The dark side is strong with cookies, i get the idea with modular fx, i am tempted myself, i just see that it can get expensive fast. I saw xompax or dash glitch utilizing modular to great effect, but these guys are pros and have the time to sink in. Without time at hand i would pursue a simpler setup, why not use tracktor /serato and play stems created /recorded from your looper? They have good fx aswell, pair it with a dj controller and its not feeling like a computer. (mixstream /numark).
then playing them live is best!
Thatās why I like the big knob in the middle of the Magneto, it was made to be played live!
Then donāt get 2hp modules, just saying
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If you go modular, Iād suggest to limit yourself, something like a 4MS Pod for the beginning.
If you want to expand, then you will definitely have a use for it afterwards, or easily sell it.
One misconception though is that smaller racks are more āhands onā, you either have larger HP knob-per-function modules, or multi-button-combination smaller modules.
A4 as a sequencer and modulator is a good start, but you will quickly need more modulators, mixers, utility- and logic modules. Iād suggest to start with only one fx module and a poweful modulator, like IME Kermit MK3 or Quadrax with expander. Maybe also only Maths and FX Aid, to keep it simple and fun 
I donāt go modular 
thank you all!
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Djs 1000 is also a simple thing, and can live sample, allthough sample ram is limited, the fx are good though. Not sure if it can work as fx box in that sense, i.e. have a through track.
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too bad 32 seconds max sample length for djs 1000 
bought a zen delay though
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Hey Wouzer
Yes I did go very much down the modular route (in addition to my two existing analog fours and digitakt, and cycles now sold) ā¦ reason being I wanted to do more hands on modulation without too much menu diving, also as you can see from my rack it is now very portable (which I take with me outdoors a lot!) Mountain Portable - Eurorack Modular System from GaryPHayes on ModularGrid ā¦ In answer to some of your specifics
I went for quite an extensive FX in my rack. I actually got two FXAidXLs (which can have hundreds of different reverbs, delays and more etc: They do fantastic emulations of strymon and other top reverbs AND the XL part means I can have four CV modulation points in to control all parameters, I like using bitdepth to phase grittiness in and out, but also reverb depth to go from almost dry to big washes in live performances.
I do have the two 2HP loopers, one for each side of the stereo. Which when triggered at exactly the same time, start and loop start, will go on for an hour + in sync. I have for example done pieces which are 90s sound on sound loops in perfect sync when I add rhythmic parts later, so I sometimes treat it as a multitracker sometimes vs a looper. The A4 can send a range of triggers out which can emulate my Steppy which I use as a timed trigger. I have a bunch of videos on my channel YT with how the A4 and modular are just great together.
I normally feed the main stereo out of my modular into the A4 inputs btw when uysing the two together.
The big question should you go down the rack route - well really depends on style of music - if you want purely some nice long reverb and delay, a couple of pedals might work, if you want to do some experimental cv control over FX then something like a small 84hp modular FX rack might work for you, but remember my 2 FXAidXLs (32 onboard fx on each one), 2HP loopers and I have a couple of other things like a line out and granulator and small mixer to combine the above in the chain - will set you back about $1000 USD new, so the price of something like a couple of strymons or zens. Look at a small intellijel rack if you go the modular route and good luck!!
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thank you for the clear answer.
For me, now, is to add reverb and delay to my mixer
I think later I can build out the A4 with modular fx, and a compressor, butā¦ step-by-step
for me, the fascinating thing is, that only with a looper, a mixer and an A4, I can make full life sets. So I sold most equipment, and now have some money to spend on music equipment, and now I donāt add more sequencers, samplers or synthesizers. Really inspiring .
Dosent sound like a lot, but the pitch algo is very good, you sample a synth hit and can play it over 2 octaves, or have some drum loops, which could be manipulated. I am a littke curious about it, and its simplicity. We have here a very profi user jogginghouse, who did really nice sets with it.
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I would stick with this for now as something youāve found works for you. Getting into Euroack will likely throw everything sideways. I think a nice fx pedal (or two) wonāt break your working system as much, so I think that route seems good.
My vote, beyond the Space, would go to OTO; BIM or BAM. Bam is less versatile then the Space though. Iām very curious to get a BIM myself at some point. Great playability their form factor has.
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a.n.other modular question:
I sort of idly keep thinking about adding a Polivoks style filter to my 0-Coast.
If I really just want an Erika Polivoks filter thingyā¦ is there a simple DIY way to get it the power it needs, and then I can just improvise a box?
Like, I can probably use this and then just step the 12v+ down to 5v for example?
https://cpc.farnell.com/whadda/wspc8042/symmetric-1a-power-supply-kit/dp/HK01430
just wondering if anyoneās seen a good tutorial on this. Buying a whole case/power supply for one module seems EXPENSIVE*.
- yes, I had heard this about modular.
If you know electronics and can design a circuit properly itās possible but I donāt think itās a simple DIY job you can do without previous knowledge. The Erica Synths Polivoks filters are not 5V, they pull from the 12V rails.
Iād suggest checking Modwigglerās forums to see if anyone has done a DIY power supply for a single module, there might be schematics and more info on what to be aware on the electronics side of it.
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oh, thanks, I think actually much simpler if it only needs +12v/-12v
and good call on Modwiggler.
just to share research in case anyone googles this question up:
https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=244272
a lot of the solutions are USB powered, and pannelled and about Ā£100-150 it seems. Or a lot of discontinued things tooā¦
this is out of stock sadly:
https://modularaddict.com/format/eurorack/usbpowerthingy-eurorack-usb-power-supply-pcb-timo-rozendal
but looks like a super simple circuit of three caps, the connectors and a DD1718PA step up converter.
THIS looks like a decent option though. a bit less rough and ready, and if you already have some of the parts, pretty cheap.
But even better for one single module I think:
parts needed for that will be pennies! Only downside: itās massive.
And then thereās this:
https://www.synthrotek.com/products/modular-circuits/usb-power/
so, plenty to think about basically. Iām sure iāll end up buying a Ā£100 usb one just for the convienience/size in the end!
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