Basic Modular Setup for MPC X, ONE, or Live. (3 Pieces Max)

If you had to choose 3 Modular pieces to use with your MPC X, One, Live which 3 would you choose?

@neartao maybe you could chime in on this one.

EDIT: You ninja'd me just before I responded lol

I'd look for things that I probably couldn't get out of the MPC, or doesn't overlap with the MPC CV

This will rule out traditional sampling, sequencing, and arrangement for me. Also I guess with only 3 modules, pretty much any "interface" becomes rather inconsequential since you can squeeze quite a bit of CV outputs with the 8 outs. I'm also thinking that most pedestrian FX are well covered by the MPC, so that's a non starter for me.

So ruling out all of that... leads me into what would interest me...

Multi purpose modules are always great to work through in a pinch... so the ER-301, Disting EX line, etc... something that you can go to in a pinch when you need something is always handy. I'd kind of put Maths in this bucket in some ways as well, but it just wouldn't be versatile enough to make the list I am afraid.

A synth sound that you don't have, or is unlikely to make it into the MPC is also a good choice... something like Elements or rings for physical modeling, Akemie's Castle for some great FM.

Granular synthesis is also great, and something like Morphogene/Phonogene, or for a more real time processing the Clouds or Supercell is quite nice... though I know this space cuts oddly between oscillator and FX in some weird ways.

For some random sequencing... well Marbles is really cool for generative signal generation, as is Ornament and Crime.

Finally for the FX department... QPAS sounds great to my ears as a Low Pass/Band Pass/High Pass/Smile Pass filter, I also dig Mimeophone for a really interest looped delay/reverb/coloring tool, and Morpheus is just wild to play with. For some slick overdrive something like Plasma Drive or Spice is right up my alley.

So I know I rattled off a bunch of stuff (and way more than 3). Let me break it down for you.
For my first module... If you're into programming your own patches or digging through forums the ER-301 is a must have, otherwise I'd say go Disting EX Super Alpha (or whatever wacky name it goes by). Possibly both... they are that great.

My second module would probably be a tossup between Morphagene and Akemie's Castle. Both are brilliant, and it's going to depend a bit on which way I want to be flexible. That said, the ER-301 and Disting both do have some granular stuff going on, and the Akemie's Castle doesn't overlap with them anywhere near as much... so Akemie's Castle it is for me.

My third module... kind of a toss up, between generative signals and an FX. For me, if I'm looking to get sounds I just wouldn't come up with on my own I'd probably go for Marbles and let her rip, and do my FX processing in the box. On the other hand, if I'm looking for sounds I'm not going to get on the MPC, I think I'm going with Spice.

So my list of 3 modules after all that is:
* ER-301 or Disting EX
* ALM Akemie's Castle
* Plankton Electronics Spice

VERY NICE!!!

What about case and power supply for this compact setup? I've used EURO rack before, but I have no idea what to buy. I just want to keep it as simple as possible to be used with the MPC ONE. Trying to avoid the RABBIT HOLE.

Actually on just trying that out... my initially suggestion just isn't fun to play with... too much CV inputs, and not enough ways to control it. It's absolutely missing VCAs which honestly are pretty critical. The big problem is the ER-301... it's deep and is practically a full modular in a single unit... but it sucks having to menu dive this much.

Part of me feels like a 3x Disting EX (whichever) would be insanely flexible and fun to play with... but probably misses the point of what you're trying to do.

So here are a few combos I just messed with that felt fun, responsive, and tactile.
Maths, Morphogene, Mimeophone... Maths gets you some hands on control and much needed attenuation for some of your incoming signals... though a lot of the make noise gear (ie Morphogene and Mimeophone) has attenuation on it already. Doesn't feel duplicate though since you can also really get into micro tweaking by using them together. The Maths being able to play multiple jobs here is great... and the Morphogene can also handle line level input... though I will state that output at Euro levels is still going to be a problem to deal with.

I also had a blast with Marbles spitting out random content out to Elements and then processing it with Supercell... there's plenty of knobs to go around, and you get control quite a bit from the MPC, but still let Marbles surprise you.

