Wanna get into modular, but I'm poor.

[BitchPudding]

Hey all!

So after seeing a lot of different modular setups from people both on this site and elsewhere, I really wanna get in on the action and try my hand at modular.

The only problem with that is I 1) Have no clue what to get first to put together a system and 2) am poor.

I've heard talk online that Reaktor is a good place to start in a digital space if you want to get into modular synthesis but dont have tons of cash to throw around. Anyone on here have any experience with Reaktor and if so, is it worth it?

I do want to get in to making a physical system at some point in the future however, so for that, where would I start?

Thanks for your input!

[popvulture]

I'm sure lots of other people will chime in with more detailed stuff, but I can say that:

1. Reaktor is awesome — I've really enjoyed messing around with it and it can produce some great sounds.
2. VCV Rack is a similar option that's free, so maybe an even better place to start messing around. https://vcvrack.com/
3. I got into modular via the 0-Coast. It's a very fun and powerful little box. FWIW I had a Pittsburgh Lifeforms about a year ago but sent it back because I didn't personally like it. The 0-C has been much more friendly to me.

[Inconuucl]

http://audulus.com

[Chankgeez]

I wanna get into modular too, but I'm poor too.

So, I'm just gonna wait until I have money. Which is probably gonna be never, but, you know, I can dream.

My advice'd be to save-up and sell off anything non-essential in the meantime and put it towards your savings. Probably no help, but, you know...

[actual]

I think a good starting point is figuring out why you want to "go modular", and what you want out of it. Ie. do you want to play learn about synthesis and do stuff like leads, basses, fx and percussion or do you want to do full tracks from your modular, self-playing patches etc.

0-Coasts and Mothers are cool, but a cheaper entry could be something like the Doepfer Dark Energy or a module like the Acidlab M303. It'd be easy to just get a module or two besides those, as to get a few patch points to fuck about with.

[Dark Barn]

I really like Reaktor, but I believe that Madrona Labs Aalto is even better for the modular feel since the patching is done on the same interface layer as the controls. I have never used VCV or Audulus so I can’t speak for those.

I don’t think anything beats interfacing with a physical object though, it’s a whole different experience and like others have said, there are some affordable entry level semi-modular things like 0-coast or Mother 32.

[Inconuucl]

Audulus is to modular what Modular is to a standard synth. You have modules like a standard modular system and you can use it just like that, but you can if you want go deeper and design your own modules. In fact, that's how the Qu-bit guys prototype their modules.

[coupleonapkins]

I agree with what everyone else has said above, but also will mention the Bastl Kastle & the Moog Werkstatt, which are both tiny synths with patch points and can be integrated into other setups relatively easily, and are easy to resell for about what they might cost if you want to flip later. I'm still getting my head around the Kastle, but I also prefer Bastl's style of micro units in terms of physicality, even if you have sausage fingers like me. But if you're handy with a soldering iron, they also sell kit versions of a majority of their stuff, if that floats your boat. 0-Coast & Mother 32 are great choices too, and can be found around the $400+/- point if you hunt around long enough.

[BitchPudding]

I think a good starting point is figuring out why you want to "go modular", and what you want out of it. Ie. do you want to play learn about synthesis and do stuff like leads, basses, fx and percussion or do you want to do full tracks from your modular, self-playing patches etc.

I guess to answer this and help others with the linking process, I want something that can do synthy stuff on its own, and also mangle samples for sound design. Im not sure if those would both be doable out of the same unit but thats the goal.

As far as the sample mangling I would love to be able to feed my guitar into it and have it just make the thing super glitchy for recording weird parts.

[BitchPudding]

VCV looks really cool btw....gonna download that just to fuck around.

Really eyeballing that O coast too....

[echorec]

0-Coasts and Mothers are cool, but a cheaper entry could be something like the Doepfer Dark Energy or a module like the Acidlab M303.

Gotta remember them continents/international taxes.

Dark Energy: $625 (USD)
0-Coast: $499
Mother 32: $599

...for BP:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGCg6M-yxmU[/youtube]

[GardenoftheDead]

https://www.softube.com/modular

[D.o.S.]

, I want something that can do synthy stuff on its own, and also mangle samples for sound design. Im not sure if those would both be doable out of the same unit but thats the goal.

As far as the sample mangling I would love to be able to feed my guitar into it and have it just make the thing super glitchy for recording weird parts.

[Inconuucl]

An iPad works too.

viewtopic.php?f=149&t=58239

[D.o.S.]

Correct.

I think the why of modular gets shortchanged a lot when people think about it compared to the Ooooooh Shiny aspect.