My Keyboard Rig on Tour with Lauryn Hill & The Fugees: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a5ep07SAYarLhKw.html

Why would you constrain yourself to bleeps and bloops on a modular synth?

To me, the investment is twofold. Firstly, I have learned so much about every aspect of sound when it comes to frequency response, timbre, all types of synthesis etc. I've also learned a vast amount about electronics which I wouldn't have just from regular synths. I don't know why, but concepts like envelopes and VCAs didn't click with regular keyboard synthesizers and it took getting into modular to break all of that apart for me to master all of my other instruments. Secondly, I view them as a literal investment. I have only ever bought like half a dozen new modules. Everything else was bought used, and usually I just waited patiently for the best values and jumped on those. By buying cheap enough I can sell them for a profit while still having gotten to explore that module while I had it. It's also super fun and enriching exploring ideas until you find something amazing. And while you can't save a patch when you find one you love, you can record it to save it forever or further manipulate or cut later.

@klownklocked8064

5 ай бұрын

I've spent about 30k on modular synthisis over the past 6 years. I have no regrets. I've learned more about synthisis and sound design than I ever would otherwise, and I've been able to develop a workflow with the gear that I've slowly acquired over the years to make music in a way that makes sense to me and without having to touch a computer. With that said, VCV rack is a great way to experience the joys of modular completely free and I'd encourage anyone who doesn't have the ability, or desire to invest in modular gear to check that out because you'll probably be able to have a similar exposure and also learn a lot too.

As someone with limited space, I appreciate that I can have multiple synths in a single modular case and still play parts on a keyboard via midi/cv.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

That is interesting. I wish more whole synths came in module form...like the Moog Minitaur and other such things.

@mattslumwormreyes

6 ай бұрын

@@SamGutman the Knobula Poly Cinematic is an entire synth with 8 voice polyphony in a small modular footprint. But you’re right that there isn’t a ton of whole synth options. Moog is probably the closest with their semi modular offering.

Hi! I made the same choice not to spend money on modular years ago. So, I am glad that I've made this choice) Sometimes, I want to get this sound design experience. So, I find that VCV Rack 2 Pro is a perfect solution for this in my case. Costs are not comparable, some modules sound identical, can save presets, do not require space, don't collect dust, and only CPU and Imagination limit patch options, not a wallet. Also, it integrates with DAW as a VST plugin if I want to record. This was a perfect tool to understand that I don't need that $30k wall of sound modules. I still prefer to use traditional synths much more)

There is another aspect to modular synths, that it can be an opportunity for kids and adults who do have limited or no keyboard skills and/or theoretical music knowledge. I watched a great performance of a bunch of kids playing modular based music, who were only introduced to synthesizers the same day in the morning on Superbooth 2023. It was awesome.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I love this and absolutely agree. I feel the same way about handspans, kalimbas, and other non-chromatic instruments. There is most definitely a place for instruments that help people without instrumental skills connect to making music. In fact there's this toy for kids called the "blip box" that's basically a modular synth for little kids. It always crosses my mind to get it for my friends kids as a birthday present or something.

Totally feeling you! Looking back to my explorative years, I'm so glad my economy prevented me from ever going modular because from my current point of view it would have been a huge waste of money and what's even worse considering we age: Lifetime! Making notes of how cables are patched to be able to recall a sound - in 2024? That is so anachronistic! It's like using slipsticks to do complex calculations while you could use MS Excel or even the free version by Google.

