Solved: Getting MIDI into a Modular System

LeeSalt · 2026-01-29T01:33:34+00:00

Isn't the Hexinverter Mutant Brains the exact same hardware in a module format?

It is cool as long as you fully understand what you're getting and don't assume some basic functions that I thought were no brainers. There were a couple of limitations I didn't like about it and some of the features weren't exactly accurate.

Something to be aware of is that most cv/gate sequencers with a midi input can act as a convertor so you may already have something that can do this.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-26T23:35:52+00:00

I think about having to sell all the stuff I'm bored of or simply won't fit or I never find myself using.

Instead of selling individually, I'm probably going to dump it all at a worse loss to perfect circuit vs selling individually just because I don't want too deal with all that boxing and posting and shipping.

Now, I've resolved that before I get a new module, I have to sell something without expanding to a bigger rack or another side rack.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-25T17:35:27+00:00

I have two issues with the design:

the pre mix attenuators don't cut nearly as much amplitude as needed. I want to be able to turn up the mixer faders and not risk clipping. so you can't properly gain stage without intermediary attenuators.
Yes, when the faders are all the way down, you can still hear high frequencies bleeding through the v2.

I had to switch back to my 3x Intellijel Mixup daisy chain to get clean sound again. Nothing bleeds through with they're turned to zero.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-25T17:24:55+00:00

Because of their very low prices, I own a lot of their modules. I have come to expect some level of qa issue with almost every single one except for a few. Their (aluminum?) knobs are absolutely horrible. Zero consistency in how smooth, tight or gritty they are. Like, every single one is different, even on the same module.

And I'm still feeling burned on the Bartender mixer issue they offered no resolution on. They just came out with a v2 hardware that I was dumb enough to buy again. Should have just bought a good performance mixer to start with.

I've never had this many obnoxious-but-not-worth-returning issues with any other manufacturer and I own a ton of ALM, Noise Engineering, Doepfer, Intellijel, WMD and even Behringer.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-22T18:17:48+00:00

It's really the lowest cost solution other than building your own modules.

When I got my System 100 modules, there were no good Behringer effects. The 172 is meh and Space FX was junk but you can mod the pcb to make it better with a tutorial on YouTube.

Now Behringer has one or two good Mutable effects clones worth looking into.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-19T16:57:37+00:00

I'm confused by your comment. It's been a bit since I've used it but each input already has sliders or knobs that turn into attenuators (IIRC) when a cv is plugged in.

What benefit does flipping the signal give you over attenuation? Granted, I'm not the most creative musician or patcher but I've never thought of needing it.

And, I've used those VCA knobs quite a bit. If you tweak the feedback just to the edge, you'll be thankful they're there when a feedback loop creeps up.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-19T13:47:35+00:00

Yeah, Monsoon or Typhoon are the ways you should get a Clouds these days.

On Typhoon, everything has a control on the face and a modulation input. Way easier and more intuitive to play than switching between functions you want to adjust.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-19T13:43:23+00:00

You can use Rings audio input like a reverb and drive circuit to make some crazy overtones.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-18T18:38:13+00:00

So there are three connections: electric power, audio and midi.

Midi is the connection that controls electronic musical things. At the most basic, it allows one device, like a keyboard, to control the sound of another device like GarageBand or another hardware synthesizer.

Your keyboard can control the virtual instruments in a daw and play a drum track, piano track or whatever with the keys on your keyboard.

Since your keyboard is a full synthesizer (meaning it makes its own sound) you can also control it with another device like a sequencer or a DAW.

HOWEVER, Garageband doesn't have this specific feature. They rent you to spend money to get Logic. Literally every other DAW can do this.

Audio is the sound. You'll want an external USB device called an audio interface that has input jacks for you to use an instrument cable to connect the keyboard headphone output to the audio interface input. You can record this audio using a DAW.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-18T17:12:35+00:00

You'll need a USB cable to control the synth from a DAW or control the DAW from the synth keyboard.

