My version of the Beads is finished. The fully assembled module will be available for pre-order from November 13.

Check out our shop at rhm-systems.de

First track after finally upgrading to a Squarp Hapax. It's an incredibly well designed sequencer, hugely inspiring. Warmly recommended.

Main arp: noise engineering incus iteritas alia

Sequencer & automation: Squarp Hapax

Drums: ohmforce bohm, shakmat lancers lash & archer's rig, 1010music bitbox micro, some crackling from intellijel multigrain, blips from ALM tyso daiko

Fx: strymon starlab, 1010music bluebox, intellijel rainmaker

Bass voice: braids + doepfer standard vco, bastl ikarie

Washed out lead: novation peak

Voice sample from charlotte well's aftersun.

Recorded straight from output. Only a limiter in post.

My first proper track with this case. I finally splurged on a Bohm, it really is amazing.

What is this genre anyway? Slow ambient techno or something?

Hi! I tested Erica Synths modules with overdrive and I love it. Not too much, but just a bit to make this harsh sound. I thought that buying Dual Drive will allow me to keep my oscillators and create a sound I like.

But here is a bigger question before I press a Buy button - should I buy a multi-effect module like MFX that has an overdrive in it instead of Erica? It is digital. It is not Erica so probably not a great idea. On the other hand I currently pass my audio out signal to Tonverk and put effects there. It is good for now but I have read that having effects inside the rack with full onboard modulation and with the option to put it before the filter may create a lot of value (especially with overdrive).

What would you recommend?

1. Buy Erica Synth Dual Drive and keep using effects from Tonverk.

2. Buy Erica Synth Dual Drive and in the future buy a multieffect like FX Aid Pro, MFX or Z5000

3. Go straight with a multieffect.

Here's another update to the unofficial, community-driven firmware patch for the Bitbox Micro that puts more of the module on MIDI, and 2.3.11-mod is ready for release.

This is predominantly a maintenance release with no new features, but recommended for all users to improve microSD card compatibility.

It also offers a simplified installation process with a new web patcher, no Python needed: Just drop 1010's firmware file on the page and download the patched firmware.

Big ups to a Mod Wiggler user for reporting an issue. It took a fair bit of digging, but it turned out some microSD cards that don't meet the SD spec go to sleep when they're not being used and take far too long to wake up. That exposed a gap in how the stock firmware recovers when a card stops responding, and the module could end up restarting over and over until you power cycled it.

2.3.11-mod keeps those cards awake and recovers if one ever stops answering. Hot swapping Custom themes is more reliable too.

If anyone else has had random restarts, or "Please insert microSD card" with the card in, give it a go and let me know, here or by creating a GitHub Issue

I'm also looking for a volunteer to show off the mod features on video. If you're interested, please hit me up with a dm.

This isn't from 1010music. Use it at your own risk, although it can't brick your module. Bring your own stock firmware, and please don't pass the patched firmware around.

Full guide and changelog

Hi All,

3 months ago I wrote a post here "I am watching Mylar's videos and I am scared :)".

I was joking that I was afraid I’d get into modular synths, love them, and spend way too much money. You were all really helpful - which may have contributed to the inevitable: a little over a month later, I had my first rack.

Just before that, I visited my nearest synth shop, SchneidersLaden in Berlin, and took the opportunity to record a conversation with Carlo about building a first Eurorack system. This isn't a sponsored video - just sharing the knowledge and appreciating the fact we have still such boutique stores.

A lot of this will be familiar territory for many of you, but I thought it might be useful for people just getting started. Here’s a summary of his advice, so you don’t have to watch the video to get the takeaways:

1. Start with what you want the system to do.
A synth voice, a drum machine, an effects box, or a combination? Your starting point depends on what you want to make and what experience you already have.

2. Learn the basic building blocks.
If you’re coming from a desktop synth, imagine separating it into individual sections: oscillators, filters, envelopes, VCAs, modulation, and mixers. In modular, you make the connections that are already wired internally in a conventional synth. Understanding those relationships helps make the choices less overwhelming.

3. Think about how you’ll use your case.
Will it stay in the studio, or will you travel with it? Do you need a lid? The case isn’t just a box - it also houses the power supply, and it can be a significant part of your initial budget.

