MY MODULAR MISTAKE - I failed at Eurorack, I'm not inspired.
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
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Subjective opinions within, those who do not understand subjective opinion may be excused lol
ALL music in this video is 100% by ME check the track out in the UA-cam Audio Library
TLDR:You haven't seen Eurorack stuff on this channel for 2 years for a good reason. NOT EVERYTHING IS FOR EVERYONE AND THAT’S OK.
So look, I'm not going to beat around the bush. I'm very pragmatic with gear purchases these days, and well, this modular was the last totally reckless expensive thing I bought and I don’t truly enjoy it. It didn't help me make one ounce of more or better music. It’s cute and fun to collect for, but it didn't inspire as much as it just made me work. I'll figure it out, but for now, future eurorack remains dead on this channel because continuing to push something that's not making me embrace creativity isn't worth showing. Sorry for those who wanted me to return to it.
I'm VERY proud of the Eurorack for beginners series, I felt that it was on point, but knowing how to explain how to begin something and finding it totally inspirational in the long game is TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
Maybe I’ll feel different someday, but I’m a musician, a creator, no sense in shilling stuff that I’m not even interested in or personally using in my setup, thus I haven’t for the last 2 years.
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This was filmed in FALL 2020 and took quite some time to post.👆🏾Read the description for more context on this whole journey and why with many things personal preferences and workflow for me as a professional musician are more important than unlimited possibilities. So while I have long understood and taught others complex synthesis, someone who has deadlines the way I do, well, while MY MODULAR IS FUN, it doesn’t increase my creativity or efficiency.
Some people will get this and some won’t. The tribalism over thinking that just because someone doesn’t use something as much as you do has been the most disappointing part of the journey and why I knew making this video would be challenging. Subjective options are tough for some to handle, I know 🥲
haha, modular synths are definitely "the never ending story" for most people, myself included! And, I think you got off cheap so far, at least compared to the financial damage and wasted time that I've put myself through! 😅🤭
"In my opinion, I bought a lot of stuff I don't use" etc. All value type judgements are opinions. When you are making a value judgement about your own actions, - it is your opinion by default, unless stated otherwise (such as: "according to my neighbour who hates music, - I'm a jerk"). So in the case of your video, - stating that it's your opinion is redundant. Composer blocks are terrible, and generally modular synthesis is thought to be the cure (happy accident philosophy). Still, so far I find that on some days I really have to force myself to spend the time playing with patch bays, in the same way it's done with exercises. Sure, it seems totally counter-intuitive, - shouldn't it be an enjoyable activity? It's a hobby after all, is it not? Yes and no. All creative processes appear to require one or another form of discipline. While only you can make a judgement whether or not something you bought is useful to you, it's often difficult to estimate whether or not something you intend to buy will fit with your workflow. If there is some kind of foolproof method to this madness, - I certainly haven't found it yet. It's very often trial and error: spending money on something you don't end up using is common. But hardware synths and modules retain their market value well when taken good care of, so there is always an option of trading one in for something else. I don't think you wasted that money in the slightest. May be think of it as a type of investment?
Just use your ZOIA! ❤
You should've gone with a free modular vst first to see what you could do with the process. For me modular would be better as a side dish for generative stuff or odd sounds to sample.
@@evetsnitram8866 well when I started wirh Eurorack there weren’t any of those, so my series Eurorack for Beginners I made sure I said get VCV Rack (released in 2017 so too late for me 😩) before starting with modular since you may like the blinks lights and not the workflow…..
I’m the ultimate do as I say not as I do person 😂😂😂
Yeah but that opening track is fire tho
I used to think it was, then people in the comments section with no content told me I’m untalented so it must be true 😂
@@NoirEtBlancVie Your knowledge honesty and talent are your talent, love the journey my friend from across the globe!
Came to say the same
Unrelated to video topic but your cinematography inspires the fuck outta me, ok thanks byeeeeee!
Watch out for astreroids
Same here. Noir et Blanc & your filming actually, Andrew, inspired me to learn to get better at filming my videos!
I know you’re being nice, cause like, you know your creations kick mine’s butts. 😁
Miss you friend!
@@NoirEtBlancVie You're both great and have different visual styles. Andrew's is a bit more high energy but yours' is really visually polished and relaxing (that opening track with the black background... I could have that on a loop). 2 different moods, equally good.
Holy cow did Andrew Huang just cuss?
This was a very honest account of your journey in modular. I guess many make the same type of mistakes, but you're one of the few who dares talk about it. Well done, bro!
+1!
Yeah... I have done the same mistake. I had all this gear but I didn't have fun using it... Sold everything modular got an Analog Rytm and never looked back... Until I bought a DFAM...
@@pierreprinzbach4870 Nice story Pierre :) "when in doubt, try Elektron or Moog". lol .... I'm very tempted by DFAM.
@@calixtetayoro5719 You'll have a ton of fun. I like the simplicity of it and the beefiness of the dual oscillators. But beware, buying one is like buying a beer after being sober for a year... It's a slippery slope to falling back in modular...
