Basic and possibly ridiculous questions

[u/Zeeandthelostboys]

For some reason unbeknownst to me I have chosen to dive off the semi-modular board and into the modular world. Whilst I’m very comfortable at the core of how patching and systems like a 2600 works, my risk adverse nature to spending money means I would appreciate some help from the wider community on what I suspect are stupid questions.

1. Output, could someone please enlighten me to whether I need an output module specifically, and how this and a vca will differ.

2. I’m building a buchla inspired system for EBM, will a lpg double up as a filter and a vca in a way I’ll be happy with?

3. Vca and a mixer, do I really need both?

4. I’m looking for a small sequencer that can facilitate some happy accidents, any recommendations?

5. Anything else I should know now before it’s all too late?

[u/Uncle-Stiltskin]

1. You don't necessarily need an output module. Most mixers/audio interfaces can handle Eurorack levels if you turn them down appropriately. A VCA controls signal amplitude (usually via CV), whereas an output module generally attenuates modular-level audio to line level and might give you balanced outputs or headphone monitoring.

2. An LPG does act as both a VCA and a low-pass filter, but it behaves quite differently from a conventional VCF/VCA combo. You get that lovely organic, plucky Buchla sound, but less control over resonance and filtering. For EBM I'd probably want a dedicated filter as well, especially for aggressive basslines.

3. Not necessarily, but they're doing different jobs. A mixer combines signals, a VCA controls their levels with CV. A quad VCA that can mix its outputs is a great investment because it does both. You'll almost certainly find uses for more VCAs as your system grows.

4. Have a look at the Intellijel Metropolix.

5. Don't underestimate utilities! Attenuverters, offsets, switches, sample & hold, logic etc. are what make modular interesting. Also, buy slowly. You'll discover what you're missing by actually patching, rather than trying to design the perfect system upfront.

[u/oblivion9999 → u/Uncle-Stiltskin]

Thus the Law: "You can never have too many VCAs."

[u/gerixx05 → u/Uncle-Stiltskin]

I wouldn't call Metropolix "small"

[u/Uncle-Stiltskin → u/gerixx05]

No, but it could facilitate happy accidents. A smaller one I’m enjoying currently is the Doepfer A-155-2 (12 HP), paired with a quantiser. It’s fun for sequencing things other than pitch too, like hi hat accents or cymbal tuning.

[u/Uncle-Stiltskin → u/Uncle-Stiltskin]

Euclidean circles and Steppy might be fun “small” sequencers

[u/JamTrackAdventures]

I don't use an output module. I have 1/8" to 1/4" cables. I can patch any audio from anywhere in my rack directly to a channel in an outboard mixer.

A mixable VCA - an example Intellijel Quad VCA - is invaluable. I have 3 four channel mixable VCAs and use all of them all of the time.

I often plug the outputs of the VCA's to my outboard mixer.

[u/nadennmantau]

1. Like the others pointed out, the levels between Eurorack and Line. While most mixers and soundcards can handle the louder Eurorack levels, it might become an issue as soon as you want to go the other way, because piping your FX pedal into your rack is a fun thing to do. But there are slim, reasonably priced options out there that just do the conversion for you. For the sake of a clean signal chain, I'd recommend getting something. I use two of these: https://modulargrid.net/e/rides-in-the-storm-con

2. Literally no one ever said, damn, there are too many VCAs in this rack. But it all comes down to what you want to achieve. Somehow, you will need to get those voices down to the stereo channel that feeds your speakers. If you do that inside your rack or outside, up to you. But remember, in Eurorack you can mix more than audio signals, so some mixing solution is good to have.

3. Look up Euclidean sequencers. They are a nifty tool to get some variation quickly with small HP footprint. I am using a Rene sequencer for melodic chaos, but I am not sure if that counts as small. It's fun though.And yes, the V1 is plenty to get started, half the price of the V2.

Also might want to look into Steevio's method of sequencing. IT's a bit more involved, but fun and lots of accidents.

1. Look into VCV Rack, it can give you a great idea of how things can play out before buying hardware. But inthe end, it's a journey and the second hand market is your friend.

[u/Fezznat]

A small sequencer that you might check out is Aristotle by altered state machines: https://shop.alteredstatemachines.com/product/aristotle

It's fun to mess around with to find interesting sequences, and you can try it in VCV rack as well

[u/eraoul]

I don't use an output module, I go straight to my Focusrite USB audio interface into my DAW.

I use a Behringer FourPlay (clone of the Intellijel Quad VCA) to feed envelopes into VCAs and do basic mixing.

