One will keep you going. What about eyes or testicles/ovaries or any organs you can do with one of, or even none of? I have two vintage Hammond organs!
Dont forget sperm and/or blood-plasma donations too. Some salons of a certain cultural ilk will buy your hair too for extensions if its straight, uncoloured and over 10 inches.
I loved it when Andrew said"You can build whatever instrument you want". That isn't just a throw away comment. Imagine an instrument where everyone who plays it has to build their own instrument AND they each build it differently to their own custom specifications.
There kind of is an instrument like that, I don't remember the name but it's based off of a Stroh fiddle, common in Romania (I think), usually they make it from a trumpet and a violin neck, and a gramophone diaphragm or smtg similar, often made by the player (all according to the article I read like 4 years ago😂)
Would love to see you livestream a modular session! Nothing fancy - just watching you experiment with maybe a little explanation of what you're doing. PS Loving your monthly class!
This is the way... also being an EE student makes this addiction a bit easier on my wallet, I can fix broken modules or build my own, and maybe if I’m ambitious sell some of my own designs in the future!
education should be free. being in dept for education is like slavery of the mind. high tuition fees usually do not reflect in acquired knowledge but just in status.. bottom line: make music :)
Weird a.f. last night I had a dream I was in Target, and they had a whole aisle full of modular synth components, then this was posted... Love what you make, Andrew!
@@alfiekennedy1657 Dreams can really help you realize stuff going on in your life and go forward with that knowledge happier or with a clearer direction. That was an odd sentence but I'm tired
Most importantly (and most dangerously), Modular is easily scalable. You can have a three module setup or a thirty module setup. I appreciate what you said about the random module that you found replaces many of your patches. It's so easy to reinvent the wheel.
I've never even thought about buying a modular synth before, the I watch your two latest videos and I feel like it's something I've wanted my whole life 😂. - Awesome stuff Andrew, please do more like this.
@@andrewhuang ok,cool Video❤️like the others! I have also my first filter a forbidden Planet..but what say u to midicontroller in Eurorack. Livid make cool stuff. But the ceo from Livid quit the Brandt. Thanks bro Best wishes from Vienna 🇦🇹 🖖
Ever since I was a child growing up in the 80’s, I’ve been fascinated with synths. I used to spend hours just messing around with sounds at any given music store that sold synths that I didn’t buy and annoyed the employees to no end. Flash forward to 2021 and many hard life lessons and excuses as to why I never explored my own creativity in electronic music, I feel the need to remedy that and make sounds. Thanks for this vid Andrew, I got some catching up to do. ✌️
I hope you continue doing episodes about modular. I tried to wrap my brain around the things I was digging up online and only felt more confused than before I started. This episode and the prior one have given me a better understanding of how it all works, and inspires me to open up Voltage Modular when the episode is over, so, THANKS! for that, Andrew!
As someone who's just getting started with modular and creating my first system, this video is an invaluable gem! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! ❤
Love you, Andrew, I don't think i could ever get over how you've created such a vast and diverse musical skill set, I'm sure if you sat down 20 years ago and planned this all out and said to yourself, this is what I'm gonna do, and this show ill make it happen and make a living, it might have seemed like a total shot in the dark at the time. my dream is to become a genius mad scientist musician like you.
I'm learning more and more that this is a video I'm going to have to watch another 20 times. Each bit about a new module would require me to watch several videos to learn about the next module. Thank you @AndrewHuang for putting this together. I keep coming back to it to learn more than last time.
One thing that I did was to start with a semi-modular keyboard that already had all the basic parts (in my case, Moog Voyager + CV expanders). This made it really easy to only get one module to start, which wouldn't have been super useful on its own, but massively increased the capacity of the keyboard. I think my first few modules were a clock divider, VCA, and additional oscillator in that order.
@@ImOzify A clock divider takes in a pulse, and the only outputs a pulse for every X divisions. So a 4/1 clock divider will only output a pulse every 4 beats. A pulse is counted by voltage crossing an upward threshold. This can be easily used with a square wave input to create an octave down effect, which is how things like an MXR Blue Box octave down work. They can also be used to create polyrhythms, etc. Or something like a 4-on-the-floor beat without a drum machine or sequencer. Small, cheap, easy to build and very powerful. I'd highly suggest that as a first expansion to a Grandmother!
The best way I have ever had the difference between modular and DAW-based music creation is: The DAW has a lot of power and can gently massage your sound into place, while modular on the other hand allows you to beat the snot out of your sound until it does what it is told, or doesn't.
Superb video, really. ~ i've been buying *doepfer* since '96, - still have my 404 - and only recently started building other systems. The only thing i might add is that when first starting out one might want to take into consideration the pros and cons of an all analogue system vs the more common hybrid systems, and that building compete systems from individual designers can help in holding off the inevitable eurocrack habit... personally i prefer single designer systems, but i figure that's just my age... one last tip, - ALL my synthesizers, modulars, MPCs and samplers, go through *Radial JDI* boxes, - personally i find them vastly superior to any output modules i've tried, - because balancing the signal through the transformer and then going into a decent preamp, will really help in capturing and preserving all the detail present in the signal, while rejecting any noise, -. done correctly, the improvement is phenomenal.. the saturation imposed on the signal by the transformer cannot be achieved once the audio is ITB, and it really does add clarity, and another dimension to the sound, IMHO. love to ALL, feel no hate
just got back into music after a couple years of not playing anything and I think I can credit you with that!. i have been getting into synths and your synth videos are the most entertaining and by far the most informative. Thank so much for your work.
