Help me finish my small modular for with A4

[Merino]

My tiny modular has been a long time coming. The start was laid many years ago in a time of massive GAS which quite instantly cooled down right after due to life circumstances. Initially my sole Braid and Ripples simply served as a tiny CV extension to my A4.

Recently I’ve laid my hands on a Brains and second hand uTides, nanoRings and Monsoon. It’s all very Mutable Instruments heavy but yeah haha. I’m thinking of maybe going for a top white and bottom black row.

Now I’ve been wondering how to finish this rig off with the tiny space I have left. Some things of note:

• I prefer having 1/4inch outs with volume knob. Outs will got into A4 in’s and have effects there.
• I’m missing VCA’s
• And maybe also a mixer
• Would like another filter alternative to the Ripple
• Something to do interesting stuff with (was thinking uO_c for it’s versatility in small space)
• Maybe more lfo’s/envelopes? Or stuff like wave folders, clock dividers, logic modules?

In general I’m intending to always use it with my A4 sequencing and providing envelope/lfo and sometimes a Crave might also come along and play. I wanted to add Happy Nerding modules at first but they are all sold out and some discontinued so now I’m looking for alternatives.

Any input/advice would be welcome!

Some of the sketches I’ve done so far:

[Unifono]

You may totally love it, but I went a similar route a few years ago, and tried to put as many functionality into a small space as possible. Started also as addition to the A4.
I made the experience, that the µ versions of mutable, are less fun than the regular ones. Too cramped, interfaces are really tiny. Disting and ornament and crime, while being super powerful, were no fun either. Menus, tiny interfaces, button combos and easter eggs -> I decided that’s not what I wanted from a modular system.

That said, many people seem to love these modules. You may like this too.

About your rack. I would add more modulation, probably less sound sources…

[Merino]

Yes totally feeling your point as to fun vs difficult interfaces/hidden functions. Exactly the reason why I have been doubting on Disting/uO_c and the micro MI modules also.

I haven’t received the uTides, uRings and Monsoon yet but I’m trying to balance space vs function and so a few micro modules won’t hurt. Not planning to add more tiny knobs to the rig though.

Any recommendations in regards to specific modules as for modulation sources? Considering a VCA, output module and another filter feel like must haves to me that would leave me with the following space left:

[peachesandbacon]

Having both Braids and Brains in there seems like an odd choice. Brains is a rip off of Plaits, and Plaits replaced Braids.

I’d either ditch brains and keep braids or ditch both and put an OG Plaits in there as you’re limited for space and obviously behringer suck.

Pam’s new workout will help you a lot too here in 8hp. And you would then have space for a quad vca which will double as a mixer.

But yeah. Braids and Brains is overkill. There’s quite a lot of crossover and in a case this size you can’t really afford that. You’re gonna gain ALOT of hp back by just picking a real Plaits.

[dokev]

Pam’s New Workout is probably the most bang for your buck you can get re: modulation, clock dividers, logic etc in a case this small. It has menus, which many people don’t like, but I think it’s really immediate. If you can get one before they’re gone (the manufacturer is shutting down) WMD C4RBN is an extremely versatile/feature packed multimode filter in 4HP, and it has a wavefolder. I have two, it’s great. Doepfer A-138-8 is 8 barebones linear VCAs in 6HP, with three mix outputs. No fun stuff like extra gain or knobs you can turn, but it’s very space efficient (don’t worry about them being linear for audio - exponential envelope into a linear VCA is fine for voices).

If you can stomach the interface Disting does a lot in a small package, but tbh it’s not exactly inviting and you need to know a fair bit already about modular synthesis to know the significance of most of the modes. You might have a similar experience with Ornament & Crime.

Just as a heads up, you’re going to have a hard time feeding all three oscillator modules the stuff they need to shine in a case this size, and Plaits + Brains is basically doubling up on the ‘same’ module. I’ll echo the comment on a case full of micro knobs probably not being super user friendly too. If you can get one of those CK-1 breakout adaptors (I think they’re still available) you can do what Synapse is doing outside of your case and claw back some precious HP.

