Why Modular? - My thoughts on Eurorack Vs Standalone Synths
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2019
- Contains talking :P This video is intended mostly for those who are curious about, or considering getting into Eurorack Modular. After having a few chats with people on RUclips about modular and conventional synths, I decided to make a video sharing my thoughts and what I like about it.
I've built my channel on the back of self-contained synths, so I appreciate that most of my audience will be more into those kinds of instruments. I still like them too, plan to use more in the future, and am glad of their existence. However, there are pros and cons of both, so hopefully this video will give people who are unsure of modular something to think about. I'm not 'pro-modular', just pro-choice.
For those disputing the possibility of buying a complete Eurorack synth voice in a case as mentioned in the video - I previously listed some suggestions here, but this will change over time. As of today it is still possible.
All sounds heard in the video are from AJH Synth Eurorack modules. Some others were used for utility purposes.
My music is available here: tomorrowthecure.bandcamp.com
ABOUT THE COST OF MODULAR:
Whilst there may be some exceptions, so far as I can see in the Modular market, what you pay is what you get - this means there is a reason for the cost of everything: These are not big companies, don't have access to large-scale manufacturing, and are often just one or two people assembling products at home. They cannot buy huge quantities of components at the same bulk prices, don't have access to the same distribution of their products, and don't sell many units compared to the big synth manufacturers, so they cannot possibly produce items as cheaply. Also, there is the initial up-front cost of buying the minimum number of components from a supplier, particularly bespoke panels and PCB's, and so if the product doesn't sell, they stand to lose a lot of money.
Their product's cost will also vary depending on the type, quality and amount of components used, methods of construction, some of which being far more similar to the 'vintage' instruments of the past: Look inside an early 1970's synth, then look inside the nearest modern equivalent.
Lastly, the unseen cost - time: We all spend the lion's share of our time earning money to pay our bills, so modular developers will be no different. The amount of time spent designing, assembling prototypes, testing, drawing PCB layouts etc, can be very long, especially without a 'team' doing so, as a large manufacturer would have.
Modular products are predominantly created by fans of the technology, and a labour of love, rather than a 'get rich quick' scheme. The modules really don't have the level of profit margin per unit that you might expect. At least for the most part, the cost is what it is because it has to be, due to logistics and the global economy.
Happy shopping ;)
#dreamsofwires #eurorack #modular 
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So i just got my first handful of modules today. Ive never made any kinda of electronic music before and holy shit does it feels like theres a whole new universe of sounds i get to discover.
Congratulations, a universe it is, have fun exploring.
I watched this video some months ago and watched it again today with a whole different level of understanding and inspiration. Thank you for this helpful contemplative work of art.
That's great to know, I'm glad it was helpful, thanks for telling me.
Great insight, hauntingly beautiful patches, Wayne...You have become one of my favorite artists :)
Thank you, that's really great to hear. I'm glad you liked it.
As someone vaguely considering getting into euro rack I found this a very helpful video. Thanks for your thoughts and advice. Much appreciated.
You're welcome. Thanks for telling me, I'm really glad to hear it was helpful.
Nicely done talk and beautiful music. :-)
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that.
Bravo , interesting and insightful video.
Thanks a lot Andy.
Let me start by saying this is an excellent presentation of your thoughts. Loved the background music as well :-)
I've gone through quite a few stand alones and still use the JD-Xi and MatrixBrute today. I've often thought about switching to modular, a bit jealous of the seemingly endless possibilities. I guess I'm "afraid" that it would be too complex for me.
Thank you George, that means a lot.
I can understand, and I do like the immediacy of standalone synths. I definitely want to get back into them too when I can, and some that are due out soon look very interesting. Like I say though, it's always something you can just dip into partially, such as a couple of modules that add extra possibilities to what you already own.
And I have to say the aesthetics of the AJH Modular synth is really beautiful. It gives that old Moog Modular feel.
Yeah, they're definitely eye-candy, but with sound and functionality to match. My case was inspired by the old Model 15 and with AJH modules in mind.
Thanks for the insight into your thoughts and process, that was helpful :) I'm trying to work out the same and gravitating towards using the ipad for mixing, effects, poly synth voices and the Moog model D app, then Eurorack for the rythmical textures, glitchy madness and happy accidents. Sequenced with a Deluge, then as much hands-on midi control of stuff as I can manage without it taking up too much room. I'd love to hear more about how you use the modular and ipad together
Thank you, I'm glad to hear it was helpful. That sounds like a good plan. I use the iPad for mixing and effects too (AUM, EOS2); it's a cheap and easy option, apart from file management for recordings. I sometimes use the Genome app for sequencing too.
Both are great in different ways and purposes. I love to sample modular and use in beats with my hardware synths and in DAW to create songs. Modular is fun to patch and experiment in sound design. Making a beat is way easier on a drum machine however.
Firstly, I must say that your videos are very inspirational
. You are probably aware that Behringer are supposedly entering into the modular world, with each module costing between $50-$100. I think this is what I’ve been waiting for as I’ve never entertained modular before purely based upon cost.
Thank you very much, that's great to hear.
