#1053

Looks nice (not really familiar with the mannequin stuff, so…)

I’d say start with tt and 301, this combo is insane, you might find you don’t need Pam’s (but rather need “something to touch to interact with the combo”, txi would go well as glue here (you don’t need txo before have have somewhere to send its output)…

Or get something i2c to control, f8r would be an option…

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#1054

Everything you’re saying is reasonable, as a sanity check! Just don’t sell yourself on the notion of your system plan, as it currently stands, as a concrete thing that you will arrive at. Your experience of using these things will inform what makes sense for you. If anything else, I’d say your goals sound a little broad, or rather, the gear you are looking at can do lots of things - the 301 itself is essentially an entire system with some distinct gaps. But the Mannequins modules have flavors that you may like or not, and that’s cool. Which is all to say, just stick with your plan. Prioritize based on your needs of actually using them rather than getting too stuck in the fantasy of what future you might want and enjoy the exploration! :metal:

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#1055

That looks like a great setup, covering everything you say you’re looking for.

Here’s my subjective thoughts to add to the conversation…

I would add the 301 last as you’ll benefit greatly from knowledge you’ll gain from experimenting with basic modular patching before getting one. Patching within the 301 (ie adding, connecting units) requires you to conceptualise the patch in your head to a large extent, I found.

I would get a Disting MK4 (or EX) in there early - even if you don’t end up keeping it - it would be invaluable as your rack evolves because you can try out a huge range of utility modules (and Oscs, and Samplers etc) to see what adds most value.

Go for a TXo+ if you can - as it improves over the original TXo when being used as an oscillator.

Are you planning on using the O+C for envelopes? I found that was its weakness because I believe they only go to +5V and often you want to push a VCA or CV input further than that.

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#1056

I’ve been using a Keystep so likely to be the same issue. Thanks.

#1057

I would normally never say this, but you might actually have too many VCAs in that setup. It’s hard to say until you start patching though.

On the topic of VCAs, I find it useful to have a couple that have bias control along with an attenuator for cv. Something like the intellijel uVCA or Quad VCA (if you want to go big) would give you more control over your signals.

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#1058

Few more things I’ve found re improving accuracy: marbles transposes by octaves via spread and bias, so try spreading out your pitches as much as possible, since they’re all going to get jumbled into marbles later. Also try running the gate though a short delay to compensate for any microscopic latencies.

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#1059

Also on VCA’s, that new Doepfer 8x VCA looks like it will be a very good deal if anyone wants some maximal VCA action.

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#1060

Also probably noteworthy that the ER-301 reduces the need for dedicated VCA modules since you can spin up a large number of them, and they can process external signals too. It’s still nice to have some external VCAs since the 301’s outputs are AC coupled.

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#1061

True, but for the way I use VCAs I would need 8 additional offsets and attenuators! I don’t mind having a couple of VCAs with minimal control (I love my DPLPG for instance) but that Doepfer module would drive me crazy.

Edit: here’s the VCA in question:

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#1062

I have a Levit8 right next to my Doepfer quad VCA (basically the same module as the octal only with two CV inputs and a mix output) for the same reason. Gives some versatility in how either can be used.

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#1063

That’s a good approach too! Having a second cv input is really helpful for VCAs with no bias control - it makes adding an offset much easier.

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#1064

Thanks! The plan was definitely to pick up the 301 last… or when it comes up for sale and I panic buy it :blush:.

Great calls on the Disting and TXo+, thanks! I love the idea of the Disting as a try before you buy type module - I had only seen it paired with PNW and liked what it did but didn’t realise it was as deep as it is!

I’ve actually settled on a Mantis case due to it have the best price per HP ratios I can find in Australia, which kind of frees things up and makes me a little less concerned. My thinking is I’ll use what I posted as a North Star of sorts and have heaps of breathing room to add more things without fear of running out of space - at least while I find my feet, and clear up some trouble spots I see like a potential lack of envelope generators (my intention wasn’t to use o_C for this - I actually got really excited about its ASR app - but what you’ve said about its envelope output firms that up even more), or to play with some of the fun Make Noise or Mutable Instruments modules I’ve seen. And I can always downsize later on, which are famous last words.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

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#1065

You might be right about this actually…

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#1066

The RYO Voltage Controlled Sequencer does this, and is pretty cheap as well as a relatively straightforward DIY project

#1067

RYO’s not doing business any more though.

#1068

I am at the start of my eurorack adventure and slowly growing. Next up I need attenuators and a mixer. Eventually I want both but can I can get away with only passive attenuators first by summing them via stackables?
Since all outputs are attenuated it should just be a passive mixer. I know that there will be a volume drop.

#1069

If you passively sum your signals after the passive attenuators it should be ok. There will inevitably be some distortion. I’d normally tell people that passive mixing is totally fine (not recommended, but fine) but we’ve apparently had some defective modules on the market lately on which it is dangerous to plug outputs to outputs. Maybe we should all plug outputs to outputs on each new module to suss out the traitorously bad ones?

Edit: it was reportedly a Dreadbox module.

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#1070

I wouldn’t use stackables for mixing - they’re designed for splitting signals not the other way around. Same with multiples. I was told when starting out to never patch an output to an output. Most modules are protected now, but some older modules, DIY modules etc. won’t be and you could end up damaging them. With most newer modules you’ll probably be okay, but possibly not from the above post.

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#1071

Wouldn’t something like the Antumbra ATN8 be the perfect fit for your needs? Attenuating, attenuverting and mixing in one module. The only downside is that it seems to be DIY only.
Alternatively, perhaps two of the Intellijel Triplatt or Mutable Instruments Shades might do the trick.
There’s certainly other modules out there with the same functionality, these (especially the last two) are just common examples for that kind of thing. You could combine them with “Floating (passive) Attenuators” but I’m not sure how easy it is to get a hold of them nowadays…

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#1072

Thank you all for the answers. I conclude no, bad idea :sweat_smile:

@mode.analogue
The ATN8 is awesome but those components at to tiny for my bad soldering skills.
I am currently looking at an attenuemix from zlob which also mixes. But maybe I just save for a cold mac first which can mix as well. Triplatt and Shades both would work well but cost so much hp. I am somewhat space constraint (forgot to mention that). Thank you for the great and detailed answer.

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