![Steveporcaro toto](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Steveporcaro_toto.jpg)
Modular synthesizers are
synthesizer
A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis a ...
s composed of separate modules for different functions. The modules can be connected together by the user to create a
patch
Patch or Patches may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* Patch Johnson, a fictional character from ''Days of Our Lives''
* Patch (''My Little Pony''), a toy
* "Patches" (Dickey Lee song), 1962
* "Patches" (Chairmen of the Board song ...
. The outputs from the modules may include
audio signal
An audio signal is a representation of sound, typically using either a changing level of electrical voltage for analog signals, or a series of binary numbers for digital signals. Audio signals have frequencies in the audio frequency range of ro ...
s, analog
control voltages, or
digital signal
A digital signal is a signal that represents data as a sequence of discrete values; at any given time it can only take on, at most, one of a finite number of values. This contrasts with an analog signal, which represents continuous values; a ...
s for logic or timing conditions. Typical modules are
voltage-controlled oscillator
A microwave (12–18GHz) voltage-controlled oscillator
A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled by a voltage input. The applied input voltage determines the instantaneous oscillat ...
s,
voltage-controlled filters,
voltage-controlled amplifiers and
envelope generator
In sound and music, an envelope describes how a sound changes over time. It may relate to elements such as amplitude (volume), frequencies (with the use of filters) or pitch. For example, a piano key, when struck and held, creates a near-im ...
s.
History
The first modular synthesizer was developed by German engineer
Harald Bode in the late 1950s.
The 1960s saw the introduction of the
Moog synthesizer
The Moog synthesizer is a modular synthesizer developed by the American engineer Robert Moog. Moog debuted it in 1964, and Moog's company R. A. Moog Co. (later known as Moog Music) produced numerous models from 1965 to 1981, and again from 20 ...
and the
Buchla Modular Electronic Music System, created around the same period.
The Moog was composed of separate modules which created and shaped sounds, such as
envelopes
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin, flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card.
Traditional envelopes are made from sheets of paper cut to one of three shapes: a rhombus, a sh ...
,
noise generator
A noise generator is a circuit that produces electrical noise (i.e., a random signal). Noise generators are used to test signals for measuring noise figure, frequency response, and other parameters. Noise generators are also used for generatin ...
s,
filters
Filter, filtering or filters may refer to:
Science and technology
Computing
* Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming
* Filter (software), a computer program to process a data stream
* Filter (video), a software component that ...
, and
sequencers,
connected by
patch cords
A patch cable, patch cord or patch lead is an electrical or optical cable used to connect ("patch in") one electronic or optical device to another for signal routing. Devices of different types (e.g., a switch connected to a computer, or a s ...
.
The Japanese company
Roland
Roland (; frk, *Hrōþiland; lat-med, Hruodlandus or ''Rotholandus''; it, Orlando or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the ...
released the
Roland System 100 in 1975, followed by the
System 700 in 1976 and the
System 100m in 1979.
In the late 1970s, modular synthesizers started to be largely supplanted in pop music by highly integrated keyboard synthesizers, racks of
MIDI
MIDI (; Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and ...
-connected gear, and
samplers. By the 1990s, modular synthesizers had fallen out of favor compared to cheaper, smaller digital and software synthesizers.
However, there continued to be a community who chose the physically patched approach, the flexibility and the sound of traditional modular systems.
Since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of analog synthesizers aided by physical standardization practices, an increase in available
retro gear and interest, decreased production costs and increased electronic reliability and stability, the rediscovered ability of modules to control things other than sound, and a generally heightened education through the development of virtual synthesis systems such as
VCV Rack, MAX/MSP, Pd and Reaktor etc.
Types of module
The basic modular functions are: signal, control, logic/timing. Typically, inputs and outputs are an electric
voltage
Voltage, also known as electric pressure, electric tension, or (electric) potential difference, is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a static electric field, it corresponds to the work needed per unit of charge to ...
.
The difference between a synthesizer module and a stand-alone
effects unit
An effects unit or effects pedal is an electronic device that alters the sound of a musical instrument or other audio source through audio signal processing.
