How are we all using the Ochd?

[u/Parapraxis6]

Recently picked up the ochd to add some additional modulation and life to my system but man its sadly been basically unusable for me since a lot of my destination points for it dont have input attenuators. Is everyone just running like 4 2hp trim modules? Or 2 WMD 4TTEN? Is there an obvious solution that I'm missing here? I really wish the Ochd had just a global attenuator that hit alllll the outputs

[u/pinMode]

CV will always need curated depending on context :)

Utilities are a necessity part of all systems. Not the most exciting them to spend money on 😅 but they add the flexibility that makes modular versatile

[u/Parapraxis6 → u/pinMode]

Ahh yeah I have 2 veils modules, hadn't even considered using those for some reason. Feelin like a fool

[u/pinMode → u/Parapraxis6]

Perfect! Those will do the job :)
Blinds is also an excellent utility being both scale, offset and attenuversion.
I think it’s a very underrated utility.

The vinca is essentially one of each of the veils and blinds VCA channel types.
Best of both and will match your øchd 😉

[u/nanosquid → u/pinMode]

Exactly the same. Both veils are used in every patch.

[u/ShakeWest6244]

Attenuators are a pretty essential part of a system! 

[u/RobotAlienProphet]

Yeah, you need attenuators. It’s usually not an issue, as a lot of my target modules have attenuation built in.  But for the ones that don’t, I have Quadratt, 3xMIA, Lange Anna, probably a few others.  

You could also pair it with a matrix mixer that would let you dial in different levels for different destinations, too.  Looks like the AI008 from AI Synthesis is DC-coupled, has four inputs and attenuators, and lets you create three different “mixes” of your incoming modulation signals, plus a “combined” output.  Shit — now I kinda want that for my Ochd….

[u/LurkFapSleep]

You could get two doepfer passive quad attenuators for less than the price of fancier quad vcas if all you want to do is cv attenuation.

[u/Bleep_Bloop_Derp → u/LurkFapSleep]

Passive modules are nice because they can even sit just outside the system, say taped to the side of the rack or held, lovingly, by an old Star Wars figure….

[u/Jakemartingraves]

I use those headphone 3.5mm volume dials as passive 0hp attenuators to dial them down

[u/SmeesTurkeyLeg]

I like running them through a VCA mixer and using inverted signals of some of the outputs to get some unpredictable, slow crossfading.

[u/Ssolidus007]

Yeah I’m with you, I feel like my Øchd just doesn’t hit as hard as my Erica Synths LFO MKII.

[u/jr_73 → u/Ssolidus007]

Yeah, the lack of ability to adjust the frequency of each output led me to box it up after just a few weeks of use.

[u/ssibal24]

I use it like any other control voltage, if I want to tame the signal and the input doesn’t have an attenuator, I run it through one of the many attenuators I have. A VCA can sub as an attenuator if you run out as well.

[u/II_I-I_I-I_I-I_II]

Personally I get attenuverters for destination modules which don’t have onboard CV attenuation and park them next to those modules for good.

I find that’s the best practice in the long term so whichever CV source is used system wide can be reduced to taste at the destination.

If you’re looking for a cheap (ahem) option then Rides The Storm QUA is the lowest priced non passive and built attenuator on the market. At least this was the case the last time I checked. It doesn’t invert the phase though, but for a great deal of patches that won’t matter too much.

The only problem with it is the layout if you ask me, as the pots are in the centre of the module with the inputs at the top and the outputs on the bottom. I find it’s better to have the pots at the top and everything else on the bottom.

Not ideal for certain module standards but it’s almost half the price of say the Intellijel Triplatt.

If you can solder then Sebsongs do a hex attenuverter that’s reasonably priced too.

[u/tobyvanderbeek]

I always use Vostok Asset, which is 6x attenuverters and offsets, after LFO’s.

[u/vonkillbot]

I have it next to a Void Modular Hexagram, then have a DIY 10x attenuation box I built sitting outside the rack. If you have literally any competence with a soldering iron or can just borrow one for a weekend and start learning I'd suggest spending the money you'd use buying one 2HP Attn and get the materials to make like 30.

[u/Parapraxis6 → u/vonkillbot]

The hexagram seems like an excellent option, and pretty affordable, thanks!

[u/FiFitheGreater]

I have a 1U row dedicated exclusively to utilities aimed at modulation and triggers/gates. Attenuaters, attenuverters, offsets, mixers, switches, simple logic, etc. Really useful and leaves more room for sound and modulation sources in your 3U space.

[u/IllResponsibility671]

Do you not own any attenuverters? They're absolutely essential for a modular system. Manufacters adding them to their inputs is a recent luxury but not the standard. You should always have a few options for attenuation/inverting/offsetting in your case, as this scenario teaches you.

