Hi guys.
So I’m building my first Modular synth. I’m after advice from the solid elekronauts community. A couple of details I have so far.
I will be using the Octatrack to sequence the Modular. I have a mutant brain. I also have an intellijel shapeshifter on pre order. I’d like to keep cost down as much as possible without buying crap. I’d like as much functionality as possible. This probably sounds unrealistic but I will work from advice to build a happy little synth.
So please feel free to offer advice as you see fit? If I’ve left any info out please ask.
A). Join modular grid.
B) make a plan.
C) stick to that plan. Do not deviate.
D) realise some hopes might not fit the plan.
Cant stress B enough. If there’s no plan, you’ll get nowhere and it will cost a bomb. What do you want your system to do?
Eg: ive just been going through this journey myself. The plan I came up with (after a lot of head scratching) pretty simple - 2xrows of 52hp, to house a Pittsburgh SV1 (which I already own) and fill with expansion modules, all modulation based.
As for the actual modules, only you can choose those. I posted a thread on here asking for advice on modules and I ignored every suggested one, because they werent the droids I was looking for.
Like you, I have an octatrack for sequencing and sampling.
I gotta be honest I don’t like this step - or even the plan part. Modular for me has been all about experimentation and I’ve shifted course several times. If I’d stuck with my original plan I’d have the worlds most boring and expensive substractive synth
I’d say the complete opposite. Throw away your plan - start small and add as you need, treat it as an organic journey.
This is why getting advice on the internet is such a minefield
Edit: In fact I still have my first rack in Modulargrid:
This is funny, I think indeed often people ask advise but will then still do what they want lol. Which is fine. But still, it’s fine to ask of course.
Maybe first @Digifakts you could mention which modules you have in mind - even if you don’t know which specific ones, at least try to paint us the picture of the types of modules you’re thinking of. Than we can advise you about that signal chain.
One advise that I will give, which is oppositie to what 9 out of 10 people will give: you don’t have to go crazy with utility modules immediately. Also you don’t have to have a million VCA’s. That depends on the type of patches you want. So try to explain that to us as well!
I’d advise as well to start small and build a complete thing for that first. So: what do you need besides the Shapeshifter?
Mutant brain
A nice double / quad Vca
Filter
I really like fx in modular
One nice Envelope (can also be a envelope that’s also a VCA)
One nice modulation or LFO module
That’s what you’d first look at if going for a mono synth voice around the shapeshifter
I agree with this - bút don’t let this turn into a non-informed and blind buying frenzy. That made a horrible first experience for me and lots of others. Start with small and take some time after that before looking at an additional module, etc etc
I ended up with something similar: more towards a couple of voice-in-one-modules and effects. Instead of Env>Osc>VCA>filt stuff. You could also consider that first, OP, it’s a lot easier too to begin with probably. (But maybe the Shapeshifter is set in stone already:)
One thing that might be useful is to throw away preconceptions and throw yourself into the DIY world - there are so many strange and experimental modules that might inspire you on a journey you’d never considered on your own.
Eurorack is amazing for this! Whacky voices and crazy modulation. I bought this filter just yesterday so I can jam stuff into its circuits and make nutty resonance. This is the power of Eurorack imo
It’s like drugs. Once you’re a eurorack user, you’re a user. I’ve been in recovery for a year after selling all mine last Christmas. I still go on modular grid and build racks even though I’ve absolutely no intention of buying anything. Once you’re in, you’re in, there’s no coming out.
This can lead to many deception…Be carefull of 24 functions modules with buttons combination u’ll mainly use as a lfo…
Shapeshifter is a pretty complex module with many prameters to mudulate/choose/set…It shines with lot’s of vca, mod sources etc, in a small case not sure it will give you much joy.
Do not pass on doepfer modules,even if they are hp consumming, they are cheap, re sell well, have button per function and show quickly how things work !
Vcas,mults,clock divider,function generators, some filter/lpg and a few osc could bring you far already…
two things i´ve done in regards to doing modular stuff…
get a Reaaaally nice case, really splurge. get a case that is sooo good that you will never want to part with it. i bought a Clank modular case which has a extra socket for a light which was 6u70hp (roughly same width as OT).
if you have a case like that, then every module purchase is a conscious decision which means you will hesitate from dropping your credit´s into modules.
go by atleast a 2/3 rule, meaning that 2/3 of your case (especially if its a smaller case) are modules which handle CV. do not make the mistake of buying every single cool OSC/Sampler/FX module that you´ve seen your favorite synthfluencer talk about.
The real sauce when it comes to modular is manipulating CV, i went down the road of buying every cool sound making module ive seen and it felt like i just as well could have bought an fx pedal or a normal synth instead…
if you go by these rules this will mean that you will have spend a lot of time on Modulargrid trying to Tetris together your case and also looking at a lot of video´s regarding modules… a lot of investment will be have to be put into this venture.
Edit: the more knowledge you get with modular, then you will realize that everything is a sound source
Edit2: like others stated, stay away from modules which requires a skull and bones secret handshake every time you want to change a function.
i firmly believe that you can maintain a healthy relationship to modular… i haven´t purchased a new module for over 4 months or so and i´m very happy with what my case does. once i realized that i can´t have it do everything, i decided what i wanted it to do and now its like a little modular groovebox/monosynth, which can act on its own or via midi…
but i get it, someone with addictive tendencies need´s to be really conscious and careful about what that person is getting into.
I am being a little facetious. It’s good advice and something to watch out for, I don’t like fiddly modules myself, anything that I play or use live needs to be hands on but the beauty is you do have choice with this stuff - it’s just frustrating when a module you otherwise love is filled with tiny plastic potentiometers.
You should have some sort of objective. If you are weak like me you won’t be able to stick to the plan completely.
What exactly do you mean by happy little synth? More detail in your use case might help. If you want something simple all in one, one of my favorite modules is Plaits. It is a great beginner module because it has built in envelope/vca and some filtering. Can almost be used stand alone. Sounds great.
Yea it’s a mindset thing to some extent but I know what you mean - that advice upthread about buying a big case is key - without that you also trend toward the issue you mentioned of fiddly modules - you can trap yourself in that situation. I’ve got enough space at the moment that it doesn’t feel like a waste, this 104hp 7U has been a sweet spot for my setup - I could technically go smaller but I’d end up with those dilemmas.
Wow so many great reply’s in such a short time! Fabulous really.
Ok so some stuff I should have said initially.
I have a dfam and mother 32
I’m predominantly looking at modulation and fx stuff to compliment the shapeshifter(in stone yes) I say fx as I’m selling off lots of effects to fund the modular equipment.
I have maths also btw (my first Modular purchase) and plaits was going to be my next purchase. I have 2x3ux80hp powered sufficiently.
I was thinking doepfer stuff as they appear to be relatively cheap here (Australia) I guess I just need to know what I order I should add stuff in to make the journey more fun?
Ain’t no desktop synth with knobs this big mate.