Common effects include distortion/overdrive, often used with electric guitar in ...
is that an effects unit will have connections for input and output of the audio signal and knobs or switches for users to control various parameters of the device (for example, the modulation rate for a chorus effect) while a synthesizer module may have connections for input and output, but will also have connections so that the device's parameters can be further controlled by other modules (for example, to connect a
low-frequency oscillator module to the modulation input of a
delay
Delay (from Latin: dilatio) may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* ''Delay 1968'', a 1981 album by German experimental rock band Can
* '' The Delay'', a 2012 Uruguayan film
People
* B. H. DeLay (1891–1923), American aviator and ac ...
module to get the chorus effect.)
There exist many different types of modules. Modules with the same basic functions may have different inputs, outputs and controls, depending on their degree of complexity. Some examples include the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), which may have options for sync (hard or soft), linear or exponential frequency modulation, and variable waveshape; the voltage-controlled filter (VCF) that may have both resonance and bandwidth controls; and the envelope generator which may provide outputs at each stage of the process. Examples of more complex modules include the frequency shifter, sequencer, and vocoder.
Modular synthesizers may be bulky and expensive. There are some standards that manufacturers follow for their range of physical synthesizers, such as 1 V/octave control voltages, and gate and trigger thresholds providing general compatibility; however, connecting synthesizers from different manufacturers may require cables with different kinds of plugs.
German engineer
Dieter Doepfer believed modular synthesizers could still be useful for creating unique sounds, and created a new, smaller modular system, the Doepfer A-100. This led to a new standard for modular systems,
Eurorack; as of 2017, over 100 companies, including
Moog and Roland, were developing Eurorack modules.
Typical modules
Modules can usually be categorized as either sources or processors. Standard modules found in a modular synthesizer are:
''Sources'' - characterized by an output, but no signal input; it may have control inputs:
* VCO –
Voltage-controlled oscillator
A microwave (12–18GHz) voltage-controlled oscillator
A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled by a voltage input. The applied input voltage determines the instantaneous oscillat ...
, outputs a signal whose frequency is a function of input control voltage and settings. In its basic form, these may be simple
waveform
In electronics, acoustics, and related fields, the waveform of a signal is the shape of its graph as a function of time, independent of its time and magnitude scales and of any displacement in time.David Crecraft, David Gorham, ''Electro ...
s (most usually a square wave or a sawtooth wave, but also includes pulse, triangle and sine waves), however these can be dynamically changed through such controls as sync, frequency modulation, and self-modulation.
* Noise source - Common types of noise offered by modular synthesizers include
white
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...
,
pink
Pink is the color of a namesake flower that is a pale tint of red. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, ...
, and
low frequency
Low frequency (LF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies (RF) in the range of 30–300 kHz. Since its wavelengths range from 10–1 km, respectively, it is also known as the kilometre band or kilometre wave.
LF radio waves e ...
noise.
* LFO - A
low-frequency oscillator may or may not be voltage-controlled. It may be operated with a period anywhere from a fortieth of a second to several minutes. It is generally used as a control voltage for another module. For example, modulating a VCO will produce a frequency modulation perceived as
vibrato
Vibrato ( Italian, from past participle of " vibrare", to vibrate) is a musical effect consisting of a regular, pulsating change of pitch. It is used to add expression to vocal and instrumental music. Vibrato is typically characterised in terms ...
, while modulating a VCA will produce amplitude modulation perceived as
tremolo
In music, ''tremolo'' (), or ''tremolando'' (), is a trembling effect. There are two types of tremolo.
The first is a rapid reiteration:
* Of a single note, particularly used on bowed string instruments, by rapidly moving the bow back and f ...
, depending on the control frequency. A rectangular wave output from a LFO can be used as a logic output for timing or trigger functions on other modules.
* EG - An
envelope generator
In sound and music, an envelope describes how a sound changes over time. It may relate to elements such as amplitude (volume), frequencies (with the use of filters) or pitch. For example, a piano key, when struck and held, creates a near-im ...
is a transient voltage source. A trigger control signal applied to an envelope generator produces a single, shaped voltage. Often configured as
ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, release) it provides a control voltage that rises and falls. Usually it controls the amplitude of a VCA or the cutoff frequency of a VCF, but the patchable structure of the synthesizer makes it possible to use the envelope generator to modulate other parameters such as the frequency or pulse width of the VCO. Simpler EGs (AD or AR) or more complex (DADSR—delay, attack, decay, sustain, release) are sometimes available.
