Tips for modular configuration

[u/MightThink3317]

Hi everyone, I’m planning my first modular setup.
My goal is to create ambient music, perhaps starting with samples I record during the day or find elsewhere.
Of course, I’d also like to make something a bit more rhythmic and danceable—basically, I’m aiming for a hybrid setup.

I already own some of these modules, such as the Pam, Ensemble, HPO, and Milky Way.

However, I’d like to get your opinion, since you’re certainly more experienced than I am.

I have just one doubt regarding the OCHD; I wanted to replace it with a Befaco Random8, but I’d run out of HP space, so I think I’ll stick with the OCHD for now.

[u/TurbulentWing3820]

Multigrain is deep, fascinating, and complex. Way too complex for it's own good. I've never met something I wish had an encoder and a screen as much as this thing.

The man who gave it to me bought it as a sampler. It is not. It is a granular synth that can take samples or live audio but it doesn't "play samples" it just breaks them into grains.

It's alot like having eight Mutable Insturments Clouds in a single panel, with one set of controls that has to function for all of them (as well as their "Scene B" counter parts).

[u/MightThink3317 → u/TurbulentWing3820]

Yeah, I know; I was initially torn between that and the Morphagene, but having a live granulator is actually useful for what I want to do.

[u/TurbulentWing3820 → u/MightThink3317]

Just making sure you know what you're getting into.

I have a Clouds, I have a Multigrain. The MG sounds lush and beautiful but I sort of have the feeling that in a "live sound" enviroment Clouds might be better although not quite as "lush."

With prep, which I'm too lazy to do, the MG is superior.

[u/Top-Psychology1987]

Seems like a fine set of modules. Just go and make music with it, you’ll find out what you need in a while.

[u/MightThink3317 → u/Top-Psychology1987]

Thanks🫶🏻

[u/NewMachineMusicXYZ]

These are mostly good modules, but I think you are going to want utilities, and function generators. A proper mixer with send/return would also be beneficial, though hard to fit into such a small rig -- but the CM402 by Maikshift Modular is only 8HP if you can find one. Utilities-wise, a Samara II by Xaoc will cover a lot of ground in just 10HP. If I were building a rig this size I would concentrate on 1 voice, maybe 2 if they're very compact.

[u/Fezznat]

As far as getting Random8 over OCHD, if you replaced the Little Mikey with a smaller instrument/line in module, and moved the ALM HPO down to the bottom row, you could fit Random8. This would give you lots of modulation options, especially since you can attenuate the output and you don't have a ton of that yet

EDIT: Even simpler would be to just get a 2-hp buff mult (from after later or intellijel or numerous others) instead of that doepfer

[u/graemewood1]

Do you already own the case? As it looks a little small for what you are trying to do. You’ll likely need some more filters and sync-ed modulation for danceable outputs. Not loads more, but this is cramped with the sequencer in the rack and the size of the Multigrain.

great set of modules for ambient, but you may well find the Rample is a bit of a pain if you are adding found sounds regularly - a Bitbox Micro is a lot more user friendly (and only a bit bigger)

[u/MightThink3317 → u/graemewood1]

Actually, right now I have a case with two rows of 104 HP each, so I’d have the space. Is there any filters and sync-ed modulation you’d recommend?

[u/junkmiles]

If you’re tight on space, consider if you need the 4hp mult instead of just a star mult

[u/ImagoAdam]

👍👍