13 : FEB : 08
ANGELSPIT Blipvert in The Dose about Modular Synthesizers
Blipvert by ZooG.
What the hell is a BLIPVERT?

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, but the Devil’s gift is distortion…and Satan uses a Modular Synth!

Tired of your synth sounds? sick of softsynths? In the mood for a change?
To go modular or not to go modular…that is the question.

Firstly, it is extremely important that you understand the signal flow and basic building blocks of synthesis.
Secondly, ask yourself why you want to get into modulars. If you enjoy the art of tinkering with sound and creating complex sounds then you’re going to get hooked on modulars. But if you only use presets and slightly tweek the sounds I would suggest you experiment with a softsynth modular before forking out thousands on a modular that you might not utilise.

What the hell is a Modular Synth?
A modular synth is an analogue synthesizer that has been separated into it’s basic components eg: oscillator, filter, amplifier, envelope generator.
You need to physically patch these components together using patch leads – either standard 3.5mm leads or 6.5mm leads.
The advantage with a Modular Synth is that you can create sounds using unconventional signal flow. You can experiment with this using a Softsynth version of a Modular Synth…actually, I recommend experimenting with a Modular Softsynth before laying out €1000 on a modular set up!
Modern modular manufactures also offer many different modules that can seriously puree your sound. They offer very advanced forms of distortion, wave shaping and modulation.

Do they sound different?
Definitely…but it’s up to the individual to decide whether they sound better. It takes time, practice and patience to make a mammoth earth shattering bass line on a modular synth.

What basic modules will I need before I can start making typical subtractive synth sounds like bass, leads and effects? Does this have to be expensive, and does it have any advantage over a pre-patched synth?

Firstly, you will need a power unit. A cheap one is around €50 – this will power between 5 to 10 modules (depending on their individual power consumption). More expensive power units cost around €100 – these will power 15 to 25 modules.

To make a basic synth you will need:
A VCO (Oscillator) (€80-100)
A VCF (Filter) (€80-150)
A VCA (Amplifier) (€45)
An Envelope Generator (€50)
A good MIDI to CV converter will cost around €150

The housing brackets can be purchased from places like Schroff or any good electronics store for around €20. These are standard 3 unit high 19inch racks that are used in computer networking – so they are easy to find.

So power, housing MIDI and a VERY basic will cost you about €500. This set up will allow you to build simple sounds like bass lines and lead lines.

The advantages with a modular is that you can introduce far more complex routings. For example, using the above modules you can use one of the oscillators’ waveforms to modulate the filter…this will give it a harsh buzz. You can also have separate MIDI control over the filter as well as note on/off and pitch value PLUS this MIDI to CV converter will allow you to have things like Portamento, Modulation, Glide, Pitch Bend and even an Arpeggio.

Patching for a monosynth bass or lead sound.
The blue leads are required for a basic patch.
The red lead will allow you to control the filter via MIDI.
The green lead will Frequency Modulate the filter...thus giving it a bit of "sizzle".

You can always add more modules for more complex sounds, eg:
an LFO €45
a basic mixer €40
a sub-oscillator (adds up to 4 additional sub octaves to you oscillators’ output) €45
a distortion unit €45
Envelope Follower €50 (cool module…it will trace the volume contour of any sound you patch into it. you can output this as CV information…which can makes some VERY fucked up sounds!!)

This extra €250 worth of modules will allow you to do achieve much more complex sounds.

What's the best way of controlling a modular synth? Are they responsive to MIDI data from my computer or a MIDI keyboard? Is it hard to sync a modular synth up to my other MIDI controlled synths or plugins?

MIDI is definitely the best way of controlling a modular (since most studios have MIDI). As mentioned, a cheap (but effective) MIDI to CV converter will cost about €150. Cheaper (but less flexible) options are available from around €60.

Using an Envelope Follower you can partly control a modular with audio alone – but best results are achieved through dedicated MIDI to CV converters.

Remember, modulars process audio – so when you start plugging the output from your sound card into a modular you start to really make some wicked magic. Try patching your synth lines from your computer into the modulars filters and distortion units.

How do modular synths inspire those who use them to make music? What difference does it make to songwriting and sound design?

