"How do I know what module to buy next?" (But avoid GAS)

[@mylarmelodies]

One tip not mentioned. When you are going about making your sound pack, you may want some help/advice designing sounds - I would strongly recommend Sound on Sound's 'Synth Secrets' range of free articles, which will show you actual modular synthesis sound design approaches you can try: www.soundonsound.com/series/synth-secrets-sound-sound - it is gold

[@mylarmelodies]

PS. Sorry for not tidying up, it’s a work in progress 😖

[@CatFish107]

Huuuuge respect for this, and for the pinned comment being a link to FREE articles, not an affiliate link. Thoughtful insights from a place of grace and kindness.

[@markfish8403]

Sir, you’re freaking me out, because I had wrongly assumed you were 50-55ish, your experience is like old man skills. I can’t tell from the accent and by the hands turning pots 🤷‍♀️

[@mylarmelodies]

You’re only about 9 years out 😖 I started messing with gear when I was 16 and never stopped

[@cassildaandcarcosa294]

@@mylarmelodiesmakes you human :) also makes me feel better about my creative spaces!

[@ComposerBrad]

"Make it your business to research and get G.A.S. for the things you already own." This is absolutely brilliant advice and I find myself going back to videos for things I have all the time.

[@BeyondTyrants]

another benefit is that the ads in your feed will start showing you stuff you already own! Perfect Circuit will try to sell you things you bought from them! 🤣

[@mcolville]

Such good advice. Almost any module you got, there's a video somewhere on KZbin doing something AMAZING with it that will blow your mind and make you want to dive back in.

[@markfish8403]

If anyone reading this uses a Behringer step sequencer, please have a gander at the Maikshift Modular GP-82. A friend gifted me modules that he’d outgrown , one of them was the 182 sequencer. Happens that some clever chap in Australia designed a gate processor that allows one to add skips, ratcheted notes, random logic, and other modes. Only like 4-6 hp I think? 🤩

[@BeyondTyrants]

@@markfish8403 that's a good expander for step sequencers. I think back in the day they were supposed to make something like that for the Arp 2500 to expand its sequencer section but they never did and now I'm starting to see that same concept pop up in stuff like this

[@rustyjaw]

Not to plug a different YT channel, but on the subject of learning more about what you already own, I did just this last year after watching some videos by “Monotrail”. He has some fantastic tutorials on synthesis concepts that are fairly universal. I watched a number of them (sometimes a dozen times), practiced the techniques, building and rebuilding patches, and learned entirely new ways of using things I already had. On a few occasions, new tracks sprung (sprang?) to life as a result.

[@HIFI1965]

I'm taking a course with Brian Eno atm. His view is that "endless possibilities equals death". The point being is that if you are spending time thinking about "what modules do I need?", you are not creating. I get the "Limitations spawn creativity" philosophy. But sometimes limitations are just limitations and they are frustrating and just suck. I would, as an antidote, promote sampling. We have tons of gear that makes sounds. A good sampler can grab them, repitch them, apply envelopes, filters, etc. Get a module like the 1010 blackbox, so that you can fill your rig with sounds that you've curated. Use a vst on you computer to make FM sounds.....sample voices, field recordings, multi-sample your synths. Modulate those sounds with your Eurorack. But there is nothing that is more freeing than a good sampler.

[@bertrandvanasch]

Exactly ! Was thinking the same, I live to samples stuff from the modular or ableton and then re use them inside the modular with morphagene or squid salmple. Lots of fun !

[@vinylarchaeologist]

On the idea of "sampling your modular", techno artist Lucas Marchal has a great couple of YT videos of him sampling a small case into his Digitakt. Lots of good tips and ideas in there. Thanks for another thought-proviking video, Mr. Melodies! Lots of love.

[@darrellforbes5082]

Now there's a handsome lad with some sensible advice

[@mylarmelodies]

Oh YOU

[@claytonthedavis]

Wonderful advice. I would go even farther with VCV Rack and recommend having a complete, saved version of your modular setup as it currently exists on your table and (as much as possible) try using stock modules to do it. Then, in a little notepad on VCV, you can take an inventory of your functions: how many oscillators, how many envelopes, how many VCAs (not enough, probably) and so on. This has been SO helpful for me in figuring out what I have, what I want, and what I need.

[@mylarmelodies]

I like that - the digital twin of your system, for rapid prototyping/reorganisation or modification…never thought of that.

