3 Ways to Get Started with Modular Synthesizers

best vid about same topic to far.. thanks for the clear and slowlay ideas

Don't start with eurorack. It's just a bullshit hype with tons of overpriced modules.

The first thing I learned today in Sarah's VCV course is: modular is not only modular, but veery modular and modular can also mean moladur. - Excited looking forward to the next course to start.

Things change and things stay the same! 45 years ago I was making strange noises with a Korg MS20 while listening to Klaus Schultze and Tangerine Dream while radios were playing all day long a new song: "staying alive" !. The MS20 was not that different from the current semi-modular synths...

Cheap options for semi-modular systems with infinite possibilities: Behringer Crave (225 euros) and Neutron (330 euros). Hands down my all time favorites. Neutron is eurorack size, so can be extended when you want to buy more modules in the future. Why spend loads of money on something new when you don't know if it's for you? Behringer is cheap, but a keeper on the long run.

You're very kind and sweet. I'm an absolute noob, i know nothing about music in general, music synthesis, electronics... And I'm not super intelligent overall either. I've always felt attracted to creating electronic music and the sounds i hear in my head, but also always felt like i just wouldn't be able to, even if i tried my very hardest.
This video pushed me to try VCV Rack, and after an hour or so i already managed to create a drum kick sounding synth with sequencer module on enveloppe on vca for rythm, and vco on an other enveloppe to shape the sound. It blows my mind!
But i'm still scared things would get too complicated past a drum kick and a bass line very quickly for me....
In any case, VCV Rack is mindblowing, allowing you to pratice with all these modules for free, it's just incredible, and it's also very intuitive to use, even for noobs like me. I really dislike DAWs in general, using Ableton is as enjoyable as filling my taxes paperwork, so I didn't want to try VCV Rack before because of that, but I have to say i was very pleasantly surprised by how intuitive and fun to use VCV Rack is.
Thank you very much Sarah hug
I'll keep watching the rest of your content, you do interesting and beautiful things :)

Good info.

I didn't even start the video but the trumpet thing in the beginning was sick!

I would love to start a small Eurorack system but am afraid nothing will come out except the bleeps and bloops you showcased. I have no use for them in my music. Am I the wrong person to start this adventure?
Also, your voice is awesome.

Super interesting video! I was considering getting a Volca Modular as my first modular synth, is this a viable option?

Your video is great. So informative and is pretty much what I’ve been looking for. Thanks again

Thanks

Very Helpful ! at 74 years young i find it hard to find anyone with the patience to help me get started on my new journey with modular. Thank You so much for this video. I do not know how i found this but Thank You. Blessings, Joanna

Amazing video 👏

Taking the mini course because I want to use virtual modular synth to make music. Been looking for a comprehensive course and came across this video. Thank you so much for making this and making the barrier of entry in modular a lot less for all of us!

What a relaxing voice.

VCV Rack 2 is amazing, following Omri Cohen now for 3 years has been a very nice inspiration. You can get lost in all the modules so i narrow them all to around 20-30 max, 'basically' i just use now only the big brands, Surge XT, Instruo, Vult, impromt, bidoo..... and of course the (paid) default VCV rack modules. So easy now to integrate with the DAW.

I'm a total amateur with music. With a VCV program and midi controller all you'd need is a good stereo? No other additional tools or application? I want a semi-modular synth but I can't figure out what folks mean by a power supply honestly.

Hi,
can I ask :
What controller do you use for the vcv rack ?
Thx to share
Best Regards
GYula

Perfect video! I tried to get into software modular for so many years until I understood that it‘s the mode of interaction that just doesn‘t gel with me. Even midi mapping didn‘t help me because the knobs would be in a different spot in each patch and that prevented muscle memory from helping me out. In the end I thought I‘d jump straight in with an AE modular starter system and got super lost because there are already too many modules in there. Made a lot of bleeps and bloops, but it didn‘t really find it‘s way into my music. It was only when I got a semi-modular that it finally clicked and since then Eurorack and modular has been at the centre of how I make music.

Hey Sarah, I find you approach very refreshing, inspiring and wonderful. Thank you for this great explainer.

thank you teacher.

I can't say how much I appreciate the content that you are creating. Being a highly improvisational acoustic musician (upright bass/electric bass) For a long time i have been trying to wrap my head around finding a way to create a relatively small, focused, modular system to interact, create, and even duet with. The concepts that you discuss in your electroacoustic videos have been very encouraging and definitely have my wheels turning. I'm going to take your course and then start planning a case, starting with a doepfer A-119.

Did go through some of the steps in the "your 1st modular synth patch" course an really did love it! Even though I already had the understanding of most of it it was really helpful to go through it!

I have a project planned, to make a real, physical modular system. DIY to 100% percent (no buy and solder modules, but CAD and order circuit boards) and this is a really helpful video to just make me understand more of the core concepts of modular synthesis.

Thank you Sarah!!

Hello Sarah, I have been a fan of you since your in depth video about the Hydrasynth. Although the instruments on your videos are very thoughtfully presented, I think your looks top them all. I did a solo program on my tuba, including electronic sounds. I never thought it would lead me from my home town to Cape Town. If you plan a tour to Europe, please let me know and I'll try to set up some gigs in Vienna, Austria.
Best greetings and keep it up!
Werner

For external control, I love using the Novation Launchpad Pro. It’s my clock, sequencer input and performance controller. I use an Intellijel case that does a great job handling midi and has a couple of buffered mults built in. Then my modules basically break down to sound sources, LFOs (Maths mostly) VCFs and VCAs. For effects I’ve repurposed some cheap guitar pedals to save room in my case. My first modules I ever got started with were an ALM busy circuits MCO oscillator, Make Noise maths, an intellijel VCF+ and a small 2-channel VCA. This is still the mainstay of my rig to this day

wow, it's like being tutored by Cote de Pablo but only better, I'm learning beginner synth without Jethro slapping behind my head 🎶

isn't helping at all. but thanks for the afford of making a video.

I like that Sarah is a real woman.

Bruce Haack would love you.

"What modules to buy first?" Maths :P

I want to say, if you don't vibe with VCV rack, don't give up. I could simply not get into it, yet I did not have this problem with my own physical modular synths. I think one question to ask yourself, beyond "what kind of music do you want to make" is "what role do you want your modular to play for you ? Is it going to be for sampling ? A fancy midi mono synth ? A noise box ? A complete instrument ?
I think also that one thing really worth considering are pre-built system. Doepfer for example has several available, most with empty spaces you can fill later. Pre-built systems are thought out and very rewarding because they make sense. I also really recommend looking at the AE modular format, it's an awesome modular format which is very affordable. There are 2 starter systems available which have so many possibilities by themselves.

You rock 🤘

You really like Make Noise Modules I can tell

VCV Rack is wonderful, especially with a control surface that gives you plenty of assignable knobs.

Amazing! thank u very much for all the knowledge...

Even if I am a seasoned synth user, i couldn't help to watch the video until the end. You're wonderful (in every sense)

Awesome stuff!

nice job

I hadn't worried aboutt causing damage to my gear from lack of knowledge, but I will now (; about to do some investing.

You’re the best.

Good stuff!

My goal and the music I want to make are ambient soundscapes that I can score with and also resample for dance music. I've just ordered my first modules Pamela's, 4ms ensemble osc, MI Beads and some utilities vca's etc. Really excited to get started

This is a really helping introduction to modular world. Thanks Sarah for making easy!!!