Join us as we record on location in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg during Knobcon 2025. We speak about our experiences and we catch some passers-by, including YouTubers Metamyther and JAde Wii, to chime with their thoughts,

It's September and the Pack is off to KnobCon! We preview the Chicagoland synth camp and talk about what we are excited to see and do in Illinois this coming weekend.

Welcome to episode 06 of The Rack Pack 🎛 Today we've got Ali Modular in the house and we're talking everything Esu's Trifecta – the new triple FX engine from Ali the Architect and Chris Roberts.

In this episode, we break past the 1 hour mark for the first time and talk about:

• Ali and Chris' separate and unique avenues into modular synthesis
• the trials and tribulation of learning to develop a module
• how Ali and Chris linked up for Ali Modular (skills that complement)
• modbap workflows, where does the MPC sit in a hybrid studio
• learning about Esu, the trickster god of the Yoruba
• inspiration for Esu's panel design (custom printed aluminum)
• effects algorithms, Marvel naming, and the arch nemesis to Magneto
• how Ali and Chris decided to build a triple FX engine as their first module
• the importance of being excited about your own projects
• Esu's Trifecta specifics, what exactly it is and what it does (and why it took us 30 minutes to get to this topic)
• tips & tricks: clock / duck inputs, targeting bypass with CV, and FX chat
• what does "architecture" mean in the context of module development
• Ali's DSP learning curve, the joys of having a mentor when learning a skill
• using your musical ear to dial in algorithm sound and behavior
• on the flip side, learn how to do things right first before relying on your ear
• the mod matrix vs. live playing, how do you balance depth vs. immediacy (changing presets w/ CV)
• the importance of beta testers
• module design, sliders to knobs, and the minutia of UX design
• Ali performing in Europe, feeling the love for modbap
• what's next for Ali Modular (Ogun Orisha!)
• going from prototype to production, what does that look like with Electrosmith
• the importance of processes and applying them to future efforts
• keeping Esu's Trifecta fresh, new algorithms, and minimum viable products
• other single and multi-effect eurorack modules Ali / Chris are fans of
• making a multi-effect that isn't overwhelmingly complex
• getting started with modbap style production (MPC, Elektron, and modular synthesis)
• the benefits of having a multi-effects engine in a smaller setup
• congratulations to Ali Modular on their first module release

If you thought hearing five voices was confusing enough, let's see how things work with seven 😅

Esu's Trifecta Links

• Pre-order: https://alimodular.com/
• Esu's Feature Overview: Esu's Trifecta  Feature Overview  
• ModularGrid: https://modulargrid.net/e/other-unkno...

Ali the Architect Links

• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/ali.the.architect/
• Bandcamp: https://alithearchitect.bandcamp.com/

Chris Roberts Links

• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/cpr2323/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/cpr2323
• Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/cpr
• A8 Manager: https://cpr2323.github.io/a8manager/
• Squid Manager: https://cpr2323.github.io/squidmanager/

Show Links

• Esu: The Misunderstood God of the Yoruba Religion: https://artsandculture.google.com/sto...
• The Last Emperor - Secret Wars Pt. 1:    • The Last Emperor   Secret Wars part 1  
• Electrosmith: https://electro-smith.com/

Welcome to the fifth episode of The Rack Pack! Today we've got 4/5ths of the crew (Moonbass Alpha is out on a secret mission) going freeform across a range of topics:

* Seaside Modular heading to Machina Bristronica in late September

* traveling with modular (and when people think you've got a bomb)

* what it's like at Machina Bristronica

* SynthDad's Testing Table™ with Griffin's Claw, Bishop's Miscellany mk2, and the Ohm Bohm kick ecosystem

* moving on from significant modules (the Arbhar / Lubadh conundrum)

* getting started with Digitakt 2

* some modular news

* Patchworks officially closing : /

We wrap up 100% knowing all our social media handles and talk next episodes (we've got some great guests on the horizon).

News & event links below, thanks for watching and/or listening and keep patching!

Modular News

* Jasmine & Olive Trees Prio (priority gate router): https://jasmineandolivetrees.com/products/prio

* WORNG Electronic Quiver (16 in/18 out modulation & logic toolkit): https://www.worngelectronics.com/

* Intellijel Multigrain 1.2 Firmware Update (addition of Live Mode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv7pU8ZfcG8

Events

* Club Synth: Saturday July 26th @ The Stowaway (DTLA): https://ra.co/events/2213680

* Knobcon 13: https://www.knobcon.com/

* Machina Bristronica 2025: https://machinabristronica.uk/

New Music

* Earl McGowan Music (aka Tiger Arcade) - Son of a Sun: https://earlmcgowan.bandcamp.com/album/son-of-a-sun

In this episode The Rack Pack welcomes our very first guest, the one and only Patrick "POB" O'Brien! POB is a modular artist, community builder, educator, and demo artist extraordinaire. In this conversation, POB shares his musical journey from his initial experiences with trumpet and piano to his leap into modular synthesis, explaining how he integrates technical know-how with improvisation in his performances. We delve into the creation and growth of Modular on the Spot and Modular on the Mall, two significant community-building initiatives. POB also discusses his role as the marketing manager at Noise Engineering, shares insights into his patching philosophy, and recounts amusing anecdotes, including meeting his doppelgänger, comedian Jim Gaffigan.