Let me know if you've got more questions.. would be happy to try things out/demo for you if I've got the gear

NearTao wrote:Actually on just trying that out... my initially suggestion just isn't fun to play with... too much CV inputs, and not enough ways to control it. It's absolutely missing VCAs which honestly are pretty critical. The big problem is the ER-301... it's deep and is practically a full modular in a single unit... but it sucks having to menu dive this much.

Part of me feels like a 3x Disting EX (whichever) would be insanely flexible and fun to play with... but probably misses the point of what you're trying to do.

So here are a few combos I just messed with that felt fun, responsive, and tactile.
Maths, Morphogene, Mimeophone... Maths gets you some hands on control and much needed attenuation for some of your incoming signals... though a lot of the make noise gear (ie Morphogene and Mimeophone) has attenuation on it already. Doesn't feel duplicate though since you can also really get into micro tweaking by using them together. The Maths being able to play multiple jobs here is great... and the Morphogene can also handle line level input... though I will state that output at Euro levels is still going to be a problem to deal with.

I also had a blast with Marbles spitting out random content out to Elements and then processing it with Supercell... there's plenty of knobs to go around, and you get control quite a bit from the MPC, but still let Marbles surprise you.

Let me know if you've got more questions.. would be happy to try things out/demo for you if I've got the gear

If I pick up this combo, what else would be needed? Case, power supply, etc. Trying to keep it DEAD simple.

CharlesRandolph wrote:VERY NICE!!!

What about case and power supply for this compact setup? I've used EURO rack before, but I have no idea what to buy. I just want to keep it as simple as possible to be used with the MPC ONE. Trying to avoid the RABBIT HOLE.

How constrained do you want to be?

The Intellijel Pallete is an amazing little case/power supply, configurable enough to let you do some really focussed stuff, but small enough to not let you get totally out of control.

Otherwise... I'd say if you don't mind going a bit bigger something like https://www.makenoisemusic.com/synthesizers/tape-and-microsound-music-machine is freaking dope. That said, I am a bit of a make noise fan boy, so take it with a grain of salt. I've got all of those modules, and can tell you that the MPC One CV absolutely gets you into amazing sonic territory.

Hey, the https://www.makenoisemusic.com/synthesi ... ic-machine is compacted enough. The goal is to start small and master that setup.

Edit: Are their any pieces in that Tape & Microsound Music Machine setup that could be removed and still function?

Well it's modular, so you can definitely remove anything and replace it with something else.

Easy choice is the Mult, you can get cable splitters and stuff to do the same thing. You could probably find a more compact XOH replacement. How much space are you looking for? I mean... heck... Wogglebug can go, but that gives a ton of interesting randomness to the whole joint.

Also... you can find 10% or better sales on this gear depending on where you are. I usually keep an eye on Perfect Circuit, but if you're not in a rush it's worth it to save a few $$$

If you remove the Mult... you'd be looking for either
LMNTL 1x5 Splitter Hub which roughly does the same thing... although it isn't powered, so *may* impact the voltage levels. Personally I haven't had a problem with it.

or...

Tip Top stacking cables are also nice... though they are pricey as hell. About 25% of my cables are these, because when you need them you need them... but otherwise they are like 2x to 5x the cost of just a standard 1/8" cable.

Last thing off the top of my head...

Koma Elektronik Attenuator Cable is super helpful, it'll get you an in line attenuator for your signal for things that don't support it. Make Noise gear has plenty of attenuation, but not *everything* is attenuated... and when you want it, well it is handy. Since it is inline you cannot modulate it... still handy enough that I picked up five of them.

What other two piece do you think would compliment the Odessa Additive Synthesis Oscillator or the Rossum Panharmonium Spectral Resynthesizer? I said 3 pieces max so it could be more inline with the Moog Subharmonicon Semi-Modular Synthesizer.

Basically looking for something to be up and running, without going Semi Modular.

No idea about the Odessa Additive Synth... but the Possum Panharmonium is a pretty interesting effect... if you're into resynthesis techniques it really gives some pretty interesting sounds, can help get you some spectral separation, and you can do fun stuff like pitch content up or down... and all of that is just touching the surface.

