Troubleshooting in the rack Key answers from:

I want to put together my first modular rack; what do I need to consider?

Sebastian / Often you tend to put together a large complex rack in the first euphoria, e.g. on modulargrid.net, because you have already watched countless YouTube videos and read experience reports. This is then often not only more expensive than a new car, also you realize only while exploring and learning that many modules do not meet your expectations at all or that you actually prefer a workflow for which other modules would be much better suited. A sensible start, which is also not too expensive, is a minimalist setup with just a few modules. Once you have learned these modules, you can actually understand in which direction your own rack should develop. In this way, the rack grows organically over time, module by module, to the dream setup. Of course, the general rule is: try out, try out and study modules!

My new rack behaves strangely as soon as it is turned on. How do I find out what is causing this?

Sebastian / As soon as the system consumes more than the power supply can deliver at only one point (be it the +12V, the -12V or the +5V line), unexplainable phenomena of a special kind will certainly occur. For example, a module may use very large capacitors that must first be charged when the system is turned on, causing the module to draw more current for a short period of time than specified in the specifications. This can overload the system, although mathematically everything should fit. If the problems start directly after installing a new module, the reason is quickly found. It becomes more difficult when you put together a new rack and then when you turn it on you realize that something is wrong. Therefore, when putting together a new rack, you should switch on and test the system after each installed module. This way you will immediately notice at what point it becomes unstable.

It looks like CVilization requires a separate mixer for the Quad-Panner mode to adjust the panorama?

Sebastian / You don‘t necessarily need an extra mixer for the Quad-Panner mode. For example, you can connect a pair of powered speakers to outputs 1 and 3 and have a lot of stereo panning fun. And you are not limited to audio signals, because the Quad-Panner mode can also distribute control voltages: Just connect outputs 1 to 4 to all kinds of filters, effects, VCAs and modulation inputs, just to name a few possibilities!

I would like to generate CV signals in the computer and then send them to CVilization. What do I have to do?

Sebastian / For this you need a special DC coupled audio interface that supports the transmission of CV signals. But there are also Eurorack modules that can make the connection from the rack to the computer, e.g. from Expert Sleepers. If you then have a host like Bitwig, which can be used to generate CV signals, whole new possibilities of interaction between computer and Eurorack open up.

With CVilization 4, can I feed in different V/oct pitch signals that are then quantized separately?

Sebastian / Yes, this is quite simple. Each channel can be processed with a different scale and different portamento settings. And since the CVilization is also a mixer, you can use one of the inputs to transpose all the other inputs!