Ooh, I like This Modular Rack...

[ghettosynth]

I'd make a list of the generic module names and their multiples from a bunch of videos like that and then try to distil that down. Am I misremembering, but didn't you buy the 2600?

I am the 2600 guy. @Stefken bought the Moog Grandmother.

Ah, right you are, but, same idea applies though. The Grandmother is the voice, then the rack yields the generative elements. That would be a different rack than one where you were trying to add different sonic flavors to the Grandmother. If you want both, well, then that's probably more rack.

[SHall1000]

I'd make a list of the generic module names and their multiples from a bunch of videos like that and then try to distil that down. Am I misremembering, but didn't you buy the 2600?

I am the 2600 guy. @Stefken bought the Moog Grandmother.

Ah, right you are, but, same idea applies though. The Grandmother is the voice, then the rack yields the generative elements. That would be a different rack than one where you were trying to add different sonic flavors to the Grandmother. If you want both, well, then that's probably more rack.

Yes, this is where I am at. With limited rack space I need to be clear what I want it to do that the 2600 can’t and this needs to be a more generic “direction” or capability goal or maybe a musical genre rather than being driven by individual modules that take my fancy. At the moment I don’t think I have spent enough time with the 2600 so still haven’t brought anything.

[ghettosynth]

I hope this does n t turn into a nightmare as there seems no end to modules that you need ....
Maybe the safest bet it to try this stuff out in vcv and see what gives...
Behringer Chaos is probably also a good bet as i combines so much of this generative stuff into one module, which will probably be in the same price bracket as their Brains...

Well, I dunno, this is where software shines. Now, I'm not saying that the following is the end all and be all, and it's not cheap, and it has its downsides, but, it might be something to consider.

This has 6 ins and 8 outs and a port of several of the MI modules built in including Marbles and Plaits. It's not as immediate without the knobs, but, you can map midi controllers to it and it does have a touch screen.

It works best when viewed as a selection of parallel chains and when you mix externally. So, for example, you might want to run a post FX chain on some inputs and outputs and using some sort of crossfade to mix between wet/dry sounds, and run some CV processing on some of the other inputs and outputs.

Yes, it's $600. It's like buying a small fixed purpose tablet for your modular. That much I/O, however, is also expensive. So, using something like VCV doesn't come cheap in that sense. VCV is more flexible, yes, but it's also more disconnected from your rack.

[Constructed Identity]

Going with the 84hp theme here-

although I probably want a splitter and mixer as well...

[ghettosynth]

Jeremy's take on Hector is a bit more opinionated.

[PieBerger]

Love it, this is my jam. (Would swap the NLC ADSR for a Tracky Dacks or Triad, though )

Great suggestions, I will almost certainly build a Tracky Dacks, Triad and Sly Grogan at some point, because why not?! I'll probably build a Valmorification too, which I could use in place of the ST Modular ADSR, to compliment the NLC ADSR.

The attenuators seem a bit superfluous when most of the CV inputs have their own, including the VCAs. What do you mainly use them for?

The Nifty only has 10 power connections, which is why the ATT is in there. I originally put in a blank panel, but then I remembered I had a spare MRG VCA so swapped things around in my big case to free up the ATT as a temporary addition in the Nifty, until I can add another header onto the flying lead bus!

You are right, most modules have pots, but I like additional control for perfomance/jamming capability i.e. I can set the maximum range with the CV pot on the module and then sweep the pot on the ATT, for more controlled/musical results

(And how do you like the NLC VCAs? Thinking about including in the next order...)

The NLC VCAs is a nice module, straight forward build too and the fuzz is great, although it's the same as my Product, in that modulating the VCA with the fuzz turned up has this weird sucking/reversing kind of sound and I need to double check if this is normal and if there's a way around it, if so.

Since you've been building the NLS modules for a while, I'm curious what your preferred building technique is? Do you use a hot-plate, or do you build them using a standard component by component soldering approach? Also, do you use a microscope, and, if so, what type (binocular/LCD) and do you find that it's adequate for the depth perception?

I use a hot air reflow station for all of my SMT builds these days, just a cheap one I got from Amazon for £30, but it's surprisingly good! I have and always have had, shaky hands and using an iron is a fiddly mess! IIRC, I did use an one for the ST MIA build, bu it was one of the last I did before switching to hot air. I use solder paste from a syringe; plastic tip is better than a metal one, in my experience/opinion.

In terms of workflow, I paste/place/reflow all of the ICs, transistors and diodes first, then resistors in batches of 10 or so, starting with 1/2/3s of things and finishing on 1/10/100k that are usually more common, then the capacitors as the larger values are a bit taller and can get in the way sometimes. I then add some flux to all SMT joints, I like pens but you can use paste if you prefer and then reflow the whole board. After it has cooled down, I remove excess solder and gunk with tweezers and then inspect with a magnifying glass, before moving onto THT components.

I'm leaning towards getting a cheap LCD microscope just for inspection purposes, even for through-hole that can be a problem.

My eyesight is pretty good, so I don't use any microscope during the build phase, even for 0603 components used on ST Modular stuff. I'm going to attempt a Ripples v2 build soon, which uses 0402 in places, so I might need to use the magnifier more to double check placement etc., before blasting with air!

I dig the rack but I'm really digging the tablecloth.

Thanks, these are actually my bed sheets!

[Stefken]

I hope this does n t turn into a nightmare as there seems no end to modules that you need ....
Maybe the safest bet it to try this stuff out in vcv and see what gives...
Behringer Chaos is probably also a good bet as i combines so much of this generative stuff into one module, which will probably be in the same price bracket as their Brains...