@@pierreprinzbach4870 I know what you mean: After a couple of years with DT & DN, I do my best to resist buying an Octa (either the black OG or the new mark 2 black edition), then the black A.R mark 2.
As for Moog, I started modestly with MF102 (ring mod), then Slim Phatty, now I feel the pull of DFAM.
As you can see, the force is strong on the dark side, but I promised myself to not fall pray to either one of the black boxes... that is before I have experienced the new Vermona DRM1 Mark IV.
Modular synthesis is great for enabling procrastination, endless dreaming, dissatisfaction with your setup, insatiable GAS etc..
Very few people I know who use modular get past the bleep-bloop-tzz-pang phase..
It's like Vince Clarke's approach to songwriting - he always writes the big hits on a piano or acoustic guitar. Then once the song structure is down he messes with the modulars for sound design.
I think a lot of synthesists forget that knowing a bit of musical theory is infinitely more important than what gear you own..
(Disclaimer, I own so much stuff I will probably never go in depth with so I'm mainly judging myself)
I myself started out with a big case and quickly became overwhelmed. Then I bought a 64hp 4MS Pod and started making minimal setups using only modules that fit in the pod. This was more manageable and allowed me to be more creative because I had to work within the constraints of the smaller case. Plus I don't get bored because I can always swap out modules to create a brand new synth to work with. So far, it's been successful. With the smaller setup, I make a track every time I sit down with it. Whereas with my giant rig, I rarely produced anything worth recording.
Same here! I bought a 6u, 128hp case, but found it almost overwhelming and definitely uninspiring. I recently got a 64hp Intelligel palate case used at a very good price, filled it with my favorite modules, and it has been an idea/inspiration juggernaut. Less can definitely be more in modular synths.
I agree with this road, I started last year with a 84 hp case slowly building it up module by module and not only did it make me learn and grow it’s the system it also made me not get any modules I didn’t need/want. Now I’ve upgraded to a mantis case and been able to integrate my mother 32 perfectly. Definitely think starting with a smaller case is the best road to take.
Nailed it!
After watching a ton of content on modular I became completely consumed with it, and was determined to have a whole wall of them. Then I played a few different friends’ systems and found I really don’t enjoy the workflow or process of making music that way. It seems lately like people treat modular like the highest form of synthesis, but really it’s just a different style that some enjoy and others don’t.
I can agree with that. I started building a modular synth completely myself, no kits, just circuit diagrams and stripboards. It also works and sounds great, but 3 Volcas and a microbrute just inspire me more. At the moment I enjoy playing with them more than the modular one.
I’m so grateful I had this experience as well! I was lucky enough to have a great friend who encouraged me to try his modular. Maybe I just don’t mesh with Make Noise modules, but I was underwhelmed.
Personally, I find the best way to experiment with modular is virtually on a computer. I bought Arturia's V-Collection 8 a while back, and the Moog Modular and ARP 2600 were more than enough to give me an idea of how I felt about using modular as a way of making music. I enjoy it, I just don't want to drop $10,000 on a setup because ultimately, that's how much it'd cost to build the setup I'd need to make the music I want to make. For now I'll stick with computers and my handful of synths.
@Ian F.
You're right; people who are really into modular often talk about it like it's the pinnacle of synthesis. Many say it's limitless and allows for a level of freedom that self-contained synths don't, but in some ways modular is really quite limited. Unless you have a bottomless bank account, modular is extremely limited! Don't get me wrong, I think modular is great, but I think there are other ways to get the job done which will ultimately sound the same in the mix -- especially to non-musicians who just want to dance and/or enjoy listening to your music.
Sure, a virtual synth or even a hardware synth may not look as cool as a huge Eurorack full of knobs, lights, patch cables, etc., but in the end, the sounds are often the same. In short, modular is like taking the long and expensive path to making synth sounds; it may look and feel great, but it's a lot of money and a big hassle to do the same things you can do with a self-contained synth.
@@bveracka Couldn't have say it better myself !
I feel as though eurorack taught me a ton about synthesis. An expensive lesson, but a lesson none the less.
This is how I feel about my MFA in music theory & comp.
To anyone reading this wanting the same lessons without spending so much money: VCV Rack. It's free. It'll help you figure out what you like and don't like in modular synths. It's obviously not a perfect substitute but it's far better than nothing, and much more bang for (lack of) buck lol.
@@mikeexits yes, it's a a great way to find out what modules you actually need so you don't waste money
"glorified, background, conversation piece"...that is actually a noteworthy achievement! Let's get get drunk/ high as applicable and stand around the thing and consider its possibilities.
Hehe, Eurorack watch party, just stare at it, no sound and chill 😁
@@NoirEtBlancVie Just make sure the lights are flashing. Very important.
I am loving the dust on your rig :D I think you're doing exactly what you need to do and I don't think you could have got there any other way. The question of what do you need for a perfect Eurorack system is so impossible to answer without exploring and learning as you go. You just never know what's going to work for you beforehand and getting the wrong things are part of that process. So, the fact that you can make these decisions means you are winning at the Eurorack game - not failing. Take it easy mate.