I watched this video before pulling the trigger on and was too chicken to modular and now that I finally did having already 3 modules watching this again opened my eyes even more! So informative and real! Thanks again!
Getting a job and getting at least the first 5 things you mentioned in this video. No idea what im doing still but just watching what youre doing makes me want to try it
Why? The wires. It's always about the colorful wires. Oh, and sound design! The beautiful envelopes! And the need to buy more modules. To fit into a rack. The colorful lights. Exciting stuff. Love it.
When you said the drawing was Feb 3 I got so excited! Then I realized it was 2 years ago... 2020 breaks my heart again 😂 I've been watching more and more of these videos after getting into synth with VR. So awesome but so intimidating trying to decide on which real equipment to buy first.
These videos are just the best. Your modular racks have always intrigued me, but i've never known where to look to learn more about it. And now here these videos are. Thanks man.
This is super helpful! I’ve been looking to build my first modular synth, and this pretty much what I want to build. Also, to anybody looking to get into modular check out VCV rack. It’s a completely free Eurorack daw with tons of free modules.
honestly i feel like i just gotta say thanks for this video. switching from my normal drums and guitar to synths and electronics has helped me keep music flowing throughout this pandemic, and i think this video was the catalyst for that
I really enjoy watching and learning from your videos, I used to jam with my friend joe o he used electribe mechines and we made awesome music together. My friend moved to another state. Just brings back memories.
Hey Andrew, long time watcher, first time commenter... I totally want to get into modular, this was such a useful video. A great sister video could be to demystify the creative process of modular. You using these perticular models to create a patch from scratch, or some other practical musical uses... you showed us what to buy, now show us why/how... oh then make a video of you making a patch on that wall size system of yours!
It would be really cool to see more setting up and exploring modular. Starting like the small examples here and building up. Would help explain some of the basics of clocks, triggering etc, while giving us an insight into the creative decisions made along the way to something complex. Would make an amazing long format livestream too, I reckon. In any case, this has been so great! Cheers! 💖
It would be better to shoot the whole process and then play the patching in fast motion until you get to the end because that's a long ass process that isn't guaranteed to make something good.
Andrew, I'm 20 seconds in to your intro video, which seems appropriate due to my newness. At this moment, I'm struck with awe by the architecture behind you. The stunning display of light, plastic, and electrical conduit has me hypnotized. I'm not sure if this is mission accomplished or what, but holy crap it's certainly intimidating. TY
Thank you, Andrew for explaining a lot of things about using a modular! I jumped right in and began messing around because it was exciting. I have a photo of me playing an ARP2600 from 1977. That resulted in 2 hours of some very cool cassette recordings! I appreciate the time that you took to make the video. I dig your background modular! Thanks for a great start tutorial! God bless you, Andrew!
Im going into EE just so I can build my own modular system. It will happen ... and it will be completely done on breadboards (I love the idea of the most intimidating janky mess of wires on the planet). These videos always inspire to stick with it, cause man, school can suck sometimes.
I have built my Eurorack modular up in a couple of Arturia Rackbrute cases (3U and 6U), using modules from 2hp, Doepfer and Intellijel. I have started out with a few modules and added stuff along the way as needed. My system works really great, and I make a lot of music (and fun experiments!) with it. It gives me joy almost every day - this is because of the day job I maintain in order to keep feeding both me and the modular... - Had I the time I would probably use all of it just to play.
I think that getting a semimodular Eurorack compatible synth might also be a very good way to start in modular. I've got the Behringer Neutron, and I've ordered a small (ish) case, a sequencer, quantizer and some related modules that will hopefully do some wonderful stuff with the Neutron, which will also be mounted in the case. Later, I can take the Neutron out and back into its original case, and plop some Eurorack modules in with the sequencer and that way gradually grow my system while learning the ropes.
That's my plan too eventually, just got a Neutron and while it's a bit complicated to get sounding how I want it, I've already gotten so much out of it. What modules did you buy first?? I feel I might eventually need a way to control the depth of more signals (attenuate?). But I really don't know what I'm talking about yet. I don't think I need a sequencer or quantizer first as I use ableton live to do that.
I finally started which is hardest part. DIY modules end up just taking up space I found. Ended up on the path to making the ultinate drum synth. I have an external sequencer and effects so I'm building up what I don't have before getting better or module versions of what I do have. Modulargrid is so important for planning. I've already made mistakes getting the wrong module. Everyone does. So try to plan what you want. I would probably go 1 of 3 things 1) Synth/sound ur own synth with oscilators going to filters, sequencers, etc. 2) Drum machine focues on drums, sub n bass only with some samples n oscilator stuff. Probably requires more stuff than others. 3) effects/dynamics processor: input sounds or samples to process with various cool effects, etc. There's other types but I think trying to do all 3 well is going to be a lot of stuff and money while focusing on one thing first is my recommendation.
Never clicked a video so fast I'm so glad you got into modular I've been contemplating it and now that there's a proper resource for this stuff I'm closer to taking the dive than ever!!
If you just wanna learn about modular use Native Instruments Reaktor 6, the player version is free to download. In the real world of production and music recording, there's many great VST synths with thousands of presets that you can tweak anyway to use in your music. There's a reason why most call modular synth a hobby, and a expensive one! If you serious about writing and produce music, it's better to use the time to learn music theory and play real instruments. From hip-hop to classical what counts is the song at the end. Side note: Most RUclipsrs are sponsored from the companies that build modulars to try to push their products. Don't put yourself on debt. Who can afford racks of £10k £20k just as a hobby? Sure, there's Martin Gore and Vince Clarke that have collected over the years analogue and modular synths, but they have earn their career by composing great songs by using a simple guitar or a piano. The talent comes from writing good songs, not about the tools!
