Ooh, I like This Modular Rack...

[ghettosynth]

Ok, how's everyone doing? Tim Shoebridge did a really nice video comparing the various options of the 921 and 921A/B. At the end he shows how to use the aux output and clamping input to correct the wave shaper for low frequency signals.

[elxsound]

I've been doing a deep dive on each module and having fun with the new rack.

I am however considering a Rings clone at 12hp, but is there anything else I should consider instead of Rings ?

[SHall1000]

Looks like Behringer are doing more MI clones.

https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-rev ... n-the-way/

Maybe a Rings could be on the cards.

As an aside: not sure how they can get away with the Batumi rip off!

[ghettosynth]

Looks like Behringer are doing more MI clones.

https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-rev ... n-the-way/

Maybe a Rings could be on the cards.

As an aside: not sure how they can get away with the Batumi rip off!

Version 1.0 is MIT licensed. Perhaps Xaoc started out with the intent of copying MI's model and then changed their minds? In any case, anyone can download version 1.0 of the code from github and make use of it in a commercial product. I'm pretty happy with what B did with the Brains updates that go beyond MI. So, while I will wait and see, there's a very good chance that I'll be getting all of these.

[elxsound]

I'd be interested in an inexpensive Ripples. Stupid font, but would be fun at the right price.

I'm honestly not familiar enough with Marbles to want "Chaos" but I am curious.

[ghettosynth]

I'd be interested in an inexpensive Ripples. Stupid font, but would be fun at the right price.

I'm honestly not familiar enough with Marbles to want "Chaos" but I am curious.

I'm not that familiar with it either, but, I'm looking for something that generates a variety of random voltages and I don't like what I already have. Since I expect it to be cheap, I'll look into it before then and will hold off buying anything else expensive to solve the problem.

Also, yeah, I hate their fonts/design as well. That said, I think that the Xaoc quad LFO is not one of the more appealing panels. It's not offensive, but I find the Behringer to be ok as well.

[ghettosynth]

[Shabdahbriah]

I've been doing a deep dive on each module and having fun with the new rack.

I am however considering a Rings clone at 12hp, but is there anything else I should consider instead in addition of to Rings ?

{ftfy}

[Stefken]

Ok, how's everyone doing?

Having my share of voices and filters, i m doing my homework on modulation and sequencing, while keeping an eye on the budget. When i see modules going for 500 euro (yeah, i m talking to you Make Noise), sorry, but that is just over the top, guys.

For modulation, i have been going all over the line from a simple Doepfer A-145-A, to the Robaux 3pt, to the Nano Quart, to finally the Maths.
I did my research on Maths. I think i get it now. I ll probably get one along the way, but not just yet.

For my best bang for the buck, I m currently looking at purchasing the Ornaments and crime, which provides a ton of cv manipulation towards sequencing and modulation. It would be nice to have a system in place like FX aid, where you can choose which apps to install. Switching firmwares around is probably a pain in the ass, so I might just settle for the Benisphere but i ll be missing out on some great apps in the original firmware then.

As for getting a Ornaments and Crime hardware unit, it is not easy getting one. For the european market, After Later Audio seems to be the ~only one providing it and units are currently sold out on Thomann and Music store.
I prefer the more neutral design of Michigan Synth Works but I can 't find that unit or any other implementation in the European market
https://schneidersladen.de/de/michigan-synth-works-uo-c
(The link above is in backorder and god knows how long it will take ; i also don t know the reputaion of that selling company )

Anyone has any ideas for an ornaments and crime purchase in Europe (England is not part of Europe anymore so you pay double taxes and customs fees).


As for Behringer, yeah, keep it coming guys. I will be getting the Marbles clone. The Batumi had also sparked my interest and this will be a more interesting price point. As for the filter, e.g. a Z2040 sparks my interest more.
And as for Mutable Instruments, please copy their entire lineup . As a person who was never influenced by the hype at the time, I think their reputation is deserved and their modules are top notch and creative. So, keep it coming...

[whyterabbyt]

For my best bang for the buck, I m currently looking at purchasing the Ornaments and crime, which provides a ton of cv manipulation towards sequencing and modulation. It would be nice to have a system in place like FX aid, where you can choose which apps to install.

Well, with the FXAid, its based on the idea of having a fixed number of 'slots' for the effects, so its easier to do, conceptually. The O&C isnt like that; with either the original O&C firmware or hemispheres you're loading an all-in-one, fixed, set of algorithms, including the algorithm selection system.

I guess a firmware could be written to behave a bit more like the FXAid, but someone would actually have to do that., and a front-end, etc etc.
It is open-source, though, so I guess someone more techie could technically build their own hybrid frankenstein if they felt they needed to. (Might be easier just to buy a second one, though, if its a major issue!)

Switching firmwares around is probably a pain in the ass

Its not that hard, but if you'd rather not have to plug in a USB cable and run an application to upload new firmware, another option is to get a second Teensy, program that with the alternate firmware, and just swap that out.

If you're doing either, this is probably a good one to fit with knurlies, even if you're just going to change firmware occasionally.

Though if you are fine with USB, but hate unscrewing modules, you could maybe use an extension cable instead, either to a DIY blanking plate, or thru any 1HP space left over, or a hole in the case. This kinda thing : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-USB-Exte ... B09DKLGZMW

[Shabdahbriah]

I'd be interested in an inexpensive Ripples. Stupid font, but would be fun at the right price.