[Merino]

I get what you are saying but it’s alot cheaper and I would need a good use for the space that becomes available, a Pam and Quad VCA would fit in regardless.

Haven’t ordered the Brains yet so maybe should go the Plaits route (or alternative oscillator recommendation) but then still have 6 hp left which would not be sure what to do with:

[peachesandbacon]

Why do need to fill the space that’s available all at once?

You’ll definitely find you’ll want certain things after you figure out how you want to patch it. That will lead you to knowing what you want to buy next. When I first got into modular a few years back I foolishly bought a big group of modules all at once, realised they weren’t what I wanted at all and sold most of them.

If I could do it again I’d probably start with a Pam’s and a Plaits, but you could easily add a clouds copy to this, as you have done above with a rings. (Beware those tiny mutable copies though, when patched they aren’t very playable)

With those 4 modules and some kind of vca or stereo mixer to mix them with, you’d be set and you can play with them to learn what you want next.

If you want better alt whole voice modules than doubling up on brains, plaits and / or braids you could try an Akemies Taiko.

Ps if you already bought the Braids just go with that. Plaits is the evolution of Braids. So one or the other will suffice.

[dokev]

I would need a good use for the space that becomes available

There will always be a good use for space, and you will always be desperate for space once the case is full - that is the eurorack curse

[Fuseball]

Agree with everyone saying that Pam’s New Workout is a perfect fit for a small case. It was one of my first modules and I use it in everything. I sync mine to the A4 via MIDI Thru set to Din Sync.

Plaits is a great all-in-one plucky voice module. If you fancy a more conventional oscillator to feed into Ripples (or another filter) then maybe look at a Klavis Twin Waves - lots of musically useful algorithms and can double as an LFO if needed. I combine mine with an Intellijel Bifold.

Are you thinking of using the A4’s audio in as a stereo pair or as two separate mono inputs? That would likely dictate whether you need a mixer in there. For ages I did without one and treated the modular as two separate mono voices going back to the A4.

Finally, do you already have the Synapse module? I’ve never seen one before and I always used the Elektron splitter cables direct from the A4. If needed you could free up 6hp right there.

[JohnnyEgo]

Mutable Instruments Veils (2020)

Mutable Instruments Shades

but you have to be fast because if you find stock, it’s the last one ever

[killingtime]

Pams is hard to argue against but I would also be looking at Tides for envelopes and oscillator duties, and Rings is so versatile , feeding one of the A4’s outputs into it and you have a crazy filter, it will produce sounds that the A4 can’t so is a good companion.

[natehorn]

I’d swap out the Doepfer VCF for something a bit more interesting personally - as I feel you have 4 fairly ‘standard’ analog voices already - I’d consider something with a specific character, maybe a transistor ladder filter for some moogy stuff?

Agree that losing the Brains was a good move. 2xPlaits (or 1 braids 1 plaits in your case) is totally viable, as it’s such a versatile module, however it might feel a bit utilitarian at times. Ignore price, if you can get a Plaits now retail then you can consider it an investment, the Brains won’t be. Short-term loss, long-term gain

Rings as an alternative (as it can also resonate) is a good shout (or realistically Rangoon) - but if you don’t like the sounds and they don’t work with your music it’s a non-starter. Drawing from personal experience you could add a complete voice like the Erica Synths Bassline - give you some acid flavour in the same space as the Plaits+VCF is taking up and save you a few bucks. But otherwise I would explore other voices like Pizza or some of the Qu-Bit offerings maybe - give you something really different to work with.

Tides is defintiely an interesting shout - it’s very performable - however you might be too late to get a decent price on one unfortunately.

Pam’s = Essential.

[Unifono]

@natehorn

Pam’s = Essential.

it really is a crazy multi function module and probably essential in a small rack.
But do you guys really enjoy using it? I found it pretty exhausting scrolling through the menus, with one knob and the tiny display

[muzka]

Pams was centre of everything I did in my rack. Was nice having that structure which helped rain in and focus the randomness from everything else

I thought brains was great value as I had a very limited budget

[natehorn]

@Unifono

But do you guys really enjoy using it?