More power to you mate. Modular is exploratory for those with deep savings accounts. This hit me pretty hard actually because I saw the same Charles Cohen video many years ago and was obsessed with the easel, torn between Eurorack, or an Easel, or financial stability. …and I chose to eat peanut butter sandwiches for six months and bought the easel! Excellent decision! Hard, but actually life changing. True analog patching is something unparalleled. It’s so out of tune so often that it changed how i compose. And it fueled the fire mate. Yea. I spent probably a hundred thousand at this point over the many years. Well past the point of “could i still use VSTs?” and even designing my own modules now. And the thing that absolutely crushes my soul is when I present my product to someone who can’t afford it and i just don’t have the resources or time or wit to make a virtual version. Emulating analog properly has been done improperly by many. You just won’t get the warmth. And CV has a simplicity to it that I’ll never leave. Keep in mind that you’re still depending on your computer not failing, and that you have good backups that will properly restore in the event of a disaster. I lost my whole digital portfolio and now hardware feels like the better investment because it will never update itself in my sleep and become unusable. So, yeah, i maybe sunk a lot in but it’s in my mind more water tight than a pc where i could get attached and lose it all again. Living that monk life, it’s better to not get attached in the first place. The presets are in YOU.

@swampflux

6 ай бұрын

But also, for real, more power to you. I seldom see anyone brave enough to say Modular isn’t the right choice for them. Excellent points. But please. Please. Back up your machine!

@goonfish

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, my entire catalogue on a Mac died well into a budding music career, which was the catalyst that turned into a *LONG* hiatus and emotional fallout just from the uphill battle I faced. I had most of my sample packs & a ~9-10 month back catalogue of Live projects backed up between the Cloud & HDD (guess which one corrupted when I tried to bring them back in 2 years later, and which dummy didn't yet consider the idea of double/triple-redundancy backups or RAID? 🙃) All on me, obviously. Foresight is 20/20², but as many of you know who've also been actually outputting fonishid tracks for a few years, 9-months of projects & sketches is _NOTHING_. So I wasn't in a good way regardless. I was on a DIY label at the time, everything. But the idea of recovery seemed so insurmountable that it killed me for a long while. And as someone who made it to the level I was, yet also 100% ITB; I ALWAYS felt I wasn't totally fulfilled or... safe? having it all behind a screen, and never lost the itch for wanting a hybrid tactile workflow that MIDI just wasnt scratching. Now, some years later and being a new dad who's runt is finally old enough that I could (and yearned) to start again, FROM SCRATCH - I've spent the last year or so building up a studio again. Besides VCV Rack and my old license of Live for Max/MSP & tracking w/ plugins/Overbridge, it's all hardware and I've never felt more free (except on space, which is becoming a real issue of overwhelm). I feel I've gone the other way and almost resistant to embracing Live again, which could be doing more harm than good. But until I get fully warmed back up and competant with my gear it's all just for tha noodlz atm anyway! Eurorack has always called to me obviously. DIY building custom & niche mech keyboards has been my main hobby for the 4-5 years between, which goes hand-in-hand with firmware compilation & codewriting for QMK in the CLI/Editors, and then it went into a bit of KiCAD & Fusion/OpenSCAD for PCB mods & custom cases/printing mods/etc. - so my next venture has been translationg that into music & buiuding some custom gear. The Euro rabbithole is just unwise with my current responsibilities, and I tend to lean more towards the large-format "sound"/process as well (Bugbrand, ELBY/Serge, D+, etc.) so that's no good... But the opensource community on Github is an evergiving tree that has proven VERY fruitfull in this regard. So that, and DSP & general analogue/hybrid hardware synths or FX seems to be my next obvious venture!

@goonfish

6 ай бұрын

​@@swampflux Modular definitely isn't right for me right now - even just because of the overwhelming amount of quality product in ALL aspects & niches. I don't yet have the self control for that. 🙃 And other than the similar pit that comes with a Monome environment, I've hoarded a ton of resources from the Lines communities on DSP & livecoding/musical scripting, so I've got plenty of fun to get into when time allows. Dunno how this grew into such a monstrous scroll. Your comments just brewed up some stuff I've been thinking back & dwelling on a lot lately I guess. Anyway, you're an inspiration too, bud. Thanks.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I'm actually incredibly curious about all that. I've long thought that I'd love to go deeper down some music tech rabbit holes that were more on the software/coding side of things, but I've never known where to start. I keep getting ads for building DIY MIDI controllers with Arduino though, and that seems cool.@@goonfish

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

Interesting to hear from someone who was inspired by the same video but went the opposite direction! Indeed, the presets are in you. Good luck and thanks for the comment!

