Eurorack is still a popular topic in the synthesizer world in 2017. I’ve been there for more than two years and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t love to work with big monster racks as an instrument, because I personally lose the overview quickly. For this reason, I decided to change this summer to a small and compact size case which gives me more fun and creativity.
Let’s start with my case, which comes from a case maker (Boxenluder) from Vienna. It’s a 84TE case with one row for several modules. There is little space but you can so limit yourself perfectly to certain modules and focus mainly on them. One is less distracted from other possibilities and thus has in my opinion a better influence for the creative process.
Oscillators
For this Jam, I decided to take digital Oscillators as they fit better for my sound show here. My idea was to work with vocal like sounds and to transform them in different ways. Because I don’t work in this setup with a filter, I decided to take some more advanced and complex oscillators where I have more possibilities. I took the The decision fell than on the Waldorf NW1 Wavetable and on the Mutable Instruments Braids Oscillator.
The NW1 is in this setup because the Wavetable import function offers a lot of possibilities. For example, I imported here new designed vocal wavetables and used them in this setup. With the travel feature, you can even travel through each wave which gives you excellent sound design option.
As second oscillator I took the Braids Oscillator because this module is an all-in-one device suitable for every purpose. It features a lot of different oscillator types (from standard virtual analog, FM to very interesting noise generators) and these are very tweak able.
In addition to the two Oscillators you can find a Doepfer Dual Buffered Multiple which allows me to triple signals (LFO, Envelopes …) and thus offers more modulation options. A very cheap module but essential utility module for the Eurorack system that brings far more creative possibilities. If you have only one LFO and Envelope but can’t afford another one, than try to get a buffered multiple which gives you more routing options with your current setup.
As a modulation generator, I use the Endorphin.es Terminal in this setup, although the new grand terminal with various filters, effects etc. already exists. One of the biggest differences is that the new is a digital module and the old one is an analogue. In my opinion, I bring with the Terminal an analog flair in this system. I mainly use the Endorphin.es Terminal because it is a complex Swiss modulation tool. It features a dual voltage controlled AD/AR/looping envelopes that can work also as LFO’s and also dual opto-coupler controlled gates. Beside this modulation madness, it features also very important for every modular build-in VCA’s. So seen, it’s an all-in-one module that works perfectly for such small instruments.
Last but not least we have the power management of this complete module. I use the power module Silta from the Italian company FrapTools since it can prove above all by it’s excellent build-quality. I could have saved some costs here, but it was important to me that the whole supply is sufficient and not to noisy. It’s always better investing in such modules a bit more because it’s they are essential for your system.
After that I have now played several times with this mini modular system, I must say that has become more creative than with a large case. It is mainly because it’s easy to have a overview over the system and that you are concentrating on only individual modules.
Check out here my short jam with my mini Eurorack synthesizer. For more an atmospheric touch, I used here also the Mooer Ocean Machine pedal which is a dual delay and reverb pedal.
Available here:
Endorphin.es Terminal (discontinued)
Doepfer A-180-3 Dual Buffered Multiple
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