These videos are great. I'm an experimental musician working mainly with acoustic instruments but have always been intrigued. You've made the baffling world of synths really easy to understand. Thank you so much!!
I'm wondering how can be in their minds the 4 poeples who don't like this clear and free explainations. Thank you! You have a lot of interesting videos!
Thanks a lot for doing this instructional series. I've done much studying of modular synthesis over the year, but you are helping me learn a lot more. This video answered several questions I had about certain modules/functions.
All of these are very helpful. I am in the process of building my first couple modules and a case. For now I pull up the Modular app on my ipad and test out what you are describing. Your videos are fantastic, please don't stop making them.
That's great! The Modular iPad App is a good way to practice for the real thing :) I also recorded a little jam session with it some time ago: iPad Ambient Drone Music (Modular iOS App)
I was too scared of buying a Modular, but you are helping me a lot, now I'm building mine on modular grid, I got pretty much in love with intelijell metropolis and the mutable instruments modules.
It's fascinating indeed! I started in 2010 and just learned by reading articles and forums on the internet, watching tons of videos and reading synth manuals thoroughly. And of course I kept programming sounds from scratch to learn how synths "work". Once you get how VCOs, VCAs, ADSRs, etc can be combined (in a modular or non-modular) it's not that difficult anymore.
Your videos are really cool, thank you for sharing this. I have a question... Is it possible to modulate a +/-5V with a signal of 0/+10V? For exemple I want to modulate the MIX +/-5V of ADM14 Boomtschak with an voltage block (0/5V) and an amplifier *2? The amplitude of both CV signal are 10V, but I need an offset?
Thanks so much this helps a lot !!! I have something to ask you though... I'm starting using my very first modular synth (a Moog model 15 iOS version which is actually a virtual synth) because I love the sound of modular synths, the experimental side you can create with it and the infinite amount of possibilities, but it is really hard for me to be able to shape a sound as I want... My question is: do you think I'd better use a real modular synth to begin or do you know other helpful virtual synths ?
I think the Moog iOS modular looks awesome. There is also an App simply called "Modular", which I like too. The workflow really is the same as on a real hardware modular synth. Sound and haptics/feeling are of course different with real knobs and cables, but hardware is also a lot more expensive.
Hmm, okay. But usually this kind of stuff explains itself when you wiggle around. Offset won't do anything to audio, and Amps make it louder and Attenuators more quiet.
@@tuesdaynightmachines Mby a little late, but i don't have anything to wiggle around on. im watching this video to learn how to use it, so i don't buy one and don't know how to.
Don't worry :) just experiment and have fun for now and slowly read up on new stuff once you feel comfortable. Modulars are so deep that you won't learn everything in one day (or a lifetime) anyway.
+Rienk Speelman it shouldn't mess with audio mixing, however with DC coupled signals, you might mix yourself a voltage offset in your audio output which you usually want to avoid due to possible distortion.
Regarding Offset Generators: If i have 9V signal and then add +5V to that, wouldn't the output overload the target module? Are Offset Generators therefore considered "dangerous" in a modular synth? There are many reasons i don't really know how much voltage comes in. Maybe i remove an attenuator i had patch earlier and suddenly the voltage jumps to unhealthy level .. something like that. Would it be possible to harm a system this way?
Hi :) Offset generators are like mixers, mixing the input signal voltage with another constant voltage (the offset). And just like mixers, they will clip at a certain level, usually around +/-10V. This can distort the input signal, which might not be desirable for your patch, but which is generally safe. I demonstrate this in the following video: ua-cam.com/video/FCr5xn4cHfo/v-deo.html
To invert and scale signals. Take an ADSR for example. It's usually only positive, "adding" its effect to something like a VCA or filter. If you use a polarizer to invert it, you could actually subtract it, closing a filter or VCA instead of opening it.
A lot of popular modules already have attenuverters. Conceptually I get what attenuate/offset does but it's effect eludes me. Say I trying to modulate something like timbre on something like MI Elements, would sending a LFO straight into it's cv input have a different effect vs. sending the same LFO but with a different offset?
