Hi everyone, I was thinking that the time has come for me to use the CV track of my A4 mk1, I was thinking of a synth module to control and the audio sent back to the AB inputs. the DFAM seems to me the perfect candidate for now (I love the sound and the sequencer could be very interesting to program both with the knobs and through cv, designating or not the impulses external to the clock) with which I could do strange bass and percussion turns; but I’m still exploring what the best purchase could be. I have a couple of questions for someone with a little more experience:
for those who own modular units, is it better to start with a semi-modular or immediately build a small box with some components? (if the second, what could be a few components that are not too complicated to take the first steps, also considering what I can designate to A4)
can I hear the audio without using an audio track? (not that it worries me given the possibility of having external and internal osc on the same track but it might come in handy to have the two separate).
some strong restriction or problem in creating them loops between the two units? (grounding, trace level, …).
Other alternatives that I have seen but on which I have yet to get an idea are Erebus or nyx from dreadbox, 0coast or Strega from make noise.
I know that behringer has also made a few products with a matrix.
I didn’t find another tread like this, if there is let me know 
Yeah you can hear, pan, and send the ext in to the fx on the A4 without using a track. DFAM and A4 is fun. Was the first modulair I got as well 
I looked at semi-modulars for a while, made offers on some that were not accepted, found others that were out of stock, and finally decided to go full modular. It’s harder to keep it small than one might think. I’ve been using the four CV outs for gates/notes on the FX and CV tracks and bringing the audio from the modular back into the FX track (it can go through chorus/delay/reverb), so there are still four full A4 synth tracks to use. Though I don’t do a lot of this; I find myself using the modular solo or with an end-of-chain delay/reverb pedal. Whether you go semi or full, you don’t have to sacrifice anything on the A4, unless you want to (for all the additional processing that an external oscillator can get).
Nice thing about the DFAM is that you can always put it in a modulair case later if you decide to do so. that’s not the case with all semi modulair stuff 
The modular units attract me for their infinite complexity, but it is only one of the two sides of the coin. I don’t know where to start and I should find only a few fundamental modules (oscillator, filter, envelope, … they already seem a lot). Another problem is that the modules always seem abstract to me as an interface (I already find the two of make noise complicated). With DFAM I have a very classic interface and I already have some possible uses in mind, plus it would cover the low-end one a little missing on the A4; another question about DFAM: how flexible is the matrix? ie are there enough I / O that there are no major limitations?
Can I ask you what did you prefer to control with the A4?
I bought my A4 originally to sequence my 0-coast, and it’s a brilliant pairing: the 0-coast adds a different flavour (wavefolding) to the A4’s more typical subtractive style. It’s a great little synth, and the A4’ s FX can make it really shine. Since then I’ve bought a bunch of other semi modular and modular gear (including Strega, Subharmonicon, DFAM, and some eurorack). But if I had to pick just one to keep with my A4 I’d choose the 0-coast
Any semi modular would make a relevent choice I think, there’s quite a few to try out so you’ll be spoiled with choices hahaha.
I’d go for a 0-Coast if I where you as it quite different sounding, VERY bassy and super powerfull.
I’ve never had any Eurorack but one of my favorite setups was the A4 +MS20 Mini + Moog M32. The A4 sequencing either of those was a thing of beauty.
Dfam + A4 = YES
I was in a similar thought pattern when i had the analog keys/A4 and was thinking about using the CV seq for something modular and interesting.
I went modular with small set up : dpo, maths, and a wavetable module at the time, clouds.
My thinking was to cover the sounds the A4 couldn’t do. What a fun ride… I’m now mostly in euorack land.
If u go eurorack and you are looking for something uncomplicated as the first few modules : i would recommend downloading VCV rack and using the midi outs, A4 sound card with VCV and try out a few modules…try before you buy…
Try out : sheep the mutable tides wavetable, that is still amazing. Also the tides two bumps mode which is the harmonic osc. There is also make noise dpo clone, the instruo complex osc.
Also mi rings, clouds.
Try them out and find out what extra sounds you like. Just put the A4 into clouds or rings. See what happens.
Good luck. Any questions, fire away.
VCV! I had tried it a few ears ago without great success and without having the basic knowledge to move into the world of synths 
I hadn’t really thought about it! I remember, however, that my Mac did not like it very much, but maybe by loading a few modules and lowering the settings a little I can. last night I spent it looking for semi-modular, tonight it will be all vcv … Do you have any guides or treads to recommend for small and almost “standalone” racks? and also on how to take the first steps in this field of course:+1:t3: much appreciated
https://www.elektronauts.com/search?context=category&context_id=9&q=Semi-modular
Plenty of interesting semi-modular out there!
My own favorite is 0-Coast, IMO it’s good to look for something really different than A4 subtractive synthesis as you can use an A4 track to add further analog filtering and overdrive.
Funny you should bring this up, this is exactly what I’m building with my Eurorack, a wicked synth voice that I think I can do some terrible, terrible things with:
The only thing missing in this rack that I do not currently own is the Schlappi Boundary, but that’s only because pre-orders haven’t shipped yet.
I think I will enter in to modular half step at the time, dfam pretty straightforward synthesis and patchbay, if I like it and feel braver 0-coast (different synthesis) and it seems more like different modules in one box. After this who knows… black and gold shared system?
