Here we go -- single-skiff performance synth in 104hp?

[Ben Asaro]

With the success of my JV-1080 experiments, the thoughts of a portable performance-oriented eurorack skiff is like an itch I can't scratch. I also would like to see if I can book a streaming gig with the New York Modular Society, and obviously using the 1080 wouldn't work lol.

After a few goes on Modular Grid, assisted by real-world alpha testing, I came up with the following: https://photos.app.goo.gl/c5PFJsW8mptXM8mB7

So, a quick walk through of the skiff:
1 Master clocking and additional trigger pulses are from Pamela's Workout
2 Pam's also feeds the MIDI <>CLK module for clock divisions and MIDI clock feeding the RV-500 for tempo-sync'd delays
3 Intellijel Quadra is providing VCA and filter envelopes
4 Make Noise Dynamix is acting as a VCA here, as well as sub mixing the levels of the analogue voices
5 2x Oscillation VCOs and 2x Doepfer LPFs
6 Steady State Modbox for modulating PWM and sample & hold duties
7 Intellijel Mixup for sub mixing the modular, 808 kick, and external synth
8 WORNG LRMSMSLR mid-side processor that adds reverb and delay to anything panned left or right whilst keeping the kick drum dry
9 Tip Top Audio BD808 kick drum module

It's a bit of a misnomer because there is no sequencing here, it simply wouldn't fit using the modules I have. It's still very much a work-in-progress because I will have to settle on which sequencer I want to use and am currently torn between the power of the NerdSeq vs the immediacy of the SQ-1. There really is no contest in terms of sheer versatility, but I interact very differently with the one vs the other, and for this setup, I think the SQ-1 may be the better option.

As an accompanying synth, I am also equally torn between the DSI MOPHO and the MiniBrute, for pretty much the identical reasons: the MB has an integrated keyboard and the parameters are right there, whereas the MOPHO has presets, 2 VCOs and an onboard sequencer if needed.

[Ben Asaro]

Couple of hours of work, and I will have to reorganize my other cases now, but it's together and ready to be played in anger.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/59WpeCSXY25AWUHx8

[Ben Asaro]

This is coming together quite quickly, and the folks over at NYMS are really keen about booking and promoting gigs, so who knows? This may actually happen ...

In the meanwhile, I still have a ton of actual prep work to do, but the skiff is now complete; I just tested it and everything is still working as it should. I will say this -- having everything self-contained in a single skiff is very enjoyable and quite compact. My muscle memory had me reaching for the other cases and I had to keep reminding myself, no, everything is right here.

I was able to do a lead synth shoot out this evening between the MiniBrute and the MOPHO, and I recorded both so I could go back and listen objectively. I was expecting it to be a tough fight, and it was -- both synths have great strengths that differ from each other. I loved the warmth and thickness of the MiniBrute, and the MB's glide is really nice! However, on the lowest drone notes, the MOPHO is tighter and more present, even if a little less authoritative. I ended up adding a smidge of sub osc to the MOPHO and the final sound is certainly good enough for my purposes.

The plan for tomorrow is to test the entire system and dig up my old BOSS looper pedal and see how the proof of concept jam goes.

[Arpangel]

It’s always extremely interesting looking at other peoples racks, they are totally individual, modular is like people, all different, what I like is nothing is right or wrong.
You’ve got an A-120, great filter, very underrated, it’s a lovely dark, smooth thing.
Hope the gigs work out.

[Folderol]

It's all very pluggy and knobby

[Arpangel]

This is very Modwiggler, maybe we should have a "show us your rack" thread!

[Ben Asaro]

Well, I played the whole thing in anger tonight and I am sad to say that 104hp isn't quite enough space to do what I want. I keep having to find work-arounds for things I can just as easily do with modules I already own.

So it's with heavy heart that I acknowledge defeat and acceptance that I'm going to have to use my 6U case for all of the signal routing I need.

[Ben Asaro]

I really wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to 208hp, it would introduce compromises of a different kind, or unused space. But then I had a lightbulb moment and remembered the case that I used when I had outgrown my original skiff: a shallow depth (I think it's 9" deep) 6U rack case with two Happy Ending kits inside it!

So, a quick trip to Modular Grid later (https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1623016) and I'm ready to tear it all apart again and rebuild it.

