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This rack is actually three, but they belong together, so to keep track of it all I've built them as one rack here.

The top row is a separate audio skiff, the second row is a modulation skiff, and the bottom two rows is the video rack.

The audio skiff is intended to be used in combination with an SQ-1, FX pedals, and a Muscarin, when it arrives: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/muscarin-semi-modular-synthesizer/ – it's mainly meant to make bizarre soundscapes, partly based on field recordings and stuff.

The modulation skiff can be used in combination with either or both the audio and video cases. It's intended to make chaotic and unpredictable, but somewhat controllable envelopes. In addition to controlling the synths, I'm also planning to use it for controlling lighting (!). A small PureData patch running on a Raspberry Pi takes CV input from the ES-8, processes it if neccessary (slew etc), translates it to a language that my lighting console speaks – currently OSC – and then it controls parameters such as pan/tilt on moving heads. This also works the other way: DMX/ArtNet/OSC from the lighting console is translated to CV which can influence what the control skiff does, or modulate video synth parameters, so that for instanve video colour and modulation speed matches the colour and movement of the lighting.

Depending on how this works out, I may build the control skiff as a 19" subrack that can be used either as a skiff or be racked in a flightcase together with the console.

Outboard video kit includes a PVM 9045QM, multiple Yuan DAC and ADC scaler/converters, Blackmagic Micro Cinema 4K for rescanning, and Blackmagic Video Assist 4K for monitoring/recording, and a good old BPMC Basic Cable for glitchy goodness. The video rack and outboard kit all currently fits in one rolling ThinkTank case – I'll need to do something smart to make the control skiff fit as well.

Ah, but that display is the whole point! :-) The 1340A is an X-Y display with brightness modulation, similar to the Leader LBO-51, Tek 608 and suchlike. It's not a video waveform monitor for diagnostics, but used for Rutt/Etra-style mangling of video images, like this:

A raster display, be it LCD or CRT, is not able to do this – without a vector-to-raster scan converter, that is, but that's a whole different game. This rack is intended specifically for vector image manipulation, all the raster stuff happens elsewhere. I think I already have enough LCD and CRT monitors for that – including an 8" PVM CRT which I haul to gigs. Can't do that tasty composite glitching on an LCD ;-)

Rescan cameras are Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K for the final output (off the 8" CRT) and a small Pelco surveillance camera for the HP vector display. May replace the latter with something that can be genlocked.

this is lit!!

Hi MG,

Thanks for the advice ! It's how I did in the past.
Just keep in mind a hires version of snapshot could be welcome from some users... Future implementation ?

Again, thanks for your very valuable site !

KR,
Pascal

Here’s a suggested build:

It lacks the ability to sync OSCs, but gives you 3 voice paraphonic cspability.
With the Intellijel 7U case this is running around $6k

EDITED Mar 14th 2019, 04:26

On a more constructive note:

Start with 3 micro Plaits. Malekko Varigate 8+ to sequence. Add a quad Envelope (Malekko or Zadar) and a quad VCA. Add a Batumi LFO with poti. Add the Black VCF, Three Sisters or QPAS, Black Hole DSP2, Erbeverb and a Fusion Mixer from Erica.
To add interest, I’d suggest: 2hp Arp, uOrnament&Crime, Turing machine and/or Marbles, ADDAC intuitive quantizer. There is also a Chordizer to make things easier.

I really like to have dedicated pitch, VCA, and VCF envelopes and at least one utility envelope, also, no less than two LFOs, also those envelopes had better be DAHDSR. I also require two filters: one 12/24 dB/Oct and an HPF. Per voice, that is.
That’s what my DSI Tempest does. Market rate: $1500 for a 6 voice polyphonic, dual VCO, two samples per voice synth with mod matrix, sequencer, and 16 Velo sensitive pads.

100% on the pricey part. Let's say you used a fairly basic VCO such as a Doepfer A-110-1 so that you can have sync and proper FM. Now, that streets for $200, more or less. So 12 of those is $2400 right there, if you keep following the 4-voice, 3-VCO example from my post above. Plus you also need four mixers; we'll use the Doepfer A-138b, keep it in the family. 4 x $80 = $320. Now we're at $2720...and we're not even to the VCF yet, nor do we have any LFOs for VCO modulation! Keep going along the same lines, and even a paraphonic 3-VCO 4-voice is going to wind up closing in on the Moog One 8-voice's price pretty soon. Might not hit it, but it'll still overshoot the vast majority of polysynths on the market right now.