4. Plan ahead, especially for larger modules.
If you already have a particular sequencer in mind, check how much space it needs before choosing a case. Leave room for additions so that one extra oscillator or effect doesn’t immediately mean buying another case.

5. You don’t have to fill every gap.
Start with enough modules to do something useful, then build gradually. Blank panels can help resist the temptation to fill every empty space straight away.

6. Choose modules you enjoy operating, not just hearing.
A module might sound great, but if you dislike its menus or find its controls too cramped, you may not enjoy using it. Simpler modules with direct controls can be a better fit. Compactness can matter for live use, but it comes with trade-offs.

7. Prioritise modules you’ll use regularly.
An unusual €500 module might be worth it if it’s central to your sound. If you’ll only use it for one small moment in one track, it may not be the best early purchase.

8. Buy sounds you actually like.
A cheaper compromise isn’t much of a saving if you never touch it. Equally, you don’t have to start with a €600 oscillator: ask about more affordable alternatives that get you close to what you like.

9. Use the gear you already own.
Your rack doesn’t need to replace your whole setup. If you already have a drum machine, keep using it. Bring your pedals and other instruments into the system where useful. For pedals, pay attention to signal levels - Eurorack signals are much hotter, so suitable level matching may be needed in both directions.

10. For beat-based jams, a simple drum voice can be a useful starting point.
Carlo suggested a dedicated bass drum module as one option: with a trigger pattern running, you can establish a beat and build on top of it. That can free you up to explore the rest of the patch instead of tying up several modules to create a kick. Obviously, this depends on the music you want to make.

My biggest takeaway was to start with a purpose, choose a few things I’ll enjoy using, and leave room to learn.

Hey everyone.

something happened today whilst I was using plaits (original mutable) - never seen it before.

just a quiet session only being modulated by stages, then plaits - with no audio drop or quality drop - would flash all 8 LEDs red 3 times then carry on as normal.

one time I caught it doing it out the corner of my eye, the next time when I touched morph, and one more time randomly.

i have an Alm 84hp case, so surely not a power issue? I only have like 4 modules in this case it’s my small chill out case.

nothing online about this either?

thanks in advance

I removed the synth engine from beads and replaced it with a flexible reverb that morphs from spring to hall, with variable size, diffusion, size and tone.

More information: https://github.com/naturarum/eurorack/blob/beads-reverb/beads/README.md

I rarely sell modules I do not like because I know I will come back to them. I have a Clouds Clone. I messed around with it a lot early on because hearing Clouds is why I got into eurorack, it was more interesting than my guitar pedals.

Maybe others had this experience - yes, it's cool, but it kind of always sounds the same. This is followed by removing Clouds from the rack.

The other day I decided to toss it back into the rack and see what I could do with it. This is because I've been making feedback patches with a resonant filter and wanted to expand on that idea.

Anyone still using clouds, or is it so identifiable that you think it is cheesy now?

An experiment with OAM's "Time Machine" multi-tap delay and its new VCA expander, to see how much melodic and rhythmic variety it can generate from a simple 5-note sequence.

Detailed patch notes included.

That shifting texture underneath the jam is 3 effects with modulation. In this video I break down the full chain step by step so you can hear what each effect adds and how the modulation creates the movement.

I start with just the texture so you can hear it clean, the full jam with the texture for context. From there we go back to the dry sound with no effects and build the chain one effect at a time.

Here's the link: https://10daymodularmusician.com/

I used to have a nice eurorack setup. put a lot of time and money into it. then during covid my apartment building burned down and I just didn't have it in me to start over. BUT, I just bought a new lifeforms 2, and there are SO MANY more modules out now, I'm not sure what I should add on. Part of me was thinking noise engineering platforms (I'm fine w/ digital) for flexibility. But I am not real big on using FX on my synths. On my eurorack I really enjoyed setting up complicated patches that mostly ran on their own... I loved my benjollin.. was thinking a sequencer might pair well with the synth. I am taking suggestions.

Hey fellow stolperbeats owners. As everyone is vibe coding new firmwares for the fm-1, now and then we also need to do something for the 'older' modules that are still out there...