Cardinal is a Open Source Modular System, standalone and VST 100% free ! Start messing around to find what you really need and want in a instrument

I use modular with a keyboard, and I don't really change my patches that much, for me it lets me tweek things hands on in a way you can't in the box. I also have an electronics background though and by most of my modules as kits to build which takes time but saves money.

One thing unmentioned in the video, VCV rack is a free modular emulation on the computer that has tons of exact digital emulations of existing modules that are put on there, and plenty more. Advanced synthesis, can hookup a midi keyboard, and free.

@_DRMR_

6 ай бұрын

While VCV Rack is great to experiment and learn there is nothing like real patch cables and knobs. VCV Rack also isn't "exact" perse, as it adds limitations like an audio sample of delay for every connection that you make. Of course it also lifts limitations from the physical world, because it has polyphony on many of the modules, something that isn't possible with analog modular signals. There are pros and cons to either.

I’m with you 100%. Everyone has different priorities and I’m sure all the haters didn’t watch the video to the end. 30 seconds in they were already angrily typing. 7:12 I made it to the end.

@SamGutman

5 ай бұрын

I understand people not watching to the end though. I kind of expect that on any video. But yeah a little frustrating when people comment with things I did address.

Same as any other gear. Get the right tool for the job. Modular also doesn’t have to be as expensive as a Shared System, though that is one hell of a beautiful instruments.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

true. I just wasn't inspired by cheaper options unfortunately for me.

Have you ever considered semi-modular options instead? The Matrixbrute you already have is a good start. However, there are other affordable options out there too, such as the Moog Matriarch and Grandmother as well as the Behringer B2600 (based on the classic ARP2600). Then, there's also an affordable modular option too such as the Behringer System 55 (based on the Moog System 55 design). Honestly, I have a Behringer B2600, Odyssey, Matrixbrute, and Matriarch, and that's a lot. It's going to take me a while, probably years, to master those inside out. I think they are capable of making darn near any sound I could possibly get from a modular synth, maybe with some additional effects added. As a result, I don't see myself ever having the desire or need for a huge modular synthesizer. If I did that, I'd probably be spending so much time fiddling with sound tweaking that I wouldn't actually get any music done.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

Absolutely. I didn't go into it in the video because of limited time...but one of my main solutions was to go semi-modular instead of modular. I love the Matrixbrute and experimenting with all the routing options and such.

@kvmoore1

6 ай бұрын

@@SamGutman That's wonderful. Yeah, there are are so many options with the Matrixbrute that it's mind blowing. I think a lot of people are sleeping on this synth, as amazing as it is. Hmmm.... I wonder if it's because of the size and weight. Afterall, it is huge and very heavy. However, the sounds and sound design possibilities make it all well worth it to me.

Yes. I regret ever getting in to modular.

I used to spend $2k AUD every 2 months on synths like Moog, Prophet, Elektron, Virus during the covid lockdowns, when I went modular it changed to around $500 per month to satisfy my G.A.S. After jamming with a friend a few times and playing a gig with a macbook running bitwig as a mixer, 4 K2's, RYTM, Sub 37, Prophet, Analog 4, TD-3, DFAM, usb hub, a billion cables for power, midi, usb and a mixer I decided I wanted everything in a single portable box with a drum machine on the side. I started with an Arturia rack brute which took about 6 months to fill in the modules, and another year of buying used modules to find stuff I really liked, but I just sold the stuff I didn't gel with. Buying used means there is very little depreciation in most cases. The most important thing for modular is definitely the creative sequencers, Max for live has some nice basic ones, the Arp and Note repeats in Bitwig are good, The Grid when you understand it is excellent. I do like the hands on approach though. I could replace most of what I need with an OXi One and few VST's, although the VHIKK is very nice and I couldn't imagine replacing it with any VST and the DFAM is just a magical machine for interesting percussion.

