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Simply a fantastic and so versatile module. Brings you to a very strict way of synthesis….and much more!

Welcome soissons!

As for how to start I can tell you what I did: I collected used Doepfer modules (and anything else cheap I could find). I just wanted to avoid sinking thousands into new gear while figuring out if modular was for me. After I had a basic collection I got a (new) power supply and built a case out of cardboard. -

That said, you will first want to get the most basic modules : Oscillator, envelope, filter, lfo. Depending on what you want to do you will need some kind of note producing controller to actually play notes. Like a keyboard, midi interface, sequencer or even an lfo and a quantizer to give you stepped sequences of notes out of continuous voltages.

And no, you don't have to go full Doepfer (or any other brand). The beauty of modular is that you can combine any modules from the same format. Since you named Doepfer that would be Eurorack which IMO is a good start because it is cheaper than other formats and it has the greatest variety of modules to choose from (currently something like 800, not sure)

Hope that helped?

P.S.
Doepfer has ready made systems too: http://www.doepfer.de/a100s_e.htm
Pittsburgh has what probably ist just enough to be called modular: http://www.thomann.de/de/pittsburgh_modular_system_10.htm?gclid=CImXsfLou8oCFeTnwgod7rYHdw

My own 2x84 rack of around 50% used stuff looks like this:
I have around 1200 EUR in it.

EDITED Jan 21st 2016, 21:16

Thanks @Donics! Good seller :-)

Hello guys !

I'm pretty new to the "modular world" but i find it exciting.
I'm going to start a 84HP "cheapo" eurorack (with the Doepfer A-100LC3 Low Cost Case)

I need yours advice to build a "basic" system to start, cheap as possible, Max 500-700 euros ...(my budget is very...well...not very modular :)

A 84HP to start playing with, learn basics, experiment, etc...
And i can improve it, after some time (and money save )
Do i have to go "full" doepfer ? Some module are essential to start?

Thank you guys for your time ;)

PS: if you can point me to "cheapo" example "racks" here on modularGrid racks page, that would be cool

@gis_sweden, come on you, not worth the trouble

@Endorfinity good and helpful seller. No problems at all :-)

Anyone know the depth of this module? Just want to make sure it will fit in the skiff before I order one. Thanks!

Unfortunately, there seem to be no infos regarding the power consumption of modules by The Harvestman, neither in the MG database, nor on the Harvestman's website.

Above all, I need this for Kermit and for English Tear, because the power supply of my Erica skiffs is walking on the edge.
Anybody out there who knows?

bought item from Flipster100 - very helpful, nice to deal with - would easily buy something from Flipster100 again!

I'll take 50 items.

Although WO is top notch thing, it is very sensitive to the power source. There are numerous reports about broken modules because of power.

Greetings Knobs. I'm new to modular, but not new to synths by any means. I'm looking at building a 44 space dotcom-based system to complement/supplement my new Moog Voyager XL. I plan on using the internal voices as much as possible, but use the modular to mangle/modulate. That's why there are so many filters/effects in a system this big, but it only has one oscillator of its own.

From reading on the Moog forum, I read that the dotcom FFB isn't as good as the mos-lab. Mos-Lab has some crazy back order wait time currently. What other options are there? Is the club of knobs FFB any good? I like that the dotcom has a CV assistant module, is that feature common in other brands?

One more newb question: I read on the analog craftsman description of the 4x Insturment Interface module about differences in impedance levels between modular and Insturment & line levels. Can I connect the output of a mixer module directly to my audio interface? Or to the audio input on my voyager? Or maybe a better question is, what's the last module my signal should pass through before leaving the synth?

looks cool! i'm working on a lunchbox also. quite hard to decide what all to put in. at first i thought i may want two oscillators, but having the synthrotek mult as a kindof "must buy" for the case, i think one oscillator and more fun modulation stuff may be a better bang for the buck.

EDITED Apr 22nd, 16:32

can't wait for NAMM...

EDITED Jan 15th 2016, 09:08

To day an ADSR arrived from @Flesh_Candy. No problems :-)

No sequencing needed maybe for modulation? wich modules will i need for a good starting setup?

@hadj shipped an M303 to the Netherlands. Super fast! Nice and swift communication. Thanks very much! : )

Ok, is sequencing going to be something you'll need? There's not a lot of modular happening in that vid, but the basic sound to me sounds like a pair of oscillators doing FM, the. Possibly through a filter. If you're not afraid of digital oscs, I'd recommend an Intellijel shapeshifter or harvestman hertz donut. Both are dual osc designs with fm routing and other functions. I personally have 2 shapeshifters, because it's insanely flexible and always giving me surprising sounds. Everything from chords, (I'm big on dubby chord stabs) deep fm, digital shifting wave table sounds, etc.

Ok budget won't be a problem. I'll start looking for the book you recommended. The sound I'm looking for:.

I aimed for around $2000 initially. Within 3 years though my system is what it is now. :)

If you're bored of traditional synths, if recommend exploring some west coast/buchla techniques which are timbrally much more expressive and different sounding. Look up wave folding, dynamic FM, etc.

