How to build a basic Modular Setup by Panic Girl | Thomann

[@PanicGirlVids]

Thanks so much for having me 🙌

[@Yuzuki1337]

Thank you for making this! Seems like a really solid video so far. :)

[@PanicGirlVids]

@@Yuzuki1337 Glad to hear that, thanks!! ^_^

[@Yuzuki1337]

@@PanicGirlVids If it helps you in any way, what I like so far is that you're breaking down the modules really well and your sound demos help a lot too! I don't know much about modular synths but I can follow along just fine and you build a great picture of how these modules work! ^-^

[@PanicGirlVids]

@@Yuzuki1337 That's actually the nicest feedback you can give me as this is exactly what I was aiming for 🔥

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thank you so much for being here 🙏❤

[@alinn.4341]

Why is everything so expensive? $700 for a case. $800 for a sequencer and so on... These are hipster prices...

[@jonathanyoung6397]

I will watch anything that Panic Girl presents, she has such a great talent for explaining what’s she’s doing plus she’s super mellow and relaxing to listen to!

[@frankcavallo]

this basic setup is worth 5000 eur. Eurorack is the door to poverty.

[@gamma_noize]

A good alternative to passive Mutl modules are those star shaped Monomult "thingies" for example made by "Black Market". Those cost about 9€, which is way cheaper than any passive mult module and they don't take up valuable space in your rack, but they do the same thing as any passive mult module. If you go for a mult module, you might rather choose an active mult, which buffers the input and output signals. This has the advantage of not reducing the voltage when you connect multiple modules which draw more current than the supplying module can deliver. The voltage may drop, if a source can't supply enough current. This is especially "deadly" to pitch CV and its stability. If you want to feed multiple oscillator module from the same pitch CV source, it's highly recommended to split the pitch CV by using an active multiple to guarantee a stable pitch!

[@NicolasMelis]

great video! thank you for the info!

[@pbl6888]

This video shows HOW to start building a modular synth, but it does not answer the fundamental question: WHY should I go modular?

[@rayderrich]

Pretty scary how fast a rack fills up with just a few necessary modules, not to mention the cost. But boy is it awesome to see and hear. Good presentation Panic Girl!

[@ElectronicChateau]

Every time I watch one of these beginners set up videos I'm still none the wiser. Probably best to keep my money in my pocket and learn the synths I've already got for now 😂

[@nunsc]

Awesome video. More people need to know about modular synthesis.

[@pihenhenripi4430]

Thanks for this video !! Want more ^^

[@lailahadams628]

Where do u plug the synth in order to get it powered or turn it on? Online says something about a power connector

[@nickgarber30]

fantastic intro to eurorack video, wish I had this a few years ago

[@PanicGirlVids]

Thanks so much ^_^

[@DarkSunGwyn]

sehr schön, mehr davon!

[@sklandarok]

Ziemlich gut...vielen dank 🙏❤️🖖

[@286EN]

Thank you, Panic Girl Ж)

[@mpingo91]

I'd love to see your Rene v1 tutorial sometime. I don't think I understand this sequencer. 🤔

[@cosmo6tem]

Thanks you very much .....i started modular ans your work hello me lot of ......French kiss and thanks afin 🙏😉👍

[@HenriDeCarvalho]

The modular world require a big investment of time and money. It is a good thing to learn basics os synthesis. Especialy before investing for not risking buying expensive modules that don't fit your needs, your desires. I learn a lot via youtube channels (mylarmelodies, Divkid, learnmodular), online ressources like forums and apps like "Rack"... of course i'm still learning because it is a ongoing process.

[@EleniEliades_]

Lovely tutorial for learning about Modular Synthesis. It's fantastic that you are providing this series of videos for beginners! Yasou ~💡🎶🎛👏🏽💥❗

[@acdnrg]

While personally I´m way beyond that stage (24U and growing), I appreciate the clear and helpful presentation. It´s a very good start with good choices. What I would advise is planning 2-3 helper modules per "main" module - mults, attenuverters, attenuators etc. Otherwise you run into issues once your patches start growing more complex.

