Can we talk about modular synths?

[Strange Tales]

Alright, I'll switch that out. Thanks!

[Warpsmasher]

I'm using one of their 12U, 84hp cases.

What are you using for power? 12u is the limit I've tentatively set for myself, so I want to get enough power for that before I buy anything else.


Current wishlist:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/205082

[MrNovember]

I'm using one of their 12U, 84hp cases.

What are you using for power? 12u is the limit I've tentatively set for myself, so I want to get enough power for that before I buy anything else.

I'm currently using a Make Noise PSU and a Tiptop uZeus. I really want to switch over to the Intellijel PSU though just so I don't have things on two different sources

[oscillateur]

I just hope that all of you buy modules VERY slowly and get the time to learn the importance of "utility" modules. You people need VCAs, mixers, attenuators. crossfaders, etc. There's no point in getting all the "coolest" sound generators and effects otherwise...

Warpsmasher's rack above is just a prime example of this. Seriously, just go slowly, learn how to use things and learn what you really want/need, not what you think you want now. Because there's going to be a big difference between these two and rushing means that you're going to spend lots of money for nothing and maybe that you won't even know how to properly use most of your modules.

[Warpsmasher]

Yeah it's more of a wishlist of things I want to try and videos I've liked at this point. My actual startup batch is buried in there somewhere though, probably just one of the Rolands, the vca and the output.
I know I could knock out a ton with some of the bigger Make Noise modules, but it's so hard to choose between them.

[tuj]

you can never have too many VCA's. Everyone thinks they are unimportant or they only need 1 or 2. This is wrong if you want to get into complex synthesis. VCA's are your amplitude modulators of all signals.

[Warpsmasher]

That's one of many things I'm likely to need help with to understand to the fullest. But I am determined. I'll ask the stupid questions so no one else has to, if that's okay.
Shopping for each part one at a time can be very helpful to the learning process. The money you have to spend on each piece makes you learn what you need it for, to justify the cost.

[Warpsmasher]

So here's what I want out of my eurorack(s). It's still pretty linear and pedalboard-like in the planning, but should become more modular over time, once synthesis from scratch becomes more of a focus.

1. Audio processing and FX sequencing. Basically a powerhouse processing section with cv manipulation options and interactive LFOs.
Audio in is a priority. I want to be able to connect and process anything. Cellphone, drum machine, guitar and pedals, mics etc.
Digital audio in & out by coaxial SPDIF or optical would be nice, but is a luxury that can wait. I do want it eventually though.
If there's some kind of audio interface module with spdif i/o, that can replace a regular interface like my E-mu 0404 or a Motu, I'll pay whatever I have to.

2. FX send & return for pedal & rack effects. Two of these loops is enough for me, so if there's a dual stereo module I might want that.

3. Expression pedal jack, patchable to anything. If there's a module that takes 25k, or has choices & calibration, that's the one for me.

4. Midi conversion, both ways. CV to midi and midi to CV. A cool digital screen is a bonus.
Midi out is for sequencing & music generation. The more channels out the better, since it's for rack synths and effects, pitchfactor, etc.
Midi in to CV is so I can play modules with a midi keyboard, or my Electribe SX, which I haven't found any module capable of replacing yet.

4. Automated, animated drones, music generation, and fx sequences. Stupid sick filters, granular mutilation, digital glitchiness, synths that play themselves. SHOW ME.

5. New kinds of synth voices. I've already got loads of synth and mixing capabilities in my current setup that I can't see euro matching or topping, so I'm looking for new and different.
I don't need more than a few voice modules, and they don't all have to be big and complex, since there will be enough ways to destroy anything too normal sounding.
Cheap, low-HP voice toys are cool to start with, but I'm definitely leaning towards Mutable Instruments when the time comes for something more advanced.
I would also like to have the option of separate audio outs for multiple voice > fx chains, so I may need to get 2 or 3 outputs, unless there's a more unified option.

