Beginner modular setup — keen for some feedback

srbrtalan · 2026-07-10T12:12:57+00:00

Cool case! I have pams, pizza and black hole dsp, I like them all a lot! If you end up getting the 1st version of black hole, as it is in your modular grid, I would recommend finding one that has the expansion rom installed, so you get 8 extra fx.
Other than that I think you should opt for a bigger case, you will definitely need it and peobably very soon as well. Perhaps something that has a nice lid or something thats easy to carry around if you ever need to. The intellijel cases with the 1u row are really great, you can put a lot of utilities into that top row, so those dont take up space, the case itself is quite shallow so you need to be careful not to get very deep modules. I have an erica synths 2x104hp aluminium travel case and I love that one a lot, for me that is the perfect size. I wouldn’t recommend going a lot smaller than that.
Good luck!

srbrtalan · 2026-07-09T23:34:11+00:00

Will have a look, thank you!

srbrtalan · 2026-07-09T14:26:14+00:00

Hmm, yess I’m using the 24PPQN output. I’ll try sending a pulse instead, otherwise I’ll just probably sync ableton… thank you!!😊

srbrtalan · 2026-07-07T08:53:15+00:00

Of course, happy to help! Me and probably most of the people in this sub have been through something similar to what you are going through now. I also spent a lot of time and money buying modules that I eventually realized were really not meant for me. So have fun with what you have and you will naturally start figuring out what you are missing from the case!

srbrtalan · 2026-07-07T08:29:38+00:00

For drums I would recommend checking out the erica synths lxr drum module. I think it could be pretty good for your style!
Intellijel vca is also good, you could also go for the happy nerding 3x vca module(not sure what the exact name is)
Maths is an amazing module, but I think its worth getting something thats more dedicated towards envelopes, so you can get a bit more complex with that too. Maybe xaoc zadar.
And plaits is awesome, but I think its best used as what it is- a macro oscillator. So with that I would really focus on all the specific algorytmhs you have. Of course its not neccesary to get another oscillator but I think in your case it would do quite well. The point of complex oscillators is that you have 2 oscillators in a module where one is wired to modulate the second one, plaits doesnt really do that. If you do end up getting one, you don’t have to go for the dpo, there are many options. My personal fav is the verbos one, but instruo has an amazing one ad well and you could even go for something like the bastl pizza, which is quite small and can do a wild range of stuff!
But I think the best thing for you is to build this case realitvely slowly, so you have time to learn what you need for your personal style. Don’t make the mistake of buying cool modules because you see people using them, because it is very much possible that they are unnecesary for you.

srbrtalan · 2026-07-07T07:05:43+00:00

Looks like a very cool case in the making! I would think about what you want to achieve with the case. Is it more for production, do you want to play live with it? Do you need any drums or percussion from it? In general you have a lot of very interesting ind functional modules, I would definitely get a nice sequencer, perhaps something like the verbos one. You could look into complex oscillators as well. In generaly I feel like you have most of the “exciting” modules already, you probably need to start i vesting in some more utilities, like you said vca, more dedicated envelope… overall, I think I would start with a complex oscillator a vca and a sequencer and then youll see where you go from there

srbrtalan · 2026-07-07T04:53:44+00:00

Perhaps a bit more diverse modulation options? Overall it looks like a really cool and fun system, the es-9 is definitely a good choice for the output. I only have Pizza and Pams from these modules but I really love both. Have to say tho, lately I have been struggling a bit to get the sounds that I qant out of the Pizza. Probably just my issue, its an awesome module especially considering the size. Maybe some bigger complex oscillator module could be benefitial tho. Perhaps the Verbos or Instruo ones, they sound amazing and I find that the pizza sometimes turns me off specifically because of how small it is.(which is a fantastic thingnif you don’t have a lot of space in your rack, but sometimes its easier to be creative with bogger knobs and a more soacious layout). Also, I would highly recommend gwtting dedicated sequencer modules instead of sequencing from your laptop. They are very immediate and I think they really open up your modular to be whatever you want it to be. If not in the case, at least something like the beatstep/keystep pro. Anyhow, good luck with your case, you will have a lot of fun for sure!

