Let's Fix My Expensive Modular Mistakes
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 22. 05. 2024
- Feel free to use the timestamps below (or in the pinned comment) to browse through the selection of new modules. Many affiliate links below. I donate 100% of affiliate income to the ACLU! đœ
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*AFFILIATE LINKVILLE*
Cre8Audio West Pest
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Cre8Audio Function Junction
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Pittsburgh Modular Taiga
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
BASTL Softpop SPII
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
BASTL Aikido
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Erica Synths Fusion VCO II
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Erica Synths Graphic VCO
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Erica Synths 3 Filters
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Erica Synths Black Hole DSP2
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Erica Synths Black Sequencer
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
0:00 - I Never Used My Eurorack
3:23 - Cre8Audio West Pest
8:49 - Cre8Audio Function Junction
11:11 - Pittsburgh Modular Taiga
14:58 - BASTL Softpop SPII
19:20 - BASTL Aikido
21:46 - Erica Synths Fusion VCO II
23:49 - Erica Synths Graphic VCO
27:29 - Erica Synths 3 Filters
29:35 - Erica Synths Black Hole DSP2
35:15 - Erica Synths Black Sequencer
38:35 - Renovating The System
39:40 - My FIRST PATCH
40:51 - Modules I Ditched
43:40 - Eurorack Power Sucks
#modularsynth #eurorack #synthesizer - VÄda a technologie
As someone who works in the boat world, I can say your modular gear certainly has a lower operation and maintenance cost. Do never buy a boat unless you have a solid business plan for it, or absolutely need one to access the outside world.
Wisest words yet spoken đ
As the CarTalk guys used to say when a mechanic told someone that they needed to get unnecessary repairs on their car, "He just needs to make his boat payment."
What you really need is a flying boat.
Im an airline pilot and go through boston quite a bit and every time I say "id love to have a small boat to explore these little islands."
Is there any kind of small practical motorboat that wont make me hate it?
Can't remember where i heard it but someone advised to RENT a boat, never buy one
edit: same goes for planes
You speak truth about the disaster of Eurorack power. If someone had a time machine and could go back in time and convince Dieter Döpfer to make some better choices, a lot of people would appreciate it.
"If I have to memorize something, that means I'm going to have to look at the manual again when I forget. And that's exactly the type of modules I'm removing..."
YES to this. More manufacturers need to think about this sort of threshold of memory and re-playability in their design.
Couldâve been a boat guy đđâ€Iâve been told the best day having a boat is the day you sell itđ
I believe the west pest is Pittsburgh Modular circuits under the hood. So lots of love for my local folks!
no wonder i was side-eyeing my primary osc during the west pest section đ like running into your cousin at a party
"I love the sound, but it's a bit limited and takes an enormous amount of space" - also applies to every other Moog product đ
And lots of other vendors too I'd imagine.
But yet, people still buy them because that sound is so lovely.
the fuck u talking about. moog mother? dfam? subharmonicon?
@@Daphoid lâm honestly interested in any demo that can convince me that moog synths have a particularly better sound than any other basic subtractive voice... IMO the very cool thing about moog synths is moog itself, a company owned by its employees.
The Moog One is limited? The MiniMoog changed my entire approach to writing.
@@tristan7218 Well probably is - youtube compression is pretty hard on audio - they sound much nicer in person I found. But also it's quite subjective.
I'm a firm believer that you/I shouldn't have to be convinced to like something. If you like it right away then it's great for you, if not - that's also fine too!
I enjoy my Moog semi modulars and Matriarch, but they're not for everybody. Some people are 100% happy with VST's and plugins; others like interacting with hardware. Both are fine!
Five years ago watching Loopop demo the Moog stuff sold me on it enough to buy one, and now I own 6 (along with a whole bunch of other brands too) - but some people do everything they need with little korg volca's or pocket operators :)
Benn, it's so much easier to listen to you talk about stuff for 2 hours than it is to watch a whole movie. You underestimate how interesting you are and how interesting your topics of choice are.
Lovin' that behringer cp1a psu with the name rubbed out. Class act.
I agree with your comments on Pittsburgh Modular EXCEPT for your claim that Taiga is their first major product outside âbread and butterâ individual modules. Voltage Research Laboratory also went well beyond their early design pattern, IMO.
So youâre telling me that your Make Noise modules⊠started making noise? đ€
I had a huge smile on my face through the "my first patch" section - I'm really excited to hear new music from you inspired by this new workflow!
