Building a rack to pair with Arturia Minibrute 2

[Sprydle]

Hi all, this is my first post here, so hopefully it's not against the forum rules and etiquette.

I am slowly building a rack to complement my Arturia Minibrute 2. I am finding the MB2 to be a great synth to learn on, but am looking to expand into modular: it's the flashing lights and all the wires, their siren-song is irresistible!

I think that to would be good to have a different VCO and VCF - giving a different voice. I have been seriously considering Endorphin.es Godspeed and Squark Dirty to me, partly because I used to work in aviation so love the look, and partly because I live on the Iberian Peninsular (Portugal) and would like to support companies down here. Happy to be talked out of them as they are quite pricey, but I do like the way they work and sound together (and look!). Also Cockpit as a mixer, but I'm definitely not emotionally invested in that particular module.

Additionally, I'm thinking of getting:
- A Disting MK4 as it seems extremeLy useful and a lot of functionality in a small form-factor
- A Horologic Solum - not sure here, but I need a clock, right?
- Utilities to make it all work together and to let me use my guitar effects pedals, as I have quite a few.

I already have three modules - Maths (unimaginative of me, but I think it's not something I'll regret buying), Monsoon, also pretty unimaginative of me, but I really like the sounds that it can make. Oh, and I have steppy too in 1u. Steppy.

This is the rack on Modular grid - https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/2200315 (It's in an Intellijel Palette 104).

Any advice, or gotchas gratefully received. I feel like I am going in circles a little, so just want to bite the bullet, but given how much money I'll be spending, that's probably not the best approach...

- Spry

[starthief]

Even though I have a decent sized modular, I'm also putting together a mostly separate station with the Minibrute 2S myself. (Mine is just a Pod60 with a West Pest, Befaco A*B+C, and York Modular vBST and ADSR for now.

Minibrute has a little bit of utility stuff built in. The A*B+C gives me just a little more ability to do CV-controlled mixing as well as ringmod. The vBST compensates for the West Pest's quiet main output, and the ADSR helps with the West Pest's lack of a decent secondary envelope.

For your setup, I think going with CV-controlled mixing is still a good idea but something like Mutable Instruments Blinds or a clone would be better. Disting is a good choice for multiple utilities and to learn what else you might want in dedicated modules. I'd hold off on the clock, since the Minibrute's internal clock plus LFOs plus Disting can likely handle whatever you need there (it's one of those things where, if you need it, it'll become obvious after a few patches).

I love the Minibrute's filter but another flavor option is always a good idea (plus you can combine lowpass and highpass, or do serial filter patches). And a different flavor of VCO is probably helpful. Something digital might add a lot of variety there.

As always I'd advise starting pretty slowly and working out what you need as you go along.

[blacklight]

Welcome to the forum!

I like how you are expanding an instrument you already own and know how to use with modular, I think this is a great way to start.

I like your choice of Maths, as this adds some crucial utility and CV control to the MB2, and it allows you to do some fun envelope follower action.

Steppy is also a great choice IMO since it's very fun to be able to de-couple gates between sequences (IE having one gate sequence controlling pitch on the MB2 and another gate sequence controlling some other parameter)

Monsoon is also fun, especially when fed back. It's easy to rely on it for end-of-chain use though. I recommend you dip your toes into paraphonic land by sending some oscillators directly to it and blending it back in with your dry MB2 signal.

Your module choices make sense for me, especially the mixer and the filter. These will already vastly expand your sonic pallette.

I would suggest maybe waiting on that additional oscillator and seeing how far you can go with Maths as an auxiliary osc instead.

One thing that I see potentially missing is a voltage sequencer. Something simple and easy like a Bragi Heimdall or any 4-8 step analog sequencer is again another fun way to decouple modulation from the notes you play. Playing a 3-note arpeggio, for example, and having a 5-step sequence controlling the filter or an FM amount gets you some really spicy sequencing!

I think you also may look into one of the many VC polarizers (Like the A*B+C that was mentioned before) and VCAs since those really give the modulation your MB2 already produces new life!

Let us know how your journey with the MB2 + Modular combo continues!

[Unborn Gore]

Consider some control/switch modules:

divkid mutes.
herzlich mmi.
michigan synth works f8r.
joranalogue switch 4.

[unclebastard]

With the Minibrute you will need mults, as it doesn't have any. Given that most of its' signals are CV and not audio, ninja stars or similar will do the job without taking HP or costing much.

[Sprydle]

Thanks all for taking the time out to respond. It's much appreciated! I'll give your comments & recommendations some thought.

I have been using VCV rack to try things out, and it's showing me that utilities are an absolute must! The case I have, an Intellijel Palette 104 does have a couple of mults but I doubt it would hurt to have another or two. Also, those Ninja stars (or more likely cheaper ones!) look like a great idea.

I do also see that CV modulation is v. important. Any thoughts on Make Noise Engineering's Mimetic Digitalis? While I'm a bit of a nut for Analog when it comes to guitar amps and effects, I'm not so precious when it comes to synths, it seems to me that digital offers more options.

Soo many decisions and choices, and a lot of potential for mistakes, and not quite getting what is needed. Start small is the best (and most often received) advice I have most often had.

[starthief]

Any thoughts on Make Noise Engineering's Mimetic Digitalis? While I'm a bit of a nut for Analog when it comes to guitar amps and effects, I'm not so precious when it comes to synths, it seems to me that digital offers more options.

It's really neat and does a lot in a small package. Fun to step in two dimensions at different clock rates to keep the pattern evolving.

