In the final episode of 2025, the Pack gets together to talk about our favorite modular-related things from the year, and what we're looking forward to from next year. Join us for the first year-end wrap up of our young podcast's life!

Welcome back to The Rack Pack, a modular synthesizer podcast. In this episode, the entire Pack sits down with techno artist SURCO for a deep dive into his workflow, approach to live sets, the gear he can’t live without, and how he keeps things fresh in a genre that thrives on subtle evolution.

SURCO Links

• Instagram: @surcolive
• YouTube: @surcolive
• Website: http://surcolive.com
• SURCO's modular courses: https://www.surcolive.com/courses

Other Show Links

• XAOC Odessa: https://xaocdevices.com/main/odessa/
• Elektron Tonverk: https://www.elektron.se/explore/tonverk
• MEGA x Decapod Bathymeter: https://www.megamodular.co/shop/p/bat...
• Shakmat Griffin's Claw: https://shakmat.com/products/griffin-...
• Ohmforce Bohm:

In this episode, (most of) the Pack welcomes musician, writer, neuroscientist, and YouTuber Jay Hosking into the fold. Jay isn’t just someone who makes beautiful synthesizer music. He also somehow manages to energize a whole creative ecosystem through his thoughtful YouTube videos, generous insights, and a buzzing Discord community devoted to experimentation and encouragement. We get into the good stuff here. The conversation flows from how the brain wires up ideas, to how we wire up our racks, to the eternal struggle of managing too much gear, to the hopes and wild possibilities of Eurorack’s future. This episode is a ride through music, mindset, and the joy of making sound together.

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JayHosking
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayhosking
• Bandcamp: https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com

• Cinematic Laboratory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUIrEQUXmqo
• Forge-tme Vhikk X: https://forge-tme.com/vhikk-x
• Jay's video on the Elektron Tonverk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov8Hkqz-vWk

In this episode of The Rack Pack, the crew dives into a packed month of gear news and announcements shaking up the synth world. We start with Elektron’s much-anticipated Tonverk, unpacking what it adds to their growing ecosystem and how it might fit into existing setups. Then we move to Roland’s TR-1000, the company’s latest evolution of their legendary drum machines — and we debate whether it lives up to the hype. Along the way, we touch on several other notable releases and updates that caught our attention, including Drop, the new MIDI controller from Neuzeit Instruments.

We also relive the energy of Machina Bristronica, one of the year’s biggest modular meetups. From crowded demo tables to late-night patch jams, we share the highlights, our favorite announcements from the show, and some personal stories from the floor.

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:

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