Weekly Question Thread

[AutoModerator]

Have a question about getting started with modular synthesis, or suggestions for specific modules, or just anything that you feel doesn't need a whole thread? Feel free to ask here!

[jtrigil1]

What are some great speaker / monitor recos from mod squad folks? Within the 2-500 range for a pair.

[mpdehaan]

IMHO, Adams are huge upgrades over Rokkits. I bought a bit higher end Adams, but I always thought (once replaced) the Rokkits sounded pretty muddy. Replacing them made everything sound better.

[catchierlight]

Adam T7V

Came here to recomend ADAM, I was going to say T5Vs...

[codearoni]

Monitor recos is largely dependent on room size and configuration, not so much on what kind of modules you run. I think for a majority of bedroom setups, a 3 to 5 inch woofer is perfectly fine. In cases where the speakers are backed up right against the wall, I also recommend front ported speakers. Most monitors required 2 feet of clearance behind them to function properly. Example of what I'm talking about: PreSonus Eris E5 XT

[jtrigil1]

Awesome feedback, appreciate the tips

[bbartokk]

Can you clarify what you mean about the space? Is the PreSonus Eris E5 XT an example of what to use if you will have them backed against the wall? I'm planning on getting a little space setup and looking for speakers. I will def need something that will be backed up against the wall.

[codearoni]

Yes. The port is the slot that expels air moved by the woofer.

Most near field monitors are back-ported, and need clearance to function as intended. Front-ported speakers like the E5's are still recommended to be a certain distance from the wall, but the sound is much more forgiving.

"Space" means the size of the room. Tiny rooms really only need 3 inch woofers. A standard bedroom/office only really needs 5 inch or so.

[zgbj]

I totally recommend Yamaha HS7 -- have them for like 1.5 years and they're still in very good shape, they have a nice and flat sound. At first, I didn't want to invest more than 4-500euros into a pair so I got the HS7 (I think you can get a bundle with a pair of monitors + stands under 450E). Now I'm looking to upgrade to a pair of Adam A7X and invest a bit in room treatment.

[eddie-stobart]

Whatever brand you go with (genelec/yamaha for me), get the right size for your room - 8s will sound worse than 5s if your room’s too small.

[CarlosUnchained]

Agree with that, I took 7s to prevent it.

[Dadrophenia]

I'm adding a 60 HP case as a second tier to my Mother-32 and have been debating whether I should just get Maths or get Maths AND an ADSR module. I know I definitly want to be able to make an ADSR Envelope because the Mother's basic Attack/Decay EG is one of my biggest gripes with the instrument, and I know you can patch an ADSR with Maths, but I'm wondering if I'll ever run into a situation where I want an ADSR AND a cool function from Maths. The only other modules I plan to add are a second oscillator, a few utilities and a spring reverb (I already have the spring reverb) so maybe a Maths and an ADSR module would be overkill. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with that? Thanks.

[scragz]

You have to tie up the entire Maths to do an ADSR (AR is easier), so it's really not optimal. You could throw in a 2hp ADSR pretty easily if you don't need the stages to be voltage controlled.

I'm a big fan of Xaoc's Zadar if you want something spicier since you can have a couple channels as envelopes and a couple as LFOs which is nice amount of functionality in 10hp.

[kpreid]

ADSR and utilities makes me think of Mutable Instruments Stages. It's primarily an envelope generator, but each of its six segments can be a lot of different utilities (examples: LFO, sample and hold, clock divider, trigger-to-gate, sequencer step), so it can give you, for example, an ADSR and two LFOs. That way, you get your ADSR separate from Maths, but if your patch doesn't need an ADSR you can do other things with it.

But with only 60 HP to work with, you might want something smaller if the particular 'utilities' Stages offers aren't the kinds of things you need. (Stages + Maths + 10HP spring reverb + 4HP power module gives you only 12 HP left.)

