Going Modular..

[frico]

I've been in the eurozone for about 8 years or so, and would concur with some of the stuff said here. How I break it down to an extent:

1. Think about what you can only do in modular and aim toward that. If you want a nice SH-101 sound or whatever, just get a fixed-architecture subtractive synth that does that. If you want to set up 4 LFOs to open and close 4 VCAs that are being fed by 4 different filters etc, go modular.

2. Clocks and utilities can be really cool. Using a joranalogue switch 4 to take 3 different cv patterns and switch rapidly between them and send the resulting sequence into a quantizer then an oscillator, for example, is a ton of fun and not something you are going to easily do in another format. As someone said, a dedicated clock module is not necessary but a clock divider with multiple outputs (i use the shakmat time wizard) is great. As someone else also said, mixers are very handy, you need a couple of them.

3. Modules I would never part with:
L-1 Quad VCA/mixer. Super hi quality (shits, for example, sonically on the intellijel version of the same thing) and affordable.
Tiptop quantizer. A quantizer is a good example of the only-in-modular thing; it lets you take random cv and forces it to a musical scale. This one is very playable and fun, but there are lots of other ones out there.
Some kind of buchla-style wavefolder. I have a dannysound timbre and a nonlinearcircuits timbre, both sound great. Pair that with a simple sine wave and off you go.
Intellijel metropolis: instant riff maker. Watch the mylarmelodies vid on it. They are going cheapish lately as there is a new version out.
Intellijel planar joystick. Sound machines lightstrips etc -tactile stuff for generating CV yourself.
Intellijel triatt -offset generators/attenuators are really useful.

4. Underrated manufacturers:
Feedback: really cheap and nicely made. Great mackie and boss overdrive emulations, delays are killer, Juno chorus is great.
L-1: belarusian dude who uses very hi-end components and is fairly cheap.
ALM: very techno-oriented and cool stuff. Like the akemies castle a lot.
Frequency central: snappiest envelopes in the game and loads of other stuff. Also cheap direct from his website
Analogue systems: old school stuff that goes cheap on the used market and sounds very "vintage" IMO
Amsynths: nerdy chap who makes faithful reproductions of classic filters etc.
nonlinearcircuits: australian boffin who makes insane noise/chaos modules

5. Overrated manufacturers (v. subjective of course):
Make Noise: don't like the sonics and the nobby visual aesthetic
Verbos: does sound good but read the big modwiggler thread for insights on the terrible QC
Intellijel is great for CV (their 4u cases have a row for mini modules that are really handy) but I've not been impressed by the basic sound of the oscillators or filters.

5.
Consider DIY if you have a steady hand and can follow instructions. Thonk sells loads of great kits.

[timc3]

I've been in the eurozone for about 8 years or so, and would concur with some of the stuff said here. How I break it down to an extent:

1. Think about what you can only do in modular and aim toward that. If you want a nice SH-101 sound or whatever, just get a fixed-architecture subtractive synth that does that. If you want to set up 4 LFOs to open and close 4 VCAs that are being fed by 4 different filters etc, go modular.

2. Clocks and utilities can be really cool. Using a joranalogue switch 4 to take 3 different cv patterns and switch rapidly between them and send the resulting sequence into a quantizer then an oscillator, for example, is a ton of fun and not something you are going to easily do in another format. As someone said, a dedicated clock module is not necessary but a clock divider with multiple outputs (i use the shakmat time wizard) is great. As someone else also said, mixers are very handy, you need a couple of them.

3. Modules I would never part with:
L-1 Quad VCA/mixer. Super hi quality (shits, for example, sonically on the intellijel version of the same thing) and affordable.
Tiptop quantizer. A quantizer is a good example of the only-in-modular thing; it lets you take random cv and forces it to a musical scale. This one is very playable and fun, but there are lots of other ones out there.
Some kind of buchla-style wavefolder. I have a dannysound timbre and a nonlinearcircuits timbre, both sound great. Pair that with a simple sine wave and off you go.
Intellijel metropolis: instant riff maker. Watch the mylarmelodies vid on it. They are going cheapish lately as there is a new version out.
Intellijel planar joystick. Sound machines lightstrips etc -tactile stuff for generating CV yourself.
Intellijel triatt -offset generators/attenuators are really useful.

