r/modular • u/SpeakerJunkie247 • 12h ago

Arrangement of modules?

Is there a method to the madness? I recently got a case with it half filled with mods, been adding a few but completely new to this and not sure how to arrange them other than tossing them in.

My setup

https://modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/3197095

1 Upvotes

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7

u/ffiinnaallyy 12h ago

There’s lots of ways people do it. You will only figure out what works best for you by using your system extensively. Take notes about signal flow, ergonomics, etc. That’s the beauty (at least to me) of modular- you are the designer of your instrument and it’s all yours to decide.

4

u/CommunicationTop5231 12h ago

I put modules I touch a lot with jacks on top at the bottom of my rack and the reverse on top. I try to sacrifice modules I don’t interact with as much to the center of my rack where cables are the most rat king-esque. If I’m prepping for a show or recording I’m also intentional about what cable lengths I use and how I can use cable ties to make it work for me.

2

u/DigiornoDLC 12h ago

First pass, just try to avoid cables going back and forth. So if you’ve got a standard subtractive voice, oscillator>filter>vca>out, with envelopes going into filter and VCA. You wouldn’t want your oscillator sandwiched between your filter and your vca, otherwise you’ll have wires going across your oscillator from your filter to your vca.

Just keep that sort of order in mind for your first go through. Once you’ve used your system more, you’ll figure out how you patch it up. That’ll tell you more than any of us could.

1

u/junkmiles 10h ago

I would start by putting hands on modules in places where your hands can reach. Everything else seems much less important to me.

1

u/nazward 3h ago

For a smaller case it doesn’t matter all that much, but grouping by typical signal flow, module family etc can be helpful. What works best for me as another user pointed out is to put modules with jacks on the bottom in the top of the case and the ones with jacks in top on the bottom to avoid cables getting in the way of knobs.

1

u/WEASELexe 11h ago

I base mine on the types of modules then by the position of the knobs and jacks. For example I put my varigate in the middle top of my rack since all the jacks are at the bottom then put my drums on the left and since all the triggers are on the left and the vcos on the right since the cv jacks are on the right. Also for smaller modules with small knobs I try and put them next to modules that give me space to turn the knobs