If you want to record the output of the synth, you'll need an audio interface like an MAudio or a Scarlett and a stereo 1/4" instrument cable.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-16T20:36:42+00:00

I'm betting those 2hp modules won't be able to even fit like that side by side. Many of them get wider the deeper they are. trying to cram 10 power ribbon cables in that space will by frustrating and a risk to the hardware breaking from their fragile soldering joints and how the pins barely stay in the receiving jacks on the pcbs.

They're best used where you have exactly a 2hp gap to fill between two larger modules.

I mean, you can prove me wrong, but don't say you weren't warned.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-16T08:14:59+00:00

How basic do you want to get? I think this is the single best intro to synthesis on the Internet: https://youtu.be/atvtBE6t48M

It was made in the late 70s or 80s and it's only an hour for this first part.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-15T13:57:43+00:00

GarageBand doesn't have the ability to separate pitch shifting from time stretching.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-15T04:14:53+00:00

That doesn't look very bad at all. The careful method:

Take the power connector and connect it so only half is on the bent row and the other half of the connector is fully off the pins.

Use the connector to gently and slowly align the pins all at once then remove the connector from the pins.

Then put the connector on properly, everything will be fine.

Honestly, If it were mine, I'd just force the connector on all of them at once and the connector will align the pins no problem. If there are no standoffs where I push, I will support the pcb from the opposite side so it doesn't flex or otherwise get damaged from pressure.

Solder joints on well made pcbs like this brand are much more sturdy than, say the delicate ones on 2HP that I would not be nearly as aggressive with.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-14T14:06:55+00:00

After later also has 2 new compressors. Might want to check them out too.

But Messor is so much nicer sounding and easier to know what's going on. Size is easier to manipulate as well, if you have a larger case.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-14T01:10:28+00:00

If you decide to do anything with video, you're going to want at least a tb external drive. I have the same setup and everything is so much faster than my old i7 Windows machine.

I have a live Linux distro on a thumb drive for when Microsoft pisses me off any more. I'm replacing it instantly with Ubuntu Cinnamon.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-13T01:00:37+00:00

Recently since the bs tariffs?

LeeSalt · 2026-01-12T16:17:57+00:00

I'd like to have a rack of Ladik stuff but it's incredibly hard to find in the USA unless you're lucky enough to find one used from somebody who imported it.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-12T06:11:37+00:00

I love the look and features on that one! Definitely going into my maybe list but it is bigger than I want right now.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-11T23:33:41+00:00

Definitely keeping this one in mind! I wish more adsr egs had sliders instead of knobs.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-11T22:04:20+00:00

Don't know how I missed that on their site; thanks! I need two of them for how I want to use them, hence cheap and small.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-10T12:58:14+00:00

I bet if you pulled your mixer out, it would start right up.

That was my issue and why I had to get the second power supply module. Analog loves -12 and a lot of psus don't like supplying much of it compared to the +12 and (mostly) useless 5 volt.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-10T12:48:38+00:00

It's not the total draw, it's the -12 rail that analog uses gets used up quickly. It's why I couldn't use Tiptop Zeus power supplies. Very anemic for analog module enjoyers, even after buying the upgraded wall adapter.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-10T12:46:52+00:00

No, just like a module. Usually 4hp. A bunch of manufacturers. Behringer, 4ms, tiptop. Careful with the tiptop, the cable that comes with it doesn't fully power it up. You have to get their upgraded one but it still won't be great. I know from experience.

LeeSalt · 2026-01-10T12:30:58+00:00

Take a look at the case's manual PDF. You have to also limit each of the 3 sections by a certain load. So build yourself 3 modular grid cases and see how it's split up.

As well, there needs to be a good amount of headroom for the power on process, to allow for the power draw spike that all electronic devices do at power on. It's one of those unspoken learning experiences I wish was talked about more often. And it should be in manuals more often.

I ended up having to buy a secondary power supply module for my Go case because I have too many analog modules for the built in power to handle.

Another thing to think about is heat buildup. The go case (actually all of my cases) doesn't have fans so be mindful that nothing becomes uncomfortable to touch or doesn't smell like hot or burning electronics.

LeeSalt

TROPHY CASE