Hi
Guys Im new to the world of modular so im needing some advice on the above
I want a all in one portable system so i can use in my lounge on a coffee table etc but also use it in my studio also
I like that the Erica Techno System is a all in one system but could i build a similar or better system cheaper ??
Sorry but this is all new to me
Thanks
I wouldnât buy an all in one, that takes away a lot of the fun of modular. Plus if you are new youâre goin to be so overwhelmed.
VCO, Filter,Amp, Envelope generator is all you really need to get started
Iâm not sure about that system and your needs/wants âŚ. But if I was to go back into modular I think the only way to do it would be a complete system (e.g Make Noise Shared System)
For some the creation of a system piece by piece is great, but for me it just amplified obsessive tendencies.
If you only ever want 909 sounds and 1 synth voice, then maybe an Erica techo system makes sense. Portable? Depends on your definition of portable.
Depends what you want?
Dead set on an all in one modular techno system? Yes You can do it cheaper than the Erica.
A drum machine takes care of drums and makes life very easy, way more options for a fraction of the cost of modular drums.
Thats probably not what you want to hear, but its the truth.
What is it that makes you want modular? Patching cables? Twiddling knobs? The sound?
Youâre going to get tons of different answers to this question. Trouble with modular is its a very personal deal, everyone has their own tastes and no one is right or wrong. For example My own modular system is mostly modulation and utilities, no drums, No sequencer, no FX. Only 2 voices.
About a year ago I was in a similar position, eager to explore modular techno for the first time and purchased the Techno System.
I quickly learned that with my time constraints, modular was not for me, and traded it off. That said, I think you can do better and cheaper than the Erica system for your needs.
I recommend researching the Erica system on this forum and others like Gearspace and Modwiggler. It seems like a cool system but I remember seeing some complaints about it as well.
I was in the same boat although Techno isnât my particular aim as a producer⌠but I was considering the Erica system because it seemed like something I could get drums and at least some synth stuff going with.
As others have stated, I agree that itâs dependent on a variety of personal factors whether you should go with a pre-built system or build your own.
Long personal journey:
My soft launch into modular was when I got a Make Noise Strega to sequence with my Deluge. I then became pretty convinced that a Make Noise Shared System would be a dream instrument but it wasnât really available anywhere at that point. I thought about trying to build it or something comparable on my own but there were some modules that were equally hard to find at that point and it wouldnât have made a huge difference price wise. I didnât know enough about modular synthesis to want to take up the task of configuring my own system. I also didnât want to overthink a bunch of individual purchases.
I researched some other systems but nothing really inspired confidence and then one day I saw a Shared System on Reverb and went for it⌠dream instrument confirmed, thankfully. Iâve been able to learn modular synthesis with the guide of a thoughtfully configured system (and lots of tutorials). Every once in a while I think about swapping out a module but itâll probably be a while. Someday I might take on the task of building my own little system - I really want to support modbap for example - but I donât regret getting a preconfigured one at all. Iâm glad I didnât go with another system out of impatience though
If youâre leaning towards one choice over the other, Iâd say trust your instincts. But if whatâs needed is sound financial advice, I got nothing. If you end up loving it itâs priceless but thereâs no shortage of cool options out there and you can prob get up and running for much cheaper if you just want to make music w/ modular.
@ddiamond84 might be able to offer some insight on the subject.
He own(ed) the techno system and has also been free falling down the rabit hole for a little bit now.
I am in the beginning of my semi-modular journey but I am going to follow this thread as Techno System is my retirement plan! Hopefully by then, i will have a good understanding of how modulars work. Until then, I am saving money for a Syntrx II.
I traded him mine!
Thanks for the reply guys
And to answer âWhat is it that makes you want modular? Patching cables? Twiddling knobs? The sound?â
Its something i can take from the studio to the lounge and jam but having the kind of best groove box by twiddling knobs and not menu diving if that makes sense
Thanks
I get the feeling the techno system is for most people cooler from the outside looking in. Before I dropped into the abyss of modular I used to gas hard for a techno system. Once you get deeper into euro there are just so many things you could use and might be more interesting to you. Doesnât mean itâs not gonna be perfect for someone though.
