Eurorack Modular Synth First Patches: The Basics - a Tutorial and Demo

[@kristofbraekmans1765]

Your my hero, i was just about to get into modular. And got lost, i understand much much more now. Cant wait to begin thanks!

[@StarskyCarr]

Great, that’s exactly what I was hoping :)

[@markrichardson1369]

Yeah great stuff mate

[@DeepEndWKFP]

This is phenomenal! When I buy some modules, you can bet I’m going to rewatch this!

[@scottmartin356]

Just waiting for my first delivery of eurorack modules, and boy do I need this explanation! I especially appreciate the warning about the power orientation 🧏‍♂️. The cables get complex fast!! Thank you for the great introduction and I look forward to learning more 👻

[@t3chnod3lic]

Great guy. Always smiling, laughing and educating us newbies. Thanks again!

[@StarskyCarr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DavidWTPowell]

When the delay gets added towards the end, this thing really comes alive. Fantastic stuff!

[@draconianrhythms]

I’m listening with headphones. You played the sub. I think a little of my melted brain a bit 😄

[@andrewconcepcion9067]

Out of all the musical instruments I have seen modular synthesizer and synthesizer are by far my most favorite.

[@thejoshuathomas]

This is one of the simplest videos available to help synth and semi-modular users better grasp how the beginnings of a modular setup should be approached. Well done, good sir. I think where many struggle (myself included) is, that we neglect to think of the components in module form, since the companies do it for us in traditional synthesizers, and it's hidden from view in the hardware casing. So, we never really learn the connections, only how they change/shape the sound. I didn't begin to break that habit until I purchased a Volca Modular, which forced me out of the traditional synth mentality, if I wanted to utilize its potential more fully. That in turn opened my eyes to the wide world of modular, though for now, I'll just enjoy from a safe distance.

[@nakadia2008]

Thank you so much!

[@seancraig5373]

Fantastic video-VERY useful and very revealing, both about some of the modules (such as Erica Synths wavetable VCO-which sounds great) and how it all comes together (yep-LOTS of wires). MANY thanks! I sure appreciate you doing this-as it is sure going to help me now that I've got a case & some modules (but have not yet put it all together). One of the very BEST modular videos I've seen!

[@freqlok3070]

Thanks for the "what's all this then?" standpoint concerning eurorack and all the possible pitfalls. And on an unrelated note: I love your accent. English isn't my mother tongue so I don't know which region it belongs to but yours and also Divkid's accents are juicy. Anyway, great video!

[@StarskyCarr]

I like the "what's all this then" pretty much sums up what I'm thinking :)

[@aSimpleChat]

This is GOOD. I have to look for more of your series! Keep them coming please!

[@kemek3000]

Loving this series, thank you. Helpful and easy to understand.

[@dietervoser4425]

Ein sehr schöner und ausgezeichneter Basic Beitrag zur Modularwelt ! Besten Dank !

[@thethirdman225]

I'm loving your videos. You've got a very engaging style and you come up with great tones and sequences so I always look forward to what comes out at the end of the video. I'm still getting my head around so many things, like what order to plug things in and how to get the sounds you want. I don't own a synth yet but it's coming, once I decide what I want. Best to you!

[@DennisNy75]

I always come back to this video , over and over ty

[@neon_one]

I think I saw a video earlier suggesting the behringer crave(i think the yello thing in the backround) is a clone of the mother 32. though it didn't look rack mountable. edit nvm I just got to the part where you show the crave. I appreciate the honest human presentation of this btw. These days a lot of video makers will pretend like they know what they are talking about and act like they're being paid to promote things, or maybe suck up to the manufacturers

[@nobodysuspected]

excellent videos. i was proud (as a canadian) to be able to identify the Liverpool accent :) I'm not sure if it was this or another one in this series where you asked about fractal patterns in sequencing and such, and im positive someone else has already mentioned it to you, but i would be remiss not to mention Stochas. keep up the great work

[@Daphoid]

What a fantastic video. I keep pondering a tiny tiny modular (two 60HP skiff's to go along with my Moog mother gear) - and that erica synth stuff is lovely; but if I wait for their perkons magestic drums in a box I can splurge/save up for that and get that very similar gnarly tone.

