EURORACK MODULE BUYING GUIDE: JUST DON'T

Someone said it best on another video that eurorack is just a hobby for music nerds. They are more about collecting and bragging rights than actual making music. Ive seen racks that cost several thousand dollars barely able to produce a sound worth putting on any track. Granted that's up to the users skill and knowledge of the synth being used but I just find them to be annoying blip machines. Blips and blops. There's nothing a rack can do that the computer can't do and more much easier. For my own synths I just got the V collection for $200 and a key lab 49mk2 for $250 used during Black Friday. It's more synth than I'll ever need. It comes with so many sounds and different virtual machines. For a 20th of what even a basic euro rack system would cost, and it's far more usable in any musical genre. I understand why people wanna go away from the computer, they are looking for that analog sound and a simpler workflow. It just never really pans out that way and end up in gear hell. The best thing I could say about modular rack gear is that it does look very cool like a spaceship control board in your studio. With all those little lights and knobs and plugs all working.

I have all the Behringer crap, so I don't need a Eurorack. On top of that, I can't think of any Eurorack modules that I really want or need.

well i didnt watch the whole thing but i see your perspective. i dreamed of modular synthesizer since i was a kid over 20 years ago well over 20 years... and i finally started doing my eurorack system , and. i see what you are saying... but. too late for me.

Ahhh Man, your close to talking me out of it ! :( soul crashed....

Not me lowballing Eurorack regretters and cannibalizing their moneypits

It's too late to watch this video.. I have gone past the point of no return 😮

I've been tempted to get into Eurorack at times but I always end up getting a groovebox or synth instead, since they tend to be more bang for the buck and can provide plenty of soft-modular functionality to scratch that experimental/sound design itch. It would probably take a $5,000 Eurorack setup to do everything Gotharman's Little Deformer 3 can do for example. I do envy those who can afford the best of both worlds though.

Thanks. Not yet started modular. ❤

I would say, before jumping into modular, ask yourself what your end goal is. If you're a traditional keyboardist, than a modular is probably not your best option, as most are monophonic and many even lack keyboards at all. If you're a live performer, than modular is a challenge to use live on stage. Even the assumption that DAW-less is better is highly questionable. DAWs are powerful and intuitive tools, and they are hugely popular for good reason. A DAW-less setup is often not just less powerful than a DAW, but also more complicated and less intuitive.
If you are looking for ultimate freedom in creating unique timbres--probably for recording individual tracks--than a modular can be a great, albeit expensive tool. If you just enjoy experimenting and are into non-traditional music, than you may find that a modular clicks with you. But for most traditional musicians, playing conventional music, it's hard to recommend.

This is why I'm sticking to small cases with a module or two each. A good chunk of my pedals and synthesizers (and even one desktop mixer i've been eyeing) already give/take CV signals anyway.

You just have to be clear about what two OSCs, a VCF, an envelope and an LFO are capable of doing….

There was a time when a few made music with what little they had, an old rudimentary seq, a drum machine and maybe some cheap synthesizer. Nowadays there are many who are obsessed with collecting the material that their references use without barely making music. Those are the brand market friends.

Is it true that eurorack has nothing to do with music, but is all about playing engineer and tweaking things and fiddling around and buying things? Which is OK, of course, but if you want to produce music Pigments Ableton Live and a decent PC wil crush even the most expensive eurorack setup

Thank you! Was looking for a straight forward discussion. Very helpful.

LOL the comments are a sausage party of modular dorks doing monologues about their setups which all sound the same. I kid, I kid...kinda

A Behringer 2600 (or TWO 2600 !) with a couple of pedals is a pretty fantastic and cost savvy replacement for a Eurorack modular.

I bought a small system and collected a set of modules over about 8 months. I don't like it and never use it. I really value something that is polyphonic and if I tried to make that with a modular system, it would cost more and do less then other good synths out there. I still like modular, but I'll be converting my system to FX only. Something I can run external gear through.

"I'm here to actually talk you out, of getting in to it" Cracked me up 😂

this presentation was so good to listen to. There were no distracting background sounds!

Thank you. You forgot a point. Eurorack modules take up physival space that partners might not be excited about allocating. My wife is much happier about me collecting VSTs than she would be about modules, because once the bank statement is in the past, she doesn't see the VSTs. So I guess I'm going to keep making DAWful music, lol.

