Baby, what to add or remove?

Brand new to modular and picked up a 104 HP three-quarters full case off a local.

There's one sine VCO (Make Noise STO), two VCFs, the dual ADSR, the (honestly pretty confusing) Blue Lantern Phobos Lunar LFO, a quad VCA, the Erica Synths Joystick, a mult, a tiny mixer... and I just bought a ZeroScope on Reverb because I really want to enjoy looking at some waves while I learn...

Externally I'm driving CV/gate things with a Korg SQ-1 sequencer.

I'm interested in making things between dreamy melodic ambient, and spookier percussive techno-y stuff. What I really want at my early stage here is modules that are somewhat beginner friendly and intuitive.

I am already thinking of getting rid of the Blue Lantern Phobos Lunar LFO and replacing it with... maybe some kind of dual LFO and VCO, where the VCO has some other wave shapes? I kinda want saw and square waves.

Exchanging that Blue Lantern for another voice / LFO might not free up any space (12 HP out, maybe 12 HP back in), so I'd still have that 26HP availabe on the right side.. my current ideas are:

• S+H / noise module
• Some drum sounds? I'm pretty unsure here though. Maybe the Eric Synths Pico Drums or Drum2
• Maybe a module that I could play samples from? I think that would be so cool to throw in field recordings or whatever into the chain.
• Some effects? I would love to have some reverb and delay in the chain.

What are your suggestions??

Thanks!

Maybe a doepfer quad LFO in 4hp, and an intellijel Quadrax (which does lfo’s and envelopes)
I mention the quadrax because that dual adsr is a space hog in a mini case. I’d also take out the joystick just only to make space, since the use case is limited for the hp it takes up.
I’d personally specialize the case to be either one or the other of your intended ideas. It’s totally possible to do both, but you’ll probably have to do some trial and error before arriving at what you know you want. It will be easier and more inspiring to nail one use case instead of half loving a dual purpose case that doesn’t do either side well. Maybe the restriction will be freeing for you.
Have fun!

Thanks for the feedback! I just ordered a used Doepfer Quad LFO and I'm definitely going to change out that Blue Lantern. The quadrax is a neat suggestion, point taken about the 2x ADSR being too big in there... though I do love the sliders. I might stick with it awhile longer.

Given the choice, I'd lean more towards a dreamy ambient setup right now.

Are there any must have pieces for that? I'm thinking specifically about adding randomness and melodic touches... and I do love me a little hiss of noise.

You can make ambient with this if you add effects to it (this is true of basically anything). Personally, I think fitting effects into this rack would be a bit much, and it looks like you agree with me so far. There are lots of good standalone effects units with CV ins and outs, so unless you see a specific module that speaks to you and does something that can't be replicated with a standalone device like the Zoia Euroburo, Poly Hector, Alter X and Y, Gamechanger Audio AUTO series etc., I would be wary of giving your rack space to that.

You may want a more versatile oscillator like Plaits, or the new MCO from ALM, or even a sample-based sound source for that, but the STO will work fine as well for simple sounds. As you say, a second smaller oscillator for FM tones probably will help you more there than the second filter, but that is up to you. Intellijel's Dixie II+ oscillator is a good and popular choice because it is small, powerful, has lots of functions, and can switch between LFO and VCO comfortably.

I think the dual ADSR is fine here if you like it and enjoy playing with it. Changing your envelope as you play is good for musical variations. You may also consider adding a Mutable Peaks clone (check out the original and Dead Man's Catch firmwares and you'll see how helpful this particular "envelope/LFO generator/percussion machine" can be in a small setup). If that's too digital for your tastes, an ALM Pip Slope or a couple well spread out Erica Synths Pico EGs could let you have both the big dual ADSR and a couple spare envelopes with less manual-reading. Modules that can be switched from envelope to LFO easily are great for unique modulation and making changes while jamming.

Of course, you should look into all of these and make sure I haven't missed anything or suggested something that will take you off course. You'll know better than me when it's right

Peaks is a good idea, it packs a lot. just be sure you learn the dead mans catch firmware really well, i sometimes get lost not knowing what mode im in. i have a piques which is a 4hp clone. its very tight but saves space. Klavis Quadigy might be a consideration for envelopes if you like sliders. its quad, can loop as lfo's.

the effects suggestion above from zacksname is worth considering. ambient generally implies heaps of reverb which is an end of chain effect usually, it doesnt have to be in the rack. a used strymon bigsky or something might treat you.

my 2 effects suggestions for in rack are a mini clouds clone (called a uburst) or an fx aid or fx aid xl (not the pro, too big). a typhoon is a deluxe clouds with sliders if that sounds interesting, maybe too big though for now. clouds has traditionally been kind of a rite of passage for ambient modular, but dont let that sell you (who cares lol). the fx aid is open source, and you choose what effects go on it from a web app. the list is quite good. both modules are 6hp or less.

have fun!

EDITED Yesterday, 07:36

What an awesome forum this is. Thanks for the suggestions and support everyone! I'm starting to dig into it all, looks like some very appealing options in there. One last noob question: what would be some alternative options to drive pitch for melodies and various gates besides the korg sq-1? I'm enjoying it for now but just thinking ahead a bit. I have a Yamaha Reface CS keyboard but sadly it has no CV/gate out. I was kind of hoping for some module that allowed easy shifting of melodic sequences, not necessarily an external keyboard I have to play. The Endorphin Ground Control looks so cool and fun, but way too big for my lil rack...

:)
sequencers- everyone is going to give you a different answer.
a beatstep (pro?) or keystep is an ol' reliable for out of rack sequencing.

Generally, I would agree with the person above on a Keystep or Beatstep Pro for doing 2-3 voices plus drums/event triggering/etc.

If you like the Ground Control, it does have the advantage of being a standalone unit with its own power supply amd case, as well as the power supply for at least a single rack of modules for if you get another case (up to 1A of +12 and 700 mA of -12, though you'd want to avoid going over about 70-80% of that to avoid harm from voltage spikes or modules that need more power to load up and start) and take it out to be racked. It is very expensive, so definitely look around to see what else is out there and if it is worth it. There are also more elaborate programming-based options like the Hermod (the original is very cheap used nowadays) and the Hermod+, or my beloved Nerdseq, but you're not quite there yet based on what you have here.

EDITED Yesterday, 20:06

Not eurorack, but a digitakt, 404, boss looper or anything like that would really stretch that system out and make your techno/ambient goals way, way easier. That way you can record your different patches for different parts, drums, bass, padding then live sequence melodies and tweaking them. Some can sequence so you can just toss in a midi module. Also gives you effects. Also very cost effective, especially if you get mk1 versions second-hand