[@CatFish107]

Good idea. I just wanted to chime in with an antidote to "never enough vca" syndrome. Doepfer makes an octal vca that is just 3 columns of jacks. All vcas. Could not be more densely packed. I have yet to use all of it in a patch. As with most Doepfer gear, it is solid and fairly priced.

[@moogporridge]

I use an ES9 with vcv rack to get 8 cv channels into my modular mix which is great to help work out what adding another function can do, it’s like polyfill. That said my head switch is set more to buy.

[@bradon2318]

awesome idea claytonthedavis!

[@b0d0p33t3rs]

That's some solid advice. Keep on going back to your Shapeshifter video's, and Ben's (Divkid) video's on some of the modules I bought years ago. And I mean for years & years. The inspiration does really work, thanks for that!

[@mylarmelodies]

Nice one. Did you spot the SS in the background?! ;)

[@b0d0p33t3rs]

@@mylarmelodies I sure did! 🙂

[@SoundsMick]

Your studio looks so fun! playful organised chaos, CRT, cables, so much tech, it's a cool aesthetic. Regarding the topic of the video, my preference is designed systems now. I have lived in a persistent trade mode during my time in modular. I have gone away from building my own mixed-up Eurorack systems as I always had this kind of anxiety that my system design was not optimal and I was constantly swapping stuff out. After a year of not touching Eurorack, I got the MN ReSynthesizer and I really love it, I trust in the designers of the system, it really helps me accept it as an instrument without self-doubt and reduces any desire to break it up and swap out modules.

[@mylarmelodies]

The studio is mostly chaos Mick but I am slowly organising it!! And yeah the uber grown up approach is defo off the shelf systems. Replaces the years of planning out, with bleeping.

[@Winterdagen]

And that's exactly what you do Mylar, you inspire!! You may have inspired some of my purchases for sure, but mostly your videos and podcast are amazing food for the brain. I love getting inspired to try something I see in your videos with the stuff I already have indeed!

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks m8, moderation in all things (and something approaching balance) remains a good idea, if it can indeed be achieved!!

[@gabrielmanzanedo]

Watching videos on modules I own is something I definitely do. Seth Shafer, as well as your own videos on the Shapeshifter, are some of my favorites.

[@muzoid]

Great thought provoking video 👍 I think I naturally go through “buying ban” periods where I focus on what I have and not what I want. A good balance is important!

[@iiaaiiaannaaiiaaii]

100% nailed it in this video. The reason I really enjoy watching your videos about gear is specifically your enthusiasm for creation and to channel the enthusiasm and new ( to me ) ideas; to translate that to the gear I already have. I also have youtube playlists packed full of videos featuring the gear I already own and fill notebooks dedicated to single pieces of gear with tips and tricks, shortcuts and ideas for that bespoke gear. That being said, if I've been teetering on the edge of a particular purchase for years I have to be careful to not watch your "love letters to..." vignettes because I end up buying or trading for that DFAM after all. YET, HAPPILY- the double edged sword of your enthusiasm, lol. Still- though you have swung me, tipped me off the edge and I know I will eventually buy a Hydrasynth- I also promise myself "not until I've squeezed a lot more juice from that Microfreak." I playfully lay blame at your feet, but truth be told, it's already been a done deal in most cases. The most solid advice you've given here is the learning to covet the gear you already have. Something most of us mortals could get better at doing. For me it's just when I open up a whole new door, like say, microphones , that I am a danger to myself. (I need this one and that one and that one-croaks that little voice) To be so bold - I've had success with a technique I call the "go home to your wife" rule - in which I (try to) never buy a piece of gear after dark. If I am still so compelled in the cold, sober rays of daylight, then so be it. This actually, mostly, works. cheers.

[@TheAdamMalcolm]

One of the things I recently realised is that I love how turning off buying mode and just absorbing myself into the mystery land that is my Modulars, it’s slowly revealing itself to me over time with absolute moments of joy once something clicks!

[@kalikotronix]

Let me share two of my GAS-stopping techniques, the first one is, which you also mentioned here is to get inspired by the "new gear video" and think what gear I own that could replicate some of the sounds, features or techniques and most of the time it's my Octatrack MK1 that wins most especially when I am gassing for that quirky and shiny new effects pedal or module. Lastly, if I really need or want to buy that "new gear", my wife's rule is, I have to let go of an old gear to fund the new one. So far, these two techniques have been very effective for me. 🙂

[@planetplex]

Great talk! It’s the cycle we all go through. One thing I’ve been doing is if I buy something I have to also get rid of something. Another thing I do is I watch and re watch videos I’ve seen many times about modules I already have. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched your 0ctrl video and some others but it’s been a lot. The point is most of this gear is deep enough to have almost endless amounts of exploration. Especially when it comes to all the variables found in mixing and matching cv in Eurorack. Thanks for the discussion!

