Modular Synths

[hazelwould]

So where do I start... Everything seems pretty complicated, even down to how to do you control/play it?

I'm looking at this stuff:
http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

What should I piece together?

[smallsnd/bigsnd]

modular synths can get extraordinarily complex if you want them to be, but they can also be fairly simple.
you can "play" them without any interface besides the synth itself through many means - free running oscillators, triggering via sequencer or clock, etc.
OR you can use a midi keyboard with midi-CV interface or any CV interface, such as a stylus, opto, ribbon controller, etc.

to start you need the basics: a housing of some sort and a power supply.
the next essential modules are pretty subjective, but i would start with 1-many(!) VCOs, some envelope modifiers, a VCA or 2, a VCF or 2, a multiple or a mixer and possibly a divider and/or a noise source.

it really all depends on what you want to do with it. if you want "classic" sounds, just check out the architecture of any well-known vintage subtractive synth.
the architecture of the micromoog is:
1 variable waveshape VCO, a -24dB per octave low-pass filter with envelope generator, a VCA, noise generator, sample and hold circuit, LFO, and modulation routing.

[delaydecay]

im on the same beginning modular adventure too. but im kinda stuck picking out the few modules that i can fit in my box.

honestly, i might just scrap the whole modular synth thing and just get a dave smith instruments evolver.

[theshoegazer]

I've been dying to get into modular myself. So far I just don't have the money for the investment. Some day....

Heres a really fun tool to plan out your modular rig when you have an idea of what you want. It has most of the available euro format modules (I would go euro personally [more options]).

http://www.modularplanner.co.uk/

[eti]

You could get a free software synth and learn the basics.

Or get one of these to start: http://www.doepfer.de/A1115.htm
a complete modular Dark Energy. A complete starter unit, and you can always add more modules later.

[Astronovazz]

I really like my synthesizers.com modular synth. It is based on the Moog modulars from the 70's. The set up really helped me understand my other synts (Arp Axxe and Korg MS 2000).
You can sign up for a monthly plan $120.00 per month for 12 months. At the end of 12 months you have this.http://www.synthesizers.com/system-entry1.html. I have been gigging with this and it sounds great. The Synthesizers.com units are pretty large but I like the large knobs. The Doepfer units are a lot smaller and easier to transport. http://www.blacet.com/ make some nice units also . The cool thing is that all of these company's are interchangable. Synthesizers.com have a lot of info on there web site. compatability charts and other links. If you like making NOIZE this is the best noize box out there and running it thru effects...well you will never leave your house again!!! Hope this was somewhat helpful.

[Sockgazer]

I wish the synth market were more similar to the guitar market. For example; there's no reason why they can't make a decent desktop ROMpler for about $100 nowadays, like you'd get a cheap multi-fx. There were ROMplers towards the end of the 80s that would be considerably more primtiive than a Gameboy Advance.

You can get some second hand, but they're rack modules, and I um, don't want a rack nor do I have space for one. Rack modules also tend to be big and heavy. I just want a nice desktop ROMPler, like the way you get little desktop synth modules(Such as the MFB Synth Lite). A decent FM Synth would also be great.