Modular Tips: Simple Eurorack Stereo Mixing

In this video we'll take a quick look at one possible way to use your eurorack modular synth in stereo. This can be accomplished without dedicated stereo mixers or output modules by just being a little creative.
Modules used in this video:
- System 80 Jove
- Synthrotek MST Dual VCA
- 2hp MIX
- 2hp ENV
- Synthrotek ADSR
- Synthrotek MST Buff Mult
- Intellijel Dixie ii+
- Mordax Data

[@chisel316]

Your tip videos are great. I hope you make more. Peace \/.

[@tomwardsynth]

Thanks! There will be more 👍

[@tomb-X]

Good Tip

[@mike.thomas]

Nice. I came up with a similar approach before I had a dedicated stereo mixer, and still do it in my cases that don’t have room for one. I use a Transient 2M 2x3 channel mixer into my stereo output module. Bit of a hack, but works well.

[@tomwardsynth]

Sweet. It is a good trick although the issue I run into on larger patches is the number of VCAs and cables it consumes. I'd ultimately like to have a dedicated stereo mixer as well, maybe when I move into a larger case.

[@mike.thomas]

I have the Sputnik 6-channel mixer in one of my cases and it's great. I just don't have room in every case for one. The Intellijel Mixup is a handy replacement if you can live without panning. It has two sets of hard-panned L/R stereo channels and two centered mono ones, and mutes, in 6hp. I actually used that along with a uJack (I don't use external mixers) to replace what I had before in the case where I was using the mixer to do it. Same space, but I can avoid multing the signal for mono. Again, I lose "panning" though. Trade offs.

[@tomwardsynth]

The Mixup + uJack combo sounds appealing. Multing for mono is one of my biggest gripes with my current setup. I like to avoid using an external mixer as well, as I'd like the whole case to be usable outdoors with as little outboard gear as possible. Ideally I'd like to pair down to a pair of outputs for the whole system. Right now I'm at 3, as I run the kick directly out into my interface to avoid said multing (I don't like to have the kick doubled up and hard-panned).

[@mike.thomas]

Tom Ward Sounds like the combo would work perfectly for your needs. I have found it to be very good. The Mixup is also chainable (back panel connectors), but I haven’t tried that. I have 7U Intellijel cases, so I have a couple of their 1U headphone outputs on the way. I’m curious as to whether one would be a good replacement for the uJack (thus freeing up 6hp in my 84hp case(s). The 1U headphone out is not as versatile, but honestly, I tend to split the headphone out of my uJack into phones and my digital recorder, so I really only need the headphone out.

[@tomwardsynth]

For me it comes down to HP budget. I'm planning to upgrade my LFO and VCA situation soon, but also want to improve the stereo and mixing capabilities while keeping as much as possible in a 6u x 84hp case for portability purposes. With that in mind I'm thinking about options involving unity mixers to maximize input/hp and controlling levels with VCAs. But the Mixup and uJack combo is a strong contender to keep the stereo from becoming a huge hassle. I can deal with panning by routing L/R through VCAs as I do now, so that's not really a detriment for me with the Mixup.