--- title: "Modules in use for streaming (April 2026)" description: "Notes on Eurorack modules and cases used while streaming, as of April 2026. Updated occasionally." canonical: "https://mdlr.stream/en/blog/current-gears-2026-april/" pubDate: "2026-05-04" updatedDate: "2026-05-10" --- Notes on the Eurorack modules I use while streaming and how they feel in practice. Here is a small selection. I plan to add more over time. ## Modules in use (April 2026) ### Arbhar (Instruo)
Arbhar specs - **Maker:** [Instruo](https://www.instruomodular.com/product/arbhar/) - **Width:** 18HP ( + 2HP expansion ) - **Depth:** 42mm - **Power:** +12V: 250mA / -12V: 30mA
A granular synth from Instruo, a maker based in Glasgow[^1], Scotland. I keep the window size (sample playback length) fairly long and treat it mostly like a sampler. Switching samples with CV is great: an LFO or random voltage can drive the changes for you. You can overdub samples as well, so you can build quite dense textures. ### Helical (Sdkc Instruments)
Helical specs - **Maker:** [Sdkc Instruments](https://github.com/SdkcInstruments/) - **Width:** 16HP ( + 4HP expansion ) - **Depth:** 40mm ( expansion module 30mm ) - **Power:** +12V: 240mA / -12V: 12mA
A module from a Japanese maker. It is a 16-voice polyphonic wavetable synth built around autoregressive synthesis, generating envelopes and pitch for you. You can customize wavetables and scales by rewriting a microSD card. Wavetable morphing is included, so you can shape more tones than the specs might suggest. With a built-in oscillator, envelope generator, and VCA, this single module is enough to start exploring modular synthesis — a solid choice for beginners. Add an LFO or CV sequencer and the expressive range opens up further. I've published [Scale Editor for Helical](/tool/helical), which lets you edit Helical scales in the browser — give it a try. ### Timiszoara (Xaoc Devices)
Timiszoara specs - **Maker:** [Xaoc Devices](https://xaocdevices.com/main/timiszoara/) - **Width:** 10HP - **Depth:** 43mm - **Power:** +12V: 120mA / -12V: 45mA
A stereo multi-effect. Of the multi-effects in this class, this is my favourite so far. The faders are easy to work with, and above all I like its reverb flavours best[^2]. It looks like you can add the effects you want, and there is also an expander called [Deva](https://xaocdevices.com/main/deva/), but the user base seems small: there are very few reviews or walkthrough-style videos, so I have not taken the plunge yet. ### FX Aid XL (Happy Nerding)
FX Aid XL specs - **Maker:** [Happy Nerding](https://happynerding.com/category/fx-aid/) - **Width:** 6HP - **Depth:** 45mm - **Power:** +12V: 80mA / -12V: 30mA
Another stereo multi-effect. A standout feature, compared with other multi-effects, is that you pick algorithms from a huge library and flash them to firmware yourself. Delays and reverbs are especially well stocked, with on the order of 50 to 60 options each, so most people should find something close to what they imagine. One unit quietly covers a lot of "if only I had that effect" moments. Personally I find firmware updates via WAV files a bit fiddly, and they can feel like a hassle. If you rarely use CV, there is a 4HP version without CV inputs. ### MFX (ALM Busy Circuits)
MFX specs - **Maker:** [ALM Busy Circuits](https://busycircuits.com/pages/alm032) - **Width:** 6HP - **Depth:** 32mm - **Power:** +12V: 50mA / -12V: 15mA
Also a stereo multi-effect. As of April 2026, the latest firmware (v115) is somewhat unstable and can freeze, which is a serious downside[^3]. On Reddit, I've seen a handful of posts noting that a lot of the algorithms are *dual-mono[^4]*, and in practice I find the reverbs a bit weak on spatial spread[^5]. Next to Timiszoara or FX Aid XL above, it may not be the best fit for ambient-style sound design — though there are six reverb types, which is plenty on paper. Compared with other effects units, you can push delay times quite long depending on settings[^6], so I often use it as a long-cycle delay machine in my rack. ### Bartender v2 (After Later Audio)
Bartender v2 specs - **Maker:** [After Later Audio](https://afterlateraudio.com/products/bartender) - **Width:** 24HP - **Depth:** 40mm - **Power:** +12V: 260mA / -12V: 225mA
An 8-channel (four stereo pairs) mixer from After Later Audio, known for Mutable Instruments clones and more. Among the modules I own, this is one of my strongest recommendations. Per channel you get Level, Gain, Pan, Send/Return, Mute, Cue, and Level and Pan can be CV-controlled. You can also chain expansion modules (daisy-chain) for up to 16 channels and CV control over sends. After Later Audio is great value, but their support is excellent too — a favourite maker of mine. The glossy panel is the only downside: under stream lighting it reflects and shows up on camera. ## Cases in use (April 2026) ### SIX_60 (Black Hole Cases)
SIX_60 specs - **Maker:** Black Hole Cases - **Size:** 60HP / 6U - **Depth:** 63mm - **Power:** +12V: 2,000mA / -12V: 1,500mA
A 60HP-wide case from Black Hole Cases, a brand that no longer exists. Power is Konstant Lab BoardPWR plus bus cables. Slide nuts (I personally much prefer barrel nuts). The footprint is fairly small, so you need to plan layout carefully in limited space. Until recently I used an Intellijel 104HP / 7U case with more room to spare. I still really like Intellijel cases, but some modules pick up noise from the power supply[^7], so for now I am on this SIX_60. [^1]: A viewer comment on a stream told me that Glasgow has an active modular synth scene as well. [^2]: Among reverb modules I still like the sound of Make Noise Erbe-Verb best, but at 20HP it is a bit too large for the 60HP case I use now. [^3]: After one freeze, choosing the same effect again tends to freeze the unit. I saw an overseas forum post that said you can avoid it by doing a factory reset on every boot, but of course that wipes user presets. [^4]: Dual mono: two independent channels processed separately with little interaction between them — lighter on DSP but weaker sense of space. [^5]: Purely subjective; you'll also see posts saying *MFX reverbs are their favourite*. On Reddit, [Desmodus Versio](https://noiseengineering.us/products/desmodus-versio/) often comes up as a reverb recommendation. [^6]: There is a trade-off with sample rate and bit depth; in practice, around two seconds seems fine. [^7]: Power-supply noise has been a headache for a while; I want to write about it sometime.