#1533

I did not know that, cool.

I’ve fiddled with the H9 but didn’t get a very good sense of how I would use it.

#1534

So you need:

  1. An output module (unless the OP-1 can trim/attenuate incoming signals)
  2. Effects: what sort of effects? How much modulation control do you want over parameters?
  3. Samples
  4. Create percussion sequences: this is a trigger sequencer of some kind, sound sources, and hopefully modulation of these sources

This is a lot to fit into 92hp, and also there are a lot of unanswered questions here.

I guess my question would be, why modular? What are you looking to get out of a modular setup, that’s specific to modular?

You already have two devices that should be able to fit most of these requirements. I actually don’t know a ton about Norns, but it’s a computer. It had better be able to do all or a significant chunk of what you’re wanting. I also don’t know a ton about the OP-1 but the feature set you’re describing sounds like what I know about the OP-1.

“Why modular?” Is always a good question to be asking yourself :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#1535

I’ve been asking myself “why music gear” every day, let alone why modular! :smiley:

I guess the why modular question is answered as: I want to explore something I know nothing about, as I imagine fun mistakes will ensue. I also like the fact it’s hands on, with no screen, it’s tactile. And it’s aesthetically pleasing - I’m a designer, how things look and feel are very important to me (I’ve been known to take two years to choose a lamp, and then take it to be painted in a colour I want). Also I like how it can slowly build over time, and can constantly change.

Why not use the OP-1 for it all? Because the OP-1 is limited in many regards, I find the sequencers to be very basic. They work often but not always.

Why not the norns? I don’t own it yet, I’ll be ordering on the 19th I think. But that scratches a different itch, and hopefully the modular scratches the other. They will hopefully combine well.

I think I’d like to start slowly, with power and some basic effects like reverb, delay etc. Again, the OP-1 has these but they don’t sound great, and require a lot of recording, sampling, adding effect two, recording, sampling, adding effect 2.1 etc. Each time you get more noise. It’s fun though. But I think for now, to start, I’d like effects. I’ll then add on sound generation and possibly the Hermod for all my sequencing needs.

Also, I don’t want a desk full of synths and bits, I want it racked, as I have a very small space for music.

1 Like
#1537

Hope that works out, I’ve ended up with a rack AND the desk full of synths and bits anyway :smiley:

2 Likes
#1538

Same. Plus, unracked modules, DIY work of various kinds in various states of progress, little spice jars of 4 different kinds of screws and 3 different kinds of washers, a couple of stray cats…

4 Likes
#1539

(This is all my opinion, not the forum’s)

If you’re primarily doing signal processing of external signals, you’ll need to get your signals up to Eurorack levels, which are 6db higher than line, and then back down. This is usually done with a ‘guitar interface’ module though your line signal can be anything. Linked search of modules is not exhaustive, but a starting point. Getting back down to line can be less of a problem if your mixing solution can trim, but if you’re recording directly into the OP-1 or Norns I believe you’ll need to bring the signal levels down first.

If you’re looking for the traditional idea of “effects”, there are some. Like drums, effects are not something that modular necessarily does better than non modular (there’s a whole thread devoting to discussing this actually). But, there are some interesting reverbs and delays. It’s worth looking for a few that sound interesting and either trying them out directly or watching YouTube videos about them to get a feel for what they sound like. A short list might be (anyone, chime in with your favorite):

  • Erbe-verb
  • Echophon
  • Chronoblob
  • Magneto
  • Folktek Alter

The places where modular really shines in the realm of signal processing are (IMO)

  1. modulation over parameters
  2. ‘borderless’ signal processing

The first is pretty self-explanatory: basically, a good modular effects unit will give you control to automate changes to some or all parameters of a given effect. This does mean however that you’ll want modulation sources. I completely recommend a Maths as a first modulation source, because it’s such a useful module and also one that you have no problem selling if you decide Maths (or modular for that matter) is not for you. Nearly everyone wants a Maths at some point.

For 2, what I mean is that, modular pretty much lets you route signals however you want. Its reverbs and delays are fine, but you could also take incoming audio and use it to modulate the frequency of another signal. Or split that signal into a bunch of frequency bands and route them into different places in stereo space. Or feed that audio signal into something that will derive triggers from it, and use those triggers to fire very short envelopes so you are essentially getting a sawtooth sound that is related to your incoming audio. Or… ==insert Lines suggestions here==

You can kind of do anything you want, is the point. That sort of ‘what if I do this, oh neat, what if I try that’ is the draw, IMO. Also, the fact that audio signals and signals for controlling modulation are the same thing (at least in Eurorack), which opens up all kinds of possibilities.