*
Sequencer
Sequencer may refer to:
Technology
* Drum sequencer (controller), an electromechanical system for controlling a sequence of events automatically
* DNA sequencer, a machine used to automatically produce a sequence readout from a biological DNA sam ...
or
analog sequencer
An analog sequencer is a music sequencer constructed from analog (analogue) electronics, invented in the first half of the 20th century.
Raymond Scott designed and constructed some of the first electro-mechanical music sequencers in the 1940s. T ...
, is a family of compound module types that may be a source or a processor. As a source, depending upon the configuration, it may produce a sequence of voltages, usually set by adjusting values on front panel knobs. The sequencer may also output a trigger, or gate, at each step. Sequencers are stepped by a trigger being applied to the trigger input. Designs may allow for stepping forwards or backwards, oscillating patterns, random order, or only using a limited number of steps. An example of an analog sequencer and controller with this level of complexity is the Doepfer A-154, A-155 combination.
''Processors'' - characterized by a signal input and an output and may have control inputs:
* VCF -
Voltage-controlled filter
A voltage-controlled filter (VCF) is an electronic filter whose operating characteristics (primarily cutoff frequency) can be set by an input control voltage. Voltage controlled filters are widely used in synthesizers.
A music synthesizer VCF a ...
, which attenuates frequencies below (high-pass), above (low-pass) or both below and above (band-pass) a certain
frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. It is also occasionally referred to as ''temporal frequency'' for clarity, and is distinct from ''angular frequency''. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) which is eq ...
. Most VCFs have variable resonance, sometimes voltage-controlled.
* VCA -
Voltage-controlled amplifier
A variable-gain (VGA) or voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) is an electronic amplifier that varies its gain depending on a control voltage (often abbreviated CV).
VCAs have many applications, including audio level compression, synthesizers and ...
, varies the
amplitude
The amplitude of a periodic variable is a measure of its change in a single period (such as time or spatial period). The amplitude of a non-periodic signal is its magnitude compared with a reference value. There are various definitions of am ...
of a signal in response to an applied control voltage. The response curve may be linear or exponential. Also called a
two-quadrant multiplier
A translinear circuit is a circuit that carries out its function using the translinear principle. These are current-mode circuits that can be made using transistors that obey an Exponential function, exponential current-voltage characteristic—thi ...
.
* LPG - Low-pass gate, is a compound module, similar to a VCA combined with a VCF. The circuit uses a
resistive opto-isolator
Resistive opto-isolator (RO), also called photoresistive opto-isolator, vactrol (after a genericized trademark introduced by Vactec, Inc. in the 1960s), analog opto-isolatorIn PerkinElmer literature. or lamp-coupled photocell, is an optoelectronic ...
to respond to the control voltage, which also filters the sound, allowing more high-frequency information through at higher amplification.
* RM -
Ring modulator
In electronics, ring modulation is a signal processing function, an implementation of frequency mixing, in which two signals are combined to yield an output signal. One signal, called the carrier, is typically a sine wave or another simple ...
- Two audio inputs are utilized to create sum and difference frequencies while suppressing the original signals. Also called an
analog multiplier
In electronics, an analog multiplier is a device that takes two analog signals and produces an output which is their product. Such circuits can be used to implement related functions such as ''squares'' (apply same signal to both inputs), and '' ...
or
frequency mixer
In electronics, a mixer, or frequency mixer, is an electrical circuit that creates new frequencies from two signals applied to it. In its most common application, two signals are applied to a mixer, and it produces new signals at the sum and di ...
.
* Mixer - A module that adds voltages.
* Multiple -
Fan out a voltage output to multiple inputs.
* Slew limiter - A sub-audio
low-pass filter
A low-pass filter is a filter that passes signals with a frequency lower than a selected cutoff frequency and attenuates signals with frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency. The exact frequency response of the filter depends on the filt ...
. When used in a control voltage path to an oscillator, produces a
portamento
In music, portamento (plural: ''portamenti'', from old it, portamento, meaning "carriage" or "carrying") is a pitch sliding from one note to another. The term originated from the Italian expression "''portamento della voce''" ("carriage of the ...
effect.
