My 4 favorite envelope generators - which is best for you!?

In today’s video I go over four of my favorite envelope generators in four different categories. For each, I talk about advantages and disadvantages you might want to consider when looking for a new module.
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Timetable:
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Four friends
01:41 - Affordable power
05:55 - ADSR with CV control
09:50 - Digital flexibility
13:58 - Function generator
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#eurorack #envelopes #favoritemodules

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hello everyone! After I did two videos about envelope basics I wanted to share a few really different approaches to envelope generators :) Affiliate links: Perfect Circuit - US - bit.ly/3Yn0Gll Sound of You - EU bit.ly/3DzdFYi Clockface - AS - bit.ly/3YkDJ1B

[@Jaysusitsme]

Fast becoming my favourite eurorack dedicated channel.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

That's good to hear, thanks for watching! :)

[@chadthecurator1974]

I recently picked up Fourmative Contours by Vermona, which arrives tomorrow. Can’t wait to try it out. Vermona is my overall favorite Eurorack producer - their modules just have a certain touch that really nothing else has, for me. The knobs are also just something else.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice one, enjoy! Those knobs are something indeed, have to agree it makes a difference :)

[@ThMntnst]

I really hope, you've gotten into the Quadropol then. Fancy modules aside, it's simply one of my weirdly favourite modules.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Really like polarizer modules, current favorite is Arkan. From Vermona I am also always intrigued by the Melodicer. Great ideas :)

[@alexmeeres5072]

Nice video. My first and favorite is the unique Shakmat Triple Steeple. Adjusting total envelope cycle time with one knob, and rise/fall symmetry with another is a very performance-oriented and intuitive approach!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you liked it, and that sounds very interesting indeed. Know that from my Dreadbox Typhon, nad works very well indeed. Cheers!

[@luinnar]

Zadar is one od my favourite modules, and I'm so glad that modulargrid community proposed it instead simple ADSR module

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad to hear it! It's one of my favorites too! Will include it in a series on a 'small' modular system next year, so powerful.

[@EdEditz]

I love the Nano Quart. It was one of the first modules I bought and it's in every patch I make.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice! Enjoy the module :)

[@TweelerDotCom]

great timing! was just looking for an envelope generator module. Thanks!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

You are welcome! Hope it helps :)

[@quinnfahey8946]

Great video! I acquired the TipTop Buchla 281t Quad Function generator as my first envelope generator. While perhaps a little large, it's a great module for envelopes and LFO's, with CV control over AD!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice! I screen-grabbed that one and wanted to add it to the 'function generator' options, but there were to much! Think it's a great option too, if space is no concern :) Four, envelopes, but with CV and mixing options etc, think you'll be happy with it!

[@synthseeker]

This was very educational and helpful for me. Thank you!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad it was helpful! And thanks for letting me know :)

[@ThMntnst]

I have tried out many env-gens and stayed with the Instruo Céis. I sport that fun module 3 times and like to chain them easily with their stage-gates. Another good tool is Metabolic Devices Moonwalker although it is not versatile in the classic sense.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Like the Ceis as well. And indeed Moonwalker as a special and powerful module!

[@apeirogonmusic]

I really love my Double Andore mk2 There is No Envelope / Vca as playable and as versatile So many possibilities While Maths is close but a completely different beast Great Video as always

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing! Will have a closer look at it soon :)

[@ThroughTheBag]

Love the DA mk2! I got 2 of them in my main system!

[@tracyharms3548]

I recently felt the need for more envelopes because I have too many VCAs ;) and definitely considered all of these. I chose the ADDAC506. Your detailed examination if it helped a lot, thanks.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Ha, that's nice to hear, glad it was helpful!

[@kevink4003]

Cosmotronic Delta-V and After Later Audio QARV are my favs. Love function generators with built in VCAs.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice! QARV was on my list of Function Generators to mention, but wanted to keep it short. Seems like an amazing module with great features! Enjoy! :)

[@OceanMagnus]

Delta-V is a lot of function for low HP. It's my goto AD envelope generator and VCA. I find it hard to find inspiration on what to use the EOC triggers for, but it's cool they're there.

