System 55 - Top 5 Missing Features

This video identifies the 5 most critical features missing from the System 55, by today's standards. It also includes a suggestion about how to address these and other "wish list" items, within the expansion space available on the System 55's 4th row. This row has 140 hp of eurorack space. It is covered in panel blanks as the System 55 arrives from the factory.
As it turns out, this episode could well be entitled "core modules of the Behringer System 100".
Let me know what you've put in the 4th row of your System 55.
TIMECODE
0:00 - Intro
1:27 - CMA1 limitations
2:49 - Top 5 Missing Features
3:55 - Which modules to add?
7:58 - Conclusion
v2.2

[@JohnLRice]

Well done video, OZ, Merry Christmas!

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks. Merry Christmas!

[@SpaceCapsuleOne]

Great video. I've been eyeballing one of these for my rig. This is very informative and helpful. Thank you!

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ProfessorSynth]

Great set up. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks for watching!

[@pcprobot]

Thanks. I was wondering what I should put in there. Very informative information. I hope to see some patches and examples of this setup in future videos

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks! Great idea for a follow up video.

[@mixolydian2010]

Nice system, good suggestions too. Cheers

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks!

[@VagPoop_]

Informative!

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks!

[@moogfooger]

by the way, Merry Christmas to all you synth nuts out there! cheers

[@ozhalljr]

Merry Christmas Tony!

[@moogfooger]

Nice video O.Z. Extremely informative and answers some questions I have about the System 55 modules. I can get mod out with my Keystep, so that seems to fill the gap a little bit. The big thing I needed was LFOs, I have a quad LFO module that is killer. Behringer is pretty busy with new stuff these days. Do you think they will come out with other Sys 55 modules? The Bode filter was the last one I believe. My rig contains a utility rack with some Sys 100, the 297, the 305, a 2500 1003 Envelope and a reverb. I have a System 35 in 3 racks also. Thanks again. Cheers

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks Tony! What quad LFO are you using? IMHO (no inside info), I don't think Behringer will ever revisit this product line. There are a number of third parties who are filling in the gap. I just received a kit for a HP/LP filter coupler ( see www.modulargrid.net/e/fitzgreyve-synthesis-904c-filter-coupler ). I have not built it out yet. Utility rack is a good idea. Cheers!

[@moogfooger]

Hi, I have the Behringer 4 LFO and 4 VCO modules that came out a little while ago. They work quite well and really give me a lot of flexibility. I have seen that video by Fitzgeryre. He seems really great. Thanks for posting all this great content. You are the man@@ozhalljr

[@SeQFreQ369]

Good topic. I'm currently using your first vibrato suggestion, the lfo from the 150 via an attenuator. On the 960 I have a simple 2hp quantizer fed from the 962. Not sure if it's the 960 or the Quantizer, but the notes are not too stable. I just got an oscilloscope to calibrate the 960 so that may fix things. Regarding using the 100 series modules alongside the 55 modules via the cm1a, the settings on the rear are different for both systems, the different voltage levels being for either the 55 modules or the 100/2500 series modules, have you had any problems with that? (I find I really need to attenuate the 100 modules before feeding them to 55 modules...) I'm really using my 100 modules as a seperate system, and as such, for the 55 I'm looking to add filters and lfo's mainly, along with some buffered mult's and I just made some more attenuators. I also like your suggestions. Cheers, Steve

[@ozhalljr]

I've tried three different quantizers. The feature you need in a quantizer is the gate input to trigger a conversion. The A-156 and O&C both have that and perform well. I have another quad quantizer that does not have the gate. It's NOT 100%. Sometimes it creates interesting variations but often it is distracting. BTW, the A-156 can work w/o a gate, but it exhibits the same imprecise behavior. So ... apparently it's not the 960 but the quantizer.

[@ericMT]

Nice suggestions. I have the system 55 but I also built a 2x140 case with System 100 modules and those 2 cases can work together. It’s not a bad idea to put some of those System 100 modules in the System 55 case, they add a ton of functionality. I added the Bode Frequency Shifter, Ornament & Crime, Disting MK4, another Moog style mixer, oscillator, and VCA but I’m thinking of only using Moog type modules in my bottom section. The System 55 is very old fashioned and limited vs newer technology modules and I like the challenge of making patches the old way. Yes it’s limited but that can be enjoyable, especially if you have another rack full of modules that you can use if needed.

[@ozhalljr]

@ericMT Thx for commenting. I have created an "effects" portable case so that I don't have to replicate effects modules in every format/style. One of my other viewers gave me the idea.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

I wish different modules had different colors. Good info.

