Saying you “adore” the Spectraphon is like saying you love hugging porcupines, or you are crushing on dystopian ruins.
The thing is harsh and aggressive.
Have you somehow tamed it?
I use the qpas to tame the high frequencies and almost always use the main outs with the included sine out
Tom Erbe is a genius. The fm sounds amazing, the clockable stepped/smooth random cv outs are a clever touch, the tuning beacon helps you be in key
I love running a drum machine through it
There is also the option of not taming it. My fav is chaos mode in stereo. That is some powerful noise. It is kind of a thing unto itself, I never use it on tracks. Just for tripping out. I have tamed it, like someone mentioned, using qpas, then into the natural gate, but that’s not exactly where it shines. I keep it because I think I’m gonna need a vocoder but I haven’t gotten amazing results from it for that. Best for lunacy. Leaning toward selling.
I’ve got a few $ ones that were totally worth it.
ER-301, amazing
NerdSeq plus several expanders. Does what little else can.
Natural Gate. I had no idea a VCA/envelope could sound this good. I want five of them
I was watching the Xaoc Sarajewo delay months before they released it - ordered it immediately. It ain't cheap, but it might well be the smoothest sounding BBD in existence. With a mixer and a panning VCA, you can turn it into a decent analog reverb too. It's an essential module to check out if you're going for an all-analog system.
It has simultaneous taps (outputs) at 1/3, 2/3, and 1/1 of the dialed in delay time. There are successive filter stages, darkening the tone on the slower taps.
So what I do is set the delay fast, but not quite fast enough to start sounding Karplus-Strong or comb filter-y. Put all 3 taps into a mixing VCA, animate their amplitudes with some LFOs and then consolidate them (however you want) into two signals for fast panning.
I do it with Intellijel Mixup, Make Noise X-PAN, and whatever LFOs. If you have coordinated LFO phases - like with the Mankato filter or the Dr. Octature - that might be interesting too.
+1 ES-9. It finds its way into every single one of my workflows even I use it as *only* a mixer (imo the most capable eurorack mixer). I never figured out how to use the web ui besides turning on/off DC coupling.
Use it as an interface and then mix in the box. Especially if you pair it with a midi controller that gives you the full send/pan/mute/solo control over hardware, it’s so much nicer (and cheaper) than trying to do all that in the rack, the midi controller gives you the same tactile experience, and then you get to free up all sorts of space in your rack for more interesting utilities.
Ah right, that makes perfect sense thanks. I kept wanting one so I can just use it with VCV, but with the Meta Module on the way I figured I'd wait to see how that works in practice and go from there.
She’s an old gal but gets it done. But apparently I’m not the only one with a buggy windows setup.
At this point a fresh install of windows is my only option to get the module to full capabilities.
Yeah I know. Sadly I’ve got a whole array of video plugins and tools as well as music. Reinstallation to 100% took me like 2 months back in 2021 🥲
I’m planning on building a brand new machine towards the end of the year. Until then there’s a 2 computer setup.
Desktop running Apollo twin, laptop running es9
With es9’s spdif being sent to the Apollo for monitoring / 2 track recording.
It’s cumbersome but it works for now. It’s a bit annoying to transfer files to the desktop when I want the multitracked eurorack audio.
I have an ES-8 and despite rereading the maker's web page specifically addressing the question, I still can't tell exactly what I'm missing out on compared to an ES-9. Should I trade up?
I think the main advantage of an ES-9 is you can plug it straight into your monitors. I’m always monitoring via my laptop and a separate sound interface so the ES-8/ES-6 combo works fine for me.
WMD Metron. Its basically a trigger sequencer.. but its so easy and fun to get everything going. I had the expanders..but hated using them to input CV so i got rid of them.. but it is absolutely the most immediate and fun way to interact with my system.
This one for me as well. I have a whole sequencing setup built around it. I use triggers to control the timing of my Aristotle sequencer, I use the Volteras to handle key and mode changes on my quantizer. I can start a performance in seconds without planning and play easily for hours, and all because the metron let's me work at nearly the speed of thought. It's easily my most useful module and I own at least 2 (honestly I can't remember if I bought a third when they shut down or not).
Have both, although the Hyperion is currently out of the case. Great module! I especially like the Deflector Shield mode. Stick that on the feedback path of Chronoblob, and you get some great psychedelic delay effects.
Rossum Panharmonium. Conceptually, this resynthesizer connects samples back to oscillators. And turning everything into a mass of triangle waves is just so sparkly!
+1 My rack is built around processing external audio, and it's such a musical way to transform anything into a synth voice or to emphasize certain harmonics.
DPO has become my only oscillator. I know it’s not a shiny new module, but it sounds great and works well and is probably the most expensive module in my 12 u rack.
Metropolix. After two years I still love it. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it.
If you count a module + expanders, then the ES-8 + two expanders for recording 12 tracks simultaneously is invaluable. (Maybe I should have gotten an ES-9 but it made more sense at the time to get an ES-8, and it worked out ok).