[@AzraelSilent]

May I ask, when you say "24U and growing," how much ($ or euro) in modules/fun are we talking about?

[@acdnrg]

@@AzraelSilent Hm, I never thought about that, things just piled up over the years, more than 10 in my case. By now I guess it´s probably a 5 digit number, which sounds big at first glance. Compared to spending a few thousand bucks on a workstation synth in one go, it´s much more manageable. Comes in chunks, a VCO here, a VCF there, whenever you have the budget. Most of my Eurorack stuff is DIY though, case included, which dramatically cuts cost and has become another hobby on it´s own. Example: frequency central berlin school (8-step sequencer): Kit is 42 GBP + some parts, say 20 GBP. Assembled module is 175 GBP. You do the math. Buying used modules via modulargrid and other platforms also helps. 24U is definitely overkill, but I prefer to not think about space requirements any more. Same in modules: For example, my clouds clone is the grayscale supercell and eats 34hp - but ergonomics are second to none. Makes it very wiggable. Likewise, for high density modules I prefer to have 1 or 2 hp of blank panels left and right, so I can better play with the outer pots at least. I started with smaller cases, Rackbrute, Mantis, Go and then ran into limits too often (if only there was space for just one more LFO) Issues with noise and hum when cross-connecting on top of that. So one day I decided to put an end to this, build a single large system, and boom, these problems are gone. Last not least, I also do FX and mixing in the case, mainly for CV purposes, which eats hp at a high rate. For the growing part: The monstercase is more than big enough and has enough room for growth (no surprise) I think about building a small skiff for detached sequencing and CV - this will not control the modular, but might add a few tricks to the more conventional synths, even if I have to translate to MIDI. Think advanced arpeggiators or cross modulations of multiple generators, all the things you can do in bitwig grid, just with physical controls in the first place. Fun: Yeah, it still is. And did I mention that DIY is a ton of fun as well? From the first kit to learning SMD soldering, if you´re the type, you can enjoy that stuff :)

[@Tofu_Pilot]

@@AzraelSilent I have $9K in only 12U. I may have gone too hard.

[@erikengheim1106]

Hey can anyone answer some questions from a Modular Synth noob who is very curious to get into this? I honestly don't get the point. Like you can do all of this stuff in a computer right? So why build these expensive large and impractical systems? How come there is a sizable market for this? Now you might ask why I ask such negative questions when I express a desire to get into this? Well, I am a big geek and love technical stuff like this with cool buttons and dials. I am a computer guy but I love the physicality of this. Being able to work analog. Perhaps similar reason I am fascinated by mechanical calculators. So for me it is an emotional technical sort of appeal. Not purely rational. But surely that cannot be the reason so many others get into this? There most be some more rational explanation? Or is fun really the main driver of this phenomenon?

[@cthulhurising666]

Great video! Would you mind sharing the details on what looks like some kind of tape delay and the wooden device during the jam? Just curious what those two are.

[@PanicGirlVids]

The wooden instrument is the Cocoquantus2 by Ciat-Lonbarde, an 8bit sampler and looper device. And the tape you are seeing is a reel to reel cassette in a cassette recorder from Sony if I remember correctly. I'm using it to play back a field recording here 😇

[@cthulhurising666]

@@PanicGirlVids Thanks! I'm old enough to remember tape players, but here I was thinking it was some kind of of delay 🤣.

[@TheSzyko]

Amazing video! Lots of interesting modules, maybe I will get into modular soon

[@jay.quentin]

Don't do it! It's a trap.

[@coloradocolin]

​ @Thomann Synthesizers Youre missing a golden opportunity not adding direct links to all these modules to the video description. Im convinced and ready to buy

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

We added a list with the gear used in this video in the description! What did you went for?