Fair points, I wouldn’t say that I enjoy using it as such, but it’s quite set-and-forget in my system, I often don’t touch it for weeks. It’s just a super useful way to get clocks and clocked modulation out into the system in a very efficient way.

But I’m not one of those people that tries to use it like a sequencer - that would drive me nutty.

@muzka

I thought brains was great value as I had a very limited budget

A dangerous position to be in if wanting to get into Eurorack

It’s hard to argue with the fact that it’s cheap - although up until recently you could have picked up a used Plaits for the same price and saved some HP. Brains is really useful IMO if you need the USB midi stuff, that’s the added value. Edit: The screen is fun too

[plragde]

Pam’s does a lot for the size and price, but if I have any other source of modulation nearby (Marbles, SIG, Batumi) I tend to ignore it. Doing everything with a single push encoder is tiresome, and I hate the long presses. If it had forward/back buttons it would be brilliant.

I’m confined to a 64hp case right now (travel/move) and I need to swap Pam’s in, but I keep putting it off, because I’d have to give up one of Paradox, Ikarie, or Versio, and it will hurt.

Quad VCA is the only module I’ve sold. I replaced it with Veils 2020, but that is now hard to get, while QVCA is back in stock. But if you can wait, there should be clones coming along soon. Happy Nerding 3xVCA is another possibility that should be back in stock shortly.

[Merino]

Hi everyone thanks for the helpful replies.

I’m totally getting where everyone is coming from warning for the playability of the micro modules but somewhere something has to give spacewise. No way to include full size Tides, Rings and Clouds and still have enough useful space left. The deal for the uTides, uRings and uClouds(monsoon) is finalized except for payment and thinking of going through with it as the price is right and I really want the modules.

I currently only have the Braids, Ripples and Synapse and while they are all not very space efficient I prefer not having to sell/trade them until the rig is full and I desperately need that space.

No I don’t need to buy all the modules at once but after 5 years of sitting on this uncompleted rig I do want to work towards a full setup. Also considering space is at a premium I would like to have as much of a full sketch of the finalized setup before committing to buying modules. I understand modular systems are always works in progress and switching and changing is part of the fun for most but I’m mostly just looking to have a full case with good selection of modules that I can just use as is for a while. Eurorack is expansive and honestly that has been holding me off from turning this case into anything really useful. This was also one of the drivers for considering the Brains, it fills up the case and is cheap and I read that Plaits was different enough from Braids to run them parallel. I am however not married to the idea and maybe a different type of soundsource gives more variety.

So to sumarize some of the advice:

Pam’s New Workout:
Seems widely recommended as multifunctional unit for little hp. Was thinking of at least one of Disting/uO_c/Pam so seems Pam it is.

VCA’s
one of:

• Intellijel Quad VCA
• MI Veils -> currently out of stock
• Happy Nerding 3xVCA -> currently out of stock
• Doepfer A-138-8
• ALM Tangle Quartet maybe

Filter
one of:

• C4RBN
• transistor ladder filter (Happy Nerding MMM VCF?)
• Bast Ikarie

VCO’s
So seems alot of people are saying Plaits + Braids is overkill and maybe with Braids and Rings there are enough sound sources but if I can spare the space I would like another oscillator, if only to provide another lfo source.

If not Plaits then maybe for 8hp one of the following:

• Klavis Twin Waves MkII
• Intellijel Dixie II+
• Noise Reap Paradox
• Bastl Pizza

Envelopes/LFO’s
Not seen many recommendation for these modules come by yet. Would 2 envelopes/lfo’s from the Synapse plus Pam and Tides really be enough? Seems the setup is lacking still here.

A Make Noise Function comes to mind. Any other space conscious alternatives recommended?

Mixer/Outputs
Maybe the hardest part for me to get my mind around without having used the full setup. I definitely want an output module just for having a dedicated volume knob at the end of the chain. Probably mostly looking to run it stereo into A4 for now. Space wise best option here with 1/4inch outs seems to be the 4hp Befaco Out v3.

