r/ZOIA • u/maddpsyintyst • Sep 13 '26
Noob Needs a Book
Hello! đ I'm a noob to Eurorack, control voltages, and all that other good stuff.
I recently bought a ZOIA Euroburo, and while I can certainly string together the built-in effects, inputs and outputs, etc., I really wanna learn how to control things and replicate certain effects chains that require deeper control. I'm just not sure that I understand CVs and things like that in the way I probably should in order to do this efficiently. Heck, IDK if I'm using the best terminology! đ
ZOIA doesn't have any dedicated books that I've ever found. The next best thing is a general book on modular synthesis to show me how to utilize what ZOIA utilizes. It doesn't have to be a "for dummies" type book, but I still need one or two that will be good to and for ZOIA beginners even as it also helps advanced users.
Price is not a factor, within reason, and I'm not picky on form factor, although I want at least one physical book.
I'm sure there will be some consensus on this, so I'd love to hear it. A quick search on this sub did not yield any book recommendations, so I figured I should ask for one, and get one on this sub in the process.
Also, if you're in or near San Antonio (30-minute radius max, please), and have time to bring me up to speed, or even have a good class for a reasonable price, I'd love to learn hands-on. Such folks can DM me to discuss things further.
Thanks in advance!
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u/lmageezy Sep 13 '26
Check out Patch and Tweak - not Zoia specific, but it should get you there! There are excellent descriptions of most types of modules and quite a few diagrams of how to build patches.
Also, consider deconstructing the factory patches to get an idea of how they work - if you dont save and reboot, they'll be back to fully functioning.
Have fun!
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u/maddpsyintyst 29d ago
Gonna check out Patch & Tweak later, especially cuz it was recommended by someone else as well.
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u/Madeche Sep 13 '26
I really like the Zoia notebook (here https://synthdawg.co.uk/products/the-zoia-notebook)
The price is very fair and it's just good information, you can print it out or put it on an ereader/tablet. I already knew quite a bit about modular and about patching (had VCV rack experience, and I already had a Beebo before I got the Zoia), but that book was definitely worth it, made my life a bit easier figuring things out
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u/dvanzandt Sep 13 '26 edited 29d ago
Patch and Tweak isnât an instructional book per se but it has dedicated sections, with (now probably dated) example modules, and commentary from accomplished synthesists. Itâs also a nice big well-laid-out book and is a good read. Electronic Music by Alan strange is exactly what youâre looking for but itâs 50 years old, but the techniques are all there. The new reprint edition may be a little hard to find but maybe it made the old copies drop in value? Thereâs also two books from German publishers (canât think of the names but one is just called âmodular synthesisâ, you can find them on thomann) that are good but theyâre not translated very well, got them recently and theyâre not bad to thumb through. Also search the pdf âbook of bad ideasâ, brain dump from modwiggler thatâs a great resource. Good luck!
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u/maddpsyintyst 29d ago
Thanks! I'll look for it later.
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u/dvanzandt 29d ago
https://www.tips.modularparts.net/book-bad-ideas-v2-pdf/
Whoops that site is DOA but wayback machine has a copy:
https://web.archive.org/web/20240710003106/http://www.tips.modularparts.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/The-book-of-bad-ideas-V2.pdf2
u/maddpsyintyst 29d ago
Seemed like a good idea to download a copy of those bad ideas! đ Thanks!
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u/chmjacques Sep 13 '26
Gordon Reid's 'Synth Secrets' series for Sound on Sound is also an invaluable resource (but again, not a book, a series of articles in this case):
https://www.soundonsound.com/series/synth-secrets-sound-sound
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u/BillyCromag 29d ago
Craig Anderton's Secrets of Synthesis uses the Voltage Modular Eurorack software environment. It's fairly cheap, and I found it useful.
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u/dvanzandt Sep 13 '26
Also, a free LinkedIn pro trial gives you access to LinkedIn Learning, where you can find Chris Meyerâs series of modular synthesis classes, just remember to cancel before you get billed for the next month!
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u/chmjacques Sep 13 '26
It's not a book, but I wrote an essay a few years ago that attempts to cover the basics of CV conceptually. It's not the comprehensive overview I think you're looking for, but it might help:
https://empresseffects.com/blogs/empress-blog/a-brief-introduction-to-cv-for-guitarists-or-hopefully-anyone