I did see some Behringer modules pop up on ModularGrid.net quite some time ago. I guess it's inevitable that more big companies will dip their toes in if Eurorack continues to grow.
Hey. 100% agree. I also been thru alot of stand alone's, ans still own alot of equipment. Mostly desktop boxes without keyboard. And a couple of years back I started my journey on the modular scene. And if you look at the top end stuff today its expensive, but it dosnt have to be. For me its expensive because I go after those hi-tech ones with little screens an multi purpose modules. I own about 4 rows of 84HP today between 5000-6000 euros worth. If someone would like to get into modular today and learn the "blocks" on a budget, I would 100% point you towards Doepfer label. They are very affordable and have some really good stuff (like the WASP filter I own). I was against modular synths at first, but once you try it out.. you dont fully go back ;) The freedom of patching anything into anything is something else! Love your video bud. Awesome as always, very inspiring :) Cheers from Sweden.
Thank you very much :) Wow, that's some rig. Yeah, Doepfer are still great value, really like the look of the new stuff aimed polyphony. There's a fair amount of more affordable stuff, but what's reassuring is that the expensive stuff is generally so for a reason - small scale production, often just one person, less compromise on components, and probably being produced by individuals who are passionate about what they do, and sometimes a labour or love rather than an easy way to make money, which I doubt it would be anyway.
Cheers from the UK.
*aimed at polyphony. (typing on an iPad, I don't recommend it)
Hi guys, first of all really interesting video. I discovered eurorack a few days ago and I am totally hooked on it. Super interesting and great tunes one can create with it. But sadly I'm still a complete newbie on the technological side. Does one of you have any tipps/videos/websites that explain eurorack from the start? Because it seems to me that there are almost only very advanced videos on RUclips.
This is so true I would help you but I’m in the same boat. Have you found out anything on modular on RUclips yet
I totally agree with you. I have a pretty deep collection of vintage synths, but wanted to try to build my own with a Eurorack setup in a Waldorf KB37. I’ve done so many different things with it, and went on a spree of collecting vintage filter emulations along the way. Really happy with where I landed this weekend with my setup. It’s pretty crazy. But that’s what I love about modular. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the great comment. It's interesting to hear that people with vintage synths are also drawn to Eurorack. I'd still love to have a lot of the old synths, but it's great that so many are at least to some extent re-created in Euro too. Modular is a whole new world in itself.
DreamsOfWires Another aspect I really love is that you tend to get a few more of those happy accidents. There’s so much subtle character that you just can’t get out of a dedicated synth. It keeps things interesting for sure.
Interesting... I find euro-rack/modular too complex - I want to make music, not patches. I program computers all day and want something easy/relaxing/different for my hobby. I get the table top real estate issue and have shrunk down my home studio to fit on one table. Trying to keep it to 4 synths and a Keystep, recording into Spire.
Was thinking of just a Keystep and an iPad with AUM and AUv3 synths/effects. That would be the ultimate portable studio! But I like playing on hardware with keyboard, knobs, sliders, switches, dials, etc - don’t like interacting with SW synths on a screen.
I can appreciate that, but I guess what is complex or relaxing is different for everyone. There's definitely an appeal of having an instrument that's ready to go as soon as you switch it on, I still like that, but on the other hand Modular allows you to have more involvement in the sound creation process. Both are good, neither better than the other, just different, but both for me are about making music first and foremost. Software synths too, I still love Nave.
DreamsOfWires Yeah, lot of great synths on iOS - I just don’t like turning knobs on glass. I much prefer a MIDI-controller with real knobs and sliders(what’s missing on Keystep). Most iOS synths now have MIDI-learn for mapping hardware controllers onto SW.
Yes, I don't like that either - I can't see the virtual knobs under my finger, and the iPad is not good at smooth control. A shame, because there's some great virtual analog synths too. A good MIDI controller would be great, especially with MIDI-learn.
U save a lot of money buying used modules and get most of the money back if deciding to sell.
Definitely, and even when I buy new I feel better about giving such companies my cash for the reasons I mention at the bottom of the description.
Modular is fun but expensive and no ability to create and save presets like in a regular synth. Plus those wires and cables!
modular are really cool but I'm struggling with the idea of creating a patch and losing it after you remove the cables.. No way to save
Get a notepad and write it down, or maybe take a photo
Yep, euro rack will give you more timbre and sculpting abilities tailored to ones needs or desires, but the one realm I think standalone still wins at least in analogue realms is with polyphony. Building a eurorack analog poly synth would be very expensive and a tad unruly.
Absolutely, although I still wish there were more choices of polys available, and more affordable ones too. I'd still love a Prophet 6 or an old Polysix.
@@DreamsOfWires Both of those synths are perfectly suited with your sound. Love your channel btw and this joodle - jam + noodle is one of the better ones. Cheers :)
Thank you very much, that's really nice to know. :)
I've nearly bought a Polysix a couple of times, so maybe I'll have one some day.
Polyphonic Eurorack has started arriving www.gearnews.com/namm-2018-doepfer-go-polyphonic-5-new-modules/