As fun as it is to use the SQ1, at this stage it would be silly to not use the NerdSeq. I also discovered that the tracking on the SQ1 isn't all that accurate, which may cause an issue later on down the road.

The updated layout keeps most everything from the original skiff with a few extras:

:: The step sequencer and master clock will now be the NerdSeq. I will also use the More Triggers expansion to trigger drums, and can use the MOD outs from the NerdSeq to trigger the Quadra for filter envelopes.
:: The strymon AA.1 will be used to get the audio signal of the MOPHO properly into the eurorack ecosystem so I can have a single pair of cables going to FOH.
:: Mixing duties will now go from the Mixup to the WORNG Sound Stage. The LRMSMSLR will still serve as my effects loop.
:: The Make Noise Rosie will be used for headphone monitoring and mono summing to FOH; if I happen to play a place that has stereo (or for recording), I can bypass the Rosie and go stereo out from the LRMSMSLR.

A bit more complex than the original setup, but this will save me a lot of headaches using adapters and whatnot and will be much more reliable for mixing the audio of the MOPHO in.

Now, if I can avoid the temptation of adding the Subharmonicon or Lyra-8 to the setup, I'll consider it a win!

[resistorman]

Sounds good!

[Arpangel]

Modular racks are a reflection of of our inner selves, and are only really understood by those that build them.
I look at your rack Ben, and my brain goes into melt-down trying to understand how it works, holistically. It's patently obvious that you have the ability, and are willing to put lots of time, and effort into understanding things that I would give up on in five minutes, I wish I could be like that sometimes.
Not sure if it’s got anything to do with our respective age groups, I seem to be creating less, and I’m becoming less interested in things generally, like equipment, I am an observer now, not, a participant.
I find modular a kind of therapy, yesterday I rearranged my rack, it’s like meditation, and it’s very strange how satisfied I feel, and how relaxed I am, if I know my rack is in order, all is fine with the world.
I hope the gigs work out, and if we make it to New York next year, I’d like to come and see you play, and generally, check-out the New York music scene, I understand it’s still very interesting, and that people are very receptive to new things, there’s still a vibe.

[Ben Asaro]

I like the puzzle aspect of trying to make it all work; this thread is mostly my thinking out loud, it helps me to see it in writing.

Since portability is paramount for me, and I know that 104hp isn't going to be enough space, the question is, performatively, whether the 6U rack is better than a Make Noise skiff and a Moog skiff combined... Due to the size and height I would need for the rack to work, it may not be tenable.

Today will see a lot of experimentation!

One thing this experience has helped me see is how I can break down my modular into smaller systems.

[Ben Asaro]

Done! ... I hope lol.

I was able to make this work with a couple of small changes to my Moog sidecar.

OUT: Pamela's Workout, MIDI <> CLK

IN: 808 drum modules, Disting Mk4

After a thorough play through and staying up way too late sorting out issues related to signal routing, I am now using the Dynamix for the synths and the Mixup for the drums. Dynamix Sum output goes through the RV-500/Blackhole and into Channel A of Rosie. Mixup goes directly to Channel B of Rosie.

It turns out that the mid/side processing wasn't jiving very well with the delay and reverb, I think it's due to the complex nature of the waveforms, it was very much an all-or-nothing result. Deciding to bypass the mid-side makes the signal routing much easier, and having Rosie as the final mix/balance stage, as well as having discrete outputs for FOH and cue/review makes it totally stand-alone!

I also ended up nixing one of the delays and reverbs for a single reverb/delay, though I may bring the 2nd reverb back depending on how I am liking it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MmgHraAH3ptgrF3L8

Whew ... everything sounds fantastic!

In retrospect, I think that this would be the system I would have put together 4 years ago had I known then what I know now. As it stands now, I essentially have 2 other complete modular systems and I will be reconfiguring the cases with that in mind. This one is focused on live playback of sequences; another one will be centered around Mother-32 and Subharmonicon exploration (I will be relocating them to the rack case); and a third system using the Turing Machine, Pluck, and Quadnic. I think this will make it easy for jamming or following my muse when I'm in a more generative mindest.

Overall I'm very pleased, it's compact and all fits on my 2-tier stand. If I don't use the Lyra-8 and use my KeyStep instead of the KSP, it will be even more portable!