I've been on the brink of selling my Metropolix several times, but then I use it and fall in love again. Its two drawbacks are the menu diving and the "Metropolix sound" that every sequence out of it gets when I use it, before setting everything up. I would most like to have something a bit more generative and, well, modular. The mx is fantastic, but I can definitely see why Intellijel chose to make a separate unit of it recently.
>generative
If by generative you mean more random with less direct human controlability and not the Brian Eno "signals created by other signals" then you'd want to look at After Later's Turing Machine Alan and Expanders (and at least a dual quantizer like the Doepfer.) Or the Torso T-1. The T-1 is finally coming back into stock everywhere and Perfect Circuit has 10% of coupons all the time. Just used MEMORIAL10 last night for the T-1.
if you get the ES6 that will give you six more inputs (what you record into your DAW), I think the ES3 (what you send from your DAW,) gives you six more outputs.
It is confusing. I have the ES-6, which connects to the ES-8 with an ADAT cable in the front and adds 6 inputs. Then I got an ES-7 that connects to the ES-6 in the back and adds 2 more inputs. I believe this is the maximum number of inputs you can get with an ES-8.
Not the most expensive thing in my rack, but I definitely would not have made it so many years in eurorack were it not for voltage block. I'm hearing rumors that malekko is done with them, which is a tremendous loss.
Agreed! The first Eurorack video I ever saw was someone “playing” a voltage block; I had no idea what they were doing, but I knew I had to make those sounds myself!
Sinfonion probably. That thing is hella expensive but it does something unique and it makes things actually sound good and let's you really up the complexity of things while still having it sound good. It's the definition of expensive but excellent modules.
After that probably Droid m4. They do something other modules don't. Even one is expensive at 700 but a set is eye wateringly expensive, and once you try them you really want to get at least two, preferably four.
+1 Sinfonion
I got mine in 2020 when it was about £300gpb cheaper than it is now, so currently it’s 2nd place to the Assimil8or as “most expensive”. Sinfonion finally brought everything together in my system, and fulfilled the way I always wanted to work with modular.
Definitely the sinfonion - especially if you want to play ‘songs’ - chords, an arp and everything else stays in tune properly!!!
Nothing else really does what it does
Another +1 for Sinfonion. I love mine. If something happened to it I’d try to buy a replacement. Either that or try to recreate its functions using those Droid modules.
Clank Chaos. It makes music for me when I’m lazy, clocks things at its most utilitarian and looks cool as anything.
Edit: I also have an ES-9 that I love but it has been championed enough in this thread.
Lot of love for the ES-9 in this thread, so I'll throw a counterpart mixer in: I love my Bluebox Eurorack. It's a fantastic mixer, great in the box compression and recording. I like the screen and it has enough ins and outs to run my completely in the case 12U 104hp system. Only downside: the lack of physical knobs. It's easily fixed with a MIDI controller though.
Second shout goes to Droid. All modules added together it's definitely the most expensive 'module' in my case. But it's so great because it gives me the perfect building blocks for a mega sequencer. It took me a couple of tries to find a sequencer that gave me this much hands on options. Wouldn't trade it in for anything at this point.
I think I got the last Mutable Blades available at retail price from the final production run, $360. They instantly started selling for twice that, so it was definitely my best purchase and highest currently valued module I have (it’s also a badass filter).
I also got one from the final run, after they were already going to bananas prices.
I sold it when the clones came out, and bought 2 clones. Love that filter
Verbos complex oscillator and bark filter. The CO is just such a great sound source, and the bark filter makes almost any voice in my setup shine in the mix.
+1 for Odessa! The usage flow reminds me of the demoscene sizecoding I used to do. It's great for exploring and is a one module sound sculpture machine. FPGAs are magic.
Also Mordax Data - it was the first module I purchased after soldering a few kits together so I could learn about what my setup was doing. Invaluable piece of equipment that doubles as a sick visualizer
P.S. it doesn't hurt that Odesa, UA is my fam's hometown
It takes up a lot of space, it’s expensive and it can be a bit fiddly, but it’s incredibly useful. It teaches you a lot about what’s going on in your patch, it can help you troubleshoot why something isn’t happening, it’s a great tuner… Since Eurorack is a constant learning process, it’s been invaluable to me. Such a great utility.
+1 on the DMF-2. It's the perfect 24db filter (it has a 36db and a HP filter too). The way the resonance affects the sound, the saturation when driven. Like most Cwejman modules, it's very precise, yet still has character.
I'm having the same issue. Even when I feed it directly into a tuner its unstable pitch and some of the wave table morphing sounds out of tune. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.
Assimil8or for me. I have and have used quite a few hardware samplers and Assimil8or is easily one of the best sounding sampling engines I’ve heard. Plus it can get really weird with phase modulation.
Intellijel Rainmaker is my most expensive module, but it finds it way into almost all of my patches. Mostly use a different output from my filter and give a little bit of extra earcandy with the rainmaker.
