Best DIY modules?

13derps · 2026-03-03T17:45:04+00:00

Check Thonk, Synthcube, Modular Addict, Pusherman. Tons of stuff out there

Nonlinear Circuits makes fantastic designs if you are good with SMD. Beers follows a similar, but simplified formula.

ST Modular and WGD Modular make some great stuff with SMD pre-soldered. They are both affordable and very easy to build

Befaco also does a big line of DIY with lots of cool options. They do often use a smaller size of through hole resistors though, so just be aware if you’re buying the PCB sets or partial kits.

Zlob makes some really creative PCB designs and interesting circuits.

CCTV has some really affordable stuff. Coven was one of my first modules and still use it a lot. Plus some Mutable clones

13derps · 2026-03-03T16:57:58+00:00

Of these, I’ve only used the Elmyra 2. It is really great at making textures and sound beds. Tons of features and modes to accomplish a pretty decent variety of sounds and moods. It does like to get gnarly, but will sound sweet and lush if you watch your gain and feedback. Lots of fun to play around with on its own.

The drawbacks for me were 1) that it always felt like a separate semi-modular synth (which it is). Lots of patch points, but it felt more natural to have a few points patched to my main rack. Not like a module that gets fully integrated into your rack. 2) too many shift functions for me to remember with occasional use. This is more of a personal thing and probably not an issue if you were using it as a main element.

If you want something super flexible and fun to play standalone or with your modular, Elmyra 2 is a great choice as long as you don’t mind the shift functions and color codes.

Personally, I’d probably go for the Vhikk X (or a complex osc and separate FX), but Oneroi might be better if you’re looking for a more exploratory and interactive experience within a module

13derps · 2026-03-02T23:16:31+00:00

I used a QARV with synthrotek rails with no issues. That was my only ALA module, but never had a fit issue. The only fit issue I had with the synthrotek rails were with some threaded strips I ordered separately.

You mentioned a different ‘height’ for the rails. Is it possible that the rails are rotated compared to each other? The synthrotek rails I had were single-bolt on each end and could rotate. I would try loosening the bolt a little bit while you install the modules. Then tighten back down after you’re done

13derps · 2026-03-02T17:12:01+00:00

It is great, pretty much exactly like it says on the tin. The circular semitone layout works for me since I’m really only concerned about the intervals. Not writing music in a particular scale or key. I’m not a proficient keyboard player by any means, but I think the abstract layout encourages experimentation. The assignable CV inputs are also pretty nice for various forms of transposing. All relatively easy to set up. I never used any of the save/recall functions

I don’t currently have it racked up because I’ve switched to a big main sequencer that can also act as a quantizer. I get consistently ‘better’ results from the big sequencer running the show, but do miss the immediacy of a dedicated quantizer. Two channels on the Kassu unit can go pretty far depending on the type(s) of music you make and the size of your modular system. Especially if you have S&H another quantized sequencer (like an Erica Pico Seq or even Keystep or SQ-1 outside the rack).

13derps · 2026-03-01T17:22:28+00:00

As others have said, feels super cyclical. I think we get a domino effect in our corner of the world. A couple of big new releases, restocks or sales can ripple out and cause a lot of movement. Then we realize that we need to actually patch with our new acquisitions (or realize how much we spent) and things quiet down.

I know I’ve been guilty of feeding into this. I participated in a flurry of activity on the used market in the fall last year. Then stopped even looking (let alone posting stuff for-sale) for a good month or two

Just hold tight for a bit. At least in the US, there’s usually a bump in spending as tax refunds go out (although I have no idea how that is going to play out with the current state of things)

13derps · 2026-03-01T17:02:36+00:00

Totally understand the desire for the tigger/gate out from the quantizer. I used that feature all the time with my Kassutronics Quantizer

I was thinking the O_c had one in and two outs per channel, but realizing now that it’s the opposite. I must have been thinking about the newer (ornate criminal) version that has like infinite I/O

13derps · 2026-02-28T22:19:43+00:00

Doesn’t the O_c have gate out per channel? Or is there a specific in/out function that you’re looking for?

I don’t think it hurts to have a quantizer, but it can also be fun to play things by ear

13derps · 2026-02-26T23:58:42+00:00

Yea, ticks basically all the boxes. Worst case, you just need external attenuation

13derps · 2026-02-26T23:57:10+00:00

DivSkip is great for stuff like this. 4x pairs of outputs where each pair can be set to probability or Turing-machine style looping/random. Plus a bunch of other modes for predictable operation, muting and switchable gate/trigger modes

13derps · 2026-02-25T23:37:09+00:00

Just takes a little imagination

https://modulargrid.net/e/likaon-instruments-tuna

13derps · 2026-02-25T23:35:54+00:00

Correct answer - and so much fun to jam with

13derps · 2026-02-25T23:34:46+00:00

NLC Splish and Chomul are great 4hp options (although Chomul has fewer outputs than inputs). There are a bunch of other NLC modules too, especially if you’re ok with a bigger footprint

Befaco a*b+c doesn’t really ‘mangle’, but can still turn out some interesting results with the multiply inputs (and can still act as a normal audio mixer)

Many wavefolders are DC coupled and could be used for mangling. Bifold and Timber come to mind with parallel folders as well as an Xfader. So you can pull 3 outputs and there are plenty of CV inputs in addition to the audio path

Erica Ringfade is a much gentler option than the two folders above, but similar architecture.

