Eurorack Startup Cost?

[Himommies]

So I have 800 CAD that I was originally gonna spend on a GTX 1080,But I decided I don't need it.Can someone explain the basic compo nets of Eurorack. Like the bare minimum to get a functioning eurorack synth.Would 800 be enough.How much aprox would a basic synth cost

[eiermann1952]

Doepfer Dark Energy II is a minimal setup to get started.
it´s 400 euros in europe.

[deastman]

Take all the money you have in the world and all the money you will ever earn, and it still won't be enough to feed the eurorack beast.

Seriously though, if you're on a budget, start with a eurorack-compatible standalone semi-modular synth, such as the Moog Mother-32.

[Himommies]

Doepfer Dark Energy II is a minimal setup to get started.
it´s 400 euros in europe.

My goal is to spend a little of the 800 evrey month instead of all in one go.That's why I decided to buy a eurorack instead of regular synths.Im worried about something that might come upo and ill need a lot of cash

[deastman]

Dark Energy is pretty good value for your money. I would suggest saving up for that and then just using it for a while to get some experience before expanding or selling and trading up.

[BDeep]

Doepfer Dark Energy II is a minimal setup to get started.
it´s 400 euros in europe.

My goal is to spend a little of the 800 evrey month instead of all in one go.That's why I decided to buy a eurorack instead of regular synths.Im worried about something that might come upo and ill need a lot of cash

The problem with that approach is that you won't be able to use it until months later (depending on how much you spend per month). For starters, you'll need an enclosure and a power supply. Then a minimum selection of modules to even make a sound. (Osc, filter, envelope, maybe midi? And don't forget utility modules)

That in mind, the idea to start with a standalone semi-modular isn't a bad idea at all (and overall cheaper too).

[audio/fault]

i'd start with this:

http://mfberlin.de/en/modules/nanozwerg_pro_e/

250€ (don't know, how it translates to cad) but i guess, there is no cheaper way of starting into the eurorack-world. i still can resist, but if, i'll buy this one first.

[SLiC]

Go on ebay- lots of p[people trading modules (although Euro holds its price pretty well, you can still get the odd bargain)

Start with a case/psu and 1 or 2 oscillators , 1 adsr, 1 vca and 1 lfo type device or a multi tool like disting or maths; I would not buy a semi modular first as half the fun is mixing and matching modules and adding/replacing them as you go along.

The doefer stuff is the cheep and pretty good quality, you could start with something like this (all in one) and then change modules as you go along. https://www.thomann.de/gb/doepfer_a_100 ... _329570_38

[whyterabbyt]

My benchmark for cost of an entry-level system would be the Doepfer Mini System, or their Starter System

http://www.doepfer.de/a100s_e.htm

Doepfer modules still tend to be at the lowest end of the cost scale for Euro, but they're often overlooked because 'not boutique'. Good guide to what a minimal subtractive system might entail.

[jacqueslacouth]

Quick question before you blow your cash....what do you want the Eurorack system for? If you are into making conventional electronic music (like recording tunes/songs) I would definitely recommend going for a semi-modular where you will at least be able to produce something useable while still learning about patching. The above recommendations of a couple of VCOs, filter, vca etc can be had much cheaper in a semi-hard wired piece of kit than buying individually and will get the job done.

If on the other hand, you are into farting, bleeping and sci-fi sounds with thousands of cables which will impress other like minded geeks then I would suggest avoiding it altogether on your current budget. It tends to be a luxury indulgence of the well healed or those that will sell their children's organs for another module.

A funny development I have noticed is that the modular scene is rapidly expanding in number of participants but interestingly investing in a common set of must have modules. Personally, I now have a lovely $7000 Eurorack paperweight in my studio which never fails to disappoint when I play with it, but that is my own fault because I didn't ask myself the same questions before it was too late.

[GaryG]

Quick question before you blow your cash....what do you want the Eurorack system for? If you are into making conventional electronic music (like recording tunes/songs) I would definitely recommend going for a semi-modular where you will at least be able to produce something useable while still learning about patching.

This is good advice. I may even go further and suggest that if you're unsure, you play with a software modular first to get a feel for the kind of sounds they produce before laying out a considerable amount of cash.

[SLiC]

Personally, I now have a lovely $7000 Eurorack paperweight in my studio which never fails to disappoint when I play with it, but that is my own fault because I didn't ask myself the same questions before it was too late.

If it isn't for you why don't you sell it? One thing you can say about Eurorack (and the current popularity) is that you will probably get what you paid back (I have sold plenty of modules and not made a loss at all, cant say that for software synths!)

I would also say its very easy to wire a modular and play it as a standard west coast style synth (that's what I do most of the time, sequenced via an ES-8 and a DAW); very occasionally I do something a bit more east with just the Euro, like a drone or pattern (tweaking posts as voltages quantised can lead to useful pads) but there is no right or wrong way to use a modular - all synths started out that way once!

To the OP Check out Muff Wigglers- great forum, helpful people and a big 'for sale' section.

[RichieWitch]

Planning is key here, especially since you're spending just enough money to have fun. So what are you going to do with your Eurorack? Consider that if you're just going to replicate standard subtractive synthesis, your money is better spent (and will go much farther) buying a fixed-architecture hardware synth. If you're going to spend money in Euro and get something that doesn't end up being an overpriced paperweight, you have to build something that can't be attained any other way.

For example, my initial plan was to build one row of filters and FX to use with my existing hardware synths. For about the same amount as you're planning to spend, I picked up a Happy Ending kit, a cool filter, a distortion module, a delay, a dual LFO, and an I/O module. I had great fun with that for months, warping and twisting my other synths and making new sounds.

For the next phase, I added more modulation, more filters, and some VCAs and attenuverters. Again, that opened up a whole new sonic palette and kept things fun and exciting.

At this point, I realized that I had nearly everything I needed for a full voice except the oscillators and envelopes. I thought about buying some of the Roland or Moog stuff, but realized I was just building something that I could have much cheaper buying one of their synths. Same with a drum machine.

Eventually, I built a 99%-analog West-coast style wavetable synth that incorporates chaos theory, multi-segment envelopes, and multiple sequencers. Such a thing does not exist (in hardware, at least) outside of modular and it's a rewarding instrument to play.

So--if you haven't signed up at ModularGrid.net and MuffWiggler.com, those really should be your next stops.

[jacqueslacouth]

If it isn't for you why don't you sell it? One thing you can say about Eurorack (and the current popularity) is that you will probably get what you paid back (I have sold plenty of modules and not made a loss at all, cant say that for software synths!)

I guess because in the end, I don't really need the money, it makes for an exquisitely interesting and aesthetically pleasing piece of studio furniture and, in the end, I guess it is there should I change my mind (which happens quite a lot) and decide to invest some time into it.

In the mean time, my soft synths and other hardware provide me with the tools I need for making music.

[Jax Pok]

Have a go with Softube Modular first its got Doepfer modules and functions the same except you use a mouse. It's got me more into real modulars and it's good to start there first see if you like it.