Took the jump into the eurorack world and couldn't be more pleased with my results so far. Wondering if anyone else enjoys Eurorack and wants to discuss.
Thinking about getting into it in early 2018. I wish I could do it now but some of my stuff needs fixing before that. I've been spending way too much time on Modular Grid and Muffwiggler lately.
Ive been using it for 3 years now, its so much fun and inspiring.
I route everything to my pc for fx for now. Its great for noise and all kinds of weird music.
Totally obsessed with these modules http://synthmall.com/ifm/ got 3 of them atm
But bit hard to find
Quote from: Drohgt on September 25, 2017, 03:43:55 PM
Totally obsessed with these modules http://synthmall.com/ifm/ got 3 of them atm
But bit hard to find
Any video showing what these little guys do? Ive seen them around but have no idea of what they really do.
i think this is the best video
i got the sprott, its a filter with hp, bp, lp an cp (chaos pass) output. everything you put in has an effect on everything else. can be very chaotic an goes very fast in self oscillation. sounds realy great :D
i have the fourses and denum, but cant realy explain what they (video explain it of some sorts) do, you can use them as lfo's or oscilator and every input changes everything. it got very organic feel to it like its alive :) thats what i like about it.
My dream Eurorack setup:
(https://i.imgur.com/IWl2w3r.jpg)
Quote from: Drohgt on September 28, 2017, 12:40:49 PM
i think this is the best video
i got the sprott, its a filter with hp, bp, lp an cp (chaos pass) output. everything you put in has an effect on everything else. can be very chaotic an goes very fast in self oscillation. sounds realy great :D
i have the fourses and denum, but cant realy explain what they (video explain it of some sorts) do, you can use them as lfo's or oscilator and every input changes everything. it got very organic feel to it like its alive :) thats what i like about it.
Where's the link for the video?
Oops
https://youtu.be/Kt59wqPwFDw
Getting into this madness tho fortunately i can and will make a lot of stuff very cheaply. Been cynical about it for years but it makes a lot of sense in some ways, especially for DIY.
The scene is crazy. People paying more than my entire pedal setup for some single module that's just an op-amp datasheet circuit with a fancy minimalist faceplate :D and going crazy for modules that are just some 5v digital stuff that you could do with an arduino.
If anyone's selling a Doepfer Wasp filter for about £50 or less let me know
http://ladik.ladik.eu/ - Loads of (relatively) cheap modules! Some basic useful stuff plus some unique and odd ones. Highly recommended based on the 2 i've bought. Seems fairly overlooked, are there any other similarly priced companies out there that I'm not hearing about because everyone'd rather obsess some $900 vco or other? :D
Nonlinearcircuits, Befaco, Złob Modular and Synthrotek makes some nice DIY kits/modules. Maybe not the sexiest, but should be pretty solid. If you don't mind to go small, there is always the Erica Synths Pico modules.
Or wait till Behinger comes with their line of Eurorack modules. They are on a roll with copying exciting synths and they want to jump on the hype.
But don't buy Behinger.
Quote from: Cementimental on June 19, 2018, 11:44:20 AM
If anyone's selling a Doepfer Wasp filter for about £50 or less let me know
I'm actually going out of Eurorack and have all my modules for sale, if you are interested you can PM me.
Thanks for the info. Ha yes I can't wait for the behringer ones :-/ hope they are as cheap and nasty as the pedals tho probably they will just be fairly reasonably priced by Eurorack standards. Still, the synth forum threads are going to be fun :D
Cool thanks will PM you
Welcome to hell fam.
Just got my first module yesterday, waiting for my case to come in... Fortunately I have enough semi-modular gear that can interact with it at the moment.
Cementimental, honestly, Arduino isn't so great soundwise. Teensy are ok but getting pricier and I believe that if you count the extra work and material you get to the price of Ladik modules (who definitely seem to do the trick.) I personally don't see the point in constantly trying to buy the cheapest modules unless they're utilities because often quality matters soundwise and I'd rather buy an average semi modular with neutral personality for much cheaper instead, if I'm more into functions than a particular sound. But that's only my opinion (Serge/Buchla fan, here...)
Monotome/anyone, who's selling a Maths? I'd love one with a black panel (I seriously hate Make Noise's designs but Maths has more functions and is easier to use than a DUSG clone for instance...)
Didn't went deep enough down the rabbit hole, so no MN stuff from me!
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 21, 2018, 01:27:56 AM
Cementimental, honestly, Arduino isn't so great soundwise.
Yeah that was kind of hyperbole... just find it odd that for a format geared up to perfect 12v analog synthesis people are so excited about all this fairly basic DSP stuff.
Monotome, no worries!
Cementimental, I think Eurorack is a world in between plenty of platforms. It's for the people who can't afford the crazy expensive stuff, enjoy the gadget thing you won't find in 5U, and don't want to learn how Serge works. I feel like it's often less about the sound and more about the options you have to do things with it. That's not where my interest lies but to each their own I suppose...
yeah true it is interesting in that regard. i'm especially interested in the possibilities of incorporating live video fx and synthesis into modular setups. The LZX stuff looks amazing for this but I'm planning to DIY it, some simple Composite to VGA hacks i've tried in the past will lend them well to converting analog video to seperate RGB signals to be wrecked by other modules then recombined :)
That's an extremely interesting area I haven't explored at all but I'd rather not do so as I think I have enough nerdy and time-consuming interests at the moment. It does look amazing though.
