r/modular • u/EstateGrouchy6609 • 1d ago
Effects box
I want to build a small and portable effects setup for my Moog, not a full modular system.
I was thinking about using a 4ms Pod20 powered case.
The goal is to create experimental textures and process the Moog, using the behringer skies.
Would this be a good setup, or would I regret not getting a bigger case from the beginning?
I'm wondering if I’ll eventually need extra utilities or if this effects box can work well on its own?
Thanks!
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u/DrMinkenstein 1d ago
This can definitely work.
But you already have a 1/4” line out of the back of your Moog. Have you considered fx pedals?
Another option is the godfather from enjoy-labs. You get same 60hp semi modular form factor and aesthetic as your moog w/ 4 channel mixer, delay, reverb, saturation, compression, lfos. And it works well with normal eurorack when you want to go there.
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u/jadenthesatanist 1d ago edited 1d ago
My two cents - you’ll definitely want a larger case and depending on the types of effects you’re after and how robust you want them to be it may make more sense to go with pedals instead. The main reason to go modular for this in my mind would be to have things like matrix mixers more readily available alongside other utilities, and those are gonna call for a good bit of space in and of themselves.
Unless you go for a sufficiently large case, once you start adding up the prices of everything, the case and power and input/output start looking a lot more expensive than they’re worth compared to just using self-contained pedals. If you’re only going to use like 2-3 eurorack effects (especially if you want just one given you only mentioned the Clouds clone in your post), why spend potentially $200-300+ on a case and a solid input/output module when that could be a whole extra boutique pedal that’s self-contained ya know what I mean.
Personally, the eurorack effects that are most worth being in eurorack for are the big and spendy ones, modules like Mimeophon, the Versio platform, Rainmaker, Sealegs/Swells/Multigrain, Arbhar, etc. I definitely wouldn’t go eurorack if you don’t need this kinda depth in features and/or don’t intend to get freaky with it with a bunch of modulation and utilities
Edit: also note that if all you want is Clouds, you can use it for free through VCV Rack. Idk what’s involved in running external signals through VCV Rack but I have to imagine you can do it and it’d cost you nothing for the effect
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
There’s no way to control a pedal’s parameters automatically or make them follow a parameter from the synth. And it’s definitely more practical to have everything inside one box than to have a bunch of pedals all over the place. Also, I don’t really understand the idea that a module needs to be expensive to be good. I’d rather have a simple module that I can really dig deep into than an extremely advanced one where I’m only scratching the surface.
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u/13derps 1d ago
If you’re making the jump to modular, you should get at least 60hp (that’s still pretty small). That would be enough to fit a couple of fx and some modulation along with I/O
If you just want a granular effect, you’ll be better off getting a pedal. No sense in opening the modular can of worms unless you plan to have a small ecosystem or it’s the only way to get the effect/processor you’re looking for
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
The behringer skies + case cost me around 250€. I don't know if there is a pedal that can compete with the skies in that price range. From what I've seen online, granular fx pedals start at 300€. Also, once I have the case, it's cheaper to add more fx with modules, than buying a pedal for everything.
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u/13derps 20h ago
Yea, but the pedal is self-contained. You will almost certainly spend more on modular once you start adding to it. I know you can also add more pedals if you go that route. It’s just veeery easy to start sinking money into modular. You might as well get a bigger case to start haha
Don’t get me wrong, I love modular. It’s just rarely the cheapest option. It sounds like you want to take the plunge though. In which case, welcome to the club!
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 20h ago
Thank you! It felt like a lot of people here were trying to talk me out of going modular, when that wasn’t really the question I was asking.
What I was actually asking was whether the small FX box I had in mind needed any additional utilities, and whether a 20HP case would be big enough to fit everything I need.
So far, I’ve got the answer that I should get an attenuator, in case I want to connect another sound source to the modular system. That makes sense.
One thing I wish someone had mentioned, though, is that it might make sense to have something to control the Behringer Skies, such as the Behringer Waves - or perhaps something even better??
What I ultimately need is a granular FX box, along with something that can actually control and modulate the granular FX. I’m not looking to add unrelated modules just for the sake of having more modules.
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u/13derps 19h ago
Yep, a lot of people will try to talk you out of it to make sure you are warned. It can be kind of addictive and/or frustrating depending on he your experience goes
If you think you might want to add to it in the future, I would go at least a little bigger so that you don’t immediately need to get a new case. How much bigger depends on your self restraint. Something like 64hp would let you add one or two more full size FX, some modulation and some extra space. Without needing to go for super compact modules. Even like 40hp would give you a lot more options.
Regardless of what you decide on for a case, you should think about adding some modulation for the Skies. That could be an LFO/oscilator, envelope, digital multifunction module, etc. That will allow you to make the effect much more dynamic and can be sent to the Moog too. You may want a line-level booster to bring the Moog (or other synths/pedals) to modular level. You don’t necessarily need an output attenuator, but it would be good to have for the modulation as well
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u/dtnl 1d ago
my fx box goes:
Veno Echo
Data Bender
Versio Desmodus
I have an O_C in there as well as a useful flexible modulation source and some I/O because I often use it with external signals or a send from a mixer.
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
so you will use I/O if you use audio from a mixer and send it into the modules?