[@boriscat1999]

external sequencer and keyboard is nice because you can move the keyboard where it is comfortable for you to play. it's harder to position a eurorcase case.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Excellent presentation, thank you!

[@jeremjerem]

"basic modular setup" : 4 000 euros 😂🤣

[@mareikemacinnes7764]

And the best is, they tweak 3 hours and it sounds like a Microkorg Patch I tweak in 5 Minutes. Wow ;)

[@TomKarches]

@@mareikemacinnes7764 If a MicroKorg suits your needs, then buy one. If one feels the need to be more experimental, then modular is good for that.

[@TomKarches]

You could do this with the Erica Synths DIY modules. That would be well under 1000 euro.

[@mareikemacinnes7764]

@@TomKarches I already own the Mikrokorg Classic! It was my first synthesizer I bought in 2012. I've been making beats with the mpc for 24 years, using Ableton since version 6 and Reason since version 3 have a Tr 909, 808, 606,TB 303, 303 Devilfish, SH 101, Minimoog, Pro 1 and DX7 clone and see absolutely no point 4000 Spending Euros on Modular where all my equipment including my Mackie 1642 and my Adam T5V cost so much! ;)

[@X-101]

Why not recommend the BSP as it can sequence and sync with your daw and it's cheap

[@anthonylecornec8952]

what is the tape loop she is using?

[@frankyeichler3303]

Ach, ich liebe diesen Kanal! Vielen Dank an Panic Girl für die Einführung. Ich will mich schon lang in dieses Abenteuer stürzen, jedoch macht mir der finanzielle Aspekt ein wenig Angst, da ich wahrscheinlich meine gesamten Ersparnisse vernichten würde. Ein herzliches Dankeschön an alle Beteiligten

[@acdnrg]

Probier´s doch mal mit einem kleinen System haben sie gesagt. So ein Mini Skiff reicht oftmals schon haben sie gesagt. Und irgendwann wurde mir klar, warum man auch von Eurocrack spricht :D. Spaß beiseite: Wenn Du nicht grad zwei linke Hände hast: Es gibt sehr gute DIY Kits, auch für Anfänger - ich hab so das Löten gelernt. Und man kann kräftig dabei sparen: Beispiel: Frequency Central. Ein fertig aufgebauter 8 Step Analogsequencer: grob 250 Euro. Das gleiche als Teilbausatz: 62 Euro, restliche Teile (Standardkomponenten) ca 40,-. Fertige Kits mit ALLEN teilen liegen irgendwo dazwischen. Die Spanne ist nicht immer so groß, aber insgesamt lohnt es sich - und nicht nur finanziell. Man lernt ja auch was dabei und inzwischen repariere ich viel selbst. Neulich zB komplettes Recapping eines 19" Compressors.

[@neuzethmusic131]

Btw you don't necessarily need a Midi CV USB module when starting out, with a CV keyboard controller like the Keystep or Beatstep you can go straight into the 1V/OCT or PITCH IN of an oscillator to play notes. And the gate for example goes into the envelope generator/ADSR.

[@PanicGirlVids]

That’s definitely true! But I still wanted to include a Eurorack module for this functionality for those who don’t have a Keystep, Beatstep or similar in their studio and want to connect their keyboards without CV/Gate, but with MIDI to their system for example

[@neuzethmusic131]

@@PanicGirlVids I see. I have a Modulör 114 in my rack which is fab cause it has a lot of utilty build in like the USB IN/Clock/Pitch/Gate interface. Most of my sequences are going out of Ableton and straight into the Modulör Interface and than via CV into the rest of the rack. I had a Beatstep Pro twice 😂, but sold it, because I didn't find it ideal for sequencing melodic stuff/notes.

[@titouanducourau]

Hi ! Nice patch. Does someone know how much does it cost?

[@SidRockett]

Around 2k €.

[@GrumpyOldGuy777]

Is the Behringer system 55 good for a beginner?

