Product

Categories
Systems

Beginners Tutorial for Modular

Synthesizers
A crash course in modular synthesizers.

What is a Synthesizer

Controllers

Modules

Gifts & Goodies

A synthesizer is a machine that uses electronic circuits to

create signals to produce sound. The sounds can emulate
existing mechanical instruments like horns, drums and
strings, and also to create sounds that don't occur in
nature and that you've never imagined. A synthesizer can
be almost any size or shape, it might be controlled by a
keyboard or by knobs or some other type of controller.

Clic k to enlarge

Analog and Digital

Analog circuits create continuously variable waveforms that
sound smooth and natural. The first synthesizers were
analog and large. Moog, Buchla, ARP and others produced
the first analog synths in the 1960s-1980s.

Clic k to enlarge

Digital circuits create waveforms from numbers in a digital circuit or

computer. Even though digital waveforms are created with tiny discrete
voltage steps as opposed to continuously changing voltages, they can
emulate most sounds adequately for the human ear. But many can still

Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

hear the difference. Digital synths typically have preset storage and are
small, but are difficult to program.

Types of Synthesis
Cables & Holders

Analog synthesizers typically use subtractive synthesis to

produce sounds. Subtractive synthesis starts with one or
more oscillators to produce waveforms, then uses filters to
subtract harmonics. That's subtractive synthesis.
Digital synthesizers typically use FM (Frequency Modulation)
or sampling or some other strategy to build the sound.
Digital methods are typically more difficult to program than
a subtractive synth.

Cabinets

Clic k to enlarge

Modularity

Power

In a patchable modular synthesizer, function blocks are

independent from one another and mounted on panels that
can be moved around. Sort of like guitar pedals. It's up to
the users to patch the modules together as they like. This is
different than a normalized synthesizer where the functions
are hard-wired together and the user just changes
parameters. Patchable modular synths are more complex
to operate but give you infinite options.

Clic k to enlarge

Monophonic/Polyphonic
Parts

Modular patchable synthesizers are typically monophonic meaning only

one note plays at a time. This might sound limiting at first, but a
modular's sound is very big and can be comprised of many oscillators
and filters and changing effects. It is possible to do some polyphonic
patching with a modular but that's not its primary purpose.

Voltage Control
Voltage control is a key concept in modular analog
synthesis. It's simple but it must be learned and fully
Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

appreciated. Voltage control gives the modular its flexibility

and power. You must think in terms of voltage control to
use a synthesizer. It's fun and mind-expanding.

Clic k to enlarge

Voltage control simply means that a voltage signal can change a

parameter on a module the same way a knob can. This allows one
module to control parameters of another by patching them together.
For example, to add vibrato, patch a one slow oscillator's sine wave
output to another oscillator's frequency control input. The slow oscillator
will control the other oscillator's frequency producing vibrato. That's
voltage control. Sometimes called VC.

Pitch and Gate Signals

In a modular synth, a pitch voltage controls oscillator's
pitch. The most popular standard for pitch voltage is 1-voltper octave (1V/Oct). For example, on a keyboard, the low C
would be zero volts, the next C up would be 1 volt, the next Clic k to enlarge
C would be 2 volts, and so on. Oscillators are designed to
track this voltage to produce the correct pitch. A pitch voltage can come
from any source - a keyboard, another module, etc. That's the freedom
of voltage control.
Gates are On/Off signals. They're mostly used to turn things on and off
such as sequencers or envelope generators. Pressing a key on the
keyboard generates a pitch voltage and also a gate signal indicating that
the key is pressed. Both pitch and gate signals use the same type of
connector and the same type of patch cables.

Envelopes
An envelope is a voltage signal that changes over time and is
created by an envelope generator (EG) module. Many sounds
need to change over time and we use the voltage from
envelope generators to control parameters. The EG has
controls that set the timing of the output envelope voltage
over time. EGs are normally triggered by a Gate signal from a
Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

keyboard, but because this is a modular, that gate signal can

come from many other sources such as an oscillator or a
sequencer.

Clic k to enlarge

Voltages - Attenuating, Inverting, Mixing

Since voltages can control parameters, it makes sense to
offer ways to modify that voltage for different effects.
Control voltages can be reduced in strength (attenuation)
to reduce their effect. They can be increased in strength
(amplified) to increase their effect. And they can be inverted Clic k to enlarge
to reverse their effect. Many modules that receive control
voltages have knobs to attenuate and amplify them. Some also are able
to invert the signal too, all on the same knob. That's called a reversible
attenuator.