I'm getting into modular slowly, and I find it liberating in many ways. Used to produce in the box, but as I'm just an amateur, and I spend my day as a game developer in front of a computer, I don't really want to keep sitting in the computer doing music when I have the time. Other times. There's a lot of toxicity on internet, and it's getting worse. Society, in general, it's paying too much attention to what anonymous peopple are saying behind a computer screen. BTW, that's a great reason to move away from the computer.

First of all - no one ever said you have to buy a 10k rack in one go - I guess you didnt buy your pianos and synths in one go either - a modular system is best understood if you go part by part so you get to know how it works and which modules you actually really like and which ones you are going to dump And if you dont live on an lonely island/small country you can buy used for about 30-50% discount

I think the problem with modular is costs and complexity and limitations in saving patches.

Yeah, you're right about modular having a diminishing returns for music production with more investment. I'm to lazy to get into details, but that what basically happened to me. After 3-4 years of trying to do music with modular a groovebox and a polysynth were way more useful to write actual music. And modular still is about flow and experementation, but rarely it has merits outside of experimental or at least niche music

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I agree! there's some people in this comments section who will fight you on all that though!

Thanks for the reminder! A lot of synthesis is very cool, in general. But it isn't for everyone, and it's very easy to forget this when we are constantly bombarded by shiny expensive toys online. We are told that every new piece of gear will elevate our artistry, and start to forget what kind of art we originally set out to create. At least that's what _I've_ felt.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

Indeed. And really the tools that are usually already at our fingertips (a computer and DAW) can at least get us most of the way there. It's easy to feel like if you only had that ONE more thing, you'd be able to make all your creative dreams come true.

With ableton, max 4 live, plugins, new cc modulatable synths. Yes.

👍👍👍

Title of the video should be 'I think Modular is about bleeps, blops and noise - so I will talk for 9 minutes with a click bait title, on stuff I don't know anything about, who knows might get lots of views!!' ... modular can be a lot more than your very limited view, in fact all the expensive synths in the background of your video are a form of modular (components hardwired together, so you can click nice simple presets for your gigs). Mate you have lots of misconceptions which shows you in a bad light, eg: modular has a limited audience, it is only about FX design, it is very complicated for egg heads, it is not about music, it is slow to create with, you don't really use a keyboard with it and worse, it is really expensive - my little Berlin school rig used in my latest video is less than any of the synths you use, and yet it is super easy to use and gets a few views and allows me to make albums quickly, much faster than using a DAW - for ref my cheap modular rig, music from a few days ago kzread.info/dash/bejne/mI1ns8SdotG5lLw.html&ab_channel=GaryPHayes

After 6 years if a love hate relationship with my modular (I was much more productive with traditional synthesizers and sequencers) I have decided to sell it off but only to return to it in the form of DIY and learning electronics.

Short answer, yes. Long answer, not really.

yes.

Wundaful!

You make a lot of good points, but I also think the assumption that it’s Shared System or nothing is a narrow way to think about it. There is a lot of space in between. For the price of a new laptop you could get a system you put together and love and use all the time. But you can come in even lower. Right now i own three modules and have spent less than $400 total to just expand what my DFAM can do. A lot of systems are $2K or less. Mix with semimodulars and it’s even cheaper. People buy $600 pedals for the right tone. People pay $80 for a single cardboard magic the gathering card they want for their deck. I won’t pay more than $10 but even that might be silly. I don’t think modular is a waste of money, it’s only a waste if you just run around blowing a lot of money without thinking and then don’t use it.

Yes it is.

The 7 minute mark hits hard. Thanks. That's it.

It feels like you mostly understand what modular is about, but something is keeping you from understanding it fully. Maybe your sense of humor? Not sure. Like: asking for a keyboard on a modular is not unreasonable, just get an Arturia keystep. Asking for presets isn't either, just get a nice sequencer or some midi modules (from ES). The point you're missing is that modular does what YOU want it to do. No need to ask Tony to wizard something up for you (😬). No need to wax poetic about mandalas and monastics and impermanence. Just go and make a plan that fits YOUR needs and get started. 😅

There is no reason that modular synth needs to be expensive. We're not not talking about DOD projects... I'm developing a company that cut's that cost barrier. Stay tuned.