[@in_10z]

I see some others have already commented this, but even after being into modular for some years now watching this video is a delight and so well done. On top of it, I'm sitting here making a personal shortcut cheat sheet for Ground Control when Panic Girl pulls out that very module as her seq module of choice. Ahhh like minds!

[@denniso7937]

I see a tool shirt, i press like. Nice.

[@ab8jeh]

One row is really enough if you have some pico modules and you dont have 4000 euros to fill a larger one.

[@mauriziozambelli7328]

Alcuni moduli non sono più in catalogo

[@stephencrane561]

Hello! I'm a longtime synthesist (40-odd years!) but only started my modest modular system in September '22. My DAW of choice is Cubase (v12) and I'm finding composing / writing / playing using only a Keystep 37 and Behringer 182 (plus Doepfer 156-2 quantiser) as my sequencers not particularly productive. I'm not a bleeps / bloops / experimental or 4-on-the-floor dance kinda composer - I value melody highly! So, I try to write stuff like Thomas Bergersen, Hans Zimmer, Christopher Franke, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Kebu, Honeyroot, Portishead, Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, etc., etc. -melodic instrumentals as opposed to meandering ambient or highly-repetitive 'dance' material. You've gotta be able to hum one of my toonz afterwards ... or I bin it! As such, I've decided to integrate my Eurorack setup into the rest of my system, clocking my Melodicer from my DAW. How have you found the Doepfer A-190-4? Are there any noteworthy limitations, shortcomings or serious quirks worthy of note ... the sort of thing which makes you question a purchase? Thanks... Flippin' 'eck - that was longer than I'd planned for!

[@MichaelHradek]

This is one of the best videos ever.

[@mtommy84]

Tool t-shirt

[@PanicGirlVids]

[@Strages_Powers]

Hi, what is the mult for?

[@PanicGirlVids]

You can use it for different purposes. I mainly use it to have copies of the main clock & main melody available to then patch it to different modules in my system

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Excellent video. What's the tape in the top right doing?

[@sonicspecter]

With limited budget you should consider any semi modular synthesizer as a starting point for your modular journey. Then add some effects and utilities before you go all in with multiple rows of modules worth thousands of dollars…

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

A Zoia pedal might be a good alternative to a small eurorack. A Zoia euroburo is would be even better if you later do decide that you want to go full modular

[@abbylarson909]

This lady is so foxy! Great information, thanks so much.

[@myhandlehasbeenmishandled]

What's that little thing all the way in top right corner that looks like a tape player?

[@sebastianliberona8241]

Hello and many thx for this video. I was wondering which kind of cables you use to connect your cosmix mixer to the notepad-12FX?

[@robthebloke]

As far as DI boxes go, I’ve heard some recommendations for the radial Pro D2 (although I’ve not used that one). You’d need a pair of 3.5mm to 1/4” mono cables for that. The cuir might be a better option for the 12fx though (because you could use any pair of channels - eg 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, or 7/8; which might give you a bit more flexibility). It even comes with a pair of TRS cables (although they are a little on the short side)

[@fruchticaramelos9013]

Auch wenn ich schwer daran interessiert bin meine Produktionen mit Eurorack geklapper zu erweitern, denke ich, dass es gefährlich ist, weil es süchtig machen könnte und man viel zu viel Geld ausgeben würde, für Module die man eigentlich gar nicht braucht, wenn man weiß wie Synthesizer bedient werden. Selbst hier kann man sich tausende Möglichkeiten zur Modulation durch zugewiesene LFOs freischalten, sofern man digitalgesteuerte Synths hat mit einer CC Liste. Dieses Eurorack gedudel hört sich echt oft ziemlich gleich an und teilweise einfach nur nervig und das hat dann auch nichts mehr mit einem echten modualren wie von Moog oder Buchlar gemein. Und dann diese ganzen Kabel, wie will man denn da spontan und kreativ sein, naja. Lieber nicht. es gibt auch nur ganz wenige Leute, wo sich das echt nach was anhört komischerweise. Aber das ist ja bekanntlich Geschmackssache. Die Vorstellung (das können die jungen Leute von heute echt gut) war echt prima und hat einen soliden Einblick in diese Welt eröffnet. Ich zwinge mich es besser nicht zu tun und somit dem GAS zu entkommen. Es braucht sehr lange, bis man verstanden hat, was man für sich benötigt, um das zu erreichen was man möchte. Gandi z.B. ist am Ende seiner Zeit mit nur seiner Brille und seinem Notizbuch gestorben.