[@torus6083]

Great introduction to modular! It really helps to have a step by step guide like this for what can be quite a daunting subject

[@StarskyCarr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MattTerry1]

I really like your videos. You take a very intimidating topic and make it super accessible to beginners

[@StarskyCarr]

Cool that was the idea, glad it worked 😀

[@666JGNotts]

Great stuff mate. Many thanks for doing this series :)

[@therealdjblack29]

This series is so so helpful my friend. You have earned a sub. Can’t wait for more vids.

[@HousePlant_Ambient]

Thank you so much for providing this.

[@StarskyCarr]

You're very welcome :) always nice to hear its appreciated. Thanks.

[@markbooth]

Not used Maths as a simple mixer before. Very useful idea though and will come in handy.

[@Sashman077]

I really enjoy watching your videos and especially your series on modular synths. Informative and inspiring.

[@tomnaustin1]

Good job of keeping it understandable for us novices!

[@acefstripe]

Great video and appreciated the part in connecting the power on back of modules cause I was unsure.

[@CitizenOfEverywhere]

I bought the Arturia Minibrute 2S with bundled RackBrute and gigbag over a year ago. Since then, I've used the Minibrute so much, but only ever added a moog ladder style VCF in the rack. Everytime I look at adding more, I either go into analysis paralysis, or get scared off by the prices. So this series has been really useful too me. I think a good place for me to start could be the Erica Wavetable synth - it would complement the Minibrute well. I think also a semi-randon sequence generator like a Turing Machine would add something new.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I am using my Elektron gear to layer FX and sequence my setup. Saves a lot of space in the rack and cash drain. Rather have bunch of oscillator voices, filters and utility modules than fill with FX modules.

[@robthebloke]

Just be warned that Erica synths oscillators don't play nicely with negative voltage - which is something you'll need to hook into the mother 32. (you can see it in the video when the mother first drives the VCO - nothing happens until the pitch is bumped up a few octaves - one of the reasons Erica synths also sells the pico mscale - which is sadly a bit rubbish imo) I have the wavetable vco, but to be honest, if I was to go back in time, I'd probably get the instruo TS-L instead. Yes its analogue, yes it's not a wavetable osc, but I reckon it'll give you much more mileage than the Erica synths vco. Just my 2 cents...

[@frankpike3684]

Very interesting and clear video thanks!

[@humanerror3139]

Thanks Starsky, great help, hope you can do more on modular for us beginners 👍🏻

[@EleniEliades_]

Great video. I love my Erica Synths Black Wave table VCO . 🔥💡🌟

[@patrickbodine6010]

*VERY* educational sir! Can't wait to see the other parts of the series!😁👍👍

[@HauptmanNase]

great fun... Starsky rulez 🤘

[@davidgiordano9734]

Thanks so much for doing this!! It's incredibly helpful for someone thinking about getting fully into modular. I have two mother 32's and an 0coast but I'm considering more modules and since I have other expensive hobbies besides synths it's very important for me to spend my money wisely. This type of video is really appreciated!

[@SomeOne-pd6vm]

I also have two Mother 32s. Did you ever end up expanding into eurorack? What did you end up getting?

[@davidgiordano9734]

@@SomeOne-pd6vm I added a DFAM and subharmonicon . I love all three but I think the subharmonicon is favorite

[@digitalvamp]

Very useful thanks! I have the almost exact setup due to your video helping me choose my first rig except I’m using the lifeforms sv1 instead of the m32

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

NIcely done. Good to hear the Erica Synth modules

[@TheJorkiller]

wow i enjoy so much this video, really hypnotic haha

[@moongroove8734]

Sequence at 23:30 is great!! Also have the Erica Black Wavetable - it's amazing for the price. BTW: the sub oscillator on it does not only offer -1/-2 octaves of the main wave, but also a third setting which is an entirely different transistor-based suboscillator, that (to my ears) sounds absolutely massive... Great video!

