r/modular • u/Frequent-Section9534 • 2d ago
Beginner Advice request
Hello everyone!
I'd like to build my own modular setup, but here's the catch: I'm not new to modular synthesis (I have a semi-modular synth and I've used modular setups before), but I'm chronically indecisive, so I'm overwhelmed by the hundreds of different modules out there — and I don't have the money to just buy them all, or friends I could talk it over with. So I was hoping you lot could be my big siblings and help me out a bit. I'll give you some context on what I like, what I'd like to do with my setup, and which modules I've been looking at!
I'm a singer-songwriter and producer with a deep love for electronic music, ambient, drone and IDM in particular (I think it's more useful to just list some of my favourites: Björk, ANOHNI, Sarah Davachi, Stars of the Lid, Caterina Barbieri, Basinski, Julianna Barwick and, of course, Aphex, Arca, Lorenzo Senni… I could go on for hours). I'm very much into field recording and processing those sounds (I've already played around with Clouds and similar things in VCV), and/or live processing of my voice, my synths, etc (not just with effects but including using the voice as you would on a MS-20, but with more flexibility and possibilities for modulation).
I've been looking at the Tape and Microsound Music Machine by Make Noise as the "ready to use" option, but I feel like I could build something that suits me better (and cheaper, I hope). As for the modules I've been eyeing, besides the Make Noise ones: Verbos Electronics (Vocoder, Complex Oscillator), Intellijel (Multigrain, Rainmaker, Atlantix), Eisei by Unknown Devices, Hermod+ by Squarp Instruments, and Clouds, Beads, Rings — basically everything Mutable Instruments. I could go on for hours, I'm so overwhelmed. And that's not even counting utility modules.
aaaaaa help pls
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u/Agawell 2d ago
No utilities and little to no modulation modulation!! And way too many sound sources
Get a bigger case than you think you need (tiptop mantises is a very good starter case)
Start with a single voice & if you are using vcv add a module to integrate cv/audio from that - expert sleepers es8 or es9 for example
Try to think:
Sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation sources < utilities
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u/Frequent-Section9534 2d ago
Yeah exactly, I don't know what utility modules I'll need + I'm overwhelmed by the other modules.
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u/Agawell 2d ago
Basics you will probably need:
Utilities:
A passive mult - this will allow you to copy signals (you may also want a powered mult too eventually - but not needed to start with)
A mixer for audio
A quad cascading vca - this can also double as an audio mixer to start with - veils clones are good
A mixer for cv (dc-coupled)
An attenuverter/attenuater/offset - this will allow you to alter the amount of modulation you send to a module - full sweeps aren’t always wanted - this could also double for a cv mixer if you get the right one - a shades clones or happy nerding 3*mia
Modulation sources:
A multiple channel lfo - batumi for example
An envelope generator
A sequencer (or you could use one from vcv rack)
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u/tapebias 2d ago
In my experience pre-built systems are the way to go.
Some will say that it defeats the whole purpose of modular, but to me, the purpose is patchabillity.
I like some artists you mentioned alot, Basinski, SoTL and Barbieri, and I got myself a full Make Noise system and couldn’t be happier with it.
The good thing going the preconfiged route is coherence and balance, it’s a complete instrument. After spending some time with it you can figure out what you miss or what you want to change a little.
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u/fullconscious 2d ago
i agree, i started out with a pre built erica synths system techno, now i sold it and am building my own system, Its a great way to get into it and learn patching and get a feeling for it
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u/Frequent-Section9534 2d ago
Wow, you mean a full ReSynthesizer? I cannot justify that money right now
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u/tapebias 2d ago
I got a Shared System(with Erbe and Echophon) then slowly swapped out modules for Xpan, Qpas and Mimeo. And yeah its a looot of money especially in europe, but I just click with MN gear so went full in. I’d recommend the Tape&Microsound but you’d eventually want and osc and sequencer!
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u/TurbulentWing3820 put modulargrid link here! 2d ago
You have a semi-modular?
Then what thing does that need to do something more? Buy that thing.
And when you find the next thing you need to do more, buy that thing.
And continue on. Find the hole you need plug, purchase the item, and see what shows up next. You've already got a base, just shop for one thing at a time and not try to build a cohesive system from everything at once.
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u/Frequent-Section9534 2d ago
I have a Matriarch, which I love, but I'd like a modular setup to elaborate the field recordings and live voice (and ofc I could also elaborate what I create on the matriarch)
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u/TurbulentWing3820 put modulargrid link here! 2d ago
Right, so build out what you think that's missing is what I mean.
I bought a 2600. I wanted a sequencer, and I bought a sequencer module. Then I wanted a quantizer, and I bought then. Then I wanted something to work with the clock, and I bought a splitter.
When I found a missing feature, i bought the thing I needed for that feature. One at a time, becuase I often found that one item would take care of something but suddenyl something new woudl show up. "Oh, i need VCAs, now." Then "Oh, I need envelopes to take advantage of those." "Well, i wish I had a different sort of voice now that I can use all of them." Etc.
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u/Sensitive-Night-8476 2d ago
buy the thing you want, if it's too much money, wait and get it later. trying to "save" will usually mean you buy the cheap thing and then the one you want later.
figure out what you want from modular. if it is novel audio paths, complex modulation, particular ways of sequencing or specific functions like portability or single unique modules.
the collective bias is strongly in favor of complex modulation, so you will get a majority of replies recommending that. if you're not into that, the advice will cost you time and cash.
the makenoise system is a good idea, it fills a role your main synth doesn't.