4. Underrated manufacturers:
Feedback: really cheap and nicely made. Great mackie and boss overdrive emulations, delays are killer, Juno chorus is great.
L-1: belarusian dude who uses very hi-end components and is fairly cheap.
ALM: very techno-oriented and cool stuff. Like the akemies castle a lot.
Frequency central: snappiest envelopes in the game and loads of other stuff. Also cheap direct from his website
Analogue systems: old school stuff that goes cheap on the used market and sounds very "vintage" IMO
Amsynths: nerdy chap who makes faithful reproductions of classic filters etc.
nonlinearcircuits: australian boffin who makes insane noise/chaos modules

5. Overrated manufacturers (v. subjective of course):
Make Noise: don't like the sonics and the nobby visual aesthetic
Verbos: does sound good but read the big modwiggler thread for insights on the terrible QC
Intellijel is great for CV (their 4u cases have a row for mini modules that are really handy) but I've not been impressed by the basic sound of the oscillators or filters.

5.
Consider DIY if you have a steady hand and can follow instructions. Thonk sells loads of great kits.

Nice write up. I would agree that with my experience of ALM (squid salmple is great!), and FeedBack modules - and I love the sound of Verbos but I can't stand companies that offer bad support. I also really really don't like Make Noise aesthetics either but I hear that the LxD is really good so perhaps with another faceplate if they ever become available again.

Have you any experience with Endorphin.es? I was listening to the Furthrrrr Generator last night and it sounded great, like some of the qualities I hear in Verbos but different. It's at the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending on a module so I am really not sure. I have not been interested in complex oscillator until now so I don't know whether it's to do that or go the route of getting separate through zero oscillators and wave folders etc.. or the FG (or similar).

[timc3]

Oh and Doepfer - Doepfer is fucking wonderful.

[mindstuff]

I have a few quid atm & before I do the predictable thing & buy another synth, I'm wondering should I get a case & start getting a few modular bits.

My sudden interest probably isnt that sudden at all. I love step sequencers & Ive regularly watched with interest, lots of different random generative & modulating devices on YT. I recently built a baby8 step sequencer & been sending it into my DFAM as a kind of stepped LFO.. and been experimenting shoving the Brhringer Pro1 LFO and envelope into the DFAM's patchbay. The TR8S is triggering things also. Its interesting.. but naturally creates some 'what if's'. What if I had a better sequencer.. what if I had some kind of quantiser etc.. What if there was a way of getting something to bounce around in the gaps, in a call/response way?

Been looking at a few 'where to start vids'.. especially found a Starsky Carr eurorack vid useful. I know I'll have to get a lot of utility modules to actually help shape the sound.

I'm in no rush to spend a fortune. I know a good case will be important, but after that I'd be happy to let the case develop over the next year or so as I figure out what I need.

CV wise: I probably have some interesting stuff in the Bro1 & DFAM. Also have a MC202 with proper CV & FilterMods. My TT303 has Midi & CV out. I've got a TR8S with triggers & a Kenton Pro Solo II.

Case wise: I'd obviously need a few Oscs. A Filter. A Seq. Some Utility stuff (Not totally sure exactly what a decent set-up initially requires to be quite functional).

Ive got a lot more reading to do. Just throwing it out here for a chat. I've been looking for new sounds recently & have been considering getting an OP6 to investigate. I'm sure I would enjoy it.. but I'm thinking that this could be more creative & could change direction as easily as changing a module in the future. More flexible architecture.

I think you can get pretty far and on a better budget looking at semi modular. Right now I'm running a DFAM, Neutron, sub37, and a Doepfer Dark Energy as a makeshift modular setup. All can be driven with CV. I have a SQ-1 sequencing the Neutron, DFAM already has a sequencer. Also added an CV.OCD midi to CV converter. I find what makes the biggest difference to me is the analog sequencers to get that off key, quirky, glitchy sound.

[frico]

Have you any experience with Endorphin.es? I was listening to the Furthrrrr Generator last night and it sounded great, like some of the qualities I hear in Verbos but different. It's at the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending on a module so I am really not sure. I have not been interested in complex oscillator until now so I don't know whether it's to do that or go the route of getting separate through zero oscillators and wave folders etc.. or the FG (or similar).

Never tried the Endorphin stuff but it seems great. I've gone the roll-your-own complex osc route (with Dannysound thru-zero oscs and wavefolder) but I'm realizing that I don't actually have all that much use for the heavily modulated bonk-y buchla sound (apart from little Porc noises and stuff). It's fun to mess around with though. There's always the tradeoff between the simplicity of a complex osc that has all of the modulation routings already set up (but costs more $$ and is sometimes less flexible for using in other ways) and the more modular version that is more flexible and cheaper but requires more faffing around and brainpower to set up. Immediacy is important so sometimes it's worth the investment in something you don't have to think about all that much.

[buffered]

Have you any experience with Endorphin.es? I was listening to the Furthrrrr Generator last night and it sounded great, like some of the qualities I hear in Verbos but different. It's at the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending on a module so I am really not sure. I have not been interested in complex oscillator until now so I don't know whether it's to do that or go the route of getting separate through zero oscillators and wave folders etc.. or the FG (or similar).