Well said! Robin 😊
Before getting into Eurorack, I think it's really important to think carefully about what kind of music you make.
If your go to musical interface is a keyboard, for writing melodies - think twice.
If you make experimental, ambient, noise or any kind of live improvised abstract music - Eurorack is absolutely for you
P.S. Make Noise should absolutely make a standalone version of the Erbe-Verb
Even doing experimental styles you still really have to think about the modules you'll need in order to accomplish the music you want to make. I do cut up noise and have been working on a modular setup for that purpose, off and on, since late 2016. On almost a whim, I recently picked up an Intellijel Planar 2, thinking I could probably use it in place of a couple of other modules. Luckily, it worked out even better than I had initially imagined, so much so it pretty much killed interest in another module I was eyeing, and has me considering selling several modules I own. Definitely put me a few steps forward towards the small, compact rig I'd originally envisioned.
its easy to say to carefully plan, but then you go into the possibilities. In example, I didn’t understand what a low pass gate is, and then I just went into a different direction. I think this journey is what most people, regardless of planning or research will still have. One can’t walk just by looking at others.
me personally, i have zero interest in 16-step sequencers and percussion. I have drum machines that accomplish that job much faster (and cheaper ofc). I like to stick with sines and noise in my setup and nothing in-between. Generative ambient patching is by far my favorite thing to do.
I don't see how people can afford to incorporate entire 808 setups with math, logic, and all, and still stay inspired. I know I'd be endlessly messing with knobs. 🤷♂️
Wrong genre man.
Good to see I’m not the only one not getting around to mastering maths. I replaced it with an expanded Quadra and it made me much happier.
I can’t even look at Maths, or Falistri for that matter. I find Rampage to be a much easier to use module in the realm of dual FG/Serge style function generator. Don’t even mind the lack of onboard mixing because sliders and the visual feedback element Befaco puts into it work much better for me. Just a thought!
Tides 2018
Quadra has been updated to Quadrax, with greatly expanded possibilities and an optional breakout box outputting End-of-Attack, End-of-Release etc. for even greater flexibility.
@@tooler69 love them BOTH equally. Though maths was easier to pick up, Tides is still figuring out but it’s amazing!
With modular i don't think you can really figure out what you want until you got some stuff. Then you know what's missing, what works for you and what you don't need. When you start out, it's just an educated guess what you'll like. You don't know till you got it.
I wouldn't say you failed at all. You learned from the process, looked back with clarity, and are moving forward with a more refined idea of what you want as an artist!
Really appreciate the transparency and the whole vibe on this, Noir. my local collaborator / music bro has a bizarre, unquanrized experimental noise modular rig and a Matriarch as the foundations of his tone. Usually we end up talking each other into big dumb purchases; but honestly after watching your (very positive and gently encouraging) videos on how and why to build a modular setup, it dawned on me that I'm a pedal girl at heart, and I'd rather just run weird little synths through stomp boxes and have a less "polished" / "insta-ready" setup that was personally satisfying.
Still almost wanna mess with a Maths tho, just to figure out what the heck it actualy does. x3 Great video!
Hey hey! The fact that you can say you’re into pedals over this wild octopus says a lot about you sitting back and embracing your real creative personality.
I just soooooo wanted to build something cool, I didn’t follow my own advice, I bought stuff just to fill space.
Now, I look over and see something I could have invested into a faster CPU with more cores 😁
You haven’t failed the journey, this is the journey!!! 🙌🏽
Oof, that musta hurt a little to make! Thanks for continuing to be honest with us. It's part of what makes your channel intimate and useful!
I failed at virtual eurorack before even trying real eurorack lol :(
I thought Reason would mean I’d like physical Eurorack, but the one thing Reason patching has and physical patching fails at.....RECALL 😬
@@NoirEtBlancVie exactly why I haven’t taken the plunge. Eurorack is a costly luxury. I would love to have one some day, but I’m a busy guy with bad ADHD. Haha it’s probably more of a distraction from making music than anything.
great video. Not enough people talk about how their rack failed.
I don’t understand this use of “failed”. How does an instrument fail if It still works as designed. Sounds like it’s more about the user losing interest than any failure on the part of the hardware.
I think in general,, Its always really helpful when somebody is showcasing why stuff didn't work imo
@@jeffjeffjeffjeff2588 It doesn't really work if he's not using it for creative things. The original purpose he had was to explore and create new music.
And that was a failure on his part, not on the part of the equipment.
I believe that sometimes you have to use something before you know that you do not need it.
100% agree. It’s been a learning lesson. For about a year all I did on this channel was modular, then I realized after that year that I was talking the talk, but not not walking the walk. So I just stopped instead of keep making videos about it. Liking something and using something are far apart in my creative world.
This is why I haven’t got into modular. I don’t wanna be the guy who spends 5k on stuff I won’t use. Even though I’ve spent about that much on other gear 😂
the market for modular is very robust tho... it's not to difficult to sell a module you turned out to not like as much as you thought you would without losing too much money from the retail cost...
@@MarsOneBeatz its not so much the value that I would be worried about. If I would spend that much money I would want to use it to make music.