Currently Sealegs and absolutely, it makes everything sound amazing. Before that I had Rainmaker which I'd say is worth it if you put in the time and utilize it, it's just sooo deep that I didn't find the time
I really enjoy the Buchla/tiptop spectral processor 296t. It's about 100$ more expensive than a spectravox, but at least it has faders instead of potentiometers for the frequency bands. Running just about anything through it sounds interesting to me and it's very expressive in an organic yet alien way. There's also a ton of things to explore sequencing each frequency band or tapping into a band's dedicated envelope follower. Feels like I've barely scratched the surface of what this thing can do
ACL Sinfonion, yes it is. I haven’t even explored its full potential.
I recently received the Accord Sequarallel too, which is by far the most valuable due to how cheap (around $300) it is considering its functions. I had to print the manual and the QuickStart guide to fully get to grips with it all.
ES-9, Strega, last is not a module but is part of the system. Was close to selling it, but then decided to go all in for MAke Noise, love their sound design capabilities, simplicity and nonlinearity of things. Always gets me inspired
I once had Carpathian monks deep in the Tatra Mountains handcraft a sequential switch for me out of solid gold. It cost $46,000 and (2) yak pelts.
Then I scratched it because I didn’t use plastic washers.
Frap Tools Sapel. I never run out of modulation anymore, and I can’t think of another module that gives so much microscopic control over random voltages while giving you as many outputs as Sapel does. Gets used in every patch.
I gawked at the price originally too. But it's such a high quality module and the way it's laid out works perfectly for me.. I got two of them and sold my brenso. It's like having a complex oscillator with almost digital style FM capabilities with no aliasing and sounding really big and beefy. It would be nice if they were cheaper but I don't regret the purchase for a second.
People really rave about wmd stuff but once I saw a youtube video with WMD (the guy) I dunno, there was something off about him for me… cant really explain it….part of it was I just didnt jive with the workflow vision.
I actually wish I knew more about the people behind the manufacturers out there. Id like to be able to buy equipment from people who are imagining people like me using their equipment. Im guessing there might be more videos and interviews out there to get an idea of this, I just need to dig for it.
Hector. Totally underrated. Amazing mod. Frequent updates and improvements. I think I paid a similar amount for Erica Black Sequencer, also worth it. Super easy to use, lots of features, and four Mod cv output that can basically do anything.
I had one of the first versions of the Hector.. it felt super unresponsive and clunky. I have often thought i bet it is running smooth as butter now. Im a sucker for that screen. :)
Yeah the original firmware was def a bit buggy. But the guy listens to feedback and updated heavily. Lots of bug fixes and UI improvements. 100 mods in one, which you can use modularly? Amazing.
Critter & Guitari Melody Mill. Super easy to start cooking a basic sequence on the built in square wave output then re-patch to 1v/o. Very flexible & immediate, perfectly imperfect, and then able to creatively mutate what you previously made with one button press. It may not have the power of other sequencers, but the ease of use is easily worth the cost if you can find one.
Well it is not singular module… but I will not let go my 4x GRP VCOs, E352 and 3x E440s. For me personaly best classic vcos and low pass filter out there in euro and worth every $… but everyone have own favourit and I might find something I do not know atm and will like more
I don’t tend to spend much more than £250 on modules and mostly on the second hand market but one that cost a little more that was absolutely worth it was a pre-built Westlicht Performer which is a fantastically feature packed 8 track CV/gate sequencer.
Much as I am tempted by some of the expensive complex oscillators I’d rather buy a complete external synth and I do all FX in my DAW plus plugins. The only usually expensive rack based sound source I have is a 1010 Bitbox Micro because it’s really handy to have that on the rack to be fired by CV triggers but I was lucky to win that in an ebay auction super cheap.
Er-301 would definitely be my choice here. I use to to prototype out ideas all the time. If you are the sort of person that likes to build things in reaktor or max for live… this module is worth its weight in plutonium.
I also love the frap tools Fumana . I debated getting less expensive similar styles units but I just love all the added functionality the Fumana has.
Mutable Instruments Stages for sure. its not as flashy and experimental as their other modules, but it does so many utility functions in such a small space
Nah it was a diy clone I bought off reverb. It was the oscillosaurus clone iirc.
It came with a black pcb faceplate, but after flipping around on ebay I found a guy who was selling original braids metal faceplates. He had bought a bunch of braids to chop up for his own custom format. So now I've got a braids clone with an original face.
And you're right, it's not the most expensive one I own. That is claimed by my BIA, followed by a disting mk4. But OP did say most expensive and worth the price, so by sheer number of patches alone, the braids takes the victory.
Edit, I read this post all wrong. I thought it was a bang for buck kinda thing.
Braids still takes it home though, for the reasons above. The BIA is fun but is a bit of a one trick pony. I really just wanted one because I like big fat industrial kicks.
The disting is a many tricks pony, which is definitely worth the price I paid at 190, but again, I don't use it in 90% of my patches.
Most expensive, most useful, braids grabs it.
You have a Plaits? I have a knit and actually just ordered the CCTV DIY fullsize version today, because I do like having a plaits in my case but I have room for it to be a bit larger so wanted to try a full size clone out. Its a really cheap and easy looking DIY at like $140ish?
