Modular Synthesis Thread
 

How many of you have modular systems, or want one? I started with Eurorack format about 2-3 years ago, and it's been something I spend hours on without getting bored, or confused, and I just love the hands on tactile nature of hardware with minimal menu diving. I also get super distracted, so I find it near impossible to make music with computers for long periods of time.

The thing about modern modular synths is that they are far more stable, can easily communicate with DAWs given you have the right modules, so you can totally use Ableton or something like it to make really complex and cool stuff that you couldn't with just hardware alone, but that's not why I got into it. You don't even need a huge complicated wall system to get something amazing going on with multi-purpose modules.







Here's my system that I took a picture of about a month ago. It has some new modules in there that aren't pictured, and I'm going to take out the combine-or when I get a Hermod next. Top case I actually made out of a spice box (jankily) with a befaco power supply.

https://i.imgur.com/UiFaU2i.jpg

I've been a bit undecided for a while about getting into Euroracks. I thought about buying something from Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers or a Dreadbox. Perhaps getting into making SynthRotek DIY kits, but I haven't bought anything yet. I'm more into semi-modular synths.

It all looks cool and is probably fun af but to be honest the resulting music is pretty much what you could do with a little laptop which makes some of those vids a bit comical to me. Obviously the music itself isn't made neither better nor worse because of how it is made.

Ja Don Buchla, just use a dang laptop.

I know someone who makes music using a computer, but he doesn't use any kind of midi. He says it takes him hours to do things. But in his opinion he feels it pays off. I watch the video and the guy a button and got instant results. So it all depends how you look at it, I guess.

I recommend getting a Plaits by Mutable Instruments, some kind of filter, modulation source (lfo) and a a line out/mixer module. with a powered case that should cost about around 800. The case is about a third of the total cost, and once you have that you won't have to get another one for quite some time if you get new modules every now and again.

I really, really like Plaits, and yeah, you should get a vca, but if you just want to futz about, get used to making stuff that sounds good, and don't want to put money down on another module, you should be good. it has an internal VCA that does a pretty damn good job.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAI9bVjHfKI/

This is mainly Plaits with some reverb. The two voices you hear are from it, but it has different modes too (16 actually), and the manual you get tells you the little hidden features that are pretty easy to get to and understand.


You totally can make a lot of this music on computer, but I suck at using DAWs and VSTs. It's not any fun staring at a screen for me, and the workflow is better for my ADD.

I've read the product review on Perfect Circuit and it sounds like it offers a lot, very interesting for sure.

Hell yeah, it must be tons of fun. Not knocking it.
Would also be curious to hear some of your music.