I just found myself drawn more toward simple, one-control-per-step sequencing -- for me the 0-Ctrl is almost ideal both as a controller and sequencer. ("Almost" because sometimes I daydream it's somewhere between a Lyra-8 and a polyphonic Buchla Easel... that's a tall order!)

[Sprydle]

Any thoughts on Make Noise Engineering's Mimetic Digitalis? While I'm a bit of a nut for Analog when it comes to guitar amps and effects, I'm not so precious when it comes to synths, it seems to me that digital offers more options.

It's really neat and does a lot in a small package. Fun to step in two dimensions at different clock rates to keep the pattern evolving.

I just found myself drawn more toward simple, one-control-per-step sequencing -- for me the 0-Ctrl is almost ideal both as a controller and sequencer. ("Almost" because sometimes I daydream it's somewhere between a Lyra-8 and a polyphonic Buchla Easel... that's a tall order!)

The MD apparently does have limitations, but then again, so do I! I'm trying to keep the footprint down so the 0-CTL is a little wide for my needs, an is the Rene, which I rather like. I keep telling myself over and over that it's ok to have gaps in the case...

[shadowjester]

I’ve spent the last year working on a 6U Rackbrute to pair with my MB2, looking to expand its voice, modulation, and sequencing capabilities, but also to play with feedback. Here’s the rack I’ve been working with:


https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/2186448

I tend toward Doom-y industrial tones, crunchy processed tails, and feedback-driven generative rhythm sequencing. This is the year I figure out recording my synth - I’ve only done live performances at house parties before.

[unclebastard]

Thanks all for taking the time out to respond. It's much appreciated! I'll give your comments & recommendations some thought.
Also, those Ninja stars (or more likely cheaper ones!) look like a great idea.

It's very easy to make 3-way mults, if you can solder. Take 3 minijack sockets ( I get mine from Thonk ) and solder the corresponding tabs together. I covered mine in black Sugru, as much for aesthetics as preventing shorts ( Sugru is non-conductive silicon ).

[Sprydle]

One thing that I see potentially missing is a voltage sequencer. Something simple and easy like a Bragi Heimdall or any 4-8 step analog sequencer is again another fun way to decouple modulation from the notes you play. Playing a 3-note arpeggio, for example, and having a 5-step sequence controlling the filter or an FM amount gets you some really spicy sequencing!

Have been looking online for a Heimdall, but not seeing one - any pointers on how to get hold of one? TIA.

[Sprydle]

Thanks again all. The more I learn the more I realise there is to learn. Really enjoying the process though.

Have located a Blinds clone, a Michigan Synth Works Plancks II. After doing some reading I can also see how a A*B+C would be an extremely useful addition. Am thinking about an O&C ( thanks Shadowjester). Another rabbit hole is midi - I would eventually like to link the synth to Ableton and use midi to control it - I may decide to build a utility rack as it seems that there's a need for one. Maybe I can use the smaller Intelligel case, or knock one together.

I had a great time last night messing with the MB2, Steppy, Maths and Monsoon. My bonus arrives on April 1st so I must be patient...

[Sprydle]

It's very easy to make 3-way mults, if you can solder. Take 3 minijack sockets ( I get mine from Thonk ) and solder the corresponding tabs together. I covered mine in black Sugru, as much for aesthetics as preventing shorts ( Sugru is non-conductive silicon ).

I can indeed solder, but never thought of knocking together mults etc - I am very much a noob. Do you use a blank for a panel to mount the minijack sockets? I use Sugrue too - most recently to fix a new starter momentary switch on my Honda Monkey - Honda would only sell me the entire assembly for north of 100 Euros. A 5 Euro switch, a Dremel and some Sugrue later, and it looks as good as new! Sugrue is very useful indeed!

[unclebastard]

I literally soldered the jacks together, into 3 way free-floating mults. I got the idea from James Husted in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=71398&hilit=Mult&start=75
Not pretty, but they work.

[Sprydle]

I literally soldered the jacks together, into 3 way free-floating mults. I got the idea from James Husted in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=71398&hilit=Mult&start=75
Not pretty, but they work.

Aah, I see now! I like it, I think I'll try to knock one or two of those together. Thanks!

[shadowjester]

Thanks again all. The more I learn the more I realise there is to learn. Really enjoying the process though.

Have located a Blinds clone, a Michigan Synth Works Plancks II. After doing some reading I can also see how a A*B+C would be an extremely useful addition. Am thinking about an O&C ( thanks Shadowjester). Another rabbit hole is midi - I would eventually like to link the synth to Ableton and use midi to control it - I may decide to build a utility rack as it seems that there's a need for one. Maybe I can use the smaller Intelligel case, or knock one together.

I had a great time last night messing with the MB2, Steppy, Maths and Monsoon. My bonus arrives on April 1st so I must be patient...

The MiniBrute 2 is a very capable MIDI clock/pitch/velocity to CV/gate converter, and you can customize the Sync/Run/Clock/Reset/KBD/Velocity and MIDI channel behaviour with the Arturia MIDI app on your Mac/PC.

If you go with the ornament and crime, I’d suggest going with the 8HP variant as opposed to the full size. I only went with a full size because I built mine, and it’s my first SMD build. Hemisphere’s makes more UI-sense with the uO_c, and it’s the same hardware in almost half the space; I would have preferred to have the full size Rings or ALM Resonate and an 8HP ornament and crime rather than what I have.

I’m ngl, I’ve toyed with jamming a Befaco A*B+C in my rack in place of the ALM O/A x 2 or the Acid Rain Junction; one of these days I might swap out one or both for either a Happy Nerding MIA (incredibly HP-efficient Mixer/Inverter/Attenuator) and or an ABC.