totally agree i love modular for the fact that for me is a kind of therapy i can twist knob, modulate, cross mod mix and match everything as i wish and i get the physical touch that we dont get with computer its a wonderfull psychadelic journey 🤣
I have spent a stupifying amount of money on my modular, but I would have to say it was worth it. The way I look at many things, from waves to electronics to coding, and of course sound and music, is enriched and expanded because of it. I had wanted a physical synth setup since I was a boy, listening to Wendy Carlos. Now that I built it, and explored it, I have a fundamental new appreciation for both traditional, analog instruments, but also am exploring pure digital representations of the same principles, writing modules in Rust. Which all has me rather ironically coming full circle, and finally outgrowing some of the flashier modules I had bought in the process, and looking to sell those off to be replaced with more basic DIY modules.
Came here for the hot takes, stayed for the cinematic dronez. I wasn’t coming here to toot my own horn but at 20:18 you mentioned the problem of modular sounding loopy thin & repetitive. This was a big pet peeve of mine too. I think you could do with more modulation sources. But giving up control to silly randomness isn’t much better IMO.. that’s one of the reasons I developed the biggest foot. I think you’d love it dude. It lets your hands do the sound design stuff and your knees be the conductor.
that doesn't make sense why would I want to balance on one or two feet for modulation when I can easily do it easily with so many different modulation possibilities that frees my hands for things that can't be modulated..? ..one module like the Erica Synths Joystick 2 controller blows your foot controller concept out of the water.. basically you are trying to create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist..?
Very informative video, Thank you. Jumped into 5U modular 11 months ago and have already spent more than those 3 systems combined. 72 modules, 3 cabinets, power supplies and 1/4" cables. It's an investment and everybody here absolutely loves it. It's very approachable. A year ago I was about to buy a complete Make Noise or Erica Synths system, but the small size and cable nightmare changed my mind.
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATREThe 5U takes up the dining room, so I eat at the kitchen counter. I should integrate Eurorack into the setup, and probably will this year. What I have now is all old school.
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE Been a synth hobbyist since 1987 and sold other synths to buy this. My point is the switch to modular was well worth it. Not hooked to a computer, just pumping thru a massive PA system. The kids love it!
Outstanding video! You showcase your decisions on your case setups very well and explain them in great detail. Have you ever broken your rule on never getting more than one copy of a Module?
Appreciate the kind words! So far so good on repeat modules tho the I’ve been super tempted to have a rack full of Nebulae! Having another Ludbah might also be super cool to bounce stereo signals back and forth. Delay FX also. But I’ve made peace with what I want to use my Eurorack for, which is primarily R&D and bounced into the box. If I want to do live performances, I have a hybrid solution with Ableton I’m relatively happy with. Otherwise, the one module rule I think is really a good gate keeper to prevent one from just going off the rails because you can never have enough of anything, doing all via eurorack.
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE two Ludbahs would be interesting! I saw a guy in a Modular Group on Facebook who had two Arbhars in his Rack, which he swears by. For now, one is enough for me LOL! I may adapt your rule a little and made it where I only have one specific Module per Rack, such as for my Veils or specific Buffered Mults. that I like. Thanks for your reply, and for making great content!
@@pmumble76 you got me! lol actually I DO own 2 Batumi's - one black and one white! I feel like I can get away with it if the faceplate is different, right??? :)
Modular is building your spaceship and drive to your inner out of space. Some speak about therapy, but it's only your pineal gland that you stimulate a lot. The process of building yours is so important. You will make some mistakes, buy sell or exchange some modules to fine tune your machine. I spent 4000€ for mine, it is unique. Some modules were assembled from scratch by me, others were also modified, customized. Fortunately, I quickly realized that I had to set a limit (208HP in my case, TipTop Audio Mantis).
I think one advantage of eurorack, very much depending on your personality, is that it makes you think up workarounds and ways to squeeze as much functionality out of your rack as you can. That's a very different skill from making music. For some people it feels great to do this. For others it’s a nightmare. For folks who are more into the 'flow' state you can get into while patching I think this is a big part of it.
Very insightful. Thanks for your perspective. Different musical instrument speaks to each of us differently. Some resonate and others not so much. Thank you for the comments!
i have never pursued the huge generative patches with noodles going everywhere. I sound design specific things and record it, to be used as individual elements in the DAW
I do love a huge generative patch but it requires a lot of resource and I think for now, I’m finding a lite hybrid solution more compelling with a daw. The only creative boundary I’ve set for myself was not to rely too much on the daw. The box really got me in a bad creative spot where I felt uninspired and lost because there was so much you could do, I ended up doing nothing.