My studio is worth almost 20k and music is only a hobby to me. It is my most important passion and hobby though. However I'm lucky enough to be in a position where 20k doesn't really phase me but music is life my guy lol
I cloned a moog modular (System 35/55) with my dad and it is so different from the modern modular stuff. Interesting to see how modular evolved. But the sound from the moog 901 oscillator and 904 ladder filter is so unreal, something you can't create with digital methods. The waveforms from the moog are dirty AF. Learned so much in the process of making it. Now I need to get better at sounddesign with it :D
Tbh noise tools is the best noise and random module out there. It's so intuitive and the fact that each section can be used in isolation is incredibly useful
Gah! This feels like it was made for me. I've been struggling with the passing of my mother and have been diving into vcv rack a ton lately and been planning to dive into a real modular system soon. Your advice on your last video was so helpful. I now know more of a defined sound I want. I'm looking for an ambient generative space melody maker. I've almost decided on elements for my first oscillator and then trying to decide what clocks and dividers I should get too and a sequencer. I'm just very ready to dig into the real deal. Vcv is probably where I should stay till I'm the most comfortable. Thank you so much for these beginner tips. Any more help with generative ideas would also be amazing!
Stuart Wilson if you’re after an ambient generative space melody maker you should look in to the amazing granular sampers available in eurorack- the Make Noise Morphagene, the Qu Bit Nebulae 2, or the Instruo Arbhar. They can exist on their own or work amazingly with a couple of simple modules.
I think a good option would also be to start with a semimodular synth like the Behringer Neutron and if desired expand it with some modules later. It has a low entry price, a really fat analogue sound, a lot of patch options and if you take it out of it's original enclosure, fits into a eurorack case.
I just bought this system on market place for $100 aud off a guy moving countries It was a random decision that i made after work to grab it ive always wanted to try modular but had no idea where ro start. i just posted it in a group and someone told me what it was and here i am to learn and start my modular journey 😊
"if all you have is a computer, you can't turn 2 knobs at the same time" Reminds me the good old times with Rebirth :) (How many synth aficionados started with Rebirth ?)
I started with caustic (well actually I remember screwing around on a few music maker type websites earlier than that but that's the first actual daw I used) and it's pretty much the mobile equivalent of rebirth, does that count :)
Wow this video is super straight forward, been buying random pieces with out doing much research but I finally want to put it together now that I got a sequencer. This video has been super helpful.
VIDEO IDEA! You have an hour to play around with your modular BLINDFOLDED... Record the whole thing and make a song with whatever sounds you have made.
I would definitely also look into a (second hand) Moog mother 32 for anyone thinking about getting into modular. Its a great semi-modular synth with lots of features to get you started, a great all in one package when different modules and cases/power supplies seem daunting at first :)
Thank you for inspiring me getting into Eurorack! Great technology and holds great value. My Moog Eurorack housing arrived a couple days ago along with my Polyend Anywhere and a variety or CV cables.. I plan to use mine as a sound processor for my Micro Korg synth and my guitar for my chill project and hopefully still holding some beat generation functions.
really enjoyed this video, just had a thought, are there any products available that allow you to bridge a VCV rack and an irl rack? Like, you could map every input and output on the real module to the VCV equivalent, and use that to send a signal from a virtual module to a real one and back again, or visa versa? if that isnt a thing already someone should make it be a thing
when i was a kid i wanted a star wars cockpit full of knobs . andrew's modular looks a bit like my childhood dream =) so cool that a machine like that outputs so much sound you probably wont hear all the variations during a couple of lifetimes.. quite amazing
I have always admired your videos for their choice eye and ear candy. But this one I placed in my "Synthesizer" favorites folder in my browser. This video is a reference tool. I don't have a single module yet, but I will reconference with this and any of your future eurorack dives for inspiration. Thank you.
Thanks Andrew - fabulous as always. Favourite quote about ModularGrid "...it'll also tell you how much it'll all cost, so don't look at that part" - best advice ever ;-)
You can actually turn as many knobs as you want at the same time 🙃 However, it doesn't mean I don't want to get modular and spend the money I don't have on it. P.S. Imagine a modular triggered by the electrical impulses in your brain (your thoughts) precisely translated into sound.
Literally a day or two ago I was just thinking like "Hmm, maybe I should start experimenting with modular... I wonder if Andrew Huang has a video about getting started?" and then I go on youtube tonight and BAM!
The one part of Modular that I've always been curious about is how badly can you screw up a module if you patch two outputs together? Because some of the in/outs are marked well with dark squares around outs, but others aren't, and I'd be constantly worried I'm patching an out to an out if I had a rack of my own.
I was terrified of blowing up my modules accidentally when I first started, but it really doesn’t happen. I’ve patched an out in to an out so many times and nothing went wrong. Not saying it can’t blow something but it’s not so dangerous that you shouldn’t get in to modular!
It’s more important to learn the ins/outs of rack voltage and how to plug modules in the power source carefully and also prevent any random tiny metal bits from ‘floating about’ your skiff...which can happen over time as modules move around.