I've only just started this video, but I want to comment that since I subscribed to you and set the notification bell to All (many months ago), I haven't gotten a single one of your videos in my feed. I'm not sure why All should mean anything other than _all,_ but my hope is that commenting will tell CZcams that I don't want to only see your videos when you happen to come up in my search results.
You deserve all the views, and I genuinely hope the algorithm isn't limiting your visibility.
Benn, I really love your videos, and I also love the attitude that you have in your videos. You have a great tone for teaching - always curious and never rude. I listened to this video as I was commuting home from work and it inspired me to attempt making an effect rack in ableton that would function similarly to that Erica synth HP/LP/BP knob. Thanks! â€
The thing you say about the softpop2 distracting you into weirdness is what happens to me any time I sit down with my synths. Always an enjoyable surprise!
When Iâm not practicing to become an improved musician, I love my 270 hp module rig. Every session allows me to experience a song for the first and only time. The this will never exist again factor gets me pretty excited about the music Iâm making.
This is it, itâs yours itâs original & itâs over!
I already knew you some time ago, but it was just recently that I started watching your channel and I have huge respect for what you do, i love your videos and enjoy them so heavily! :)
Very informative!!! And I totally share your view on âno manual â and the power supply issues. Great work Benn!
Love this. Getting back into euro after a long break (almost 10 years) and all new modules are a huge mystery so thanks
Love the row of almost exclusive Mutable Instruments modules... and what a beast of a system.
The patch was lovely - so was the music! I'd be interested to know how the drums and their fills were sequenced, and whether the acid bass sequences was all mapped out or transposed/mutated (and if so, how?).
Ethernet modular would be wonderful. Power supply issues is what stopped me from further expanding my modular from one small case.
That exists and doepfer makes it!
This was a nice rundown, thank you. I would definitely be interested in hearing more about how you put that patch together, and/or just how you approach composing on modular in general.
my favorite video you've made in a while :) really helped open my mind to some modules and perspectives I wasn't familiar with!
I literally just finished building out an all analog studio for some of the same reasons you removed those more complex modules you mentioned. Avoiding menu diving at all costs unless absolutely necessary (sequencing), and the laptop is only there as a tape machine essentially. Creativity without distraction is a beautiful thing, and something I craved in my primary studio where I'm surrounded by a limitless possibility.
Now it all makes sense. imo We need more of that jamming chunk explained. That was rather juicy!
Coil whine is as annoying itself as the fact that no one ever mentions it when they should.
Wonderful video Benn, I am particularly interested in seeing and hearing more on the powering of Modular systems and the DIY route of safe and adequate solutions. I have spent many months on this subject and enlisted the help of many EE folks only to be kind of frustrated.
Really a helpful video! I think a lot of us are always evaluating the keep it / chuck it gear decisions. Also I do now want a cre8 West Pest đ. Currently unemployed thi, so Iâll have to wait đ but at least itâs on the list.
Glad to see some Graphic VCO love. The drum mode is sick, just designed some extremely morphable hihats utilizing the drum mode and the internal FM.
I concur. Graphic is a beast, definitely a hero in my rack.
Seriously been considering getting it
Digital modules are great for learning about modular concepts, but one does tend to grow out of them. I need everything out of the box attached to knobs these days. Can't be bothered to dive a menu, but I will always think about Ornament and Crime with deep fondness.
Pittsburgh has been making oddball west coast stuff for years. Look at the Voltage Lab, or the Microvolt 3900, wavefolder and LPG on board. Overall great video, just chiming in as a person who watches closely with great interest what Pittsburgh does. âïž
that last track was great. been thinking about the a152 for years, but never went for it. but now my gas has cooled off over the past 3 or 4 years and im really starting to appreciate doepfer utilities. they really do bring out the best of all the shiny toys playing together.
I love your documentaries, Benn.
Had similar experience with the Expert Sleepers Disting and ES-6/ES-8. But, I like the Disting EX much better. I settled on the FH-1 instead of the ES-8 in the end. Because, I can do all the random generation, slow moving or stepped modulation or sequencing on it. And it integrates really well with Elektron sequencers, as a kind of CV/Gate breakout expander. (or with VCVrack or Ableton Bitwig).
The "lifting rail" thing is something I've been exploring. Built a prototype where you just unscrew the (padded) bar that holds the row down, and can then add-remove all the modules. Learned a lot from that and have a greatly improved design in mind when I find the time. As for power, I've been imagining a way that when you place a module, it just automatically plugs in. It involves power rails and a plug that can be affixed to the module with the screw holes you would no longer need for mounting, and that would be plugged in to the normal power jack. It would be so nice to be able to re-arrange a rack in minutes instead of hours.