Firstly, it’s important to remember that the technology does not make a great song…it’s the ideas that make your music awesome. Using a modular is a curse and a blessing.
It is a blessing in that it forces you to complete a song before you move onto the next song (each sound must be patched, there is no patch recall on a modular…this is 70s technology at it’s best!!)
It’s a curse in that it can be an endless time wasting toy from making SOUNDS but no SONGS….and it’s an easy trap to fall into!

Some people say the sound quality from a modular is different. Some people say that it makes the process of creating music different. Personally I find there is no comparison between and modular and a regular synth. The level of complexity, control and chaos can not be made on a regular synth. You can also escape from the "sameness" that so many softsynths offer.
Plus, the actual process of creating sound is an absolute buzz…yes, I am a lame-arse who should get a life…

Are modular synths practically portable enough to take live? How do you look after your modular? What resources are available online to someone wanting to build and maintain one?

Modern modulars are very portable live – they can even come in pre-made cases called "suitcases". You can fit enough modules into a standard 19 inch 3 unit high rack to do some interesting stuff live.
Just like any other synth, they do not like direct sun, moisture, shocks or bumps.
Oscillators WILL go out of tune, so you will have to tune them before every show - just like a guitar, so better get a cheap tuner.

If you have a solid understanding of electronics can build your own modular from places like:
http://cgs.synth.net/
http://www.paia.com/

Remember, if you want to take a modular live you will need to re-patch it each time you need a different sound.
Oscillators drift, especially when the environmental conditions are not perfect…and they are not perfect on a stage.
Suggestion: Rout 4 separate synth lines out 4 outputs on your laptop. Then patch each of these into a separate filter or distortion unit and tweek them live.
Alternatively, patch your live synth into the modular’s filter and tweek live.

ZooG’s advice:
Firstly, decide what you want this for – why do you want a modular? You might be able to get great results from a regular synth.
Next research the modules that interest you. There are several entry level packages available – but they might be bundled with a lot of modules they you do not require.
You might only want to buy several filters, distortion and Wave Shaper modules to alter the sounds from your laptop. Finally, hunt around for different brands. The three I’ve listed are make great basic and cheaper modules. They are all compatible with each other’s power supplies and will all fit in a 3unit high modular rack housing.

An interesting point: many modular manufactures now have the rights to reproduce classic filters from defunct synth manufactures. You can now by pure analogue emulations of filters used in the Prophet 5, Minimoog, Wasp, Arp 2600, EMS Synthi VC-03, PPG Waves….
You can also buy analogue replicas of the TR808/909 kiks/snares and percussion in modular form.

Basic brands:

Doepfer (Germany)
http://www.doepfer.de/home.htm

MFB (Germany)
http://www.mfberlin.de/Produkte/Module/module.html

Analogue Solutions (UK)
http://www.analoguesolutions.com/

Analogue Systems (UK)
http://www.analoguesystems.co.uk/

Other Brands definitely worth looking into:

Cwejman (Sweden)
http://www.cwejman.net

Frostwave (Australia!!)
http://www.frostwave.com/

Livewire (USA)
http://www.livewire-synthesizers.com

MacBeth (UK)
http://www.macbethstudiosystems.com

Metasonix (USA)
http://www.metasonix.com
FYI: Metasonix’s moto is "Because your music sucks" and has bright yellow modulars called "Butt Plug", "Scrotum Smasher" and "Wretchmashine". They have just released a HUGE amp called the "Fucking Fucker". If you like it brutal, you will LOVE Metasonix!

Moogmusic (USA)
http://www.moogmusic.com

MOTM (USA)
http://www.synthtech.com/

Plan B (USA)
http://www.ear-group.net

Synthesizers.com
http://www.synthesizers.com/

Shopping:
Schneider’s Buero (Berlin, Germany)
http://www.schneidersbuero.de/

Analogue Haven (CA, USA)
http://www.analoguehaven.com/

eBay!!!

Other:
Analogue Heaven website. An awesome place for modular knowledge.
http://machines.hyperreal.org/Analogue-Heaven/

The hugest thanks goes to my fellow synth junkies James Ryan and Garrick Carter who helped me to write this.

ROCK!

ZooG.