* S&H -
Sample and hold
In electronics, a sample and hold (also known as sample and follow) circuit is an analog device that samples (captures, takes) the voltage of a continuously varying analog signal and holds (locks, freezes) its value at a constant level for ...
, is usually used as a control-voltage processor. Depending upon the design, usually an ascending edge (trigger), captures the value of the voltage at the input, and outputs this voltage until the trigger input reads another voltage and repeats the process.
*
Sequencer
Sequencer may refer to:
Technology
* Drum sequencer (controller), an electromechanical system for controlling a sequence of events automatically
* DNA sequencer, a machine used to automatically produce a sequence readout from a biological DNA sam ...
, (see also above), as a processor, may have a signal input into each step, (location or stage), which is output, when stepped to. An example of this type of sequencer is the Doepfer A-155.
* Custom control inputs - It is possible to connect any kind of voltage to a modular synthesizer as long as it remains in the usable voltage range of the instrument, usually -15V to +15V.
Modern manufacturers of modular hardware synthesizers (alphabetical)
![Fénix II and III](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/F%C3%A9nix_II_and_III.jpg)
Hardware offerings range from complete systems in cases to kits for hobbyists. Many manufacturers augment their range with products based on recent re-designs of classic modules; often both the original and subsequent reworked designs are available free on the Internet, the original patents having lapsed. Many hobbyist designers also make available bare PCB boards and front panels for sale to other hobbyists.
*
Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments
Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments (BEMI) was a manufacturer of synthesizers and unique MIDI controllers. The origins of the company could be found in Buchla & Associates, created in 1963 by synthesizer pioneer Don Buchla of Berkeley, Californi ...
(formerly Buchla & Associates)
*
Doepfer Musikelektronik (
A-100)
*
Moog Music (formerly Big Briar, formerly Moog)
*
Synthesis Technology
*
PAiA Electronics
PAiA Electronics, Inc. is an American synthesizer kit company that was started by John Simonton in 1967. It sells various musical electronics kits including analog synthesizers, theremins, mixers and various music production units designed by fo ...
*
Analogue Systems
Analog or analogue may refer to:
Computing and electronics
* Analog signal, in which information is encoded in a continuous variable
** Analog device, an apparatus that operates on analog signals
*** Analog electronics, circuits which use analog ...
*
Sound Transform Systems
*
Studio Electronics
*
Synthesizers.com
*
Synton Fenix
Technical specifications
Form factors
Many early synthesizer modules had height in integer inches: 11" (e.g., Roland 700), 10" (e.g., Wavemakers), 9" (e.g., Aries), 8" (e.g., ARP 2500), 7" (e.g., Polyfusion, Buchla, Serge), 6" (e.g., Emu) and width in 1/4" inch multiples. More recently it has become more popular to follow the standard 19"
rack unit system: 6U (Wiard), 5U (8.75" e.g., Moog/Modcan), 4U (e.g., Serge), 3U (
Eurorack).
Two 3U unit standards, in particular, are notable: Frac Rack (e.g., PAiA), which uses the entire 3U for the front panel, and Eurorack (e.g., Doepfer) which has a 2 mm horizontal lip that the front panels are seated between. Further minor variations exist where European or Japanese manufacturers round a U measurement up or down to some closer convenient metric equivalent; for example, the common 5U modules are exactly , but non-American manufacturers may prefer 220 or 230 mm.
Electrical
Other differences are in the plugs used, which can match 1/4-inch (6.3 mm) or 3.5 mm
phone connectors,
banana jack
A banana connector (commonly banana plug for the gender of connectors and fasteners, male, banana socket or banana jack for the gender of connectors and fasteners, female) is a single-wire (one electrical conductor, conductor) electrical connec ...
s, or
breadboard patch leads; in the main power supply, which is most often ±12 V or ±15 V, but can range from 2.5±2.5 V
to 0±18 V for different manufacturers or systems; in the trigger or gate voltages (Moog S-trigger or positive gate), with typical audio signal levels (often ±5 V with ±5 V headroom); and with control voltages of volts/octave, typically 1 V/octave, but in some cases 1.2 V/octave.