[@LillySchwartz]

Lots of great suggestions in this video! My GAS is held at bay with a series of rules surrounding gear purchases. I have a rule of finishing and releasing an album made with one of my instruments before I can buy another of the same kind, so I basically have to earn new gear by making music. Ideally new gear also has to be paid through bandcamp and KZbin, so I'm using my gear to bootstrap more gear. If I want a hardware synth that matches a soft synth emulation I first have to make an album with the soft synth to make sure I actually need the hardware. If I'm done with the sound after an album and the honeymoon is over, no need to buy it, right? I only bought a Solina after 2 albums with lots of Solina style sounds from a free plugin. Every module has to earn its keep too and I'm not allowing myself to DIY any new modules until I've made 4 tracks each with all the modules I already own. Bought modules are even more difficult to earn, I can only buy those from money I saved by DIYing my other modules! At my current rate my next module purchase is probably still a couple of years away. And I'm not allowed to sell stuff to fund new gear either. Whatever I buy will make me feel guilty with its presence if I don't use it, so I better think about it carefully 😂 This way I have reduced my purchases to stuff I will definitely use and I buy maybe 1-3 new things a year. Chase Bliss Mood MK 2 is this year's first purchase - I tried for 5 years to replicate it, but without much success. I think after all this time of resisting the temptation I've earned it 😅

[@CatFish107]

Sound pack building project is an excellent idea! Thank you for the inspiration.

[@RehenNodrog]

I love your idea of writing things down in order to get that dopamine hit without actually buying. This is another way I use Modular Grid, putting together fantasy racks and then telling myself, "If I sell 100 records, I will buy myself this system." Gets you the dopamine hit, helps you to put it away mentally and move on.

[@solongyouth]

Thankfully I'm nearly always broke so i have plenty of time to think about what my next module should be, and it also means i have to use what i have, which in turn informs my decision-making in a good way. I get GAS like anyone else but yesterday I decided to dive deeper into using Grids, Rample and Marbles together and ended up recording dozens of really useable loops. If I had cash to burn I probably would've spent my afternoon looking for a new filter online instead, while accomplishing precisely nothing. At the end of the evening I realized it would be super fun to add a sequential switch to the equation (I got this idea from you Mylar, thanks!) so i bought a secondhand Doepfer A-151 for 30 euros. Due to financial constraints I've had to take it slow but I would recommend it to anyone. Also, buying second hand has been invaluable for me. I got a Frap Tools 321 for 25 euros a few months ago and it has taught me so much. I really like this format, I hope you do more of it. Nice hat by the way!

[@frankscherbarth8641]

So well said!!! Your channel was one of the first I came across when I started modular and I remember you talking about sticking to a system for a while and learning it. Today I would confirm this...the benefit of learning your gear in depth. That is the essence of modular. Thanks Alex and a happy New Year!

[@ChrisMills-AmbientSpace]

I have one hole in my non-existent modular - Sealegs. I am crazy for the sounds that this can make. On the back of that it can be broken down into a delay network with some wibble options, and reverb (also wibbleable). I've been able to make some of the bits in Bitwig Studio and the sounds are cool and make me happy. Same with having emulated a Sherman Filterbank in Bitwig Studio. Building the emulation has taught me vast amounts of knowledge about how this works and finding new ways to make it go and stack it. Generally speaking your demos inform me of ways to drive Bitwig Studio's grid (or VCV Rack, or other thing). So yes, mate! Make music! And my Bitwig patches are available for others to play with for free.

[@Jonassonk]

Thank you - one of the best eurorack vids full stop!

[@unfamiliarenvironments]

Comparative Irrelevance’s Three Module Series is what I always tell people if they want to groc some common modules (types of modules) and see them used to their potentials in a minimalist format with patch diagrams - an ocean of learning for an ocean of questions

[@A_Nerds_Paradise]

This is an excellent video. Huge OG wisdom. The really brilliant thing to solve all problems, is one self. Back in the day when bedroom artists had a drum machine or two, along with sampler, and a basic synth keyboard, made extremely diverse and inspiring music.