Would be interested to hear about people's experiences with DIYing modules from kits, good kits to start with etc. I seem to get the impression that more utilitarian modules like a simple VCA etc. would be relatively easy to DIY? After using VCV Rack extensively over the past few months I think I would like to put together a small (84-104 hp) flesh & bone system based around the MI Clouds. TALK TO ME, PEOPLE.
Yeah go for it. If you are a total beginner to soldering maybe start with something really simple like a passive mult or something
Eurorack kits seem a bit on the expensive side to me but there is usually the option to buy just the PCB and the front panel then source your own components, which would make sense for simpler builds.
A couple of stores dedicated to this approach: http://www.frequencycentral.co.uk/ https://pushermanproductions.com/
kits in general https://www.thonk.co.uk/ https://modularaddict.com/ etc etc
UPDATE: i got a Wasp... haven't had any time to even do much of anything with my modular recently... started building the world's smallest eurorack :D
(https://i.imgur.com/hgcVBA2.jpg?1)
Nobody's mentioned this yet I don't think: https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/ specifically Harsh Noise/Power Electronics modules ! Look great.
Also Feedback Modules' "PRE" series - clones of some classic mixer preamps/channel strips - look great, prob will get the kit of at least one of these: https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=163228
Quote from: Cementimental on August 16, 2018, 12:30:27 PM
UPDATE: i got a Wasp... haven't had any time to even do much of anything with my modular recently... started building the world's smallest eurorack :D
(https://i.imgur.com/hgcVBA2.jpg?1)
Nobody's mentioned this yet I don't think: https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/ specifically Harsh Noise/Power Electronics modules ! Look great.
Is this a standalone 1U case? If so bravo! I remember on muffwigglers seeing someone posting a full 1U system (apart from buying them all seperately).
I recently got me a Piston Honda and it really really has got the edge in terms of aggressive low end and hyper active high end. Fucking menacing.
It is indeed :) I have an LFO kit on the way then the 3rd space will make a DIY 1u from one or two of the Electric Druid or DSPsynthesisers digital ICs i ordered ages ago, a noise source and maybe something else if there's room
Quote from: Cementimental on August 16, 2018, 12:30:27 PM
UPDATE: i got a Wasp... haven't had any time to even do much of anything with my modular recently... started building the world's smallest eurorack :D
(https://i.imgur.com/hgcVBA2.jpg?1)
Nobody's mentioned this yet I don't think: https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/ specifically Harsh Noise/Power Electronics modules ! Look great.
X1l3 modules are great I have Shard and Wreckage they are monsters really recommended.
I really like eurorack for making noise and the second hand market is really good, the price drop makes it really affordable (when buying second hand) and the amount out there means that you can get what you want with out much hassle.
Got something like a functional setup now (albeit still in a cardboard box case ha), fun times so far. got the doepfer FX send/return module the other day so can soon get into incorporating this into pedal setups which was my main aim for eurorack stuff to begin with
https://www.facebook.com/cementimental/videos/548255465644517 yeah sorry facebook video :-/
Built an RSR resistor ladder DAC module, suuper easy and seems really promising. Just a cheap mult panel i picked up on a whim, cheap chinese jacks, handful of 10 and 20k resistors chained from the top jack to ground at the bottom. Stole the idea from here - https://www.olegtron.com/olegtron-r2r-1 - which explains the principles and use better than i can.
It's basically a kind of weighted fixed mixer, where the volume of signals is related to where in the chain you plug them in. If you give it multiple square waves you get interesting stepped waveforms, if you give it other stuff you get other weirdness, and you can use any jack as an input or an output :) my kind of thing
(https://i.imgur.com/8EZqW1u.jpg)
need to get my head around whether it would make any sense at all to build a matrix version and if so buiild one :)
Also brought the Eurorack out live for the first time for Cementimental gig in Leeds. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/4uvp3TZ.jpg)
it's 2019 this forum really needs to start scaling large images
That sounds really nice and a project I could get into. Mults are always useful, and weird ones even more. I just got an O_C and a Temps Utile in the mail. I need mults because 4 outputs on the O_C aren't enough haha. And I need mults for my Maths too. I've only filled 4.5U of my 12U 114hp rack yet...
Quote from: Cementimental on March 06, 2019, 03:14:58 PM
it's 2019 this forum really needs to start scaling large images
c'mon man, just post a hyperlink.
Paid my taxes like a good lad and put the return money towards building a small (48 HP) system. I won't bother saying anything else until things start trickling in next week, but I am excited.
You should be!
If I may, it's a veeeery wise decision to start small and go slow. The learning curve can be pretty intense so in my humble opinion, it's important to start with a small setup and a few simple modules to learn the bases.
Have fun!
today recieved a 2nd hand Ladik Rom Player and this affordable filter kit :) https://omsonic.co.uk/product/omsonic-transistor-ladder-filter-full-kit/
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on April 05, 2019, 08:23:04 AM
You should be!
If I may, it's a veeeery wise decision to start small and go slow. The learning curve can be pretty intense so in my humble opinion, it's important to start with a small setup and a few simple modules to learn the bases.
Have fun!
First-time eurorack owner, but I am an Electroacoustics major and actually study modular synthesis at Uni lol. Our department has a rather large Doepfer system. I was actually going to mention in my prior post how
satisfying it feels to be able to create a system which meets your own specific needs--48 HP is really all I need!