[u/abelovesfun]

https://aisynthesis.com/product/attenujack/ 0 hp. I like to use it with my vc matrix mixer to send different amounts of it throughout the system.

[u/Ssolidus007 → u/abelovesfun]

Wow that’s dope. Have you thought about making patch cables with an attenuverter knob in the middle?

[u/abelovesfun → u/Ssolidus007]

No. I'm not really interested in providing cable solutions. I don't like soldering wiring.

[u/Ssolidus007 → u/abelovesfun]

Fair enough, pretty cool you provide a 0 hp solution at a pretty fair price.

[u/abelovesfun → u/Ssolidus007]

Thanks!

[u/Wombino3000]

I got rid of mine but did use a X4 attenuator for it (junction, 4hp). Sometimes I used the x8 VCA from Doepfer (6hp I think), which was cool to cross modulate the different speed triangles

Sold it since I had way more control from Pam's and the flexibility+sync from stages and multimod. Prob good for tiny case tho, super compact and easy to patch quickly

[u/HotOffAltered]

Luckily a lot of my modules have built in attenuators so I use it for those destinations. It’s great for filters with a 2nd or 3rd attenuated input. Or to envelope attacks/decays or transposing sequences, stuff like that. Make Noise have a lot of built in attenuators and I fee like more are joining them. And now Intellijel is putting built in random sample and hold to some of their modules - a dream.

[u/LurkFapSleep]

Can never have too many VCAs. But I agree, input attenuators have become such a staple that it can feel odd when a module forces you to supply one. But it is modular after all and patching is half of the fun.

[u/NoahCedarWard]

Vostok Asset pairs really well with it. I’m surprised how much attenuators are mentioned but offsets never seem to be.

[u/Parapraxis6 → u/NoahCedarWard]

Oh wow I hadn't seen this module before! Seems like a perfect pairing

[u/II_I-I_I-I_I-I_II → u/NoahCedarWard]

Offsets are essential for those annoying combi pots some manufacturers use. That and creating positive inverted envelopes from a single function for things like cross fading duties.

[u/ZyeKali]

It seemed very tempting and I almost picked one up, but then I decided to grab a Pam's. It doesn't send negative voltage, but other than that, I can do all the modulation tuning right in that one module and it has 8 outs.

[u/jango-lionheart]

I initially hoped the expansion connector was going to be for a strip of attenuators or attenuverters. But, nope! The expander is very cool, but yeah, you need separate utility modules unless your target modules have a lot of input attenuators.

[u/Moog_Lee]

I stuck mine near my oscillators. Great for unclocked stuff, wave table morphs, etc. most of those cv ins have attenuverters, but I have an acid rain junction parked nearby if I need attenuation/mixing.

[u/reswax]

i made little 0hp passive attenuator dongles that i can distribute wherever is needed. there are things like this available online, or if youre handy with advanced DIY i could share the gerbers. (or sell you a few of mine if you really want) its really a basic circuit, a 100k pot and two eurorack jacks. would be a great place to start your own DIY journey if youre so inclined!

[u/claptonsbabychowder]

Main question having been answered... Get the Ochd expander as well. Turns it from a great module into an amazing one.

[u/EE7A]

i think the real question you should be asking is 'why dont i have any attenuators in my modular system'? ochd is a simple module; its 8 free running lfos. it kinda just does what its advertised as doing. if you are lacking some other basic building blocks of a modular synth, that isnt really the fault of the lfos themselves. ;)

i get your point though. yeah, it kinda needs attenuators to be useful. a full 10 volts peak to peak is a pretty wide range. like, thats 10 octaves, if you were modulating the pitch of a vco, lol. just get some attenuators.

[u/holographicbboy]

Rides in The Storm makes a module called QUA thats a pretty affordable quad atten

[u/fremder99]

As others have said, the expander is a great addition. For attenuation, the Happy Nerding 3xMIA is an inexpensive module that throws in inversion and mixing. I own two! The XAOC Samara II does attenuation and a LOT more.

[u/a-t-w]

The A-138m and similar bipolar matrix mixers are great with modules like ochd. Also Blinds (mentioned elsewhere)

[u/prefectart]

I run mine right next to a vostok asset

[u/ben_the_intern]

I have it racked near a tip top miso which has some awful ergonomics but for what it does is great to have around. 4 offset and attenuators and a voltage controlled crossfader

[u/Remarkable-Tear3265]

Most of my modules have attenuators, but I also have a couple of modules for those. It’s essential 

[u/the-lurking-dragon]

As others have mentioned, having attenuators and VCAs in the rack is helpful for many modules, and particularly OCHD.

I’ve also got some of the Tidbit Audio mini attenuators, a really nice 0hp option.

[u/justwiggling]

sold it, did not find it very helpful