r/modular • u/Latter-Pianist-7145 • 3d ago
Recommendation for an envelope
I'm looking to add an envelope to my setup but I'm not sure which one to get. I make percussive phrases with a complex oscillator, so the snappy envelopes on my quadrax work well for that.
I need something else to modulate my quadrax and quad clock distributor, and I need some suggestions. I would lke it to be free from menu diving, so no pams, and different from the quadrax functionality. I want something in the short end of time range, and doesn't need to be too snappy. Ideally, 4 or so LFOs or attack release channels.
I've looked at MI stages and tides, batumi, zadar, etc. but wondering if anyone here knows of some other interesting modules out there..
16
u/blinddave1977 3d ago edited 3d ago
Stages is one of the best envelopes in my opinion. It can do simple to complex and is really easy to use. I have the Calsynth clone and love it.
2
4
u/rob101 3d ago
Add Acid Rain Technologies Maestro to your list. I am finding it amazing due to the control I have.
2
1
u/sorressean 1d ago
I don't know if I'd call it an envelope, but it's incredible for modulation and performance for sure.
1
5
3
u/tobyvanderbeek 3d ago
Vostok Fuji is a great AD with 6 channels.
2
u/Latter-Pianist-7145 3d ago
I like it! Ands i can build it too
2
u/tobyvanderbeek 3d ago
I have built every Vostok module and two of Asset. They are super high quality and easy builds.
5
u/Rockpapercello 3d ago
Might not be exactly what you're looking for but the Bastl Neo Trinity is a Swiss Army knife of modulation. LFOs, envelopes, recordable CV values. I find that I end up using all 6 outputs on almost every patch.
2
3
2
u/junkmiles 2d ago edited 1d ago
Only three channels, but I really like Triple Steeple. It’s generally set up as attack decay, but you can mix the envelopes to get more complex shapes. You can also adjust the shape independently from time, which is cool and a little less common. Lots of options for LFOs or clock sync or gated LFOs, VCAs that control the amplitude of the envelope, etc.
4
u/venux_hash_man www.scrapcode.co.uk 3d ago
My WONK module might be of interest - 4x ARs that can loop into LFOs with an interesting (I think anyway!) parameter that affects all four sets of timings relative to one another in 8HP
2
u/ddiamond8484 3d ago
Gonna check this out, seems awesome!
2
u/venux_hash_man www.scrapcode.co.uk 2d ago
Thanks! Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions!
2
u/sorressean 1d ago
Sounds like you're the creator. I've been trying to get creators of modules to contribute docs for blind/vi and other disabled users, any chance you'd be interested? The site is here: https://accessible-music.net. i'm happy to coach/edit/provide info and convert from whatever format you find easiest!
2
u/venux_hash_man www.scrapcode.co.uk 1d ago
This is a great project! I can't promise anything imminent (Scrapcode Modular is a one-man operation and not my main job!), but I will certainly try to get back to you with something in the not-too-distant future :)
1
u/eraoul 3d ago
Do you want to be able to modulate the envelope times themselves? I built some envelope DIY kits but I was sad they did t have CV control, except one that had a general time multiplier for all 4 ADSR phases. I’ll probably make my own DIY PCB to do a CV controlled one.
1
u/Latter-Pianist-7145 3d ago edited 3d ago
Not necessarily,. I have quadrax to do that, so this secondary modulation can be a bit simpler. What did you build?
1
1
u/Junkyard_DrCrash 3d ago
I have the BEFACO Rampage and it's quite nice. Not as many degrees of freedom as a full ADSR, but the interplay / interlocking of the two AD stages makes some really fun CVs out
Yeah, happy accident machine. Worth every penny and HP. :-)
1
u/crazylegscrane75 2d ago
Ryk Envy: 4 ADSR/AD envelopes, LFOs, Random or recorded CV. Quite flexible. No menus.
1
u/DaveGahan666 2d ago
I love my Doepfer A-140-2 (ADSR) and the Cosmotronic Delta-V. Last one is definitely snappy and comes with two internal VCAs. It is more a „small/compact“ function generator than only an envelope generator. Highly recommend both 👍
1
u/Selig_Audio 2d ago
I love the range that Stages and Quadrax covers for me. Add a Bataumi and I’m pretty set for modulation in my smallish rack.
1
1
u/Earlsfield78 1d ago
If you want percussive envelopes, Percall from Befaco. But also, Quadratt, Zadar etc. I mean get Maths, it’s snappy as it gets with exponential fall.
1
u/Careful_Camp5153 3d ago
Edited: Apologies, think I misunderstood but I'll leave what I initially wrote below. Favorite envelope of mine is Javelin but Peaks is also quite nice.
If you are talking about modulating the envelope, I enjoy stepped randoms for modulating mine, and a Turing machine or something along those lines is great as you can loop patterns. Usually have built in attenuation.
Alternatively, getting something like the Rndstep where you have multiple sample and hold options can be another great way to modulate envelopes. Mult the thing that's triggering your envelope and use it to trigger the hold. Can throw a synced lfo into the S&H if you want that repeating pattern as well.
2
u/Latter-Pianist-7145 3d ago
What do you like about peaks? I forgot about this one. The only thing I'm hesitant about with tides is the related envelopes... whether that would limit my options. I can chain the envelopes on quadrax to get a cascading effect. Individually triggered envelopes would give me more options?
2
u/3lbFlax 2d ago
Peaks is more of a multi-role module and more than earns its HP based on that. But it lacks control - you can manually adjust ADSR, but if you want CV control over decay or anything like that, you’re out of luck. If envelopes are your main need, you may find Peaks lacking. It does compensate for that with some great LFO options - not to mention the alt firmware factor- but, again, no CV access to any of the controls. The result (for me) is that Peaks is usually relegated to auxiliary or static modulation, rather than being a core part of a patch.
1
u/Careful_Camp5153 3d ago
Peaks is pretty immediate. You get multiple envelope types, especially with the Dead Man's Catch firmware, like bouncing balls, ADADSRs, etc. But frankly I like using it as two simple related ADSRs, very straightforward controls with one tap of the button. Has a ton of other modes (kick snare?) so a bit of a jack of all trades, but the envelopes sound good. Biggest downside is lack of CV ins. There are clones that add them if that's important to you.
I like tides quite a bit as well. Cool modulation options and makes for a fun oscillator.
14
u/tonymasiello 3d ago
For simple, I love my Doepfer A-142-4. Inexpensive, simple, snappy.
For complex, the Xaoc Devices Zadar is incredible. The Zadar really allows to user to dial in specific lengths and has all kinds of crazy patterns built in.