Advice starting in hardware modular

[Stefken]

I'm getting interested in hardware modular synths.

I d like some advise.
Although I must say, I have reservations towards diving into this rabbithole.

1) I dont know exactely why I want to go modular .
I like exploring synthesis methods and I have explored 'assembled synths' pretty much. I guess I want something new. Also, I have always preferred synths with a lot of sound design possibilities, and modular certainly gives you that.
2) There are several people warning not to go down the modular rabbithole as it never seems to end... only when your wallet is empty.

I d like to stay on a sensible budget. I m not interested in brand names. Behringer is releasing some nice modular stuff as Brains, Moog modular, Roland stuff. I m quite happy to use these.
(On my virtual modulars i am most impressed by Mutable Instruments so I hope Behringer releases more of these).

Some modules that have drawn my attention

* Behringer Brains
* Cre8audio Capt’n Big-O analog VCO with waveshaping (the Pitssburgh oscillator)
* Make Noise Math
* Mutable instruments Clouds
* MS-20 filter clones as Steve's MS-22 (not available)
I do have a MS-20 Mini so maybe I can patch this into my modular setup?

Semi-modular systems that have drawn my attention
* Behringer Neutron
* Pittsburgh Taiga
These both bring a lot of bang for the buck.

Sequencing

As for sequencing I wonder to go for a module inside my modular rack or to go for an external module as the Arturia keystep or minibrute for example. It seems to me that sequencing modules like Pamela's workout are quite primitive compared to these arturia alternatives. The Behringer SYSTEM 100 182 ANALOG SEQUENCER seems also nice and at a budget for ~100 euro.


What would I like to do?

I m not completely sure.
On the limited experiments I did on Virtual modular I tend to go for fat, nasty monobasses combing west coast wave folding with east coast screaming filters like the MS-20 filter for example.
But to go for the expensive modular hardware route just for some fat monobasses seems like a waste??
I guess i am most impressed with generative, modulating sequences in the modular world (some really nice ambient sequences out there). That seems like something unique that would be worthy of the investment.

So, a lot of questions as a noob in the modular realm.
I would appreciate some pointers.

[whyterabbyt]

What would I like to do?

I m not completely sure.

Suggestion : Dont spend any money till you are.

(Also, the CV system for your MS20 isnt the same as volt per Octave in Eurorack, its volt per Hertz, so you need conversion (eg English Tear module) if that's important. Gates are the other way round, too)

https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=166059

[j wazza]

use virtual modulars more first, both to figure out if its worth getting the hardware and to help learn which modules you need/decide which modules you want. It's not worth it just for basses

You'd need to spend like 1000 just to get started

[pdxindy]

So, a lot of questions as a noob in the modular realm.
I would appreciate some pointers.

First thing is to make sure your bank account is flush... hehehe

[bharris22]

Whatever you do, I would strongly recommend including enough space for an Expert Sleepers Disting (https://www.expert-sleepers.co.uk/disting.html). It is basically a "Swiss Army knife" module that has tons of individual functions. So, for example, if you need a Slew Rate Limiter, but don't feel like buying a dedicated one, you have it here.

[whyterabbyt]

You'd need to spend like 1000 just to get started

nah, 750 would actually do.

[vurt]

behringer nutron plus a cre8audio west pest.
give you enough to get started and see if you enjoy the hw modular approach.

less than 500.

[vurt]

but yup, best advice is know what you hope to achieve.
then accept it will grow.

[whyterabbyt]

behringer nutron plus a cre8audio west pest.
give you enough to get started and see if you enjoy the hw modular approach.

less than 500.

Oh, yeah, definitely cheaper to start with a couple of semimodular systems; saves on a rack/psu decision and outlay too. I was talking about a 'fully' modular setup.

[foosnark]

See how you like VCV Rack or Bitwig Grid first maybe.... though hardware modular doesn't feel the same and you'll probably want to do different things with it.

I agree that semi-modulars are a good place to start.

