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Voltage controlled amplifiers, or VCA's as us modular synth nerds call them, are an incredibly important part of any Eurorack setup. There is even a common saying that 'you can never have too many VCA's', and I tend to agree with that since I run out of them all the time. So in this post we're going to do the math on some popular and available VCA modules to figure out the best budget / most cost effective Eurorack VCA module.  If you're new to Eurorack, VCA's are basically the 'glue' that holds any patch together. When you want to apply an...

 In this article i'm going to talk about my top 5 favorite hardware synthesizers as of 2021. This is only including synthesizers I actually own and have paid for myself, no discounts or freebies were given in exchange for a review. This list is 100% personal experience and preference. Many producers / artists at some point deal with the issue of software vs hardware synthesizers, and many ask 'why should I bother with hardware at all?'. While I use a ton of software as well, I use hardware for a few reasons.  It gives a tactile feel that both lets...

A couple months ago I purchased an Elektron Octatrack MkII, I found it quite enjoyable to use and its a product that basically nothing else competes with 100%. Because of this I decided to pick up both the Elektron Digitakt and Digitone, since they have a similar workflow, but 3 weeks later i've processed a return at Sweetwater and am sending them back. I've bought dozens of pieces of hardware gear over the years, my studio is full of stuff, and i've NEVER returned anything outside of a factory defect (and the only instance of that was also by Elektron)...

Qu-Bit has announced 4 very exciting Eurorack modules during NAMM 2020. There is Surface, Data Bender, Aurora, and Cascade. I got a pretty great demo at NAMM by a dude named Robot, and I can't wait for these modules to hit stores! Surface is a multi-timbral physical modeling voice. Its output ranges from plucked strings and marimbas, all the way to FM drums. Each model features stereo outputs and up to eight unique voices that can be active at a time. Physical Modeling Voice Multi-Timbral 8 Voice Polyphony Stereo outputs Size: 10HP MSRP: $299 ETA: March 2020   Data Bender...

In addition to the exciting NAMM 2020 news of 2hp's Lunchbox Eurorack case, they also announced 3 new Eurorack modules for 2020. A class looper module called Loop, a compressor with side-chain functionality called Comp, and a time-domain pitch-shifter called Pitch. Loop Sound on sound looper with 5 minute audio buffer. Record button can be CV controlled. Audio specs: 48kHz, 24 bit. MSRP: $149 ETA: April 2020   Comp Compressor with side chain functionality. MSRP: $129 ETA: May 2020   Pitch Time domain pitch shifter with flutter control. CV control on tone, mix, and V/Oct Pitch control. MSRP: $119 ETA:...