Quote from: theworldisawarfilm on April 05, 2019, 04:59:14 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on April 05, 2019, 08:23:04 AM
You should be!
If I may, it's a veeeery wise decision to start small and go slow. The learning curve can be pretty intense so in my humble opinion, it's important to start with a small setup and a few simple modules to learn the bases.
Have fun!
First-time eurorack owner, but I am an Electroacoustics major and actually study modular synthesis at Uni lol. Our department has a rather large Doepfer system. I was actually going to mention in my prior post how satisfying it feels to be able to create a system which meets your own specific needs--48 HP is really all I need!
That's awesome. I have friends who did the same at the local school (electroacoustic classes) and there's a Synthi there! 48HP is too small for me, I like wide modules on which I can wiggle a lot...
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on April 05, 2019, 07:28:52 PM
Quote from: theworldisawarfilm on April 05, 2019, 04:59:14 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on April 05, 2019, 08:23:04 AM
You should be!
If I may, it's a veeeery wise decision to start small and go slow. The learning curve can be pretty intense so in my humble opinion, it's important to start with a small setup and a few simple modules to learn the bases.
Have fun!
First-time eurorack owner, but I am an Electroacoustics major and actually study modular synthesis at Uni lol. Our department has a rather large Doepfer system. I was actually going to mention in my prior post how satisfying it feels to be able to create a system which meets your own specific needs--48 HP is really all I need!
That's awesome. I have friends who did the same at the local school (electroacoustic classes) and there's a Synthi there! 48HP is too small for me, I like wide modules on which I can wiggle a lot...
Hah, funny enough I believe that the Doepfer system we currently have installed was financed by the sale of an EMS Synthi from the program's early days.
Best way to get started in a Eurorack setup? After a few years of putting it off I'd really like to get into it. I would love to get into soldering them myself too if it comes out cheaper.
DIY soldering is cheaper if you don't value your time :D
where about in the world are you? most of my recommendations for affordable starter stuff are EU/UK-centric.
here's the cheapest power option i've found - https://amzn.to/2Dl1VKf
built some DIY/kit ones with mixed success, this is easier and doesn't work out any more expensive really. Works well for me. One of those, some rails/a frame from https://synthracks.com/rails-frames and flying bus cables from thonk https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/bus-cables/ + some bits of wood/a suitable box/cardboard to put them in = cheap case.
...but even before getting any modules that adds up to more than i'd spent on some entire noise setups pre-eurorack tho :D
Thanks for those. I'm in the US, so I'll try to find similar items from domestic shops
Recently grabbed a Nebulae and its changed up my approach incredibly.
My piece of advice, don't try to spend less on cheap power supplies. Meanwell PSUs suck. Go uZeus or 4ms Row Power, some modules are picky/demanding when it comes to power, others pick up the buzz from the PSUs. Same with bus boards. Shrouded ones are the best, flying ones, less so.
Also, if you plan to go cheap, maybe you should think about semi-modular synths first. I mean, with the amount of money you'd spend to get a decent modular synth you could buy a Polivoks fitted for midi in perfect condition...
Still in need of more modulation sources, EG and the like, but have managed to put this small system to good use with my MS-20 mini. Many pleasurable drones thanks to the Piston Honda/Clouds.
-Harvestman Piston Honda Wavetable osc.
-Make Noise Function
-Doepfer WASP filter clone
-DIY passive mult
-Ladik Random/Noise (has interesting 'geiger' output)
-DIY Mutable Instruments Clouds granular processor
-Pittsburgh MIDI2 to send clock/gates and free up the Function for more interesting applications
If I may, Maths is awesome, a bit intense but awesome. Batumi as an lfo as well.
A great source for modulation but a risky one to get into because the learning curve is definitely steep, is Ornament & Crime. It does tons of things, and incredible ones at that, but it's for an advanced level I think. I love mine but yeah, only skimming the surface on there.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 19, 2019, 09:52:40 PM
If I may, Maths is awesome, a bit intense but awesome. Batumi as an lfo as well.
Have been hunting for a Batumi second hand but no luck so far (though I see them around with some regularity). But a Maths is almost certainly going to be the next acquisition--such versatility.
Have you thought about creating an account and putting alerts on Modular Grid? You should try your luck out there.
Quote from: theworldisawarfilm on June 19, 2019, 12:28:57 AM
Still in need of more modulation sources, EG and the like, but have managed to put this small system to good use with my MS-20 mini. Many pleasurable drones thanks to the Piston Honda/Clouds.
-Harvestman Piston Honda Wavetable osc.
-Make Noise Function
-Doepfer WASP filter clone
-DIY passive mult
-Ladik Random/Noise (has interesting 'geiger' output)
-DIY Mutable Instruments Clouds granular processor
-Pittsburgh MIDI2 to send clock/gates and free up the Function for more interesting applications
Excellent choices! I have used and loved the hell out of my Piston Honda. I recently got a Hertz Donut and that bad boy is proving to truly be something else.
As for a modulation source I cannot stress Pamela's New Workout! It is incredibly easy to traverse and learn. Really gave me quite the edge once it showed up in my case!
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on June 20, 2019, 07:47:46 PM
Quote from: theworldisawarfilm on June 19, 2019, 12:28:57 AM
Still in need of more modulation sources, EG and the like, but have managed to put this small system to good use with my MS-20 mini. Many pleasurable drones thanks to the Piston Honda/Clouds.