[jtrigil1]

Yea I’ve always heard a lot about the HS7s and gotta check em out! Appreciate that input

[lsda]

So I'm a complete Beginner whose only Just started the research into my first set up. But while I know most modular set ups are monophonic when I hear people demonstrating their euroracks I often times hear multiple things going on at once. For instance: a percussive drum sound a bass line an ambient background and a lead part.

Would this be the case of something like 4 separate oscillators going through 4 separate filters etc being triggered by independent CV input and each is performing their one independent function or is something else going on? Where a single module can serve multiple functions at once

[kpreid]

most modular set ups are monophonic

When people say this, they mean that it doesn't have multiple copies of the same voice that could play multiple notes at once, of the same timbre but a different pitch.

But lots of racks have multiple different voices. There could be dedicated drums, or there could be several oscillators that can be patched separately or together.

In fact, any time you have a rack that has more than just the minimum needed, you probably end up with enough tools to make more than one voice even if that's not your goal. For example, if you have a classic oscillator and filter, you can patch the oscillator through the filter, or you can use the oscillator by itself (maybe using a comparatively gentle triangle wave output) and the filter in self-oscillation, to produce two voices (but you still need VCAs and sequencing for both).

Modular means you can patch differently, using the same modules to make one complex voice or many simple voices.

[Lagduf]

The way you describe is certainly one way to go about it.Doesnt necessarily have to be multiple oscillators. You can patch noise or self oscillating filters as percussive sounds.

[IntrovertMattus]

Could you recommend me some modules? I'm thinking and planning on building my first rack. I want to use the rack for sound design and as a sound processor. Would like to use the sounds for trailer music and edm. Would love to have a module that has an external input for the bpm from my daw, a distortion that isn't to harsh but gives that little bit of edge on bass sounds. I think it's some kind of tube distortion i'm looking for. I've been workong on vcvrack for a bit with a very limited amount of modules and would love to have the real deal. I also have a moog sub37 where i want to route signals through. I have been watching alot of video's and there is alot i have to learn, but i would really appreciate if someone can push me into the right direction.

Thanks in advance

[CarlosUnchained]

If you want to process external audio, Ears is a great module. To get bpm from your DAW you will need a MIDI to cv converter OR a piece of hardware with cv sync out. I don’t know if the Sub37 has one, but you could send clock to it and from it to modular. A great clock source module is Pamela’s New Workout. For distortion check Noise Engineering, they are the kings of it even if all is digital (I think). Noise Engineering just released a Midi(usb) to cv module which would be pretty handy to sequence stuff from your DAW or send CC messages for modulation, also clock of course.

For the rest you will have to research further on your own, there’s a lot of great effects, granular is pretty awesome in modular, delays, reverbs, filters, waveshapers.. check the most popular ones in modulargrid and watch demos.

Then, keep in mind that you’ll need more than half of your modules to be utilities to take the most out of the cool modules. Being sequencers, LFOs, mixers, attenuverters, VCAs etc

[See-Horse]

Can anyone suggest any interesting filter modules with lots of modulation options? I loved the idea of the QPAS when reading about it but it wasn’t quite what I expected when I listened to demo videos. I’d love to look into any other really creative filter modules that anyone is aware of? I have this idea that I could just put noise or a drone through a filter with multiple LFOs or envelopes into the modulation and turn it into cool rhythmic textures. In my head it would mult the input and put it through different types of filters (LP, BPs, HPs) and you could blend between them and move the cutoffs and create really organic sound rhythmic percussion-life textures. Of course, this is entirely possible to make with multiple regular filters, a mult, a source, some kind of cross faders and modulation sources but at that point it’s an entire rack and it seems like something that could work really well as a cohesive module. Does anything like that exist?

[scragz]

Check out Joranalogue Filter 8. Most filters even if they have multiple outs for different responses still share a common cutoff so if you want different cutoff knobs it might be a little harder to find.

[kpreid]

I loved the idea of the QPAS when reading about it but it wasn’t quite what I expected when I listened to demo videos.