VCV Rack!
i am a teenager who was wanting to get into modular and i considered eurorack but then i found diy and diy you can make a very decent set up for the same amount as a single euro rack module. and the diy teaches you so many new skills. and I have the ability to integrate any euro race module because they are all compatible.
I decided to just play with modular in VCV Rack on a computer until I was sure what I wanted. That was a year ago and I'm still not sure.
I feel that earlier in my eurorack journey I was more creative and inspired. I'd take a few modules and make something out of it. I've got a huge modular now, and find myself seeking perfection too much.
Eurorack is *hard*. It's not smooth or fast. Sometimes that gets in the way. Also, the past year has been a mindfuck creativity wise. I've not had much creativity at all this year, and I'm trying to be ok with that. It will come back.
You live. You learn. All good, brotha. You’re still bad ass. Thanks for the killer vids!
Honestly this is a bit of a wake up call for me. While I'm generally happy with how I've built my system, there's definitely a couple modules where it's like I like them in theory, but they don't actually fit into my workflow, so I never end up using them. This has given me the push to go ahead and sell them so I can buy something that I don't have to plan entire patch around to incorporate😅
It's really inspiring seeing a larger creator talk about the humbling experience of learning from mistakes. And your stop-motion animations of the modules and patch cables is super rad!
Look man, don’t be so hard with yourself. Failing is part of the journey. It’s how you discover what is important to you.
Yeah maybe bought a few „wrong“ modules but now you know what is important to you and what you want to create and you can move forward.
word
@@sketchdashaman The only way to never fail is to never do anything.
Yes! Needed to hear this. I’ve been struggling with my setup. Thank you for this
Man oh man, I can definitely relate, only I’m finding Eurorack to be more conducive for my creative process at this point in time. To me, all that ultimately matters is the sonic bliss and inspiration these beautiful machines provide, regardless of their form. Also, I must say that your channel is easily amongst my favorites. It was only after watching your Modular For Beginners series that I finally felt confident enough to take the plunge down the Eurorack rabbit hole, and I am extremely glad that I did! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight, and as always, much respect bro! Keep on being your awesome self!
This why i'm building Eurorack setup only for FX and filters, no synthesis.
I just have no patience for patching hours on end.
I find this to be a very sound idea! Cheers
I can relate to this. I was awed by the ”endless possibillities” only to find myself spending a year of tweaking instead of writing. Now, I’m no pro musician but when I realized what was happening: I sold the entire rack...
i can relate so hard!
after consistently releasing music writing in the box i decided to invest in modular to "up my sound" and do more hardware jamming....
bummed around with them for 12 months before i realised my finished products were reduced in qualtity and creating patches almost never leaves you with a finished song. now im selling them all
Modular is not easy and most of the the time the results are uninspiring from a single voice. I've seen some very cool stuff made but 95% of the time it's just... meh.
Saying you want a keyboard for modular you should definitely go for the Arturia Keystep Pro
Its amazing, specifically with modular use!
I really needed to see this video. Looks like I am saving for a Prophet Rev 2 now!
The rev 2 is a beastly instrument, I just picked up a used one a couple weeks ago. No regrets.
I have a Rev2 also, you will have a blast with it.
Trust us you’ll think us later
based video, this is why i've been hesitant to take the plunge with eurorack personally
Your videos went a long way to giving me the confidence to get into modular, sometimes we need a break and a refresh to come back better than ever :)
I feel you. Eurorack can become more of an obsession than a fun instrument. Kinda feel in that rabbit hole too. Then I got a guitar and man it really gave me a well needed boost in how I make music. Still love eurorack and that community though
The opening is kinda a reason I'm not starting one up. The price is outrageous for bleep bloops. Give me keys and a sampler and I'm happy.
Right. Unless you're rich and just into the aesthetic of modular, the investment is not worth it for the sounds you end up getting.
@@BlackMadonna777 I think your perspectives on modular is biased. On youtube, modular is commonly associated with bleeps and bloops as demos of modules are typically less musical and more technical. You would be surprised how subtle modular can be used in sound design, scoring, and other music.
Unless you work a job where you stare at a computer for 8-10 hours and after you're done would rather stab out your eyes than look at another screen.
@@noahtottenI'm not the one who mentioned bleeps and bloops. I've heard some nice stuff. However, a few nice randomly generated melodies is not worth $2-3k in modules when I can produce the same thing in Reason for a $20 a month subscription. Or hell, a digitone and a minilogue.
@@guysmiley7289 Exactly.
Balanced video adds new perspective on the other side of modular. Thank you for your honesty, I know people have experiences like this but social media has the inherent issue of only showing the good times. Its moments like this where I actually feel like I learned something! Great job 😍
I had the same experience with Maths. It was the "must have" module, especially for the first steps into eurorack, so I bought it... and I just made LFOs with it. After a while I sold it off and moved on, but then more than a year later (with a lot more experience under my belt) I decided to pick up another one because it could fit so many of the periodic unfilled use cases I had without being six or seven different modules, and this time around I really like it! But that's also a really good broader metaphor for my eurorack experiences - if you buy something because it's "the thing to have" or because it's hyped up you're probably not going to have a good time, if you buy something because you're realizing it has lots of uses in your setup and the way you want to use your eurorack then you're probably going to like it a lot.