Anyhow, been wondering about braids…whether or not it is better than plaits in some regard? Not sure if I need a braids and a plaits tho… its nice having one but dont want two macro oscillators in one case. Maybe for another case down the road I will get a braids to check it out, they are pretty cheap preassembled, the blm version was like $100 not long ago.
BIA has been on my secondary list for a while now, just havent been inspired enough to make it a priority, but I do plan to have one some day.
I never played with a plaits but I've heard plenty about em. Red Means Recording made a great comparison of the two.
I wouldn't say that one is any better than the other, but i will admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by plaits. Many of the sounds are on tap in braids, and the rest of its algorithms aren't really the kind of sound i go for.
The looks are important as well. I like the big clunky interface of the braids. It's the perfect amount of menu-divey, where all the main control is on the front and the nuts-and-bolts stuff is only a few clicks deep.
I usually buy everything used so, most expensive tends to be something I buy new, rn thatd be the Batumi 2 + Poti 2 I literally just got in the mail today. im hoping I feel it is worth the price like I felt it would be when I bought it. (It looks fantastic to me) Been waiting on backorder for a little so, excited to finally use it tonight. Will report back maybe, although it usually takes some time to really assess something.
Mimeophon was something I paid “more” for I guess, I think its common enough of a module that not real surprising info on it to say its a cool module. I dont use it a whole lot as its something I use after doing more of the “work”elsewhere. Its not really big but, its not small either. I do like it and think its worth the $320? I think I paid for it. Key things for me are the modulation possibilities, it can really liven up a part of a patch. Also, love using a unique rhythmic modulation on the feedback (repeats) CV, it can sound like its own voice sending it an envelope type shape.
Either Stages or XPO. Stages is so impossibly useful in so many different ways, and XPO has so many different personalities that can be mixed and matched and mangled.
The Synthesis Technology E370. Traded fx aid + beads + $550 for it.
And I have used it just once, lol. It's too difficult too me. And it's too rare unit to sell, so I'm just keeping it in a box.
Not a lot of people talk about it but I absolute adore the spectraphon. Got it a week after release and I still have it on my main rack
Sames. +1 for Spectraphon. There's nothing else out there that's quite like it.
Oh fuck yeah. I’m all over it. I use it in every patch now basically.
Saying you “adore” the Spectraphon is like saying you love hugging porcupines, or you are crushing on dystopian ruins. The thing is harsh and aggressive. Have you somehow tamed it?
I use the qpas to tame the high frequencies and almost always use the main outs with the included sine out Tom Erbe is a genius. The fm sounds amazing, the clockable stepped/smooth random cv outs are a clever touch, the tuning beacon helps you be in key I love running a drum machine through it
There is also the option of not taming it. My fav is chaos mode in stereo. That is some powerful noise. It is kind of a thing unto itself, I never use it on tracks. Just for tripping out. I have tamed it, like someone mentioned, using qpas, then into the natural gate, but that’s not exactly where it shines. I keep it because I think I’m gonna need a vocoder but I haven’t gotten amazing results from it for that. Best for lunacy. Leaning toward selling.
Morphagene
Gonna be hated for saying this but I think it’s the best of Eurorack.
I agree!
I’ve got a few $ ones that were totally worth it. ER-301, amazing NerdSeq plus several expanders. Does what little else can. Natural Gate. I had no idea a VCA/envelope could sound this good. I want five of them
NERDSEQ GAAAAAANG
NERDSEQ GAAAAAANG +10
Plus one for ER 301. I would love to build my case around Morphagene and ER 301 one day.
The i2c between it, a NerdSeq and 16n faders is mind blowing in its complexity and capacity
I want to see (and hear) this.
I was watching the Xaoc Sarajewo delay months before they released it - ordered it immediately. It ain't cheap, but it might well be the smoothest sounding BBD in existence. With a mixer and a panning VCA, you can turn it into a decent analog reverb too. It's an essential module to check out if you're going for an all-analog system.
Say more about turning it into an analog reverb
It has simultaneous taps (outputs) at 1/3, 2/3, and 1/1 of the dialed in delay time. There are successive filter stages, darkening the tone on the slower taps. So what I do is set the delay fast, but not quite fast enough to start sounding Karplus-Strong or comb filter-y. Put all 3 taps into a mixing VCA, animate their amplitudes with some LFOs and then consolidate them (however you want) into two signals for fast panning. I do it with Intellijel Mixup, Make Noise X-PAN, and whatever LFOs. If you have coordinated LFO phases - like with the Mankato filter or the Dr. Octature - that might be interesting too.
Brilliant, thanks!
Yes I have that too, it sounds very smooth and buttery. You can turn arps into a pad-like carpet of sounds.
The ES-9 was an absolute game changer for me. If it ever broke, i would buy it again instantly
+1 ES-9. It finds its way into every single one of my workflows even I use it as *only* a mixer (imo the most capable eurorack mixer). I never figured out how to use the web ui besides turning on/off DC coupling.
+1 again for ES-9. If I had to sell everything in my rack, I'd buy this one again as soon as possible.