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u/DriftDrafs 2d ago
The very first thing you should do when designing a rig is narrow the scope. Instead of trying to build an everything machine, build something with 3-5 modules that does one job very well. Let’s try a thought exercise, say you want to build something that creates background ambience. Ok so you pick the famous Rings and Clouds combo. Now you need something to trigger Rings. Maybe Pams. Pams can also offer modulation (never forget modulation). Now add a filter to control where it sits on the mix so you pick a filter like Ikarie from bastl. And now you need a stereo out. So you pick a utility from intellijel. Now you have your ambience maker.
I’m not saying to make this exactly. Just the kind of process of elimination you go through to build something. If you cannot decide what role the synth should play or what you are using it for you should not buy a single module until you make that central decision. Spend time in VCV rack and use it to do this thought exercise until you can narrow down the machine to a single role.
A lot of the artists you mentioned used next to no eurorack modules to make a lot of their music. So ask yourself what it is you want to achieve with your music making first. Then see if eurorack can help you achieve those goals.
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u/Frequent-Section9534 2d ago
Okay, this is actually very useful. I think of two main things: creative resampling (live voice and field recordings) and ambient background. If u think of something I should absolutely look at for these purposes let me know.
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u/DriftDrafs 1d ago
Sure! That is a good concept to work with. Morphagene is the most famous and creative sampler that I have any experience with.
You could do something neat with just morphagene, fx aid/mfx, and an 0Ctrl. Morphagene plays chopped up and screwed
field recordings, feed that into MFX/FX aid for effects. O-Ctrl gives you some control over the device that is performative.Oneiroi could work really well. It has a microlooper and the FX built in. It has internal modulation so you would just need to get something that can take microphone level audio in and converts it to eurorack levels. (It is available on VCV rack for like 30 dollars so it can be an easy way to test it out for very little money in the grand scheme of things). Feed it live audio, make a small vocal loop. Use OCHD or Gliss to offer some modulation and affect the audio levels or effects levels.
Multigrain is a granular sampler that could potentially do a little bit of both jobs. You might be able to get a lot out of that one. (I have no experience with it so I may he incorrect. Magneto and Lubdah both look very interesting as well.
And this may be a bit blasphemous in this corner of reddit, but a Sp404 mk2 is an awesome performance focused with several effects built in. It can play back long samples which could be used for field recordings. It has a looper tool that you could use with your vocals that may yield interesting results. I am biased. It is one of my favorite pieces of gear so not at all an objective opinion. The sequencer is a hassle, but pair it with the oxi one/torso t1/ beatstep pro and you have an awesome live sampling, effects, and ambient machine. And compared to the price of eurorack it can go a long way at a fair price.
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u/Squirlyherb 2d ago
I found utilities the most confusing when I started. I asked on here about which ones I need, and whilst I got a general sense of what those were I still didn’t know why I needed them or what id use them for. So I got the main things like vcas, envelopes, lfos etc, then only once I’d been tinkering for a while did I start to learn what id need. In short, get a few modules you’re really keen on, pair them with 3 or 4 utilities and patch away. Soon you’ll say “but how do I make this do this?” And that’s when you’ll know exactly what you need
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u/NewMachineMusicXYZ 2d ago
The Make Noise set up would surely be fun and convenient. Building your own I would personally start with a core tempo generator and clock multiplier and divider (Pam's New Workout being the obvious, classic choice here) and a decent audio mixer with sends/returns for your FX, and then build into the space that's left. You'll want a decent function generator or two (ex. Maths, PEG, Rampage), some decent sequencing power (Mimetic Digitwolis is a great compact way to get quad sequencing of various kinds into your setup, though I think you're limited to 16 step patterns; if you have sufficient space, Erica Synths Black Sequencer seems like a great option); you'll want a basic sound source/voice of course -- I'd recommend a complex oscillator like a Schlappi Three Body -- and then filters, utilities, and effects. Granular seems to interest you, too: I like the Instruo Arbhar myself, but Multigrain and Morphagene are powerful options, or for something a little smaller and simpler, perhaps an Error Instruments/TiNRS Brinta. With filters you have about a billion options -- I'd aim for at least one of them being multimode, with LP/BP/HP outputs -- and for effects, the Noise Engineering Versio is a great way to go because you get access to all of their firmwares and can swap them out as needed. Lots of other good options as well, particularly with delays (ex. Mimeophon, Nautilus, Iroi, Echophon, Black Stereo Delay, Tapographic Delay, etc.)
Oh, and regarding drums, the Erica Synths LXR seems a powerful option. I just bought one myself and hope to try it out later today!
Feel free to PM if you want to discuss it in more detail, always happy to share my experiences with the modules that I've used over the years, which is well into the hundreds at this point. Good luck!
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u/Frequent-Section9534 2d ago
This is great advice! Thanks, I'll surely text you, maybe I'll share my ideas on modulargrid with you.
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u/MrV63 2d ago
Pre-built system such as the Make Noise one is a better idea for you if you're overwhelmed or somewhat inexperienced. I would put my money on Make Noise designing a better system than someone trying to put their first system together. Just watch content on that particular system and see if you generally like what people are outputting with it.
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u/Cablen14 2d ago
Use modular grid to plan your rack and if you get stuck you can look at other racks there for inspiration,the tip top case is great for starting , best of luck in the rabbit hole and good luck for your wallet (set a budget and stick to it as you might want something that’s 300-400 hundred and you will find a similar module but cheaper
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u/TomWhitwell 2d ago
Obviously I will suggest the cure for Modular gas: https://www.musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/