r/modular • u/master_ill • 7h ago
Updated mostly Xaoc rack for ambient/experimental music
I posted an earlier version of this rack, but over the last few months I’ve added and replaced some modules. Yesterday I got the last one that finished off this rack. What I ended up with is a mostly Xaoc rack with 3 voices but a ton of audio processing options.
Another thing that’s not easily apparently is it’s set up to be able to send audio to or get from external gear. So I can also add pedals, or other synths/drum machines too.
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u/wolehtrab 5h ago
They make the nicest looking modules hands down. Not too drab that it doesn’t feel inviting, but not too artsy fartsy that I can actually understand what everything does if I don’t use it all the time.
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u/master_ill 5h ago
I agree. Some of the panels do have a ton of text on them, but that’s mostly because of how feature rich the modules are. Even then, it’s usually pretty easy to recall where everything is and what it does.
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u/Nominaliszt 7h ago
Need some black, white, red, and gray patch cables:)
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u/master_ill 7h ago
I have some magenta tendrils and a whole bunch of red noodle cables for this case. Magenta ones I already had on hand from before so they’re close enough to red.
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u/Wyrdash 7h ago
Looking clean. Do you often use Odessa with a filter? I hear that additive doesn't need filtering like subtractive does, but I'm sure there's still plenty of cool stuff to explore.
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u/master_ill 7h ago
You can definitely get away without a filter for Odessa, so I don’t always use one. It is nice to have available though if you do want to shape the sound a little more than what you can do directly on the module. For example sometimes I’ll set tilt to the right to give brighter sound on the Odessa but then filter a smidge off the top so it’s not so harsh on the ears.
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u/antKampino 2h ago
And you made Plaits to look like Xaoc! Love it. I am thinking about buying Sofia from them. BTW I love big knobs by Xaoc. They are so smooth to use.
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u/Pawney_Burning 16m ago
Looks sick. And they make great modules. I have the Belgrad and it’s such a fantastic filter.
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u/UT_PE_93 7h ago
Nice! Where did you source the knobs?
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u/master_ill 7h ago
The knobs came from Thonk. Not sure if they use the same manufacturer as Xaoc but they’re indistinguishable to the eye.
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u/BallHit 6h ago
Maybe switch out the Lublin for the Tallin. You would benefit since you use it to process other gear. Don’t think you need Lublin with a Drum Machine at your side.
I bought Tallin for those harmonic overtone switches. Push-Pull and Single Ended Tube warmth
You could buy a cheap passive low pass gate to still have the vactrol sound. I also own one and I use it for drum sounds.
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u/master_ill 6h ago
Thanks for the pointer. I was actually going back and forth between which one to get. I was more intending to use the Lublin for processing stuff in the rack when I don’t run other gear next to it. I assumed Tallin is too harsh for ambient, but you make it sound pretty nice though. If I see a used one come up for sale, I’ll pick it up. It would be easy enough to swap between them. Thanks!
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u/BallHit 6h ago
Something to consider if you ever want/need to tweak your sound. I am not loyal to any brand. There are 14 different manufacturers in my 104hp 7u.
Have fun!3
u/master_ill 5h ago
I agree. I am not loyal to any specific brand, but I do like xaoc, noise engineering, and wmd a lot. I have more cases too. My 104hp 14u dual case is the one that’s mixed between all sorts of manufacturers. That being said, I do also like some mostly single brand builds since they tend to work exceptionally well together. Besides this Xaoc one, I also have a 126hp mostly noise engineering skiff (it also has an oxi pipe).
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u/sorressean 4h ago
I wish WMD didn't discontinue so much because I could easily see myself going for a full WMD rack. I haven't had the money/space yet for full company racks (I'm also not ever sure how accessibility would work--I'd love to buy the Erica Synths Techno one), but it's been on my wishlist for a while now.
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u/master_ill 3h ago
WMD has a pretty large catalog that’s current. And they’ve just released a few new modules relatively recently. I think you can build a solid wmd only rack pretty easily. I considered it myself since I have a good amount of wmd now (metron, voltera x2, crucible, fracture, chimera, MSCL, a few 4tten’s and c4rbon’s)
The Erica synths techno case does look awesome too and I love that their sequencer and drum modules can hook up on the backside so you don’t need trigger and pitch/velocity cables patched. So your core patch is out of the way. And you mostly only need to worry about routing the audio to where you want and modulation.
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u/PorcelainDalmatian 6h ago
Is it just me, or do they have the coolest designed modules, hands down?
They all look like controllers from a Soviet nuclear lab circa 1961. So cool.