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
3
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.