Modular Synth Basics! Cases, power, modules, CV?! Come in :)

flx · Post by **flx** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 12:49 pm

Hello fellow wigglers and wigglers-to-be

I started a video series some time ago, focusing on basic concepts of (Eurorack) Modular Synthesizers. My goal was to produce short videos, around 3 minutes in length, that quickly give the viewer a fundamental understanding of the topics covered. After that, the viewer can look for more specific knowledge at the other great resources online, for example the in-depth module demos of Raul's World of Synths and ben_hex/DivKid and of course the many threads in this very community.

Also, make sure to create an account on modulargrid.net, to easily plan your modular synth and get a basic overview of space requirements and power consumption. Please also check the modules' manuals before you commit to buying them, because while the information on modulargrid is solid, there is no guarantee that it's correct, especially for power requirements.

If there is something you'd like me to cover, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Also, feel free to post your questions and comments about the videos and their contents

Here's a link to the updated playlist with all the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... z-3N8HZyf_

... scroll below the videos for even more links.

And here are the videos embedded:

#01: What's a modular synth?
[video][/video]

#02: CV, Gate, Triggers & MIDI
[video][/video]

#03: How to start with modular synths?
[video][/video]

#04: A simple synth voice patch
[video][/video]

#05: Attenuators, Polarizers & Offsets (and a little bit about AC/DC coupling)
[video][/video]

#06: How to power a Eurorack System
[video][/video]

#07: Blind Panels
[video][/video]

#08: Multiples
[video][/video]

#09: linear & exponential
[video][/video]

#10: Clocks & Sequencers
[video][/video]

#11: Self-playing synth voice patch
[video][/video]

#12: Envelopes & Function Generators
[video][/video]

#13: VCAs
[video][/video]

#14: Logic Modules
[video][/video]

#15: The cheap way into Eurorack
[video][/video]

#16: Know your Waveforms
[video][/video]

#17: Switches
[video][/video]

Links to resources:

"Modular Synth Basics" Video Series:
"A Patch From Scratch" Video Series:
My Modular Synth Demos Playlist:
Raul's World of Synths Modular Demos: https://www.youtube.com/user/raulsworldofsynths
DivKid's Modular Demos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zIiK ... l2N68pWF8g
Plan your Modular here: http://modulargrid.net
My Modular Synth DIY Case story: http://nightmachines.tv/diycase
Free Online Modular Synth: http://www.patchwork-synth.com/

Dcramer · Post by **Dcramer** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:05 pm

Excellent job and good timing as there have been requests for exactly this!
I beg you could do an amazing video detailing the power connection issues most new users face when starting in Eurorack.

flx · Post by **flx** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:11 pm

Dcramer wrote:Excellent job and good timing as there have been requests for exactly this!
I beg you could do an amazing video detailing the power connection issues most new users face when starting in Eurorack.

Thanks

What exactly do you mean by power connection issues? Things like the red stripe on the ribbon cables, +5V adapters and bus board types (boards vs flying)?

setupsetup · Post by **setupsetup** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:09 pm

cool ! already shared it with friends starting to get into modular !

ben_hex · Post by **ben_hex** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:23 pm

Really good mate, well done. I'm in the planning stages of pretty much this exactly. The more the merrier obviously, keep 'em coming and hopefully we can all inspire some more newbies.

jezav · Post by **jezav** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:04 pm

Great job - thanks!

noahleg · Post by **noahleg** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:48 pm

Thanks for this!

flx · Post by **flx** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:35 am

Thanks for the great feedback so far and for sharing the videos! I'm writing scripts for new episodes right now, so stay tuned

Mercutio · Post by **Mercutio** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:01 am

Great job !

But rise the level of your synth...

Tronman · Post by **Tronman** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:44 am

Very professional! Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.

ddoyen · Post by **ddoyen** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:58 am

very well done. i wish this was around when I started up!

flx · Post by **flx** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:30 am

Thanks

Just posted part #05: Attenuators, Polarizers & Offsets (and a little bit about AC/DV coupling)

[video][/video]

flx · Post by **flx** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:41 am

Aaaand here's part six: How to power a Eurorack System, as requested by Dcramer

Dcramer wrote:Excellent job and good timing as there have been requests for exactly this!
I beg you could do an amazing video detailing the power connection issues most new users face when starting in Eurorack.

I hope I didn't miss anything

[video][/video]

Nervejammer · Post by **Nervejammer** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:49 pm

Great work - thnx

JosefK · Post by **JosefK** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:45 pm

this is really helpful. I started a couple months ago and wish this was around when I started. Btw, I think an episode on syncing clock/midi with a DAW would be helpful. Going through the multiple options would be great. This might take more than three minutes if you wanna break down the expert sleepers modules.

thanks and look forward to more.

flx · Post by **flx** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:07 am

JosefK wrote:this is really helpful. I started a couple months ago and wish this was around when I started. Btw, I think an episode on syncing clock/midi with a DAW would be helpful. Going through the multiple options would be great. This might take more than three minutes if you wanna break down the expert sleepers modules.

thanks and look forward to more.

That's a good idea. I don't use a computer in my setup so I haven't got any first-hand experience with the ES modules yet, but I'll put that on my to do list.

ronaldroy · Post by **ronaldroy** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:52 am

Great vids. Gut gemacht!

flx · Post by **flx** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 1:49 pm

ronaldroy wrote:Great vids. Gut gemacht!

DankeschÃƒÂ¶n

Here's a new short one: #07 Blind Panels

[video][/video]

ben_hex · Post by **ben_hex** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:59 pm

Great stuff mate, going through everything. Impressive and really useful for newbies.

flx · Post by **flx** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 3:29 pm

... and because the last one was so short and only half-serious, here's another video:

#08: Multiples
[video][/video]

I'm happy to discuss the videos and their contents by the way. What I talk about is of course based on my personal experience/view on things and might differ from your's. If that's the case also feel free to tell me

The modular universe is so huge that we can't all know everything and I don't pretend I do.

unit113 · Post by **unit113** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:51 pm

these are excellent - thanks for taking the time to do them. great timing too, as i'm researching the basics and planning my first system right now!

Dcramer · Post by **Dcramer** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:27 pm

Power video is spot on!

revoltcrews · Post by **revoltcrews** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:30 pm

wonderful - smooth - precise - enjoyable - thanks!

TheEngineer · Post by **TheEngineer** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 9:37 pm

These are great! This is truly an awesome community of wigglers. Keep up the great work!

flx · Post by **flx** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:30 am

Okay, this one has been a little tricky. Let me know if I got everything (close to) right

#09: linear & exponential
[video][/video]

MUFF WIGGLER

MUFF WIGGLER

Modular Synth Basics! Cases, power, modules, CV?! Come in :)

Modular Synth Basics! Cases, power, modules, CV?! Come in :)