Describing a $4500 modular system thats mostly built around Roland style drum synthesis as either âportableâ or âthe best grooveboxâ is kind of a red flag to me. My first thought - if you wanna portable groovebox, get a portable groovebox. Personally, I love the syntakt - itâs like 12 mono synths/drum synths in a little box, sounds great, relatively little menu diving, very fast to get cool stuff going. I also think the mpc 1000 is incredibly underrated and has an insanely fast workflow that feels similar to the speed and tactile focus of Elektron stuff.
What do you have experience with in terms of things that are actually portable or groove boxes ? What did you like/dislike? If youâre really committed to going modular, Iâd recommend searching YouTube for small techno system recommendations. Mylar melodies has some great ones, especially the ones involving loopers
I slowly assembled a Shared System, buying modules when I had the money. That is about the same size as a Techno System. And trust me: that is not âsit on the couch/hangin in the loungeâ-portable.
When I started out, I wanted to have a complete system as an example to work towards to, and also looked at the Techno System. But soon concluded that its sound palette and use case would be too constrained.
Honestly I see people doing cool things with modular drums, but the time and expenses are not worth it for me. There are many cheap drum machines to choose from, for only a fraction of the price, that do way more. (But maybe do not have the âcoolâ factor of the Techno System).
And if you are just starting out, I really would recommend dipping your toe in first, for example with a small (semi-)modular. I bought an 0-Coast first to try out if Make Noise stuff and the workflow clicked.
I like @Hoogerâs advice to start with an 0-Coast before investing in a big full system. I also agree that modular drums are really hard to get right, even for experienced modular nerds. Youâll get so much more out of a used Digitakt for $500 than you can get out of spending 10x that on Eurorack drums, no hyperbole.
I love modular but it took me a while for the big concepts to click and really get inspired. I spent a lot of time patching in the dark, not sure what I was doing, despite reading manuals and watching YouTube videos. I started with an 0-Coast and eventually got a full Shared System, and it still took me a while for the big âItâs all voltage!?!?!â epiphany to hit. Since then itâs been all downhill.
So yeah, modular drums are a trap, semi-modular is a better way to begin, but even then it may take a while to figure out if you really like or understand this stuff. Bon voyage!
Then youâre after knob per function modules? Good luck getting a small portable system.
Do you have an ipad? If so I highly recommend Mirack. Literally the best portable modular synth experience you can get. Use a stylus and draw your modular world. You can build what ever you want.
Cheap too.
I used to really want a techno system.
Then I used the sequencer that comes on it. Not for me. If youâre trying to avoid menu diving, it ainât the one.
I bought a second hand Techno System two years ago (about half price) and play with it every day. As I wrote in other threads before, its sound palette is limited (even though the dual sample module mitigates this to some extent). Also, I often say that it is a âfake modularâ because the patching/modulation possibilities are quite limited on most of the sound generating modules. Having said this, I find it extremely hands on, immediate and inspiring for the music I make, and I use it much more (and with more joy) than my AR2, which I had owned for much longer before I sold it. The sequencer is a trigger sequencer with only one CV track, but it is quite versatile and easy-access in terms of track length, muting, swing and time signature per track etc. Finally, it interacts very well with external gear (eg Swarm, Elmyra etc.). Re portability: the case + lid is very nice and can easily be transported (patched) in a (large) backpack.
Iâm sorry, this doesnât sound to me like you need modular. You have to patch modular and that is more time-consuming than menus. Get a knobby device with a good screen.
I definitely understand the all in one system. Not the route I took but if I started again I probably would.
A lot of people will tell you to not get into modular but if you have the money then why not. The financial thing is the biggest problem with modular in my opinion. However it does imo do what you describe as your goal in a different way than anything else. If you find something that works that is. Which is why a complete system is cool.
The techno system seems very cool to me (has sampler too so more than just 909 even though that is clearly the focus) but it does depend on if you connect with the sequencer which you might not from how you describe your goals.
My first choice would be the Verbos performance system but you would need an additional drum machine of some kind to supplement for full techno performance.
However, you donât have to limit yourself to advertised systems to get what you want.
If I were in your shoes I would write ALM and ask them to put a 2x 104 together for you according to your needs. They have a very âgroovebox focusedâ collection of modules in my opinion.
If you want to save money you can buy a cheap case separately and a power supply module instead of a case with power. Personally I am very happy with the Koma power supply
i think a techno system might be overkill and physically way too big to be casually bringing it between the couch and the studio, etc.
are you new to synths/samplers in general or just modular?