Well, I dunno, this is where software shines. Now, I'm not saying that the following is the end all and be all, and it's not cheap, and it has its downsides, but, it might be something to consider.

This has 6 ins and 8 outs and a port of several of the MI modules built in including Marbles and Plaits. It's not as immediate without the knobs, but, you can map midi controllers to it and it does have a touch screen.

It works best when viewed as a selection of parallel chains and when you mix externally. So, for example, you might want to run a post FX chain on some inputs and outputs and using some sort of crossfade to mix between wet/dry sounds, and run some CV processing on some of the other inputs and outputs.

Yes, it's $600. It's like buying a small fixed purpose tablet for your modular. That much I/O, however, is also expensive. So, using something like VCV doesn't come cheap in that sense. VCV is more flexible, yes, but it's also more disconnected from your rack.

Wow, big thanks for posting this.
I absolutely love this. This thing can fill in so many empty spaces. For filters etc I will stick with analog but for calculating control signals i don 't care whether it is digital or analog. And Mutable instruments and most effects units are digital anyway. I am glad that i didn t go for Disting ex as this thing is like Disting ex on steriods and then some. And you stay within the autonomy of a self contained unit, as opposed to linking up your modular to your pc.

You lose the immediacy of separate modules with knobs, but the route with midi controllers pretty much resolves that.

Quite a few effects modules like the Xaoc Timiszoara still run on the VF-1 chip but this seems to have new stuff on board. Anyways, i liked the effects in the video. Since its origin is an effect pedal, it is not strange that it has good effects.

Wow, i m really liking this.

[elxsound]

I’m also going to explore adding Hector instead of Pachinko (Marbles clone), Wogglebug and Ornament & Crime.

Aside from O&C, there’s a trade off with no knobs.

I have Beebo so I’m familiar with what it offers and how it feels to interact with the touch screen. I just don’t know if I want to lose the immediacy of making changes by adding Hector. O&C has other uses that I would like to add still.

[vurt]

hit with me with dirt modules, fuzz, distortion, overdrive...
pedals are ok, but lack the fun stuff grrr.

[Stefken]

@elxsound
There are patches at patchstorage:
https://patchstorage.com/platform/beebo-hector/

Maybe/probably you know it as it is also for the Beebo.

[elxsound]

@elxsound
There are patches at patchstorage:
https://patchstorage.com/platform/beebo-hector/

Maybe/probably you know it as it is also for the Beebo.

Thank you. That was one of the first things I checked out when I received Beebo, but later I preferred to make my own (for guitar use).

Beebo was pretty much the final push to just get into modular because I enjoyed the Mutable Instruments stuff. I still use Beebo but for much easier patches and guitar only.

I’m going to keep thinking about this, because Hector would be the cheaper option (1 module vs another 3+), but one of the things I like about my rack is there’s no screen (except for Pamela’s New Workout).

[elxsound]

hit with me with dirt modules, fuzz, distortion, overdrive...
pedals are ok, but lack the fun stuff grrr.

Yesterday I stumbled on https://recoveryeffects.com/

They make modular versions of their pedals (or maybe its pedal versions of their modules).

What got my attention was Cutting Room Floor and Bad Comrade.

The thing that stops me is knowing they are unlikely to be part of my everyday sound and at least these ones don’t have tons of CV inputs.

[Stefken]

Funny, i think a screen is a good thing. Certainly for complex stuff.
A Disting mk4 vs this. Easy choice.

I also like that you can save the exact state of the module (with all variables), something you cannot do on the O_C. Sure, it is quite a modern way of working but i have nothing against that.

But next to M.I. modules, it has pretty much every utility on board, so this can fill in pretty much every empty spot i have.
We ll see how well I gel with a less hands on approach but before this i came from exclusively working with softsynths on screen, so...

How is the spotlight feature working for you?

[elxsound]

Funny, i think a screen is a good thing. Certainly for complex stuff.
A Disting mk4 vs this. Easy choice.

I also like that you can save the exact state of the module (with all variables), something you cannot do on the O_C. Sure, it is quite a modern way of working but i have nothing against that.

But next to M.I. modules, i has pretty much every utility on board, so this can fill in pretty much every empty spot i have.
We ll see how good I gell with a less hands on approach but before this i came from exclusively working with softsynths on screen, so...

How is the spotlight feature working for you?

That’s what I love about modular… it’s such a personal thing.

I do think you’ll like Hector. An update shortly after I received Beebo greatly sped up the screen response time, but there used to be some lag when interacting with it.

Lots of update adding new abilities too.

The utility side is great and a strong reason I’m still considering it because you have all the tools needed for an end of chain signal which makes it worthwhile for that alone.

Then there’s impulse responses for reverb and amps and more.

[vurt]

hit with me with dirt modules, fuzz, distortion, overdrive...
pedals are ok, but lack the fun stuff grrr.

Yesterday I stumbled on https://recoveryeffects.com/

They make modular versions of their pedals (or maybe its pedal versions of their modules).

What got my attention was Cutting Room Floor and Bad Comrade.

The thing that stops me is knowing they are unlikely to be part of my everyday sound and at least these ones don’t have tons of CV inputs.

gotta have modulatable parameters, may as well use a pedal otherwise, using the doepfer cfx i can even get them inside the patch. but i want to be able to have it non static.

thanks for that, ill have a watch later, live streaming at the moment...
yup, while im here.