Computer expansion cards (ISA, VESA, PCI, PCIe) and 500-series modules as far as I know have this capability. It's great! I'm not too miffed about the power connector format generally, but I wish it were keyed like with late-era IDE connectors and internal USB headers, which would reduce the incidence of plugging the 12 V rail into the wrong place. Could also be something easy to (un)plug like a SATA connector (Molex is a bit fussier from my experience).
i have a 6u 104hp case and i believe it when you say it took twelve hours to rearrange your rack. it takes me 2-3 if i pull everything out and start from 0. it's so tedious and makes me not wanna make any changes after i'm "done" lol
braindancing it hard in "my first patch" section. love it! I will always have my Disting even though I only use it for midi io/conversion stuff and to patch my ms20. Disting is real nice when using an old korg ms20 with eurorack. Easy solution for korg tracking issues (sq1 works well for that too).
nice one Benn - I met you with Noir and Jamie Liddell at Perfect Circuit last year after NAMM đ I go to PC at least once a year, love it
I hope to go to NAMM next month, I'll say hi if I see you
anyway, nice module choices - some are already on my list
I started with modular a few years ago and finally took a year break from it to change my mindset on it while using more normal synths and grooveboxes - I came back to it much happier and with a new approach and many ideas
and don't get me started on power and case issues - what a mess, I already fried a few modules (cheap ones) due to confusing power labeling and non-shrouded headers (keyed) - thanks Doepfer đ
Great little jam, making me want to keep my Minotaur which I had almost convinced myself to move on
thank you for this journey! i thoroughly enjoyed all the segments.
for the last 25 years i've wanted hardware, but always turned to daw.
even then, not sure i could afford it. or if it would be for me.
i wish knew someone locally with a setup similar to check out.
It was really nice hearing some of the melodies from piety of ashes in this video. Such a great album
I am constantly impressed with the UX of Erica Synths devices. I have the Black Sequencer and a DB-01 Bassline, and I was initially attracted to them because of their feature set and sounds, respectively. But within an hour of turning each of them on, I was sold on how intuitive everything was. Kudos Erica Synths!
Also I wonder if it would be possible to make a modular format that just uses magnets instead of screws for racking.
I'm interested in modular but don't own anything myself yet, and I've got to say that your rant about the "standardised" power format is warranted! I didn't even consider that the modules I've had my eye on could have mismatching plugs, and had always assumed that one ribbon cable would fit all needs for a small rack. Don't even get me started on worrying about sourcing an adequate case... I don't think I've visited this channel before, but this video was enough to make me subscribe.
To be fair, how do you know if it's warranted if you don't actually have any modules yet? Every module you buy new will come with its own power cable, so there's really no danger of mismatching anything. Doepfer modules don't mark the power polarity on the PCB (most makers do), but they follow a convention that red stripe / -12v always goes towards the bottom of the module. His point about ribbon cables taking a lot of space under the modules is valid, but only in especially shallow cases. The only times I've ever run into noise in Eurorack is when pushing a power supply far beyond its capacity. I like Benn, and Eurorack isn't perfect, but I respectfully disagree with his assessment of the Eurorack power situation.
you show the erica fusion vco mk1 here and this has a digital core and just runs through the analog tubes :)
Cool vid! Regarding PSU noise, I've found that Linear power supplies works best for older analog designs as that is what most older hardware was designed to run on back in the day. The digital modules run cleaner on switching power supplies. Cheers
Nice picks! I made sure that all of the modules in my case don't have much digital going on with them so I'm not having to menu dive. Though I only use a few presets in Disting mk4, I use mine pretty frequently.
Continually my favorite music oriented channel on YT. đ
I actually got into hardware synths because of the user interfaces (part of my day job duties involve designing UX for expert-use software). I think hardware interfaces are really interesting and can be really clever sometimes with multiple modes etc. But I 200% support getting rid of the ones with bad UX :D Life is too short for bad UX!
Wait... the robot arm! I want to know about the robot arm!
Great video! The crush knob on the black hole DSP2 reminds me of the Permut8 VST from SonicCharge, if anyone's looking for a similar-ish VST experience
I *NOW* have so much more understanding of that black hole dsp and black sequencer in my rack...
Preach! Eurorack power is the absolute worst.
Nice ... Modular is so much fun... much more than any other synth in my opinion. Even if it is more expensive and more complicated in handling the direct access makes it worth for me.