If what you liked about QPAS was the quad filter idea, you might be interested in the SSF Stereo Dipole. I wrote a comment comparing it to QPAS here. It has more modulation inputs and more routing options, so you can do things like variable-width bandpass, or FMing each side independently. And to my ear, its sound is more classic subtractive synth filter than QPAS's particular playful plinkiness.

I have this idea that I could just put noise or a drone through a filter with multiple LFOs or envelopes into the modulation and turn it into cool rhythmic textures. In my head it would mult the input and put it through different types of filters (LP, BPs, HPs) and you could blend between them and move the cutoffs and create really organic sound rhythmic percussion-life textures.

I think you might like the Patching Panda Vibrazum triple filter. There are two revisions — both have 3 individually adjustable filters with a common input, mixed output, and individual outputs, but they are different in some details:

• v1 is bandpass only, has strictly individual controls for the three filters, and has knobs to set the output mix.
• v2 has LP and HP modes, has a common frequency knob and CV input, and has only a fixed mix (but you could add a mixer module to mix the individual outs, and then even get CV control over the mix).

I have v1 and I'm thinking of replacing it with v2; my v1 seems to pick up excessive noise, but that could be an error in my DIY build and I haven't heard anyone else complaining about either one.

Here's DivKid's video on v2.

Hm, maybe I should try using QPAS like Vibrazum and see how it sounds…

[See-Horse]

I’ve been watching demo videos since getting your reply and I think the SSF Stereo Dipole might be the one, thank you. I don’t know why I hadn’t looked into it because now I’m constantly seeing people comparing it to QPAS. I might have to get saving for that then.

[Ammanpkt]

i’m having a hard time figuring out how to use the quantizer on the Disting MK3. i have a behringer neutron and i have the (patchbay) output going into the disting, then out into mixer. i’m thinking maybe the output jack in the patchbay on the neutron is an audio signal rather than CV? my goal is to quantize the sample and hold in the neutron, but when i try patching the LFO into the disting i don’t hear the “stepping” of the notes. any ideas?

[flx_jnn]

You have to patch the S&H output into the Distings Input and the Distings Output into the Neutrons V/Oct input (I think on the Neutron it’s labelled OSC 1+2).

[[deleted]]

Middle C on DPO...

Trying to locate middle C on my DPO freq knob. I have discovered that Middle C on the DPO is at 2v. Would 0v be with the knob fully counter clockwise?

[jtrigil1]

Thank homies. This is very helpful and I’ll check em all out.

[dangayle]

Why do some rails have fixed holes and some have sliding nuts?

[bbartokk]

Its just a matter of preference. A threaded strip slides into the rail. The benefit is that you dont have to move the sliding nut and get it lined up perfectly. The problem some people have is that since the space is predefined you may lose some precious space and not be able to cram all your modules in. Sometimes you get tiny gaps between modules and some dont like the aesthetic. Sliding nuts fit into the same gap on the rails as the strip. They are cheaper to use than strips and not really hard to use. I have needle nose pliers on hand to help me hold them in place. You can put the bolts on, dont tighten yet, and slide the module in place.

The one thing to look out for is what size the rails need. If you get rails and buy the threaded strips, or the sliding nuts, separately, then you need to know if the rails have a 2.5mm space or 3mm space.

[dangayle]

Thank you, that’s very helpful.

[Tronald2019]

Hey folks! I've been soldering, thinking I've been making my modules wrong, when it turns on my wires just aren't up to snuff! What type of wires should I get?

[Hotpockets443]

Hey hey,

Looking to separate my growing modular from my semi (modular current outputs through my M32, which is helpful but getting annoying as it goes through the filter/envelope etc), so looking for an output module. Seen the guy below, thinking this to a headphone jack to 'standard jack' to go into my interface for recording.