Most analog modular systems use a system in which the frequency is exponentially related to the pitch (such as 1 volt/octave or 1.2 volts/octave), sometimes called "linear" because the human ear perceives frequencies in a logarithmic fashion, with each octave having the same perceptual size; some synthesizers (such as
Korg MS-20
The Korg MS-20 is a patchable semi-modular monophonic analog synthesizer which Korg released in 1978 and which was in production until 1983. It was part of Korg's MS series of instruments, which also included the single oscillator MS-10, the k ...
,
ETI 4600) use a Hertz/volt (Hz/V) system for keyboard-CV, main oscillator-pitch input (only), where the frequency (but not the perceived pitch) is linear in the voltage.
Due to the continuously variable nature of knobs and sliders, reproducing an exact patch can be difficult or next to impossible.
Modular software synthesizers (alphabetical)
There are also software synthesizers for
personal computers
A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or tec ...
which are organized as interconnectable modules. Many of these are virtual analog synthesizers, where the modules simulate hardware functionality. Some of them are also virtual modular systems, which simulate real historical modular synthesizers.
*
AudioMulch
AudioMulch is modular audio software for making music and processing sound. The software can synthesize sound and process live and pre-recorded sound in real-time.
AudioMulch has a patcher-style graphical user interface, in which modules calle ...
*
Arturia
Arturia is a French electronics company founded in 1999 and based in Grenoble, France. The company designs and manufactures audio interfaces and electronic musical instruments, including software synthesizers, drum machines, analog synthesize ...
Modular V
*
Bidule
Bidule is a commercial software application for the creation of interactive computer music and multimedia produced by the Canadian company Plogue Arts and Technology. It runs on both Windows and Mac computers.
Bidule uses a modular structure ...
*
Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is a proprietary digital audio workstation developed by Bitwig GmbH. Bitwig is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Bitwig is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, recording, arra ...
(The Grid)
*
ChucK
Chuck is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to:
People
Arts and entertainment
* Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet
* Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV producer
* C ...
*
CreamwareAudio Modular III
*
Csound
Csound is a domain-specific computer programming language for audio programming. It is called Csound because it is written in C, as opposed to some of its predecessors.
It is free software, available under the LGPL-2.1-or-later.
Csound was o ...
*
Doepfer
Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH is a German manufacturer of audio hardware, mostly synthesizer modules (modular synthesizer), based in Gräfelfing, Upper Bavaria and founded by Dieter Döpfer. The product range covers analog circuit, analog modular s ...
*
MaxMSP
Max, also known as Max/MSP/Jitter, is a visual programming language for music and multimedia developed and maintained by San Francisco-based software company Cycling '74. Over its more than thirty-year history, it has been used by composers, pe ...
*
Moog Model 15
*
Kyma
*
Pure Data
*
Reaktor
Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio developed by Native Instruments (NI). It allows musicians and sound specialists to design and build their own instruments, samplers, effects and sound design tools. It is supplied with many r ...
*
SunVox
*
SuperCollider
*
VCV Rack
Wren for Windows (open-source)
Computers have grown so powerful and inexpensive that software programs can realistically model the signals, sounds, and patchability of modulars very well. While potentially lacking the physical presence of desirable analog sound generation, real voltage manipulation, knobs, sliders, cables, and
LEDs, software modular synthesizers offer the infinite variations and visual patching at a more affordable price and in a compact form factor.
The popular
plugin formats such as
VST may be combined in a modular fashion.
Semi-modular synthesizers
![Korg Volca Modular 7921](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Korg_Volca_Modular_7921.jpg)
A modular synthesizer has a case or frame into which arbitrary modules can be fitted; modules are usually connected together using patch cords and a system may include modules from different sources, as long as it fits the form factors of the case and uses the same electrical specifications.
A semi-modular synthesizer on the other hand is a collection of modules from a single manufacturer that makes a cohesive product, an instrument. Modules may not be swapped out and usually a typical configuration has been pre-wired. The “modules” are typically not separable and may physically be parts of a contiguous circuit board. However, the manufacturer provides mechanisms to allow the user to connect modules in different orders and often to connect external components or modules (chosen and supplied by the user) between those of the instrument.
