Let's see your KEYS/SYNTHS!

[sergiomunoz74]

So I've decided after seeing all these people with their modular setups, I wanna slowly build one up, where do I start? I know the basics are a osc, filter, envelope generators, and modulators. What kinda case is available and should I plan my possible use before selecting modules?

[Deltaphoenix]

I would guess that you should pick a format. There are pros and cons to every format. Knowing what you want to do is definitely helpful. Basically, start reading and watch a lot of videos.

[MrNovember]

So I've decided after seeing all these people with their modular setups, I wanna slowly build one up, where do I start? I know the basics are a osc, filter, envelope generators, and modulators. What kinda case is available and should I plan my possible use before selecting modules?

I would guess that you should pick a format. There are pros and cons to every format. Knowing what you want to do is definitely helpful. Basically, start reading and watch a lot of videos.

Yeah picking a format is pretty important

Have a read through here: viewtopic.php?f=149&t=32010
It's fairly long but it should answer most of your questions

Also a good place to start is with Muffwiggler.com. Useful links:
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44345
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43964

[12XU2A3X3]

So I've decided after seeing all these people with their modular setups, I wanna slowly build one up, where do I start? I know the basics are a osc, filter, envelope generators, and modulators. What kinda case is available and should I plan my possible use before selecting modules?

some important distinctions:

VCOs: there are simple and complex oscillators, i.e. some have basic waveforms available where as others use analog waveshaping (deadband circuits) and digital wavetables to create change in timbre. these type of oscillators can be single or dual but are themselves powerful enough to get started without a filter if it's out of budget. simple oscillator would be an Doepfer A-110-1 complex would be Wiard Oscillator/Anti-Oscillator, Make Noise STO, Harvestman Piston Honda, or Livewire AFG. Complex dual would be Make Noise DPO.

VCFs: not only are they useful for processing VCOs, but they are great for working with sample and basically any other source material. come in many, many flavors.

VCA. Get a good pair to start. LPGs are nice too, but are more easily understood and appricated after working with a regular VCA.

EGs/LFO. Grab a Maths.

Everything else: this is where i would argue that euro flexs it's strenght. there are a number of unique and esoteric modules for both cv processing and generation but also audio processing. see, Erbe-Verb, Echophon, Brain Seed, digital euro frequency shifters, grainular modules (see audio damage) and more.

you will need some method of interacting with your modules at some point, be it touch plate, playable sequencer or midi to cv.

hope this helps

[MrNovember]

EGs/LFO. Grab a Maths.

Maths really can do so much. I'm pretty sure it's making its way onto most people's euroracks. I know I love mine!

Everything else: this is where i would argue that euro flexs it's strenght. there are a number of unique and esoteric modules for both cv processing and generation but also audio processing. see, Erbe-Verb, Echophon, Brain Seed, digital euro frequency shifters, grainular modules (see audio damage) and more.

Solid argument for eurorack format. It's by far the most popular and cheapest and therefore there are tons of modules available. That being said there are other formats you should look into as well. I know Delta really likes his Serge and wants some Buchla. They're more expensive but are well respected and sound great. A lot of Make Noise is based off of Buchla modules

you will need some method of interacting with your modules at some point, be it touch plate, playable sequencer or midi to cv.

This is pretty important. I bought my system used and it didn't come with any proper VCA's or sequencers, which I am sorely missing. I'm hopefully picking up a Make Noise Rene and Optomix ASAP

[sergiomunoz74]

Thanks a lot guys, I've commenced the reading since I don't have money to spend till next month anyway so I'm gonna take a lot of time to figure out how to incorporate this to my current rig. Id like to somehow connect it to my voyager/foogers and I know I mus be able to sequence it or at least play it with keys so cv/midi is a must.

There seems to be quite a bevy of info so it's gonna take me a while.

[MrNovember]

Thanks a lot guys, I've commenced the reading since I don't have money to spend till next month anyway so I'm gonna take a lot of time to figure out how to incorporate this to my current rig. Id like to somehow connect it to my voyager/foogers and I know I mus be able to sequence it or at least play it with keys so cv/midi is a must.