A lot of modules have attenuATORS in front of their inputs, yes. In your LFO example, offset will shift the midpoint of the modulation effect. Let’s take a filter instead of the MI module though. If you offset the LFO modulation positively, the filter might never fully close. Watch the video again and look at the graphs (maybe pause it too). And then of course try it out yourself.
@@tuesdaynightmachines Thanks for you reply. So no attenuverters but attenuators?!?! But sometimes there is + on the right and - on the left of the cv input: Would that make it a attenuverter?
@@_jurk ah sorry, maybe I'm out of the loop :D In that case they are actually attenuverters. In my memory modules used to have mostly just attenuators, but I guess times are changing, which is nice.
The attenuator+amplifier+polariser+attenuverter thing... Shouldn't they all just be part of a single module: a multiplier? abs(voltage)1 is amplification voltage < 0 inversion What am I missing? (except putting the 1 at maybe 3V or somewhere else depending)
You’re missing offset, which would be addition/subtraction ;-) What you describe is exactly what a polarizing amplifier does though. The question here is how much maximum amplification do you want? 2x, 3x ... 10x? The wider the value range, the less precise the control with just one potentiometer will be. The more components and features (amplification, inversion, etc.) the more complex and expensive the module might be. Also, a problem with attenuverters is often that the zero point is in the middle of the range and difficult to dial in quickly/precisely. So sometimes you just want an attenuator to turn down a signal. Sometimes you just need a precise -1x inverter. Analog amplification might also introduce noise or other artifacts. So having those features spread across several modules which can be combined to one’s individual needs is what the modular experience is all about, but you will also find all-in-one modules too. Another thing to take into account is module size. You might fit two attenuators into the same module space as just one attenuverter+offset. Rack space is always limited, so it’s good to have modular module choices :)
No, Buchla is not Eurorack, so they won't fit in the same case. Although there are Buchla-inspired Eurorack modules from Verbos and Sputnik for example.
your video is helpfully to me but i don't understand your pronunciation "as though s~~~ the scent of the waveform..." at the part explain AC coupling. please let me know the word start "s" or whatever ;)
+최하경 2:34 "Attenuation and inversion will still work though, as those leave the center of the waveform where it is ..." Gotta work on my pronunciation :D Now that you mentioned it, I can't unhear myself saying "the scent of the waveform" ... it's always a good scent though. Haha :-P
just making sure you know that, seven years later, this vid is still really helpful. thanks kindly.
Thank you! That's great to hear :)
Update: 9 years later and still super helpful. Really digging this entire series.
Thank you. You've formatted this series in a way that clearly explains the "magic" of modular synthesis
best ever series on the subject of modular, thanks
These videos are great. I'm an experimental musician working mainly with acoustic instruments but have always been intrigued. You've made the baffling world of synths really easy to understand. Thank you so much!!
+Sam Dunstall awesome! That's great to hear :) enjoy!!!
I'm wondering how can be in their minds the 4 poeples who don't like this clear and free explainations.
Thank you!
You have a lot of interesting videos!
Thank you! There are always people who don’t like stuff, but I’m really happy that the majority find the videos useful 😊
@@tuesdaynightmachines Yes you're right! And I should have focus on, and mentioned this point! Thank you for the remind!
Finally a really good series of videos about modular synthesis. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Thanks! Glad you enjoy it :)
Thanks a lot for doing this instructional series. I've done much studying of modular synthesis over the year, but you are helping me learn a lot more. This video answered several questions I had about certain modules/functions.
That's great to hear! Thanks :)
All of these are very helpful. I am in the process of building my first couple modules and a case. For now I pull up the Modular app on my ipad and test out what you are describing. Your videos are fantastic, please don't stop making them.
That's great! The Modular iPad App is a good way to practice for the real thing :) I also recorded a little jam session with it some time ago: iPad Ambient Drone Music (Modular iOS App)
Aaaah! A clear, concise and factual explanation. I have found my channel.