[@CatFish107]

How I decided on what I wanted in my first rack was to use VCV exclusively for a good long while, and take note of what sorts of modules I used religiously, and if they were a straight HW clone, or if that functionality could be replicated at a lower cost with used gear. Availability and pricing of used modules on reverb with sellers inside my country largely dictated the specific vca or envelope or filter I bought. Some that were a for sure purchase were a DIY clone of befaco rampage (way more affordable than maths, and I know rampage well from vcv), cloned MI grids, instruo/divkid 0chd(this one was worth bnib retail to me), and chronoblob 2. Love a clockable delay with send and return. Mmmmmmmmm

[@real_anxst]

Great ideas here, and I wholeheartedly agree.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I have a deliberate 'hole' in my system I call the 'dock'. It's 20 HP and it fits one or more 'guest' modules. As for the concept of 'system', it's not a box full of modules, it's an ecosystem where everything you'd need is there. I don't want this to be a MakeNoise Shared System promo, but I always use it as a template because it's kind of complete. There's Maths (lfo, envelopes, functions, math, etc, etc), DPO (dual VCO), ModDemix (VCA ringmod), delay and reverb, clocks, randomness, sequencing, human interaction and sampling/looping. It may not be a techno machine so this is more about functional roles. As for Techno, MM is a prime resource.

[@CatFish107]

I like to approach synths and synthesis and sound manipulation from perhaps a broader lense. I sometimes do music, but I also enjoy just experimenting with sounds and fx. Building horror esque soundscapes, noise art, weird field recordings mangled through granular processors, and silly little ditties. All kinds of creative audio art fun stuff. Very little music. Even less of it is listenable. On the other hand, your video on grids led me to use it extensively in vcv rack, and eventually putting a clone in a small box with some drum modules, and I use it with a little portable speaker for drum jams with djembe players. Anyhow, ranty ramble over 🎉

[@supercompooper]

I GIVE YOU THE BEST ADVICE: flat metal eurorack blank panels. 😊

[@mylarmelodies]

Plus you can drill em and turn them into mults or attenuators

[@scottkinder4888]

Beyond just Modular, which I basically traded throughout COVID times, since then it’s been about how I hook up, send/return and route other stuff (samplers, guitars, pedals, MIDI) in and around my studio. That’s been a huge unlock for me!

[@23Gears]

My approach is that I have to make everything myself. I have exceptions outside of the modular case, but they are quite simple things like keyboards, mixers and cassette machines. But everything in the rack is home made or a kit. That has helped me kewp my costs and my rate of acquisition in check.

[@CatFish107]

That's a good idea. Might be a neat move to get into building diy synth gear with a few pals that you could swap modules back and forth with.

[@equalequalslopezcartoons3702]

Yep what helps me is look up features and try to reproduce through code or modular. In other words gear videos are more something to translate.

[@cohaagenup]

You got me at “Tim Hecker”.

[@AndyVonal]

Great suggestions... ban implemented, focus on what I have... make a sample pack to go into the BitBox MIcro.... brilliant! I'm on it!

[@pixelbound8819]

Ive finally learnt to manage my GAS by acknowledging I need to learn what makes a good song good before spending money on more synths and modules as if it were gonna make me a better musician

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Lovely to see your face, Mr. MM. Excellent monologue here! I quite like the idea of getting GASsed up for the gear we already have by diving more deeply into to it. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@daylightprojections]

One of my favorite things to do is to take a piece of gear I own and exclusively watch videos about it for ideas; like if I’m going down the KZbin rabbit hole, do it on stuff I have rather than what I don’t. It’s amazing the number of times I’ve walked away inspired (I did that just yesterday with one of yours!).

[@thewheel3167]

This is partially why I love Noise Engineerings stuff so much, being able to buy into one of their platforms and getting access to like 7 different modules is incredible while not requiring me to actually buy all those modules

[@billcosgrave6232]

Excellent discussion. The best advice I have heard on a KZbin channel so far!

[@michaelkonomos]

Watching videos about gear that I really want and then walking away with an idea of something new that I can do with my current gear is totally my thing. It feels amazing when it happens and I’m really glad that you talked about this because I think it’s a great strategy For encouraging self control.

[@mylarmelodies]

Yep and I am totally guilty of buying the novel thing I’m obsessing about. But usually these days if you have a computer, you’ve probably got a way of making a version of something.