Its nice to see you havent given up and that ur gonna chance stuff up to make it work for you! It is funny tho, that you made these mistakes while also giving really handy tips hah. Like ur eurorack for beginners (along side the cr8teaudio case bundle) gave me the confidence to jump down the eurorack rabbit hole last year (and so far i very much love my mantis case set up, like a personalized little groove box. Made some funky tunes.)
Over the years I've made two decisions:
1. I'm not messing around with analog tape or tape recording.
2. I'm fine with synthesizer designers curating my synth experience.
It took some serious buying and selling to come to those two rules, eurorack is amazing but the labyrinth-like game just became distraction for me and sold all my modules and case. So you're not the only one not totally enchanted by it.
I think this is one of your best videos. I appreciate people who reflect on their failures and learnings. I have gone down the Modular rabbit hole since a few years now and I finally know what I want from my set-up. By limiting myself to only one case (albeit about 500 HP to play with), I've forced myself to accept not only some limitations of gear, but also MY OWN limitations in what makes sense to me; because sometimes I just don't feel smart enough for Modular! I want my modular to be an extension of me and the style of music I like to make - and this realisation has helped me stop buying things I don't need and focus on getting the best out of what I have. Thank you for this video!
Eurorack has only been enjoyable for me. I love not being in front of a computer. I also only buy 1 module at a time and learn all the in and outs. Then I see what else I could use from there. I started my journey with a minibrute 2s
I really want to do the same. I’m a keyboardist who has done a lot of mastering and mixing. I really want a more robust experience. I’m infatuated with the moog sound. Do you think the grandmother is a decent starting point (price no concern), before adding modules?
@@aqueous5099 I bought a Behringer Neutron and love it!! Huge patch bay and 2 great oscillators. Huge sound and a great price. I am considering getting another one for live jamming. Just my 2 cents
I related to your Eurorack journey, even though I'm not into Eurorack! I've bought a lot of electronic music gear over the years, but kept very little.
Thinking carefully about what tool/sound you want in advance is great, but sometimes I've felt the need to buy and use something to see if its a fit for me and my sound. I see this as auditioning the gear!
But if the gear does'nt feel right or do what I want, I'll sell it off, sometimes for a profit or sometimes a loss, but better than taking up space and collecting dust unused!
this serves us viewers as a warning & an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, while it also teaches us a little bit about a few specific modules, & it further endears us to you as we all grow together as synthesists (is that a word? prolly not.), music-makers & hardcore gearhounds. I also live in LA, so I'll be on the lookout for some of these modules on craigslist. hahaha!! thanks, noir. ;-)
This is such and awesome, real story. I love it. I’m so tired of everyone faking it. Thanks for being you!
this was super informative! Thank you for your willingness to think critically about your setup and share those insights. It’s really helpful
I appreciate the candor here. I spent several years watching the modular thing from afar, tinkered with a series of semi-modular synths (K2, Neutron, Crave, Werkstatt), eventually selling all of them, and finally took the plunge into modular proper a month ago.
I watched a lot of "how to do it right" videos from a ton of smart people in the six months leading up to that. I did alright, and my foundational setup was the 84hp NiftyBundle with Dreadbox' Ataxia and Hysteria, a Disting Mk3, and a Bastl quad VCA. Next to that was a Cre8Audio West Pest.
The whole point was to take deep synthesis that next step deeper, as even a Hydrasynth (IMO one of the most flexible fixed architecture synths available, and a hell of a value to boot) only gives you a subset of all possible modulation sources and targets.
What I've discovered along the way is there's always more to learn, and 84hp really isn't enough unless you want to learn a lot of little modules so complex they need their own manual sitting on your phone or in printed-out form next to your rig. Disting, Pamela's New Workout, and Ornaments & Crime are absolutely fantastic values for the money, but they are also crazy complex.
In a nutshell, I'd say:
- VCAs are weird, and balancing the CV signal from envelope generators with constant signal is a strange magic that fixed architecture synths make easy, but it's really not easy at all.
- Don't waste money on single-function modules, as every module has a sort of minimum price just to exist. Get one function for $100, or 20 functions for $200 - that's sort of the math of it.
- Take the time to learn what you have; GAS is just as real in modular as in fixed architecture, and the next module will not lead to some mind-numbing breakthrough. You gotta do the work.
- As you very helpfully suggested in your 3-part series, think about the fixed architecture synths you already really like; don't build your own modular Moog if what you really want is a Waldorf 😃
- Building a system around semi-modular is smart, and will save a lot of money to quickly get to something usable, but with many expansion and modulation options ready to explore.
i would suggest buying modules that have a weird unique function. i feel like the rack you built is just a basic synth with a sample - which is sick - but you could get so much more out of the system if you had some wacky modules
Fully agree with this comment. Part of what makes modular unique is the ability to build an instrument that represents you. I think a lot people get wrapped up in the idea of what their rack should sound like because of other peoples ideas and less about their own.