Additional mixer/attenuator wise aside from the VCA unit I am not really sure what I’d need tbh. A Happy Nerding 4x Stereo Mix seems useful but maybe there would be better uses for that 4hp.

Thinking about it if Pam, a 8hp VCO, a 4hp filter and Befaco Out are locked then bottom row is full:

That leaves me with a few choices for VCA with different sizes, a few options for envelope/lfo, a slot for mixer unit, and a wildcard slot (either 0, 4 or 6hp) depending on previous choices. Any recommendations what might be a useful addition at 4 or 6hp?:

[plragde]

I might suggest: Pizza instead of Paradox (I’ve decided to swap Paradox out and Pam’s in), Ikarie instead of C4RBN (I have both, I use Ikarie a lot more), Delta-V for envelopes (it has VCAs), wait for 3xVCA and/or 3xMIA. A4 can bridge some of these, though it gets messy.

Those three original modules are really hogging real estate, though…

[MichaalHell]

I fully agree with you on this…

I started with micro mutable and macro interfaces and have since moved toward more of a knob per function modular system…

Sure one can argue that the miracle stuff in fact have menus, but I tend to really gel with led based UIs (as in mutable stuff and OP-Z)

But having systems where you have to dart around menus and what not really kills everything which makes modular awesome

[dokev]

but somewhere something has to give spacewise

This was also one of the drivers for considering the Brains, it fills up the case

This seems a little contradictory, no? You will probably have fun with the MI clones anyway, and if it really gets annoying you can always trade them later.

I currently only have the Braids, Ripples and Synapse and while they are all not very space efficient I prefer not having to sell/trade them until the rig is full and I desperately need that space

You’ll have more options if you have the space from the start - Synapse is taking up premium real estate given it can be replaced with a cable.

Not seen many recommendation for these modules come by yet. Would 2 envelopes/lfo’s from the Synapse plus Pam and Tides really be enough?

Pam’s is plenty of LFO, but keep in mind you only have clock synced ones on there - they can be really slow and skewed though so that might not be a big deal. Envelopes on it are not triggerable though (unless there’s some workaround I’m unaware of) so will probably not be much use to you (I never use them). Xaoc Zadar is 4x triggerable/loopable envelopes that you select from banks and morph/modulate in fun ways. I love it but the menu puts some people off. 10HP, quite a lot of functionality. It really opens up with the expander but that’s +3HP (and probably having a 1HP gap in your case for the rest of your life)

Space wise best option here with 1/4inch outs seems to be the 4hp Befaco Out v3

Are 1/4inch outs a hard requirement? 3.5mm to 1/4" cables are easy to pick up (wherever you buy these modules are likely to have them) and this dramatically expands the selection of ‘output’ modules you have. Realistically you don’t need something that is straight up called an ‘output module’, you just need attenuation to get things to safe levels for non-Eurorack. I use a Happy Nerding 2xSAM to get stuff out of my case: it’s two stereo attenuators with individual outs and an additional mix output of both (keep in mind your Clouds is a stereo effect). 4HP, does the job perfectly, the attenuators are your volume knobs, normalled for when you want to use it with mono stuff. You could use one for your mix out and one for attenuation inside your case.

attenuator wise aside

WMD 4tten is decent, 4HP, 4 attenuators, each can be used as an offset when nothing is plugged in. I sometimes use mine to take four voices outside of my case in really busy patches. How much you need dedicated attenuation depends on how many VCAs you have spare and how many of the modulation targets on your other modules have built in attenuation. Some mod sources (like Pam’s or Zadar) let you set the output level on the module itself, which can save you needing extra attenuation modules or vcas.

• MI Veils → currently out of stock

MI is shutting down, if you see one grab it because there won’t be any more.

VCO’s

Keep in mind you have 4 classic sounding analog oscillators with your Analog Four. That seems to make the Dixie feel a bit redundant. All other three I’ve heard good things about. On a completely different tip, Basimilus Iteritus Alter is a wildly flexible drum-ish synthesiser that really comes alive with an Elektron sequencer. No good for your extra LFO duties though.