[Eddy Deegan]

That looks extremely tasty Ben, and I take my hat off to you for the dedication you're putting into learning the wayward ways of such wayward beasties. My modular is currently 'frozen' insofar as until my new studio build is complete there is no way I'll be able to give it any useful time.

However, once the build is complete it'll be getting loads and I've no doubt will be expanding subsequently.

I've very much liked much of your work you've shared to date and I'm looking forward to hearing the results of whatever you use the latest setup for!

[The Elf]

Yep, that setup intrigues and terrifies me in equal amounts!

[Folderol]

Yep, that setup intrigues and terrifies me in equal amounts!

For me, the emphasis is on 'terrifies'

[Ben Asaro]

Here’s a photo of the fished product, all patched up, https://photos.app.goo.gl/syCUbD4no2zeWu1t7

I was very tempted to keep the Lyra-8, but I think it may be more than I can safely chew right now. Plus, I need the space! So for drones, I will either play samples or loops recorded from the L8.

The range and depth of sounds is surprisingly wide (and deep) and having the extra set of EGs for the filters gives an additional tonal range. As I am already familiar with how it all works, the next step is to get busy writing and practicing on it!

@The Elf and @Folderol it is a little terrifying, especially not having any real polyphony; it’s going to stretch my meager music theory knowledge to the limit to make it sound interesting.

I can definitely see now why when people play modular live it tends to fall into either the ambient or techno genres. Composing evolving structures this way is really challenging, but I’m looking forward to it!

I’ll post my first proof of concept here!

[OneWorld]

Here’s a photo of the fished product, all patched up, https://photos.app.goo.gl/syCUbD4no2zeWu1t7

I was very tempted to keep the Lyra-8, but I think it may be more than I can safely chew right now. Plus, I need the space! So for drones, I will either play samples or loops recorded from the L8.

The range and depth of sounds is surprisingly wide (and deep) and having the extra set of EGs for the filters gives an additional tonal range. As I am already familiar with how it all works, the next step is to get busy writing and practicing on it!

@The Elf and @Folderol it is a little terrifying, especially not having any real polyphony; it’s going to stretch my meager music theory knowledge to the limit to make it sound interesting.

I can definitely see now why when people play modular live it tends to fall into either the ambient or techno genres. Composing evolving structures this way is really challenging, but I’m looking forward to it!

I’ll post my first proof of concept here!

Wow, all those cables, looks like an explosion in a spaghetti factory!

But brings back warm feelings, I am almost welling up, thinking back to the time when I first became sucked in by the allure of the original analogs and spending almost every waking moment scouring through the various mags back in the day and learning how to build a module/synth. Most of which I sold for buttons when the initial fad died out and synths were considered naff and subsequently the 'axe' resumed its prominence and synths went the way of platform heels and hot pants (no I never wore hot pants LOL)

[Martin Walker]

I’ll post my first proof of concept here!

Looking forward to it!

Martin

[Ben Asaro]

Been picking at the system in little bits, getting used to the new sounds. I realized that I’ve pretty much only used the SEM filter with Oscillation, and it sounds quite different with the ladder filters! I do love the range of the CV inputs, however; there are so many tonal options, and rhythmic ones, using EGs and LFOs into the CV inputs of the filters.

I’ve snuck up on a key center (Gm/G Phrygian) and chord progression as well, playing around with Notion. Now begins the process of turning that into music!

[Ben Asaro]

Quick update: this has been an incredible learning experience, I’m really enjoying it, but … I’m not loving the sound of the MOPHO in this context. On its own, it sounds SUPERB, but against the modular, either too loud or too soft. That usually indicates an EQ/masking issue, but that’s not so easily dealt with in this arena!

The other, smaller issue I’m having has to do with the KeyStep Pro. Once again: I love the machine, it’s amazing but … I really don’t like using a standard keyboard with the modular! I think this mostly stems from my terrible keyboard skills. It’s just too much mental overhead for me and my choices are: play a very lame line at moderate speed, or a decent one at half that speed.

So I will probably be removing the KSP/MOPHO from the setup and replace them with something/somethings that are more in my wheelhouse. As the footprint for the KSP is large, I have a couple of options.

I will not be able to experiment further until after the weekend, but I’m still really excited to keep pushing forward with this setup! It’s so close, I just have to get it like my guitar rigs, where it’s hand in glove with nothing holding back the ideas I want to express.

Stay tuned!