And not implying this about @Noir Et Blanc Vie!
I view modular as creating a sculpture in real-time. It isn't about creating "music" so much as it is building something that resonates with you personally. For me, it's pretty meditative.
I also built mine from scratch so it has a more personal meaning for me.
It seems like if you want to create more traditional-style music, there are already so many more user-friendly options than modular.
^^^ word ^^^
Such a great video. I'm starting my modular journey at the moment, and this video was extremely helpful (and actually encouraging!!)
I wanted a “keyboard” in my rack, then realized they all suck and it’s a waste of space. Just stick with a midi keyboard and a midi module of some kind.. gl!
I totally agree. Get a MIDI to CV converter like the ALM Busy Circuits mmMIDI so you can use any of your other outboard sequencers, keyboards or controllers with your modular AND save precious rack space.
I mean... He definitely has a Keystep right? Why not just use the CV/Trig/gate outs on that rather than taking up wrack space?
I love how some knobs are dusty. Just joshing, very nice video. I was about to make the same mistake and this video helped me out.
You don't see people talk about things that don't work much, so this is highly appreciated. One question though, since you mention keys and sequencing: why not do those things from a KeyStep or BeatStep Pro externally? Does it have to be fully self-contained?
This. I've got a Keystep for when I want to do a keyboard jam with my modular setup and it works wonderfully.
a keystep and hermod combo would be a great solution to this
Keystep and Beatstep Pro are great! I’m slowly growing over my BSP, but it served me well.
guess many people want to be able to modulate their sequencers, or they simply like the idea of an instrument in one box. For me external sequencers and controllers are the way to go, it’s no fun trying to reach for controls through the spaghetti.
To be clear, I wasn't trying to solutionize, I'm really curious.
It's better when it's all self contained, you just turn it on and go. Also, when using modules they should be set up so there isn't a bunch of wire spaghetti. For example the left side of your eurorack should be sequencers and modulators(LFO's etc), then voices,samplers, and other sound sources, then filters/effects, and finally mixers/main out on the far right hand side of your system. All wires then lead from left to right leaving the control area completely open. Set them up like a normal synth is routed internally basically. Nothing should be far from what would normally use that module, so wire clutter is at a minimum.
As someone who’s fortunate enough to be around you when you went through the journey of building your eurorack, I truly appreciate the honesty and your candidness on both the good and bad purchases. We’ve all fell into the the trap of thinking that we “need” a piece of equipment but not all of us can be honest with ourselves when it comes time to Marie Kondo our gear, both physically and mentally.
Just remember one thing - A true friend and supportive music colleague (such as myself) will never judge you. I (we) will always be here for when you need to give these gears a new good home with a side of tax write offs ❤️.
Hehe, what you want Tony...I got lots of toys now 😁
Perfectly refreshing and honest video, as well as useful!
Coming from someone currently on their third version of their setup having gone through what you have twice now (think i'm getting there this time) and damn can't afford to screw it up again.
So many times I have almost purchased Maths too and always just held back from buy-it-now clickage, so your account of that was sweet sweet music to my ears.
Like your reasons for getting the Moog too, recently got the Minibrute 2s for similar reasons; sequencer, basic functions, patch-bay etc. bulky but good standard-kit-in-a-box stuff.
Onward to more jamming, with the right tools this time!
Awesome vid dude!!!
I really admire the honesty of this video
great, thoughtful video. it's excellent to see some more critical content with regard to euro modules. thanks always for your work!
Some good points there. People can now use VCV Rack and see how it is to actual make music on a Modular synth without breaking the bank.
This can't be emphasized enough and should be standard advice by this point. I've personally pursued a hybrid approach and so generally use the rack for modules that either bridge outboard devices to VCV or another DAW, modules that are not available or easily replicated in VCV, or else modules that have proven essential through my use of them in VCV.
Very nice video! It's good to see that you have a clearer picture on what you want and luckily modules keep a lot of there value and can be sold on to others.
Your video's helped me out greatly a couple of years ago when starting with modular. This video had me taking a look if there are modules that I hardly ever use and I'm happy to say there are none in my system. Your video's are definitely one of the reasons that this is the case.
Hope you'll find some new inspiration from changing your setup around and will be enjoying making music with you modular just as I am right now!
P.S. If you are looking for a replacement quantizer I can highly recommend the Scales from inellijel. It gives so much flexibility and can also be one quantizer and a sequencer!
Man it's good to have you back!
Thank you for sharing. Great to hear an honest review of your modular setup and how it came to be. I've been pussyfooting around modular and am yet to take the plunge.
Great video, Noir. I was going through my modular yesterday, looking at modules that rarely get used. Probably going to sell a few in the next couple of weeks, and focus on researching modules that would compliment what I do use the most. Also, I'm with you on Maths. I sold mine about a year ago. Really don't miss it.
Never seen a synth video about this topic, so valid! Currently going through a bunch of module replacing myself, actually. Recalling the first video of yours I saw, and I was also just getting started learning to use a mother 32. This video is invaluable, thank you!