I really enjoy building modules, I don't have the time to do it as much as I'd like. I get that's not for everyone. And I think a cheap semimodular (Crave) and a good set of patches to try out helps set the expectations of what your own modular should do. A mother-32/crave covers a lot of ground because it the utilities it has (noise, crossfader, mixer, etc). You can get several drum sounds, nice bass and lead sounds, and lots of wild stuff non-intuitive stuff that a beginner wouldn't have guessed on their own.
for bare minimum with a lot of immediate benefit would be a voice like Plaits, Braids, Rings, or Doepfer A-111-5/A-111-6. A utility with line-out like DivKid Stereo Strip (which is also useful as an EQ and VCA). a CV keyboard/sequencer like Keystep 37 or Keystep Pro. External pedals can add delay and reverb but are limited because they lack external modulation. Eurorack format effects are quite expensive compared to their pedal counterparts and getting everything quickly adds up. Using an Ornaments & Crime as a CV quantizer with programmable scale can give you a lot of control over generative patches. Generative patches can really take off with powerful modulation sources like ALM's Pip Slope MkII, loopable envelope such as Rides in the Storm's FEG, Maths, Behringer's Abacus, After Later Audio's Tilt, Vortex Generator, ALM's Pam's Pro/NEW Workout, etc.

The Modular world is fantastic, and I can only encourage any noob to seek out a 'mentor' before wasting $ and time into dead ends. Learn from peers who actually use the gear! To get started it won't be JUST a few modules.... you'll need to house them, power them, and find a way to integrate the sound outputs into a system that makes sense to you. Just that foundation can get costly for your wallet and headspace. Start small, obviously, with the following building block, to expand later: Clock, VCO, VCF, EG, FX. Some modules may integrate a few elements already. The most intelligent investment you'll make will be a human one, all things considered.

I'm on the verge of buying the PIttsburgh Taiga. I'm now worried that it will push my closer to the Eurorack edge. Mmmm that Xoac Sofia sounds so goood.

Sound advice. Stay away from Eurorack. Synthesis is not the future.

easily still run Jeskola Buzz with way more peer controlled options than any euro-rack and way more flexibility. also free.

The best way to go about it is probably to start with VCV Rack, and if you get along with it then purchase a semi-modular synth from Arturia, Bastl, Behringer, etc or an Erika Pico 3 system. Use a DC-coupled audio interface to send the VCV modules into the semi-modular. Best bang for buck.

Buying hardware modules seems silly when thousands of high quality software modules are available.

I'm not buying any modules, my dad has enough and keeps buying/building. I have an almost endless supply to just borrow. Working with what you got is the best creative space to be in anyway.

I feel like the second hand market is underestimated with eurorack. Yes I'm investing quite a bit but i can sell the module for at least 2/3rds the price and even better if i bought it second hand in the first place. I dunno, maybe im naive i could one day sell my stuff.

Work for win money,get eurorack module,and rework to get others...time is lost in a other dimension 😂

I just want to build drum machine, the sound modules are ok but I want modules that modulate patterns, density fills. I want to go as complex as the ear can here. I’m struggling finding those. I have a Euclidean VST which is great, and I know Grids has set patterns that you can increase and decrease density. I need a large grid also to tap in sequences or record sequences. It’s probably out there just trying to find it. Plus I want some form of effects module, but I’m okay for that to be seperate as there are so many great off the shelf effects pedals and boxes. Would be nice ti be able to sample. Sounds like I lm stuck between modular and a top end groove box?

The closest I will probably ever get to Eurorack is to buy a used case locally and cheap and stick my berhinger model d and pro-800 in it ;)
I would hate to see a tangled web of cables obstructing the view of my pricy niche modules

Seems like the most amount of money possible to waste your time and lose creativity/talent. Generic autopilot "generative" BS as devoid of any substance as the simple "sequences" people spam as some lazy hack statement.

I started with semimodular Behringer Neutron. I know... I can see so many eyes rolling "Behringer"...and you might have a point. I have another few Behringer devices that are pretty cheap built, they copy things, whatever. But for whoever wants to get into eurorack, this one is one of the best ways. Might sound that I advertise for Behringer, but judge for yourself. For 300 euros (the price of a middle-range price module) you get all eurorack synth basic functions and something more. 2X VCO with all waveshapes, 2X ADSR, 1 VCF, 1X VCA, 1X LFO with all waveshapes, 1X Delay, S&H, Noise, all patchable. There are groups for this device with lots of patch ideas to get started. In one-two months you can have an idea what is this about, and if it's not for you, you can sell it at almost the same price. Next I started to build DIY through hole modules in kits (Turing Machine is a great start!), then made my own PCBs (like Benjolin), then I learnt to solder SMD parts and that was a total breakthrough. In 3 years I built more than 100 modules for myself (actually I lost count), sold a few, exchanged for some non-DIY modules, bught a few non-DIY that are absolutely great, etc. Now looking back I realise it's complicated for someone who just enters this world, I advice you get something cheap as Neutron, see what direction you like in electronic music, if you're good with your hands maybe learn to solder, but find somebody experienced and trustful to advice you what to buy when you want to achieve a certain sound, or when you like a function, a patch or a module, there might be some cheaper or better ways around it. I found this the hard way. And yes, SH modules are just a little cheaper that the new versions and you don't totally lose those money if you want to sell them. Actually it's a good method to build a module collection.

its a rabbit hole id never go down semi modular though is ok lol

Good advice... Spot on... I've been two years into modular synths now, and I've made pretty much the experiences that you describe...

