Over the years, we’ve produced quite a few different Eurorack modules, and we like to think we have offerings to suit every style, genre, and patch. We still get quite a few questions from folks asking what modules complement each other best. In a previous post we covered a few modules that we enjoy together, and today we’ll continue exploring some of our favorite pairings (well, trios in this case) to give you some ideas while you’re doing your holiday shopping.
This video from POB features all three bundles of modules in separate patches, so you can get an idea of what they can do together!
Groove bundle
These three modules offer a fun way to generate both melodies and rhythmic patterns with a partly procedural, partly prescribed workflow.
Horologic Solum generates a clock signal to drive your sequencers or trigger voices and envelopes in your system. The Tempo parameter has a wide range and can even be CV controlled from external modulators. The outputs have three different sets of divisions that can be selected, offering a variety of musical (and also unusual) divisions. If you have another clock in your system, it can also act as a clock divider on external signals.
Zularic Repetitor generates four rhythm patterns from a single clock input based on the position of its four parameters. The Mother parameter chooses a pattern set, and the Child parameters offset their respective outputs in time based on parameter position. This makes it easy to quickly dial in a rhythm by feel, and change things up on the fly.
Lastly, Opp Ned is a four-output arpeggiator. Choose a scale, patch in some rhythms from Zularic Repetitor or a clock from Horologic Solum, and out come musical CV patterns for your oscillators. Scales can be edited and saved manually, and patterns can be loaded by hand or with external CV. Opp Ned also offers a variety of playback modes and directions (which can also be CV controlled!) for a variety of patterns from a simple set of notes.
Envelope bundle
This trio generates rhythmic envelopes and CV, and offers a controlled way to distribute them to CV destinations in your system.
Horologic Solum’s clock capabilities give us automatic trigger generation with no sequencer required. The 1/3/5/7 output selection is especially interesting here, as it can generate offbeat patterns, resulting in interesting modulation in a repeating pattern.
Pons Asinorum is a simple four-output envelope generator and LFO.
It has four envelope shapes: up, up then down, and down. The channels can be selected for editing with the encoder individually, and once you have a set of envelope lengths that you like, multiple channels can be edited at once in a performance while retaining their relative timings. Pons Asinorum can be triggered from an external trigger source like Horologic Solum, or channels can cycle and behave as LFOs on their own.
Finally, Lapsus Os is a performative macro controller, great for distributing envelopes in your system. The attenuation inputs are especially useful when paired with the Pons Asinorum, as the faders will control the envelope level, and the multed outputs allow for easy routing to multiple destinations.
Percussion bundle
If you picked up the rhythm bundle we chatted about in the previous bundle blog, this trio will give you a great selection of percussion sounds!
Basimilus Iteritas Alia is the revamped hardware for arguably our most famous module, the BIA. A drum, bass, and lead voice all in a simple package, the BIA makes it easy to dial in virtually any percussion sound you can think of, then bring it to life with CV or manual adjustment in a jam.
Tymp Legio is a simple percussion voice with modes for a variety of classic percussion sounds like kicks, snares, and metallic percussion. The Decay parameter sets the length of the drum voice, and Wackitude changes the timbre. It also features a mixing audio input, so no mixer is required to pair it with the BIA.
Finally, Roucha Legio adds some performative filtering to your percussion patch. Roucha Legio features highpass, bandpass, and lowpass filter modes, with a wavefolder for crunch and a resonance control that can really sing at high settings. The Frequency parameter can be tapped to bypass all filtration, too, adding in an easy way to add transitions and drops to a performance. Patch the BIA into the Tymp Legio into the Roucha Legio for a simple and effective percussion section!
Best of all, both the Alia and the Legios can be reflashed to entirely different firmwares. Turn Roucha into a compressor or another synth voice, or turn the Alia into a variety of synth voices and oscillators for free, at will, at any time! Learn more here.
What’re you pairing?
If you’ve found a set of Noise Engineering modules that complement each other particularly well, we want to hear about it. Drop us a line or tag us in your patch videos on social media!