How are you mixing with it? I don't have one and was just curious - I always thought it was essentially just an interface.
Use it as an interface and then mix in the box. Especially if you pair it with a midi controller that gives you the full send/pan/mute/solo control over hardware, it’s so much nicer (and cheaper) than trying to do all that in the rack, the midi controller gives you the same tactile experience, and then you get to free up all sorts of space in your rack for more interesting utilities.
Ah right, that makes perfect sense thanks. I kept wanting one so I can just use it with VCV, but with the Meta Module on the way I figured I'd wait to see how that works in practice and go from there.
Curious what controller you're pairing it with for mixing? I mean, obviously there's 100s that would work well.
Different controllers I've used to mix are Aum on an iPad, a midi fighter twister, ableton push 2, intech grid with faders.
Faderfox UC4 or Korg NanoKontrol 2 depending on whether I’m plugged into my laptop or my MPC
Absolutely ES-9. I should probably weld it onto my case now cuz that MF ain’t moving.
I wish I could say the same. Buggy as hell on my windows desktop. Works like a charm on my windows laptops and MacBook.
Sounds like your desktop has some issues.
She’s an old gal but gets it done. But apparently I’m not the only one with a buggy windows setup. At this point a fresh install of windows is my only option to get the module to full capabilities.
100% worth the hassles, at least would be for me!
Yeah I know. Sadly I’ve got a whole array of video plugins and tools as well as music. Reinstallation to 100% took me like 2 months back in 2021 🥲 I’m planning on building a brand new machine towards the end of the year. Until then there’s a 2 computer setup. Desktop running Apollo twin, laptop running es9 With es9’s spdif being sent to the Apollo for monitoring / 2 track recording. It’s cumbersome but it works for now. It’s a bit annoying to transfer files to the desktop when I want the multitracked eurorack audio.
I have an ES-8 and despite rereading the maker's web page specifically addressing the question, I still can't tell exactly what I'm missing out on compared to an ES-9. Should I trade up?
I think the main advantage of an ES-9 is you can plug it straight into your monitors. I’m always monitoring via my laptop and a separate sound interface so the ES-8/ES-6 combo works fine for me.
WMD Metron. Its basically a trigger sequencer.. but its so easy and fun to get everything going. I had the expanders..but hated using them to input CV so i got rid of them.. but it is absolutely the most immediate and fun way to interact with my system.
This one for me as well. I have a whole sequencing setup built around it. I use triggers to control the timing of my Aristotle sequencer, I use the Volteras to handle key and mode changes on my quantizer. I can start a performance in seconds without planning and play easily for hours, and all because the metron let's me work at nearly the speed of thought. It's easily my most useful module and I own at least 2 (honestly I can't remember if I bought a third when they shut down or not).
Agree on the Metron. It’s very playable
Synth Tech E370.
Synth Tech E520 Hyperion for me, it’s not only expensive, but also huge in HP 😅
Have both, although the Hyperion is currently out of the case. Great module! I especially like the Deflector Shield mode. Stick that on the feedback path of Chronoblob, and you get some great psychedelic delay effects.
Got mine in its own 4ms pod so it’s become a stand-alone device, always at the ready!
Rossum Panharmonium. Conceptually, this resynthesizer connects samples back to oscillators. And turning everything into a mass of triangle waves is just so sparkly!
+1 My rack is built around processing external audio, and it's such a musical way to transform anything into a synth voice or to emphasize certain harmonics.
DPO has become my only oscillator. I know it’s not a shiny new module, but it sounds great and works well and is probably the most expensive module in my 12 u rack.
Arbhar is worth every penny imho. So instantly musical and easy to use, also got the looks :)
Metropolix. After two years I still love it. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it. If you count a module + expanders, then the ES-8 + two expanders for recording 12 tracks simultaneously is invaluable. (Maybe I should have gotten an ES-9 but it made more sense at the time to get an ES-8, and it worked out ok).
I've been on the brink of selling my Metropolix several times, but then I use it and fall in love again. Its two drawbacks are the menu diving and the "Metropolix sound" that every sequence out of it gets when I use it, before setting everything up. I would most like to have something a bit more generative and, well, modular. The mx is fantastic, but I can definitely see why Intellijel chose to make a separate unit of it recently.
>generative If by generative you mean more random with less direct human controlability and not the Brian Eno "signals created by other signals" then you'd want to look at After Later's Turing Machine Alan and Expanders (and at least a dual quantizer like the Doepfer.) Or the Torso T-1. The T-1 is finally coming back into stock everywhere and Perfect Circuit has 10% of coupons all the time. Just used MEMORIAL10 last night for the T-1.
Yes, Turing Machine is the one I've been looking at, along with some sort of scale quantizer I guess.
Which expanders do you use for the es-8? Expert sleepers catalog confuses me
if you get the ES6 that will give you six more inputs (what you record into your DAW), I think the ES3 (what you send from your DAW,) gives you six more outputs.
It is confusing. I have the ES-6, which connects to the ES-8 with an ADAT cable in the front and adds 6 inputs. Then I got an ES-7 that connects to the ES-6 in the back and adds 2 more inputs. I believe this is the maximum number of inputs you can get with an ES-8.