Paraphonic operation might be more tenable, but still quite pricey.

I agree with Ronin here. Doing a true polyphonic modular build is going to result in something very large and very, VERY spendy. Let's say you're talking a four-voice system. This means you need 12 VCOs if you want three per voice, four mixers to sum each set to their respective VCFs (also four of those), four exponential VCAs for just the audio level processing, EIGHT envelope generators (one each for the VCFs, one each for the VCAs), a one-to-four buffered mult per voice to allow you to send buffered CV to each VCO plus the VCF cutoff, 12 LFOs so that you can have discrete modulation sources for the VCO sets, VCFs, and VCAs to get pitch, timbral, and dynamic modulation, a four-voice MIDI converter unless you have a four-voice analog keyboard laying around, and some sort of stereo mixer to give you a stereo spread of your voices. Plus, if you want CV panning per voice, then you'll need four MORE LFOs, or perhaps looping AD envelope gens to make that happen, plus a CVable pan per channel on the mixer. And that doesn't even cover such things as clocking for sequencing/arpeggiation (the latter being quite useful with a polysynth) and the necessary module(s) for those two functions, FX processing, a stereo output module, and ultimately, a case with the space and amperage to deal with all of that.

OTOH, an 8-voice Moog One costs $6k. Same architecture (3 VCO analog) with a lot more going on, program storage, built-in controllers, MIDI, all the usual fun stuff. And while $6k sounds like a pile, consider what the four-voice iteration above would wind up costing, with which you wouldn't get half the programming functionality. And far less clunky to tote around, given that the Moog fits in a case, and the modular would be in a cab about the size of a medium-sized HDTV.

Moral of the story: polysynths should be polysynths unless you have the space and budget of Junkie XL, and modulars don't make good polysynths for the typical user.

Hi,

Does anyone know if there are any differences between the Divkid mutes and the Noise Engineering - Muta Jovis except from the price?

Thanks in advance,

Jazzy

I'd suggest dropping the HP 1340A altogether. Instead, check some of the Eurorack LCD displays that can be mounted as a normal module. This would give you a smaller screen, but since this also means a smaller objective for the feedback cam, you can then use a smaller surveillance-type camera and mount this closer to the front panel for better ergonomics. Go with something bigger for your external mix monitor (again, LCD is better, especially if you want portability here, since a CRT monitor won't like being hauled around all that much), and then consider something like a Tektronix 1740A to monitor your image vectoring for diagnostics.

Better still, drop the mults (use inline ones instead...the build's too small to afford space for modules) and look into some clock modulation and logic modules. This way, you can actually manipulate the behavior of clocking in a lot of ways rather than just redistributing the same pulsetrain. Consider a skipper such as Ladik's S-090 and/or some sort of algorithmic/probabilistic trigger sequencer like Iron Ether Pithoprakta, as well.

Hmm, doesn't seem to be a problem on my Android phone. Works as usual. I don't have an iPad. In any case, Esc should be just fine. You don't have to keep this solution if it's causing an issue to users (although I admit I liked it!).
-- ParanormalPatroler

Sorry, I missed to write that I already had programmed a condition that checks for touch devices ...
but good to know that it works on Android :)

Hmm, doesn't seem to be a problem on my Android phone. Works as usual. I don't have an iPad. In any case, Esc should be just fine. You don't have to keep this solution if it's causing an issue to users (although I admit I liked it!).

Gimme a second to verify on my Android phone.

@ParanormalPatroler
... and I got desperate messages from iPad users because they could not edit modules in the rack anymore. On touch devices the mouse is always outside the boundaries. Every fix a new bug

@pnussbaum
The screenshot images generated by ModularGrid have a lower resolution in comparison to screenshots you manually create.
So use a screenshot utility for highest quality.

Firefox browser has a pretty good one included which takes screenshots from the whole site and not only the visible area.

