Where to grow AFTER Semi-Modular 

I really appreciate the semimodular pairings at the beginning. When you really think about it, Semimodular IS modular. Just larger modules that aren’t in the rack. Best of both worlds. Interesting combinations are very possible.

I'm really liking the use of the Pittsburgh stuff as a base for a modular setup. I'm feeling like I'd really only want an effect eurorack I need keys and polyphony. Pretty informative jorbathan

Thanks Jorb, I've had this exact topic on my mind for a few months, you have no idea how helpful this video is! 😭

Many thanks for sharing!!! Appreciate how much your focus is about practical application. Another option for those wishing to dip their toes in the water - virtual modular like VCV Rack or Voltage Modular. Thanks again for the great video!

Great video - very useful! Thank you

Great topic!

great content!

Fantastic concept for a video Jorb. I have a few semi modular pieces of gear and have been wanting to dive into the eurorack rabbit hole and it’s overwhelming to say the least 😂

excellent advice and examples.

Great video, as usual.

Awesome break on the second last setup!

You speak the truth . Very refreshing 👽✌️

Thank you for your hard work

Excellent advise.

Especially with the popularity of the Cre8 and Pittsburgh units going on, this was a great video subject!

What a good video thanks for sharing.

I love this! Thanks so much❤been wanting to see something like this with the Subharmonicon. Think I’ll hafta do it myself…

Thank you for sharing! I currently have an EB, but I want a second osc or more ways to mess with it. This has definitely help me figure on what to look for in a support skiff 💯

I love the clap transitions!

The Caixa 104 is an excellent value for the $, was just looking at it.

I found that getting two semi-modular synths was a good way to test out how much I would enjoy a eurorack setup. In my case, the answer was quite a bit, and I decided to get a small case. I'm still deciding on modules for it. When looking at cases, I was really tempted by the Nano Caixa. It might seem a bit expensive, but I priced out the included modules and you're paying around $300-350 USD for 104hp. That's very reasonable. When you consider the extra hp you get for free from the build in modules, the deal gets a lot sweeter. You don't have to buy the case space for those modules, so if those are functions you need, then it's a really good deal. It's not the way I ended up going, but it came down to being between that and a used pittsburgh modular case with 96hp for $200 USD.

Such a cool dude. Nice topic too. Thanks bro.

Ahh your Taiga + Erebus jam made me say “Excuse me, I have to go make some chiptune right now” haha. Super inspiring sound and excellent ideas for growing beyond a starter setup!!

Hi my name is Bill and I love gear! Great video, gonna check out that case and look at a small setup like that as a way to wade my way into the eurorack world! Your efforts are appreciated! Thank you!

You know, Jorb, one issue with this is that it's difficult for people to switch to fully modular systems when the only experience they have is of self-contained semi-modular synths. Because these synths are wired internally, and one doesn't see exactly how they're wired - one gets the "black box experience" - it's more difficult to understand the fully modular subtractive synthesis. One option if you don't know where to start is get something like Behringer's System 55. Sure, it's missing some things like portamento, or reverb or delay and it would probably benefit from something more exotic like the Victor module, but that's the point. - there is actually a lot of space for adding more modules later and they are easy to connect. Later one could get something like Eventide H90 or "Space" to have a genuinely great reverb, or, - one could simply choose to go a little cheaper and find a versatile reverb or delay module, or expand the sequencer to more steps. What often scares people is not even so much learning from scratch but the cost of putting a modular system together one module at a time? which is perceived as time consuming, expensive and tedious. Once you already have 7-8 modules it's only then when you become excited to slowly add more modules in, which is why pre-builds could be a great place to start. Something even less daunting and cheaper like system 15 could work better for someone who doesn't feel like making a huge investment right away.

For a fast semi-modular expansion route, I'd really love to see someone making a eurorack case that integrates utilities not just for MIDI-to-CV but also for audio & CV digital/analog conversion. Say, a case with like half of an Expert Sleepers ES-9 integrated, so you can even totally bypass MIDI and its 7bit CCs and communicate only with CV & audio between your computer & modular gear and still pack really light, a big constraint of mine (let's say I want 3 voices with velocity control for each: that's 9 CV outputs already, try to find a remotely lightweight soundcard that does that, let alone DC-coupled so your DAW can emit/receive low frequency CV and not just audio). Because I'm totally sold on the sound shaping hands-on approach of modular, and I got a Taiga just for that, but I'm much much less sold on the idea of buying a eurorack sequencer + some utility modules that will cost more than the price of all the sequencing software & few controllers I already own and do much less... If I continue in the modular world I think that's the route I'm gonna take, that of a hybrid software/modular setup, not "the true modular way". (And if I'm sounding antagonistic, belittling or anything, please accept my apologies, because that's really not what I want, I just want to be cost & space effective) So I'd be more into stuff like patch.Init() ( schneidersladen.de/en/electrosmith-patch.init ) which you buy once and can endlessly repurpose.

Oooh, a 6U with your little guys, and some slim utilities, mixer, maybe a sequencer? That would be a fun slab! I love the chronoblob2 too much to not have it in everything though.