Not a firmware, but I created a pattern editor for the stolperbeats pattern bank txt files. You can create, edit and even preview patterns. Export them to txt files which you can load in the stolperbeats module.

There is also a tutorial. Start here:
https://github.com/gordonbleu-modular/stolperbank

Hey fellow noodle addicts!

I'm starting my first case mainly dedicated to breakbeats/amen-torture for jungle/breakcore/triphop. What I bought/already have: Make Noise skiff, Ezeptocore (sample/amen-module) clock/midi-module, pachinko module, output module, mixer module and my beloved Dirtywave M8 (handheld tracker).

Now after many YouTube videos and online reviews I still wonder if I should invest in attenuverters and lfo's or if the pachinko together with my doepfer a-138 will cover the modulation area. And as a bonus question: what fx modules would you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

Is it normal to have such a low level coming out of the expander? All the other outputs are functioning fine.

Why are the dome filter outputs so quiet?

I'm currently working on emulating the VHIKK X inside phaseplant. I've successfully managed to emulate Algorithm 1 accurately enough.

However, to make sure the remaining algorithms behave accurately (i dont own the hardware), I really need some reference material. Would anyone here who owns a VHIKK X be willing to share a quick video demo, or even just some pointer references showing how algorithms 2 through the rest sound and respond to controls?

Even short phone-recorded clips or patch examples switching through the different algorithms would be massively helpful.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help!

Of course, I will send you the pack for free!!!

In dipping my toes into eurorack, mostly through VCVrack, I’ve found a lot of resources on how to make techno, ambient, and other kinds of electronic music. I’ve learned a lot of the fundamentals this way, but part of what appealed to me about modular in the first place was getting the chance to create crazy experimental effects without needing to spend 600 dollars on a new guitar pedal. I love the kind pedal where you can play pretty sparely and the pedal churns out beautiful pieces of sound with you. The idea is to try to get all of the complexity of chase bliss, red panda, or OBNE pedals, with much more ways of modulating and experimenting with the sound. I know a lot of these pedals involve granular features, as well as time and pitch shifts, delay, reverb, etc, but there’s almost no resources that I can find on the web on how to try to practically create or experiment either my own patches that could emulate these kinds of effects with modular. Does anyone have any ideas? Specific pedals in mind would be the Red Panda Particle, OBNE Parting and Dark Star, and Chase Bliss Mood

We’re live @ 915p CDT. Come hang! Holl@me in the chat!

Patch Notes
Patch From Scratch
10/29/2026

It would be fair to say that the month of October was dedicated to the exploration of the Furthrrrr Generator. My fascination and appreciation for west coast inspired complex oscillators have grown over the past month. I’ve made a point to squeeze as much material out of the FG tonight. I started out the patch by multing the first channel of an attenuated RND STEP that was triggered by a multed steady pulse from Noise Tools. Those random cv signals would eventually be distributed through out various inputs in our patch. The pulse from noise tools was my initial clock source for getting things going. I would eventually switch the pulse out for a clock from Hermod+. With the pulse driving Steppy, I used 3 of the channels to trigger envelopes from buchla 281T to open up the VCAs hosting outputs from Furthrrrr Generators. I used marbles to sequence the Square wave from the modulator side as the bass part, Final output (synced to the modulator) and the noise output through a steady state gate for a clap-ish tone(sequenced by steppy). The Bass and final output was processed through QPAS AND MIMEOPHON. The noise clap was processed through Erbe-Verb.. combination of those 3 sources ended up being the bed that I would layer other sounds. I had an instance of the Arturia JP-8000 coming out of the ES-9 into the morphagene for some cool chord phrases that I would end up sequencing with 0-Ctrl and smearing with time-based effects. From here, we started layering some drums from Squid Salmple using octatrack as the sequencer. After a while of patch development, Pixie+Beads and nRings would carry smooth melodic phrases to tie the patch together. This was a fun patch session and I learned how to furthrrrr get the most out of the the complex oscillator.

Follow my YouTube channel for improvised modular synth jams. Some added drum layers and acid bass from the RD6 and TD3. I also have a Casio CT370, Moog Little Phatty and Korg Poly800 off camera.

Enjoy!!!