i need some help getting a very beginning modular setup. the idea is to use a few modules as a sound processor for my existing synths. what i want to do is send sound signals through this system for modulation. i don’t need oscillators as i have a ton of them but they are hardware synths.
i realize i have to get a box for the synths and power but aside from that is this enough to get started? if not what am i missing that MUST be there in order for this to work? just in case its not clear it will be hardware synth- modules- to a mixer – to a powered amp.
thanks for any help you can give.
Behringer 140 Dual Envelope/LFO Eurorack Module
Supercell Granular Synth
do i have to have this below to interface with my hardware synths?
Supercell is a great choice of module. I have a Clouds which I often use as an fx processor for external synths.
Clouds (and I’m assuming Supercell) has an Input level knob which has enough gain to amplify the line level signal from your synths. Supercell also has an output level knob, so you shouldn’t have any problems adjusting the level for your mixer.
This means that you shouldn’t need anything like a Sewastopol module to adjust the levels in or out.
To get the most from a lot of Eurorack effects it helps to work in stereo. I love how Clouds scatters the grains across the stereo field. It’s a big part of the effect it gives.
With effects in Eurorack - get loads of modulation. That’s where they really get special. To start with I’d look at a Pamela’s New Workout (great for clock synced modulation) and/or an Instruo ochd (looser organic phased LFOs).
A good starting point might be one of the Intellijel Palette cases and getting the little 1U modules that allow you to bring line level in, converting it to eurorack level, and the line out module that takes the eurorack level back down to line to send on to your mixer. That way you take no HP in the 3U area. Plus decent power built in, buffered mults for free etc. I’ve been very happy with mine.
I strongly suggest looking up some “getting started with eurorack” videos on YouTube as there are many potential pitfalls. Mylarmelodies and Divkid are good.
You don’t need I/O if you have a mixer between the modular and the interface.
Yeah get a supermodulator module to really open up your modular. Maths, Kermit 3, Quadrax etc. Maybe a random module too. It would also help a lot to have something that coordinates bt your modular and hardware, ie a MIDI-CV module.
i will look at this. thank you so much for the reply. this world is overwhelming. im a live music hardware guy in a folk jam band that sometimes gets psychedelic!! i have no idea how to navigate this world and will never go beyond using modular as a vastly expanded modular peddle board for my minimoog.
let me ask a ridiculously simple question. how do i interface with clouds from my synth? do i just get a 1/4 to (whatever size modular is) adapter for both the in and out? if that’s the case is it really as simple as just buying clouds and another module or two and that’s it? i can just plug and play that way?
Since you referenced the Sewastopol and the Behringer Dual Envelope/LFO module, I think you’re having the right instincts here, but I’ll spell a couple of things out, just so it’s clear.
The reason you would get the Sewastopol, beyond scaling line inputs to modular level and back down again, is because it can provide an envelope follower and more importantly a gate/trigger extractor.
LFOs will cycle on their own without input, but to use the envelopes in the Behringer module, you will need to provide a gate, so being able to extract one of these from an incoming audio source is useful/essential if you want to employ envelopes as a modulation source.
Another option, that you might consider, is using a MIDI-to-CV module of some kind, if the hardware synths you’re using employs MIDI out. Then you can send a MIDI gate signal, which a MIDI-to-CV module can turn into a modular gate (to use for triggering envelopes or retriggering LFOs, etc.).
Actually my point is identical to @chm_jacques 's above: you’ll want to think about something that talks between your hardware and modular. Presuming of course your synth senda even the most minimal midi, this will allow your two partners to dance better. What synth do you have?
Yeah I was about to mention but you asked: audio in. Modular runs very hot so you’ll need to bring up the hardware signal. There are modules that do that. I was under the impression Clouds has an input gain that would resolve this issue. So if you’re just using, and it has the input gain, you don’t need an additional module. Just TR - minijack cable.
no need for them to dance together much. i just want to send sound into the clouds clone for processing drones and such. i will be using a moog model d as the primarily sound source but also my guitarist and violinists instruments as sound sources to turn into drones. on the other hand my model d does send midi out messages but i dont even know what its capacity is.
i don’t expect to ever use midi in any way with this setup.
You’ll need something like these to connect to and from the modular to your Minimoog and mixer.
I’ve also used a Mutable Instruments Ears module to boost a quiet instrument level signal to modular levels. Similar to the Sewastopol, it also has an envelope follower and can generate triggers.
You can use VCVRack or miRack to help get a better idea of what will work for you. Supercell is a version of Mutable Instruments Clouds. The VCVRack/miRack version of Clouds is “Texture Synthesizers” in the Audible Instruments pack.
Use the app to create a virtual modular with Clouds in it, and help figure out how many LFO, envelope, etc. modules you will actually need in your system.
Even if you aren’t controlling a synth voice via midi it can be very useful to get a midi clock into your modular. This way you can do rhythmic modulations in time.