A lot of hobbies are expensive (mountain biking, snowboarding, collecting cars, etc.), but not many hold their value like eurorack modules if you want or need to cash out.
Hi Mr Dungeon, .. appreciating your comments, as always. "Loopy, thin, repetitive & bloopy" .. and your words about eurorack's value for making music. Getting involved, 3 years ago .. at first, I thought if I could just develop backing tracks for playing guitar, or keyboard, .. that would be my quest. But, then I started hoping to "crack the code" and enter in something that wouldn't be "Loopy, thin, repetitive & bloopy" without me playing instruments, music. Briefly, a fair collection of Mutable Instruments, Pam's, & Bitbox Micro, is what I have access to. And I suspect that getting more gear isn't going to change my situation. One of the most powerful things that I know of is to adjust a slider's pitch setting on MI Stages, in creating a sense of changing chords, for a "muscial" composition. Or, the next step, in being useful, is to take different sessions, or portions, and merge them together, in Audacity later, .. that does work, too. But yes, .. it's a chunk of time. I no longer offer to demonstrate my gear, to any visitor, that I have .. UNLESS they insist. I think it usually shocks them, .. the length of time, it takes to arrive at some kind of result.
Thanks for the in-depth insight. This is a touchy subject because I don’t want to create a judgmental environment in an already hyper-self-conscious form of expression that’s music. But there is a conversion between unfiltered self expression versus wider acceptance that usually validates (or at least motivates the artist to keep going) what’s “better” music. I think we should always be encouraged to express ourselves. Heck maybe my next album will be titled “Loopy, Thin & Bloopy” :)
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE Um, .. you know .. I spent this day, pondering what you said, I think you're spot on. We should consider other's interest, or enjoyment .. and for me, anyway .. I can perhaps filter (my brain, that is) out the "Loopy .." stuff, and sort of be in denial, a bit .. but yes, the "wider experience" .. the ones, that alot of us are trying to reach. To grab their ears, for a few minutes, .. and make it fun, for them, hopefully. Art, is like that .. I might enjoy Van Gogh, and the Beatles .. but, I may know nothing about the painting, or music processes. Even the untrained eye, or ear can detect deficiencies, .. like the "thin" problem, in modular, for example.
I'm past $45k according to Modular Grid, have built three proformance travel cases and one studio case.. loving every minute of it.. a more realistic approach to having a fully proformance rig is going to start around $25K mark and go up from there.. to avoid the thin loopy one or two completely voice sound you will need to spend $35K.. I think a video on $25K, $35K, $45K, $55K would showcase the true power of eurorack that blows everything else out of the water.. when people talk to me about getting into eurorack but doing it cheaply I laugh.. plug-ins and software emulations are cruel and unusual punishment after using hardware ..
Appreciate the perspective. For sure as we go deeper, $100k systems wouldn’t be out of the question. I’m certainly near there or beyond, and there are plenty “synth-tubers” rocking systems that cost well beyond that. And for sure there will be some haters and “value-judgement” finger pointing, the truth is most people I know that can spare the $$$ has skills to back them up. Does it mean there are no posers? Sure there will always be a handful, but I think they are the minority. There are better ways to spend money lol 😂
@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE .. it's the diversity of sounds and insane modulation capabilities that I will never be able to walk away from.. besides having everything so compact in a small area and travel worthy.. I have around the same amount of money invested in regular gear, synths, drum machines, effects, rack gear.. I had good luck with that system and recorded a lot but I was running back an forth around the room to record a track which makes it confusing.. not to say my modular cases aren't insanely confusing but it's far easier to see everything closer together.. it's worth mentioning that I guess I have become desensitized to the cost but eurorack becomes exponentially more powerful and exciting as you add because of the additional possibilities of interactions between modules.. that's not necessarily the case with regular gear.. your videos and reviews have always been honest and forthcoming which I really appreciate.. thanks Professor..🇺🇲
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE ..forgot to mention your videos have also been really funny and entertaining.. it takes a lot of intelligence to be funny.. I really like the video where you were playing a "new" sound to your alter ego and it was just one steady pitch with no changes.. that had me dying.. keep bringing the doom and boom it sounds fantastic..
Appreciate the kind words! Not sure if eurorack collection equates to “wealth” :) If anything I should have a bigger 401k. But yeah, years of doing audio production, I’ve slowly accumulated gear over the years and eurorack has been a great “creative” investment despite occasional buyer’s remorse. I think making videos like this has been super rewarding and it’s been paying dividends in its own way.