[@bodhibeats8257]

Terrific video! Lots of great ideas. For me, that last one…buy the *idea*…has really worked for me. In particular, I’ve come to love watching videos about some hot new hardware and then getting curious about “hey can I do that with Ableton?” Often you can. And if you do, you’ll either realize the idea isn’t for you or confirm that yes…you really do need that new Elektron box. Win/win. 😁

[@cardboardmusic]

I like your buying ban remark. I've always found that a good thing to do is when you see a new module, watch a video on it to understand what it really does, then leave it for a few weeks. You'll often get sidetracked by another new module on the market, and so the process carries on. In the end you find that your 'hunger' for each module dies down and, you realise it was GAS. But, sometimes you keep coming back to the same module understanding it does have the function you're looking for. That's when you can start to make a more informed purchase.

[@PajamaLlamaLand]

Great advice here! I also never let myself buy (or sell!) any modules without having read through the whole manual front to back, or re-read in the case of selling. Makes it just that bit harder to impulse buy that new fancy module, or you may even end up realizing that it's got some limitation you weren't aware of. And of course the reverse is true when thinking of getting rid of a module- you might realize it's got some features you weren't using, or more often new applications for the features it does have.

[@scottadams7820]

Best thing for a hole in a rack? Blank panels

[@scottymac3634]

This was a beautiful video with one of the highest number of insights per minute I’ve ever seen. One of the joys of modular seems to be squeezing the most out of what you have and coming up with ingenious workarounds. It’s a completely different mindset from making music (classical violinists don't have this problem). Perhaps part of the process of deciding if modular is for you should be honestly deciding if that sort of thing is fun to you or a nightmarish impediment to making actual music.

[@MoeShinola1]

If VCV Rack still have a free version, I'd say DL that and use KZbin tutorials to make easy patches from the factory modules. Then you'd know what hardware to look for.

[@bradon2318]

I really really appreciate this video. Very good to keep those GAS thoughts in perspective. I love watching videos on gear and it does fuel the fire but I also love the room backdrop you chose for this, because it shows you clearly have a lot of gear that is stacked up but most of it is in piles not in use (love that old CRT monitor too haha) and that is really not what I want my life to be, but it will be if I keep buying gear. There are only 2 hands and so much time in the day and in life that we have. One thing I was lusting after recently was an Intellijel steppy... but then I realized I actually already have a perfectly good external T-1 sequencer which is more powerful in a lot of ways, but I can basically clock the T-1 from an external source use it in much the same way it will work exactly the same way as would Steppy. I have only been doing modular for a few months but I would say the most invaluable thing is also VCV rack where you can try and test concepts for workflow and it's totally free. Another small story.. I even dusted off an old Drehbank midi controller I've had for nearly 20 years collecting dust as an input to control modular in VCV and it worked really well. The reality is you probably have enough gear in the studio with one or two things already to get started. I think a good rule of thumb is you should really want a piece of equipment for several months before buying it. This stuff is expensive and it is no joke. The essence of creativity is putting things together in new ways well said!

[@WoolwichHouseStudio]

As one who is in GAS remission, I found that I weirdly enjoyed the researching and buying of stuff more satisfying than the playing of gear. And having lots of things meant I rarely scratched below the surface of the instruments' full potential. More stuff definitely stifled virtuosity and innovation.

[@arturflor]

Appreciate this one, thank you! My fav anti-GAS practice is learning more about devices I already own.

[@TheMorbidMagpie]

I’ve just started in modular, so so much choice and I want them all 😂 Mi clones are top of the list, I’ve got some turning up soon, I’m gonna go from there

[@Jimantronic]

Great chat m8! The thing that’s really helped me in this regard is recognising that the truly free and satisfying playing and the characterful interesting music comes once there’s a familiarity and a certain level of exploration done and that has a time investment associated. So now along with financial cost, I try to consider the time cost needed in order to assimilate a piece of gear and ponder on whether I have completed that time investment with the stuff I have already.

[@domgraveson1942]

Sensible and empathic advice... thankyou. Particularly the idea of GASing for gear you have, and putting it away till you want it again. Its a complicated business right now. No one makes money from music, and with streaming so stacked against creatives, gear has become the new economic theatre. So musician folks find it very tempting to use their audience to showcase gear - leading to this inevitable stream of new temptations for the audience. There are many 'sythfluencers' who make clickbait titles 'this is a game changer!' etc. I do think there is a realisation from the community that this consumerism cant go on forever, while thats a challenge to the incomes of people with channels. Its good to talk about it. We all want gear for different reasons - somone who was talking about drinking has a HALT approach before having a drink (am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?). I think theres some equivalence here. :)

[@redlester]

Another tip: watch videos about gear that’s SIMILAR to what you own. I recently watched The Unperson’s great video on Clouds, which I do not own, but it inspired me to re-evaluate and spend more time with Beads to the extent I got sounds from it I never did before and fell in love with it all over again!