With the Panharmonium, a lot of the CV is pretty easy to control with CV off of the MPC One... so this actually gives you some other run to play. Personally, with the Panharmonium, I'd say the most interesting content you're going to feed it directly from the MPC, whether it's a loop, full mix, Vox, synths, whatever... it just chews up and spits out content in some really interesting ways. You can do some interesting stuff with FM here too, and then you can also save/sort of sample spectral content to replay later... this is definitely going to add something you're not going to be able to do directly in the MPC... and frees up your other two modules for some other fun stuff. The other thing to consider is that the Panharmonium does support stereo input... which might lead you down to other stereo or stereo capable modules.

From here, it's hard to not suggest Disting EX Super Alpha. This thing will give you a ton of flexibility and effectively works as a single module or can be split to work as two different modules. The new display is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the older Disting modules... The reason I like it so much is that it's a Swiss army knife, and can be a sequencer, VCA, FX, oscillator, and a ton of other things... it's just ready to do what you need, and it is only 8HP.

For the third module, I'd suggest just waiting to see what you need. Chances are you'll be able to do whatever you need with the Disting... but at some point you'll want to use it for other things and find it stuck as a "go to" module.

I'm also going to warn you a bit about the Panharmonium... it's quite divisive, and I don't really think that there are many good videos of people using it out there. A lot of reviews put it in the 'make things sound like an mp3' space... which is indicating most people aren't doing much with it... it's capable of doing some wild stuff, especially as you change oscillators and all that... but it does also come at the cost of lag.

Anyways... keep looking and good luck!

NearTao wrote:No idea about the Odessa Additive Synth... but the Possum Panharmonium is a pretty interesting effect... if you're into resynthesis techniques it really gives some pretty interesting sounds, can help get you some spectral separation, and you can do fun stuff like pitch content up or down... and all of that is just touching the surface.

With the Panharmonium, a lot of the CV is pretty easy to control with CV off of the MPC One... so this actually gives you some other run to play. Personally, with the Panharmonium, I'd say the most interesting content you're going to feed it directly from the MPC, whether it's a loop, full mix, Vox, synths, whatever... it just chews up and spits out content in some really interesting ways. You can do some interesting stuff with FM here too, and then you can also save/sort of sample spectral content to replay later... this is definitely going to add something you're not going to be able to do directly in the MPC... and frees up your other two modules for some other fun stuff. The other thing to consider is that the Panharmonium does support stereo input... which might lead you down to other stereo or stereo capable modules.

From here, it's hard to not suggest Disting EX Super Alpha. This thing will give you a ton of flexibility and effectively works as a single module or can be split to work as two different modules. The new display is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the older Disting modules... The reason I like it so much is that it's a Swiss army knife, and can be a sequencer, VCA, FX, oscillator, and a ton of other things... it's just ready to do what you need, and it is only 8HP.

For the third module, I'd suggest just waiting to see what you need. Chances are you'll be able to do whatever you need with the Disting... but at some point you'll want to use it for other things and find it stuck as a "go to" module.

I'm also going to warn you a bit about the Panharmonium... it's quite divisive, and I don't really think that there are many good videos of people using it out there. A lot of reviews put it in the 'make things sound like an mp3' space... which is indicating most people aren't doing much with it... it's capable of doing some wild stuff, especially as you change oscillators and all that... but it does also come at the cost of lag.

Anyways... keep looking and good luck!

So the Mimeophone and Panharmonium seems like a good pair to start with. In the rack would I need some kind of mixer module or eq module?

apart from case & power, that's a basic requiste so to say
Rossum Electro Assimilator (an extra sampler is never a waist, it can act as synth, drum, sound mangler - or sample your adventures in the Panharmonium)
Doepfer A105-4 (for that SP12/00 filter crunchiness, the input stage boost is wonderful)
Percussa SSP (because it is a multiple of modules - now they cloned Mutable Instruments as VSTs for it, a bit of cheating here)

runner up : Tasty Chips ECR-1, because you can load any IR (impulse response) and so spice your sounds with a Bricasti reverb, or a Lexicon 480 or a Roland Space Echo etc etc

for power/case, maybe consider a 19" rack ? I'm sure you have 3U left in your rack somewhere
https://schneidersladen.de/en/analogue- ... mount-case

Could both the Mimeophone and Panharmonium fit in the Erica Synths Pico Case - 42HP?