BASTL SP2 is pretty much the brains of my current semi-modular hell setup due to its excellent sequencer. Itâs incredibly zany and I love it to bits. It usually takes gates from my Kick, then controls my Neutron and has the clock passing through the Microfreak.
the demo sounded like a new take on some acidwolf, loved the video! imagine being able to plug in a link cable from a pioneer cdj and running it into a modular setup to load songs or samples from rekordbox! lol
that first patch song... amazing!
Great video. Really like the West Pest you started out with and am now seriously considering a purchase. (Like most of what you featured but I can maybe afford one new moduleâŠ)Just did some reading about it and this came about as a collaboration with Pittsburgh Modular. Cool. Thanks!
45:14 you are not alone, i have not decided to even start with modular yet for exactly this reason
Too long? Wasnât long enough! Wanted to see the new modules in their context - great video
As a long time synth lover who's never gotten into Eurorack this was a great video Benn! I'm still not sure if I want to dive into that workflow though. But love your modular videos!
I like it. I also chose parents really well, so I can afford it.
@@GeorgeLocke lmao
@@GeorgeLocke Good fortune is an impediment to good character. Enjoy your toys!!
I wouldnât bother, unless youâre really into pretty mindless bleeps and bloops. Yeah, Iâve done some interesting things with modular and my Matriarch and Pro3, but it really can be a distraction from crafting actual music. The sounds from your OB-X8, Pro2, 3rd Wave, etc, craps all over the bleeps and bloops of modular, imho. đ€·đ»ââïž
@@kierenmoore3236 thank you sir may I have another?
I'm starting with a ES and only adding some functions I'll need. Nearly went your route and was going to add the expert sleepers later, but think I'll make better use of space and funds starting with my main units ES 8 or 9 and a Poly2 and go from there, just have to wait a bit longer for some fun and forget the PAM's or O&C I was tempted with for immediate shenanigan's. ES9 took my mate ages to work with vcv and live and push, some time later he got it working sample accurate, He said its easy when you know.
I had my time with eurorack. This days i'm much more happy with the Korg Arp2600m and the Pittsburgh modular Taiga
About 39 minutes in, talking about modules that require you to read the manual: "Those are exactly the type of modules that I'm removing from my rack." Then pans over a row of nine Mutable Instruments modules, and I wonder, is he taking the piss here?
Could not agree more with the power situation in eurorack. I have a very large system (and a couple portable cases) and whenever I want to move things around I just try to turn my brain off and get through it. Which is dangerous, because then it's easier to make a mistake. So, it's this super fun combination of needing to be ultra vigilant while doing this monotonous, time sucking task.
Also, don't even get me started on modules that just don't behave together well on the same rail (not even talking noise, have had a couple situations where they won't even start up properly), or the fact that +5V is this neglected part of the "standard" that is so inconsistent many modules have a jumper to bypass the system +5V entirely. And yes the cables are super inconvenient.
One day maybe there'll be something a bit more user friendly, but I think that day is probably a long way off.
hear you on the ease of movement. I have mainly DIY modules and use velcro in place of screws. Much easier to lift and shift and move around ;-)
There definitely comes a point, after the initial eurocrack stages, where oneâs system just seems redundant and uninspiring. Especially with many multi-function, tie-your-shoes-for-your modules available today. Iâm definitely a fan of the proto-utility combos approach. I donât want one module to do 50 things. I want it to do one or two things very well, and combine it with other modules. Isnât that more of the point anyway?I just did a massive overhaul, pulling out maybe 20 modules or so. I wanted to limit things down and see what I really missed.
Love it! Now Iâm paranoid about having a coil whine. Would be a bummer cause I love my qpas so much
Yeah - wtf, Make Noise ⊠?!!!
Wow the automatic CC during your Analord jam is hilarious... "no no no no no no no no"
+1 for cat5/6. Works very well with balanced multichannel audio. TP has better cancellation/suppression than ribbon.
PC def worth the visit when you're in LA, they got it all!
What remarkably versatile units đ and all for _very_ little. Thanks for this run-down mini-review, Benn đ€
VERY INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO, THANKS
just got my Taiga this week :) its awesome
yo that patch at the end was killer!
OMG, the physical act of mounting and un-mounting and god-help-me re-mounting eurorack is enough that I don't even want to think about altering my setups, even if that would be the best thing. And the power situation... arrgh. Maybe PoE is the "right thing", maybe not, but something has to be better than the ribbon cables.
