with different functions.
Right, gonna do my homework. Then third time’s the charm? Let’s hope so!
I'm torn between the Modcan and the Batumi + Poti. I have the Batumi... but the grass seems a little greener on the Modcan side if you have the rackspace.
-- Ronin1973
A conundrum it would seem. I think I may go with Modcan, at least for now at the planning stage as it appears (on surface detail, to be a bit more approachable to me. I think I’ll do a bit more reading up on both though and I’ll drop the Quadra due to redundancy.
In terms of the other modules, have I made sensible selections and accounted for the necessary functions apart from a lack of complex sequencer and overly greedy selection on LFOs?
Question about the latest build:
You have the Quadra, the Quad LFO, and the Batumi. That's three units each with four LFO-ish functions. Are you planning on needing that many or are they redundant?
You mentioned sequencing but I don't see anything that does any serious sequencing onboard. Maybe that's not where you want to go. But check out the Eloquencer or if you can find a decent builder the Westlicht Performer. I just bought a Performer but I have to reflow some of the work and replace a couple of damaged CV jacks. But it's a great sequencer. I also have a 1010 Music Toolbox. I like it but the most current firmware kind of blows chunks (why I got the Performer).
-- Ronin1973
Thanks Ronin! Regarding sequencing it's true I haven't accounted for anything major. Originally I was thinking the Eloquencer as it seems of more of what I have been used to. I'm going to read up on the Westlicht Performer you mentioned. I've been on the waiting list for a Cirklon for awhile as I have lots of external gear as well so I'm undecided as to whether I keep deeper sequencing external or look to build a more all in one system (for my basic needs) that I can travel with.
Regarding the LFOs (based on my level of knowledge) gonna confidently say redundant on my part. I suppose regarding LFOs the Quad LFO seems more immediate but the Batumi seems like it has deeper functionality.
To both Ronin and Lugia, thanks again. I’ve had a think about everything you have said and hopefully translated that advice into a slightly more sensible (read actually usable) rack.
I’ve tried to account for sequencing and being able to play the rack as I’m coming from a more keys oriented environment so chose the tetrapad and tete combo. Using Mangrove, Just friends and pluck for voices. I may have added a few too many filters but those present seemed interesting to me so I have kept them in for reference.
After reading about the ‘boring’ modules they seem less so now as I understand better why they are present and have incorporated those recommended.
I will stress that I am building this as an ideal rack that I will grow into in the real world, picking up a module or two to learn before progressing to the next which will undoubtedly change module selection over time. However, as long as I get a rack that has the necessary building blocks in place, with modules I have at the very least read up on, I can be fairly confident that the most basic foundations of my modular journey have been laid.
Below is the most recent build and I do apologise in advance if I have forgotten to factor something in or over provided in other areas. Many thanks again.
Haha, yeah already making changes on your suggestion.
As for what is currently in the rack, it’s just the z-dsp and the Intellijel Audio I/O. The Pro 3 is arriving in the next few weeks. My initial thought was just as you suggest, to use the Pro 3 to cut my teeth a bit and use the z-dsp to start my modular journey by using the rack as an effects rig then to slowly add modules that would allow the rack the potential to live a bit more on its own as I get more comfortable with eurorack and the theory behind it.
For the time being my intention is just to use the Pro 3 with the z-dsp. My question therefore is do I need to keep the Intellijel Audio I/O in the case or only when syncing with external synths without cv connections? Sorry if there is a completely obvious answer to this, just pretty new to all this. :/
-- TMR1984
Lugia answered the question about keeping the I/O. Yes, simple answer: Eurorack level is hotter than line level (where your synth and other gear works). So you will want something that can boost and cut for the in and outs respectively.
Something that I've recommended before is to buy a synth voice. A synth voice is basically all of the elements of a simple synth in one Eurorack module. The individual portions are usually accessible via patch cable. Intellijel makes the Atlantis as an example of a synth voice. Another idea would be to buy something like the Moog Grandmother. It's under $1000 and is a stand-alone synth but with some nice patch points. It's getting away from your rack. But I'm thinking more of an entry point then you can use the rack to supplement your Pro-3 and Moog Grandmother. Eventually, it can become its own standalone synth. But I get the feeling that you're a keyboard (black and white keys) guy and Grandmother is a nice platform for some real-time controlling.
These are just ideas and I can be completely wrong. But there are tons of possibilities with Eurorack.