[@StarskyCarr]

I think its the transistor one I've been using. VERY nice

[@JohnMcGFrance]

Another great video. My setup is similar so I’m learning a lot. I have the same case as you but with a Moog Dfam in it. I’m linking a Minibrute 2s. I added Plaits, Maths, a buffered mult, an Intelligel dual ADSR and a disting mk4. I’m certainly learning you need deep pockets! Great fun though. Look forward to watching your other videos on modular gear.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks. I'll planning a few more soon.

[@stoneytony9351]

I wanna go modular ,this helps .thx

[@StarskyCarr]

great, that was the plan :)

[@stoneytony9351]

@@StarskyCarr Just by lookin this video , i'm gettin Just as excited as you when the first sounds come out 😁 deciding what case would be the one for me ..love your video's about synthesizers.

[@bogdangusak4573]

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot!

[@StarskyCarr]

You're welcome!

[@cvdheyden]

Very cool video. Funny enough, I put almost the same Erica parts in my rack 😂😂. Using the Make Noise RENE 2 as a sequencer.

[@StarskyCarr]

Perfect! haha. Ive a version of this with the Rene as well. It just confuses me so much :)

[@cvdheyden]

@@StarskyCarr Well it is at the beginning, but when you play with it some time you get used to it. But it can be dangerous as you will most likely get lost and never ever use another sequencer. Be afraid, be very afraid.....

[@studio48nl]

-12v should go to -12v... Red stripe, shrouded headers, sockets are just helpers. Even if 'the factory' installed them, always check it!

[@CAIN_]

Brilliant video, so helpful. Thank you pal.

[@damianwilliams8372]

Hi Starsky, great work as ever, really well presented. I'd love to see a bit more with the Crave and some of these modules - I know it's pretty much an M32 in disguise - say if you just wanted to add an additional Oscillator in into the mix (Plaits) or possibly use that Erica synth filter in place of, or in addition to, the one on the Crave itself.

[@jjrusy7438]

yes that was informative. I dont think i will ever dive into modular, but i like to learn about everything. I have issues with patching and applying that to my performance style. BUT the sounds the modulars make are otherworldly and i love the pretty flashing lights haha. I wanted to mention one thing that i have seen in other modular videos: I notice that splitter module looks like several 1->2 splitters. if a person wanted to trim module space or save money, there are patch cables with a socket on top of the connector so that you may plug a second (or 3rd etc) cable into the same module jack via stacking the patch cables. I have no clue about buffering issues of an output as it is facing lower and lower input impedances as the inputs get paralleled together, but i have seen the stacked cables often.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks. The cables are TIptop stackcables- I briefly mention them in a comment with a shot from their website - mine arrived while I was recording so I’ve yet to understand the implications of multiple cables on the voltage. I’ll probably mention in another video if I ever understand it fully!

[@jjrusy7438]

@@StarskyCarr my apology, i went for my coffee and must have missed that section. i'll rewatch that part

[@StarskyCarr]

@@jjrusy7438 hah no worries- it only flashes up for a few seconds!

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

I guess you know about Robin. I've watched him slowly get to grips with modular and it's very addictive. Not only as a synth or source but as a humongous effects platform for (say Minilogue et al) analogue sound.

[@lordundhimself1310]

DAMN! You might have just sold that Erica Synths oscillator for me! P H A T

[@chasethevioletsun9996]

He sold me on it and I love it so much I may get another.