I don’t want to discourage you from getting into modular! But I think if you put together a rack to do reverb and delay, you’ll be disappointed in the return on investment versus just getting a pedal. I hear the neat & tidy aspect of the rack, and if cost isn’t a concern, then have at it. I do think though that effects are one of the places where modular is not as effective as other kinds of gear, if you’re thinking of effects in the ‘traditional’ sense.

7 Likes
#1540

FWIW, as a noob, i feel i was really lucky to already have an Avalanche Run on hand when i broke into modular, and it still sits at the end of my chain despite now owning clouds, disting, and a pico DSP.

I might get a chronoblob one day, but at least from a just starting out standpoint, having a strong reverb/delay pedal has been absolutely wonderful.

3 Likes
#1541

Same! I also had an Avalanche Run before most of my modular, and I still use it on a lot of my patches, even though I have some in-rack effects now.

#1542

When do you make the decision that you aren’t clicking with a module?
I’ve got a VCFQ that I’m finding to be gnarlier than I want and a Marbles that I’m only kind of jibbing with. I’ve had both about 4 months.

#1543

One thing I like to do is focus on said module and only 1-3 others to compliment it. I see what I come up with if I make myself use it as a key component of a patch and make a decision whether or not those uses are valuable to me. I also like to stop using something for a while, then come back to it. If I find myself liking what it provides that I hadn’t been using for that period of time, I’ll explore it more. If not, it’s more likely to go on the chopping block.

I’ve actually been in this mode myself recently. Its a little weird to get rid of things that I may see as so “useful” in certain context, but it does feel good to rid myself of creative distractions… Prime example currently is the DLD. I really like what it does and I’ve created some beautiful music with it, but playing to it’s strengths can muddle my compositional intent as I get lost in the “pretty” aspect of it. Time will tell I suppose.

4 Likes
#1544

Usually when I’m testing a module just prior to packing it up for sale is when I discover all kinds of great things about it :slight_smile:

5 Likes
#1545

Seconding what xenus_dad said about delay/reverb not being modular’s strength for a starter setup… I myself mostly got into eurorack to build a glorified effects box but the aim being to get things which aren’t available in pedal/rack form, mostly filters. So i’d recommend getting some filters. Many of them can self-oscillate and double as a VCO too

reverb-wise one thing eurorack makes very easy is real spring reverb, there are some small and cheap modules for this and assuming there’s room for the reverb tank in your case then that’s an otherwise desktop-cumbersome effect neatly hidden away :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#1546

I have much thinking to do.

Or, I have much buying, testing and changing to do.

#1547

Thanks, that helpful. What you are experiencing with the DLD seems similar to what I have going on with Marbles.

#1548

Can’t thank you and everyone one else on the forum enough for all the help with my noob questions. Just wanted to update to say that I got my first piece of analog gear a few days ago, a Behringer Neutron! I think it’s gonna be a great intro to modular workflow and synths and something I can expand on…

2 Likes
#1549

Frequently :grin: Since getting into Eurorack in October 2016, I’ve sold/traded away 76 modules and own 36 currently.

  • I want a “lean and mean” system where every module pulls its weight, with little redundancy and maximum versatility.
  • I want each module to inspire me more than it frustrates me.
  • I want each to feel like it fits with what I’m doing creatively, without having to fight its nature.
  • I want each module to have an active role and not sit around unused. (If I know I’m just focusing on a particular area temporarily, that doesn’t count – for instance I’ve been on a drone kick but I’m not selling my sequencers. Likewise, unique modules that I don’t use frequently, but do use, which have no more versatile equivalent, are kept – like the Doepfer PLL)
  • Sometimes I’ve just wanted to consolidate a bit, or make changes as part of an overall plan.

I do try to make sure I know exactly why I’m letting a module go, and perhaps give it an extra chance or two, before I make the decision.

3 Likes
#1550

I’ve got strange issue with my Befaco Rampage and FSS VAC1 quad LGP. When I plug the OUT A from Rampage into any of the CV ins on the VAC 1 it stops the ramp dead. Out B does not have this effect.

Any ideas? The Rampage is DIY, not built by me. It works fine plugged into any other CV in on other modules.

I could post a video if helpful.

#1551

I don’t have a Rampage but do have a Maths, which has this problem when the unity output is patched to my passive LPGs. From my admittedly poor understanding, this is because the Maths unity out has a low output impedance to give better tracking behavior when patched to V/Oct inputs (like when using it to create portamento) so it gets stuck like this when patched to something without sufficiently high input impedance (like a vactrol). If this is indeed the same problem, you can work around it by patching through a buffered mult.

https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=180173

1 Like
#1552

Issues like that are common with Rampage and passive LPGs.

It can help to run the output through an attenuator, or a mixer or a buffered mult or almost anything.

1 Like
#1553

Thanks @csboling and @Starthief - that is definitely the same problem, but with Maths. Good to know at least it’s not my rampage at fault.

1 Like