Would love your feedback on my first rack configuration

Ok great thanks 😊

Is there a way to sync my Volca Sample to my rack?

Hi handclap ,

with a tiny system like this you really need to limit yourself to the essentials of what you want to do. For instance you might want to consider swapping the MASTER module for the smaller POWER module if you don't want to use MIDI. That would give you space to add a MIXER 4-4 which is essential IMHO.

I don't think you'd have space for the MultiFX so probably getting that outboard (Zoom MS-70CDR is a nice cheap option) or go for a bigger case?

Can I ask why you are selling the TD3? I quite like the look of those, and its got pattern chaining as a feature.

Hello handclap ,

Since you seem to be really new to the concept of modular synthesis I would really advise you to just go with the standard Rack 1 or 2. It offers all the modules you need to do really any kind of music and also is a great learning platform. If you want you can maybe get rid of the VCO, Noise and S&H modules and instead add the MultiFX and Seq8. The standard Rack 1 is also 16 units wide so that gives you a bit more room than you may have thought.

I also recommend now that you stick with the Master module as it gives you more input and output options.

I warned you before ... you will get many different opinions here on the forum, all well meaning, but all coming from people that are on different stages of their synth journey. For a beginner we usually always say: stick to the standard rack and work your way up from there.

This is so true and reminds of of what happens at work sometimes. We'll have a simple question, but by asking it of four people, about eight answers appear.

The aame happens here, to a degree, and it's not that any of the responses are right or wrong, it's about using the response and tailoring t to your need, which only you will really know. Some parts of some responses will resonate, and some won't.

I've been thinking that there are a lot of this type of question, and I understand why. The FAQ mentions a few good points on thinking about an initial purchase and (for what it's worth), I think that the AE Modular format is such that it's hard to make a really bad mistake, and crtainly making one that costs a lot of money is going to take a lot of hard work. The two-row starter really does get you going with respect to almost any style and level of expertise. Known specific neeeds can be fitted in reasonably welll at the start, if they're known - for example, I knew that I wanted a sequencer and an extra filter.

From there, it's really easy to build up in a direction driven by your needs, likes and experiences from the starter. The only real issue is time. If you're wanting to move fast, you'll likely be hampered by the speed of production, although that's really got a lot faster recently. That time does provide time for experimentation, although many people find themselves constantly adding to their orders as new modules appear, or an old one takes their fancy.

My Point...? Well, if you know modular, and you know what you wnat to achieve, that's great, you can jump straight in with a big order. A few of us might have an idea of what we want to achieve and what we need to do it, so a starter plus some specific modules is in order. For the rest of us, a starter is an excellent way to go and maybe adding one or two useful modules (e.g. MULTIFX, one of the sequencers, or some CV processing) gets the ball rolling.

Trying to solve the whole thing in one hit is really for the first group of people in the list above and even then they're going to buy more   

So, it really does come down to getting going and then building. I have quite a few modules now in a box as I'm determined to stick too three rows for as long as I can. Modules are reasonably cheap and can always be brought back into service. If you make a real mistake (which is difficult, unless it's the whole thing), you can always trade it on. I sold my MM-DIVIDER for a price that suited both of us and that worked out well.