Advice request

[u/Frequent-Section9534]

Hello everyone!

I'd like to build my own modular setup, but here's the catch: I'm not new to modular synthesis (I have a semi-modular synth and I've used modular setups before), but I'm chronically indecisive, so I'm overwhelmed by the hundreds of different modules out there — and I don't have the money to just buy them all, or friends I could talk it over with. So I was hoping you lot could be my big siblings and help me out a bit. I'll give you some context on what I like, what I'd like to do with my setup, and which modules I've been looking at!

I'm a singer-songwriter and producer with a deep love for electronic music, ambient, drone and IDM in particular (I think it's more useful to just list some of my favourites: Björk, ANOHNI, Sarah Davachi, Stars of the Lid, Caterina Barbieri, Basinski, Julianna Barwick and, of course, Aphex, Arca, Lorenzo Senni… I could go on for hours). I'm very much into field recording and processing those sounds (I've already played around with Clouds and similar things in VCV), and/or live processing of my voice, my synths, etc (not just with effects but including using the voice as you would on a MS-20, but with more flexibility and possibilities for modulation).

I've been looking at the Tape and Microsound Music Machine by Make Noise as the "ready to use" option, but I feel like I could build something that suits me better (and cheaper, I hope). As for the modules I've been eyeing, besides the Make Noise ones: Verbos Electronics (Vocoder, Complex Oscillator), Intellijel (Multigrain, Rainmaker, Atlantix), Eisei by Unknown Devices, Hermod+ by Squarp Instruments, and Clouds, Beads, Rings — basically everything Mutable Instruments. I could go on for hours, I'm so overwhelmed. And that's not even counting utility modules.

aaaaaa help pls

[u/Agawell]

No utilities and little to no modulation modulation!! And way too many sound sources

Get a bigger case than you think you need (tiptop mantises is a very good starter case)

Start with a single voice & if you are using vcv add a module to integrate cv/audio from that - expert sleepers es8 or es9 for example

Try to think:

Sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation sources < utilities

[u/tapebias]

In my experience pre-built systems are the way to go.
Some will say that it defeats the whole purpose of modular, but to me, the purpose is patchabillity.

I like some artists you mentioned alot, Basinski, SoTL and Barbieri, and I got myself a full Make Noise system and couldn’t be happier with it.

The good thing going the preconfiged route is coherence and balance, it’s a complete instrument. After spending some time with it you can figure out what you miss or what you want to change a little.

[u/Squirlyherb]

I found utilities the most confusing when I started. I asked on here about which ones I need, and whilst I got a general sense of what those were I still didn’t know why I needed them or what id use them for. So I got the main things like vcas, envelopes, lfos etc, then only once I’d been tinkering for a while did I start to learn what id need. In short, get a few modules you’re really keen on, pair them with 3 or 4 utilities and patch away. Soon you’ll say “but how do I make this do this?” And that’s when you’ll know exactly what you need

[u/TomWhitwell]

Obviously I will suggest the cure for Modular gas: https://www.musicthing.co.uk/workshopsystem/

[u/Cablen14]

Use modular grid to plan your rack and if you get stuck you can look at other racks there for inspiration,the tip top case is great for starting , best of luck in the rabbit hole and good luck for your wallet (set a budget and stick to it as you might want something that’s 300-400 hundred and you will find a similar module but cheaper

[u/DriftDrafs]

The very first thing you should do when designing a rig is narrow the scope. Instead of trying to build an everything machine, build something with 3-5 modules that does one job very well. Let’s try a thought exercise, say you want to build something that creates background ambience. Ok so you pick the famous Rings and Clouds combo. Now you need something to trigger Rings. Maybe Pams. Pams can also offer modulation (never forget modulation). Now add a filter to control where it sits on the mix so you pick a filter like Ikarie from bastl. And now you need a stereo out. So you pick a utility from intellijel. Now you have your ambience maker.

I’m not saying to make this exactly. Just the kind of process of elimination you go through to build something. If you cannot decide what role the synth should play or what you are using it for you should not buy a single module until you make that central decision. Spend time in VCV rack and use it to do this thought exercise until you can narrow down the machine to a single role.

A lot of the artists you mentioned used next to no eurorack modules to make a lot of their music. So ask yourself what it is you want to achieve with your music making first. Then see if eurorack can help you achieve those goals.

[u/NewMachineMusicXYZ]

The Make Noise set up would surely be fun and convenient. Building your own I would personally start with a core tempo generator and clock multiplier and divider (Pam's New Workout being the obvious, classic choice here) and a decent audio mixer with sends/returns for your FX, and then build into the space that's left. You'll want a decent function generator or two (ex. Maths, PEG, Rampage), some decent sequencing power (Mimetic Digitwolis is a great compact way to get quad sequencing of various kinds into your setup, though I think you're limited to 16 step patterns; if you have sufficient space, Erica Synths Black Sequencer seems like a great option); you'll want a basic sound source/voice of course -- I'd recommend a complex oscillator like a Schlappi Three Body -- and then filters, utilities, and effects. Granular seems to interest you, too: I like the Instruo Arbhar myself, but Multigrain and Morphagene are powerful options, or for something a little smaller and simpler, perhaps an Error Instruments/TiNRS Brinta. With filters you have about a billion options -- I'd aim for at least one of them being multimode, with LP/BP/HP outputs -- and for effects, the Noise Engineering Versio is a great way to go because you get access to all of their firmwares and can swap them out as needed. Lots of other good options as well, particularly with delays (ex. Mimeophon, Nautilus, Iroi, Echophon, Black Stereo Delay, Tapographic Delay, etc.)

Oh, and regarding drums, the Erica Synths LXR seems a powerful option. I just bought one myself and hope to try it out later today!

Feel free to PM if you want to discuss it in more detail, always happy to share my experiences with the modules that I've used over the years, which is well into the hundreds at this point. Good luck!

[u/MrV63]

Pre-built system such as the Make Noise one is a better idea for you if you're overwhelmed or somewhat inexperienced. I would put my money on Make Noise designing a better system than someone trying to put their first system together. Just watch content on that particular system and see if you generally like what people are outputting with it.