The Basic Patch

Here's a quick patch to get you going. It might look
complicated at first, but once you see what each module
does, it's simple and logical. The signal chain goes from left
to right. MIDI provides the notes to the MIDI interface which Clic k to enlarge
produces pitch and gate signals. The pitch signal controls
the Q106 Oscillator and the ramp waveform from the
oscillator goes into the Q107 filter. The filter changes
harmonics of the ramp wave and the filtered output goes
Clic k to enlarge
on to the Q108 Amplifier where the signals amplitude is
controlled. Since gate needs to go to two places, it's patched through a
Q124 Multiple which is just a patch bay. The gates then go to two Q109
envelope generators. One EG controls the filter and one controls the
amplitude.

Sequencing
A sequencer is simply a module that produces a sequence
of control voltages and gates that can be used to control
modules. Knobs for each stage determine the voltage at the
output. Often they are used to create a melody of notes by
Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

Clic k to enlarge

driving oscillators, but sequencers can also be used as an

arpeggiator following keyboard notes, or to create bizarre waveforms.

The Freedom to Patch Anywhere

In a modular synthesizer, you can patch anything to
anywhere. Don't worry, nothing will break if you do it
wrong. In fact, there is no wrong, but not everything you
patch will be musically useful, that's up to you to decide.
Real-time hands-on experimentation is the greatest part
about modulars. It will change your mind and your soul.

Clic k to enlarge

Buying a System
Flexibility
One thing to remember when buying a modular synth is that you can
add on and change things around any time. You can start small and build
up to a bigger system.
Systems
First browse our systems pages and select a cabinet style.
Do you want a solid walnut studio cabinet, a vinyl-covered
portable cabinet, rack mount, or maybe a Box11 style?
Within our pre-configured system offerings, you'll most
likely find something that is what you want, or at least very
close.

Clic k to enlarge

Controllers
Once you decide on a system, look at the pre-configured
controller bundles. Like for systems, there's a lot of
options, but one of our bundles will likely be very close to
what you're looking for. If you want to use your computer
Clic k to enlarge
or an existing controller for your modular system, no
problem, just make sure you have a Q174 MIDI Interface module to
produce pitch/gate signals if you're using MIDI.
Ordering
The process starts with you filling out the quote form. We will send you a
Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

formal quotation with prices, shipping details, and payment instructions.

You make payment and we ship your products. The process works good
and our customer service is unsurpassed.

Terms to Know
Amplifying - Increasing a signals volume.
Analog - A signal that varies continuously.
Attenuating - Lowering a signals volume.
Control Voltage - .
Controller - A device that creates signals used to control modules.
Examples: keyboard, wheel, ribbon.
Digital - A signal comprised of numerically computed values.
Envelope - A waveform that changes over time used to control
parameters of a signal such as filtering and amplitude.
Gate - On/Off signal typically from a keyboard indicating a key is
pressed. Used to trigger envelope generators.
Inverting - Reversing of the polarity of a signal.
Mixing - Combining of several signals. Technically, adding of voltages.
Module - An component of a synthesizer that performs a function,
typically with an audio signal and/or control voltages, and can be
moved to other locations within the system.
Monophonic - A system where only one note can be played at once.
However, this note may contain many pitches from multiple
oscillators.
Normalized - A synthesizer where most of the patching between
functions is fixed. Example: MiniMoog.
Patch - A set of patch cables and module parameter settings used to
create a specific sound.
Semi-Modular - A synthesizer where functions are logically separated
and patchable, but modules are fixed into one location. Example: ARP
Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!

2600.
Sequencer - A component of a synthesizer that creates a series of
voltages typically used to control oscillators, filters and other modules.
VCO - Voltage Controlled Oscillator. Creates waveforms.
Frequency/Pitch is determined by knobs and pitch control voltage.
VCF - Voltage Controlled Filter. Removes harmonics from waveforms.
Frequency is determined by knobs and control voltages.
VCA - Voltage Controlled Amplifier. Controls amplitude (volume) of a
signal. Amplitude deterimed by knobs and control voltages.
Voltage Control - The concept where parameters are determined by
voltages.

Questions?
We respond quickly, so ask us now
C opyright Synthesizers.com

Use our professional PDF creation service at http://www.htm2pdf.co.uk!