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I have the itch to get into modular synths, but not the income. Thus I want to have a good starting point to which I can later add on, little by little. Any recommendations on things I should be getting?

Look at a rack/box first, then osc and filters and envelope gens and lag possessors and mixers and lfos and and and...

sonidero wrote:Look at a rack/box first, then osc and filters and envelope gens and lag possessors and mixers and lfos and and and...

See, that's where I go wrong.

The box/rack is the layout and all the rest is gravy... Maybe that new Pittsburgh pedal thing??? Remember that it's gonna expand though...

I don't know that any modular setup is cheap. Ive looked into it multiple times and the total cost gets over $3k pretty quick. Curious to see what others say. Pittsburgh Modular has some interesting starter packages though, with room to expand.

I'd say the cheapest way would be knocking together your own case and DIY modules.

The cheapest way would be to go semi-modular with something like an MS-20 Mini, or a Microbrute, and then just add whatever modules you need that it doesn't already cover. But maybe that's not as sexy.

Can you solder/etc. ? If so, there are now lots of available DIY modules, that could reduce the cost quite a bit.

For cases, a nice and cheap solution is the Ginko cases.
https://www.ginkosynthese.com/product/w ... e-diy-kit/

You need a power supply for them, I'd recommend the Synthrotek ones, also available DIY if you want.
http://store.synthrotek.com/Eurorack_5A ... ply_System
(that one is powerful enough for a relatively big system, they also have a smaller one for small systems)

As for modules, it all depends on what you want to do with the modular. Everybody has a different setup because everybody does something different.

I'd need more details to be able to give actually relevant advice and not just a list of modules I like (which is what at least 50% of recommendations end up being, honestly). Do you want the modular to be independant, to process external sound sources, do you plan to control it from something else, do you want it to control something else, what kind of sounds/music are you interested in, etc. ?

To be fair, synth DIY can be pretty challenging, especially if you are thinking Eurorack: tight spaces, etc. But if you are good at soldering, start with a multi. then maybe just build some attenuators, and then dip your toes into some more complicated kits.

Pittsburgh Modular is a decent way to get your foot in the door. If you have decent credit, you could probably get one from Sweetwater and have payments.

If you are not beholden to Eurorack, you should check out http://synthesizers.com
These are mostly Moogish in nature, are very reliable and there other builders in this format that add some more esoteric modules to the format. The good thing is that Synthesizers.com offer a payment plan in order to get you started, it was $155 a month and it was for a year. After you pay off the case and PSU, they send you that, then module by module they send you what you have paid for. If you need to skip a month or two because of cash issue, they were cool.Here is info about that http://synthesizers.com/system-entry2.html The other good thing is that you can find DotCom modules used for a good price too.
I think it would be cool to have DotCom system (though I don't).

Then there is the world of 4U and it is not cheap.

get on muffs.

scoop up all the doepfler shit that no one wants. Avoid Mutable Elements and Make Noise FOR NOW. They are the hot chicks in town.

I built a very successful starter system with the A100-series modules almost exclusively. Skip Blue Lantern, that guy is a dick.

Ebay is also a place to score modules pretty cheap. A humble A110 Oscillator sounds surprisingly good and better than any VA you will find.

Plan to spend money for a GOOD POWER SUPPLY and a GOOD CASE. That's like $350-400 for a G600 with the PSU2.

Edit: I do know what I'm talking about,

tuj wrote: Edit: I do know what I'm talking about,

Any specific modules I should get first? Like bare essentials, at least so I can have a list to save up for besides the case.

get 2 A110's, some mixer (I like the submix-6), some filter(s), at least 2x VCA for every OSC/LFO in your system, I use the A132's as utility VCA's but they work well enough with audio. Look at the A145 as your LFO.

2 osc + filter + vca + lfo = classic synth

ring mod is also good and usually cheap.

have you decided how you will control the synth yet?

Yeah--excellent advice for the realz, tuj, but for me that Mutable Instruments Elements is Venus, Lilith, Eve, Marie Curie, Anais Nin and Catwoman all rolled into one. If someone can show me a modal synth for less than 2000 that can do the weirdspace physical modelling the Elements does, maybe my viagrabone for the Elements will subside. I keep wistfully hoping someone will show me the hidden mode on a Korg Prophecy but my lame internet skills haven't uncovered it yet. Until then, I'm eyeing everything not nailed down for funds and that's in the face of urgent need not to acquire anything. IDK, maybe I'm over-reacting?

nah, I'm not saying MI isn't sexy, the fucking unobtainable Elements is. But there are other things in the world that can do lots of fun shit too. Gotta just wait and catch them on the flipped side in a year.

Take a pitts generator, gen expander, some ring mod, and fm/ring/am the crap out of it. That's a cheap way to the bleep bloop land.

True.

Also, once you go modular, things are not so nailed down anymore...