So, let's start by figuring out exactly the kind of sounds you hope to make and start from there.

There's a long out of print book by Allen Strange called Electronic Music Systems, Techniques and Controls (1972).

However you can find the pdf online fairly easily.

Pff, i have so manny questions don't know where 2 begin. For the last years i have being working with regular synths, but i can't seem the get the sound i'am looking for. I want to expand my know how of synthesis in general and dive deeper into the matter. What kind of budget should i be thinking about? Any good books on the subject maybe?

EDITED Jan 13th 2016, 16:48

That's a tall order! First, research as much as you can. Listen to demos, watch vids, etc. next, think about what you want to accomplish. Classic subtractive analog tones, modern digital sounds, west coast/buchla influenced systems, etc.

Then think about your budget. Then double it. ;)

Don't skimp on power and case size. Buying a small case that you will end up outgrowing will cost you more in the end. Also, don't just look at modules simply for their inexpensive price. There's a lot more to modules beyond what you can see, different build quality, functions and more importantly, sound. That's not to say that cheap modules are terrible, but if you are pining for a great complex osc with built in vcas, wave folding, etc, trying to replicate that with basics will usually leave you disappointed.

Seriously though, it can get addictive, and you'll find yourself selling other studio gear to fund modules. I sold all of my vintage synths to start my first system. No regrets of course. ;)

Have fun, and if you have specific questions about modules, power requirements, etc, just ask!

I want to start building my own modular system, but have no clue were to start can anyone help me out??

@pibou is a great seller. One of the best, if not the best one I've dealt with! Quick, perfect package, top stuff!

Good dealing with @Tazio, shipped very quickly and was helpful with the sale.

@moket808

Good seller!

closer!

I think this fellow wiggler got confused on the "submit a module" button.

Should all be fixed now.

This is the same as this, right?
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/orthogonal-devices-er-102

A suggestion: If it is, you could upload your beautiful image to the old addition.

You should probably have this and your other cell 48 as a private module (check off "Do not list this module" near the bottom of the edit page)

the correct depth of this module is 65mm.

Thanks - I added the RS-230. I also added the "multiple" tag for it so other can find it on ModularGrid when they search for multiples.

EDITED Jan 8th 2016, 17:53

Nice! There's also the Analogue Systems RS-230.

EDITED Jan 8th 2016, 17:46

Bought a µVCF from @Tomek . My first purchase via the marketplace. No problems at all.

This is my rack in its "final" state, which will be mostly realized in the morning when my package arrives from Control Voltage. This order includes the Folktek Matter, Make Noise Function and Rosie, and the Mutable Instruments Links. The Division 6 VM should be here by Wednesday, which just leaves the Omnimod, which I pre-ordered in November.

There are actually 2 racks, a custom-built 104hp teak box, and a Pittsburgh Modular Cell 48, visually divided by the right edge of the rightmost Make Noise blank.

I will have mine in a "matter" of hours. Totally stoked.

psshhh!!! How stupid of me haha! In my mind I was stuck on the original design which was wider. Thanks for clearing that up. Feel free to call me out in the future as well - I need it sometimes ;) Oh, also be sure to check the Matter page on the folktek site - I've added a tips and tricks section that I'll try to continue expanding on. Cheers! Hope you're enjoying Matter.

It's actually 21HP! ;)

I pulled the Pittsburgh M3 based on user reports that it didn't function well as a buffered mult, especially for pitch-sensitive applications. Apparently the module has been discontinued anyway.

A selection of buffered mults. The top two rows (3U and 1U) are dedicated multiples. The bottom row features modules that can do additional things, such as attenuate, invert, or even mix the input.

A multi-tracked yet 'naked' demo - E350 is the sole sound source for this piece, no filtering/EQ or compression/limiting

In case you're sitting on the fence on this one - here's a piece developed from a jam on the 2nd day I had this thing

So how long does it take for my Unicorn to materialize?
-- ishkabbible

That is an automatic process that unicornifies you instantly.
Something went wrong, I pm you.

Good idea. Considered!

You kids and your fancy Zoot Horns. In my days all we had was a single broken Doepfer VCO and a Mult.

The comment section for racks is already there. We have this for a long time, but only a few guys uses it.
Maybe the implementation sucks.
Comments are displayed under the users Rack but technical are a MG Forum thread.
So if someone comments your Rack you find it on your Rack page AND in the MG Forum.
Is that what you mean or do I misunderstand you?

Today I tried to to connect my system-1m to Ableton using the USB interface. The interface is recognised by OSX as a core audio 12 in 12 out device so I know I have the special Roland driver installed correctly.
I have not found any documentation of the port mapping and so far I can only get a signal at the first four inputs. The first pair is the main outputs from the synth (including effects). Number 3 and 4 is the Gate and CV inputs.

What about the remaining 8 inputs? I've tried to monitor them in putting signals to all inputs but I can't detect any activity at all.

For the 12 outputs I've only figured out the first pair as the mains.

Love this module, but it's been listed multiple times here already:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/music-thing-modular-radio-music-black-panel-
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/music-thing-modular-radio-music
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/grayscale-music-thing-radio-music