You can always use VCV Rack, which (1) is free, (2) can save the patches, (3) can be easily connected with a MIDI controller. So basically is ticking all the boxes that you mentioned as blockers for modular synths.

@leo.nordmann

6 ай бұрын

Exactly. If you wanna go hardware modular you don't need to spend that much money either. There's a ton of decently priced modules out there, maybe even go DIY and build some yourself and you can get things quite cheap.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

true. I did search high and low for cheaper options that I still found inspiring. I found some options but I wasn't all that inspired by them@@leo.nordmann

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

A few people have suggested that. Thanks! I'll check it out.

@leo.nordmann

6 ай бұрын

@@SamGutman DIY is quite fun! I started out with the usual 3340 VCOs, MS-20 filters and ladder filters as THT and I like them quite a bit, but I found that with DIY the more interesting stuff will usually be SMD technology. I found the modules by ST-modular quite interesting and I'm currently sourcing some parts for them. They are a bit inspired by buchla too. So there's some waveshaping oscillators (Oberhausen looks so cool), function generators, lowpass gates and very interesting modulation modules. Definitely have a look at them. I'm gonna build quite a few modules of them so if you decide you still wanna go for it and you're as inspired by these ST-modular modules as I am, I could give you a good deal if SMD soldering is not for you yet. I am located in Germany though so idk about shipping. Best regards Leo Nordmann

I find modular is a lot about exploring the unkown and finding happy little mistakes that you just know nobody have ever created the exact same sound before.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I agree. And yes, standard keyboards and synths are probably not as conducive to those happy accidents.

imho modular synths are worth it but its easy to over do it. If you do get into it, build a small simple system and make sure DAW integration is a priority so you can add it to your workflow.

Anything is a waste, in my eyes, if you're simply addicted to amassing a collection of synthtuber demo'd gear because they made a 30 minute neat-sounding promo in return for a free gizmo. Then you get it and it just collects dust or sits in a folder on a PC. All because you keep failing to realize that they took a few weeks to learn something and tweak the final presentation to show you only its best aspects while running through their $1500 of effects gear that you don't have. That includes pedals, modules, hardware synths or plugins and VSTs. If you're enjoying them and it's not impacting your or your family's lives in negative ways, then nothing is wasted.

Maybe try Cardinal, which is a free (and opensource) modular plugin (based on VCV Rack) that can give you the best of both worlds. Unlimited sonic exploration and the ability to create custom instruments and effects, but everything as presets that you can pull up in your DAW on individual tracks/busses so you can reuse those sounds that you enjoy and build your own sonic palette.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

That sounds very cool. At Berklee I took a class called Modular Function and Signal Flow and we used some kind of modular-emulation software. Kind of reminds me of what you are saying. At the end of the day though, that's full digital.

@havardtveito4070

6 ай бұрын

I would second this! Or to personal experience MiRack on iPad! Because it only costs 10 bucks, and you actually get the "hands on" experience! as you can drag virtual patch cables with the touch screen and turn knobs and dials directly.

you're kinda cute, do you play in any bands?

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

idk, why you got an opening? ;)

100% agree. In fact, why bother with a synthesizer at all? Buy a piano and study Stephen Scott’s Bowed Piano Ensemble. FTR, I’ve been building a modular for over 7 years and I only have so far, 7 modules. So, it’s roughly one module per year. Also, I don’t listen to snobs. I love Behringer because they offer fairly high quality on the cheap, and the elitist modularists hate that. Why do people love modular? Because it’s elitist. It’s a status symbol. In fact, so is (at least according to Karl Marx) a piano. But with a piano, at least it arrives as a fully playable instrument that you then must pull apart to sound different, wheras with modular your only option is to keep building upon to move on from basic tones and that is where and why modular gets and is, silly.