[@lordundhimself1310]

@@chasethevioletsun9996 Do iiiiitt

[@gremoov7703]

🙏🏻 thanks so much ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@gremoov7703]

Hi Again, can you tell me please, if there is a New « black vc EG »at erica synths I can’t find it at thoman, and with wich multi the make noise can be replace ? Thanks so much again, I’ll copy your rack stuff ! Sorry ;))

[@R1GAMBLER]

excellent content.

[@sotem3608]

I'm getting so hyped for this :D

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Nice modules love the Erica Synths gear. I read somewhere that a good rule of thumb is to have 2xVCA and 2xEG per voice module. So if you have 2xVCO, would mean you want at bare minimum 4xVCA and 4xEG. I love the Batumi Quad LFO in my new setup so crazy modulation.

[@StarskyCarr]

Cheers.... I wish people would stop sending suggestions - I'm going to be bankrupt soon :)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@StarskyCarr haha right? A year later my modular grew large to two 14u cases and money gone. Lots of fun!

[@MEGAMIGA]

Another great hobby that I would love to indulge in but that I won't because of money 😢 Very neat explanation nonetheless!

[@illustrationmaking]

Awesome stuff!

[@nsbd90now]

It's all still kind of over my head. But I like it.

[@KordTaylor]

Gotta say another great video. I am sure the Google algorithms gotta rate you high on the “content” scale. I sure do. 😂

[@noiselabproject9659]

Great video. I`ve got a lot of SYnths but nothing modular as yet as so far I couldn`t bear to be withough my storable presets and enjoy making my own custom patches but .......... I`m interested in a Rack Brute and some Behringer System 100 modules and just wanna have some fun without busting the bank and so I may do that and this video has helped so cheers Geezer

[@dr.feelicks2051]

I love filter giddiness, hence, good content!

[@Nkatzfilm]

hey man! A big fan of your videos. As I'm sure you know, Soft Tube just released the Model 73 (Moog emulation) and I think it really stands out in terms of sound quality. Wondering if you'd consider doing another shootout video?

[@StarskyCarr]

Let’s see :)

[@mikeh892]

23:30 Wow indeed.

[@MrCowfood]

Don't give up on the monsoon. Its more than just a granular effect, also a very lush reverb with modulatable parameters. There's also a video showing clouds as a tape delay (monsoon should do this as well).

[@StarskyCarr]

Nice one thanks for the info. I’ll check it out.

[@MrCowfood]

@@StarskyCarr also you can change the firmware from parasites to others or just standard mi clouds.

[@StarskyCarr]

MrCowfood yeah I’ve got to dig into all this a bit more. Picked it up as a bargain, thinking it was worth the punt. It’s such a well regarded module that my thinking was get it first - then learn it - keep it or sell it. So I’m onto phase 2!

[@Glasside]

@@StarskyCarr +1 on the giving it more time... It's so worth the effort... These videos are really good by the way

[@jimcalverley]

Thanks for these great videos - one question I have - where do you go to learn how to patch all of these? I understand the basics - cases, power supplies, function of each module, the infamous "red stripe", but the many different patch points makes my brain explode when I try to wrap my head around it. I know that there must be a logic to it, but I've yet to have that lightbulb go off! Perhaps a future video topic? :)

[@StarskyCarr]

its an interesting idea for a video, I can understand the confusion.. I had a Nord Modular and couldn't;t get my head round why I needed all the different connections! ... but basically, you don't ever use half the connections (especially on the one track/sound) ... just get your he'd round the basics then as you think about additional things you want you patch to do... you start adding more CV control. I generally start playing round with knobs, find something nice, then try to figure out how to do it automatically using other modules like LFOs, envelopes, triggers etc. A bit like an audio jigsaw..

[@stackenblochen666]

Great series, thanks a lot for the Tutorial! Which sequencer did you end up buying, I was wondering? I saw you holding a black one into the camera for a few seconds, iirc (was it in this video or the previous one?). Keep up the great Output, and stay healthy!

[@StarskyCarr]

The Erica synths is the main workhorse... with the Rene as an experimental toll (still weighing up whether to keep it).