[@GeorgeLocke]

An interesting option in the "DADSR" space is the WMD multimode envelope, which has lots of options. The expander adds trigger outs and heaps of CV control. Discontinued, but not that hard to find for now.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Ah, thanks! Will have a look at it, that delay stage is fun :)

[@RobK496]

Informative and great vid as usual! I love my Maths and Zadar, but I could really use a simple envelope generator like Quart when I'll be upgrading my rack to double it's size, especially with the LFO option. Also, with the Nin expander, you get even more out of that Zadar, really worth looking at!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Maths and Zadar seems like a power combo for sure! Actually have the Nin expander and agree, a 2nd cv in per channel really adds value! Will find a place for it soon :)

[@keschgelb]

Thanks again for your good content! BTW i am using an (surprisingly) fantastic TipTop Audio Z4000 VC-EG (1. Series) which i found used for a bargain price. And lately i added an Expert Sleepers Disting MK4 for (an awful lot of) functions.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

You're welcome! Glad to hear you like it. Will have a look at the TipTop one, and also have the Disting MK4, really enjoy it, and it comes in handy a lot! :)

[@Hessencemusic]

thank you thank you thank you... I think you deserve a lot of words for your effort making amazing tutorials... endless knowledge here.. you are it

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

I appreciate that! Kind comments like these really make it worth it, it all the best!

[@daemonicflame]

I went away for 6 months, and had to cut a chunk of my modular so it could travel. I left maths behind, and, coming back, that is coming with me wherever I go, the envelopes sound really good and it is ultra quick to dial in settings.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hope you had a good journey and some great experiences! And for sure Maths is a great module. Top quality, and popular for good reasons :)

[@StudioOOMZ]

thank you, i needed this!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad it was helpful! All the best!

[@StudioOOMZ]

@@MonotrailTechTalk just started modular. your channel is by far the best. i have learnt so much. thank u 🙏🏼

[@griffithmorgan4966]

Being somewhat new to modular, I was eyeing lots of options. Function Junction seemed like the most capability for the least amount of cash as it has LFO, 2 envelopes, and a mixer. Then I discovered Vortex Generator. There is a really good demo on it on here. I watched it many times in order to fully understand how it is used as the concept of using envelopes as VCOs was a real break through for patching ideas to me. At 140 dollars, or so, and only 10hp, it suited my small rack very well. It is my must have module along with the Tom Evans Dual Dreadful VCF.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Sorry for the slow reply, was on holiday! And thanks for the suggestions! These module here I are just the ones I like and use, but there are many great options out there :) Cheers!

[@griffithmorgan4966]

@@MonotrailTechTalk There is the aspect of modular few talk about. You can't own all the modules, though some do try, thus you find what seems may be the best option and that becomes your favorite merely out of familiarity. ;)

[@rayderrich]

This video comes right in time, but gives me more options than I would care to buy hahaha, thanks again man!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad to hear it! But these are just my favorites, no need to buy them all!

[@rayderrich]

I know, but they all seem so useful and fun!

[@diogolopes9403]

quadigy from klavis is insane can do from simple ADSR or some more complex shapes with many control on it!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Agreed! I mention the module in the video as well, great option! :)

[@TheArkytect]

Nice video ❤️

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you enjoyed! All the best!

[@mikegeary8056]

Besides how functional and experimental Zadar can be it’s real strength is how easy it is to use.

[@sirisirasith2751]

Falistri has the quadrant multiplier which is my favourite part. So much helpful video, Thank you so much :))

[@sirisirasith2751]

would like to see you making a video about Noise source as a modulation, any patch ideas about using noise source please :)

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hey thanks! And Frap Tools make some awesome modules for sure! Also that's funny, almost finished a script for a video on noise yesterday, but it's on the list for early next year ;)

[@russ254]

yes to noise vid!

[@sirisirasith2751]

Yay!! excited about it

[@analogholic3651]

Great video thanks!. What would you recommend for an "affordable" ADSR with cv control over the stages with one requirement only, that it´s SUPER fast aka punchy & snappy. Used Cwejmans are unfortunately out of my price range. 🙏

[@dammills]

You should check out the 4ms Dual Shaped EnvVCA. It reminds me a lot of Maths, but with some added features. I love it!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Yes, came across that one as well, seems like a nice module for sure!

[@boriscat1999]

Nano Quart is a really solid recommendation. For price and size the Rides in the Storm FEG gets you a single loopable ADSR, and you can get two or three of them for the price of the Quart. (but I would still rather have 4 AR/AD in 10hp than three ADSR in 12hp). Clones of Mutable Instruments Peaks are very interesting envelopes. It's the same idea as your Zadar suggestion. In the envelope mode, you get two envelopes with either shared ADSR settings or independent AD/AR. Some of the clones fit into 4HP. And other clones have CV controls for the parameters. With the Dead Man's Catch firmware (easy to install) you get some really wild envelopes. Like double Attack-Decay or repeating AD as long as gate is held. A uPique is roughly the same price as a Nano Quart, so quite affordable. Also makes a good tap LFO. After Later Audio Tilt is one function generator in 6 HP. It's affordable but not super compact. Like ALM's Pip Slope it is inspired by Serge slope generator. Tilt is a pretty versatile function generator that happens to have a mode that makes it an envelope (a type of ASR envelope), but it also works as a slew limiter or as an LFO. And my absolute favorite is to use no envelope generator at all. A low-pass gate (LPG) can give you a plucky sounding fixed attack/release and replaces both your EG and VCA. Takaab makes LPGv2 which is cheap, tiny, passive, and has a switch to change the low pass cut-off frequency making it work as a simple filter or EQ.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hey, thanks for sharing your experiences! Peaks is great indeed. I own one, but new versions with CV inputs would push it next level for sure!