There seems to be quite a bevy of info so it's gonna take me a while.

Yeah it took me quite a few months of following and reading before I really decided to jump into it. There's just so much to know

[eatyourguitar]

I think you should just get a cell 48 case used and used doepfer starting out. a bigger case would be something like this lunch box. check ebay for everything used. search doepfer or eurorack.

http://www.ctrl-mod.com/Pittsburgh-Modu ... ell-48.htm

http://erthenvar.com/store/lunchbox

[sergiomunoz74]

Dang that lunchbox is actually pretty dang rad. Is it easy to flip a case if I decided to turn around and get something bigger? Since I have a decent familiarity of synthesizers and slowly filling my knowledge gaps as I re-re-reread synth secrets on sound on sound and practice creating patches. I just feel like on a modular I can definitely visualize some of what I'm learning better too.

I don't need anything giant since I want it small enough to carry around for shows every once in a while.

[Andrew21502]

I heard Pittsburgh Modular makes good stuff and when I looked into it, it seemed they didn't have bad prices for stuff. However that wall of a modular synth makes me very very jealous.

[sergiomunoz74]

SO I read a lot, and dang is it a massive wall of information. I don't think I'm gonna choose a modular for this year or maybe even next year. I just want to make sure I can make music with it, I really want to make sure that whatever I get will be less bleeps and bloops and more interesting synth music. I've read on this west vs east coast. I definitely want to make sure what I have isn't the "sound of wires".

I 'm gonna be searching a lot to create pleasing timbres on a modular. I play in a very smooth electronic thing so the most aggressive thing are our sampled drum kits and Moog basses.

Thanks for all the help guys, time to delve into a new hobby and possibly hour and hours of reading at work.

[oscillateur]

A Cell48 is a bit small, you'll likely regret not getting something a bit bigger. Also, the Pittsburgh Cell cases do not have +5V, which is needed for some digital modules.
I think a better option would be something like the Pitts Move 104 case. You can close it patched, move it around, and it's big enough to have something useful in it.

About modules : start slow. Get a few at first, enough to properly patch something and then learn how to use them and buy stuff when you actually need it.
What you get also depends on what you want to do. I know someone who only makes noise/drones and has no VCAs or envelopes at (all even though he's got about 6U worth of modules).

[sergiomunoz74]

Well the only module I have every personally tried as it is, has been a patched up Braids module so I'm probably gonna want that at some point since it sounded amazing thus I will require a +5v able case. I definitely do not want to have to diy my power supply so I'll be looking around for different stuff, I want to have enough for the basics, with some small spaces for interesting modules without giving me so much space that will then make me gas to get stuff just to fill space.

I realize if I limit myself I tend to stick to the limitations. My pedal board hasn't changed much due to that.

[MrNovember]

A Cell48 is a bit small, you'll likely regret not getting something a bit bigger. Also, the Pittsburgh Cell cases do not have +5V, which is needed for some digital modules.
I think a better option would be something like the Pitts Move 104 case. You can close it patched, move it around, and it's big enough to have something useful in it.

About modules : start slow. Get a few at first, enough to properly patch something and then learn how to use them and buy stuff when you actually need it.
What you get also depends on what you want to do. I know someone who only makes noise/drones and has no VCAs or envelopes at (all even though he's got about 6U worth of modules).

This is good advice. I'm really happy I started with a fairly small set up. It's really given me the chance to get to know the modules and to identify where I want to go with modular. I feel like if I had started with a huge system I would have just gotten lost and missed out on the full potential of a bunch of modules/ended up buying things that I don't really need or want.

Also the Cell 48 is definitely small. I'd start with at least 84hp (like the Tip Top Happy Ending Kit) but if you see yourself expanding or carrying it around frequently go with a Pittsburgh Move 104

[Astricii]

It's less about system and more about module choice and implementation. For instance, most people use Buchla systems for bleeps and bloops but others like Cortini have used them to much more musical ends.

This isn't exclusively Buchla but it does show how these systems can be, in the correct hands, made to sound beautiful.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ155KLFoQM[/youtube]