-Harvestman Piston Honda Wavetable osc.
-Make Noise Function
-Doepfer WASP filter clone
-DIY passive mult
-Ladik Random/Noise (has interesting 'geiger' output)
-DIY Mutable Instruments Clouds granular processor
-Pittsburgh MIDI2 to send clock/gates and free up the Function for more interesting applications
Excellent choices! I have used and loved the hell out of my Piston Honda. I recently got a Hertz Donut and that bad boy is proving to truly be something else.
As for a modulation source I cannot stress Pamela's New Workout! It is incredibly easy to traverse and learn. Really gave me quite the edge once it showed up in my case!
With the MK3's of both coming out I was able to grab it at a very reasonable price. Absolutely fantastic unit, have spent hours just letting it run with some slow modulation, I'm sure the newer model is even better. Would LOVE to get my hands on a Hertz Donut at some point, but with school approaching in the fall I don't think that's in the cards for now. I will have to look into Pamela, have seen these popping up quite a bit...
Anybody fucked with the CV Tools in the last update for Live?
If I may make a suggestion, don't go straight for a new oscillator filled with complex options and a billion possibilities. It's easy to get lost there and ultimately (I'm speaking from my own experience anyway, so maybe I'm totally off and very biased here) you'd rather get an oscillator to which you can add things rather than try to take them off. It's very tempting but after beginning with two oscillators with strong personalities and lots of options I was very happy to get one that can create simple waveforms that would complete and add something to the complex ones from my other oscillators. You can get such oscillators for cheap, add an extra filter there, a VCA, and you're almost set.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 22, 2019, 07:08:51 PM
If I may make a suggestion, don't go straight for a new oscillator filled with complex options and a billion possibilities. It's easy to get lost there and ultimately (I'm speaking from my own experience anyway, so maybe I'm totally off and very biased here) you'd rather get an oscillator to which you can add things rather than try to take them off. It's very tempting but after beginning with two oscillators with strong personalities and lots of options I was very happy to get one that can create simple waveforms that would complete and add something to the complex ones from my other oscillators. You can get such oscillators for cheap, add an extra filter there, a VCA, and you're almost set.
I'll just say that Doepfer A-110's will always be there for $100, but sometimes you gotta grab those Vanity Modules when you see them. I am a big believer in effectiveness of the most simple units.
I have a weakness for Verbos modules so I hear you haha (although they're actually quite simple function-wise.)
This is where I'm currently at...
(https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks/modulargrid_796063.jpg)
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 22, 2019, 07:08:51 PMYou can get such oscillators for cheap, add an extra filter there
don't overlook filters with self-oscillation which can also be used as VCOs :)
Quote from: Cementimental on June 24, 2019, 01:27:13 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on June 22, 2019, 07:08:51 PMYou can get such oscillators for cheap, add an extra filter there
don't overlook filters with self-oscillation which can also be used as VCOs :)
Or kicks!
In terms of 'fancy' shit, the only thing I would realllllllly love to have is one of these Trogotronic M679 tube Oscs
Quote from: theworldisawarfilm on June 27, 2019, 04:49:12 PM
In terms of 'fancy' shit, the only thing I would realllllllly love to have is one of these Trogotronic M679 tube Oscs
Eventually for my "fancy" I'm gonna get a 1010 module or two. More likely the sampler and the new macro oscillator they were working on.
I just bought a Radio Music and a Turing Machine. I think they'll fill the sampler job. The 1010 Bitbox seems ace but way too intense for me. It goes so far I'm not sure I'd ever want to learn how to use it.
I'm also waiting on a cv tape recorder module in the mail.
Literally just got my hands on a VCA matrix last week....did not know there was a Harlem style faceplate like yours.....goddamn that's a pretty bitch
Got this recently, fun and crazily cheap... Was going to build something very like this myself but they beat me to it: https://www.tesseractmodular.com/eurorack-modules/low-coast
radio killed the modular star!
Quote from: Cementimental on October 11, 2019, 07:29:30 PM
Got this recently, fun and crazily cheap... Was going to build something very like this myself but they beat me to it: https://www.tesseractmodular.com/eurorack-modules/low-coast
That's a really cool module!
And the VCA matrix is great but also doing my head in. It's not as obvious as I expected it to be but I like the tip of the iceberg so far so I definitely need to crack it open. It has lots of potential (as evidenced by some killer YouTube videos.)
Just got my hands on the 1010 Waverazor and it is extremely expansive and deep as hell. It plays so nicely and gives a nice bit of grit when mixed with my Hertz Donut.
what do you all think of the shard module, i been going back and forth on it for a while. can you get any decent lower sounds out of the internal oscillators or just highs like in the demo video? is it worth the rack space to just use to process external audio? also how's it mesh with piston honda, it seems like you could get some weird shit
I don't use Piston Honda nor any of the Harvestman gear so I can't make any comparison. I have Shard though, and I think that it naturally glitches a lot in the high-end side of the spectrum, and that it was more likely built with the idea of feeding it something else in mind (most likely Wreckage.) I get my lower-ends when I feed it other signals and play with the input level. I love using it as some kind of weird glitchy drum machine on its own, with some euclidian rhythms and all. I played a gig last weekend and a friend of mine fed Rings into his, and it made killer sounds almost akin to a distorted electric guitar. So it's cool on its own but gets a million times cooler when you feed other things in it, as most eurorack modules.