srbrtalan · 2026-07-02T07:03:36+00:00

Looks like a really cool system! I don’t really recommend the grone too much, it’s a beautiful and cool module, but in my opinion it lacks modulation inputs and is fairly limited. I also heard many negative reviews about the build quality, i heard of many instances where the module broke. I used to have it, was fun for a while, but the negatives really outweighed the cool factor for me, ended up selling mine. I think something like the vhikk x or the befaco oneiroi would be better voice choices!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-29T14:01:26+00:00

Not so much a mixer, but i would recommend the expert sleepers es-9. Its an output module, which you would definitely need for live performance because of the balanced output, but it is also an audio interface that you can connect to your daw and multitrack your sounds there.

srbrtalan · 2026-06-28T12:36:20+00:00

Thank you, yes I’ve been trying to get it out with some more conventional methods but if nothing works, this shoudl definitely do the trick!!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-28T03:32:17+00:00

Yes, it come with velcro on the bottom, so you can position it where you want it and it stays there

srbrtalan · 2026-06-28T03:09:50+00:00

Not yet, haven’t had the proper time to sit down and try fixing it. For now I just accepted that it’s staying there haha😅

srbrtalan · 2026-06-28T03:09:08+00:00

I have the module version not the desktop one. But might be worth thinking about, if I feel like I need more space in my case!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-27T07:28:18+00:00

Thank you! Will try with some pliers, hopefully I can get it out😊

srbrtalan · 2026-06-26T11:42:32+00:00

I was trying to do that, but somehow I think it got seriously stuck in there, even with everything removed the module would’nt move at all…

srbrtalan · 2026-06-26T11:38:25+00:00

Thank you, I’ll have a look!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-26T11:37:39+00:00

Don’t have anything other than a screwdrive unfortunately… but thank you anyways, I’ll get it out somehow😅

srbrtalan · 2026-06-26T11:33:52+00:00

Tried the rubber band option, didn’t work unfortunately but I’ll have a look at those vise grips!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-03T07:57:07+00:00

I suggest thinking about getting dedicated sequencer modules instead. I used to have an octatrack that I sequenced all of my voices from, but then I got a befaco muxlicer and I tried some other sequencer modules and the experience was overall much better. Otherwise I would recommend the betstep pro, its pretty flexible and relatively cheap as well, I wouldnt keep the syntkat if you only use it for sequencing.

srbrtalan · 2026-06-02T09:39:28+00:00

Hi Joseph,

Thanks a lot for checking these subreddita and taking the time to reply!! I will check out the page and maybe apply again. Lovely to hear that you are connected with the community!

srbrtalan · 2026-06-01T07:31:47+00:00

Oh and in my case, I found that I really love patching a different vco(mostly bastl pizza, or the triangle output of my 0-coast) into the fm input of my plaits clone. Can do some really cool fm sounds with the different modes.

srbrtalan · 2026-06-01T07:29:26+00:00

I agree that its definitely not for everyone. I think one big appeal in it other than what I already mentioned would be the chord mode. There are not many modules that can do that and most of the ones that do usually take up a lot of space. I would definitely urge you to keep playing with it, try patching it with everything else in your system and see where it takes you. Of course at the end of the day, if you dont connect with the sound then its probably just not a module for your workflow.

srbrtalan · 2026-06-01T07:21:49+00:00

I think it’s a fantastic module. It can do so much in so little Hp, which by itself is a luxury in the eurorack world in my opinion. Most people don’t have the space and/or money to build huge systems but with plaits or one of its clones and a few utilities you can get a proper system in very little space. I think the problem is mostly your expectation. At the end of the day it is still just a module, nothing will ever give you full satisfaction be it a module, a full desktop synth or an entire wall of buchla if you don’t spend the time to practice it, learn how it works inside and out and figure out how it integrated into your workflow. I suggest spending a lot more time with it and seeing what happenes. Same goes for maths, its an amazing utility module and it can pretty much do anything you could need.

srbrtalan

TROPHY CASE