@@our_roadtrip ..been doing it since 1994.. 72 tracks on multiple labels.. plenty of free tracks on SoundCloud.. $50k in eurorack according to Modular Grid and more than that in regular music gear.. like I said behringer eurorack modules are decent but nothing spectacular .. I have two behringer 2600 VCO'S and was thinking about possibly getting a few more other things they offer.. $1000 worth of behringer eurorack modules is nothing that would excite anyone with experience but what floats you boat..
@@our_roadtrip ..you comment is obviously from a novice perspective and we were being kind.. I would much rather talk about the music I have made.. started in 1994 .. 72 tracks on multiple labels and plenty of free tracks on SoundCloud from 2016-2017.. if I was just getting started I might plan out my entire rig with behringer eurorack modules.. I even have a few but like I said decent but nothing special.. let me know when you get up around $35K in eurorack and see if you still think the same..?
I actually can confirm this. The problems are very different now. Do I want lots of focused systems or monster cases? I personally leaned into multi-case and most recently got a 12 channel mixer so I can mix all those little systems together. Now the cases are the modules.
I concur, I am approaching the $50K barrier or have already crossed it according to Modular Grid and still going.. I need to pay for another unicorn account mine expired otherwise I would know for sure..
totally agree i love modular for the fact that for me is a kind of therapy i can twist knob, modulate, cross mod mix and match everything as i wish and i get the physical touch that we dont get with computer its a wonderfull psychadelic journey 🤣
plot twist: it's not psychedelic.
I have spent a stupifying amount of money on my modular, but I would have to say it was worth it.
The way I look at many things, from waves to electronics to coding, and of course sound and music, is enriched and expanded because of it. I had wanted a physical synth setup since I was a boy, listening to Wendy Carlos. Now that I built it, and explored it, I have a fundamental new appreciation for both traditional, analog instruments, but also am exploring pure digital representations of the same principles, writing modules in Rust.
Which all has me rather ironically coming full circle, and finally outgrowing some of the flashier modules I had bought in the process, and looking to sell those off to be replaced with more basic DIY modules.
Appreciate your thoughts! “Sounds”like an incredible creative journey!
Being able to feel your instrument to me is priceless.
We definitely lost something with all the mouse clicking…
Came here for the hot takes, stayed for the cinematic dronez. I wasn’t coming here to toot my own horn but at 20:18 you mentioned the problem of modular sounding loopy thin & repetitive. This was a big pet peeve of mine too. I think you could do with more modulation sources. But giving up control to silly randomness isn’t much better IMO.. that’s one of the reasons I developed the biggest foot. I think you’d love it dude. It lets your hands do the sound design stuff and your knees be the conductor.
that doesn't make sense why would I want to balance on one or two feet for modulation when I can easily do it easily with so many different modulation possibilities that frees my hands for things that can't be modulated..? ..one module like the Erica Synths Joystick 2 controller blows your foot controller concept out of the water.. basically you are trying to create a solution to a problem that doesn't exist..?
Man. I love your videos. Your observations, tips, and thoughts are much appreciated!
Much thanks!🙏
Very informative video, Thank you. Jumped into 5U modular 11 months ago and have already spent more than those 3 systems combined. 72 modules, 3 cabinets, power supplies and 1/4" cables. It's an investment and everybody here absolutely loves it. It's very approachable. A year ago I was about to buy a complete Make Noise or Erica Synths system, but the small size and cable nightmare changed my mind.
If I had the space, I would love to have those 5U’s! Thank you for stopping by! Appreciate the kind words!
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATREThe 5U takes up the dining room, so I eat at the kitchen counter. I should integrate Eurorack into the setup, and probably will this year. What I have now is all old school.
Having 16 thousand dollars to spend on music equipment in less than a year is an enviable position to be in...
I mean as a professional, that’s a drop in a bucket. As a hobbyist, an eye brow raise possibly… :)
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE Been a synth hobbyist since 1987 and sold other synths to buy this. My point is the switch to modular was well worth it. Not hooked to a computer, just pumping thru a massive PA system. The kids love it!
Outstanding video! You showcase your decisions on your case setups very well and explain them in great detail. Have you ever broken your rule on never getting more than one copy of a Module?
Appreciate the kind words! So far so good on repeat modules tho the I’ve been super tempted to have a rack full of Nebulae! Having another Ludbah might also be super cool to bounce stereo signals back and forth. Delay FX also. But I’ve made peace with what I want to use my Eurorack for, which is primarily R&D and bounced into the box. If I want to do live performances, I have a hybrid solution with Ableton I’m relatively happy with. Otherwise, the one module rule I think is really a good gate keeper to prevent one from just going off the rails because you can never have enough of anything, doing all via eurorack.