-- Ronin1973
Thanks Ronin! Yeah, been more of a key guy for awhile and I guess that’s what has brought be to eurorack, those endless possibilities, it’s just getting to grips with the basic building blocks down first. Good shout on the synth voice. Another that I was considering was the Intellijel Atlantis. Moves me more into the modular realm but seems a solid place to build from. Ronin / Lugia, thoughts on this?
You have to have the Audio I/O, yes. The reason there is because your incoming audio signals need to be boosted up from line-level to synth-level, and then back down again at the output. It's a decent interface for this sort of use, but you need to keep in mind that its inputs don't have envelope followers, so if you wanted to patch up something dynamics-dependant, you either have to add a couple of these or jettison the Audio I/O and go with separate inputs that have the envelope follower (the Doepfer A-119 is sort of the bog standard here) and then a stereo output with transformer isolation. That last bit is useful to keep noise and crud from passing from the synth to your mixer and vice-versa.
-- Lugia
Thanks for this advise Lugia! Hadn’t even considered that so very much appreciated. Is it possible to add a module that does this specifically after the Audio I / O?
Haha, yeah already making changes on your suggestion.
As for what is currently in the rack, it’s just the z-dsp and the Intellijel Audio I/O. The Pro 3 is arriving in the next few weeks. My initial thought was just as you suggest, to use the Pro 3 to cut my teeth a bit and use the z-dsp to start my modular journey by using the rack as an effects rig then to slowly add modules that would allow the rack the potential to live a bit more on its own as I get more comfortable with eurorack and the theory behind it.
For the time being my intention is just to use the Pro 3 with the z-dsp. My question therefore is do I need to keep the Intellijel Audio I/O in the case or only when syncing with external synths without cv connections? Sorry if there is a completely obvious answer to this, just pretty new to all this. :/
This is really helpful so thank you for taking the time to help me out especially because you must give this advise often. Still a bit to wrap my head around, but that’s exciting!
In terms of some VCAs, noise sources, attenuators/attenuverters, and mixers, what would you say are some good ones to start with?
Regarding your question about external synths, one has the ability to send and receive CV, the Dave Smith Pro 3, and the other is what I have been use it for ages, the microKorg, which cannot interface directly. And to better clarify the straight forward sound, I like the sounds that LCD Soundsystem produces, both more straightforward a more weird flourishes they texture their songs with.
At the same time I like the idea of being able to also explore more ambient possibilities. I get the feeling that these may not be able to coexist in a rack the size I am working to but I could be wrong.
Also, is there anything that I should keep from this first stab?
This is my first rack. So be brutal.
As pretty much everyone else here I have come to seek advise and opinions on the rack that I am dreaming up.
Currently I have only The Z-DSP and the Intellijel Audio I/O and use this to process external synths. That said I do want to move more into the modular world. I’ve tried to read and take on board how to approach a eurorack build, keeping in mind the building blocks of sound.
Still learning.
That said any suggestions, advice, etc. from this community would be very much appreciated! :)
As for sound I'm interested in more straightforward synth sounds but also want to be able to experiment with ambient. Don't know if it's possible to have both in a rack this size. :/
Agreed it may be overkill, however you could use the Morphagenes to provide 2 additional tracks that are directly accessible with all parameters, kinda like 2 tapedecks, where you could quickly switch the sounds as the Morphagene is faster and more intuitive in sampling and operation than the Er-301.
About to compile an ambient rack and just wanted to see what people thought about the module choices I have made and whether I should swap some out for better / other modules. Any advice is gravely appreciated!
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_963362.jpg
So for a long time I have been thinking about getting into Modular synthesis. I’ve read a bunch about it and watched YouTube videos and feel like I am beginning to put the pieces together.
I love the sounds of LCD Soundsystem but I also love the sounds that The Field creates with his tracks, which could be described as atmospheric, minimal techno.
I guess I wanted to ask everyone if I am on the right track in trying to captures these sounds with the modules I have started to put together? And what else is out there that I am missing (loads I am sure)?
I was planning to get the Intellijel 7U case with the Audio I/O is always a great choice so I can grow over the years, and the Atlantis and a reverb module first to get to know those before expanding. I have an Arturia keystep which I can sequence through.
I’m pretty excited to start my modular journey and having this great community along for the ride is awesome!
Any advice is appreciated!
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_960772.jpg