I'm sure this shows all kinds of naivete and inexperience, I guess I think it can be done this way because it's based on how I've always done it with pedals and stuff...but please do set me straight wherever it looks glaringly necessary. I want to know exactly how ambitious and/or wrong this plan looks to more experienced eyes. I know I can't be the only one exploring these options, pondering these possibilities. I mean, using Maths, Echophon, Clouds, Dwarfcraft etc to mangle your guitar signal is going to be a thing no matter what, right? Nothing is going to stop that from happening, so we might as well get it sorted out properly.

[oscillateur]

Disclaimer : I haven't personally used a lot of these modules.
Check the modules on https://www.modulargrid.net/ for more details.

1. Audio processing and FX sequencing. Basically a powerhouse processing section with cv manipulation options and interactive LFOs.
Audio in is a priority. I want to be able to connect and process anything. Cellphone, drum machine, guitar and pedals, mics etc.

For audio in, there are lots of options. You just need an amplifier with lots of gain.
Line level to modular is easy, there's stuff like Circuit Abbey Gozinta (dual channel in 4HP, overdrives nicely too), the Ladik A520 (4 channels in 4HP but fixed gain) and A530 (2 channels in 4HP with gain control). If you want an envelope follower too there are options like the classic Doepfer A119, the Xaoc Devices Sewastopol, the Sputnik Preamp/EF, etc. The last 3 should handle guitar level signals too but if you're planning on processing a guitar through a modular, it would probably be a good idea to have some sort of preamp first anyway, like a Tech21 box or something like that. There are a couple of modules that do that too, but a dedicated box will be better I think.

Digital audio in & out by coaxial SPDIF or optical would be nice, but is a luxury that can wait. I do want it eventually though.
If there's some kind of audio interface module with spdif i/o, that can replace a regular interface like my E-mu 0404 or a Motu, I'll pay whatever I have to.

I'm not sure if that exists. Maybe look at all the Expert Sleepers stuff but they're more about control that recording if I'm not mistaken.
The nw2s-io might work depending on what you want.
http://nw2s.net/product/nw2s-io/

2. FX send & return for pedal & rack effects. Two of these loops is enough for me, so if there's a dual stereo module I might want that.

Best options for this : ALM S.B.G. and Malekko SND/RTN, though I'm not sure if the Malekko one has been released yet.
If you want 4 loops, the Black Locust by The Harvestman (new version of an old module) will be released soon.

3. Expression pedal jack, patchable to anything. If there's a module that takes 25k, or has choices & calibration, that's the one for me.

For expression pedals : ADDAC 301B.
For on/off pedals : Monome Walk (which has some very smart functions like outs for when any one of the two pedals is pressed or when both are pressed).

4. Midi conversion, both ways. CV to midi and midi to CV. A cool digital screen is a bonus.
Midi out is for sequencing & music generation. The more channels out the better, since it's for rack synths and effects, pitchfactor, etc.
Midi in to CV is so I can play modules with a midi keyboard, or my Electribe SX, which I haven't found any module capable of replacing yet.

Mutable Instruments Yarns is usually viewed as one of the best eurorack MIDI to CV but I'm not a specialist for that, I tend to avoid MIDI...

4. Automated, animated drones, music generation, and fx sequences. Stupid sick filters, granular mutilation, digital glitchiness, synths that play themselves. SHOW ME.
5. New kinds of synth voices. I've already got loads of synth and mixing capabilities in my current setup that I can't see euro matching or topping, so I'm looking for new and different.

There are just too many things that do that to even start to make a list .

[tuj]

Yeah dude, you are asking for a lot. You can totally do it, but you need to understand things like sequential switches.

Honestly, get a Nord Modular G2 for 6 months first...

