Molten Modular 14 - The inevitable 3rd row of Eurorack

[@256k_]

"trying to play an instrument by playing another instrument" is the best description of the beatstep pro i ever heard. I sold mine a couple of months after i bought it for that reason.

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Love your approach on these videos! Can't wait to see you marvel at the wonders of polarizers/offsets, and switches (hint, hint). That's one unique magical element of modular- the specialized utilities!

[@Cylume.]

0:29 Why do I feel like this isn't just a presentation, but also a date?

[@dafedeloss]

Your videos are perfect for someone such as myself, a newbie at Eurorack. You definitely have some nice goodies. Thank you for sharing and keep making videos please

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Cool - i'll try :)

[@ITSYABESTIE468]

I've been following you for a few months. Laughed out loud when I saw the title of the vid...Good on ya man. Right behind you with this 3rd row business.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Robin- your advice is solid. I started my journey to modular by buying a Make Noise 0coast module and using the free VCV Rack software. I will probably build a simple lunchbox 60HP kit next with 3-4 modules.

[@funkytransport]

RE: patch sockets on the rear of the beatstep pro - you could make a breakout loom going up to a module with 18 x 3.5mm sockets for each output - label it up and stick it it next to your mults.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes, nice idea.

[@NOLNV1]

An exciting thing about the POLIVOKS apart from its utterly brutal sound, is how fast it is, you can modulate settings at audio rate, using oscillators or whatever, and it sounds crazy.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah? I've found it more of a damp squib so far - needs further investigation :)

[@PatchMonger]

It was going to happen 🤗 great setup there, loving your module choice. Planning on getting a batumi myself too. Enjoyed the video

[@K0r0n1s]

Really happy for you man :-) Always interesting to watch someone starting out in modular and explaining the process of planning and acquiring the right bunch of modules. I hope that I'll be able to enter the madness myself around spring or summer next year, until then I (sadly) have to finance other more important stuff. Well, one has to get their priorities straight ;-)

[@K0r0n1s]

For anyone interested: I plan to build a rack as an expansion for my KORG MS-20 mini. On the one hand to make the MS-20 into a kind of Uber-synth whilst also making the expansion self-contained, if I need an additional analogue voice. www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/510628

[@tgeo2880]

we're in the same boat. hoping to get the tip top mantis case in january and we go from there. do you know what sort of area you'd like to explore?

[@K0r0n1s]

sammu el I wanted to build inside a Doepfer P6 case, the suitcase version, because it looks cool^^ and it comes with a good PSU. In terms of area (when I understood it correctly) I am pretty much east coast synthesis, so no self generating patches (yet) but supplementing existing gear.

[@tgeo2880]

ah yes. looks good as an expansion as you say. Conversely I am more west coast, starting with a neat fm synth called the Akemie's Castle. Here's the sort of system I want to have by summer: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/553275 The two on the right would be the modules I would buy next. Expensive!

[@petecolombo]

someone get this man a book on synthesis and a cheap accountant

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Cheeky beggar

[@radron33]

It’s like breathing life into the machine!

[@joshua42777]

Does the stand hold together well? Does it hold together after taking out the top module?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes

[@ifly65]

What is the HP of each case? I think you may have solved my "not finding the right case to grow into" issue. Thanks!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

The top one is 104hp, the middle one is a bit longer at 104hp and the bottom one is the baby at 104hp

[@praveensharmanyc]

What stand are you placing the case on in the outdoor shots?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It's a projector stand i think

[@michaelfirnhaber4273]

Wow. As an absolute newcomer to the world of synthesized audio, I have found something to aspire to. Maybe ten years from now, I'll understand what all those bits do and how they work. But in the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Me too!

[@gorgullhabublala5380]

happy for you!

[@josephwright5140]

I'm curious about the vceg. Is it just the power or will it be actually useful? How do you like it?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

What’s a vcreg? Sorry do you mean the power module? It has a switch, that’s its only useful function.