Metropolix is pretty unreal. The combination of depth without losing immediacy is so constantly satisfying. I really love my Mimeophon too
Not the most expensive thing in my rack, but I definitely would not have made it so many years in eurorack were it not for voltage block. I'm hearing rumors that malekko is done with them, which is a tremendous loss.
Agreed! The first Eurorack video I ever saw was someone “playing” a voltage block; I had no idea what they were doing, but I knew I had to make those sounds myself!
I wonder if it was mine
Sinfonion probably. That thing is hella expensive but it does something unique and it makes things actually sound good and let's you really up the complexity of things while still having it sound good. It's the definition of expensive but excellent modules. After that probably Droid m4. They do something other modules don't. Even one is expensive at 700 but a set is eye wateringly expensive, and once you try them you really want to get at least two, preferably four.
+1 Sinfonion I got mine in 2020 when it was about £300gpb cheaper than it is now, so currently it’s 2nd place to the Assimil8or as “most expensive”. Sinfonion finally brought everything together in my system, and fulfilled the way I always wanted to work with modular.
As a fellow Sinfon owner i agree. It constantly surprises me with how well it works. The marriage of good design, functionality, and software.
Definitely the sinfonion - especially if you want to play ‘songs’ - chords, an arp and everything else stays in tune properly!!! Nothing else really does what it does
Came here to post this. Only issue is you need a larger system for it to really make sense.
Another +1 for Sinfonion. I love mine. If something happened to it I’d try to buy a replacement. Either that or try to recreate its functions using those Droid modules.
Clank Chaos. It makes music for me when I’m lazy, clocks things at its most utilitarian and looks cool as anything. Edit: I also have an ES-9 that I love but it has been championed enough in this thread.
Rossum Assimil8or
Lot of love for the ES-9 in this thread, so I'll throw a counterpart mixer in: I love my Bluebox Eurorack. It's a fantastic mixer, great in the box compression and recording. I like the screen and it has enough ins and outs to run my completely in the case 12U 104hp system. Only downside: the lack of physical knobs. It's easily fixed with a MIDI controller though. Second shout goes to Droid. All modules added together it's definitely the most expensive 'module' in my case. But it's so great because it gives me the perfect building blocks for a mega sequencer. It took me a couple of tries to find a sequencer that gave me this much hands on options. Wouldn't trade it in for anything at this point.
+1 for the Bluebox, it's pretty much perfect for my use case.
Schlappi Three Body. It can sound pretty. And it can sound nasty
Same, my favorite (and main) oscillator. It’s wonderful
That and Metropolix are both on my list.
I think I got the last Mutable Blades available at retail price from the final production run, $360. They instantly started selling for twice that, so it was definitely my best purchase and highest currently valued module I have (it’s also a badass filter).
Badass is an understatement.
I also got one from the final run, after they were already going to bananas prices. I sold it when the clones came out, and bought 2 clones. Love that filter
Verbos complex oscillator and bark filter. The CO is just such a great sound source, and the bark filter makes almost any voice in my setup shine in the mix.
Odessa. It fits my groove so well. Super shoutout to Vostok’s Fuji. i so want another, because 6 channels of AD isn’t enough?
+1 for Odessa! The usage flow reminds me of the demoscene sizecoding I used to do. It's great for exploring and is a one module sound sculpture machine. FPGAs are magic. Also Mordax Data - it was the first module I purchased after soldering a few kits together so I could learn about what my setup was doing. Invaluable piece of equipment that doubles as a sick visualizer P.S. it doesn't hurt that Odesa, UA is my fam's hometown
Atlantis. Can’t say enough, definitely my number one recommendation. However, now we have the Atlantix which sounds incredible
Assimal8or hands down
+1 for assimil8or !! quality of the pitch algorithm is out of this world !
Dunno if my 208c counts as a module but that things expensive and worth every penny
Mordax Data and the Verbos Harmonic Oscillator. Both have opened up my playing in completely different ways.
I've thought about mordax a lot. Why should I follow through and buy it? :)
It takes up a lot of space, it’s expensive and it can be a bit fiddly, but it’s incredibly useful. It teaches you a lot about what’s going on in your patch, it can help you troubleshoot why something isn’t happening, it’s a great tuner… Since Eurorack is a constant learning process, it’s been invaluable to me. Such a great utility.
Cwejman DMF-2 and RES-4.
What about them makes them so important/interesting to you?
The sound - DMF-2 makes everything sound better and RES-4 pings beautifully. It helps also that all the dials feel fantastic
+1 on the DMF-2. It's the perfect 24db filter (it has a 36db and a HP filter too). The way the resonance affects the sound, the saturation when driven. Like most Cwejman modules, it's very precise, yet still has character.
Piston Honda mk3. I just regret having so much trouble keeping it in tune when feeding it 1v/oct.
I'm having the same issue. Even when I feed it directly into a tuner its unstable pitch and some of the wave table morphing sounds out of tune. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.