* Behringer Brains
* Cre8audio Capt’n Big-O analog VCO with waveshaping (the Pitssburgh oscillator)
* Make Noise Math
* Mutable instruments Clouds
* MS-20 filter clones as Steve's MS-22 (not available)
I do have a MS-20 Mini so maybe I can patch this into my modular setup?

Generally decent choices IMHO. I'd pick Plaits or one of the other clones over Brains personally -- if you like the idea of the scope on Brains, get a separate scope -- being able to see control signals or other modules' output is a lot more useful that just having eye candy for one module.

Maths is great.

Rather than Clouds I'd recommend one of the clones that doesn't combine several functions on the Blend knob, or go for Beads. A more standard delay is probably a good idea too, which you can use not just for echoes but for a few other synthesis techniques. (Beads can do this, though not granular and delay at the same time.)

I could be wrong but I think MS-20 Mini uses the Korg modular Hz/Volt rather than 1V/Octave Eurorack standard, so you might want something to convert pitch. If it's just for the filter though it'd probably be fine.

Disting can do a lot (including the pitch conversion) and is a good way to figure out what other modules you might want to get for specific functions, but personally I thought it was pretty unfun to work with.

What would I like to do?

I m not completely sure.
On the limited experiments I did on Virtual modular I tend to go for fat, nasty monobasses combing west coast wave folding with east coast screaming filters like the MS-20 filter for example.
But to go for the expensive modular hardware route just for some fat monobasses seems like a waste??
I guess i am most impressed with generative, modulating sequences in the modular world (some really nice ambient sequences out there). That seems like something unique that would be worthy of the investment.

Have you looked into the Arturia Minibrute 2 / 2S? It's got a bit of that east/west combo going on, maybe more than it seems at first glance, and makes a solid starting point to add other modules to (using a Rackbrute case or not). Or a Make Noise 0-Coast and 0-Ctrl plus a small case for additional filter etc.

[whyterabbyt]

See how you like VCV Rack or Bitwig Grid first maybe....

OP does say 'On my virtual modulars i am most impressed by Mutable Instruments' so I guess they already have... VCV or Softube presumably.

[vurt]

behringer nutron plus a cre8audio west pest.
give you enough to get started and see if you enjoy the hw modular approach.

less than 500.

Oh, yeah, definitely cheaper to start with a couple of semimodular systems; saves on a rack/psu decision and outlay too. I was talking about a 'fully' modular setup.

ah true then.

i do think the semi modular is a good place to wet your toes though. the cre8audio east and west, both give you a sequencer or a keyboard (ok one octave, but we're wetting toes, not swimming the channel) as well as a few useful functions that will allow you to build the case a little slower, as you already have most of the basics, so it's more just upgrading over time and adding.
most important, day one, you can make noise and mess it up.

still remember building my bug case as he built the modules

"well ive got a input and an lpg for the next couple of months, let's have fun..."

[whyterabbyt]

Actually thinking about it, a really minimal setup with that Doepfer 'mini synth' module (or its bigger brother which is basically the Dark Synth 3) and a Disting would maybe be a good balance of cheapest/flexible 'full' starting point?

I can understand foosnark's reservations about the Disting, but yeah, it is a relatively cheap way to get hands-on with a plethora of different types of module functionality in one go.

[vurt]

Actually thinking about it, a really minimal setup with that Doepfer 'mini synth' module (or its bigger brother which is basically the Dark Synth 3) and a Disting would maybe be a good balance of cheapest/flexible 'full' starting point?

I can understand foosnark's reservations about the Disting, but yeah, it is a relatively cheap way to get hands-on with a plethora of different types of module functionality in one go.

the minisynth is going to need a few bits of cv input to be used well, it's a bit small for tweaking, doable.

but yes a great idea for starting a case and keeping it way below a grand!

dunno how many outs the disting has?
can you do eg a seq and an lfo?

[vurt]

mini synth module plus a west pest

i know im banging on about the west pest, but his op does mention east west combo sounds, and it's cheaper than jumping straight on the taiga