I actually don’t think your opening shot is too close - looks good to me 🤘

If the only thing I'll take away from this is that the Ona is a cheaper, comparable alternative to a used Dixie then I'd say this was content worth watching! Between this and the Function Junction video I would love to see more value comparisons between modules that do the same or similar things to each other. Thanks again and rock on, Jorb!

For me, I grabbed a Moog Werkstatt and Mavis. Now that’s really helped reduce some of the desirability of Eurorack and has me mainly looking at some of the cool generative rhythm modules as the big thing I might want to add. Seriously considering the Taiga first though, and I was already looking at those Dreadbox synths. I think I could end up with a nice little arsenal of semi-modular gear and then a handful of interesting modules.

Early mornin' Jorb'n! Coach Zee reference?

Oh, that's got the 1U modules built in. That is neat.

Great video, thank you. One new "module saver" is the Droid universal CV converter and it's X7 midi interface. I hope at some point you take a look :)

My take on your final config was to fill a Niftykeyz with Behringer 2500 modules for filter and modulation, and put my Neutrons and Wasp semi-modulars in the cheap Behringer three-tier rack frame to provide the voices. After the 1005, 1006. 1047, 1027 and 1050 I had just enough HP for a Doepfer A-156 dual quantizer to make things more musical.

Thank you! This was wonderful. It's it pretty easy to take the semi modular stuff out of the case and put it into the rack? Do they have the connectors in the back needed already?

Those who have been in modular even for a while can get "stuck" focused on the more core modules after a solid foundation is in place. Fully featured high quality EQ and dynamics modules can offer a LOT more possibility to something like a Taiga after a couple more VCAs and modulation are added. I appreciate your focus on "budget" options, but modular is inherently pricey and you still get what you pay for. (Good quality power is worth every penny) I guess the point is a solid semi like Taiga only "needs" a bit of modulation and VCAs added on after which a quality compressor and EQ (I know they are pricey, but L-1 are insane build quality/features) would open a world of new capabilities.

I live a couple hundred kilometers down the road from the lovely people at Nano, so I feel obliged to point out it's pronounced kai (like in cobra kai) shah :D Loved the video regardless, keep up the good work!

I love the clap cut. It's a silly little thing, and it is fun. My five year old is always finding fun ways to doing things, and it's fun. It. Is. Fun.

At 5:47 you have a 6u case with West Pest/East Beast/Erebus & Hades, and you STILL had some space left on the top & bottom. What would you have filled those with?

I just got the 3 Bastl Kastl units. In the instructions it mentions they are best used with other modular units but I have no clue where to go?

the erebus is such a sweet sounding box.. def regret letting mine go. oh well :)

I find your synth content to be so distinctive because you have all these musical riffs in your repertoire that you can just whip out at any time. As someone who isn’t properly trained, I’d love to better understand how you learn and play these. Are they simply memorized riffs on different scales? Thanks!!

This topic doesn't get enough attention. People talk about semi modular as a gateway to eurorack, but rarely is that bridge crossed (on camera). There's another gap i personally could use advice on, which is "what first step should I take to make my room sound better? " there are good videos on how to set up monitors and baffles and so on, but how do I assess what to do first given a modest budget?

Really nice video, truly. But the Caixa should be pronounced 'Ka-sheh' or 'Kai-sheh', it's Catalan for 'box'

Jorb I am really loving your channel! My favourite on RU-vid at the moment, seriously. I'm addicted. Love your style, the gear, the down to earth vibe, etc. Keep it up man! Question, what do you think of the Moog Grandmother and have you done any videos on it?

Empress Zoia Euroburo. Good day.

Really cool video! Not that it matters, but I think Caixa is close to being pronounced "cah-sha", as in rhymes with nada. It's Catalan for "box."

Still watching the video...Roland System 500?

Jesus, just the case is worth the same price of the Taiga. Eurorack is indeed a wallet destroyer.

i did something else - bought a SHITLOAD of Eourorack gear , with the only reason and logic behind ....EVERY module purchasing - "How many different lights , sliders , and small holes for patchcables ?" , ooh and - the NAME ! if it looked cool , and had a funny name -i BOURGHT it ! and i have been very very lucky , that the only piece of gear i havent used yet - , is my Math - i do know, its only pure luck -my good looks and drugs - that made my eurorack journey a chewy , fruitty - weaving & bobbing - wobbleing - mindopening , and hugely fun endeavour - and if it wasnt for the Moog Grandmother , id still be tango`ing away on my upright bass , blowing the occasional Memphis Horn , play the usual Zappa'eske sologuitar , and gettin all the manly girls - but i wouldt change a thing - even if i could....

Isn’t Caixa “Kai-shuh” as in “Caixabank”?

You "forgot" to mention Behringer semi Modular synths in your opening, lol.

Lol….no ….somebody make it stop…..I have JUST moved from normal Synths to my first Semi Modular setup….now I’m getting the full modular itch and MY WALLET ISNT READY 😂

Following the rules?what does that mean.

Reminds me of when I was 5 when all I did was play black keys.

First

what is your job to have so much money to spend ???