Research polyphony on a modular synth. It's a lot more complex to do it right than you'd think. Typically, you'll use multiple VCOs stacked into a single voice. If you're looking at using three single voices in a polyphonic way, you'll need three VCOs, three VCAs, three filters, some sort of system for assigning new notes to an available oscillator. You'll have to tune each set of VCO + filter exactly the same.

I think you'll find a modular solution to be pretty inefficient versus a DCO polysynth that just works out of the box.

I agree. The 1010 Toolbox seems like a much better deal.

• M

This looks like what I would expect, actually. How did you manage to get higher dpi resolution?

@solitud

I see that the pop-up menu now disappears when the mouse is outside the boundaries of the case. That's smooth!!!

Do you see ? In the middle of the SMR, there is the "Level CV" label that I can easily read on my previous poster, while now, if you zoom on it, you can barely read something...

Test to insert image:

EDITED Mar 13th 2019, 15:42

Notes to self regarding this experimental rack:
- Case to be used: 8U 10,5 half-rack cabinet, i.e.: http://www.allmetalparts.co.uk/690-8u-105-half-rack-cabinet-435mm-deep-with-handles-5055726206217.html
- LEFT side represents front, RIGHT side represents back. Effective Eurorack HP yield is approximate

The idea is to make an entirely self-contained rescan setup to complement the direct video synth. The Cadet modules represent the basic functionality of a Rutt-Etra scan processor. Certain of them, i.e. Ramps, may be built as 1U tiles to make space for more fun Eurorack modules, i.e. oscillators, modulation or Castle-series modules. The currently shown 1U tiles are not necessarily the ones that will be used.

The 1340A has 9.5 rack mounting ears, but I intend to use a wider rack and simply mount it on a rack shelf to make it feasible to switch to other displays in the future.

The BOTTOM FRONT 1U row will contain mounting hardware (16mm stud) for the rescanning camera and connectors for video and power.

The REAR of the rack includes a TBC2 that will be used both for video input to the scan processor, and for synchronising the rescan camera feed and converting it to LZX 1V video for further processing. (I may try to find a cheaper solution as colour video is not really needed here)

Other available space on the back will be used for a drawer for storing the rescan camera and related cables, as well as power input (PowerCon) and video IO.

EDITED Mar 14th 2019, 09:27

Copy the image URL to the clipboard.
In the reply, use Image/Inline or Link.
See Markdown Syntax on how to use these.

I tried to find an "attach file" or whatever to do so but without success.
Could you be so kind to indicate me the procedure ?
(Sorry for being inexperienced on this forum).

... But same result and the resolution is way lower than what I got before.
...> -- pnussbaum

Can you post the screenshot here for reference?

Hi, thanks, did try it...
But same result and the resolution is way lower than what I got before.
I don't think I can post an crop from the entire picture on this thread, but for instance the Qubit Pulsar is barely 128 pixel wide. Perhaps nice for a screen-saver (not on a Retina), but for printing it is a killer...

Hi Pascal! Try this:
Go to menu My Modular/Command Center/
Click your rack to snapshot
Go to menu Show/Screenshot
Screenshot will be displayed in browser window.
Right click and download to process as needed.

This is a little utility rack I'm starting to go along with my DFAM and 0-coast semi-modulars. Adding some attenuation and signal multiplication (mostly for clock) and some fun and musical delay.

Dear MG,

I recently upgraded to Unicorn in order to fit my (wide)rack. Works perfect, thanks for your excellent job !
Months ago, I succeeded in getting a snapshot (was from the browser) to make a decent A0 plot (still on my wall).
Now, when I use snapshot from MG, the resolution is too poor to be printed. I get the same result from the browser (firefox).

Do you have any option to get a high resolution version ?

Best,
Pascal

Hey guys,

I'm looking for my first modular synth. I'd like to create something musical, no super-strage melodies, but I'd like to interrelate melodies so i'd picked a quantizer, the quantimator, that should be the brain of my researches. 3 VCos because of the chords progressions, any advise on utility modules or any big oversight I did?
Thanks.