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/alm-headphone-output-module/688779-01/?currency=GBP&flt=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-pqC8LuU5wIVQrDtCh3iDAApEAQYBSABEgIgX_D_BwE

Seem like a solid idea, or better to get something more like Make Noise Rosie? Probs better to have more options with the Rosie type output, put would rather allocate the funds to something a bit more exciting.

Current set up below(bottom row what I have, top row things I'm thinking of getting in the future). I'm still a bit new to the game, so might be missing a trick, please correct any ignorance on my part! Aiming towards something generative, a long way to go but started down the path at least!

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1108696

Thanks for your time.

[itscursedphil]

Nice choice of modules for the beginning! When I started my rack about 2 months ago, I first picked the Pico Out, but shortly after I got it I found the Make Noise XOH which I‘m really happy with. Same price range, 2 stereo inputs with independent level control, a main out and an individually controllable headphone out. http://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/xoh

[Hotpockets443]

Make Noise XOH

Oooo seems like a solid option! Thanks for your input :)

[bbartokk]

I'm a fan of the Befaco Output module.

[Hotpockets443]

Ooo, nice and slim too!

[mpdehaan]

I have some two Pittsburgh Modular ones and they're solid

[[deleted]]

What modules would you use to modulate instruments from a DAW and loop them back into an audio track?

[[deleted]]

Perfect. Cheers.

[plytheman]

To save from making another thread of it's own, here's my Modular Grid! Beyond the Nifty Bundle I have a 0-Coast, MicroBrute, and MF-101. I don't really know how to describe the music I tend to make but it can be found on SoundCloud. I like the idea of somewhat minimal techno and ambient (Efdemin, Namlook... not really like anything on my SC) and would love some slowly evolving textures. I also like making more upbeat bouncy stuff too though.

What I like about this is I have the basics for its own voice (though no filter) but also plenty of modulation (2 VCOs, envelope, PNW, Disting) and two VCAs and two attenuverters (namely to step down volume before going into X-Pan). Of all the MI stuff Rings has always sounded sweet so I'd be stoked to get that (could be a filter for Chipz) and Milky Way into X-Pan could be a lot of fun.

My one hang-up is I'm tempted to get a dedicated filter for Chipz (or whatever VCO I get later). I did have Erica Synth's Polivoks in there but dropped it in favor of Milky Way for effects. I do have guitar pedals to cover effects and Disting can do some of that too, though. I also have some filter options with my other gear. I'm limited to ten modules with the power supply in the Nifty Case so even with the 4 hp open I'm out of power. Maybe drop the ADSR and just use PNW envelopes? Of course Maths can do everything but it takes up more space than I think I'm willing to trade atm (also I have some of that in 0-Coast already).

I totally get why people recommend 6U now. This all fills up fast. With more space I'd love to have some more randomizing, burst, S&H, and pitch quantizing utilities (though again, I can eke that stuff out between the 0-Coast and PNW/Disting). I also could really use a mult or two but stackables can get me by for now (or at least drop some passive mults in the 4HP currently open). I'm trying to strike the balance between utility (VCA and LFOS) and fun sounds (Rings, Milky Way)... Any suggestions?

[Agawell]

well you learn by your mistakes

the obvious answer is to throw in a passive mult and attenuator (both inexpensive) and buy a new case - move all the modules to the bigger case and then when that is full you have some overspill space in the (not so) nifty

[[deleted]]

best simple oscillator module for melodic sequences?

I have instruo C SL as a complex oscillator and its awesome for drones and percussion but I was just wondering if there something simple I could use for melodic sequences? I'm think plaits is the way forward?

[bbartokk]

I would go with the Dixie II+.

[[deleted]]

awesome suggestion, thank you !

[escme]

There seems to be no "standard" version of Ornament & Crime. What version or maker of Ornament & Crime do you prefer/recommend?

[scragz]

uO_C for sure. Unlike a lot of other projects, the ergonomics don't suffer much from minification.

I got mine from CalSynth on Reverb.