[Warpsmasher]

Line level to modular is easy, there's stuff like Circuit Abbey Gozinta (dual channel in 4HP, overdrives nicely too), the Ladik A520 (4 channels in 4HP but fixed gain) and A530 (2 channels in 4HP with gain control). If you want an envelope follower too there are options like the classic Doepfer A119, the Xaoc Devices Sewastopol, the Sputnik Preamp/EF, etc. The last 3 should handle guitar level signals too but if you're planning on processing a guitar through a modular, it would probably be a good idea to have some sort of preamp first anyway, like a Tech21 box or something like that. There are a couple of modules that do that too, but a dedicated box will be better I think.

Thanks, I'll look at all of these. I've got a Tech 21 Tri-OD that has been getting bored since I got new multi-fx. The Synthrotek 308 seems like a step in the right direction too, but I'm waiting until they clone some better pedals for something like that.
It looks like my dream FX loop module hasn't been made yet, I can't find one with 1/4" stereo returns. I think I'm going to get a Rosie for my first output though, for the extra headphone out and the internal stereo fx loop.

For expression pedals : ADDAC 301B.
For on/off pedals : Monome Walk (which has some very smart functions like outs for when any one of the two pedals is pressed or when both are pressed).

Yeah dude, you are asking for a lot. You can totally do it, but you need to understand things like sequential switches.

This is a lengthy, but very informative product description, that I'll probably re-read several times: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/wmd-seque ... matrix-ssm
I wonder how long it takes to know the whole eurorack catalog as well as we know pedals here. The amount that exists is still small compared to everything else we've absorbed up to now.

Honestly, get a Nord Modular G2 for 6 months first...

So not doing that, but I do have some modular plugins that I've learned some basics on, and I'll also have the 15 e-modules in the Roland Scooper, which will be one of my first purchases, along with a Pittsburgh Modular Cell 48 case. The Rolands seem like the best thing for beginners, because they totally hold your hand and walk you though the basics to get you started, and ultimately yield huge rewards for more advanced use. They also have their own power as an option, which will save me a ton on HP to power requirement ratio, leaving me with extra if I need it.

Once I outgrow the Cell 48, I'll start up a 3u/84hp in one of my regular racks for phase 2. After that who knows...I might just want a second Cell 48. I like the idea of separate but interactive mini-racks just as much as the idea of having it all together in one big one. Sorry, I need to stop announcing my plans. Cell 48 seems like the best starter case because it gives you that horizontal, hands-on tabletop experience, vs. having it mounted up wall-style, which is probably where I'll want stuff that's not as new to me and not as hands-on.

[lordgalvar]

Snazzy just made/demoed an FX preamp interface guitar thing

[youtube]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i9jgYbwozvc[/youtube]

[Inconuucl]

I'm thinking at this moment of just getting a Pittsburgh Modular Foundation 3.1+ and then saving up for maths, then go from there. If Anything I'd want to sell the filter the Foundations comes in and getting a Koma filter, which sounds fucking amazing.

I mean, I really want stuff like the MN Elements, clouds and the 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator to make glitchy ethereal pseudo acoustic sounds --that's my end game. But right now I just want to start with something to learn that's not going to limit me too quickly.

[tuj]

The Pitts mixer used to be not so good. Not sure if they fixed that. Anyway, they don't call it Eurocrack for nothing.

[codetocontra]

Earlier this year I started saving up for a Grendel Drone Commander, but the week I had the money it became unobtanium and out of production. So the idea of the Drone Commander lingers and may need to take shape with a modular setup. I basically want to make drones and melodic rhythm sequencers without a keyboard input (guitar would be interesting though, maybe). This thread is great and full of info for a noob like me to comprehend. I now have a list of brands and modules to explore further. Not looking for specific help with any planning at the moment, but I will take any advice. Basically I want to say "Hello." I am not committed to buying anything, just want to keep exploring what everything does. If I ever do put together a case it would be smallish, as funding is somewhat limited for the near future ($2-3K). If I don't get a modular setup I will end up buying a bass VI or another EGC (or an EGC bass VI).