Try VCV Rack

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

A few people have mentioned that. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

Yeah, it depends. For me it would be waste of money.

I think modular is really cool. That being said, 95% of the music ive heard from large modular setups, spunds absolutely awful to me. Im happy for the people enjoying them, mote power to you. But that stuff just isnt for me. Ill take my summit, minifreak, 2600 and ms20 over a wall of modular any day

"what's the line between investing in your creativity, and irresponsible spending?" I feel this HARD in the handpan world as well. I know we've discussed how these worlds are similar. The finest handpans go for 4k-5k these days and as amazing as these instruments are, there is certainly a limit to what can be done with them. Or is there? There are pioneers out there crushing new territory, but it is a huge decision and a challenge to get your money's worth. Diminishing returns is also a relevant concept as this is such a niche market, and the decently paying gigs are difficult to find- not to mention bringing out a sizeable audience. But again, it is a whole subculture! A super unique community. Lots of parallels! Great video as usual!

I got a lot of modular gear. I feel like if it’s not something you absolutely love, you shouldn’t get into it because of the price. I’ve gone modular for a year and I love it, but if you aren’t absolutely sold, don’t get into it. I’ve seen a lot of people get into it who weren’t totally sold on it and got in and got upset. Glad you figured it out for yourself before spending a lot of money.

so funny u saying this with all those expensive instruments in the back... ditch em all and get a nice keyboard a good computer and a set of plugins.

You're missing the point. Modular is not about automating filter sweeps. Modular is just another sound design and composition tool like every other tool in your toolbox. It's all about how you use it, eliminating distractions, having fun and being productive. I think modular is exciting for a bunch of reasons but you didn't even try to address real positives in your video. Maybe you shouldn't be making videos about things you don't have first hand experience with. As for price, when you break it down building out a Doepfer mono voice with a couple of oscillators, a filter, vca, envelopes, lfos will cost you less than some monosynths and people have walls of monosynths that they use only occasionally. The difference with the Doepfer voice is that you can rewire it and choose from 1000s of other modules to add to your signal path and enhance your sound or your compositions. I really don't see the point of anyone other than working professional musicians having giant walls of modular synths and even then it's probably not the best use of your money but small to medium sized systems can be really fun and productive.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

In this video I talked extensively about how modular synths have produced some of the most incredible sounds I have ever heard. And in the later half I talked about several things that I respect about that approach. So I think I did address the positives. I also didn't claim that "Modular is about automating filter sweeps". I assume you are referring to the section where I said that one of the points of modular is beautiful and deep sound design generally...which of course it is. As for price, I know that there is cheaper modular stuff and that you can build a smaller system. But what I said in the video was that the things I was personally inspired would have cost at least 5k. I very much tried to find cheaper stuff that I was inspired by. I found the cheaper stuff, and I wasn't inspired by it.

@ecocentrik

6 ай бұрын

@@SamGutman I was referring to a statement you made about composing in modular being focused around tonal control. It's not entirely untrue in as much as you have significant control over sound design while composing but the best modular music I've heard balances that control with harmonic and rhythmic complexity. Doepfer is quality gear. It's solid and sounds great. They created the eurorack standard and absolutely nobody would call them cheap but they are slightly less expensive than Make Noise and whole lot less expensive than Buchla. I'm going to try to make my point again. A Moog modular in 1969 cost $50k. That's $418,023.94 in today's dollars. You can buy an equivalent Doepfer modular today for less than $3000. Modular is no longer prohibitively expensive. And if $3000 sounds like too much, there's a vibrant DIY culture.

So,,,, Brian Eno then?????

"playing noise shows for like ten people" -- this comment says more about you as a musician than any equipment or investment. pretty lame perspective in my opinion.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I would love it if modular synth music was more widely appreciated. But it is just a fact that it has a small, niche audience.

You really need a elektron.. all the cool swag of modular but less cost and presets.. they even have some discontinued keyboards...lol

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I used to have the Octatrak that I was basically using as a clock/MIDI manager for my whole rig until I discovered that the Yamaha ModX does a better job of that. Which elektron would you recommend for modular-type stuff?