[@triplebeam23]

I have a question if you see this I would really appreciate a answer. Sometime this year I plan on purchasing the moog matriarch, I am super excited just thinking about it.. I have a intermediate understanding of synthesizers now since it is semi modular and has patch cables is there any way you can break it? Like by plugging in one patch cable to another slot without understanding exactly what it is doing? I've looked for hours of videos looking for this answer.. I really don't want to break a 3,000 dollar synth by patching the cables wrong

[@StarskyCarr]

No you can’t break it. In any case it’s obvious what are inputs and what are outputs. Some have text on a black background (they’re the outputs - I think!) but if you do something daft it just won’t do anything - plugging the output of the LFO into the output of an oscillator just won’t do anything. Likewise plugging an input to another input won’t have any effect. After a few minutes everything tend to fall into place. But jf you’re concerned pick up a Behringer crave for a practice with the cables and try creating some patches or follow my patch tutorial videos to give yourself some confidence.

[@paulunkel]

Hi man, amazing tutorial, I was really enjoyed , I would like to know, if can I put into the rack brute with other items like LFO, VCO, VCA, CLOCK DIVIDERS...etc? Thanking you in advance for your help, I will appreciate it. Stay safe

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

I see you own a Crave. Would it be possible to couple a 960 sequencer to a Crave? Or couple the 960 to Brains?

[@andyscott5277]

Think I need a video on how to afford a modular synth…🤦🏻‍♂️😅

[@bigmanlizard7326]

my mother 32 keeps giving me looks i think its lonely

[@arcadeuk]

It's really bad that a lot of modules don't use the polarising power sockets, so do what? Save £0.02 ?

[@bystander85]

Final thoughts: always have a delay effect

[@markrichardson1369]

Hmmm, not sure, the back end of the sound can be great for adding space...

[@Nepidemicofmannequins]

❤️

[@StarskyCarr]

And from thethunderboltofflammingwosdom means a lot 😂 thanks… and Happy Christmas.. hope you picked up some modules or are looking at a new years skiff 👍

[@l1fef0rm]

I hate the quad vca. just saying. maybe i got a bad module but the addac quintet made me love modular, never looking back. anyone else have noise issues with the quad vca? the quintet is what brought it all together for me.

[@l1fef0rm]

i really like intellijel, the quad vca just put a bad taste in my ears.

[@grandmasterjo1]

Just for info how much would be the cost of all the modules you included 🤣 Ofcourse the sound is awesome And the video wow 👍👍

[@moritz_schoenermann]

Is there a "order" to put the modules on the rack? :)

[@StarskyCarr]

..er... still working in that - hence the knurlies! I think it’s constantly evolving until you find the path of least resistance - reducing the number/length of patch cables and making the controls easily accessible. It all depends on what you’ve got and how you use it.

[@moritz_schoenermann]

@@StarskyCarr thank you very musch for answering me. I guess now I know why semi modular and no modular synths got sooo popular ! :)

[@miketrix73]

this is ace

[@StarskyCarr]

So are you 👍😂

[@jacksonkerr2095]

I was wondering if you guys might be able to give me a recommendation. I've got a few eurorack synth modules, but I'm having trouble figuring out what else I need. I have a simple VCO, an effects module (Mikrophonie) and another module called "Pressure points", the one with the contact microphone. I've watched a lot of content on Eurorack and modular, but I need some kind of jumping-off point to get started for myself, especially since I can generate a tone with the VCO, but I can't do much else. Any advice or recommendations would be wonderful. Thank you!