I love all of this... i am just entering this world and could not be more excited. Your explanations are concise and fantastic. Thank you for creating these guides and for being a solid educator in this format.
In general, when it comes to wires/cables, the positive wire or #1 wire will be marked. In the case of the ribbon cable, the marked wire indicates it is for pin #1. On the circuit boards, the sockets you connect to should have some indicator for which pin of the socket is the #1 pin printed on the board. Make sure the marked wire of the ribbon is connecting to that #1 pin of the socket. If you are lucky you have a keyed socket which only allows for the cable to be inserted one way. Similarly for speaker wire, the positive wire on the cable will be marked (ribs, square vs round, printed line or text, there will be something to differentiate the two wires) so you don't have to guess which is positive or negative when you are at the speaker connector or at the system connector. You just need to be consistent which one is positive/negative.
You totally can start with a couple of hundred euros. Look for a cheap rack (the happy endings kit is great) then look at a simple filter vca and oscillator from doepfer. The new dread box ones are around 80 each so there’s lots of choice
Well done Andrew. You gained a new subscriber. I can see why almost 2mil peeps have sub's to u. Am new to mod-synths and after watching this vid I'm hooked. Already looking at the walls in my studio and mentally planning how I too can have a wall of awesomeness!
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
How to get started with modular:
Step 1- visit your favorite kidney donation center.
One will keep you going. What about eyes or testicles/ovaries or any organs you can do with one of, or even none of? I have two vintage Hammond organs!
Dont forget sperm and/or blood-plasma donations too. Some salons of a certain cultural ilk will buy your hair too for extensions if its straight, uncoloured and over 10 inches.
Always remember the DIY option. Very possible with websites like Yusynth and Music from Outer Space ;)
@Golden Romanov I think thats the Liver, mate hahahahha
@@drippingpurple3900 so much to sell
“I wanna live on a spaceship”
Funny you said that
Lol I didn't think about that.
Hahahaha
I THOUGHT THE SAME. SOMEONE ELSE CAUGHT IT
I heard that and thought that maybe what I'm doing with my time and money isn't so silly after all.
I loved it when Andrew said"You can build whatever instrument you want". That isn't just a throw away comment. Imagine an instrument where everyone who plays it has to build their own instrument AND they each build it differently to their own custom specifications.
You can build any instrument you can afford.
Well, I do that easily in Bitwig's Grid modular environment.
There kind of is an instrument like that, I don't remember the name but it's based off of a Stroh fiddle, common in Romania (I think), usually they make it from a trumpet and a violin neck, and a gramophone diaphragm or smtg similar, often made by the player (all according to the article I read like 4 years ago😂)
like number 256 lesgooo (2^8, total amount of 8 bit combinations)
yes, it's called 'max' by cycling 74
Would love to see you livestream a modular session! Nothing fancy - just watching you experiment with maybe a little explanation of what you're doing.
PS Loving your monthly class!
Yeah🔥
Seconded
Thirded
Fifthed!
please can do some live streams where you do modular
Can’t wait to be out of debt from school so modules can put me in more debt
It's all about using your student loan money to buy synths. WHat are they teaching you in college? hah!
This is the way... also being an EE student makes this addiction a bit easier on my wallet, I can fix broken modules or build my own, and maybe if I’m ambitious sell some of my own designs in the future!
Oooof imagine paying for college I feel for you
The circle of debt keeps turning
education should be free. being in dept for education is like slavery of the mind. high tuition fees usually do not reflect in acquired knowledge but just in status.. bottom line: make music :)
Weird a.f. last night I had a dream I was in Target, and they had a whole aisle full of modular synth components, then this was posted... Love what you make, Andrew!
people who reminisce about their dreams are my type of people! :)
@@alfiekennedy1657 Dreams can really help you realize stuff going on in your life and go forward with that knowledge happier or with a clearer direction. That was an odd sentence but I'm tired
@@wokeil so i guess i really should send that e-mail to scarlett johansson 😅
VCV rack is a bets start in this world, i recommend, is a virtual eurorack
And its free ^^
Caustic's Modular synth is pretty awesome too, if a bit limited.
and it is free plus great way to learn so that you don't waste money or frustration.
Thank you! I came across Andrews explaining modular synths videos and I have been hooked ever since. Vcv let's me test before I buy.
Also, best option to figure out what you want to build in hardware. Side effects include: even bigger GAS
Thank you for this entertaining overview, which makes me want to try modular synthesis for myself! 👍
Most importantly (and most dangerously), Modular is easily scalable. You can have a three module setup or a thirty module setup. I appreciate what you said about the random module that you found replaces many of your patches. It's so easy to reinvent the wheel.
you mean "disting"?
I jumped head first into modular last year and I love it, but I wish I had a video like this when I started! Thank you!
I've never even thought about buying a modular synth before, the I watch your two latest videos and I feel like it's something I've wanted my whole life 😂.
-
Awesome stuff Andrew, please do more like this.
Haha oops!
@@andrewhuang 😂
Same!
@@andrewhuang ok,cool Video❤️like the others! I have also my first filter a forbidden Planet..but what say u to midicontroller in Eurorack. Livid make cool stuff. But the ceo from Livid quit the Brandt.