I don’t even play synths but I love your channel! Keep jamming and keep your feet on the ground but keep reaching for the stars
Great looking and sounding vids, man. I appreciate the effort.
Same here. I have a quite complex eurorack system that I almost never use. I have tons of inspiration and fun from my OB-6, Prophet Rev2, Minitaur, etc.
I think one of the problems with eurorack is that if you have a minimal system then you're better off with a regular mono synth, and if you have a complex system it gets overwhelming.
I'd rather sell my entire eurorack system than keeping it.
I have had similar experiences with Eurorack taking me to dark places (with no money left, haha) but it all helps you figure out what you want to do. I though I was going to build a massive rig that could handle drums, bass, leads and effects, but it ended up being so insanely complex and expensive. Now I stick to one half of an 84hp setup dedicated to one complex synth voice, and the other half dedicated to stereo effects to work as a DAW companion, but can double up as effects for the synth voice. Performing beats and backing tracks is now relegated to samplers.
I guess it all comes down to what you want from it, but sometimes you have to go down the rabbit hole, if only to learn. There are no mistakes... Not really.
Love the channel man.
This is a GREAT video! There's no failure. This is just the journey the majority of musicians new to modular go through. It's a process of experimentation and one fact of modular ownership is that you will, with near 100% certainty, buy modules you later discover don't fit. I don't know anyone who hasn't. Modular is a journey - I don't think you actually ever arrive. Maybe some do, I dunno. Anyway, now you have a better idea of what you want and what you don't. That's the way it goes.
fantastic video! pure, inspiring and honest! thank you , more of this 🙏
this type of content is highly appreciated above all because it is a subject that is not addressed very often.
Personally I was lucky because I was able to make what I think are good choices regarding my modules despite the fact that I am have had a rack for just over a year.
I have to thank my previous experience with digital audio workstations that have given me the opportunity to understand how to move in hardware
Great video and well said. I always appreciate your thoughtfulness.
great, honest video, and a useful perspective to hear. thank you!
Great to See you continuing With the eurorack, abd good luck With your further journey.
I Made the Same mistake in the opposite Direktion and am fixing it now. I Had a small modular, and Sold it for a korg prologue 8 because i wanted synth Sounds in my band. Im a guitar Player and technichian tho.... So i never got the full use out of the prologue, because i cant really Play ist. Sold it and looking Forward to building Something to Experiment With again. :)
Hearing out loud what we're all thinking is cathartic.
I have two trax on the go, & I like both of them very much.
As a retired Dj = ( washed up old has~been ).
My studio is brand new after a long break, 10 years and more now.
I take bits of kit to the kitchen table and play about with it.
Next step is to hook the lot up just like captains log starship enterprise.
I'm procrastinating for some reason = Duhh !
I do have a big learning curve with new kit.
There is a lots of UA-cam tutorials but my brain still hurts ....
Thanks !
Im currently planning my first modular system, this is very inspiring, thank you. I hope i wont make the same mistakes 😂
Thanks, good info and I appreciate the honesty!
For some who go into modular, it ends up being a place where they can spend hours playing and inventing...
For others, it eventually dawns on them that they’re better off with a bunch of synths and a sampler.
Either works. There is no right or wrong. There is only music! And empty wallets of course. 😆
Fantastic video! In my personal modular journey I’ve had the same process happen where I would just buy things that didn’t really speak to me, getting past that has been a fantastic learning experiance personally. Great to see you reflecting on these system design ideas in a public forum like UA-cam. It would be fun if you could also adress eurorack “ergonomics” so phisically how you interact with this (soon to be) instruement.
And as a note to the mixer hum sistuation, I haven’t tried the liveforms one specifically but I’ve used the CGM mixer series by frap tools and never had or heard of any sound quality issues.
In all honesty, it kind of feels like he approached modular in a way that ultimately set him up for disappointment. It's best to start with a small case/setup and then build up once you feel like you need more instead of just buying a bunch of super-fly modules and a large case right from the start. Also, a midi-to-cv keyboard can make all the difference if you're really trying to get musical.
I think the best advise I got from my band mate was to think about what I wanted to do with my modular first. I only started building mine earlier this year, and so far I've used it every single day and love it. I opted to go the "living thing" route to make weird interesting ambient stuff which is a very fun break from my usual heavy industrial tracks I make for our band.
Great video! Really appreciate your honesty.
I went modestly small (rackbrute 6u) in the beginning. So the first disillusion phase was quicker to come. But then, somehow, as I was spending more time with my setup, I literally learned to love it. I think that part of it was that I never started too big. Also, I try to think about my rack as one voice in a larger setup, I always pair it with something else - a volca, drummachine, etc. It helps keeping it structured and musical. Oh, and it also helps to force myself to record the stuff that I do.
Thanks for this one! Glad you posted it.
My suggestion is that you consider dropping the idea of a Eurorack for harmonic and melodic aspects. You’re a capable keyboardist and can get those from many keyboard synths. Seems like you most like Eurorack for rhythmic, percussive, and effects processing. Hone in on that, maybe?
