Building a Modular synth: NOOB

[Faldoe]

I've built pedals and worked on my amps. Would any of you modular folks suggest building up a noob modular rig by building the modules vs. buying modules already built? I'm trying to go for the more cost effective route. I also enjoy building stuff and would be proud to build my own modules.

I don't need a big rig. What are some essentials besides Oscillators, filter, LFO, ADSR?

[Deltaphoenix]

Do you have an Oscilloscope so that you can calibrate oscillators, LFOs, etc.
Synth DIY is quite a bit more technically challenging.

Having said that, there are kits that would be good to learn on.

Other essentials would be VCAs, Clock Module (and maybe clock divider and multipliers), wave shapers/wave multipliers, ring mod.... How are you going to play it? Sequencer, Midi, CV from a minibrute or other synth? What format are you looking to build? 3U, 4U or 5U? If I was building my own modules, 5u would give you the most room for your build.

Those are some of the questions you should think about. also, you should probably join Muff Wiggler forum (modular synth forum, mainly) and go to the Music Tech DIY sub forum.

[Faldoe]

I don't have a scope. Thanks for that. I'd use MIDI so I could run it with my laptop/Live.

[oscillateur]

You should check the Synth-DIY section of the Muffwigglers forum, it's all about what you want .
There are a lots of kits available that "only" require soldering/etc., you should probably try that first.

About the modules : it depends on the kind of music you make. Everyone will need different things. Seriously, that's the whole point of the thing : making an instrument that fits your requirements. Now, it usually takes time to be able to know what you really want to use, but there are no modules that everyone needs and starting by getting the basic components of a classic substractive voice (i.e. VCO, VCA, VCF, ADSR) is not necessarily a good idea. Many people have no need for ADSR envelopes for example and are much happier with slope generators that can behave as AD envelopes or LFOs. I know a guy who doesn''t use any VCA, too. That would be impossible for most people but for his kind of noise-drone thing it makes perfect sense.

So, what do you want to do with it ? Melodic stuff, drones, harsh noise, techno, polka ?
Also : do you have a case in mind ? That's a cost that people usually do not consider, but a good case is worth spending some money on...

[Bartimaeus]

You should check the Synth-DIY section of the Muffwigglers forum, it's all about what you want .
There are a lots of kits available that "only" require soldering/etc., you should probably try that first.

About the modules : it depends on the kind of music you make. Everyone will need different things. Seriously, that's the whole point of the thing : making an instrument that fits your requirements. Now, it usually takes time to be able to know what you really want to use, but there are no modules that everyone needs and starting by getting the basic components of a classic substractive voice (i.e. VCO, VCA, VCF, ADSR) is not necessarily a good idea. Many people have no need for ADSR envelopes for example and are much happier with slope generators that can behave as AD envelopes or LFOs. I know a guy who doesn''t use any VCA, too. That would be impossible for most people but for his kind of noise-drone thing it makes perfect sense.

So, what do you want to do with it ? Melodic stuff, drones, harsh noise, techno, polka ?
Also : do you have a case in mind ? That's a cost that people usually do not consider, but a good case is worth spending some money on...

[Deltaphoenix]

I don't have a scope. Thanks for that. I'd use MIDI so I could run it with my laptop/Live.

Then a midi-to-cv module is a must.

Oscillateur hit the nail on the head when it comes to cases and power. When I first was interested in modular synths this is what kept me from jumping in for awhile.

[antennafarm]

... i happen to have a doepfer midi2cv for sale....!

[trace]

I know frac-rack is not really a very popular format any more with the rise of eurorack but both Paia and Blacet offer kit modules that are excellent value and easy to build for someone with pedal electronics experience. I built the whole paia synth lot and 3 or 4 of the blacets a few years ago and had no trouble whatsoever, didn't need a scope at all.

[oscillateur]

I wouldn't recommend Frac as a format to anyone now unless they already have a bunch of the stuff. The amount of things available in euro these days dwarves any other format, frankly.
The new Verbos and Sputnik lines even make many people stop lusting over Buchla systems...

[Deltaphoenix]

I wouldn't recommend Frac as a format to anyone now unless they already have a bunch of the stuff. The amount of things available in euro these days dwarves any other format, frankly.
The new Verbos and Sputnik lines even make many people stop lusting over Buchla systems...

Euro is exciting. It is not the be-all-end-all modular synth format though. I would take a Bug Brand frac-rack over a lot of Euro.

To me and a lot of other people, patching on a larger modular is a more satisfying experience. They don't feel as delicate. Each format has pros and cons. Sputnik and Verbos don't have the patch recall that Buchla 200e has, they may be a crucial feature for some live performers, etc. Of Course, Sputnik and Verbos are about a 1/5 of the cost. Horses for courses.

The OP seems to want a basic system, I would go with a 5U if that was my desires and I was wanting to build the modules. Bigger Circuit boards, not dealing with Surface Mounted components, etc.