Thanks bro
Best wishes from Vienna 🇦🇹 🖖
Ever since I was a child growing up in the 80’s, I’ve been fascinated with synths. I used to spend hours just messing around with sounds at any given music store that sold synths that I didn’t buy and annoyed the employees to no end. Flash forward to 2021 and many hard life lessons and excuses as to why I never explored my own creativity in electronic music, I feel the need to remedy that and make sounds. Thanks for this vid Andrew, I got some catching up to do. ✌️
I hope you continue doing episodes about modular. I tried to wrap my brain around the things I was digging up online and only felt more confused than before I started. This episode and the prior one have given me a better understanding of how it all works, and inspires me to open up Voltage Modular when the episode is over, so, THANKS! for that, Andrew!
As someone who's just getting started with modular and creating my first system, this video is an invaluable gem! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! ❤
Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you - also don't forget to enter the giveaway! www.perfectcircuit.com/contests
ANDREW HUANG when is the next class??!!
A few months from now!
Love you, Andrew, I don't think i could ever get over how you've created such a vast and diverse musical skill set, I'm sure if you sat down 20 years ago and planned this all out and said to yourself, this is what I'm gonna do, and this show ill make it happen and make a living, it might have seemed like a total shot in the dark at the time. my dream is to become a genius mad scientist musician like you.
i love you
So how much money would this basic system represent ? Are we already past the 1000$ mark ? I think I'm probably gonna stick to VCVRack for now xD
Yep, this settles it...Im getting into Modular this year.
Hey, remember your wallet? You can just throw that in the trash now.
@@senza4591 vcvrack for you
Did you?
How did it go?
Would be super interested to see your perspective on this little bubble of the universe.
Andrew is flexing on us
“This modular setup is more than your car”
Some modules in there cost $2000 by itself :0
The cables are probably more expensive than my car
Also the advantage of having a big audience is that many of these were just sent to him for free
The car is just the power bank for the synth
x times 0 is still 0
I'm learning more and more that this is a video I'm going to have to watch another 20 times. Each bit about a new module would require me to watch several videos to learn about the next module. Thank you @AndrewHuang for putting this together. I keep coming back to it to learn more than last time.
26 minutes of this??
Yes please!
🙌
nothing compared to once you turn on a modular system and start messing around
@@JureJerebic Even though the only Modular gear I own is a Volca Modular, I agree.
One thing that I did was to start with a semi-modular keyboard that already had all the basic parts (in my case, Moog Voyager + CV expanders). This made it really easy to only get one module to start, which wouldn't have been super useful on its own, but massively increased the capacity of the keyboard. I think my first few modules were a clock divider, VCA, and additional oscillator in that order.
What is a clock divider? I have a moog grandmother which is semi modular and I’m looking to expand its capabilities
@@ImOzify A clock divider takes in a pulse, and the only outputs a pulse for every X divisions. So a 4/1 clock divider will only output a pulse every 4 beats. A pulse is counted by voltage crossing an upward threshold. This can be easily used with a square wave input to create an octave down effect, which is how things like an MXR Blue Box octave down work. They can also be used to create polyrhythms, etc. Or something like a 4-on-the-floor beat without a drum machine or sequencer. Small, cheap, easy to build and very powerful. I'd highly suggest that as a first expansion to a Grandmother!
@@Tibbon awesome thanks for the reply!!
The best way I have ever had the difference between modular and DAW-based music creation is: The DAW has a lot of power and can gently massage your sound into place, while modular on the other hand allows you to beat the snot out of your sound until it does what it is told, or doesn't.
Superb video, really.
~ i've been buying *doepfer* since '96, - still have my 404 - and only recently started building other systems. The only thing i might add is that when first starting out one might want to take into consideration the pros and cons of an all analogue system vs the more common hybrid systems, and that building compete systems from individual designers can help in holding off the inevitable eurocrack habit...
personally i prefer single designer systems, but i figure that's just my age...
one last tip, - ALL my synthesizers, modulars, MPCs and samplers, go through *Radial JDI* boxes, - personally i find them vastly superior to any output modules i've tried, - because balancing the signal through the transformer and then going into a decent preamp, will really help in capturing and preserving all the detail present in the signal, while rejecting any noise, -. done correctly, the improvement is phenomenal.. the saturation imposed on the signal by the transformer cannot be achieved once the audio is ITB, and it really does add clarity, and another dimension to the sound, IMHO.
love to ALL, feel no hate
Me: _need to prepare for university test_
Andrew: *HOW TO GET STARTED WITH MODULAR BOIIii*
Me: frick it, I am a musician now
same here, IT qualification tomorrow but i love andrew too much to pass on this
Yo! dude. Watch the language.
Same here
I just took that decision 2 weeks ago x')
Pretty much me, I got to program a god dam robot for monday for uni but now im just going to drop my student finance on some beep boopy stuff
just got back into music after a couple years of not playing anything and I think I can credit you with that!. i have been getting into synths and your synth videos are the most entertaining and by far the most informative. Thank so much for your work.
Got my first Volca Keys after being introduced to synth music from a colleague. You explain things in a simple and understandable way. many thanks.
I watched this video before pulling the trigger on and was too chicken to modular and now that I finally did having already 3 modules watching this again opened my eyes even more! So informative and real! Thanks again!
Recently got started with the behringer neutron, its so much more fun and involving working with physical connections!
I’ve looked for books about how to do modular synth…nothing but MOOG history and unrelated stuff. Andrew, you are my textbook! Thanks!!
Man i would absolutely LOVE to see some 2 hours uncut videos of you just patching some sounds on this monster!
Getting a job and getting at least the first 5 things you mentioned in this video. No idea what im doing still but just watching what youre doing makes me want to try it
Why? The wires. It's always about the colorful wires. Oh, and sound design! The beautiful envelopes! And the need to buy more modules. To fit into a rack. The colorful lights. Exciting stuff. Love it.