Your room is so cute =)

For me it is rather about saving on space... otherwise I would have too many synthesizers which are too big and offer too small to keep them all in one room... It is also easier for many people to travel with a small modular set that offers everything that will be necessary on the gig .

When i look at the price i just decided to start building my own modules from scratch

As you say, there are plenty of ways to spend money. Some people buy boats… some fast cars. Some people take expensive vacations. It’s all relative to just how much you have that’s disposable income. Eurorack is a slippery slope and you do need some number of modules before you can really start to do complex things. I’m just getting into it and I’m close to needing an intervention but it’s also incredibly exciting and rewarding too. I find I’m staying up late and waking up early just to patch. Thanks for the gut check and video.

I've been wrestling with my conscious for months over cost and finally want to take the leap.I'm looking for a system for creating drones and sound fx, budget £2,500. I need advice have checked many video's and Noise Engineering is my first choice Cursus Iteritas Percido any input would be appreciated.

I'm glad you talk about time as a resource/cost. Many people don't think of it that way.

Since you asked... 😉

After working with fixed architecture synths for a long, long time, I finally succumbed to the Eurorack bug 3 weeks ago. I had started planning my approach about 7 months prior, so tried to be methodical. Out of the gate I got a NiftyBundle, a Plaits clone, two modules from Dreadbox's Chromatic series, and a Disting Mk3. Alongside this little rack, I added an Arturia Minibrute 2S and a Moog Mavis to a West Pest I'd had around for a while.

I've poured a ridiculous amount of freetime into the effort, and have had fun figuring things out. I have also blown through a lot of money, and honestly feel like I've just started to get some focus on where to go from here. I now have more modules than space, which means a second case (hello TipTop!) is near the top of the second-wave shopping list.

Here's what I've learned so far:
- utilities are far more important than you might think - you'll need moar!
- beware anything described as a "Swiss Army knife" - they take a lot of time to learn, and even once you've wrapped your brain around one, you'll probably still need a cheat sheet
- avoid the temptation to add a bunch of cute 2-4hp modules: they become a nightmare to fit into your case, and often a good utility module for $250 is way more powerful than 4-5 single function modules at $100 each.

VCV saved me ....... but if you must .....stick to multifunctional, reprogrammable modules and diy kits or buy used only

I think It’s important to have a game plan for what you want to do going in so you avoid buying unnecessary modules. The newer semi-modular synths like the moog DFAM are amazing because they combine are essentially a whole rack combined into 1 (VCO, VCA, VCF, sequencer, envelope, etc) for a cheaper cost. Really all you need after that is some fx and a way to modulate and you can do some crazy stuff for <$1000

Viable approach: zero money and vcv rack. Also, it’s better to get 2-3 semimodular devices. It gives wide amount of features out of the box for less money + modular experience.
I love DIY, but i only build projects for fun, like MFOS. I consider making DIY version of 606, not because i need it, i just love soldering and see how a pile of parts becomes musical machine.

this video honestly helped me dodge a bullet, so thank you. it seems like modular is for folks with disposable income and lots of time on their hands. i was on the fence, researching, comparing, trying to assess if it would integrate nicely into my current all-hardware setup, and it just sounds like it'd be another thing to manage. genuinely, thank you for keeping me from heading down another expensive rabbit hole. and good luck to the folks with the wealth and space to take the plunge! i'm looking forward to hearing the music y'all end up making!

Claiming that eurorack itself is extremely expensive is misleading. It can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. You c an spend 50 bucks on a cheap case, and then fill it with bargain bin modules to get started, and slowly get nicer modules over time if you want. They literally have modules of every type except for sequencers and oscilloscopes that cost less than 10-20 bucks a piece. There are some 2-4hp vcos that cost less than 5 bucks. You can get a cheap sequencer for 100 bucks or so. And if you want a midi keyboard to control it, you can get a module for 5 bucks and a keyboard for 20-50 bucks. With everything there are always name brands and boutique items people lust over. I wish I could buy an Emerson moog or a system 55 with sequencer case. But that would cost 45-55k or 150k for the Emerson , if one were in stock that is. You can get almost the same thing as the system 55 for with a sequencer cabinet for like 16-20k from synthesizers dot com. Or a bargain bin eurorack version for 1500 bucks. My dream guitar is a custom shop 1972 telecaster and it’s 5600 bucks. You can get the same guitar from normal fender america for like 2 grand. There’s always expensive stuff. If you look and do research, you can always find cheaper and sometimes better alternatives.
I wrote this comment partially to convince myself to splurge on a system. Haha