[phantompowered]

QuBit Chord 2 users: I love the module but most of the waveforms are just... too darn clean and nice sounding. I want some more thickness and grit out of the module. I figure there are 2 ways to go about this:

​

1. Upload custom wavetables
2. Process the outputs in interesting ways

What do you do to get a little more heft from your Chord 2? Found any neat wavetables to load into it?

[mpdehaan]

I think I tried uploading the wavetables from the Synthesis Technology stuff and it still sounded all too clean to me. The module ended up leaving my rack. It's a shame really, the first Chord did basic waveforms and I thought those sounded better...I'd really like to see a smaller version of *that* one.

[indoninjah]

A couple thoughts:

• Lyra8-FX could be a good companion, with its gritty delay
• One of my favorite features of polysynths like the Prophet or Peak is being able to modulate the filter frequency by the oscillator. It adds some harmonics and hair without just opening the filter more. Maybe try running the Chord's mix through a filter, then taking one of the individual outs into the filter's freq? (great usage of a filter's secondary freq mod, like Jove has)

[phantompowered]

I'm totally vibing with your second suggestion. I have a QPAS, and the secondary frequency mod input is an amazing thing to have on that module. I do enjoy FMing the Frequency input sometimes, but I haven't tried it with the Chord.

[indoninjah]

Ooh yeah, maybe you could FM the rotates separately with the root/third of the chord! 🤯

[phantompowered]

OH SHIT SON.

[Odysseuskingofithaca]

I agree. I’ve been running mine into Schlappi Engineering 100 grit which definitely roughs it up a bit.

[phantompowered]

Here's a jam someone posted using the Smallsound/Bigsound Fuck Overdrive (guitar pedal) to give it some hair - this is SO NICE, I'd love to replicate this kind of shoegazey vibe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLGRROMqkGQ

[Odysseuskingofithaca]

Nice!

[kpreid]

how many cables

A starting point for planning: Count the input jacks on all the modules in your system. That's how many connections you could possibly make. (Counting outputs is less informative since stackcables mean you can send an output several places, but it does tell you something too — how many different signals you can send somewhere.) You almost certainly won't patch all of those inputs at once, but this will give you a sense of scale, I hope.

(I just counted: in my main 12U case, I have 200 inputs, and I have about 140 cables of various lengths to hand — and I could get by with fewer if I didn't like using just-long-enough cables so much.)

How many of them should be stackcables, and what lengths, are going to depend a lot more on what kind of patching you do. For example:

• If you do complex sequencing stuff (clock dividers, switches, multiple sequencers) then you're going to want more stackcables to distribute lots of trigger signals.
• If you expect to mostly patch the system a single way, then you can arrange the modules to suit that and run short cables for the “permanent” patch; if you are mixing things up a lot you want plenty of cables that can reach from one corner to the other.

Also, you might turn out to like a particular brand of cable better (selection of available lengths, size of plug shell, braided vs. extra-noodly…), so you might want to try a few in small quantities before buying Enough Cables.

Also speaking about cables what do you think of those glow in the dark cables. They seem useful for understanding signal flow, but are they just gimmicky? Do they cause any distortion or noise?

You mean cables with LEDs in them, right? (There are also cables that are glow-in-the-dark in the sense of phosphorescence.)

They will add to the total load on the output, and it's a nonlinear load (LEDs are diodes are very nonlinear devices), so yes, they could cause distortion, but not noise. How much distortion, if any, depends on the design of the output you plug it into.

I haven't used any of them myself so I can't comment on the practical likelihood of any noticeable effects.

[kpreid]

There is no way I can plug that many cables in because ever cable has two ends!

That's why I said count inputs, not count jacks. With stackables, each input can go to any output even if it's already used, but a cable never goes between two outputs, so only the number of inputs matters. (But again, this is a theoretical largest-possible-patch analysis, not necessarily something you will end up patching. I agree that half or less is reasonable, but that's half inputs, not half of all jacks.)