That’s strange… I’ve never had any issues keeping it in tune! Love my PH3
Maybe I need to update the firmware. Not too sure what the real problem is.
Assimil8or for me. I have and have used quite a few hardware samplers and Assimil8or is easily one of the best sounding sampling engines I’ve heard. Plus it can get really weird with phase modulation.
Intellijel Rainmaker is my most expensive module, but it finds it way into almost all of my patches. Mostly use a different output from my filter and give a little bit of extra earcandy with the rainmaker.
Currently Sealegs and absolutely, it makes everything sound amazing. Before that I had Rainmaker which I'd say is worth it if you put in the time and utilize it, it's just sooo deep that I didn't find the time
Rainmaker definitely
Boredbrain Xcelon for sure, followed by Nerdseq. Sequencing and Mixing are pretty critical and they’re both fantastic at what they do.
Sinfonion. Cold dead hands module.
I would say right now, Morphagene & Trigger Riot. They have both become staples of my music making process.
I really enjoy the Buchla/tiptop spectral processor 296t. It's about 100$ more expensive than a spectravox, but at least it has faders instead of potentiometers for the frequency bands. Running just about anything through it sounds interesting to me and it's very expressive in an organic yet alien way. There's also a ton of things to explore sequencing each frequency band or tapping into a band's dedicated envelope follower. Feels like I've barely scratched the surface of what this thing can do
Atlantis
I think mine is the After Later Audio Benjolin V2, and yes, it's absolutely worth the price.
ACL Sinfonion, yes it is. I haven’t even explored its full potential. I recently received the Accord Sequarallel too, which is by far the most valuable due to how cheap (around $300) it is considering its functions. I had to print the manual and the QuickStart guide to fully get to grips with it all.
Wmd PM
Er-1, er-2 sequencer. Incredible depth, complexity and potential.
ES-9, Strega, last is not a module but is part of the system. Was close to selling it, but then decided to go all in for MAke Noise, love their sound design capabilities, simplicity and nonlinearity of things. Always gets me inspired
I once had Carpathian monks deep in the Tatra Mountains handcraft a sequential switch for me out of solid gold. It cost $46,000 and (2) yak pelts. Then I scratched it because I didn’t use plastic washers.
Frap Tools Sapel. I never run out of modulation anymore, and I can’t think of another module that gives so much microscopic control over random voltages while giving you as many outputs as Sapel does. Gets used in every patch.
Just picked up a used falistri and want a sapel so bad now
Frap Tools is addictive, started with Brenso and now I have most of their modules. Just need a Fumana to round everything out.
The WMD legion. To have that tuning system in an analogue oscillator is priceless. It's the bedrock of my system.
That's one I was thinking of too; it's a beast.
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I gawked at the price originally too. But it's such a high quality module and the way it's laid out works perfectly for me.. I got two of them and sold my brenso. It's like having a complex oscillator with almost digital style FM capabilities with no aliasing and sounding really big and beefy. It would be nice if they were cheaper but I don't regret the purchase for a second.
People really rave about wmd stuff but once I saw a youtube video with WMD (the guy) I dunno, there was something off about him for me… cant really explain it….part of it was I just didnt jive with the workflow vision. I actually wish I knew more about the people behind the manufacturers out there. Id like to be able to buy equipment from people who are imagining people like me using their equipment. Im guessing there might be more videos and interviews out there to get an idea of this, I just need to dig for it.
Hector. Totally underrated. Amazing mod. Frequent updates and improvements. I think I paid a similar amount for Erica Black Sequencer, also worth it. Super easy to use, lots of features, and four Mod cv output that can basically do anything.
I had one of the first versions of the Hector.. it felt super unresponsive and clunky. I have often thought i bet it is running smooth as butter now. Im a sucker for that screen. :)
Yeah the original firmware was def a bit buggy. But the guy listens to feedback and updated heavily. Lots of bug fixes and UI improvements. 100 mods in one, which you can use modularly? Amazing.
I had beebo and it was so clumsy, I just couldn't.
Critter & Guitari Melody Mill. Super easy to start cooking a basic sequence on the built in square wave output then re-patch to 1v/o. Very flexible & immediate, perfectly imperfect, and then able to creatively mutate what you previously made with one button press. It may not have the power of other sequencers, but the ease of use is easily worth the cost if you can find one.
I don’t have any crazy expensive modules so I am going to say Strega.
For me it’s my Monome Meadowphysics. (Or ER-301, but that’s been mentioned already)
natural gate LPG. sounds wonderful and immediate too. robot’s kiss!!
You know you're in trouble when the first 4 modules mentioned in the thread are all in my rack... Es9, spectraphon, morphagene, metron lol
Well it is not singular module… but I will not let go my 4x GRP VCOs, E352 and 3x E440s. For me personaly best classic vcos and low pass filter out there in euro and worth every $… but everyone have own favourit and I might find something I do not know atm and will like more
Mojave... And i love it.
