Eurorack: discussion, advice, learning, questions

[Versipellis]

Do NOT use Endorphin.es modules if you care about stability or in-line noise.

I had a massive issue with them two years ago, before their recent release shitshow on module noise, that I ended up eating ~20% restock and shipping fees for a bunch of modules that came out to a couple of hundred USD.

To summarize, my Shuttle Control had rattling bits inside, USB MIDI would randomly drop connectivity (necessitating repowering the module or hotplugging), USB power would fluctuate, Cockpit mixer had cross-talk and really high noise floor on two channels.

I played club gigs on a monthly basis, these issues were downright unacceptable (I had to live troubleshoot them while performing twice, one was unrecoverable and I considered myself lucky that CDJs were set up for my opener, and I had my USB), especially since the noise floor could be heard on a large PA.

I got exchanges thinking my modules were faulty, and eventually had to return all of them, at cost to me, when Endorphin.es came back and claimed that they were “operating within specifications” when they were clearly not operating fine (as defined by “as expected of what a module should do”).

The high noise-floor is showing up again on Milky Way and Squawk Dirty, but this time enough people have encountered this issue that Perfect Circuit has RMA’d them despite Endorphin.es refusing to acknowledge what is essentially a design flaw and misleading marketing.

[EqualTemperament]

Wow, sorry to hear this. That has been profoundly different from my experience with Endorphin.es. I only have the Shuttle Control and Mate.

I bought both of them used. I had a problem with the Shuttle Control doing something weird with V/Oct outputs, and Endorphin.es helped me troubleshoot via video. When we were unable to resolve it, he exchanged it for a new one for me, shipping on them. I thought it was really great service considering I wasn’t even the original owner.

[Versipellis]

I wonder if that was because you had bought it used that you got that service. I was told to go back to Perfect Circuit, and Perfect Circuit told me that if Endorphin.es said it was operating within specs, it can’t be RMA’d or exchanged.

[EqualTemperament]

Of course I have no idea why. As a guess, I’d imagine they determined the module was not operating within spec and that whatever was wrong was unlikely to have been caused by damage. I have heard of a few others that had that specific issue, so I’m guessing there was a small run of defective ones early on.

[yobink]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I’ve had a pretty good experience with my Shuttle System. I also bought it used, and when I had an issue with the Grand Terminal, I emailed Andreas, and it took him a while to respond, but when he did he was very helpful. I’ve also pinged him with questions a few times and he responded right away. I know they are a really small company and personally believe them to be honest and trying to make it all work with the resources they have.

[headphonic]

@rknLA

I’ve personally had some success plugging the iPad directly into the Expert Sleepers FH-2 (USB-C to USB-C). The FH-2 leaves a bit to be desired in the configuration interface (and Safari on iPad doesn’t currently support WebMIDI, so the browser-based editor doesn’t work there), but once it’s configured, it works really well.

sold my fh2 after only using it for a month precisely because of the web interface and configuration

[reallyok]

it’s the vid on the monome home page - https://vimeo.com/362620801

you can’t see how it’s mounted, but you can tell it’s a power 40 by the leds.

[Versipellis]

Huh, interesting mounting choice. Looking at that, they left the side cheek off. I suspect that the provided hardware mounting points might fit M2.5/M3.5 screws, so they reused the same lock washers and screws to mount it. It looks like the rail mounting position aligns well with the mounting point for the side cheeks.

Not sure if that made sense, let me know if not!

[reallyok]

well, the problem with the on-case mounting is that the spacing doesn’t really fit the module.

there’s a spot on the side that, if i had some i guess… spacers? i could easily secure an appropriately spaced mount for the power module. i’m not sure what they’d be called but i feel like i’ve seen them in hardware stores.

two of the mounting holes might fit a 2.5 or 2, but the spacing doesn’t work for the row power.

[Versipellis]

Are you referring to the vertical spacing or horizontal spacing on the module? A quick measurement looks fine to me, both ways, but I haven’t removed the side cheek off of my case (it’s a big pain) to check.