I really connected with this. Great video. Thank you.
Oh hai!!! Long time no see! (in person at least) I also used Math's only for LFOs and got rid of it for that reason. Looking forward to seeing your modular direction come together! I too had the same kinds of issues. I still kind of settled with a Frankenstein but am enjoying it. Not buying anything else until I really really need it. Hope you are well. Be safe!
This is a great video. I want a modular system eventually, but right now I have no space for it. Me and my SO are planning to buy a house, but that's still at least a year away so this gives me time to reflect upon what I want in a modular. Videos like this with personal opinions and the reasoning behind them are invaluble. It's an expensive hobby and I want to make my modules count.
Ironically, your videos were a big reason I bought the sv-1b. No regrets btw!
I really enjoyed this video and recognised many of the same issues that I’ve had. Thanks for putting it out there.
Thanks for this comment…I still like modular, bought 3 modules just this last week, but I haven’t made any music I’ve personally felt connected to…I enjoy modular, but I accept that it’s a fun thing to use for an hour here and there, hopefully one day I’ll find the inspiration.
@@NoirEtBlancVie I totally get it and after about 4 years I've finally started to find find my inspiration in modular. I think swapping out some old modules and really getting to know the modules I have is what changed it for me. Here's hoping you find your inspiration too.
Hey man! Thanks for sharing, I can feel you, as I have a classical music background (piano).
For me, it feels that where eurorack really shines is actually sequencing. And I just couldn't resist my inner feelings and was sticking to the traditional sequencers, where you play a note and the sequencer repeats it. However, recently I just decided, that I should try to give up on that habit and try something new. And yes, it took me 2 years to actually start trying new things I wasn't sure would work, as it usually involves quite a bit of finances, and being not sure I just couldn't pay that much. However, I decided to take a risk and I don't regret it. Now I have a couple of CV and a couple of Trigger/Gate sequencers and switches, to switch between them, which are like very simple, but have completely different User Interface and the idea, how you interact with it. And making new melodies couldn't be easier. Now I can have a CV Sequence, which is 7 steps long and trigger sequences, which is 9 steps long. And as they come from different modules they don't reset at the same time to the first step and it allows to generate new melodies by just having them "offset", compared to each other.
Recently, I have also purchased Black sequencer from Erica, and it really does a great job. you can hook up a keyboard and record sequences, just like KB-1, and also program sequences, by twisting knobs. So it allows to work in a more traditional "keyboard" way, as well as more "eurorack" way. Just a recommendation to take a look at :)
My question is - if you are seeking for a more traditional interaction with hardware, wouldn't it be more reasonable to get something like AnalogFour from Elektron, or Digitone, and complement it with a small eurorack setup, which concentrates on, for example, one voice?
Thanks again for your videos, they have helped me to start off my setup as well, around 3 years ago :)
Is there a reason why you don't just use a keystep instead of a keybed module? That's a ton of space that can be put to better use.
Considering how many people I know who got into modular and how few of them release much music, I'm guessing your experience is a lot more common than some are willing to admit!
You don't have to release music to enjoy modular, or any other synth. The point is that you should enjoy using it.
@@DannoBoston Of course, it differs for everybody. The friends I'm talking about were musicians who used to regularly release things
More people release music made on modular setups than one might think. But a lot of people have the attention spans of moths which is why most people give up on it when they realize that its a different world and approach than banging away on presets on a keyboard and why most people can't sit through an ambient album without needing a 4/4 time signature and the same 808 drum sounds that were driven into the ground three decades ago
With the risk of discouraging folks, this was a gut check video. This is something I think we all go through. I’m new to eurorack and I’m thinking that already. Took courage and honesty making this.
Honest vid. I know the feeling, that point of realization that this path is not going where I want it to. I am not sure I'd consider it failure because I usual learn alot going down those paths. I personally have found modular to be very re-invigorating as long as I keep things simple. We (mostly) all find our own paths eventually. Thanks for sharing yours.
Very good video of an existing, but hushed, topic. Thank you!
Good job on this video useful content and amazing video editing dude. 👍🏻👍🏻
I think the beauty of modular is you can build any setup you want. With that said, i find it works best (for me at least) when you build it toward creating open synthesis. Learning what each basic function is, then building to that knowledge. I think where you went wrong is you followed the traditional route of what you thought you needed but, really you just wanted to build an “analog” groove box. Pricey lesson but fortunately this stuff hold value. Good luck!!
you hit the nail on the head, most of these comments are missing the point of modular. it's not meant to "sound" like anything except what you want. IMO it's for people who aren't happy with the limitations typical hardware (even software) synths are constrained by
Mad respect for admitting that you made some mistakes. I see so many people who are like, "I never use this module, but it totally wasn't a mistake to buy". I have made so many mistakes with my hardware synth rig (like going to my entire OTB rig that I currently use lolol).
Great video, the cinematography and message as always slap, but I'm wondering if you would do better with just a MIDI->CV module and a MIDI keyboard, instead of a keyboard module that lives in your eurorack chassis?