THANKS A LOT ANDREW! For getting me into modular, just started 3 weeks ago and already $2K in. I love it!
Your modular performance excerpts are so beautiful.
When you said the drawing was Feb 3 I got so excited! Then I realized it was 2 years ago... 2020 breaks my heart again 😂 I've been watching more and more of these videos after getting into synth with VR. So awesome but so intimidating trying to decide on which real equipment to buy first.
"And three I wanna live on a spaceship" Well THAT'S a mood!
Not an insignificant part of the modular journey.
Or the name of a song or album.
=_=?
I mean, have you _seen_ deadmau5's studio?
@@DaTFizzGaming honestly no.
These videos are just the best. Your modular racks have always intrigued me, but i've never known where to look to learn more about it. And now here these videos are. Thanks man.
I dont think I've ever clicked on an Andrew Huang video so fast.
Dude!!!!!!! This miniature modular is awesome too!! I’m just blown away by all of this!!!!!
This is super helpful! I’ve been looking to build my first modular synth, and this pretty much what I want to build. Also, to anybody looking to get into modular check out VCV rack. It’s a completely free Eurorack daw with tons of free modules.
honestly i feel like i just gotta say thanks for this video. switching from my normal drums and guitar to synths and electronics has helped me keep music flowing throughout this pandemic, and i think this video was the catalyst for that
Looks like Andrew was hinting at the spaceship series a year ago, must have been planning it out for a while.
I really enjoy watching and learning from your videos, I used to jam with my friend joe o he used electribe mechines and we made awesome music together. My friend moved to another state. Just brings back memories.
Hey Andrew, long time watcher, first time commenter... I totally want to get into modular, this was such a useful video. A great sister video could be to demystify the creative process of modular. You using these perticular models to create a patch from scratch, or some other practical musical uses... you showed us what to buy, now show us why/how... oh then make a video of you making a patch on that wall size system of yours!
You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this video. I’m legit super excited to watch this.
It would be really cool to see more setting up and exploring modular. Starting like the small examples here and building up. Would help explain some of the basics of clocks, triggering etc, while giving us an insight into the creative decisions made along the way to something complex. Would make an amazing long format livestream too, I reckon.
In any case, this has been so great! Cheers! 💖
I have no interest in building my own modular system and yet I find this video fascinating. You're always fun to watch, thank you.
I would love to see him stream the whole process of making music and sounds using modular
It would be better to shoot the whole process and then play the patching in fast motion until you get to the end because that's a long ass process that isn't guaranteed to make something good.
Andrew, I'm 20 seconds in to your intro video, which seems appropriate due to my newness. At this moment, I'm struck with awe by the architecture behind you. The stunning display of light, plastic, and electrical conduit has me hypnotized. I'm not sure if this is mission accomplished or what, but holy crap it's certainly intimidating. TY
Andrew should do a video of the cheapest eurorack module he can build
Ramiro Candido If you're looking for DIY, you should check LookMumNoComputer's channel
Thank you, Andrew for explaining a lot of things about using a modular! I jumped right in and began messing around because it was exciting. I have a photo of me playing an ARP2600 from 1977. That resulted in 2 hours of some very cool cassette recordings! I appreciate the time that you took to make the video. I dig your background modular! Thanks for a great start tutorial! God bless you, Andrew!
Im going into EE just so I can build my own modular system. It will happen ... and it will be completely done on breadboards (I love the idea of the most intimidating janky mess of wires on the planet). These videos always inspire to stick with it, cause man, school can suck sometimes.
You're a brave man 🤣
I have built my Eurorack modular up in a couple of Arturia Rackbrute cases (3U and 6U), using modules from 2hp, Doepfer and Intellijel. I have started out with a few modules and added stuff along the way as needed. My system works really great, and I make a lot of music (and fun experiments!) with it. It gives me joy almost every day - this is because of the day job I maintain in order to keep feeding both me and the modular... - Had I the time I would probably use all of it just to play.
I think that getting a semimodular Eurorack compatible synth might also be a very good way to start in modular. I've got the Behringer Neutron, and I've ordered a small (ish) case, a sequencer, quantizer and some related modules that will hopefully do some wonderful stuff with the Neutron, which will also be mounted in the case. Later, I can take the Neutron out and back into its original case, and plop some Eurorack modules in with the sequencer and that way gradually grow my system while learning the ropes.
That's my plan too eventually, just got a Neutron and while it's a bit complicated to get sounding how I want it, I've already gotten so much out of it. What modules did you buy first?? I feel I might eventually need a way to control the depth of more signals (attenuate?). But I really don't know what I'm talking about yet. I don't think I need a sequencer or quantizer first as I use ableton live to do that.
I finally started which is hardest part. DIY modules end up just taking up space I found. Ended up on the path to making the ultinate drum synth. I have an external sequencer and effects so I'm building up what I don't have before getting better or module versions of what I do have. Modulargrid is so important for planning. I've already made mistakes getting the wrong module. Everyone does. So try to plan what you want.
I would probably go 1 of 3 things 1) Synth/sound ur own synth with oscilators going to filters, sequencers, etc. 2) Drum machine focues on drums, sub n bass only with some samples n oscilator stuff. Probably requires more stuff than others. 3) effects/dynamics processor: input sounds or samples to process with various cool effects, etc.