I was too scared of buying a Modular, but you are helping me a lot, now I'm building mine on modular grid, I got pretty much in love with intelijell metropolis and the mutable instruments modules.
That's great :) I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with those modules!
Invaluable information. Thank you. Just subbed.
Great to hear that it was a useful video! Thanks for the sub =)
So brilliant explanations thanks
Highly informative. Thank you.
Thanks! :)
Fantastic video thank you
These videos are brilliant, man, thanks a lot!
Very helpful, thank you. Actually, this whole series is great!
Thanks for watching! :)
Awesome video
Thank you :)
Thanks. Very helpful.
these are very helpful.
very good
Brilliant.
Thank you =)
Very clear and helpful. Sometimes I need things spelled out to me, since I buy modules and read 'instructions' later. Thanks.
+alternatingbitmusic thanks for watching :)
So where did you start learning about synths and modulars? Was it college? This stuff is really fascinating.
It's fascinating indeed! I started in 2010 and just learned by reading articles and forums on the internet, watching tons of videos and reading synth manuals thoroughly. And of course I kept programming sounds from scratch to learn how synths "work". Once you get how VCOs, VCAs, ADSRs, etc can be combined (in a modular or non-modular) it's not that difficult anymore.
Your videos are really cool, thank you for sharing this. I have a question... Is it possible to modulate a +/-5V with a signal of 0/+10V? For exemple I want to modulate the MIX +/-5V of ADM14 Boomtschak with an voltage block (0/5V) and an amplifier *2? The amplitude of both CV signal are 10V, but I need an offset?
I don't exactly understand what you mean, but using a *2 amp and a -5V offset will make a 0 to +5V signal become -5 to +5V.
Thanks so much this helps a lot !!!
I have something to ask you though... I'm starting using my very first modular synth (a Moog model 15 iOS version which is actually a virtual synth) because I love the sound of modular synths, the experimental side you can create with it and the infinite amount of possibilities, but it is really hard for me to be able to shape a sound as I want... My question is: do you think I'd better use a real modular synth to begin or do you know other helpful virtual synths ?
I think the Moog iOS modular looks awesome. There is also an App simply called "Modular", which I like too. The workflow really is the same as on a real hardware modular synth. Sound and haptics/feeling are of course different with real knobs and cables, but hardware is also a lot more expensive.
Good stuff
Thanks!
Thanks!
it's great but i wish you'd give musical exemples on when/why using polarizers, offsets etc
Hmm, okay. But usually this kind of stuff explains itself when you wiggle around. Offset won't do anything to audio, and Amps make it louder and Attenuators more quiet.
@@tuesdaynightmachines IMHO it's perfect like that, without annoying background music. Thanks for sharing!
@@tuesdaynightmachines Mby a little late, but i don't have anything to wiggle around on. im watching this video to learn how to use it, so i don't buy one and don't know how to.
That’s cool :) You can also practice with VCV Rack or other virtual modular synths nowadays.
@@tuesdaynightmachines Thanks, didnt know about that. Just installed it, but is there a way this can replace buying one?
Can you give me an example for an Cheap beginner modular rack?
There are a ton and it really depends on what you want to do with the synth. Check out the muffwiggler.com forums! :)
This is where my head starts to hurt, even though you explain it well, it's just confusing to me.
Don't worry :) just experiment and have fun for now and slowly read up on new stuff once you feel comfortable. Modulars are so deep that you won't learn everything in one day (or a lifetime) anyway.
So if i solder the pads on the ABC Bastl module I can use it both as a CV mixer and as an Audio mixer. Or will audio mixing become difficult then?
+Rienk Speelman it shouldn't mess with audio mixing, however with DC coupled signals, you might mix yourself a voltage offset in your audio output which you usually want to avoid due to possible distortion.
but thats only when you mix it with cv right?
Thank Youuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!