[@joshua42777]

Also If i wanted to add an oscillator to make the mother 32 sound thicker, would I NEED to buy an expensive Moog based VCO?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No 🙂

[@ernestoguerra3787]

I thought those were cables around your neck :D

[@MarkusGrandpre]

:)

[@MadelnMachines]

Have you given up on the idea on integrating modular into Bitwig? I imagine it's quite complex and full of issues and takes the fun out of it. What do you think?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No, it’s not difficult with a midi-to-cv converter. But it’s not something I’m actively doing at the moment.

[@dualtrx]

this is turning very nice. :D

[@alanblight9233]

If you like singing one might want to consider a mic and an ' external in ' , Doepfer make one and every system needs a reverb IMO , there's not many sounds that don't sound better thru one. That's my unsolicited advise. Do some nice stuff to a voice with clouds and delays and everything. Enjoyed the vid. Thanks.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Could do, could be - not sure I'm into making the voice part of the modular - maybe. I like the idea of the modular simply replacing the guitar for a singer songwriter - it doesn't have to be any more complex than fingerpicking. Although, then again..... it can be. So yeah, it's a thing i'll look into at some point.

[@Syncopator]

The desire to feed in external signals will likely come up at some point. The "Ears" module is decent for that as it also has an envelope follower with a gate, so you could just use it to trigger on a "clap" with a microphone or pick up your systems output via mic and feed it back in for additional processing. Also, don't overlook the Radio Music module, a poor-mans Morphagene, but way skinnier and awesome for keeping a SD card catalog of WAV files around for extra sound sources. Also note the Disting can be used to record two channels of control signals (recorded as a wav file) as well as audio, for playback in a loop for custom complex envelopes.

[@mildheadwound]

Think of the maths' envelope channels as if they were ventricles, and it's logic outs as arteries.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I have no idea what that means but it sounds lovely :)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

what the heck exactly does the Math module actually do? I see rave reviews on wiggler boards about this ubiquitous module.

[@josephwright5140]

Renaissance Man maths does envelopes lfos attenuversion mixing logic everything

[@RecordingOfMind]

it's seems like you assembled this in no time. How long did it take you to get them all.. and honestly.. it must have cost a bit. Nothing takes time as long as you can throw money at it i guess.

[@ziasadrudin]

Take the mother 32 out and put it back into its own case and put it infront of the bottom skiff and you have a ton more room. So 3 sniffs stacked and then one in front.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

The angle of the m32 makes that unworkable but I do something along those lines - check out later videos to see

[@eluherlu]

I'm really curious about modular sytem, because I always like the idea of a new way of making music.. But perhaps I should check out Reaktor 6 first?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes, Reaktor is a good place to try things out. Also consider VCVrack.com - it's virtual modular for free :)

[@MrQurutin]

Reaktor 6 is amazing. Blocks offers you a great modular system on your computer and I think it alone is worth the price, especially considering the huge selection of blocks in the user library. And even if for some reason you don't like Blocks, you still have an amazing collection (especially with user library, again) of 'standalone' synthesizers that run inside Reaktor. It would be my desert island synth hands down.

[@onderstroom]

Great stuff!

[@VictorSteiner]

I didn‘t get it, how do you power all 3 rows with only 1 linked power supply?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It’s three power supplies running off a single power brick - there’s plenty of amps to go around. Each of those row40 supplies could run a couple of rows- I was being cautious.

[@LittleAmbientMachine]

No man you need a nice mobile case from MDLR. Now you just promoting MOOG hahaha good one👍🏼nice videos by the way. Like watching them.

[@MODCAF]

Check out NONO modular. Pepe makes a 9U 84hp portable case that still has the awesome console tiered design you like. I've got the 6U 104hp version which has been in my last few videos. Really hope I can convince Pepe to make a 104hp 9U. The 'inevitable third row' is looming on my horizon too. Looking forward to seeing more noises from your system!

[@JamesSmith-dc1nj]

Hi Robin, superb adventure! I was wondering, now that you have traveled far down the rabbit hole and made mistakes and gained experience, what would you say to yourself if you could go back in time and recommend a 104 hp beginners system?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Good question - and in fact that's going to be part of my next video :)

[@JamesSmith-dc1nj]

Looking forward to it :)

[@vibe010]

do you think the moog mother is worth the hp?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Currently no, but these things change.