There's other types but I think trying to do all 3 well is going to be a lot of stuff and money while focusing on one thing first is my recommendation.
I can hear my bank account screaming from here.
Money is the root of all evil, so it needs spending :o)
Its gotta flow man, thats why its called currency.
Prince Westerburg i feel you are like the awsome yet bad influence kinda friend
@@PrinceWesterburg
The -spice- *money* must flow.
Mine is screaming "Doepfer, Ladik, DIY!"
There should be a modular synth version of airbnb
Never clicked a video so fast I'm so glad you got into modular I've been contemplating it and now that there's a proper resource for this stuff I'm closer to taking the dive than ever!!
If you just wanna learn about modular use Native Instruments Reaktor 6, the player version is free to download.
In the real world of production and music recording, there's many great VST synths with thousands of presets that you can tweak anyway to use in your music.
There's a reason why most call modular synth a hobby, and a expensive one!
If you serious about writing and produce music, it's better to use the time to learn music theory and play real instruments.
From hip-hop to classical what counts is the song at the end.
Side note: Most RUclipsrs are sponsored from the companies that build modulars to try to push their products. Don't put yourself on debt.
Who can afford racks of £10k £20k just as a hobby?
Sure, there's Martin Gore and Vince Clarke that have collected over the years analogue and modular synths, but they have earn their career by composing great songs by using a simple guitar or a piano.
The talent comes from writing good songs, not about the tools!
@Luke lol
My studio is worth almost 20k and music is only a hobby to me. It is my most important passion and hobby though. However I'm lucky enough to be in a position where 20k doesn't really phase me but music is life my guy lol
That modular you have in the back is just plain boss!!! It looks so sweet and what you make out of it just sounds amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of love sent out to all the dedicated viewers here to learn and grow, especially by channeling our inner Andrew Huang XD
Thanks for the eurodesk-z shoutout, Andrew! You rock, man! :)
"And number 3, I wanna live on a spaceship."
*WELL ANDREW, YA DID IT*
Just about to say the same!
This is so handy - very little info out there on where to start with modular. Nice one
I cloned a moog modular (System 35/55) with my dad and it is so different from the modern modular stuff. Interesting to see how modular evolved.
But the sound from the moog 901 oscillator and 904 ladder filter is so unreal, something you can't create with digital methods.
The waveforms from the moog are dirty AF. Learned so much in the process of making it. Now I need to get better at sounddesign with it :D
I didn’t understand like 90% of this video but man now I want to get into modular, it looks so fun!
I shouldnt be watching this! Might end up selling everything i own to get a studio like Andrews!!
This is a small setup, have you seen Richard Devine's studio?
@@crunchylicenseplates9008 👀👀👀👀😮😮😮😮😮 dont tempt me brooooo
Junkie XL (Tom Holkenborg) also has a pretty awesome setup, huge modular wall plus loads of classic keyboard type synths
@@notaname8140 doooooope!
@@SweetScaleTV Just adding to the list: Klayton. His old studio was madness, he's currently building a new one, can't wait to see the result!
Tbh noise tools is the best noise and random module out there. It's so intuitive and the fact that each section can be used in isolation is incredibly useful
“You can’t have a friend over and both make music together” - That one cut deep.
After watching this video more then 5 times, i finaly bought my case and first module. Next ones on the way next month. I cant wait :)
Gah! This feels like it was made for me. I've been struggling with the passing of my mother and have been diving into vcv rack a ton lately and been planning to dive into a real modular system soon. Your advice on your last video was so helpful. I now know more of a defined sound I want. I'm looking for an ambient generative space melody maker. I've almost decided on elements for my first oscillator and then trying to decide what clocks and dividers I should get too and a sequencer. I'm just very ready to dig into the real deal. Vcv is probably where I should stay till I'm the most comfortable. Thank you so much for these beginner tips. Any more help with generative ideas would also be amazing!
Stuart Wilson if you’re after an ambient generative space melody maker you should look in to the amazing granular sampers available in eurorack- the Make Noise Morphagene, the Qu Bit Nebulae 2, or the Instruo Arbhar. They can exist on their own or work amazingly with a couple of simple modules.
I think a good option would also be to start with a semimodular synth like the Behringer Neutron and if desired expand it with some modules later. It has a low entry price, a really fat analogue sound, a lot of patch options and if you take it out of it's original enclosure, fits into a eurorack case.
I just started getting into modular and this is exactly the video I wanted
how many cables do you own?
andrew: yes
I just bought this system on market place for $100 aud off a guy moving countries
It was a random decision that i made after work to grab it ive always wanted to try modular but had no idea where ro start.
i just posted it in a group and someone told me what it was and here i am to learn and start my modular journey 😊
"if all you have is a computer, you can't turn 2 knobs at the same time"
Reminds me the good old times with Rebirth :)
(How many synth aficionados started with Rebirth ?)
I started with caustic (well actually I remember screwing around on a few music maker type websites earlier than that but that's the first actual daw I used) and it's pretty much the mobile equivalent of rebirth, does that count :)
@@jlewwis1995 Yessssss! From Caustic 3 to Reason 10 I went haha
Wow this video is super straight forward, been buying random pieces with out doing much research but I finally want to put it together now that I got a sequencer. This video has been super helpful.
2:24 Oh I see you wanna live on a space ship! Andrew, are you coming back from space?
This was fascinating to watch, there is so much to experiment with in modular! I'm having a whale of a time with mine! And the journey continues..