Where to find POB online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pobnrg/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/patrickobrien

Bandcamp: https://pobnrg.bandcamp.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0RQmaZ03GoGVCxnYmtZmws

Noise Engineering: https://noiseengineering.us

Our very own Blue Nautilus takes us behind the scenes of Seaside Modular and the journey of bringing the Proteus algorithmic sequencer from concept to physical Eurorack module.

This episode explores the realities of being a small modular manufacturer, going from Python script to VCV Rack release to hardware production. We dive deep into the challenges of product development - managing feature creep, navigating conflicting feedback, coordinating beta testing, and the countless decisions that shape a final product.

This isn't a product advertisement (the Proteus is currently sold out anyway) but rather an honest examination of what it takes to bring innovative ideas to the modular community. Whether you're curious about module development or considering your own manufacturing journey, this episode offers insights into the process.

• Seaside Modular: https://seaside.digital/
• Proteus Algorithmic Sequencer: https://seaside.digital/product/proteus/

Proteus Launch Videos

• DivKid - Clever Mutating Melodic Patterns with Patience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdsJZPQNHjk
• Red Means Recording - Proteus Algorithmic Sequence Generator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQN38Q9_nVw
• SynthDad - An Idea Machine for Your Modular: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzZL1X-dwV4

Superbooth 2025 is wrapped and we're covering everything that happened in Berlin.

SynthDad was on the ground at FEZ-Berlin and gives us the full report on this year's show - the atmosphere, attendance, and how it compared to previous years.

The main focus is the gear announcements. 56 new Eurorack modules were revealed at the show, along with significant hardware releases including the Frap Tools Magnolia 8-voice analog synth, Neuzeit DROP MIDI controller, and Intellijel Jellymix desktop mixer.

We also dig into some trends that emerged from the show - manufacturers expanding beyond Eurorack into standalone products, the push toward larger modules, and rising prices across the board.

The episode wraps with each host's pick for their most interesting announcement from Superbooth 2025.

For a complete visual breakdown of all the new Eurorack modules announced at the show, check out Oscidigi's breakdown on Modular Bias – Superbooth 2025 Eurorack Roundup: https://www.modularbias.com/modular-bias/superbooth-2025-eurorack-roundup/

• Superbooth: https://superbooth.com/
• SynthDad's Superbooth25 Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM2S51N5iww

• Clank: https://www.clank.eu/
• Frap Tools: https://frap.tools/
• Intellijel: https://intellijel.com/
• Neuzeit Instruments: https://www.neuzeit-instruments.com/
• WMD: https://wmdevices.com/

In our debut episode, The Rack Pack crew assembles to preview the most anticipated synthesizer event of the year - Superbooth 2025! Join BlueNautilus, SynthDad, Oscidigi, Moonbass Alpha, and Stujay as they introduce themselves and their unique modular journeys before diving into what makes Berlin's electronic music mecca so special. We explore the laid-back festival atmosphere that sets Superbooth apart from traditional trade shows and share insider tips for navigating FEZ-Berlin. The conversation shifts to our most anticipated gear announcements, from Acid Rain Technology's new Chainsaw-inspired VCO to the OXI One mk2 and every other pre-SB25 gear drop we could track down. We wrap things up with a 'one thing' each host looks forward to the most. Whether you're Berlin-bound or keeping your wallet prepped from afar, join us for this synth-obsessed preview of Europe's premier modular hardware event. --- We talk about a lot of modules and other hardware in this podcast, here are links to (most of) the manufacturers discussed in this episode:

Modules

• Acid Rain Technology: https://acidraintechnology.com/
• AJH Synth: https://ajhsynth.com/
• Make Noise: https://www.makenoisemusic.com/
• Instruo: https://www.instruomodular.com/
• Venus Instruments: https://www.venusinstrumentsaudio.com/

Hardware

• Bastl Instruments (Kastle 2 Wave Bard): https://bastl-instruments.com/
• Clank (Uranograph): https://www.clank.eu/
• Frap Tools (Magnolia): https://frap.tools/
• OXI Instruments (OXI One Mk2): https://oxiinstruments.com/
• Neuzeit Instruments (DROP): https://www.neuzeit-instruments.com/