A pod is perfect for your situation (in addition to its inherent limits on hp) . Beads is turning out to be incredibly capable on its own without modulation, but if you like what Chase does then you’ll want different types. Lots of small, capable modules offering good modulation.
Edit: this was meant as a response to @circuitghost
I had the RPL Particle v2. It does a lot of nice things but it has no reverb and no way to smooth out the grains. Particle v2 cost me more than the Clouds clone I bought from Momo Modular. As I was getting a small system built up anyway, I sold the Particle and bought Clouds.
Things I do like about the Particle are MIDI sync and a helluva lot of time division options for LFO, Feedback, etc.
But Clouds it ain’t.
I think Emilie mentioned Particle long ago before there was anything else on the market and the granular onslaught she started kicked in.
True enough, this was quite a few years ago. Probably not comparable anymore.
She did. It was either on the MI forums or Muff Wigglers. I’ve always wanted Clouds and figured it would be a reasonable alternative. It’s a great pedal but it’s different. The clone was a bit cheaper (i’d love an actual Clouds but far too expensive). I’m waiting on my DIY cases to be built so I’ve only played with Clouds in miRack and with the free MI clones plugins on iPad. They just sound different altogether. Fundamental similarities but big differences.
I don’t think there’s anything stopping @circuitghost from getting a small-ish powered skiff with an effects/modulation chain to take on duties that traditional synths can’t. If you’re concerned about it ballooning out of control just limit yourself to that one skiff. I’d maybe look at what you’re trying to achieve before committing to a skiff size though. Or just say ‘max 84HP’. If it comes in smaller, great! But no larger than that.
my journey has only just begun with modular. I have my Moogs setup but I’ve been sitting on all of modules for 4 months waiting to build the case. Not an easy thing to do when all I want to does is patch up and modulate my Moogs/Rings/Elements :S
I’ve temporarily stopped myself for now 
but still enjoying the conversation.
I was immediately drawn to Beads and thought it would be a nice start to my next rack (first one is still only in the mail) and then thought maybe just that and Maths for modulation in a Pod case would be good and put this idea together:
Then I decided I have a ton of stereo effects processing devices in software so will just stick to that for now, but am tempted to just throw Maths in a box by itself…
I will say there will still be room for Chase Bliss pedals in a modular setup. 0-Coast through Mood and Dark World sounds fantastic.
I think this thread is relevant to people here. Some of us drew up some ideas for a small, granular-based FX skiff
My modular at least always functions as a repository of stuff to mix and match into a skiff or a 4ms Pod. This has been the centerpiece of my MIDI sequencing for a while now:
It’s good to tap into grooves that aren’t based on a stream of constant pulses.
