Book recommendation on modular synths?

[JenniferG]

Do any of you recommend any particular books or say youtube resources for properly learning the basics of modular system? e.g. starting with voltages, VCO.. then perhaps ADSR, then LFO and VCF etc.. How it all works.

What's nice is I have VCV Rack installed on my Mac, so I can learn along for free, with any modules.. including scope, volt meter etc..

[deftinwulf]

Hi, Jennifer! If it's a physical book you're after, you simply can't do better (IMO) than Patch & Tweak. It was co-written by Chris Meyer from Learning Modular, so learning the basics (and more) is exactly it's purpose. They even recommend trying patches out with VCV!

http://patchandtweak.com/

If you'd prefer to stick with free/web sources, then Chris's website and youtube channel will be a boon for sure. https://learningmodular.com/

I'm sure others here will be able to chime in with other great resources as well. And of course you can always ask questions directly on this forum if you get stuck. Have fun!

[mdoudoroff]

Hard to beat deftinwulf’s suggestions.

YouTube is also a gold mine. Once you feel comfortable with the fundamentals, you should find it easy to “fill in the gaps” when watching the myriad demo videos out there that introduce new ideas. DivKid’s videos, for example, are nearly all product demos, but he usually illustrates a lot of interesting patching ideas along the way, some of which can be done without the product in question, or adapted to other situations.

Tip: I find that ponying up the $10/month for YouTube Red (I think that’s what it’s called) to strip out all the advertising is well worth it, at least when one is plowing through lots of video content.

[yobink]

Omri Cohen has a really nice series on beginning synthesis using VCV Rack. Highly recommended.

[forestcaver]

The best book I have found is the Allen Strange "Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls”. It’s out of print so you need to search for it but well worth a read.

[Electro Something]

The “Syntorial” app for PC/Mac/iPad is a godsend. It teaches you every aspect of subtractive synthesis. You’ll learn how to recreate a sound you’ve heard on to any synth.

It costs like $129 and will take a good 75 hours of rigorous learning and testing, but you’ll be a synth wizard by the end. It’s not focused on modular, but you’ll need these skills before you’ll even want to touch modular IMO.

Oh, and the “Patch and Tweak” book is a must.

[plytheman]

I just came upon Perfect Cirtuits guides which seem like a good breakdown of concepts. Not as step-by-step and more of a scatter shot, but could be worth adding to the list of resources.

Edit: My short term memory is trash and in five posts I'd already forgotten that OP was looking for books... Sorry I don't have anything better!

[globalwm]

http://patchandtweak.com/
https://learningmodular.com/

Second on both these (do get the P&T book) - wished the book was out when I was contemplating taking the purge into modular. Chris's decades of experience and ability to translate into understandable concepts and demonstrate everything visually with a oscilloscope provides a multi-faceted approach to learning modular (pun untended).

Recommended!

[Reality Checkpoint]

The best book I have found is the Allen Strange "Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls”. It’s out of print so you need to search for it but well worth a read.

Although member j450nn014n is organising a reprint with the blessings of the late Allen Strange's family. Have a look here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=203573

[j616s]

Shout out for Loopop's ever expanding book you get access to through his patreon https://www.patreon.com/loopop

[forestcaver]

The best book I have found is the Allen Strange "Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls”. It’s out of print so you need to search for it but well worth a read.

Although member j450nn014n is organising a reprint with the blessings of the late Allen Strange's family. Have a look here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=203573

Yeah - been following that since it was announced - should be good when it’s released....

[Pelsea]

Blowing my own horn again-- In my sig line, you will find a link to a book I put together out of class notes from 40 years of teaching synthesis. It's $20 from Lulu, who generally get it to you within a week. I've gotten some nice comments from members here....

[Electro Something]

Shout out for Loopop's ever expanding book you get access to through his patreon https://www.patreon.com/loopop

I love Loopop but yet to pull the trigger on his Patreon. How much of that book is modular techniques and tips?

[Reality Checkpoint]

Blowing my own horn again-- In my sig line, you will find a link to a book I put together out of class notes from 40 years of teaching synthesis. It's $20 from Lulu, who generally get it to you within a week. I've gotten some nice comments from members here....

This is a 'must buy.' Highly recommended!

[ignatius]

the manual for the clavia nord modular and g2 nord modular are full of explanations of all kinds of things. free download.

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sites/def ... 201.4x.pdf

also this pdf by rob hordijk

http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~clark/nordmod ... arbook.pdf

and this site with explanations of many synthesis types

https://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/

the make noise videos on youtube are full of tips and patch explanations as well. very useful.

[j616s]

Shout out for Loopop's ever expanding book you get access to through his patreon https://www.patreon.com/loopop

I love Loopop but yet to pull the trigger on his Patreon. How much of that book is modular techniques and tips?

Copy on my PC (a few months old) is 314 pages. First ~50 are fundamentals. There's about 50-100 pages on production, ground noise, etc. The rest is tips & tricks, section on eurorack specific stuff, some tips for specific synths. The bulk of it tries to keep agnostic of synths/types. It's more or less what you'd expect from his vids.

[Electro Something]

Blowing my own horn again-- In my sig line, you will find a link to a book I put together out of class notes from 40 years of teaching synthesis. It's $20 from Lulu, who generally get it to you within a week. I've gotten some nice comments from members here....

This is a 'must buy.' Highly recommended!

Sweet! Never heard of this one. Just ordered!

[mixxalot]

Patch and Tweak book and the free software VCVRack is great way to start.