Never tried the Endorphin stuff but it seems great. I've gone the roll-your-own complex osc route (with Dannysound thru-zero oscs and wavefolder) but I'm realizing that I don't actually have all that much use for the heavily modulated bonk-y buchla sound (apart from little Porc noises and stuff). It's fun to mess around with though. There's always the tradeoff between the simplicity of a complex osc that has all of the modulation routings already set up (but costs more $$ and is sometimes less flexible for using in other ways) and the more modular version that is more flexible and cheaper but requires more faffing around and brainpower to set up. Immediacy is important so sometimes it's worth the investment in something you don't have to think about all that much.

The advantage of a complex oscillator is that it is configured and calibrated to work in a nice cohesive way. Yes you must like the overall sound of the particular CVCO but alot of the function pairing has been carefully thought out.
A common thing in modular is that some modules just don't mix well with others. So in theory a complex oscillator is quite easy to put together from separate modules but the overall sound of that combination may not sound any good. Having said that, the Dannysound VCO you mentioned is really nice and if you want a really wide sonic possibility, thru-zero is worth considering.
VCO and filter are places you want to spend the money in my opinion.
If I was building a CVCO from separate modules i'd probably just grab a doepfer high-end vco, a doepfer trapezoid thru-zero VCO (both have VCO to LFO switching) and a non-linear circuits timbre! folder which is a buchla easel wavefolder clone.
Then you need a mixer so it basically gets up to verbos or endorphines price anyway.

[timc3]

Yeah, that's the thing - once I start pricing up what I need it comes close to a complex osc anyway - unless I use some of the stuff that I already have and just get a through zero osc.

Got a Mutable Blades on the way which will keep me busy in the meantime and that can do some pretty cool patches by itself..

[terryfalafel]

Lots of good, detailed advice in here.

But on a general level, I'd say that you just really need to be disciplined. Know what you want to do, and don't get caught up in the GAS cos it's an absolute moneypit. It's easier said than done, but I see a lot of modular systems where the modular gets in the way of finishing stuff rather than helping. People have a lot of fun, but it's so easy to just end up noodling. Fine if that's what you want if course, but if you wanna use modular to make techno tracks, rather than long winded modular jams, discipline is required imo.

Often overlooked is getting a decent power system. I can provide input on this subject if you go down the route of sourcing it yourself.

[Críoch]

So far ive got a doepfer lc9case with psu3 & a couple of modules. Haven't plugged anything in yet.

Aint gone down a rabbit hole or anything. Been quite busy in work & @ home and am in no rush to dive into it just yet. I've a couple of bits to repair & others to sell before I get stuck in. I want to get a couple of modules.. a mixer and some vcas, envelope/s module of some kind & a disting. I am interested specifically a bit of wtf sound / random pattern / Melody creation.. so I need to look up some logic stuff (??) to get experimenting with. I plan on getting an item a month inbetween selling some stuff I'm not using. When I have a bit more of a wedge I'll get something larger. Just got an erica polivoks filter.

Don't want a big modular subtractive synth.. I just need something that'll go a bit sideways & allow me.to record some madness.

[Blue Eyed Ghost]

Hi,

If you are looking for a good sequencer module that does not eat up half the space in your rack but is still deep enough to have fun with, I can recommend Qu-Bit Bloom. It is only 16 HP but you have two independent channels whith up to 32 steps each. This does not sound much but you can mutate your sequences and it is really nice to let the module spit out new ideas for you.

When I started out with modular, I first tried some modules that are pretty self contained, like Mutable Instruments Rings or Plaits (use both togehter and you basically have a fully blown modal synthesizer). If you look around online, you can also buy professionally assembled DIY versions of these modules so you do not necessarily have to spend a fortune. However, should you like it, you will eventually buy more and you should think of some good anti GAS tactics.

Regarding a good case: I use a Tiptop Mantis (2x 104 HP), which is a plasic case but still pretty solid. I am not sure that I would like to take it on the road but it is completely sufficient for the studio, has a great power supply and is also quite affordable. If you are the type who wants to start out small but maybe expand later, you might want to look at the 4ms pods. They are small cases and you can chain them together later. However, there are very shallow versions and deeper ones, so you have to take care how deep your modules are.

Cheers,

Sebastian

[td3l]

Have you any experience with Endorphin.es? I was listening to the Furthrrrr Generator last night and it sounded great, like some of the qualities I hear in Verbos but different. It's at the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending on a module so I am really not sure. I have not been interested in complex oscillator until now so I don't know whether it's to do that or go the route of getting separate through zero oscillators and wave folders etc.. or the FG (or similar).