Also worth noting, it's one of the better-built modules I own, only beaten in panel quality by the Verbos modules in my rack (the Verbos panels are heavy as hell.) It's also the deepest of the modules I have and finally, it makes a lot of noise that can bleed into other modules. I'm thinking of a really sensitive filter of mine through which I could hear glitches while neither of the modules were patched together. I usually put Shard between two digital modules whose signal is slow and doesn't bleed. Then it works like a Shard, hehe.
Quote from: wretches on November 14, 2019, 11:55:08 PM
also how's it mesh with piston honda, it seems like you could get some weird shit
I had the chance to do this and regret not doing so. Piston Honda and the Hertz Donut modules are super hard on their own alone. I can assume it would be absolutely incredible.
anyone use any of the noise engineering voices for pe/harsh ambient stuff? been looking at a few(loquelic, manis and ataraxis) they all seem capable of getting pretty fucked up but most of the demo videos are pretty fast tempo techno-y stuff so its hard to tell what they could realistically do for this kind of music. loquelic seems like it could be a good low end drone source maybe, ataraxis seems possibly the harshest, and manis(although seemingly geared towards drums) seems like a contender too seeing as its got the built in envelope. any opinions?
I have the Ataraxic Translatron (got it very cheap display model sale from somewhere) and it's definitely usable for noise/drone in the right patch, tho it's default sounds are very chiptune-ish pulsewave/shift-register stuff. output is nice and loud and using it in Clock mode with an irregular/noise clock input gets some interesting stuff happening
Nonlinear Circuits have lots of good noise-friendly modules, this new one looks particularly so :) http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2020/02/1u-pills.html
I fairly recently built this one http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2018/12/bad-digital-filter-simulator.html still trying to get to grips with quite what it even does but it's really interesting.
also recently built this from the panel/pcb, very cheap and fun module, uses the classic echo IC but is more of a distortion/feedback noise module. Quite similar to some things I ended up with by circuitbending cheap echo units over the years. Shame it has no CV control at all tho https://www.modulargrid.net/e/st-modular-diz
Quote from: Cementimental on February 09, 2020, 08:22:05 PM
Nonlinear Circuits have lots of good noise-friendly modules, this new one looks particularly so :) http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2020/02/1u-pills.html
Wow yes it does.
Quote from: Cementimental on February 09, 2020, 08:22:05 PM
Nonlinear Circuits have lots of good noise-friendly modules, this new one looks particularly so :) http://nonlinearcircuits.blogspot.com/2020/02/1u-pills.html
yea nlc has some cool stuff. i had a brain custard in my case for a while that i kind of regret selling, shit got super harsh once you were modulating everything. not really sure why noise engineering stuff seems to be grabbing my interest right now probably partially cause its easy to find used in the us. been trying to find a shard for a while but ive only seen a used one come up once on reverb and i missed out on it
Quote from: wretches on February 09, 2020, 09:12:58 AM
anyone use any of the noise engineering voices for pe/harsh ambient stuff? been looking at a few(loquelic, manis and ataraxis) they all seem capable of getting pretty fucked up but most of the demo videos are pretty fast tempo techno-y stuff so its hard to tell what they could realistically do for this kind of music. loquelic seems like it could be a good low end drone source maybe, ataraxis seems possibly the harshest, and manis(although seemingly geared towards drums) seems like a contender too seeing as its got the built in envelope. any opinions?
Speaking on my bandmates half but he has the Loquelic he has been a fan since day one. It makes and creates all sorts of interesting textures. Loquelic is good for all ranges. My time spent with it has proven to be rewarding. Makes me very curious about the other sound sources they make too.
Honestly, I think modular synths are amazing to make super gritty or harsh noise, industrial, drone, etc. Some modules are definitely more oriented towards that sound but ultimately it's about how you patch it all and thinking outside the box. I sure am trying to get away from anything already noise-oriented because when I hear how everyone ends up making the same thing with the powerhouse that is the MS20, it doesn't give me high hopes for modular synths either.
Find a module you gel with, build yourself a small system of 5 modules (4 simple, useful ones and 1 crazy one that makes you want to play and really tickles your fancy) and go from there. But don't go too fast too early and learn. You want to know your modules in and out to know where to go then and what to buy.
yea thats how i feel about the ms20s too which is why i got into eurorack a few years ago. i dont usually go straight for boutique noise specific modules but some of them can give you sounds that would cost a lot more to get a bunch of seperate modules to do a similar thing. you can definitely get some great sounds out to just a basic vco by adding some filters, wave folders, modulation sources, ect but im just on that eurocrack always looking for another thing to add to my rack.
So don't indulge in unhealthy habits and just buy a few random Doepfer modules instead that'll allow you to make your OWN sound.
It feels like noiseheads just want to do what everyone did with Rings, and it's a bummer. (My first module was Elements by the way. And I still love it.)
If you are worried about falling into cliche racks or one-trick-pony esoteric modules do what I did: buy and organise your rack purely on the basis of whatever modules you can trade for guitar pedals or build yourself or get very cheap on sale :D
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 12, 2020, 08:30:19 AM
So don't indulge in unhealthy habits and just buy a few random Doepfer modules instead that'll allow you to make your OWN sound.
It feels like noiseheads just want to do what everyone did with Rings, and it's a bummer. (My first module was Elements by the way. And I still love it.)
I feel like eurorack/modular is an extremely untapped fountain of sound on all levels, boutique to doepfer modules. I have a hard time seeing anyone copying ones sound. Do you have any examples of this?