[@MoreCanModular]

Love this video (tbh love all your videos, even the ones that bankrupted me🤣). I recently built a new case and suprised myself that i still had modules left over🤣decided to stop and pause for a while now. The things i built & bought i decided i needed through using it over years, using the rack showed me what i needed if tgat makes sense? Never made a sample pack or did muxh in the way of recording, like to lose myself in the moment tbh, kind of therapy! I hope your patreon finds his way, this is the way

[@stuartcommon4651]

I only buy things once a year, sadly this year was front ported monitors which can be pushed further back allowing more space for GAS 🤦‍♂️🤣 No more buying gear in until next year though... resistors, transistors, capacitors and PCBs to DIY modules certainly doesn't count, right? 🤔🤣🤣

[@mylarmelodies]

You’re fine - those are components, not gear! 👀😬

[@stuartcommon4651]

@@mylarmelodies phew! I like that distinction between the two 😉

[@unsoundmethodology]

Some very good suggestions! I'm very slowly building out my (mostly kit/DIY) system, and there are a number of holes to fill in, but yes - trying out hacky ways of getting different sounds and processes with what you have is probably half the fun of modular. (I'm not even sure I can describe the patch I'm playing with right now in terms that make any sense; it involves using an analog sequencer and a logic module to skip certain of its eight gate steps, and an adapter for a STEM building toy kit to prototype what I'm calling the Dumbest Possible Quantizer.)

[@kumichou5695]

I'm doing this now finally. I spent the last 4 years putting together my modular & while i've always played around with it I never sampled anything. Most nights these days i patch from scratch & sample into bitwig as well as my digitakt, eventually i'll have a huge library of sounds to make tracks with i think. And although I have no holes in my system anymore I'll probably end up swapping some modules out eventually. For now i'm in Use Mode.

[@modularnepl900]

ohh this one more module wouldnt ruin my budget and it will give me so much more possibilities ;)

[@orvingtonshamoan6657]

Excellent advice, I am still finding new ways to use the OG maths, which is the module that made me get it and it was because of your video (what the merry hell is this) My quest is to pick a sample recorder and player, too improvise, from pre recorded samples and to mash live samples…. I don’t use computers to record a patch, only cassette…. Out going Luddite in the house…. Good work Alex

[@brianbrill]

When in doubt, buy utilities.

[@mylarmelodies]

Generally always a good idea for a system that’s usable/refineable

[@ElectricWound]

Probably the most important video of them all.

[@janetravis159]

Fav current module for me. Envy Machine. Fabulous

[@sunnyschramm9650]

11:20 THAT helps me ALWAYS to get rid of G.A.S. for any kind of gear 🥰👍

[@PaulWalker-lk3gi]

I realy like this point -- watch gear videos for inspiration -- how does a particular gear interface change the way that the user thinks about creating sound and music? How can you apply those perspectives to your own existing equipment setup? A sort of metaprogramming approach.

[@HIFI1965]

I think the question can be rephrased in a way of what colors do I want to add to my palette? So if you want to perform live with modular, do you need to perform everything? Probably not. Use sampling to fill the gaps for the things that you will not perform.

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Also, Trent Reznor has spoke to using the same approach you mentioned Tim Hacker using - deciding beforehand what gear to use for a track or selection of tracks because with the amount of gear he has, too many options can be stifling or even paralyzing to the creative process

[@clucida]

Thanks for this video !

[@sqwook]

Hope you feel better soon

[@danielmiller5015]

Thank you so very much for helping me realize not to feel guilty about the state of chaos that my studio space is currently. If that makes sense? It’s apart of the process of creating. In a sea of millions of perfectly curated tailored synth videos. This camera angle and choice, is liberating in a way I didn’t expect when I hit play. Cheers!

[@mylarmelodies]

Ha yes the truth is unvarnished - my studio looks like a junk shop at best

[@danielmiller5015]

@ ha! Same!