[@StarskyCarr]

You’ll probably get a lot from a filter and an envelope or 2 (one for the amp, one for the filter)... plus an amp (VCA). You’ll then have a 2 envelope single osc mono synth with FX. You’ll need to split the gate out from pressure points for each envelope so perhaps a cheap passive mult as well. A sequencer would enable you to play tracks... something like the crave would add lots of functionality but isn’t eurorack., but it is compatible ... so maybe you could use it as a main control centre - amazing value for the money as well. Plus it has a envelope, filter etc that you can patch... so perhaps that would be a good next step (although it won’t fit in your rack it’ll work well with it)

[@jacksonkerr2095]

@@StarskyCarr Thank you so much for the reply! I will keep this stuff in mind and do some research. I just bought some more modules, so I hope to be putting up a video of this soon.

[@audiolego]

B2600 is as far as I will go with patching.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha

[@Music_Pixels]

What is the footage at 3:20 from?

[@StarskyCarr]

Maybe a tiptop video? I can’t remember.

[@Music_Pixels]

@@StarskyCarr I tried to look through their vids but sadly nothing had the right module lay out?

[@StarskyCarr]

@@Music_Pixels that’s odd… I’ve no idea then, sorry.

[@derecwilsom4546]

must...not...buy....modular....must...not....divorce............

[@StarskyCarr]

Resistance is futile

[@VincentPresley]

I find it's a pretty silly, ass-backwards trend. Yeah, you "can" get "more interesting" patch routing with all these cables and modules but pretty much everything I see and hear from everyone into this stuff is something you could much easier achieve with a simple hardwired synthesizer. There's a reason Moog decided what routing to hardwire into simple, portable synths and that's because it can pretty much make any sound anyone actually wants to use for any genre other than extreme experimental noise. Even vintage synths like the Yamaha CS15 offer multiple filters, multiple egs, multiple vcos and tons of routing options without the need of patch cables and it's probably cheaper than a basic full modular setup and probably sounds better.

[@StarskyCarr]

I get your point. I think its more about creating an individual system. But compared to a standard synth its VERY expensive, and doesn't have the usability of and instant recall etc. I find I can get different (not better) sounds and it leads you to different places. It took me a couple of years to take the plunge, and you're right - loads of demos are experimental sounds - so if you're after something to quickly record a part this isn't the route. Its great for noodling and generating interesting ideas though.

[@VincentPresley]

@@StarskyCarr Yeah, I have tons of synths and have had a constant revolving collection of new and old over the last 25 years. I say these things about modulars while sitting here and ordering a few things for my Behringer Go 2x140 case. I like to have a bit of everything so when one style of synth bores me something else usually interests me / inspires me. I'm just very surprised that it's so trendy right now. Especially since for the last 20-30 years all you heard is how terrible programming some classic synths was with only one data slider and loads of menus. Well, it was but also then that patch was saved forever. With amazing new synths like the Hydrasynth out there that make very complex patches so easy it's weird that people want to fiddle with patch cables and whatnot. I like the modular stuff for making ugly chaotic nonsense that I have no need to perfectly recreate later. When I see all these people with $1000 of modules in a box to play a little filter sweep sequenced bass line I just want to say "you probably could have just bought a $300 keyboard and done that a lot easier". I think there's gonna be a LOT of discarded / abandoned modular gear in a few years. That'll be great, actually.

[@StarskyCarr]

Let’s hope so!!! I must say I’ve seen quite a few ‘featured’ performers using modular like it’s some sort of mystic magic - and all it sounds like is a pro-one through a delay!

[@redlester]

My feeling is that for many people it's less about the sounds and more about the workflow. Yes, you may end up with sounds you could have arrived at with a normal synth, but you possibly never would have done so due to the workflow. When I try to create patches on my Sub37 I feel a bit daunted, but although am just starting with modular I feel it more of an exciting challenge, and not quite knowing where I will end up is all part of the fun and inspiration.

[@StarskyCarr]

@@redlester Yeah.. the workflow is really important - which is why I'm hoping to put something together that suits my individual workflow and style. Hence all the planning! Although having said that... Friday nights on eBay are dangerous. :)

[@user-mr6xp6nk7q]

Already way too complex. No explanation why you are patching in and out of these sockets.