Yes. Modular synth, as everything else, is filled with trends.
Where do you think the "Rings into Clouds" meme comes from for instance ? They're pretty much as mandatory in any modular ambient video on YouTube as the green plant near the synth and the view towards the outside. I don't mind, but 95% of their users has been using them the same way, which is a big reason why Emilie from Mutable Instruments was kind of bummed out such powerful modules she put so much efforts into were used to 10% of their capabilities.
I do love Rings and Elements though, and other MI modules (but I really dislike Clouds.)
Same with everyone using Strymon or Eventide pedals as delay and reverb. I can't stand the Strymon sound anymore because I even hear it in commercials on TV. They're great gear, but I feel like I hear them everywhere because they're considered as the best for their price and get overused.
Closer to us, most of us into PE/industrial/harsh noise and modular synths are going to end up with stuff from Ritual Electronics (such as Miasma, which has quite a personal sound) or X1L3, or IME, etc... They're all modules with strong personalities (and qualities) also designed to even more niche crowds than your regular Doepfer module.
I don't know whether you read more general topics on Muff Wiggler for instance, but I think it definitely shows?
This is why I think that with the availability and interest triggered by modular synths for the noise community it's more interesting to look and think outside the box. A sine wave will always be a sine wave but if it isn't coloured by the full package module you just got but by another neutral function module instead, it'll sound like you, not like the strobg personality module you just got.
But that's only my opinion. I just wish I could see someone abuse say, an Intelligel Atlantis for instance
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 15, 2020, 09:48:02 AM
Yes. Modular synth, as everything else, is filled with trends.
Where do you think the "Rings into Clouds" meme comes from for instance ? They're pretty much as mandatory in any modular ambient video on YouTube as the green plant near the synth and the view towards the outside. I don't mind, but 95% of their users has been using them the same way, which is a big reason why Emilie from Mutable Instruments was kind of bummed out such powerful modules she put so much efforts into were used to 10% of their capabilities.
I do love Rings and Elements though, and other MI modules (but I really dislike Clouds.)
Closer to us, most of us into PE/industrial/harsh noise and modular synths are going to end up with stuff from Ritual Electronics (such as Miasma, which has quite a personal sound) or X1L3, or IME, etc... They're all modules with strong personalities (and qualities) also designed to even more niche crowds than your regular Doepfer module.
I don't know whether you read more general topics on Muff Wiggler for instance, but I think it definitely shows?
This is why I think that with the availability and interest triggered by modular synths for the noise community it's more interesting to look and think outside the box. A sine wave will always be a sine wave but if it isn't coloured by the full package module you just got but by another neutral function module instead, it'll sound like you, not like the strobg personality module you just got.
But that's only my opinion. I just wish I could see someone abuse say, an Intelligel Atlantis for instance
I was speaking directly about those in Industrial and PE, not the masses. Of course there are stupid boring trends that the masses partake in but in terms of Industrial and PE I have yet to see or hear the trends there. If you can pull any examples from that scene it would be appreciated.
I don't know anything about industrial and PE "scenes." I've never attended any gathering or event that would attract something remotely close to an industrial or PE crowd musicwise. Noise, sure, but industrial and PE? That's more than a niche thing as far as I'm concerned, and I'm not sure I'd be into attending such events to be honest. I have no idea how widespread the use of modular synths is within the industrial and PE scenes but I assume it came with the recent boom of eurorack a few years ago, although I'd make a difference between proper industrial music and PE. Anyway, again, read any conversation about people wanting to make industrial or noise music with modular synths online and you'll see the names that come up the most.
PE and industrial music are indeed, "special interests", but modular synth is an entirely different world, and a much more geekier one at that. The names I mentioned (and that you know) offer kind of "full package" modules that are convenient for the people into such kind of sounds, and I think that's why they're brands everyone into this kind of sounds and who wants to get into eurorack will look up or search to buy modules from. They'll do it for the same reason they bought an MS20 that they'll probably use to 8% of its capabilities. I don't mean that in a bad way, more than modular synth is a hobby whose learning curve is pretty steep and not many people want to spend the time getting into (because they don't care about what an envelope follower, or a sequential switch, or an analog shift register is, and that's OK too, although limiting if you want to learn how to use your instrument better), and it's much easier to buy a module that'll give you an immediate result rather than 3 bland utility modules that'll give the same result soundwise or something close enough when patched together, yet less recognizable.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 17, 2020, 01:42:20 AM
I don't know anything about industrial and PE "scenes." I've never attended any gathering or event that would attract something remotely close to an industrial or PE crowd musicwise.
Damn fool.
You like deep huh?
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 17, 2020, 01:42:20 AM
I don't know anything about industrial and PE "scenes." I've never attended any gathering or event that would attract something remotely close to an industrial or PE crowd musicwise. Noise, sure, but industrial and PE? That's more than a niche thing as far as I'm concerned, and I'm not sure I'd be into attending such events to be honest. I have no idea how widespread the use of modular synths is within the industrial and PE scenes but I assume it came with the recent boom of eurorack a few years ago, although I'd make a difference between proper industrial music and PE. Anyway, again, read any conversation about people wanting to make industrial or noise music with modular synths online and you'll see the names that come up the most.
I don't think HONOR_IS_KING! was talking about any scenes or events, merely referring to your original statement:
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 12, 2020, 01:28:10 AMI sure am trying to get away from anything already noise-oriented because when I hear how everyone ends up making the same thing with the powerhouse that is the MS20, it doesn't give me high hopes for modular synths either.