[@larsgustav.gudbrandsen]

I hope Nano Modules will, some day, make a Quart v2 where the four functions can be switched between AD/LFO and A(S)R/GATE modes. Then it would be perfect.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

That's the same as quadra works, and have to admit there is value in the ASR gate option for sure! Pretty convinced they considered the option, and would be curious why they decided not to. I do value they consistently come in with a sharp price for the modules, and maybe circuitry/switches would change that to much. But I don't know :)

[@stephenmarsh6746]

The Befaco Rampage is a nice dual function generator. Inexpensive enough that I have two.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Yes, great machine, nice price! Enjoy your modules :)

[@JacobSkriver]

Having grown out the Dreadbox Ataxia (main gripe is the lack of memory for 2nd channel after power cycling) I have been looking at the Shakmat Triple Steeple. Would like to see a video about this module. I believe that it has a unique take on EGs

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice, thanks for sharing! Will have a look at the Shakmat module, I'm not familiar with it :) Cheers!

[@jessehardy7332]

Monotrail, have you used the Quadrax at all? The points are fair that the price and size increase over Quadra are a turnoff, but I’m curious on your take with the module. It’s possibly one of my favorites in my system.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hi there! Think the Quadrax is a great module! Mostly meant that it's no longer in the 'compact and affordable' option. And there is serious competition for the Quadrax price, but nothing wrong with the module and features. I like the intellijel modules in general and would use on if I had one :)

[@jessehardy7332]

Yea, Quadrax definitely a lot of competition for the price, so it’s not like a silver bullet. My love for it might mainly be that I found myself surprised how elegant the UI is in relation to its feature density. Still takes a learning curve, but it becomes second nature easily. It was the first module of Intellijel’s that made me become a real fan of their designs. More importantly, keep up the content! You’ve become my favorite KZbinr for modular techniques.

[@TheCALMInstitute]

IMHO the TipTop/Buchla 281T Quad Function Generator deserves mentioned here. Sure it takes up HP, but it's cheap as hell, has full CV control over parameters, loops, end of cycle gate, attenuation, and quadrature. I think it's something like $190 right now.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hi there! Agree. Its was actually on my list to mention, and others here did as well. Great module if size is no issue, and the price is great indeed! CV control and quadrature are nice :)

[@mikegeary8056]

Zadar is rad but sometimes you need an analogue envelope with cv over decay of course .

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Very true, best of multiple worlds is, well, best I guess :)

[@juanmoorethyme3119]

Would love to see your amazing explanations on the arbhar and lubadh! Despite all the videos, yours are the most clear and would really help with these two modules :)

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Ah, yeah, amazing modules! And thanks! Have to be honest though, even though I am slowly able to cover some time with the return of this channel, those are too prices for me and I am not in touch with the people at Instruo :)

[@juanmoorethyme3119]

@instruo - get this guy some stuff!!! lol thanks man@@MonotrailTechTalk

[@NickHchaos]

L-1 VC Dual ADSR. :P

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Nice! Didn't know that one :)

[@NickHchaos]

@@MonotrailTechTalk to me it’s the best. Personally I could never gel with these digital options no matter how versatile they technically are because they don’t show the controls for everything all at once.

[@raneflewit6250]

how about Quadrax？is it a envlope generator？

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Yes it is. And a very good one to!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Yes it is, and a good one!

[@Waldemar_la_Tendresse]

A really nice comparison. What many beginners usually underestimate is how important envelopes (and other utilities) really are in a modular system. That's why this was probably a very important video for fans of these audiophile experiences. Very nice that a descendant of the MI Stages also made an appearance. Emily's work in the modular sector can never be sufficiently honoured.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Agreed! And indeed a lot of Mutable's modules are great. I try to use as a rule to only mention modules that are currently available, but yeah. Credit is deserved for sure :)

[@Endeffekt]

I dont know why, but your hand movements ist kinda annoying.