[@kallemustonen]

Thank you, friendly face of the magic modular hands 🙏

[@compucorder64]

I've forced myself to stick with a 6U Rackbrute. If I wanted to buy something, I'd have to sell something. And there's nothing I want to let go of. That said, that didn't stop me then expanding it's capabilities with an Oxi One. Though I justified that as good value compared to the rack of sequencer/modulation/random modules that would be needed to do what that does. I guess I wouldn't be against a standalone Empress Zoia Euroburo sidecar type situation. My Rackbrute sits alongside my Moog Grandmother. They expand each other. I guess that's another way of looking at it, instead of what's the new thing, what would let me do more with what I already have.

[@ambitsmusic]

I will often get GAS, and then I think… can I do that with the octotrack and I go.. yes. I haven’t bought a drum machine or sampler in ages. Making a sample pack from the modular to put in the octotrack is also very inspiring

[@advaita9156]

Rocking the VAGA hat, love it. My choice of running hats too :)

[@mylarmelodies]

Remind me to do a run in it!!

[@jamesbowsher-murray128]

Video idea? I would watch you make a sample pack with your modular. Just watching you go through the process and possibly start jamming with it, would be great.

[@alextkalenko]

Great "speech"! :D About creating samples, I'm curious to know how people do it in detail. For example, if you say, "today is bass drum day". How do you do it? you record 10 min of sounds tweaking knobs and then select some from the 1000? You record it with the filter fully open so you can change it in Daw/Digitakt? Etc...(any videos on this someone can recommend?) PD: You are right about you adding gas with your videos, I'm still struggling in my head regarding buying a Hydrasynth or not. I said, "wait! I have Pigments!" - and de little devil on the other shoulder said "but you do not have all so hands on!" or "You look at the same screen 8hs a day in your day job!" :D Again, great video/ideas, as always. Thank you and greetings from Spain.

[@wishbonebrewery]

Also... get a Disting mk4! Make something harsh if you always make nice smooth things, and visa versa! Make the worst possible sound you can but then make a track with from it.

[@TheCubanGiant]

Kind of a non-answer to that question imo. But I understand giving it, the answer is definitely more complex and different from case to case....and also from eurorack case to case. imo, Step 1 should be knowing what you want to create, and for this reason, the most difficult person to give advice to is the person who wants to just play around with "ambient". Other genres have actual defined elements to their song and a typically well documented structure to follow, so, you want the MINIMUM amount of voices for creating the required sounds, the real meaty part isnt the sounds but is making the structure of the songs. So, step 2 is definitely determining whether or not you expect the song creation part is going to be done only within your modular system or will be done with the inclusion of other tools. That's a BIG part. If you want to only use Eurorack, your biggest hurdle will be creating the structure of your song. So, the big step 3 is literally drawing out your plan for how the signal paths are going to work. Voices from module to module and CV from module to module. What you need will be clear, start buying the modules that will get you the biggest chunks of what you need first, pick up the rest as you can afford and STAY FOCUSED ON THE PICTURE. You will be able to swap out modules or try new things for the GAS of it, after you've completed the machine. But if we put that notion aside and we simply say in our heart, "I love eurorack and I am dedicated to this and I want to learn as much possible and be equipped to do so". I think the first goal is quite simple and easy to explain, you literally want 1 of everything. Go to modular grid, go to the type dropdown and buy one of each type. (not 1 module that have everything listed, 1 module dedicated to each of those purposes) But when it comes to VCOs, Envelopes, VCAs, Mixers and LFOs, you probably want at least 2 or 3 of each of those asap and you definitely need an Analog VCO with as many different dedicated waveform outputs as you are willing to have HP for, Digital VCOs are great and all but, there is so much more you can accomplish with 1 VCO that has a ton of individual outputs.... But yeah, get 1 of everything else, and you are now prepared to learn and replicate 95% of what there is to learn with modular synthesis. It only gets really tricky when you toss in an absurd constraint like, "I want to do as much as possible...in 52hp"....

[@ToyKeeper]

I just watched Some More News's video about AI art, where he argued that it's not making anything new or creative, it's just putting parts of existing things together in new ways. "They're just cross-pollinating things that exist. Nothing new is created. ... it's just a parrot... it's just taking human created content, shuffling it around and randomly or not-so-randomly regurgitating it in a way that seems unique." Then I watched mylarmelodies, who concluded with "the essence of creativity is putting existing things together in new ways". Wild that youtube happened to show me these two videos back-to-back.

[@kellymerrill5294]

When he points to stacks of synths, computer parts and various gear without looking is totally me.

[@roszyknuke]

Anyone with no experience working with modular synthesis should start by running a virtual system like VCV Rack or Voltage Modular on their computer for FREE. Cardinal Modular ( a subset of VCV Rack) can even run live without anything needing to be installed. It will let you explore many hundreds of available modules, try synthesis concepts prior to spending a penny on hardware.

