Euro stuff to be triggered by drums... (input/advice wanted)

[rodrigo]

So I'm planning and refining my eventual plunge into eurorack stuff and would like to get some opinions/advice on stuff.

As a bit of background, I'm a big ciat-lonbarde/Blasser fan, and have used tons of his gear over the years with my main interesting in modular stuff coming from his introduction of IFM (I normally post in the IFM forum).

I'm primarily a drummer/percussionist (when I perform), and do a lot of programming (in Max). I've also done a bunch of projects where I combine these things (whisks, onset analysis, descriptor analysis), and want to develop those ideas further.

Short example vids:
[video][/video]
[video][/video]

Basically I really like a dirty/gritty/noisy drums+synths type sound, not too dissimilar to MoHa! (although I believe he uses SuperCollider for his noise).

So with all of that being said, what I want to do is build a somewhat compact system that is focused on using Expert Sleepers stuff (ES3, ES6, and possible ES5) to trigger/control some noisy sources (primarily IFM?). I plan on doing all the control/triggering stuff from the computer, so I would need no clock stuff, and I dislike filters, so that rules most of that out.

Other than a few (illuminating) conversations with @tremblap, I've not really gotten too deep into how to go about this. Based on my chats with @tremblap I've put together a really rough modulargrid sketch:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/185731

I don't know if I'll need the utilities, or go with a 4ms power thing, nor if this is the size I'll go with (I want to keep it compact enough to travel lightly, hence only considering the ES5).

SO

What modules/makers would people suggest here?
(with the caveat that a computer is involved, so it can handle a lot of processes/functions)

For the IFM stuff I'm mainly looking at the Fourses, and I suppose Swoop/Denum, though I have to say I find the descriptions to be a bit overlapping/confusing. The Sprott is (kind of?) a filter, but a Blasser crazy one, so I'm happy to give it a test run.
But beyond some IFM stuff, and ES stuff to control it, I'm not really sure what else to look for.

What are some other good (noisy!) sound sources?

Would I need much(/any?) utility stuff? (An ES3/ES6 would give me 8out/6in)

Envelopes/VCAs?

Weird process/fx? (again, that wouldn't be better served in the computer)

And some functional questions:
In terms of getting audio back into the computer should I just use the ES6 or run back into an input on the soundcard? Or is it better to use a transformer to leave euroland and come back to audioland?

As far as a case, I want to go real lean/light with it, so probably a corrugated plastic DIY thing, or maybe a pelican. I guess it depends on how big the setup ends up (famous last words for all first time euro-ers I'm sure!).
I've seen some cases where there are smaller panels at the top/bottom. Are there provisions to have some (8hp) modules in there sideways? Like, could I have my ES stuff along the top sideways, and just have the main area for sound production stuff?

Any other thoughts/suggestions?

[david_rothbaum]

Folktek might interest you:

http://folktek.com

[wiggler81929]

(Old modules.)

[sygor]

Hey Rodrigo,
Thanks for Karma! Also thanks for introducing me to MoHa, that's filth! My limited advice would be try the Mutant Machine which I've never actually used and other than that, get into tubes. Metasonix, Trogotronics, Erica, it's all good and it's dirty.

[merchant]

The basilimus is capable of a crazy variety of sounds, from kicks to hats to cymbals to a variety of tones, and interpolations therein. You won't miss much by picking up the original edition of it second hand. Fantastic module.

[rodrigo]

Hey Rodrigo,
Thanks for Karma! Also thanks for introducing me to MoHa, that's filth!

You're welcome on both fronts! MoHa! is crazy good, and sounds quite different from album to album.

Ah cool some good stuff in there.

Had a look at the Folktek Matter, Taiko, and Basimilus and although cool, fall under kind of regular drummachine-y sounds, which are cool, but not super high on my list of sounds to make. Not to mention that there's oodles of options for that (synthesis and sample wise) on the laptop.

The DU-KRPLS does sound pretty cool, and in a similar digital way as the ERD/SIR (which I was looking at after making the initial post). I like the sound of that data-bent stuff quite a lot.

I'll have a look at the Metasonix/Trogotronic stuff too, as I didn't think to look at tube shit. That stuff definitely falls into the "can't do this with a computer" side of things!

I was also thinking that it would be awesome to have one of the newer IFM Grassi modules, but it looks like it's more based on touch stuff, rather than triggering.

I love the idea of a Rungler (which I guess is what the oldschool Old Mr. Grassi is based on), but whenever I've heard one of the "real" ones it sounds like shit to me. Like bubbly sprite or something. No hair or teeth. /shrug

[merchant]

Not to mention that there's oodles of options for that (synthesis and sample wise) on the laptop.

I would seriously like to find stuff like Taiko or Basilimus on the laptop. Even though Basilimus is DSP, it's a very nicely curated set of parameters.

Look forward to hearing what you come up with!

[roqeja]

Music Thing Mikrophonie or the Mutable Music Thing collaboration Ears might be handy...

[pieter]

Music Thing Mikrophonie or the Mutable Music Thing collaboration Ears might be handy...

I was about to mention this also. Ears has an envelope follower, so you can mic your drums and have your Eurorack triggered by your playing.

[rodrigo]

Music Thing Mikrophonie or the Mutable Music Thing collaboration Ears might be handy...

I really love the sounds of these things, but this also falls under the stuff that can be easily handled by the computer too. (CV-ifying all sorts of audio input)

I am starting to picture a little sidecar thing with a few control modules that might be useful when I'm going "hands on" with the modular stuff, and not just doing audio/computer driven stuff.