VIDEO IDEA! You have an hour to play around with your modular BLINDFOLDED... Record the whole thing and make a song with whatever sounds you have made.
I would definitely also look into a (second hand) Moog mother 32 for anyone thinking about getting into modular. Its a great semi-modular synth with lots of features to get you started, a great all in one package when different modules and cases/power supplies seem daunting at first :)
Me: Modular is too expensive.
Behringer: Hold my Behr--inger
life is too expensive!
Also Behringer Neutron and Model-D are eurorack compatible. I think is a great starting point.
@@anchoDePulso the neutron is great
Awesome!! Was researching about a beginner setup since your last video, but didn't find any advise. Exactly what I need👍🏼
"You gotta get something to manage your spaghetti"
- Andrew Huang
A strainer?😅
A hannnnnddddbaaaagggg?
@@soth1sol???
@@crawbug8932 ruclips.net/video/aBnc9Y0iOBQ/видео.html
pocket pasta
Thank you for inspiring me getting into Eurorack! Great technology and holds great value. My Moog Eurorack housing arrived a couple days ago along with my Polyend Anywhere and a variety or CV cables.. I plan to use mine as a sound processor for my Micro Korg synth and my guitar for my chill project and hopefully still holding some beat generation functions.
really enjoyed this video, just had a thought, are there any products available that allow you to bridge a VCV rack and an irl rack? Like, you could map every input and output on the real module to the VCV equivalent, and use that to send a signal from a virtual module to a real one and back again, or visa versa? if that isnt a thing already someone should make it be a thing
Check out the Expert Sleepers ES-8 / ES-9
when i was a kid i wanted a star wars cockpit full of knobs . andrew's modular looks a bit like my childhood dream =) so cool that a machine like that outputs so much sound you probably wont hear all the variations during a couple of lifetimes.. quite amazing
Love you Andrew
😘
I have always admired your videos for their choice eye and ear candy. But this one I placed in my "Synthesizer" favorites folder in my browser. This video is a reference tool. I don't have a single module yet, but I will reconference with this and any of your future eurorack dives for inspiration. Thank you.
17:33 Can we get like...the full recording of this? I'd listen to several hours, probably.
Full version is on my Patreon! I make too many modular jams to be able to officially release them all 😅
Thanks Andrew - fabulous as always. Favourite quote about ModularGrid "...it'll also tell you how much it'll all cost, so don't look at that part" - best advice ever ;-)
You can actually turn as many knobs as you want at the same time 🙃
However, it doesn't mean I don't want to get modular and spend the money I don't have on it.
P.S. Imagine a modular triggered by the electrical impulses in your brain (your thoughts) precisely translated into sound.
There actually is such a thing. The Soundmachines BI1 Brainterface.
Perfect timing. I am in the planning my rig phase and this is just so perfect. Please make more
You forgot to add info on how to prevent your cats from attacking the patch cable tree!!
Literally a day or two ago I was just thinking like "Hmm, maybe I should start experimenting with modular... I wonder if Andrew Huang has a video about getting started?" and then I go on youtube tonight and BAM!
The one part of Modular that I've always been curious about is how badly can you screw up a module if you patch two outputs together? Because some of the in/outs are marked well with dark squares around outs, but others aren't, and I'd be constantly worried I'm patching an out to an out if I had a rack of my own.
I was terrified of blowing up my modules accidentally when I first started, but it really doesn’t happen. I’ve patched an out in to an out so many times and nothing went wrong. Not saying it can’t blow something but it’s not so dangerous that you shouldn’t get in to modular!
It’s more important to learn the ins/outs of rack voltage and how to plug modules in the power source carefully and also prevent any random tiny metal bits from ‘floating about’ your skiff...which can happen over time as modules move around.
I love all of this... i am just entering this world and could not be more excited. Your explanations are concise and fantastic. Thank you for creating these guides and for being a solid educator in this format.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH MODULAR: Hope that Andrew likes your comment and asks for your email to send you a part of his modular rack
with enough upvotes, this might just happen
You *are* allowed to dream...
It's so awesome that you are making videos on modular now!
So what you’re saying is you’re fluent in both music And R2-D2.
Sign me up!
In general, when it comes to wires/cables, the positive wire or #1 wire will be marked.
In the case of the ribbon cable, the marked wire indicates it is for pin #1. On the circuit boards, the sockets you connect to should have some indicator for which pin of the socket is the #1 pin printed on the board. Make sure the marked wire of the ribbon is connecting to that #1 pin of the socket. If you are lucky you have a keyed socket which only allows for the cable to be inserted one way.
Similarly for speaker wire, the positive wire on the cable will be marked (ribs, square vs round, printed line or text, there will be something to differentiate the two wires) so you don't have to guess which is positive or negative when you are at the speaker connector or at the system connector. You just need to be consistent which one is positive/negative.
I thought I could just start with something for a 200-300 euro. OMG, every tiny module costs this! I'm doomed to the VCV :/
You totally can start with a couple of hundred euros. Look for a cheap rack (the happy endings kit is great) then look at a simple filter vca and oscillator from doepfer. The new dread box ones are around 80 each so there’s lots of choice
You could try making your own modules, it's so cheap that way
Just buy the korg volca modular.
behringer neutron
@@dlol. Resources on how to do that?
Well done Andrew. You gained a new subscriber. I can see why almost 2mil peeps have sub's to u. Am new to mod-synths and after watching this vid I'm hooked. Already looking at the walls in my studio and mentally planning how I too can have a wall of awesomeness!