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Post by transistorsynd on Aug 10, 2018 22:17:13 GMT
Hey guys, just joined. First heard of the AE Modular during its Kickstarter run, but I didn’t have any money on me and thought it was a kickstarter only thing, but whilst researching full-size modulars this week I stumbled across the shop and realised that wasn’t the case. I’ve decided to build an AE Modular to interface with my Arturia Microbrute and Bastl Kastle particularly, and I know which modules and accessories I’ll need to get started, I just have some questions before I place any orders. For reference’s sake, here’s the build I have planned, filling one rack while keeping the second empty for future builds:  ![]() Q1 - I’ve noticed in some videos that the modules use an Allen key screw head, but I can’t find anywhere on the website what size Allen key to use. Since I plan on adding to the modular over time (Multifx, extra oscillators etc.) I was wondering which Allen key I’d need to insert or remove modules. Q2 - I was curious as to whether I’d figured out the final price of the overall build correctly in the table above. I made sure to include all the essentials and also included the 19% VAT prices specified on the website, but my maths is honestly not brilliant, so any corrections would be appreciated. Q3 - Before I order the entire synth, I was wondering if anyone could chime in regarding typical shipping costs for the 2 rack case with one rack filled, along with the extras and whatnot. I’m in the UK, so any idea on what shipping charges I might incur would help me in figuring out the final cost of the build. Any further advice on my foray into AE Modular (e.g. recommended modules) are welcome. Thanks guys! |
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Post by thetechnobear on Aug 10, 2018 22:57:06 GMT
cool, it will interface nicely with both the kastle and microbrute  Q1 - you dont needs an allen key, the modules are secured from the back, with a phillips screw (crossheaded) Q2 & Q3 - if you add everything in the cart, and then go thru placing the order (including your address), it will give you a final price before you actually submit order (in review & order) on your order... - Id get some of the small (10cm) wires, often you put useful modules close together and these help reduce the spaghetti. - I think the 4ATTMIX is slightly more useful than the 2ATT/CV , only disadvantage is no inv sig on 4ATT ( though oddly this is not shown on the 2ATTCV picture either - robertlanger is that a mistake? ) did you compare this to getting the 2 row complete system, and adding the extra modules that are not included that you want? the complete system is 495euro (inc vat) , add the 3 extras you want that are not included (vco, hpamp, divider), is roughly 600 euro, thats only 40 euro more, but you get 2osc, s&h , noise, beatdivider, logic, delay, and an additional filter. given you say you want 2osc later anyway (35 euro).. and the other modules are pretty useful. id check, perhaps yours or my maths is wrong somewhere.... (or it could be the complete systems are nicely discounted) |
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Post by transistorsynd on Aug 10, 2018 23:19:18 GMT
Cheers for pointing out the 4ATT/MIX, I’d meant to swap the 2ATT on my sheet out for it but I must’ve forgot.
I did consider buying the complete rack for a while too, but I decided I’d like to focus initially on features I know more about and would use more often (for instance I chose a Divider over Beat Divider because I think I’d tend to use the beat divider on my MIDI setup instead, while being able to do overtones is a feature I appreciated on my other synths.) I also chose to buy two VCOs over a 2OSC because I read on the site that the VCO is more stable and better for melodic music, which I think will help me integrate it into some of my gear and tracks better.
As for the cheaper price, I did actually attempt to calculate the cost of the complete 2 rack by adding each individual module together, and it ended up at somewhere around 565 euros. So I guess it’s just a discount for buying a pre-chosen set of modules and whatnot.
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Post by admin on Aug 11, 2018 1:44:47 GMT
Hi,
I'm not associated with the tangible waves shop (I only manage the forum), but I believe you would get a better deal by buying the Rack 1 and just ask for substituting the case with the two row case and pay the bit extra. Then add the HPamp and MultiFX (once it becomes available). I think Robert is quite flexible when it comes to accommodate special orders.
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Post by thetechnobear on Aug 11, 2018 10:32:41 GMT
Cheers for pointing out the 4ATT/MIX, I’d meant to swap the 2ATT on my sheet out for it but I must’ve forgot. I did consider buying the complete rack for a while too, but I decided I’d like to focus initially on features I know more about and would use more often (for instance I chose a Divider over Beat Divider because I think I’d tend to use the beat divider on my MIDI setup instead, while being able to do overtones is a feature I appreciated on my other synths.) I also chose to buy two VCOs over a 2OSC because I read on the site that the VCO is more stable and better for melodic music, which I think will help me integrate it into some of my gear and tracks better. As for the cheaper price, I did actually attempt to calculate the cost of the complete 2 rack by adding each individual module together, and it ended up at somewhere around 565 euros. So I guess it’s just a discount for buying a pre-chosen set of modules and whatnot. the individual pricing of a complete system (rack2) is 610 euro (inc vat), and that does not include the 'free mounting', and the patch wires you get... so the complete system is saving of probably ~120 euro... which is why I said you can the 3 extra modules you want, and still only be 40 euro over your planned system. ... and i personally think you'll end up with a more flexible system this way. for example: the 2osc is still a (two) good oscillator, and can also be useful for modulation (even at lower frequencies with the advantage that the rate is cv controlled, unlike the lfo) a second filter is useful, either for different voices, or to use one as lp, and the other as hp noise, great for percussion, esp with the filter noise -> s&h <-lfo , is a great random sync'd source , logic also can play nicely here. the delay is surprisingly fun... particularly if you modulate the time. beat divider is good if you have midi sync, as you get musical steps out - then you can use that with divider to get higher divisions. (Ive only just got divider so this is an area im still experimenting with) Im sure your aware of all of this, but I guess what im trying to say is, sometimes with modular, its the modules your not quite sure how your going to use, that add something a bit 'different' or as @careck said, perhaps chat with Robert and see if he can let you swap out modules you want for, those you dont... he may or may not be able to do this, but worth a try to see if it can get you back 'in budget' |
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Post by transistorsynd on Aug 11, 2018 11:49:17 GMT
I did think about just getting a one rack set and asking for a 2 rack case instead, but given how I've swapped quite a few modules out of the standard configuration, I decided against it. As for my choice of modules, I've had a few people recommend the 2OSC now, so I'm definitely thinking of adding it to my build, although I might keep the two VCOs for a 4 oscillator system, which would increase my capabilities. On further consideration I'm also considering the fact the modules I've chosen seem to produce a very basic synthesiser for starting, so I might just pick up the 2 Rack complete build and add an extra VCO and Divider like you said earlier, which I'll quickly scope out now. I'd also be tempted to see if I can pay more to swap the 2ATT/CV out for the 4ATT/MIX, but I'll probably take either module. Cheers for the advice!
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Post by transistorsynd on Aug 12, 2018 22:59:56 GMT
I did some more looking into it and decided to go for the complete 2 rack after all. I’ve elected to pick up a divider for sub-tones and whatnot, and also an extra VCO because I’m the sort of person who goes into a panic whenever something goes even slightly off-tune, and while I understand the advantages the 2OSC module has, I thought I’d best get another VCO just to bring it up to par with some of my other hardware (e.g my Monologue.) Also decided against picking up the HPAMP and 4I/O for now. Will probably grab the HPAMP when the MULTIFX is out because then I think stereo will be required, and the 4I/O didn’t seem hugely necessary at the moment since I’m only planning on connecting my Microbrute to the MASTER I/Os for now.
Also managed to check shipping and found it’d only be 12 euros to my relief. Not sure about Paypal’s currency conversion fees though, which seemed to add £20 onto the final price. Will try and figure out what’s going on there, and if all goes to plan i should have it ordered at the start of next month.
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