[@Bagatellamusic]

I came here via a clip from Spinal Tap. Third row!!

[@olecranonrebellion9976]

Nice case. Just got the same one used for $260.

[@gregcoles9175]

rare bit of english sunshine there!

[@sandertiemeijer6252]

Check out the Nerdseq van xor electronics. This is a tracker sequencer.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah, the NerdSEQ is kind of the opposite of what i'm looking for in Eurorack - it's very capable but not really my scene at the moment.

[@skunksmisery]

a solid colour shirt? Hell hath frozen over!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It’s a flippin’ jumper, because it was a bit chilly!

[@jahmark9336]

Whole Life Crisis - paul smith scarf tho

[@BottleBass1977]

Hehehehe, so you took the plunge and added another row :) TBH, I'm in no position to laugh as I've added another row of 84HP and built a new (temporary, cardboard) case

[@thiskingbusiness]

I stopped at my 4th row, I'm over the addiction now. I lusted for an Atlantis for a while but decided I didn't need it.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Of course you need it, don't be an idiot.

[@jonaseggen2230]

I think you should get 2 x 3 rows of Moog cases in racks. The smaller mother sized ones. One on each side. You already have one spare case, so you only need to get 5 more and two racks. You don't have to fill them with modules, but blank panels and or light chains/ Christmas lights could be cool. In short, make a triptych. And then you could patch "California dreaming"! yes!! You know, "I steeped into a church.........", that kind of thing. Or just anything by "The Church". Or simply just some scary Gothic drone stuff. Erica can help you with the last one I guess.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yep, ok, give me a week 😀

[@jonaseggen2230]

: D

[@jonaseggen2230]

You know like in the 70's 80's they stacked empty Marshal speakers to make huge walls to make you see how loud and good it was, or maybe it was to keep good neighbors? Your rack is beautiful by the way. (Good you are a man so I can tell you this and I will not be misunderstood)

[@nth7485]

Ah, but will there be a forth row..?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Not without some major rethinking of the case.

[@DanFingermanOctopus]

Have you considered using the Plonk, from Intellijel? Instead of the Pico drums.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No i haven't. Plonk seems very different though - bigger, more complex and only one sound at a time. The Pico Drums fills a need to work in some simple percussion - I may get another one in order to have a fullish kit. But i havent really got to grips with the percussive side of modular yet - i'm used to drums just being drums as opposed to these complex evolving noise oscillators. All in good time :)

[@DanFingermanOctopus]

Ofcourse :) It's your system after all. I look forward to seeing how it evolves!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Plonks is a bit menu -dive-y.

[@DanFingermanOctopus]

My god your profile picture is legendary. Also, I like menu diving. Long live programming FM synthesis!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Thanks ( i think). I only mentioned because Herr Vincent mentioned he was trying to avoid menu-dive-yness

[@Jimbo386000]

Does it have a name?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No because it’s never the same

[@Jimbo386000]

Molten Music Technology That makes sense.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Sounds so expensive...for us normal “blokes” that don’t have you tube shows dedicated to the “modular experience”, we may be able to reduce our synth size by coupling it with ITB DAW modules, ie max, silent way, or reactor.

[@dualtrx]

You will not stop. ... so stop lying yourself mate. :D Soon you will want to remove the mother32 and add some smaller modules. You will care about size and functionality more.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

And i did just that (check later episodes) and am now trying to find creative ways to justify buying another case - i have some great ideas for videos that should do the job :)

[@dualtrx]

haha, i forgot that this video is from last year. *going now to check other videos*.

[@LittleAmbientMachine]

Maths? Try Befaco rampage 😁😁😁

[@thiskingbusiness]

LAM maths is superior.

[@dave_s_vids]

Fab as ever, but please turn off the autofocus ;)

[@eddraper]

I'd really like to hear more synths and less talking. A sounds is worth at least 500 words ;-)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Well you’ve come to the wrong place. Lots of talking in the episodes, but you’ll find more noises in the noodle videos.