Matrix systems
Matrix systems use pin matrices or other crosspoint switches rather than patch cords.
The
ARP 2500
The ARP 2500 is a monophonic analog modular synthesizer equipped with a set of sliding matrix switches above each module. These are the primary method of interconnecting modules. It is the first product of ARP Instruments, Inc., built from 1970 ...
was the first synthesizer to used a fixed switch matrix.
The pin matrix was made popular in the
EMS VCS-3 and its descendants like the
EMS Synthi 100
The EMS Synthi 100 was a large analogue/digital hybrid synthesizer made by Electronic Music Studios, London, originally as a custom order from Radio Belgrade for what was to be the Radio Belgrade Electronic Studio, largely thanks to contact betw ...
. Other systems include the ETI 4600, and the Maplin 5600s.
In digital times the clean logical layout of these matrices has inspired a number of manufacturers like
Arturia
Arturia is a French electronics company founded in 1999 and based in Grenoble, France. The company designs and manufactures audio interfaces and electronic musical instruments, including software synthesizers, drum machines, analog synthesize ...
to include digitally programmable matrices in their analog or virtual analog synthesizers.
Many fully digital synthesizers, like the
Alesis Ion
The Alesis Ion is an analog modeling synthesizer. It was presented to the public on the Summer NAMM of 2002. Unlike the Alesis Andromeda, Alesis's analog synthesizer, its sounds are synthesized using DSP chips to mimic the sound of analog audi ...
, make use of the logic and nomenclature of a "modulation matrix", even when the graphical layout of a hardware matrix is completely absent.
Patch override systems
The different modules of a semi-modular synthesizer are wired together into a typical configuration, but can be re-wired by the user using patch cords. Some examples are the
ARP 2600
The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog subtractive audio synthesizer produced by ARP Instruments, Inc.
History
Developed by a design team headed by ARP namesake Allen R. Pearlman and engineer Dennis Colin, the ARP 2600 was introduced in 1971 ...
, Anyware Semtex, Cwejman S1, EML101, Evenfall Minimodular, Future Retro XS,
Korg MS-10
, founded as Keio Electronic Laboratories, is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. Under the Vox brand name, the ...
/ MS-20 / PS-3100 / PS-3200 /
PS-3300, Mungo State Zero,
Roland System 100, Korg
Volca Modular
The Volca Modular is an analogue synthesizer manufactured by the Japanese music technology company Korg. It is part of their popular Volca series of affordable electronic synthesizers and drum machines. Like other Volcas, it sports a 16- ste ...
and
Moog Mother-32 .
Electronically reconfigurable systems
Reconfigurable systems allow certain signals to be routed through modules in different orders. Examples include the
Oberheim Matrix and
Rhodes Chroma
The ARP Chroma is a polyphonic, multitimbral, microprocessor controlled, subtractive synthesis analog synthesizer developed in 1979-1980 by ARP Instruments, Inc. just before the company's bankruptcy and collapse in 1981.
The design was purchase ...
, and Moog Voyager.
Hybrid modular synthesizers
Hybrid synthesizers use hardware and software combination. In alphabetical order:
* Arturia Origin by
Arturia
Arturia is a French electronics company founded in 1999 and based in Grenoble, France. The company designs and manufactures audio interfaces and electronic musical instruments, including software synthesizers, drum machines, analog synthesize ...
(fully self-contained)
*
Clavia Nord Modular and Clavia Nord Modular G2 (these need an external computer to edit patches)
*
Audiocubes
See also
*
Chiptune
*
Circuit bending
*
Software synthesizer
*
Sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which th ...
*
Synthesizer
Notes
References
External links
120 years of Electronic Musichas information on classic modular synths.
Synthmuseum.comResource for vintage synthesizer information and images.
Modular Analog Synthesizers Return!Article about new modular systems.
Modular Music TVWebsite dedicated to tutorials, news, performances and more using modular systems.
Article on modular analog synthesis concepts
ModularSynth.coNetwork of modular synth manufacturers and producers.
; Mechanical specifications
Synthesis MOTM 5UPAiA FracRak 3UIntellijel 1UPulp Logic "1u" Tiles
{{DEFAULTSORT:Modular Synthesizer
Modular synthesizers