So I will ask you as well: Who are these artists to you that all sound the same? Can you name a few?
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 12, 2020, 01:28:10 AMHonestly, I think modular synths are amazing to make super gritty or harsh noise, industrial, drone, etc. Some modules are definitely more oriented towards that sound but ultimately it's about how you patch it all and thinking outside the box.
I agree with you that thinking outside the box is fun, but that's why the MS20 was so successful. It is pre-patched so people who normally would have sat in front of separate modules with no idea how to get a sound out of them can play the machine without patching, while people who like to make "their OWN sound" can override pre-patching with their own. You sound like you believe that due to this, there's no way to create something original with the machine and I don't think you really believe that. When your goal is to "think outside the box" then a module or a modular system is just another box. Until you start designing them yourself. You can drive this to the extreme, but at some point making music just turns into a geek-fest.
I have met so many modular people with such a disgusting elitist attitude just because they read a manual and think they're above and beyond and then crumble when asked about things that surpass this 8% capability you mentioned. Almost all of these posers never make any music either, they can't even conceptualize crafting a song, so the smugness they display is probably just a defense mechanism. I'm very big on getting an understanding of what any piece of gear used for creating music does, since it produces more predictable results and essentially saves time. But that's for myself, I would never tell other people how to work.
Alright. With modular synths I haven't seen it yet, as, like I say, I don't attend PE or industrial music gigs because the rare ones that happen closest to me are like 6 hours away. I also guess modular synths haven't spread much yet on the current scene. I do see that a lot of people asking about modules to get closer to the sounds we like get referred to the same brands and while I do hope I'm wrong, I can see the same phenomenon happening with eurorack and noise as it did with eurorack and ambient.
Artists that all sound the same? Throbbing bass, screechy high "leads", heavy filtered vocals. We all heard them. Some do it better than others though. I'm also guilty of making some of that stuff.
And I might have come out wrong. I said it before, I personally didnt'gel with the MS20 until I had used eurorack because going slower helped me understand the vastness of its capabilities better. It definitely can do amazing things, don't get me wrong (I love Haus Arafna and what they do with it for instance) but I think most people who use the MS20 within the PE/industrial scene don't push it as much as they could. And I also think they got them because they saw them in some of their favourite bands' setups. Had the Wasp been readily available, we'd all have Wasps. I think it's a context thing in the first place.
And I beg to differ but I believe the whole point of modular synth is to design your system yourself. You can't do that without modules. But there's such a big choice of modules available in eurorack and so many options to do your thing that it's a bit sad to try and stay in the same territory as everyone else. I just wonder whether the people who start in such territory will ever think about treading beyond it because it can only make their music more personal and bring newer music and ideas to the "scene." I'm not saying that in a mean way towards anyone. It's just that yes, modular synths are inherently geeky and elitist if we look at where they come from, where they were first used and how much they cost. And the great thing about eurorack and all the recreation of older classic gear functions as well as newer experimental modules is, in my humble opinion, that it allows everyone to break boundaries. By the way, I don't know how to use an envelope follower nor can use the ASR function the way I'd like on my synth. I've barely scratched the surface of Maths beyond its LFO capabilities and only recently realised why you can't indeed have enough VCAs in your rack. But I know I'd rather make a filter snap with some envelope than buy a ready-made kick module that might not allow me to abuse it as much as I'd like. Different workflows for different people I suppose.
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 18, 2020, 01:41:49 AM
Artists that all sound the same? Throbbing bass, screechy high "leads", heavy filtered vocals. We all heard them. Some do it better than others though. I'm also guilty of making some of that stuff.
I'm not shy about confessing that I live for that kinda shit and cannot get enough of it.
However, unless my ears are just untrained (they probably are) those acts don't often sound like they're using modular stuff, with some notable exceptions. I'd genuinely love to hear of some acts making that straightforward aggro PE sound using modular stuff. I know that TCU heavily rely on modular and I'm sure that Puce Mary's newer stuff does too but I'd love to know of some other artists using it in the same way (I think I just tend to assume most acts of this nature are using the MS20 primarily)
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 18, 2020, 01:41:49 AMArtists that all sound the same? Throbbing bass, screechy high "leads", heavy filtered vocals. We all heard them. Some do it better than others though. I'm also guilty of making some of that stuff.
So you won't name any? Interesting...
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 01:43:46 PMI'd genuinely love to hear of some acts making that straightforward aggro PE sound using modular stuff. I know that TCU heavily rely on modular and I'm sure that Puce Mary's newer stuff does too but I'd love to know of some other artists using it in the same way (I think I just tend to assume most acts of this nature are using the MS20 primarily)
Right now only some NYC friends come to mind - Compile, G.N.O. & related (not really "aggro", more like meditative PE) and Publica/Única Forma/Calambre (I don't think they have anything out yet though)
Quote from: deutscheasphalt on February 18, 2020, 02:55:34 PM
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 01:43:46 PMI'd genuinely love to hear of some acts making that straightforward aggro PE sound using modular stuff. I know that TCU heavily rely on modular and I'm sure that Puce Mary's newer stuff does too but I'd love to know of some other artists using it in the same way (I think I just tend to assume most acts of this nature are using the MS20 primarily)
Right now only some NYC friends come to mind - Compile, G.N.O. & related (not really "aggro", more like meditative PE) and Publica/Única Forma/Calambre (I don't think they have anything out yet though)
Colour me intrigued. Does G.N.O. stand for anything or is the abbreviation the name? Gonna have to look them up.