From Feb 9th

Ableton: Many Firsts

Haven't multitracked this many inputs before (6)
Used Ableton to clock the KeyStep via MIDI Out from 18i8
Used Transient Shaping for most tracks to either add or subtract "front end" from each
Grouped Dry and Delayed Rings signals and applied compression and/or EQ to the Group tracks (sometimes in addition to the individual tracks)
Panned everything between 35 and 5 away from C

Colour Scheme

Rings
Yellow

Disting
Red

BIA
Blue

Tempi
Green

Ears/Blofeld
Black

Overview

Disting - Used C4 (Clockable Ping Pong (Z Input Pan)) algo instead of B4 and sent only delayed signal out of A and B
Routing - Sent Dry of both ODD and EVEN Outputs as well as both Delayed signals on Rings, for a total of 6 tracks recorded at once (Blofeld Dry, BIA, Rings ODD Dry, Rings EVEN Dry, Rings Delayed 1, and Rings Delayed 2)
- all audio cables used mono ground loop isolators for ground noise reduction
- NOTE: The height of the displayed audio cables indicates the corresponding mixer channels, where Top: CH. 1 and Bottom: CH. 7
Rings - Used Modal Resonator instead of Sympathetic Strings, which didn't turn out terribly interestingly
Ears - Sent GATE Into Mod Input instead of State Select Input, sent ENV into Rings Position & Damping as well as BIA Fold, sent audio OUT into M32 Buff Mult to free up space on ADDAC200B for Rings copies
Tempi - Modded Channels 1, 2, and 3 of State #1 and kept it on State #1 as opposed to last Home Improvement patch
Blofeld - Used B043 Marimboid with a bit of Sustain on the Amp ENV so it was a cross between a percussion and a bowed sound

EDITED Mar 13th 2019, 02:34

From Feb 9th

Ableton: Many Firsts

Haven't multitracked this many inputs before (6)
Used Ableton to clock the KeyStep via MIDI Out from 18i8
Used Transient Shaping for most tracks to either add or subtract "front end" from each
Grouped Dry and Delayed Rings signals and applied compression and/or EQ to the Group tracks (sometimes in addition to the individual tracks)
Panned everything between 35 and 5 away from C

Colour Scheme

Rings
Yellow

Disting
Red

BIA
Blue

Tempi
Green

Ears/Blofeld/KeyStep
Black

EDITED Mar 13th 2019, 02:19

Overview

Disting - Used B4 (Clockable Delay/Echo) algo and sent only delayed signal out of A and B
Routing - Sent Dry and Delayed signals of both ODD and EVEN Outputs on Rings, for a total of 6 tracks recorded at once (Blofeld Dry, Rings ODD Dry, Rings EVEN Dry, Rings ODD Delayed, Rings EVEN Delayed, and BIA)
Rings - Used Modal Resonator instead of Sympathetic Strings, which didn't turn out terribly interestingly
Ears - Sent GATE Into Mod Input instead of State Select Input, sent ENV into Rings Position & Damping as well as BIA Fold, sent audio OUT into M32 Buff Mult to free up space on ADDAC200B for Rings copies
Tempi - Modded Channels 1, 2, and 3 of State #1 and kept it on State #1 as opposed to last Home Improvement patch
Blofeld - Used B043 Marimboid with a bit of Sustain on the Amp ENV so it was a cross between a percussion and a bowed sound

Damn, that's pretty...I especially like the look of the base module; the structural and decorative aspects really click there.

But yeah, especially if he's going to do something like this, which would effectively pick up the ball that KAHNCO dropped and potentially change the Eurorack cab game quite a bit, he needs to get more info up, start talking numbers, and so on. I note he's got a bit on there about inquiring about distribution/sales agents, but until he can start pitching something concrete, I can't see the various shops beating a path to his door...which they will do once this is ready to hit the door, but given the market saturation in Eurorack now, they're apt to be jinky until/unless something's clearly happening.

BTW, about the only other enclosures I can think of on this level, when it comes to internal depth and mounting especially, would be Knurr's DACOBAS Mini Distributor Racks...but since Knurr/Extron only ever deals with industrial or government ISM clients (apparently), getting per-piece pricing info out of them proved impossible when I tried it some months ago. No habla customer service, apparently. Geeklapeeno could literally carve his own niche here, provided he gets onto doing so.