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE two Ludbahs would be interesting! I saw a guy in a Modular Group on Facebook who had two Arbhars in his Rack, which he swears by. For now, one is enough for me LOL! I may adapt your rule a little and made it where I only have one specific Module per Rack, such as for my Veils or specific Buffered Mults. that I like. Thanks for your reply, and for making great content!
Pretty sure I saw both black and silver Batumi in this vid. 🧐hehe. Though maybe you’re swapping panels between rigs? 🙂
@@pmumble76 you got me! lol actually I DO own 2 Batumi's - one black and one white! I feel like I can get away with it if the faceplate is different, right??? :)
Totally understandable. It’s such a great module. I don’t own one but my partner does have two.
You might also consider other formats. AE Modular modules generally cost about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of an equivalent eurorack module.
Modular is building your spaceship and drive to your inner out of space.
Some speak about therapy, but it's only your pineal gland that you stimulate a lot.
The process of building yours is so important. You will make some mistakes, buy sell or exchange some modules to fine tune your machine.
I spent 4000€ for mine, it is unique. Some modules were assembled from scratch by me, others were also modified, customized.
Fortunately, I quickly realized that I had to set a limit (208HP in my case, TipTop Audio Mantis).
I think one advantage of eurorack, very much depending on your personality, is that it makes you think up workarounds and ways to squeeze as much functionality out of your rack as you can. That's a very different skill from making music. For some people it feels great to do this. For others it’s a nightmare. For folks who are more into the 'flow' state you can get into while patching I think this is a big part of it.
Very insightful. Thanks for your perspective. Different musical instrument speaks to each of us differently. Some resonate and others not so much. Thank you for the comments!
I'm at Erica Synths DIY level so this was eye opening
Great video and systems
i have never pursued the huge generative patches with noodles going everywhere. I sound design specific things and record it, to be used as individual elements in the DAW
I do love a huge generative patch but it requires a lot of resource and I think for now, I’m finding a lite hybrid solution more compelling with a daw. The only creative boundary I’ve set for myself was not to rely too much on the daw. The box really got me in a bad creative spot where I felt uninspired and lost because there was so much you could do, I ended up doing nothing.
A lot of hobbies are expensive (mountain biking, snowboarding, collecting cars, etc.), but not many hold their value like eurorack modules if you want or need to cash out.
Hi Mr Dungeon, .. appreciating your comments, as always. "Loopy, thin, repetitive & bloopy" .. and your words about eurorack's value for making music. Getting involved, 3 years ago .. at first, I thought if I could just develop backing tracks for playing guitar, or keyboard, .. that would be my quest. But, then I started hoping to "crack the code" and enter in something that wouldn't be "Loopy, thin, repetitive & bloopy" without me playing instruments, music.
Briefly, a fair collection of Mutable Instruments, Pam's, & Bitbox Micro, is what I have access to. And I suspect that getting more gear isn't going to change my situation.
One of the most powerful things that I know of is to adjust a slider's pitch setting on MI Stages, in creating a sense of changing chords, for a "muscial" composition. Or, the next step, in being useful, is to take different sessions, or portions, and merge them together, in Audacity later, .. that does work, too. But yes, .. it's a chunk of time.
I no longer offer to demonstrate my gear, to any visitor, that I have .. UNLESS they insist. I think it usually shocks them, .. the length of time, it takes to arrive at some kind of result.
Thanks for the in-depth insight. This is a touchy subject because I don’t want to create a judgmental environment in an already hyper-self-conscious form of expression that’s music. But there is a conversion between unfiltered self expression versus wider acceptance that usually validates (or at least motivates the artist to keep going) what’s “better” music. I think we should always be encouraged to express ourselves. Heck maybe my next album will be titled “Loopy, Thin & Bloopy” :)
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE Um, .. you know .. I spent this day, pondering what you said, I think you're spot on. We should consider other's interest, or enjoyment .. and for me, anyway .. I can perhaps filter (my brain, that is) out the "Loopy .." stuff, and sort of be in denial, a bit .. but yes, the "wider experience" .. the ones, that alot of us are trying to reach. To grab their ears, for a few minutes, .. and make it fun, for them, hopefully. Art, is like that .. I might enjoy Van Gogh, and the Beatles .. but, I may know nothing about the painting, or music processes. Even the untrained eye, or ear can detect deficiencies, .. like the "thin" problem, in modular, for example.
I love modular because I feel like I’m collaborating with my machine rather than playing an instrument or using software. It works for me.
really love your take on it, that it's more of a collaboration. Great insight! Some of these modules have a life of their own when patched!