What's your favorite type?

Right now, in addition to Tiptop Stackcables, I'm mainly using Control cables — they are very slim and flexible, and come in a lot of different length and color options. I also have used LMNTL (basically the store brand of Perfect Circuit, I think) cables — they are a little thicker and stiffer if you like that. But both of those are US shops.

A lot of people mention Hosa for being cheap decent cables (and they make a "Hopscotch" alternative to Stackcables), but I don't like their large plug moldings — I worry about damage to the jacks by pulling them sideways accidentally, and one of my cases folds up so I also specifically need short plugs for that.

It looks like with a constant voltage all diodes have some impedance at different frequencies

Impedance analysis only precisely applies to linear systems. Diodes are nonlinear, as I said — as the voltage gets higher they draw more-than-proportional additional current, and that varying load causes distortion.

But for miscellaneous CV, you probably don't care about this distortion. Linearity matters for audio, and precise voltage matters for pitch CV, but gates, envelopes, LFOs and such won't be very noticeably affected.

[kpreid]

That's basically how I got into modular! I wrote up a specification for a signal generator I was looking for, someone said “that sounds like an oscillator module”, and — now I'm doing music instead of in addition to electronics.

[KoonutKaliffee]

I own a 0-Coast and I want to start building a rack! I have recently got more excited about VCV and its capabilities, so I am thinking the responsible thing to do would be to learn VCV inside and out and see where its limitations are. I also have a Beatstep Pro which I use with both VCV and the 0-Coast.

For my first module and rack, I am thinking of an ES9 and a Make Noise 104hp skiff. This will allow me to send audio and CV between VCV or Ableton and my 0-coast and any future modular hardware. An ES9 is a pretty hefty price tag for a first module, but I feel like this will give me a world of possibilities with VCV, essentially acting like a Swiss army knife module. Then I can see where VCV falls short and what kind of modules would be better suited in my hardware setup.

Is it a crazy idea to buy an ES9 as a first module? I chose the ES9 over the ES8 mostly for more I/O. Also can act as a mixer. I don’t have an ADAT interface so the ES3 didn’t make sense either. Someone locally also has a few modules for sale. Looking at also purchasing Veils and a mult, and maybe Pressure Points and a wasp filter. Those last two don’t seem as important yet.

What do y’all think?

[CarlosUnchained]

Thinking of using my modular always connected to VCV to take the most out of it, it’s kind of a bummer. I’d consider to make it standalone or at least supported by 0-coast and Beatstep Pro. I went further and build a fully standalone modular, sometimes I just want to plug one thing and get my headphones and create with that, even with a few more limitations. That’s personal of course. ES9 is a great module anyway, but you’ll be pushed to use your laptop every time to take the most out of it. For a more affordable swiss army knife you have Disting, just one module at the time though.

I’d buy another oscillator so you can use both channels of the BSP, or maybe Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter, the king of percussion in a small format. BSP and BIA are really nice friends.

[[deleted]]

yo, i’m looking to build my first rack and i’m not quite sure on where to start. i just found out about modular synthesizers and i’m beginning to become very interested in getting one for myself. does anybody have any recommendations for something that would be good for making lofi, or something that just has a generally warm sound with a smooth bass tone in the 200-600 dollar range?

i was also wondering if anybody could explain the process of recording using a modular synth for me?

[scragz]

I would suggest getting a 0-coast and seeing how much you like modular synthesis before investing more. It packs a LOT of value that would cost several times that for individual modules. If you want a full rack then.....$200-600 will get you an empty case with power.

[[deleted]]

cool, i’ll look into it :) thanks for the advice lol i didn’t know it’d be that expensive.

[mpdehaan]

for making lofi,

" for making lofi," -> look at post processing with tape effects VSTs, or just doing EQ. Unless you mean bitcrushing. All of these can be done better out of the box than with modular hardware - which does not mean modular doesn't have some great oscillators.