[@ozhalljr]

Thanks!

[@choisam20]

This is excellent. Could you recommend some gears that can cover those 5 missing features. For example, you have a Behringer system 55. What else would you buy to match what the original stock moog system 55 has. // Edit: oh you addressed that in the video. Thanks!!

[@ozhalljr]

Check out the 1630 Bode Frequency Shifter. That was OG Moog module that’s available from Behringer. It covers the Ring Mod requirements. I have a 3 part series on it.

[@choisam20]

@@ozhalljr thank you for recommending that module!! I will watch those series later!

[@TheDavidPoole]

A couple of Expert Sleepers Disting EXs would do everything you mention and a whole lot more, including 8 voice polyphonic sampling, 4 x Plaits, 4 x Braids and 4 x rings, 8 voice wave table synth. Each. O and C is very good, but bang for buck you can't beat the Disting. Merry Christmas ✌️

[@ozhalljr]

David! Merry Christmas. I'm familiar with the Disting, but have never owned one. A couple of EXs would set you back $800, but what a great savings in space (hp) and functionality.

[@TheDavidPoole]

@@ozhalljr it's not exactly cheap, but the functionality is unequalled. I only recently got into modular, and was a bit lost for what to get. I got an EX and a Mk 4 the other day so I can see what I need standalone, but I think it will be a while before I need to spend any more money. Ive only got a modest setup, but the Distings are really opening it up! Cheers ✌️

[@ozhalljr]

@@TheDavidPoole sounds like a cool setup. enjoy it!

[@VagPoop_]

ewww

[@TheDavidPoole]

@@ozhalljr well, I lied. I just took delivery of an Expert Sleepers FH2 and gate expansion. NOW I'll stop buying things .... except for a Novation Launchpad mini mk3 to control the sequencers (drum and melodic) on the FH2. And maybe a CV expansion for it. And. And. And! AAAARRRGGHH! THE GAS DONE GOT ME!

[@oldunclemick]

I wish they'd release the Neutron's MIDI to CV converter in a module, including the Assign feature. Ideally with 3 extra CC to CV converters. The Neutron is the best match to my Roland AE-30 wind synth of all the converters I've tried but I don't always want to have to wire in the Neutron to play my Eurorack modules.

[@ozhalljr]

That would be great.

[@aemilpeters5644]

Missing in YOUR list is the new Frequency Shifter (NOT a phase-shifter) and mic/High Z/line to pitch & MIDI/CV-Gate converter - both by Dr. Moog/Bode Behringer/generally available.

[@ozhalljr]

You're right about the Bode Frequency shifter Somehow I missed the fact that this module was available. I'm working on acquiring one. The PP1 pitch to voltage converter is pretty cool, especially for guitar players and singers. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

[@aemilpeters5644]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/laLSnIWkd515nsk@@ozhalljr

[@ozhalljr]

@@aemilpeters5644 I will probably just add the Bode (which is on order) and remove the dual ADSR/LFO, since there's another LFO in the S&H/LFO/Ringmod. While the "voice" module is indeed the most "expendable" per my list, it's very handy for a sequenced voice. If the PP1 pitch to midi becomes essential, I'll probably add it to an external case, since the look is so different and it falls in the "modern" category. Let me know if you do a video on your rig.

[@aemilpeters5644]

Still a 3rd (empty) case adjacent to your current System 55 would also fit all the other extra's: second sequencer with controller and what not in the future: multiples, balanced outputs, speakers, state variable / sweepable band pass filter, a vocoder (based on e.g. Synton - a fresh offering with all individual I/O a like the later Dr. Moog vocoder is now also available) other Dr. Moog era devices, a 2-4 track (or two of these for ping-pong composing or even a drop in Model D or Korg MS20 clone as you go along - keep a lot empty because at one moment or another you wanna go from mono to stereo to quadro and then all these modern digital do it all boxes will be a double sided sword! I only have my producers do release videos after pre-payment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZKsi4qgftmFm6s - www.analogfx.com/product/vxc-2220/ - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqTSnqKqgN6hpdE - all these suggestions here will fit in the existing 4 row box or in a 4th empty box, EXTRA - EXTRA _ consider the AMP MOD by Behringer for amplitude de modulations, advanced modulator including r- ring mod for harmonically correct modulations and bell/metal FM styled tones for the cheap: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn_Nc4ClmtyZea8

[@ozhalljr]

k

[@scatman65]

Nice to have Analog 4 ever ❤❤