Regarding Offset Generators: If i have 9V signal and then add +5V to that, wouldn't the output overload the target module? Are Offset Generators therefore considered "dangerous" in a modular synth? There are many reasons i don't really know how much voltage comes in. Maybe i remove an attenuator i had patch earlier and suddenly the voltage jumps to unhealthy level .. something like that. Would it be possible to harm a system this way?
Hi :) Offset generators are like mixers, mixing the input signal voltage with another constant voltage (the offset). And just like mixers, they will clip at a certain level, usually around +/-10V. This can distort the input signal, which might not be desirable for your patch, but which is generally safe. I demonstrate this in the following video: ua-cam.com/video/FCr5xn4cHfo/v-deo.html
Why do we need to use polarizers?
To invert and scale signals. Take an ADSR for example. It's usually only positive, "adding" its effect to something like a VCA or filter. If you use a polarizer to invert it, you could actually subtract it, closing a filter or VCA instead of opening it.
Okay! Thx
A lot of popular modules already have attenuverters. Conceptually I get what attenuate/offset does but it's effect eludes me. Say I trying to modulate something like timbre on something like MI Elements, would sending a LFO straight into it's cv input have a different effect vs. sending the same LFO but with a different offset?
A lot of modules have attenuATORS in front of their inputs, yes. In your LFO example, offset will shift the midpoint of the modulation effect. Let’s take a filter instead of the MI module though. If you offset the LFO modulation positively, the filter might never fully close. Watch the video again and look at the graphs (maybe pause it too). And then of course try it out yourself.
@@tuesdaynightmachines Thanks for you reply. So no attenuverters but attenuators?!?! But sometimes there is + on the right and - on the left of the cv input: Would that make it a attenuverter?
@@_jurk ah sorry, maybe I'm out of the loop :D In that case they are actually attenuverters. In my memory modules used to have mostly just attenuators, but I guess times are changing, which is nice.
The attenuator+amplifier+polariser+attenuverter thing...
Shouldn't they all just be part of a single module: a multiplier?
abs(voltage)1 is amplification
voltage < 0 inversion
What am I missing? (except putting the 1 at maybe 3V or somewhere else depending)
You’re missing offset, which would be addition/subtraction ;-) What you describe is exactly what a polarizing amplifier does though. The question here is how much maximum amplification do you want? 2x, 3x ... 10x? The wider the value range, the less precise the control with just one potentiometer will be. The more components and features (amplification, inversion, etc.) the more complex and expensive the module might be. Also, a problem with attenuverters is often that the zero point is in the middle of the range and difficult to dial in quickly/precisely. So sometimes you just want an attenuator to turn down a signal. Sometimes you just need a precise -1x inverter. Analog amplification might also introduce noise or other artifacts. So having those features spread across several modules which can be combined to one’s individual needs is what the modular experience is all about, but you will also find all-in-one modules too. Another thing to take into account is module size. You might fit two attenuators into the same module space as just one attenuverter+offset. Rack space is always limited, so it’s good to have modular module choices :)
thinking about buying a buchla module. those can be combined with other manufacturer modules correct?
No, Buchla is not Eurorack, so they won't fit in the same case. Although there are Buchla-inspired Eurorack modules from Verbos and Sputnik for example.
What format can Buchla be used on?
+Rodrigo Guzman Only on Buchla as far as I know (Buchla is a "format" itself).
ahh okay.. makes much more sense now.. thank you :)
your video is helpfully to me but i don't understand your pronunciation "as though s~~~ the scent of the waveform..." at the part explain AC coupling. please let me know the word start "s" or whatever ;)
+최하경 2:34 "Attenuation and inversion will still work though, as those leave the center of the waveform where it is ..."
Gotta work on my pronunciation :D Now that you mentioned it, I can't unhear myself saying "the scent of the waveform" ... it's always a good scent though. Haha :-P
+The Tuesday Night Machines haha.. my listening is very suck ;) thank you for replying!
VCA -> Voltage Controlled Attenuator...
bro u teaching us math or synths ? wtf ?
This is where my head starts to hurt, even though you explain it well, it's just confusing to me.