I'm looking forward to the upcoming synthesizer meeting on the 21st November at
Elk Electronics. It's just 1 week away. The class will be held in Wollongong, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Check out the FB link for more details
Ed has kindly let us use his work space to spread the word about electronic music.
On the 21st, we will be starting at the beginning and asking the fundamental question:
What are Modular Synthesizers??
So if you are new to modulars and interested to begin the journey, this class is for you.
In addition, There will be demos using Eurorack , banana and AE modular synths,
plus a Wasp & Minimoog D.
Note:
Contact Ed via his facebook link to book a spot. This is a Covid safe event and numbers are limited , so contact him first.
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These following notes are aimed for someone who is totally new to modular synthesizers.
They are the first part of the modular synth beginner class.
What are Modular Synthesizers??
Before we can answer this question, we should realise that all synths are made out of modules.
Even a keyboard synth is made out of modules. They are just fixed in position.
This is a Moog model D. It has a fixed architecture.
The sound starts on the left (Oscillators), passes through a mixer (middle), filters, and amplifier. The final sounds emerge on the right (output). The sounds are shaped with envelopes.
A modular synth is essentially the same.
But with a modular synth, these modules are not fixed in position or number.
You are not restricted by manufacturer. There are thousands of modules, from makers all around the world.
You can even make your own.
You can combine modules from Russia or Germany, with some from Japan or the USA (and even Australia).
These modules are combined using patch cables.
These are lots of different types of cable. The left is a 1/4 inch.
Middle, we have some 3.5mm -- used in Eurorack.
To the right we have banana cables .... used in Serge & Buchla synths.
On the extreme right are breadboard patch cables (used in synths like the AE modular)
The cables carry two types of signal:
1. Audio
2. Control Voltages (CV).
Control voltages are an analog way to automate the various module settings.
(this will be demonstrated in the class).
Because there is a huge range & number of modules to pick from, getting started can be a daunting process. But the basic modules common to all modulars are the same. These (in my humble opinion) are the essential ones to get the ball rolling.
1. Oscillators
2. Mixers
3. Filters
4. Envelope Generators
5. LFOs
6. VCAs
7. Sequencers
8. Midi to CV converters
The class will use a few synths ... a Eurorack Modular, a Banana Modular, an AE Modular, a WASP and a Moog Model D.
You are welcome to bring your own, if you have a synth.
There will also be an oscilloscope, so you can see the sounds.
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1. Oscillators
These Oscillators, or VCOs are what make your sounds.
VCO = Voltage Controlled Oscillator.
2. Mixers
These mix the sounds that come from the oscillators.
3. Filters
These shape the tones coming out of the synth.
It's a big part of whats called subtractive synthesis.
Subtractive ....meaning we are removing specific sonic frequencies from the oscillator.
Lots of different types...eg: Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass & notch.
Low Pass (LP): allows low frequencies to pass through.
High Pass (HP): let the high frequencies through.
Band pass (BP): allows only a narrow band of the frequency spectrum to pass through.
Notch : (opposite of a BP) . It filters out a narrow band of the frequency spectrum
4. Envelope Generators.
These generate voltage envelopes.
They can be triggered by lots of different types of modules, but the most common is a keyboard.
The envelope has a particular shape which is set by the user.
The most common type of envelope has 4 settings or stages
A = Attack
D = Decay
S = Sustain
R = Release
5. LFOs
Low Frequency Oscillators.
These are another source of control voltages which you can use to automate various module settings.
You can use them like a simple envelope generator.
As the name suggests, they are also oscillators, similar to a audio VCO, but they operate a much slower frequencies, and (mostly) you can't hear them.
6. VCAs
Voltage Controlled Amplifer .
It's an amplifier whose level can be controlled by another module that produces CVs (such a a LFO or EG)
7. Sequencers
These modules generate a series of control voltages to tell a synth to play a series of notes.
They are like an human-less automated keyboard
These modules are usually connected to a midi keyboard ( though there are other options too).
They convert midi signals into control voltages.
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