I have a FG as the sole/principal oscillator in a 208hp case and like it a lot. Excellent timbre with a very shape-able sound. The UI is also top-notch. Either of the two oscillators can be swapped out with a digital through-zero core osc, if you so happen to want through-zero FM capabilities.

[tsaro]

This module is also pretty cool if you'd want to go down the rabbit hole of massaging your control signals into (some kind of) shape, basically it's capable of doing most of the things I mentioned (and some extras as well)

https://metabolicdevices.com/Coherence/

Been looking at it for a good while now, as I could do most of what it does by patching together single function (building block) stuff, though in this for you'd have a whole other perspective than putting together that kind of thing with intent. And pricewise it would easily be the most expensive module in my collection... Probably gonna pull the trigger pone of these days though.

[loug]

The DIY route is definitely great and a whole world in and of itself

[td3l]

Have you any experience with Endorphin.es? I was listening to the Furthrrrr Generator last night and it sounded great, like some of the qualities I hear in Verbos but different. It's at the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending on a module so I am really not sure. I have not been interested in complex oscillator until now so I don't know whether it's to do that or go the route of getting separate through zero oscillators and wave folders etc.. or the FG (or similar).

I got back into the modular game this year and have built a 208hp case around the FG. It's a really fantastic osc, but I'm actually about to take delivery of a Frap Brenso to try that out instead, and suspect I will prefer it over the FG.

The only thing that I actively dislike about the FG is the 10-turn pots for the oscillator frequencies; as a consequence of this design choice, there is zero visual reference for the oscillators' current root frequency setting, which I personally find to be very disengaging to work with. Beyond that I have no qualms with the FG. It sounds phenomenal and has a fantastic UI otherwise. The tracking is not stellar beyond ~3 octaves or so but it's not too bad. Brenso packs in a few more features and sounds a bit preferable (not necessarily better) to my ears, so on the level of personal preference I expect I will choose to keep it and sell the FG (hit me up I guess if you want to buy mine?).

[buffered]

anyone running a NTO + Wavemultipliers combo?

[timc3]

I got back into the modular game this year and have built a 208hp case around the FG. It's a really fantastic osc, but I'm actually about to take delivery of a Frap Brenso to try that out instead, and suspect I will prefer it over the FG.

The only thing that I actively dislike about the FG is the 10-turn pots for the oscillator frequencies; as a consequence of this design choice, there is zero visual reference for the oscillators' current root frequency setting, which I personally find to be very disengaging to work with. Beyond that I have no qualms with the FG. It sounds phenomenal and has a fantastic UI otherwise. The tracking is not stellar beyond ~3 octaves or so but it's not too bad. Brenso packs in a few more features and sounds a bit preferable (not necessarily better) to my ears, so on the level of personal preference I expect I will choose to keep it and sell the FG (hit me up I guess if you want to buy mine?).

Thanks for the write up! That's interesting that you prefer the Brenso, I have heard demos of both and preferred the sound of the FG - but I haven't had hands on with either.

I would still love to get the FG, but shouldn't really spend any more at the moment - recently added Mutable Blades, Expert Sleepers ES-3, ES-6 and ES-7, a Quandrantid Swarm and a Happy Nerding FM Aid - so feel I should give my wallet a rest at the moment. Thanks for the offer though!

[buffered]

Just started collecting a few of the Serge panels from random*source. To be honest, these are the best sounding modules i've ever come across. I'd suggest checking out the NTO and wave multiplier combo. You can achieve some very thick wavetable sounding results. Pretty incredible.

[Mono-xID]

I jumped into the rabbit hole with arms wide open, and it was the best decision I've ever made (albeit a really expensive one).
Currently I nearly filled up my custom built 9U 98HP case and it's just a wonderful sonic playground that puts a fat smile on my face whenever I have time to play around. I carved sounds out of this Frankenstein monster I never would have come up with in any other way.

It's beautiful ha ha.

[td3l]

I jumped into the rabbit hole with arms wide open, and it was the best decision I've ever made (albeit a really expensive one).
Currently I nearly filled up my custom built 9U 98HP case and it's just a wonderful sonic playground that puts a fat smile on my face whenever I have time to play around. I carved sounds out of this Frankenstein monster I never would have come up with in any other way.

It's beautiful ha ha.

Pics or it didn't happen

[Amøbe]

I jumped into the rabbit hole with arms wide open, and it was the best decision I've ever made (albeit a really expensive one).
Currently I nearly filled up my custom built 9U 98HP case and it's just a wonderful sonic playground that puts a fat smile on my face whenever I have time to play around. I carved sounds out of this Frankenstein monster I never would have come up with in any other way.

It's beautiful ha ha.

Pics or it didn't happen

Yeah I want to know this too - I remember really digging some of the tracks you've made, so I'm quite curious, what spits out those types of grooves <3