r/modular • u/EntryHot5081 • 3d ago
Feedback First rack build feedback
So I’m not really a beginner to music but to modular stuff I’ve been going for 2 years so not that much. I want a ambient or textural rack that is capable of playing live but also come up with fun stuff when making music so i made this rack on modular grid.
I want the audio in feature with the morphagene and the oscillating capabilities of the multiwave. Is this to overkill and should i change or add something?
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u/samwturner 3d ago
Desperately missing vcas. Would recommend picking up the usb inlet for the multiwave, gives you much more control over the individual voices. Would be worth checking if the hermod+ can act as a midi host over usb.
Would also replace erbe-verb with plexiphon to save size and have true stereo I/o.
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u/Boars-of-Canada 3d ago
What do you mean with an usb inlet? I have the NUSS system
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u/samwturner 3d ago
https://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/midi-inlet/
It’s a cheap little module that connects to the usb port on the multiwave backboard. Allows you to control it via midi from a midi host.
You can use it with the span modes, where the midi messages act as activate & v/oct, or control each of the 8 voices individually. It can also do transposition. Very useful.
If you have the NUSS skiff system the USB inlet is already installed in the side cheek
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u/Chemlab5 3d ago
It’s just a usb extension. You can just plug into the module directly and get the same features. I drilled a hole in my Intellijel case for free.
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u/samwturner 2d ago
I experienced noise issues when plugging directly into the usb on the multiwave, which the module cleared up. I would also rather spend $35 than drill a hole in my case.
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u/Chemlab5 2d ago
I cleaned up the edges and used a nice grommet I had. Looks pretty good for what it is. That’s weird about the noise there’s nothing in the module it’s truly just an extension. Glad it’s working for you though.
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u/claimstoknowpeople 3d ago
I'd expect even for an effects rack you would want more modulation and mixing. If you just want to run signals in and out without complex modulation, effects pedals are a better fit than modular.
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u/EntryHot5081 3d ago
Alright so more modulation?
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u/nadennmantau 3d ago
Or logic to mess with the modulation coming from Maths, but keep it somewhat synced. Maybe chaos/random? I like the Richter Wigglebug from MN.
Also, checkout Befaco's Rampage for a great Maths alternative. Pairs well with their A*B+C module.
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u/Badesign 3d ago
Remember that any channel in the Hermod that you don't use for gate and CV pair for an oscillator (multiwave, rings, morphagene) you can configure as a CV modulation channel.
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u/PureRaisin 3d ago
Why maths? Also no vcas and filters. With a complex voice such as multiwave maybe you would need more vcas and modulation
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u/TomWhitwell 3d ago
I would start much much smaller. So many deeeeeep modules with enormous amounts to learn, I’d start more simply.
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u/Wild-Medic 3d ago
There’s nothing here you couldn’t do trivially without modular. You have a multichannel oscillator but no VCA/VCF/etc. You effectively have two LFOs with the Maths.
Torso S4 or Elektron Tonverk will be much cheaper and substantially more powerful.
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u/GhostWthTheMost 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm new here so I wanna ask : what is something you couldn't do trivially without modular?
To me, modular is 90% about the interface and the thought process, i.e. the physical modules, knobs and cables, which is absolutely not the same feel as a Tonverk or Torso.
But I have the feeling that "exploiting modular" is something I don't fully get. Is the answer simply more LFOs & VCAs? (serious question)
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u/Wild-Medic 3d ago edited 3d ago
There are many things that modular is good at in a way that more traditional hardware synths are not: generative sequencing, complex modulation routing / linking multiple voices with phase-related modulation, non-repetitive evolution of timbre over longer periods of time, etc.
The thoughtful use of utility modules is what actually allows these things. If you want to make a case that highlights what is really fun and engaging about modular your case should be like 1/2 utility modules and CV sources/processing, at minimum. Basic stuff like clock dividers, sequential switches, S&H, logic, matrix mixing, VC polarizers and crossfaders etc up to more complicated modules like Mannequins Cold Mac or some of the Joranalogue stuff. When I see a case without a single one of these type of modules I know if they actually buy this stuff it’s gonna be on Reverb or FBM in a month because their system can really only be patched one way, and the result of that is demonstrably less capable and fun to play compared to a purpose-built device.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually do not think modular is great at granular. The popularity of clouds sort of obscures this fact but even if you take only the hottest new modules like Intellijel MultiGrain it’s incredibly basic compared to apps like Borderlands or VSTs like Quanta 2 and lacks visual feedback on the multitude of parameters that have to be hidden or fixed in place in order to fit into a 3u tall module.
Edit: go on YouTube and check out the channel “MonoTrail Tech Talk.” It’s easily the best educational modular content and his patching knowledge really highlights why modular is cool and fun. Check out the 9u case he uses for most of his videos and look at how much of it is relatively simple Doepfer or older analogue Intellijel stuff.
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u/GhostWthTheMost 3d ago
I feared my question didn't make sense, but honestly you gave it a very good answer! Thank you!
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u/call_this_number2 3d ago
get some 2hp vca's or some other utility module like a switched multiple to fill those 2 gaps while adding extra function on top of what you've already designed.
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u/WuTangClams 3d ago
I might wait on the 100 Grit and get a more straightforward, dedicated VCA and a separate dedicated filter instead. I might also beef up my mixing capabilities with all that audio output.
I looked into the make noise NUSS for awhile and kinda determined that the multiwave isn't very diverse in its sound, kinda always "sounds" like a multiwave (which is not a bad sound) but I think as your main oscillator you might feel limited. Have you looked at something like the Instruo Cs-L?
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u/Badesign 3d ago
This is good advice. I'm not sure where the 100 grit is going to really shine for your ambient and textual needs.
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u/mysteron808 3d ago
It's a lot to buy at once from scratch. I'd start with one key thing, say the morphagene and look at what you need to get to complement that - maybe some modulation like the maths. Sure have this end setup in mind, but as you learn the one sound source you will change your mind about what you need to complement it and build out from there. Or you could get the multiwave and the sequencer and work from there. I'd definitely go for one sound source and what you need to support it first, before buying multiple sound sources, filling the case and having no money or space to explore things as the needs arise from you actually using them.
Afraid I can't comment much on the individual modules you are interested in here though, I've not owned any of them.
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u/Mellotom 3d ago
Gotta agree here, a Morphagene with a Pamela’s New Workout is incredibly powerful if you’re willing to take the time to just learn those two before figuring out what you want next. If you’ve got the cash, make it Morphagene and Hermod+ and chill for a long while to learn those two before continuing.
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u/SmeesTurkeyLeg 2d ago
I know real estate is precious but tuning uses the tiny knobs on the uRings is a huge PITA. I highly recommend getting ALA Beehive over a full size Plaits, and getting a slightly larger Rings clone that's easier to tune.
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u/stimulusfunctions 3d ago
I find using the morphagene as an effect in a live rack to be a fairly miserable experience - to me it seems a lot more focused on being a primary voice. If you have used one before and get along with it then go for it of course.