Gnosis Network Occupation - https://www.compileglobal.business
I’ve definitely noticed an increasing amount of people playing and recording with bloop-boxes (in more of a noise context) and that they often are used to produce those terrible squelching chirping fartbox sounds you often get from bad no-input mixer noise. Not suggesting this is inherent to all modular gear, but it’s apparently a pretty streamlined application that many are satisfied with and addicted to spending tons of money on.
Since homey won't answer I'll do a list of artists that I know, feel free to add and chime in:
-Control
-Propergol
-Private Archive
-Subklinik
-High Stress Reaction
-TCU, Koufar, ec
and while we're at it lets talk that harsh noise too:
-Sickness
-Negation
Also interesting to note too how none of these projects sound the same.
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on February 18, 2020, 05:45:59 PM
-Propergol
I did wonder actually, due to some of the sounds from that last Grey Wolves LP that he basically did everything on! That and the track from the Tied To an Abuse comp is my only exposure to Propergol though. will have to check some more stuff out
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 05:55:47 PM
Quote from: HONOR_IS_KING! on February 18, 2020, 05:45:59 PM
-Propergol
I did wonder actually, due to some of the sounds from that last Grey Wolves LP that he basically did everything on! That and the track from the Tied To an Abuse comp is my only exposure to Propergol though. will have to check some more stuff out
I found out via a story on instagram posted by Ros from Megaptera. Nice rig he has!
Maaaa uses some. Altar Of Flies has a modular synth but I don't know how much he uses it anymore.
Modular is the truth...one is limited by a lack of creativity and not much else.
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 01:43:46 PM
Quote from: Euro Trash Bazooka on February 18, 2020, 01:41:49 AM
Artists that all sound the same? Throbbing bass, screechy high "leads", heavy filtered vocals. We all heard them. Some do it better than others though. I'm also guilty of making some of that stuff.
I'm not shy about confessing that I live for that kinda shit and cannot get enough of it.
so seconded!
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 01:43:46 PM
However, unless my ears are just untrained (they probably are) those acts don't often sound like they're using modular stuff, with some notable exceptions. I'd genuinely love to hear of some acts making that straightforward aggro PE sound using modular stuff. I know that TCU heavily rely on modular and I'm sure that Puce Mary's newer stuff does too but I'd love to know of some other artists using it in the same way (I think I just tend to assume most acts of this nature are using the MS20 primarily)
High Stress Reaction, side project of Kevlar. His Cumulative Hurt tape on Unrest is awesome.
Quote from: Kim V on February 26, 2020, 10:27:04 AM
Quote from: NaturalOrthodoxy on February 18, 2020, 01:43:46 PM
However, unless my ears are just untrained (they probably are) those acts don't often sound like they're using modular stuff, with some notable exceptions. I'd genuinely love to hear of some acts making that straightforward aggro PE sound using modular stuff. I know that TCU heavily rely on modular and I'm sure that Puce Mary's newer stuff does too but I'd love to know of some other artists using it in the same way (I think I just tend to assume most acts of this nature are using the MS20 primarily)
High Stress Reaction, side project of Kevlar. His Cumulative Hurt tape on Unrest is awesome.
I need to get that still. Added to the list!
Quote from: PuddysJacket on February 25, 2020, 10:16:26 PM
Modular is the truth...one is limited by a lack of creativity and not much else.
The lack of cash
Quote from: Cementimental on February 27, 2020, 10:02:58 PM
Quote from: PuddysJacket on February 25, 2020, 10:16:26 PM
Modular is the truth...one is limited by a lack of creativity and not much else.
The lack of cash
Not really anymore. Quite a lot of affordable options both new and used these days.
On the more harsh noise side of things, the legendary Pain Jerk also seems to have adopted modular synths lately.
Maybe too much of that "terrible squelching chirping fartbox" for some people but I somehow like it!
https://painjerkwrackedandruined.bandcamp.com/album/lost-paradise
Quote from: jangbi08 on April 30, 2020, 03:31:10 PM
On the more harsh noise side of things, the legendary Pain Jerk also seems to have adopted modular synths lately.
Maybe too much of that "terrible squelching chirping fartbox" for some people but I somehow like it!
https://painjerkwrackedandruined.bandcamp.com/album/lost-paradise
The squelching chirping fartbox parts were the best ones, by a margin. The more all out noise didn't do it for me this time around, but this development is probably worth following.
two euro projects that absolutely slay are
SOAPLANDS
https://norentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-nrr68
DIE LIKE A GOD (- Shaun from spacebong)
https://soundcloud.com/dielikeagod/via-negativa
After twiddling with VCV Rack for almost a year I finally pulled the trigger on a 84HP case (got the Behringer Eurorack rack, which comes with power and flying bus board and put it in a DIY case).
Got me a Rides In The Storm DOC (VCO), a nanoRings, the 4ms Dual EnvVca and the Doepfer Ladder Filter. Clock (and more) is coming from a Korg SQ1.
It is a giant rabbithole but a fun one.
Next modules will be the Doepfer A-160-2 clock-divider, a Turing Machine, tiptop Audio One and maybe the QuBit Nautilus.
Shooting for a more dark-ambient/ambient sound than noise.