#1192

Ok so I’ve got a case, my line in/out sorted out, a few obviously fun modules picked chosen… what other must have utility modules ought I pick up to start?

  • Mixer?
  • Bus?
  • Clock?
#1193

Depends a lot on your other modules and what you’re trying to do. Only have one voice module? Probably don’t need a mixer (unless you have multiple CVs you’re trying to mix, of course). Don’t have any modules that expect clocks (or repeating timed triggers)? Probably don’t need a clock. Not sure exactly what you mean by bus – a passive or buffered multiple? Buffered multiples are great for duplicating pitch CVs in your rack (i.e., multiple VCOs), otherwise passive mults are fine (or stackcables/splitters/etc)

If you’re just getting started, and you have a controller (pitch CVs & gate generator), VCO, VCA, and EG, you’re probably fine. Some modules combine some of those (e.g. Plaits is a combo VCO/VCA/EG) After that add an LFO so your patches have some life, and maybe a VCF depending on your VCO. But don’t get too much before you’ve actually started playing with the thing! Oh and try VCV Rack if you can – it’s a free eurorack emulator for your laptop, so you can build lots of patches and see what types of modules you end up using a lot

1 Like
#1194

Thank you so much. I’ll check out VCV Rack.

#1195

A square wave can work as a clock until you get a dedicated module.

3 Likes
#1196

I wish leaving VCOs at 0V = C was easier than it actually is…

2 Likes
#1197

I guess it depends a lot on what you are trying to do… but going through systems here is super informative -

Especially if you can also hear music from the system. This one from @maf is something I love the look of, and sometimes consider trying to replicate one day:

In a way, the sound tells you more about the possibilities that looking at the system?

I guess the Make Noise systems are also good benchmarks of complete arrangements of things.

My system own system is built around ES8 working with Max, so it is not a conventional thing. But fwiw the modules that never get swapped are Marbles, 3 sisters, Morphagene and Magneto. Marbles is the centre of a lot of patches these days, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

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#1198

I’m having some unexpected behavior sequencing Basimilus Iteritas Alter with Pams New Workout. I’m trying to get that pseudo multitimbrality that you see in youtube videos. When I have one output triggering the drum, it sounds normal. When I put a second trigger into the attack, though, every like fourth hit or so sounds different, like the attack was turned all the way to the right. To summarize, I’ve got output 1 set as a gate with x2 as the modifier plugged into the trigger. I’ve got output 2 as a gate with x1 as the modifier plugged into the attack. As expected, most of the time it is an alternating kick snare type thing. But sometimes, it feels like the attack knob was turned way more and the whole tone changes. I think there must be something I’m not understanding about Pams.

#1199

Have you tried reducing the Width parameter? I don’t have a BIA at the moment, but I recall varying gate lengths had different effects on modulation. You could also try lowering the Level parameter.

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#1200

Also worth experimenting with your gate widths to see how that changes things.

1 Like
#1201

Anyone knows if a QuBit Nebulae fits (depth wise) on a 4ms 20 pod?

#1202

Anyone with a Mikrophonie/Mutable Ears have a recommended way of getting an external dynamic mic into the module? I’ve heard this is a popular thing to do. I bought an XLR to 3.5mm cable (unbalanced) but it seems my Mutable Ears isn’t taking in the signal correctly. Even with the gain turned all of the way up on Ears, and another gain stage from Veils, it’s just noise. Would I need the XLR to 3.5mm cable to be balanced instead of unbalanced, or some different kind of converter? Thanks in advance!!

2 Likes
#1203

Not really helping with Microphonie/Ears but there’s the Expert Sleepers Little Mikey that helps with connecting XLR mics. Has tons of gain and phantom power too.

2 Likes
#1204

I mounted this in the bottom of my case and ran it off euro power and screwed an xlr port into the side.

2 Likes
#1205

Thanks! I’m realizing it’s an impedance problem, since Ears is expecting High-Z. So I’m looking into transformers right now!

#1206

So I’ve had an idea in my head for about half a year now after watching a video of Rob Scallon talking to Carolina Eyck about her theremin-playing. At the time, I got a bit frustrated with my own ability at playing keys and the interaction of keyboards & modular that never went beyond pitch, gate and velocity and I wanted something that was more immediately playable in connection with my modular. Which is not to say that people don’t make great stuff with keyboards and modular, apparently I’m just not able to do what I want.
Now, after watching her play pitches with such precision, I remembered that Döpfer make a single theremin antenna module and after a few hours of searching and moving stuff around on MG, an idea started to form. I wanted a collection of mechanisms that made gestural control possible in multiple ways, not only pitch and loudness but also other applications. So this is what I came up with (and already ordered, which is why I’m waxing lyrical about it in anticipation):

modulargrid_1138606
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I already had the O&C and the theremin, the ribbon controller and the expression pedal will hopefully make some good fodder for the quantizer. All of it will be housed in a 4ms 34X Pod and, ideally, allow me to control whatever collection of modules I have laying around. I felt that this would be a good idea because as soon as I was finished with putting it together on MG, I had a million ideas on how to use it. One thing I want to try is assigning the ribbon controller to the start point of a granular unit on my ER-301 and assigning the theremin output to the frequency of the triggering oscillator. The pedal could control the grain window or possibly a filter after it. Something else I will try is stepping through Mangrove pitch division using one of the controls. It may also make an interesting control for a Morphagene and/or an Erbe-verb.

After going through all this, the thing that interests me (and what hopefully keeps this from being a look-at-my-shiny-new-thing post) is: How do you all control your modular? I’ve seen some people use a variety of MPE things like seaboards, continuums and other stuff but maybe you have found something else? I’d be really interested and also gladly share how my plans pan out in a few days if anyone is curious!

3 Likes
#1207

Interesting timing, Todd Barton just threw up a video where he shows a couple of patches using that controller:

Another option is the Delptronics WiiChuck controller. I built one at Knobcon like two years ago, and I can’t find the damn thing!

https://delptronics.com/wiichuck-kit.php

5 Likes
#1208

If I didn’t know anything about modular, I’d wager he is keeping a Balrog at bay or something. His gestures seem very meaningful in a way. Also, the nunchuck module is aces, I have way too many of these things lying around, maybe I’ll revive one of them!

#1209

Quincas did a couple videos on the WiiChuck:

1 Like
#1210

I am looking for a small print ADSR module, max 6HP to be used in a self contained skiff (4ms 48x POD)
I have on my list the following:

Volt-A-Tone ADSR
Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms ADSR
2hp ADSR Black
Recovery Effects ADSR
Happy Nerding: ADSR

Anything else I should consider?
Volt-A-Tone seems to offer the best deal, specs wise, but I have never used (or heard, for what is worth) any of their products.

#1211

The WMD/SSF ADSRVCA is an excellent module and sports a built-in VCA.

2 Likes