@wurlinnawurl

6 ай бұрын

@@SamGutman since you seem to love keys and play them well I would try to grab a digitone keys, now is a perfect time because they just discontinued them last week and you can still find them cheaper if you hurry, the price will probably soar after thru become hard to find.. did you not like the octatrack?

Presets? On a synth? Woooooot? That's so overrated and so 80's. Ever heard of a Minimoog? Okay, okay: I get it. If you "find" something nice you want to use it again. If you hate presets then modular is for you. If you want to make a song: nope. However, every track/song needs a hook and/or something unique. Modular is great for that. BTW You don't have to buy a complete modular synth including a keyboard that outputs CV. You can also "input" the audio from an other synth into modules so, for instance, you have a better filter without having to buy yet another synth. You can even use Midi keyboards w/ modular if you want. Just start small and remember the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple St*pid. 😉

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

That actually might be one of the best suggestions out of all these comments; to mostly rely on a keyboard but have a module of two to run it through. I'd probably get the echophone or erbe-verb.

Gear doesn't make music.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

I think that that's definitely true of every area of music EXCEPT the world of modular synths. In that world, I think the gear plays a much bigger role.

I think its definitely not about making music. Its an expensive collecting hobby, maybe like model railway. And you can play with it, explore it, make weird noises in very nerdy, complicated ways with expensive equipment. Definitely a consumerism thing. 7:09 and all of that, of course.

Even if you don’t agree with their business model, this whole video is BS if you don’t mention Behringer… for less than $1000 you could get a very powerful eurorack setup, case, power, and modules… their effects pedals are also the best value on the market

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

Yeah I didn't mention Behringer because talking about them is kind of a whole can of worms. Would be a good topic for another video though!

thanks for showing how toxic the modular community is! From my experience it's a circle jerk of narcissists who think that the noise they make is something mindblowing, when 90% of the time they have no idea what they're doing, they're just randomly turning knobs without any idea what those knobs do, and they think that spending more money is going to make it sound better. Modular can be wonderful when you're actually someone who knows how to use it. Take Wendy Carlos for example. She knows exactly what each parameter does, and that should be the whole point of having a modular synth.

modular sound quality sucks... behringer sounds better and im no behringer fan

@_DRMR_

6 ай бұрын

This is a meaningless remark.

used tiptop uzues power: $75 used doepfer vco/vcf/env/vca: $80 each one cool used effects module splurge: $200 cables: $25 use existing synth for midi to cv build an enclosure with crap around the house full system total: $620 less that any of the synths you have in the studio and only need to spend a few hundred here and there to expand. the idea that you need to spend $5-10k to get something out of modular is a stretch

@snorrevonflake

6 ай бұрын

No, i spent 5 K in the first year and another 10 in the next. Is addictive. Getting into modular on a low budget is absolutely a waste of time and money.

@SamGutman

6 ай бұрын

Yeah for sure you can get cheaper modules, and have a system with less things. My point was that to access the stuff that I personally was inspired by it would have cost that much. Believe me, I tried very hard to find cheaper things that I was into. I found the cheaper options, I just wasn't into them.

@_functionless

6 ай бұрын

You THOUGHT you needed to spend 5k to do what you want. How could you know if you didn't actually try? Please tell me what you needed to do that cost 5k? Sounds like you thought you needed a shared system before you could enjoy the benefits of modular. Now you've gone as far as to make a video just to convince yourself and others something you haven't tried isn't worth trying. No hate, I appreciate your video. just pushing back against you arguments.@@SamGutman

@_functionless

6 ай бұрын

Sounds like a personal problem. You don't need to buy a moog one to enjoy synthesizers. I've seen probably 40-50 great live sets here in Chicago from from people with modest modular rigs. I'm talking under $1500 and play a whole set. Opens up a world of music without screens and midi. life changing shit. @@snorrevonflake