[joostoftoday]

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a rack for drum and percussion duties, triggering samples from the Morphagene as well Drum modules (2hp hat right now).
Right now I looked around for cool modules for clocking and had an eye on the Shakmat White Gallop and Time Wizard. I like the idea of having the hands-on possibility to change clock modulation by turning some knobs. The question for me now is, if it would make more sense to use a ALM PNW instead, because it goes deeper and has more possibilities.
My goal with this rack is to combine “classic” TR-drumsounds (Octatrack) with sampled and synthesized drums in a interesting rhythmic way. From a musical perspective I would say I’m heavely inspired by LIES Records.

This is my planned rack, right now I bought all of the modules except for the Morphagene, Batumi and the Shakmat Modules (maybe replaced with PNW) :

[thopa]

Very happy with all my endorphines modules. Shuttle, shuttle mate and cockpit.
No noise issues here.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience, when things go wrong in the cabin it can be a mental f *up.

[reallyok]

yeah - you’ve got the really small inlets, four on each side, and the larger inlets, two on each side. the large ones are just slightly too small horizontally, at least for my M3 screws. for the small ones, the top set are too wide horizontally - the bottom set look to be in line with the rails, but they aren’t threaded.

there’s a lot of space between the large inlets - the inlets you normally use with the provided black bolts to add cheeks or attach another plus case - and i’m thinking i could bolt something to the provided mounts that extends into that unused space, so i can mount my power supply nice and low in the case.

this can make room for a shallow module to fit over it - i’ve seen this done, that’s why i’m so fixated on it. hopefully it’s not too confusing to explain… i’m sure there’s better words for all these parts but i just don’t know them.

[baleen]

Only speaking from having used Pams Old Workout, I’d try the Shakmat route - I’m sure PNW is “more immediate” but I’m using Marbles/Branches/Batumi and an OR logic/Cold Mac module to source triggers for ALM Squid (not exactly drums but almost all the demo banks are drums so i’ve paced it). yeah you get easy 8 outs of trig/gate/cv from Pams so that’s an understandable choice that many have made and you’d probably be happy with.

tbh if you haven’t bought morphogene yet is there a reason you haven’t considered the Squid (it took ALM a year to do a demo that wasn’t beats)? I’m basically using it for what I’d use morphagene for except x8 and with a lot of wild options and multiple outs.

regardless definitely add some logic in there if you want to have more options.

[attowatt]

There is one other contender for MIDI2CV: The Polyend Poly 2.

It doesn’t have as much configuration possibilities as the FH-2, but more Outputs and additional MIDI inputs (TRS Midi). Also, it is wider (14 HP) than the FH-2 (8 HP), which is always a consideration.

Anyone has experience with it?
There are not many demos available online.

[WhiteNoise]

Hi, I have a VC waveform processor (A-116 WP by Doepfer) sitting in my rack and I still don’t know how to use it. Anyone? Thanks in advance?

[wardores]

I’ve hit a wall in my rig where I need at least 2 more envelopes (only have one EG right now) and am looking toward my next module. I’m thinking Falistri or Stages, but then I saw the Ornament & Crime has the Piqued app which can cover that, and much more when I don’t need the EG. But it feels like a waste if I’m going to be using it as an EG 80-90% of the time. Thoughts? I know I’ll eventually be getting 2 of the 3, but it’s just a matter of which one would be most useful now.

[yobink]

@WhiteNoise

A-116 WP by Doepfer

There is a manual - http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/A116_man.pdf

[mode.analogue]

I suppose it really depends on what kind of other functions you are still in need of besides a simple EG and how dedicated you want your function generator to be. But I just felt I wanted to recommend that dual EG module called Gonies from Rebel Technology for just a very straight forward EG. It’s super intuitive and gives me amazing envelopes…and would still be small enough for you to purchase other utilities as you see fit…but then again, I don’t even know your requirements, let alone your setup;)

[rnordac]

O_c’s voltage output range is -3 - 7 volts I think, your vca’s or lpg’s may require a higher voltage than it can output for them to open fully (i think it puts out 0 - 7v for envelopes). When I had one I had a lot of fun using the euclidian mode on piqued but it was annoying not to be able to open my Optomix fully, so I’d check the specs on the modules you’re planning on routing those envelopes to.