[@Jbizzle4shizzle-d5j]

I really love your videos and this was good too ..but I never picture the young handsome guy behind the charming old soul voice

[@mylarmelodies]

You're very kind to call me young!! x

[@markfish8403]

The Stoicheia video, touching on the finer points of Euclidean math, Euclidean rhythms, 2300 years in the making is worth another episode, do 2 Stoicheia (i), one clocked double time of the other. I wanted to buy that as my first module. Bought a headphone output. 🤷‍♀️

[@moolder]

Totally besides the point but I love the Atari ST pile in the background. Reminds me of my youth and that I still have two machines in my attic 🙂

[@mylarmelodies]

Big vid on the Atari to come when I get these ones fettled (have two, one good and one in bits needing a RAM upgrade)

[@van_daddy_z]

Those "what do I feel my hole with" asks in the eurorack community are one of my biggest pet peeves. The majority of posters don't even state what the goal of their system is. I feel if you are using your system enough you will pretty much know what you need. If there is some patch where you are lacking something, or something is complicated to set up that you could easily achieve with a dedicated module, or there is some type of cv source, sound or timbre you are missing. But then I remember that a lot of these people are likely just hobbyist collectors, and they make the market which supports the builders which produce all the modules for those that make music with eurorack use.

[@CatFish107]

Suggest a PLL module. Almost guaranteed they don't have anything that does what it does. The challenge then, will be to find a use for it.

[@van_daddy_z]

@ this is the way.

[@wishbonebrewery]

Gear is Good haha Modular tips; Realise you will make bad purchases, you will sell on those things and try again.

[@g0iks]

thank you very much for the lovely insights my parasocial bestie! i appreciate your sharing, vulnerability and honesty with yourself; it helps me be true to my own self.

[@julianhigginson5946]

I find my self watching about new software and then thinking can I already do that with my existing gear and the answer is usually yes - turn gas into inspiration

[@hjhkjhre454554]

Want an MS20 gritty synth sound? Put your Juno though a Wasp filter. Want an elekron workflow? Your Push can do that. Want a DX7? Disting Ex does a better job. Want wavetable synth? Disting again. Need midi to CV? disting. Want a tracker workflow? Redux trial version, then realise it's a rubbish way to work. And on and on...

[@HIFI1965]

VCV Rack.

[@geusensdriesmusic]

What about build mode?

[@mylarmelodies]

It’s a close neighbour of buy mode!! Somehow it feels a bit more like a nice hobby in its own right, whereas defo the only hobby being “buying things” doesn’t feel as good to me…

[@metanim1]

I want to be in buy mode but I am a uni student

[@mylarmelodies]

When I was a student all I can remember being able to buy was an edu copy of Ableton Live (v3) - even that is more gear than one can master in a lifetime. use mode is a good place to be

[@corticallarvae]

Function is the best thing, stay monastic… follow engineers you admire..

[@StephenMcLeod]

I legit thought you were me from this thumbnail.

[@StephenMcLeod]

p.s. I love this video. Great reflections and advice.

[@nicolalancerotti]

Or use those money to buy a great book about synthesis/modular techniques (Allen Strange's for example) or other media (Hordijk's masterclasses, etc) that can help making music/sounds that are not module-specific. And yes, a lot of times you're tempted to buy a module but you don't realise that a combination of the modules you already have may achieve the same result...

[@snörre23]

The processes are already separated, i buy stuff that i never use. Gas for it, when it arrives play with it for an hour and put it away because i don't have enough time. And space. My livingroom and my whole place looks like the room you are in here.

[@ToyKeeper]

If someone has no clue what they're doing, they shouldn't be trying to get into eurorack. Just get some free music software and a midi controller and focus on learning. Then *if* you need something later on, you'll know it.

[@lindsaywebb1904]

I like the advice but what you've described is the idea of Serge patch programmability. For that you only need 5 or six types of modules but the Eurorack market is too vast... So Many modules each with their own trick

[@mylarmelodies]

Definitely modules out there built around that philosophy tho! Very hard concept to get to grips with if you’re new, I struggle with understanding all the capabilities of stuff like that.

[@fabiancortes6255]

I have a hole in my pockets ,after the eurorack modular odyssey

[@cousins_saunders]

I literally want a sequential switch now. I didn't when I started this video.

[@mylarmelodies]

😂 (Utilities rule)