I’ve decided to take the plunge and buy the arturia modular case later this year. I’m planning on using it as a synth and not utilizing it for drums or samples. Anywhere I should explore or start with? I’m thinking of starting with the MSW SY0.5 and some sort of sequencer. Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.
If you aren’t going to use it for drums, why start with a drum module? Maybe you meant you were going to use it for drums? Or, maybe you meant a different module. Either way, there’s a lot to read up on. Good luck.
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Maybe I’ll start with something else. The syncussion can also do synth parts.
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- Don’t choose a too small case
- start slowly!
- Do you want to have the sequencer in your case? (My preferred way of building a case - but also expensive and consuming a lot of space …)
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It doesn’t matter to me if the sequencer is in the case although I’m thinking a dedicated sequencer in the case will allow for more modulation options. Haven’t done a lot of research but thinking Erica Synths Black Sequencer or something similar. Thanks.
Black Sequencer is a decent choice!
I use it - and like it a lot as the workflow is very similar to the Elektron Sequencers and as it offers some cool performance features as well (loops within the sequence, different play directions and so on).
Well not really. Sequencers are special in modular format. Very offer are either cv sequencers or gate sequencer. Due this nature you will need two if you want to have proper control over gate and cv at the same time or you will need to go with bigge, more advance and complex one, and more expensive one. As an option you can consider midi to cv module like Mutant Brain or a midi keyboard like Arturia Keystep with CV/Gate outputs - this will let you sequence externally. Some midi to cv are USB and class compliant means you can sequence from phone or tablet. Personally I have Mutant Brain and I’m sequencing from Digitakt or from iPad or from Ableton. If I’m playing with modular only then I’m using Behringer Chaos which is Mutble Instruments Marbles clone.
For first oscillator I would recommend something like Mutable Instruments Plaits (or a clone) it will cover multiple synthesis types including drums.
As a modulations source think about modules like Maths (or clones) or Pamela or Xaoc Zadar other CV generators. There are plenty of options from 50 EUR to few hundreds but this is what you should consider as modulation source, not the sequencer.
Usually people who start need a filter, envelope generator and vca, again choices for cheep to extremely expensive.
You need to share bit more, like do you have a budget limit, or with how many modules you like to start, etc.
Just in case, this is my current setup:
so I can help with what you see.
Additionally I had in the short past a Behringer 180 Sequencer and Cr8Audio Nifty Case and Cr8Audio Mr Phil Ter.
Cheers
Do you have a pc/laptop/ipad?
If so, try VCV or mirack first. Everything you could want in modular for free, or tiny fraction of the real thing. This way you can try stuff out, design a system, learn what you like dont like, and try modules out, before you buy them.
It will also help you figure out what size case you’ll want.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Right now the plan is to save for 10 months and start with a functional setup around that time. Case, oscillator, filter, modulation, VCAs and sequencer will have to be purchased together. Am happy sequencing with Digitakt II so I’d probably go for Mutant Brains.
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Yes have a nice PC. Will download VCV Rack and start exploring. The whole modular thing seems more rewarding (albeit expensive) than buying different non modular synths. I’m basically looking to build a flexible mono synth. With multiple voices or oscillators being added later.
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Do you have any hardware with midi out. If so I would go with the Oxi Coral and maybe some sort of LFO/Modulation device. Keep it at that until you know what you need next.
The Coral is fucking insane and I wish it had existed when I started. Great middle ground and won’t force you into a rabbit hole of purchasing in the first year
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As other mentioned will be good to try modules on VCV rack, there is enough of free modules to try out. My favorite are Befaco, Mutable Instruments, but this is just my taste, you may find something else more appealing to you.
When you will know what modules you like then you can check a case size you need.
I started with NiftyCase which have midi to cv interface and power build in and 84 HP is very good size for beginning to fit nice mono synth inside.
Do like to have analog oscylator or you don’t care? Digital oscillator are really flexible and sounds usually really really good. In my case I have Captn Big O which is analog and very flexible as have folder and distortion modules build in, and sounds nice and is relatively quick. I believe you will find many similar.
Many people hang cats on Behringer but if you want to try different modules without selling your kidney they are good choice for beginners and their modules have surprisingly very nice quality.
Feel free to ask anything.
Cheers.
My entire Eurorack life is in the Moog semi-modulars (Mother-32, DFAM, and Mavis) and I can say from experience: don’t skimp on utilities! Mults and attenuators are neither sexy nor fun, but oi, the number of times I’ve needed just one more…
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Analog is nice but I’m open to digital oscillators as well
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Look in VCV on Befaco Even VCO i analog one but my favorite in VCV. Still in a good price range. I took Big O instead of Befaco because at that time was much cheaper and I was at the very beginning. Now Befaco is not so expensive anymore.
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Welcome to the dark side 
Hardly anyone gets it right first time, myself included - case choice, module choice, and the fact that eurorack is like the wild west of electronics with no real standards on voltage means it’s a process of refinement to get what you think you should have first time round.
Vostok Instruments are rapidly becoming a favourite of mine, solid functionality with the normalled inputs and their focus on multiple channels in their 4 vco Sena and 4 multimode filter Atlas, I like the Ceres as well for 6 vcas - again with the normalled inputs - those save the need for as many mults in a case
Oxi One is a great sequencer for eurorack with its cv and gate outs that can be used directly or with the Oxi Pipe module… Sequencing generally takes up a lot of hp otherwise but depends what you’re after - there is something to be said for having everything in the rack but for me a separate unit was more ergonomic and useful
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Its good that you got a clear idea what you want to achieve!
Sticking with your Digitakt for sequencing is a good choice (instead of buying a shiny mega eurorack sequencer).
You should focus on which osc, which function generator, and which filter speaks to you.
Trying out in VCV is good like the great tips already mentioned.
Buying used modules can save you money.
Start slow and really learn inside out before buying stuff and stuff an more stuff.
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I think modulation sequencers are a huge joy in the modular worlds, shouldn’t be overlooked, stuff like simple 5 step sequencers or complex envelopes. Even better if you have 2 that you can interplay off each other and modulate there parameters with lfos and such. Complex sequencers I feel I can happily go out of rack.
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Don’t want to be that guy, but might as well…
The most frequent posters that I’ve seen, who moved away from eurorack, got into it with that idea of building a monosynth. The number one realization is that it’s significantly cheaper and easier when buying an already complete monosynth, and polysynths are possibly around the price of a eurorack monosynth.
I love my eurorack experience and it was one of the best decisions I made, so hopefully this will be the same for you too.
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Yeah for sure. Its good to think about getting s semi-modular, put in in a rack and add things you are attracted to (like special lfos, special sampling things like granular, distortion, effects, and so on the possibilities are endless).
For example the taiga comes into mind, or i hate to say it, some b.stuff.
Also things from Bastl (Softpop). Or the oneroi from Befaco. And so on. A lot of interesting stuff out there atm.
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