I'm past $45k according to Modular Grid, have built three proformance travel cases and one studio case.. loving every minute of it.. a more realistic approach to having a fully proformance rig is going to start around $25K mark and go up from there.. to avoid the thin loopy one or two completely voice sound you will need to spend $35K.. I think a video on $25K, $35K, $45K, $55K would showcase the true power of eurorack that blows everything else out of the water..
when people talk to me about getting into eurorack but doing it cheaply I laugh.. plug-ins and software emulations are cruel and unusual punishment after using hardware ..
Appreciate the perspective. For sure as we go deeper, $100k systems wouldn’t be out of the question. I’m certainly near there or beyond, and there are plenty “synth-tubers” rocking systems that cost well beyond that. And for sure there will be some haters and “value-judgement” finger pointing, the truth is most people I know that can spare the $$$ has skills to back them up. Does it mean there are no posers? Sure there will always be a handful, but I think they are the minority. There are better ways to spend money lol 😂
@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE .. it's the diversity of sounds and insane modulation capabilities that I will never be able to walk away from.. besides having everything so compact in a small area and travel worthy.. I have around the same amount of money invested in regular gear, synths, drum machines, effects, rack gear.. I had good luck with that system and recorded a lot but I was running back an forth around the room to record a track which makes it confusing.. not to say my modular cases aren't insanely confusing but it's far easier to see everything closer together.. it's worth mentioning that I guess I have become desensitized to the cost but eurorack becomes exponentially more powerful and exciting as you add because of the additional possibilities of interactions between modules.. that's not necessarily the case with regular gear.. your videos and reviews have always been honest and forthcoming which I really appreciate.. thanks Professor..🇺🇲
@@DUNGEONMUSICTHEATRE ..forgot to mention your videos have also been really funny and entertaining.. it takes a lot of intelligence to be funny.. I really like the video where you were playing a "new" sound to your alter ego and it was just one steady pitch with no changes.. that had me dying.. keep bringing the doom and boom it sounds fantastic..
That's a lot of money in Eurorack. Wow. Congrats on that level of wealth! Beautiful studio as well. What do you do for a living?
Appreciate the kind words! Not sure if eurorack collection equates to “wealth” :) If anything I should have a bigger 401k. But yeah, years of doing audio production, I’ve slowly accumulated gear over the years and eurorack has been a great “creative” investment despite occasional buyer’s remorse. I think making videos like this has been super rewarding and it’s been paying dividends in its own way.
Agree 100% that Eurorack is good!
Wooooow!! 😮😮😮 ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥👏👏👏👏👏
If you also don't really value your sanity, you can learn to smd solder and save a bunch. After the first 10 builds fail in some inexplicable way
😝😝😝
Tactile, exploratory and fun.
For 1000€ you can get a very nice modular when just buying Behringer...
Yep! I didn’t mention Behringer by name but yes. I still would like diversity in my eurorack ecosystem but a great budget friendly alternative
..decent but definitely nothing exciting or worthy of bragging out..
@@normdurkin6425 If you brag about your synth instead of your music, I have news for you...
@@our_roadtrip ..been doing it since 1994.. 72 tracks on multiple labels.. plenty of free tracks on SoundCloud.. $50k in eurorack according to Modular Grid and more than that in regular music gear.. like I said behringer eurorack modules are decent but nothing spectacular .. I have two behringer 2600 VCO'S and was thinking about possibly getting a few more other things they offer.. $1000 worth of behringer eurorack modules is nothing that would excite anyone with experience but what floats you boat..
@@our_roadtrip ..you comment is obviously from a novice perspective and we were being kind.. I would much rather talk about the music I have made.. started in 1994 .. 72 tracks on multiple labels and plenty of free tracks on SoundCloud from 2016-2017.. if I was just getting started I might plan out my entire rig with behringer eurorack modules.. I even have a few but like I said decent but nothing special.. let me know when you get up around $35K in eurorack and see if you still think the same..?
Mosaic = Qu Bit iirc...
Mosaic owned by Qu Bit?
I think your entire methodology is deeply flawed. Eurorack only really comes into its own once you cross the $50,000 barrier. 🙃
Next video $50000 vs $500000
I actually can confirm this. The problems are very different now. Do I want lots of focused systems or monster cases? I personally leaned into multi-case and most recently got a 12 channel mixer so I can mix all those little systems together. Now the cases are the modules.
I concur, I am approaching the $50K barrier or have already crossed it according to Modular Grid and still going.. I need to pay for another unicorn account mine expired otherwise I would know for sure..
Can’t you look at the camera? I believe you can.
Yeah….
I believe in you
VCV rack is the best option 🥰
definitely not.. but that comment is hilarious ..🤟🤣