I'm honestly not familiar enough with Marbles to want "Chaos" but I am curious.

Marbles is a really deep and flexible module, that even though I pretty-much 'get-it', and see applications I would enjoy, the knob/jack/function(s) layout is overwhelmingly problematic for my post TBI (early 2K) to grasp (visually), and though I too don't care for the 'font' used on the module name of the Behringer clone(s), I much prefer the symmetry of its layout and the 'descriptive' graphics, and will most likely pick one up eventually. So I'm glad to see it on offer.

A couple of other useful randomization tools you might consider are:

[Shabdahbriah]

For my best bang for the buck, I m currently looking at purchasing the Ornaments and crime, which provides a ton of cv manipulation towards sequencing and modulation. It would be nice to have a system in place like FX aid, where you can choose which apps to install.

Well, with the FXAid, its based on the idea of having a fixed number of 'slots' for the effects, so its easier to do, conceptually. The O&C isnt like that; with either the original O&C firmware or hemispheres you're loading an all-in-one, fixed, set of algorithms, including the algorithm selection system.

I guess a firmware could be written to behave a bit more like the FXAid, but someone would actually have to do that., and a front-end, etc etc.
It is open-source, though, so I guess someone more techie could technically build their own hybrid frankenstein if they felt they needed to. (Might be easier just to buy a second one, though, if its a major issue!)

Switching firmwares around is probably a pain in the ass

Its not that hard, but if you'd rather not have to plug in a USB cable and run an application to upload new firmware, another option is to get a second Teensy, program that with the alternate firmware, and just swap that out.

If you're doing either, this is probably a good one to fit with knurlies, even if you're just going to change firmware occasionally.

Though if you are fine with USB, but hate unscrewing modules, you could maybe use an extension cable instead, either to a DIY blanking plate, or thru any 1HP space left over, or a hole in the case. This kinda thing : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-USB-Exte ... B09DKLGZMW

For all my modules with USB 'round back' (including Roland Aira FX), I have the cable installed through the back of the case, and routed to the computer via several of these, with small labeled stickers per module/button:

SABRENT 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub with Individual LED Power Switches.png

[Stefken]

I guess a firmware could be written to behave a bit more like the FXAid, but someone would actually have to do that., and a front-end, etc etc.

I saw this was suggested in one of the forums but I guess it was not implemented.
Hey, maybe I could make my own version of the firmware but that would probably go to far for me and my 'coding talents'.

Though if you are fine with USB, but hate unscrewing modules, you could maybe use an extension cable instead, either to a DIY blanking plate, or thru any 1HP space left over, or a hole in the case. This kinda thing : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-USB-Exte ... B09DKLGZMW

I have plenty of ventilation space in my rack currently so that option would be my choice.
But the concept was to have a dawless environment so my modular is currently not in the vicinity of my pc. I may have to rethink that. That would also have the benefit that i don t need to invest in any FX, as i can run it through Ableton then. I ve been holding off from FX modules for the moment.
Still, anyone knows if you can upload the hex file with an ipad? That would make the operation very portable.

[elxsound]

I've been doing a deep dive on each module and having fun with the new rack.

I am however considering a Rings clone at 12hp, but is there anything else I should consider instead in addition of to Rings ?

{ftfy}

I had a feeling. This was a module I put on ignore when starting out but I would love to add this. I found the Rangoon version that would fit nicely.

Marbles is a really deep and flexible module, that even though I pretty-much 'get-it', and see applications I would enjoy, the knob/jack/function(s) layout is overwhelmingly problematic for my post TBI (early 2K) to grasp (visually), and though I too don't care for the 'font' used on the module name of the Behringer clone(s), I much prefer the symmetry of its layout and the 'descriptive' graphics, and will most likely pick one up eventually. So I'm glad to see it on offer.

I still haven’t dipped into application for what I’m assuming fits the generative category. I think I’ll get there as I’m watching lots of videos to push beyond my comfort zone (which has been modular as my custom synth). I am making more use of random modulation for ratcheting effects and various Mimeophon / Milky Way modulation with nice results.

Ghettosynths comment earlier back sequencers for non-musical assignments also pushed me down a different path which has been eye opening for possibilities, I’m really happy getting the Korg SQ64 for this.

[elxsound]

As for getting an Ornaments and Crime hardware unit, it is not easy getting one. For the european market, After Later Audio seems to be the ~only one providing it and units are currently sold out on Thomann and Music store.
I prefer the more neutral design of Michigan Synth Works but I can 't find that unit or any other implementation in the European market
https://schneidersladen.de/de/michigan-synth-works-uo-c
(The link above is in backorder and god knows how long it will take ; i also don t know the reputaion of that selling company )

Anyone has any ideas for an ornaments and crime purchase in Europe (England is not part of Europe anymore so you pay double taxes and customs fees).

UK based https://slateandash.com/collections/obj ... ducts/uo_c - Also not in stock, but sounds like they’ve resumed building.

It’d be worth reaching out to Elevator Sounds EU to see if they getting more soon. https://eu.elevatorsound.com/product/bi ... le-silver/

Same goes with the Michigan Synth Works and After Later Audio (Seattle based!) to see what’s coming.

Elevator Sounds got back to me the next day and provided my answer for Rangoon (Rings).