#2303

Oh, it has stereo DSP? You’ll forgive me for not knowing what “cabin pressure processor with 8 selected cabin fever effects” meant. :wink: That is a selling point, though it doesn’t look like the fx parameters are cv-controllable. Kind of a mishmash module. Hm.

1 Like
#2304

I typically use the Optomix for audio, but the Moddemix has a certain crunchiness that really works for some patches. Now I’m inspired to use the Moddemix as a VCA in my next patch since it has been awhile.

#2305

Another question (thanks for all the advice so far): in VCV, I certainly get a lot of mileage out of Rings and Clouds, but they’re kind of Eurorack clichés, aren’t they? Please send recommendations for similar-but-different modules for resonation and granularization. Thanks.

#2306

They’re both excellent modules though.

I have two Rings, and almost always patch into their audio inputs rather than the default pluck/mallet sound that is a big part of the cliche. I avoided Clouds for almost 3 years but recently picked up Supercell, and I feel like I really should have gotten one earlier :slight_smile:

Alternatives for Rings would include 2hp Pluck or Intellijel Plonk for something approaching the basic, cliche sound (and other percussive uses). As a resonator there’s Rainmaker, and I suspect Mimeophon gets into that territory, and the Resonestor mode in Clouds Parasite. :wink: That said, I sold my Rainmaker and kept my two Rings.

Alternatives for Clouds might include Nebula, Morphagene, Mungo g0, or perhaps the upcoming Instruo Arbhar or Mordax GXN? But honestly I’d recommend Clouds without reservations.

1 Like
#2307

I guess it’s just my contrarian streak that wants me to zig when others zag. But, yeah, if something is popular, it’s definitely doing something right. I’ll probably hold off on them for now but add them later if I miss them. I’ll look into the alternatives you mention, though. Thanks for that.

I honestly didn’t discover the plucking aspect of Rings until later, actually. Patch in audio, get shimmering wall. Lovely enough for me. Didn’t need to trigger it.

1 Like
#2308

Grab a plaits, can’t beat the value, has a karplus strong algo, a bunch of cool noise types, and a ton of great oscillators… The “monsoon” is my favorite version of clouds, put parasites on it…gives you another karplus strong voice that’s pretty unique/tweakable…

1 Like
#2309

•if you really want a Clouds, get a Clouds. it’s a really great module and for being an overrated module a few years ago it’s an underrated module now if you follow that thinking.

•likewise for Rings and I reiterate what I’ve said about it many times - it’s a resonator (or more basically, a filter) and absolutely excels when fed the “right” source audio. If you have good feelings about it from VCV, do yr thing but I would say that it’s not really a “beginner” module, fwiw.

@forrest’s rec of Plaits is worth looking into if you feel like “a beginner!” but don’t stress that feeling, it’s a deep and thorough module with many tricks up it’s sleeve. if you are not familiar with, or want to have, a variety of synthesis options available, Plaits is outstanding.

2 Likes
#2310

Ah yes, the post-hype sleeper. :wink:

I suspect I will wait until I have the cash for Supercell and just do that. Rings seems likely. Plaits will tempt me a bit, but I kinda feel like I’d rather have something like a wavetable synth. We’ll see if I stumble across a deal. :+1:

Thanks!

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#2311

One of the worst things you can do is buy into the concept of the “eurorack meta”. Please, please, please don’t. Just get what looks appealing to you.

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#2312

I find the criticism of “rings into clouds” interesting. I understand it on the one hand, but on the other I can’t help but think of that other big music “cliche”: guitar into reverb. You can get an amazing amount of tonal variation out of a guitar, but it still sounds like guitar, and it goes without saying the amount of music that is created with that combination is immense. Rings doesn’t feel different to me, and when you start experimenting with feeding in audio/noise through a vca (or any other combination) then you can get some different stuff going.

3 Likes
#2313

Do you like how they sound, so far? Get them, explore them. They’re great modules, and both of them also reward exploration beyond the “cliche” of Rings into Clouds.

There’s no way to do this right or wrong, but avoiding modules you like the sound of because they’re widely used seems like it might not be the best way to direct your explorations.

I started with a pair of Mother-32s and got a fair bit out of them, then added Maths, a Disting, and Ornament and Crime. I think modules like Disting and Ornament and Crime are especially good early on because they are versatile tools that let you explore a lot of options.

If I were starting again today from the beginning, I would probably get an O-Coast, Maths, and a Pressure Points, and put the latter two in a 4ms Pod or a Palette case. Fairly affordable, and you can get a lot out of that. Actually, that and a MIDI keyboard and some reverb sounds like a really good weekend…

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#2314

crazy thought but hear me out:

Clouds Into Rings

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#2315

How about Synthesis Tech’s e352 wavetable OSC? I’ve no idea why it doesn’t get more love around here. It is so good, in so many ways, for so many things. It’s wonderfully houseplanty.

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#2316

Clouds into Rings into Tensor and back into Clouds :grin:

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#2317

If I were you (starting over and ready for DIY), I’d start with a product, basically a DIY semi modular, sounds ace!

#2318

Plaits has a wavetable synth… ive gone through around 20 different simple - complex osc’s now and plaits is in my top 3… For ~ $220 usd you get soooo much. You might also look into the sssr Kotelnikov, solid wavetable osc with built in looping / triggered envelope gen & vca…

loqueliq iteritas and dpo are my other favorites…

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#2319

… and then into Malgorithm! :japanese_ogre:

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#2320

Yep, that’s on my future list. That or the Waldorf module: I feel like if you want wavetable, Waldorf, but the E352 is definitely cooler.

#2321

@hermbot @Whatwetalkabout @xenus_dad
I am with you all. I’d rather avoid hipster judgy elitism than avoid common gear. And it’s true, VCV has got me hard on Rings and Clouds. I’ve even doubled down on my anti-elitist stance by making cheesy '90s Eurodance in VCV with Rings and Clouds. :rofl:

@forrest oooh, Kotelnikov looks cool… I’ll have to see if I can 1:1 it with the E352 at some point. Thanks!

#2322

I think you should get a 104hp skiff and fill it with nothing but Cold Mac.

I don’t really think you should do this, but I wish someone would.

11 Likes