[@PanicGirlVids]

Da hast du absolut recht, es kann definitiv süchtig machen 🙈 Man sollte sich davor gut überlegen, ob man einsteigen möchte und sich gegebenenfalls vorab Grenzen setzen. Ich habe vor über 10 Jahren mit einem A-100 Basis System von Doepfer angefangen und das reichte mir einige Jahre. Damals gab es allerdings auch noch nicht so viel Auswahl, geschweige denn online Tutorials und ähnliches, die einen dazu verleiten könnten sich das nächste Modul zu kaufen. Ich kaufe teils neu, teils aber auch gebraucht über Modulargrid meine Module. Und ich verkaufe sie auch wieder, wenn ich sie länger nicht benutzt habe, aber das ist wahrscheinlich auch Typ Sache. Aus meiner Warte kann ich nur sagen, das Modularsynthesizer ein ganz anderes Arbeiten ermöglichen, das mit anderem Hardware Equipment oder Software für mich so nicht möglich wären 🤷

[@fruchticaramelos9013]

@@PanicGirlVids Um ehrlich zu sein versuche ich es mir nur auszureden mit Eurorack anzufangen. Ich denke immer an einem kleinen aber feinen zusammengestellten Modulrack, aber ich weiß jetzt schon wie es dann enden würde. ;) Jedenfalls danke für Deine Rückmeldung und ich habe mir mal deinen Sound angehört. Ehrlich, er hört sich gut an - klingt irgendwie paradisisch mit Spirit und auch sehr eigen und deine Stimme ist auch nicht schlecht. Er hat auch Struktur und es hört sich eben nicht nur nach geklapper an. Die Akkustischen Elemente passen auch gut, aber du verwendest auch mehr als nur Eurorack, was wahrscheinlich genau das richtige ist von allem zu benutzen.

[@PanicGirlVids]

@@fruchticaramelos9013 Es würde wahrscheinlich nicht bei einem kleinen System bleiben, das stimmt wohl leider 😂 Und danke fürs reinhören!! Genau, ich verwende meist gerne eine Mischung aus vielen verschiedenen Elementen, Field Recordings, Software, Hardware, Lofi, Modular, Klassische Instrumente, was auch immer Spaß macht und gerade zur Produktion passt. Das ist wahrscheinlich auch das Wichtigste, das man Freude daran hat und zum Ziel kommt, was auch immer das sein mag!

[@mareikemacinnes7764]

Seh ich genauso, sie tweaken 3 Stunden und es hört sich an wie ein Arpeggio das ich in 5 Minuten in meinem Microkorg Classic erstelle oder in 2 Minuten in meinem MS 1. Und dafür tausende von Euro ist absolut lächerlich.

[@PanicGirlVids]

@@mareikemacinnes7764 Ist doch schön, wenn du mit weniger Investment zu einem für dich ansprechenderem Sound kommst. Für mich ist es herrlich meditativ, wenn ich längere Zeit an einem Patch schraube und dabei die Zeit vergesse. Jedem das Seine 🙌😌

[@eggyben]

this is great information

[@paulclark1918]

What is the tape loop machine?

[@PanicGirlVids]

It is a cassette recorder (I think it was one from Sony) and a reel to reel cassette tape, that I got from Ebay 🤷