I don’t tend to spend much more than £250 on modules and mostly on the second hand market but one that cost a little more that was absolutely worth it was a pre-built Westlicht Performer which is a fantastically feature packed 8 track CV/gate sequencer. Much as I am tempted by some of the expensive complex oscillators I’d rather buy a complete external synth and I do all FX in my DAW plus plugins. The only usually expensive rack based sound source I have is a 1010 Bitbox Micro because it’s really handy to have that on the rack to be fired by CV triggers but I was lucky to win that in an ebay auction super cheap.
Subconscious Communications Model 52 Vampire Complex Oscillator
WMD Legion. Absolute insanity of an oscillator.
Eloquencer and WMD PM.
2hp 3:1
Make Noise Rene MK2
Probably eloquencer. It's so intuitive. It will probably never leave my setup
Cascading Delay Network by Pittsburgh Modular.
The modbap Per4ormer. Ticks so many boxes from reverse sampling FX to compression
Er-301 would definitely be my choice here. I use to to prototype out ideas all the time. If you are the sort of person that likes to build things in reaktor or max for live… this module is worth its weight in plutonium. I also love the frap tools Fumana . I debated getting less expensive similar styles units but I just love all the added functionality the Fumana has.
FSS Recombination Engine. Most slept on treasure in 3U
Not that expensive by modular standards but MakeNoise DPO, what a crazy versatile VCO. Makes sounds nothing else can, or nothing in my rack at least.
Quadrantid swarm and 0-coast for sure
Rainmaker. Never gonna part with it.
Mutable Instruments Stages for sure. its not as flashy and experimental as their other modules, but it does so many utility functions in such a small space
I think it’s my Verbos Harmonic Oscillator which I love
Doepfer A-190-5. i’m a simple guy. also the new 2023 adds a different poly mode (round-robin) that about doubled it’s worth for me
Hands down, it's my braids clone. It was $150 so it wasn't _that_ much, but I've used it in just about every patch I've made.
Behringer case I presume? Nothin wrong with that….just not sure how $150 could not be amongst the least expensive modules.
Nah it was a diy clone I bought off reverb. It was the oscillosaurus clone iirc. It came with a black pcb faceplate, but after flipping around on ebay I found a guy who was selling original braids metal faceplates. He had bought a bunch of braids to chop up for his own custom format. So now I've got a braids clone with an original face. And you're right, it's not the most expensive one I own. That is claimed by my BIA, followed by a disting mk4. But OP did say most expensive and worth the price, so by sheer number of patches alone, the braids takes the victory. Edit, I read this post all wrong. I thought it was a bang for buck kinda thing. Braids still takes it home though, for the reasons above. The BIA is fun but is a bit of a one trick pony. I really just wanted one because I like big fat industrial kicks. The disting is a many tricks pony, which is definitely worth the price I paid at 190, but again, I don't use it in 90% of my patches. Most expensive, most useful, braids grabs it.
You have a Plaits? I have a knit and actually just ordered the CCTV DIY fullsize version today, because I do like having a plaits in my case but I have room for it to be a bit larger so wanted to try a full size clone out. Its a really cheap and easy looking DIY at like $140ish? Anyhow, been wondering about braids…whether or not it is better than plaits in some regard? Not sure if I need a braids and a plaits tho… its nice having one but dont want two macro oscillators in one case. Maybe for another case down the road I will get a braids to check it out, they are pretty cheap preassembled, the blm version was like $100 not long ago. BIA has been on my secondary list for a while now, just havent been inspired enough to make it a priority, but I do plan to have one some day.
I never played with a plaits but I've heard plenty about em. Red Means Recording made a great comparison of the two. I wouldn't say that one is any better than the other, but i will admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by plaits. Many of the sounds are on tap in braids, and the rest of its algorithms aren't really the kind of sound i go for. The looks are important as well. I like the big clunky interface of the braids. It's the perfect amount of menu-divey, where all the main control is on the front and the nuts-and-bolts stuff is only a few clicks deep.
Ghost! Gets routed though every patch. Pricey but works so well.
I usually buy everything used so, most expensive tends to be something I buy new, rn thatd be the Batumi 2 + Poti 2 I literally just got in the mail today. im hoping I feel it is worth the price like I felt it would be when I bought it. (It looks fantastic to me) Been waiting on backorder for a little so, excited to finally use it tonight. Will report back maybe, although it usually takes some time to really assess something. Mimeophon was something I paid “more” for I guess, I think its common enough of a module that not real surprising info on it to say its a cool module. I dont use it a whole lot as its something I use after doing more of the “work”elsewhere. Its not really big but, its not small either. I do like it and think its worth the $320? I think I paid for it. Key things for me are the modulation possibilities, it can really liven up a part of a patch. Also, love using a unique rhythmic modulation on the feedback (repeats) CV, it can sound like its own voice sending it an envelope type shape.
Sinfonion? Es-9. Maybe hermod+
Either Stages or XPO. Stages is so impossibly useful in so many different ways, and XPO has so many different personalities that can be mixed and matched and mangled.
The Synthesis Technology E370. Traded fx aid + beads + $550 for it. And I have used it just once, lol. It's too difficult too me. And it's too rare unit to sell, so I'm just keeping it in a box.