NANO Modules CAIXA 104 Eurorack Case - Review
Is it a great option for a beginner?
One of the most important decisions you’ll need to take when you’re starting off with modular synthesizers is the case. Making that decision before even getting your first modules can be very tricky and definitely needs some planning. I can’t stress enough how important Modular Grid is for planning your system so after having a rough idea of what you want to accomplish with modular, setting it up on Modular Grid should be your first step.
Generally, I think that you should start your modular journey with a case that’s just a bit bigger than your current plan so you can experiment and add more modules in the long term without having to get a new case. For a complete beginner, a single row of 104HP is just fine and that’s why I decided to start my first modular synthesizer with CAIXA 104 by NANO Modules. So today I’m going to go through all of its features, tell you about how I use it, and list its pros and cons for you!
Features
CAIXA 104 is a 104 HP Eurorack case with an extra 1U row that hosts 7 integrated modules. It’s very lightweight weighing only 1.7kg, it’s built with aluminum and also has a handle on top so you can easily carry it around. The black & gold aesthetic of NANO is beautiful and it feels very sturdy and well-built.
It can host up to 18 modules which is more than enough for 104HP and its depth is 47mm above the BusBoard and 60mm on the sides which is sufficient for even bigger modules. It has a 30.7W power supply that should be enough for any system with even more power-hungry modules.
The integrated modules
The most noticeable difference of CAIXA 104 is that it comes with built-in 1U modules. It has a Balanced Stereo Input, two buffered 1 to 3 multiples, a precision adder, two LFOs, a Sample & Hold, a Stereo Mixer, and a Balanced Stereo & Headphone Output. The Input & Output connection jacks are on the top of the case so they don’t get in the way.
The 1U modules are a very nice touch but it’s a bit frustrating that are built-in and cannot be swapped with other 1U modules. The Multiples are handy on any modular synth, the Mixer & Output modules are also extremely useful to have as 1U modules since you save space. The LFOs are a bit limited but it’s good to have a few extra LFOs and the Sample & Hold is also a quite useful module to have.
The Input module can be either great or a waste of space. For example, I’m not planning to effect or work with external signals on my modular system so I never use the Inputs. If you, on the other hand, want to make a sampling or effects system you’d take a lot of value having this onboard. Lastly, the Precision Adder is a very niche module that most of us won’t need or take advantage of (or even understand what it is), so having it on a beginner-friendly case is not very effective. I haven’t used it so far and maybe in the future, I’ll be glad I got it but, for the time being, it’s useless for what I do.
How I use it
My own modular synth currently has 3 voices, 2 Quad VCAs, 5 Envelopes, 2 filters, a Sample & Hold, a Random, a Switch, an extra dual Multiple, and a Beat Repeater (see image below). And I still have 25HP left for more modules! My plan is to add another voice for sure and probably a sequencer. You see that, even with a relatively small case, you can pack so many modules and functions and create a very versatile and fun instrument so if you think 104HP might not be enough for a beginner, it’s probably because you didn’t do a thorough & sufficient plan.
From the integrated modules, I of course use the Output, sometimes the Mixer, and the LFOs, S&H, and Multiples when needed. So 5 out of 7 1U modules are often used for my patches which is very convenient!
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Size: CAIXA 104 has the perfect size for a focused minimal system. It has enough space for pretty much anything you want to make and the space you save with the built-in 1U modules is substantial! Its weight, looks, and built quality are great and it’s a solid option for every beginner.
1U Modules: As stated above, the included 1U modules are a life & space saver. Most of them are very useful and you would have to sacrifice a lot of valuable HP if they weren't there.
Cons:
1U Modules: The biggest strength of this case it’s also one of its weaknesses. The inability of swapping the integrated modules with other 1U modules is frustrating and you end up having some space left unused. Since space is crucial for modular synths, it’s a shame that NANO chose not to give us the option of swapping the modules we don’t need & use with other ones. I would love to be able to choose my own 1U modules and have the option of adding modules from other companies but that cannot be done with CAIXA.
Price: When I got this case it cost 650€ but lately NANO decide to drop its price down to 565€ which is a much better deal! It’s not that CAIXA is expensive but that there is a ton of competition for affordable beginner cases. For example, Befoca’s brand-new 7U with two rows of 104HP and a blank 1U row costs 650€, and the popular Intellijel 7U - 104HP Performance Case costs 700$. So you can essentially get double the HP at around the same price as CAIXA and also have a 1U row where you can add any module you want. On the other hand, keep in mind that with the cases I mentioned, you’d have to spend a good amount of money to fill the 1U row with modules so the price will go up faster than you’d think. So, in the end, you’ll pay more but you’ll have flexibility!
Conclusion
NANO Modules CAIXA 104 is an all-around great choice for a Eurorack case. It has enough room for most use cases, a useful 1U row with integrated modules, and with the latest discounted price it’s a tempting option for anyone considering getting into modular or just wanting to expand his/ her modular system. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, it looks beautiful, and, in my case so far, it has been reliable with zero problems.
So if you are looking to dive into the modular world, I definitely think you should check out CAIXA 104!
Check out our Preset & Sample Packs
