I started my modular journey with quite a lot of 2hp modules, and I'm not knocking their functionality or capabilities, but even slender fingers will struggle to operate their knobs once you have them side by side, with jacks plugged in, with no extra space around them. So careful placement is essential and/or I find it best to use a 2hp Blank between 2hp modules.
I ended up selling about half of the 2hp modules I got when i started due to Phat-Finger-Syndrome! ;-)
Pam’s Pro Workout is accurate enough to serve as both the master clock and drum sequencer, but I’m more drawn to the 6equencer. It’s immediate and avoids menu diving; it just lacks the clocking capabilities.
Pamela can sequence, but it doesn't have the hands-on control you'll want or even need in a live situation. Do you currently own this system? How do you feel about it?
The budget-friendly fix is to get a hardware sequencer, although the OXIs are very expensive. But just using that for drums seems like a waste, I would also remove Rene if you go this route.
If you just want drum sequencing without melody, check out these:
* Robaux LL8 2 or Robaux SWT16(+). These are tiny, no menus, no saving, cheap for Eurorack, very quick to use. Eight or sixteen drum channels.
* Doepfer A-157-1 (you need -1, -2 and -3 as a set). This is huge, no menus, no saving, you can see and directly edit all of the drum parts. Eight channels.
* vpme.de Euclidean Circles v2. Tiny, six channels, no saving, very quick to use, very musical because of the euclidean system. You don't have total freedom because it only has euclidian rhythms.
* Intellijel Steppy. This one is pretty popular, it's good and hast the most options. Internal memory. just four channels.
I also want to mention that the Bohm expanders need to be connected to the main module in the back, so the way you're spreading them now should not be possible.
-- stefvanriet
Hey stefvanriet,
I don’t own the two middle rows shown in the thread. Euclidean Circles isn’t what I’m looking for because it can’t create irregular patterns. Steppy could be an option, but I don’t have a 1U row. Doepfer would be great, though :).
The issue is that I don’t trust the airlines with my case. I designed it to fit within carry on dimensions, which works out to 100 HP per row across 12U. The Robaux LL8 seems like a better fit. The 6equencer is compact, but after reading reviews about 2 HP modules, I think the LL8’s pads and clearly visible sequence would be more practical. It would also make it easier to count bars at a glance.
I don’t intend to arrange the Bohm that way. I already own the top and bottom rows, which is why I laid it out like that.
Everybody is different and I'm the last person that will ever say there's a right or wrong way to do things, but for live specifically I think I'd find this unusable. The ergonomics are a nightmare. Even with a moderate patch and tiny hands it would be a huge challenge to actually "play" the thing.
-- weeping_wholes
That's fair. The 2hp modules will probably be a disaster to see where knobs actually located. I consider to invest the right angled cables. The Pico and ESSAIM seem manageable.
It appears you have made some revisions; that's a good thing. Very few get it correct first go. Better to revise for free on modular grid, than in real life with money & modules.
Looking through the new layout, unless I'm missing something, you've too many sound sources for the number of mixers. Perhaps the Bartender is a partial solution? You might be able to create the space for it by removing some redundant modules...looks like there are a ton of different samplers, e.g.
-- Jukeshoe
Hey, Jukeshoe
Bartender seems like a great solution, but I’m still unsure whether I can spare the rack space. At 24 HP, it’s a fairly large commitment. It adds useful performance features though might be worth it.
It’s live-oriented, but I also travel with it, so it’s my daily rack. It’s essential that it doesn’t get boring.
Originally, I had a Bartender mixer, with a Tiptop CR handling drum sequencing and the master clock. The mixer is really useful for live performance, but giving up that space means I can’t bring the utilities and I lose some of the fun. Instead, I added two send-and-returns. I’m also replacing the Tiptop CR with a 6equencer 3U.
Rene wasn’t my first choice, but I bought it second hand for a bargain price. The only disadvantage is the microtonality. Maybe I could add an octave switch with micro control if I have space left in the end.
I already have the top and bottom row, and I’d happily sell the Cwejman for a Squawk Dirty and a couple of VCAs, while saving whatever’s left. But it’s registered on my ATA Carnet for now.
For logic, I’ve just added the Logic Suite from Siam Modular, but I’m open to suggestions in same price range and size. I have 44 HP left on paper. Pam’s Pro Workout is accurate enough to serve as both the master clock and drum sequencer, but I’m more drawn to the 6equencer. It’s immediate and avoids menu diving; it just lacks the clocking capabilities.
I could also go for a desktop drum sequencer, like a second-hand Oxi One Mk1. That would be an extreme decision, but it would solve my need for an accurate master clock and drum sequencing. Still, carrying that much gear around is exhausting.
The Random 8 is for adding the movement. The Expert Sleepers Fuzz has an envelope follower, which is a nice bonus. The latest update to the Bohm really got me interested in the full set it’s like a standalone synth in its own right.
SSF Stereo is there for its character and versatility. Since it’s stereo, it’s highly convenient to have in the base patch. BTFD is for distortion, and most of the 2hp utilities are there to make sure I can keep having fun in daily use and Tweakers is for really hard drops.
I’ve also added a mult and could even add one more. 2 Hp play is for additional drum samples. I like having a dedicated sample-and-hold in my rack when I’m jamming on my own. Smoosher has a direct sidechain input, which is useful to have in the case in addition to the ducking function on the Bohm expander.