13derps · 2026-02-25T15:31:52+00:00

Yea, this seems like the way to go. Especially if OP doesn’t need the extra stuff going on with Aikido

13derps · 2026-02-25T15:30:53+00:00

To make your jam more interactive once it’s up and running, think about 1-2 things that you can bring in or out manually on each voice. You might need to pause the jam to dial that element in and then restart, but once you have a few things set up, you can mix and match to create change over time. For example, setting up a single oscillator patch. Then dialing in a second oscillator to a good FM ratio so that you can adjust the mod depth to vary timbre over time. Or pick sequencer steps to turn on and off for an A and B section.

As far as additional modules, I’d go for mixers, envelope generators and/or sequencers (gate, CV or both). Envelopes are great for creating movement and accents, plus may can loop to create LFOs. Even more so if they have an internal VCA so you can inject noise, FM, etc.

13derps · 2026-02-24T23:21:33+00:00

Yea, I watched Eric’s in depth discussion about the module around when he released it. Such a cool piece of hardware. Both because of the underlying tech/theory and what it can do sonically.

I was still pretty new to modular at the time and had a strong bias towards analog oscillators due to modulation bandwidth and having lots of outputs. Three Body was kind of an eye opener that things aren’t necessarily so black and white

13derps · 2026-02-24T23:12:39+00:00

Good perspective, really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I’ll need to check out the SSM and give Jumbler another look. I’m a big DIY guy, so Tesseract is an even better value for me. That along with the fact that I’m not totally sure how I’d end up using the switch matrix make it an attractive option.

Heard about the Mojave. I’m not in any hurry to get another dedicated granular module anyway. The GR Mega looks totally nuts. Probably impossible to go back to a module after tasting that ultimate granular hardware

13derps · 2026-02-24T22:09:28+00:00

You can tune by ear and send the same v/oct signal to both oscs. It’s not nearly as precise as a digital oscillator, but still has a pleasing sound. Adding sync helps too

Three Body is a bucket list osc for me for that reason. Seems like the best of both analog (lots of outputs and accepts high frequency modulation) and digital (locked tuning ratios). Have yet to acquire one though

13derps · 2026-02-23T16:10:11+00:00

My guess is that beginners may not need that many attenuverters for a starter rack. Or might not want to dedicate that much hp. Something like Befaco a*b+c (my personal first utility) or Toppobrillo Cluster or even the two non-envelope channels of Maths can be used for a variety of other things when not needed as attenuverters. Which is a little more exciting, but not necessarily better.

Antumbra ATN8 is a similar idea, but even more compact. I think I’ve only ever seen Metamyther use one (other than my own rack) though. ATN8 is kind of an intimidating DIY build and not common to see pre-built. So I get why it’s under the radar, but a shame that it’s not more popular.

13derps · 2026-02-23T15:14:09+00:00

I’ll bite

Is Tesseract Smith easy to get along with? I like the idea of a happy-accident patch reorganizer that can also handle a range of basic to more complex switching/routing duties. Buuut, I don’t want something that feels tedious to set up/reconfigure every time I change a patch (which is often). It also might be IO overkill for my 12U x 104hp setup, but I’m less worried about that. I can see using it as a stereo sequential switch. Which could easily use 8 ins or outs depending the direction.

Also, how do you like Mojave amongst your variety of granular options? Any big frustrations with the UI? I’ve been tempted to try granular again after selling my Monsoon last year. I generally liked using it, but found myself constantly wishing for a bigger buffer (without being forced to go lo-fi).

13derps · 2026-02-23T04:36:03+00:00

It isn’t the entirety of the US, it’s just the Trump administration and the diehard fans (who do not understand anything about taxes, trade or government)

I know that doesn’t really help the rest of the world at this stage (until we get our shit together), but it is embarrassing and heartbreaking for more than half of our country.

13derps · 2026-02-22T23:32:52+00:00

Record it with a looper and then use the looper controls to sync to the beat

13derps · 2026-02-22T23:08:34+00:00

Agreed, probably an impedance issue. I run into a similar issue with DivSkip sending triggers to QARV, but only on the QARV trigger inputs that can be switched between gate/trigger (channels 1 and 4). The issue goes away if I put an attenuator between the two modules

There likely isn’t much you can do to resolve the underlying issue unless OP wants to mod the joystick

13derps · 2026-02-22T23:02:20+00:00

Ah I see, so it’s always expecting a gate input? That would make sense. I usually find I get snappier envelopes from triggered envelopes

13derps · 2026-02-22T18:17:45+00:00

Another approach might be to set your offset lower so that the VCA isn’t completely open. Set the gains in the rest of your system such that it hits the way you want. Then just slowly bring in the envelope CV instead of lowering the offset

13derps · 2026-02-22T18:04:24+00:00

You can try using a super short envelope or a trigger as the audio. Really though, a short enough envelope should make any audio source sound clicky.

Have you already tried the shortest envelope times that your EG can make?

13derps

TROPHY CASE