The 1010 Music Toolbox is also capable of recording CV (even audio). It has two audio/CV inputs that can be used in mono or dual mono. It can play back up to eight channels of CV or audio. You can also SAVE and LOAD your CV from microSD cards saved as .wav files.

The price on the Toolbox is $600US. The Flame is $400US. You'll get more mileage out of the Toolbox as it's a full sequencer with LFOs, gates, pitch, etc.

I would check out both modules before making a decision. I own the Toolbox and have used it in such a manner.

Next time you're in touch w/ Geeklapeeno, you might want to let him know that zero progress reports and info updates on the site over about three years time is really not a good look

I think he is aware of it. He has a full time job in the maker industry, so on the good side the products are top notch because he has a lot of experience in engineering and construction.
Images from the new prototype with an angled construction. It's planned to have different wood choices and finishes:

I bought a Fluctuation Magnétiques from @pibou, sent right away, very well protected, good condition. Good seller.

Wellll...not just mod sources, tho. Knowing the oscillator (or better, "audio generator") compliment does go quite a bit of the way toward determining your modulation needs. Filters, VCA...those are sort of givens. But if you do a build with a pair of complex oscillators, these need different modulation schemes than would, say, a wavetable oscillator plus a very basic VCO for sound fattening. Or two (or three, or more) plain-jane VCOs in general. It's actually one of the stumbling blocks...when picking the audio gens, you do have to have part of your thought processes working a few steps ahead, and that's not always the easiest bit of multitasking.

Hey, thanks a bunch. Yeah, I am still getting one, just haven't had the time.

Good trade for an Eloquencer from @theartstrip , quick delivery , good packaging . Good seller !

The majority of your build seems to be Doepfer modules. They are fine. But you can have a lot more functionality from other manufacturers. But I do get your point of keeping things simple (i.e. - one knob one function). You can achieve this with other modules as well.

Pair this system down to as basic of a system as you can to create your first iteration. Then use it. Get to know the modules you're starting with and don't be afraid to modify your end-goal. Using the synthesizer and gaining experience WILL change your outlook and your priorities as you find your "voice", no pun intended.

I will second Lugia's Expert Sleeper recommendation. If you're going to tie your Eurorack to a DAW or other MIDI devices, the FH2 and its expansions will serve you better than what you've put together.

Bottom line is don't go all-in at once. It will be very expensive and you'll probably regret your decision.

Mutable instruments Clouds is the most popular module for granular effects. Mutable allows for clone builds of a lot of their modules. There are micro versions (smaller footprint) versions of Clouds. At this time, my favorite is "Monsoon". Monsoon is relatively smaller, less expensive ($250US) and allows for independent modulation of attributes that can't be simultaneously modulated.

There are other sampling/granular modules out there as well. But in a Eurorack system, the oscillator/voice is just the beginning.
In all honesty, you'd be better off spending your money on a copy of Ableton Live augmented with the Max4Live device "Granulator II." If you have an existing modular system, adding a granular/sampling module isn't so much of a stretch. But starting a brand new system around granular synthesis is going to be a very expensive one-trick pony.

The OP is building a simple monophonic synthesizer. Honestly, you'd be happier buying a TB303 clone or a Neutron. They are much more sophisticated than the OP build and a lot cheaper.

An oscillator, a filter, a couple of EGs and VCAs... there's no need to get into modular for that. Where modular shines IS the modulation. Pick-out and design your modulation FIRST then worry about oscillators and filters. You'll have a much better time even with the most basic of oscillators with some great modulation, than you will have with the most complex of oscillators that only have two EGs and an LFO to play with.

The most overlooked functionality are EFFECTS. Most synth patches sound pretty dull and dry without effects. But they seem to be an afterthought when people are first putting their kit together. Do NOT skimp on the effects. They are 1/2 of your sound.

Don't be afraid to be wrong. You'll make a lot of them. You'll have lots of modules you buy today that you'll regret (not deeply) later. Keep them around until you know you'll never touch them again. You'll also find the modules you curse today might be that special dash of seasoning later on.

How would one go about getting info added to a module?

I've talked with the engineer for the subcon modules, and I have numbers for the power draw for the Vampire, which would be really nice to have while designing racks.

Cheers