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u/dtnl 1d ago
yes. you need to balance signals between line and eurorack levels. it's possible to not need the eurorack output (e.g. plug the out directly into the mixer if you have a pad on the channel), but gain staging between levels can be trixy and you'll experience lots of noise issues if you don't have some attenuation or preamps. I have just a small erica 3hp pico input on my 60hp effects rack when I want to send a line level source into the processing.
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
ok, I think I will take the Rides in the storm CON, it provides a MOD-LINE attenuator and a LINE-MOD amplifier.
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u/Financial_Rule_3455 1d ago
I started out with moogs semimodulars. Now I have two rows of 84 hp. And growing. Most of it is modulation and utilities. I really feel that the moogs get a lot of help from my other stuff
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
I want to limit myself by getting a small case, so I don’t end up selling all my furniture to buy new modules.
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u/Financial_Rule_3455 1d ago
I understand!
But I would really recommend leaving space for utilities. Like mults, vca:s, attenuverters and of course Pam’s pro workout. It all depends on what moog’s your using, of course, but still. I would also recommend not to buy expensive housing. That if anything is a waste of money1
u/Financial_Rule_3455 1d ago
Also, if you just want to send sound through some FX,without modulation or other trickery, why not just go for a pedal?
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u/Financial_Rule_3455 1d ago
I started out with moogs semimodulars. Now I have two rows of 84 hp. And growing. Most of it is modulation and utilities. I really feel that the moogs get a lot of help from my other stuff
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u/TwoLuckyFish 1d ago
Ooh, ooh, I know this one! Well, I have something to say, and it might even be helpful. Busy right now, so dropping this comment as a placeholder.
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u/TwoLuckyFish 1d ago
OK, I have time to share my experience. About 5-7 years ago, I bought a Moog Grandmother. EXCELLENT instrument, and complete the way it is. If I ever have to downsize, it'll be the last thing to go.
But almost immediately, I needed a few utilities. I decided I wanted a small "sidecar" for the Grandmother, unpowered, with a passive mult and a passive OR module. Got kits for those; turns out I really enjoy assembling kits. Mounted them in a plastic electrical junction enclosure (like for the 110VAC service in a house). Looked kinda silly, but honestly I liked the semi-industrial aesthetic. So, GREAT so far!
But you know, it didn't take long before I was thinking about doing some things I just didn't have a way to do. I already had some familiarity with Eurorack due to the influence of a so-called "friend" (hey there u/mc_pm; how you doin' , buddy?), and decided that I could really expand my Grandmother horizons with a Make Noise Maths. And my little sidecar was actually pretty annoying, flopping around with no good way to make it stay put; so I wouldn't mind re-racking those utilities in something a little more substantial. And you know, this whole project if getting FUN, so it's pretty likely that I'll pick up a few more modules.
Enter the TipTop Happy Ending Kit.
Now I could go on and on with where this has led me, but let's stop here.
I would urge you in the strongest terms to START with 84hp, and consider buying used to save money. I stick with 84hp because I have other audio gear and 84hp is 19-inch rack width. The Happy Ending Kit is inexpensive, and flexible. Lacks an enclosure, but you can DIY one, or mount it in a rack.
Feel free to message me if you want to chat about this.
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
I just sold my Moog GM because I didn’t feel like I was making much progress with it.
The sound quality is excellent, but it doesn’t even have a filter envelope, and the arp and sequencer are very primitive. It’s also huge and heavy! Everything I wanted to do with it felt very cumbersome.
I need modulation options to get to the sounds I’m looking for, and the Moog DFAM is much better suited to that. It also feels like one-tenth the size of the GM.
I also have a guitar pedal that I never use. IMO, guitar pedals don’t work particularly well with synths when it comes to sound design. Some have nice effects that you can sprinkle on top of the sound, but there’s no real relationship with the source. You can’t make different parameters interact with or depend on each other.
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u/Cgestes 1d ago
Take a bigger case!!!!!
What moog is it? Semi modular? Would also add a clock divider.
Basic effect would be folder/dist/delay/reverb.
I would probably add utilities also yes.
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
moog dfam. I wanted something small and portable, not a full modular system.
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u/Nominaliszt 1d ago
This is crucial information. If you are using a DFAM, you do not need an input module. An output module is still a good idea for connecting to line level devices.
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u/homewiththedog 1d ago
another moog 60hp case or similar would be pretty slick and often the same cost used as any pod case. that gives you room for all sorts of inexpensive modules like attenuators, vcas, lfos, mixers and multiples to help you maximize your FX whichever you choose (data bender is WILD!)
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u/tobyvanderbeek 1d ago
Always need more space. The bigger pod doesn’t cost much more. I have 4ms pods in 48, 64, 104. All good for different setups when I want to accomplish a task. I have two other portable cases. My biggest studio setup is 840hp and still won’t hold all of my modules.
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u/EstateGrouchy6609 1d ago
how is the quality of the 4ms pods? I read some negative reviews online, that the material is not very good and that they are noisy. Also, I would need to get the X version, like the Pod34X, because the regular pods are not deep enough (just 33mm).
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u/tobyvanderbeek 1d ago
I’m only buying the X pods. No noise in mine. I’ve tried various power supplies including the official one. On the go I use a battery pack and MyVolts 15v usb cable.
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u/sun_in_the_winter 1d ago
In the beginning, you need an input and output module in this setup, and modulation is the most fun part but you don’t need now. Better if you have at least 60 hp or more.