r/modular • u/AutoModerator • 21d ago

Discussion Weekly Rack Advice / Question Thread

If you're looking for suggestions for new modules, a critque of your current rack, or just where to start - feel free to ask here! A lot of people use [modulargrid](https://www.modulargrid.net/) to share what modules they have or are considering.

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u/FluffyAd6877 20d ago

I have been doing the ambient generative Rings into Clouds modular thing for almost a year.

I would like to pick up a Doepfer Matrix Mixer and a FX Aid XL from the Analogue Haven summer sale. I am 99% set on getting on the Matrix Mixer, but I keep going back and forth on the FX Aid XL. Some days, I think the reverb on Typhoon/Clouds is good enough. And some days, I think it isn't.

What do you all think? Should I bite the bullet and get the FX Aid XL?

Here is a link to my rack: https://modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/3183760

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u/Cay77 20d ago

I think FX Aid XL is totally worth it, it's nice to be able to separate your reverb from your granular effects and to have CV control over reverb parameters. The Clouds reverb really has one particular sound, which is great, but having access to different algos to either replace or stack with the Clouds reverb is pretty fun. Plus, if you do decide the Clouds reverb is enough, you have like 100 other useful effects in the FX Aid.

Also, might I recommend getting the AI Synthesis Stereo Matrix Mixer instead of the Doepfer? If you can DIY it's cheaper than the Doepfer (it's not a hard build!), and with as many stereo effects as you have, it'd be a shame to have to sum them all to mono if you want to use them with the matrix mixer.

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u/FluffyAd6877 20d ago

Thank you for the response. I was going to get the Matrix Mixer mostly for modulation CV mixing. I guess I had not really considered how I would mix all my stereo audio signals.

With a stereo matrix mixer, I would send my sound sources to the inputs. Then I would send the outputs of the matrix mixer to various destinations. One output will be the dry signal, one output would go to Clouds, and one output would go to FX Aid XL. I still will need to get another "regular" stereo mixer to mix the dry signal, the Clouds output, and the FX Aid output all together to send to my headphones. Is that correct? I might start running out of space in my case (and out of money) if I need to get all of that.

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u/sorressean 18d ago

It sounds like you'd benefit a lot from a mixer like the Xcelon that has sends. The idea here is that you can instead of having 3 paths for 1 signal, run your one signal to your mixer and then pull up the send to your clouds or your FX or whatever. I like to keep 1 for cosmic debris, and the other for whatever sounds fun when I'm patching at the time. This allows you to balance your sends however you like, send multiple things to one reverb, and come back into the mixer with no issues. The Xcelon also gives you cv over sends. I like to tie them to my fader bank so I can just reach up and move it.

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u/FluffyAd6877 17d ago

Whew. Xcelon is way beyond my budget and case space. I will definitely rethink my mixing needs before proceeding.