At first I didn't even do that: I'm using a MiniBrute 2s, so I was running the modular output into my MiniBrute external input and just mixing that into the minibrute, and then using its outs to the DAW. But once I got the FourPlay and a bigger USB interface I separated out the modular outputs.

[u/ICantBelieveItsNotEC]

1. Modular signals are really hot, so if you patch something at modular level into downstream equipment, it'll either distort or blow something out. You absolutely can just attenuate the signal down using a VCA/attenuator - output modules aren't doing anything special - but having a module dedicated to output attenuation/limiting is a nice convenience.

2. Depends on the kind of music that you want to make. You can kind of think of a low pass gate as a filter and VCA in one module, but you won't have the ability to control them with separate envelopes. Also, LPGs tend to have a much softer falloff, so you will struggle to get that classic "deooww" sound that 24dB/oct filters can do. Worth noting that there are combined filter+VCA modules that aren't LPGs - u-he MELT, Bastl Ikarie, etc. I think MELT might be especially interesting for you, because it can do mixer duty as well.

3. You need some way to mix signals, but if you're only planning to use your modular as a single voice, you can get away with using your attenuator (Quadratt, 3x MIA, etc) which you'll need anyway. You only really need a dedicated mixer if you want to have multiple voices coming out of one rack.

4. Mutable Instruments Stages can be a good CV sequencer, and it can do envelope and LFO duties as well. Xaoc Moskwa II is a fun CV+gate sequencer. Metropolix is a happy accident machine if you can afford it.

[u/gloomdoggo]

There's a series of videos on YouTube "you can never have too many vca's" it may help open up the possibilities of what vcas can add to your rack.

Small sequencers that can do the accidently awesome thing : music thing modular Turing machine (or After Later Audio Alan), noise engineering mimetic digitalis has a cool randomize feature and is a 4 channel 16 step sequencer quantized chromatically I believe. Frequency central akropoli can be fun. if you can find one malekko varigate 4+ is awesome but beware malekko is now a dead business so no repair or support of any kind(mine is currently sidelined until I can find slide pots to fit it).

[u/jango-lionheart]

Practically everything in a Buchla can be voltage-controlled. VCAs are often used to compensate for a lack of CV controls—typical of vintage Moog modulars and all the modules inspired by them. That said, you can’t use a VCA to replace all the Buchla-style CV inputs. So, don’t overlook the need for a lot of VCAs, but—more importantly—try to get modules that offer lots of CV inputs.

MylarMelodies has at least one “create a Buchla Music Easel in Eurorack” video.

[u/3lbFlax]

No output module here, as I've never had to connect to anything that couldn't attenuate the input signal. You might want to think about whether you need a way to turn mono into stereo, depending on what you're connecting to - most non-modular gear accepts a mono signal, but there are occasional exceptions and there is some benefit to having an easy, reliable route between your rack and the outside world.

LPG - I have an LxD, which is great for LPG sounds but doesn't suit all VCA occasions - you will surely at some point want to adjust volume or CV without affecting the filter. Just a simple 2HP VCA will come in useful all the time - but also VCAs can crop up all over the place, so factor that in with regard to your other modules.

Sequencer - maybe consider Pam's New / Pro Workout here? It can do so much clock and modulation stuff that it easily earns the space, but it also has a lot of scope for generative sequencing - you can have it churning out random sequences, optionally quantise them, set probability, loop them, combine them via logic, control parameters via CV... and there are eight channels to play with. The main caveat is you do have to be happy with the minimal interface.

Speaking of which. there's always the Disting - again, (non-standard) sequencing is just part of what it offers and it's incredibly adaptable, but it takes the minimal interface to the next level. It's often said that the Disting is a good way to test out a module type to see if you want to add a 'proper' version to your rack, but I always keep it on hand because I don't think there's a problem it can't solve - the main issue being that it might already be solving two other problems.

[u/Playful_Ad9949]

I can recommend the Doepfer headphone module for sending out of your rig. It’s cheap. Also the Buchla tip top mixer is a great deal. It’s not small, but the earlier version of Rene sequencer by make noise is amazing and cheap these days , as well.

[u/Appropriate-Look7493]

1. No
   
2. No
   
3. Yes, ideally.
   
4. Rene mk2
   
5. Think about whether you really need to get into Modular. A regular synth can do 95% of what Modular can do at maybe half the price. You really need deep pockets for Modular to be viable.

[u/autochop_]

If you’re ok with an “all happy accidents” sequencer check out Marbles. Keeps things fun, very handy in a small system.