Nice video Benn
The function junction seems quite usable, but I canât get past the graphics(be sticking with maths). I feel the same about the West Pest. They have a 90s look. Not good 90s, but eXtream 90s. I do like the sound of the wavefolder. I always wanted a buchla easel.
your so called first patch sounds awesome :D which modules where involved in creating that acid baseline there?
Haha same with me donât use my modular stuff that often how I thought. I think bcs itâs just a totally different workflow than that Iâm used to over several years (but I totally love it though even if itâs not a daily driver like my virus ti I would never sell it or anything!)
hope you concider discussing the update and the move back into the swamp that is modular with molten vincent :) learned about your work in the interview you did back then. thxxxx
I couldn't live without my ExpertSleepers ES-6/ES-3 - it makes my Eurorack feel like an integrated part of my DAW. But I imagine this is DAW dependent
Iâll vote with you on the power vent of yours, as an ex-electronics engineer the power situation in eurorack is a massive mess/headache. I get the RJ45 idea, low cost, dummy-proof, etc but probably not great for low profile cases etc. that said I donât have a better suggestion having not thought about it much but would welcome a new better/standard at some point. Maybe we need an open-standards group ;-/
Thank you.
I watched the whole thing, and my goodness some of those synths sound yummy!
Halfway through the video, "where's all of this going?" First patch, "Ooooohhh damn."
re: Large systems and multiple pwr supplies ..
(Power Supply options in Eurorack are still limited. I'm surprised some manufacturer hasnât filled that void.)
I use a mixture of Tiptop bricks with their Zeus Breakout boards and also low noise Power-One linear supplies (also connected to Zeus Breakout boards) As my system grew (and grew...) so did spurious noise and intermittent *glitching.
I noticed that there was a DC difference measuring DC voltage on the ground pins from one Zeus breakout board to another (even with patch cables in place that I thought would have sufficed for a common ground).
I read up on this and then installed the suggested common 'ground' to each breakout boards ground pins using a heavy copper conductor and all the issues where fixed.
If you have numerous power supplies, Iâd suggest installing a common ground, a copper wire used in AC wiring is good. I read that the heavier the conductor the better.
Please use caution before linking up all your power supplies adding this common ground (e.g.: unplug modules, measure DC values before and, after and once all looks solid, -reconnect modules)
*Iâd also recommend adding a cheap ammeter on each pwr supply (these are cheap these days) or having a quick way to check the current draw ..power is critical for audio and starved modules will drive you nuts.
Quite surprised you kicked the Expert sleeper interfaces, I llike them with VCV rack ( or even just general interfacing ) and Bitwig.
Never had coil whine with the Make Noise stuff in the UK either ( never even heard of it until now, maybe I've been lucky ) love my Moprhagene though wouldn't want to part with it.
power-over-ethernet (PoE) seems doable, although I suspect the voltage supplied is pretty noisy and needs to be re-regulated and filtered to be usable. the madness would be ethernet-addressable CV and audio in and out, although this would obviously require extra support on the modules themselves...
amazing :D i want to get into it. dope track
That graphic vca is sickđ
Nice, I just bought the Taiga, it was about time that i got a synth from Richard and Michael. They really are breaking new ground. I missed the batch of the Voltage Lab just not having the money for it at the time, so there. I will receive it in a few days. I have a big system already consisting og half east and half west coast. So the way I see it the Taiga will be the centerpiece, kind of an Easle only far better and more capable.
You, Iâm not here to sell you stuff...
Me, hmm thatâs cool! Ooh I like that too. Nice heads up of cre8 gear. Thatâs an insane amount of module in the west pest! Letâs me know I need wavefolding! Sorry you failed your no sell misionđ
Would you consider making a video that explains the details of setting up a modular rack? The whole issue about varying power amongst models is something I, as a complete noob to it, know nothing about.
Iâve played with so many modular setups and I always have fun but the cons of it are not conducive to my process. Give me a regular old tracker, one mono synth, one poly and one fm and Iâm good to go with any sound I wanna make
"It's kinda like giving a beggar money and then selling him a meal afterqards" đđđ funniest thing i've ever heard
That first patch is sick.
The conundrum: The bigger my case has gotten the less I use it
Actually laughed out at the reference of the coil whine as a warranty alarm xD
Oh to have your âmistakesâ. đ
Minor complaint about funct junct: I find the LEDs to be so bright that I can't read the module. Painfully bright in a dark room.
Put a coat or two of permanent marker on them
Good rant on power đ