Minimalist Modular Synth // Is that a thing?

[@NICUofficial]

First get into modular: "Small portable synths are SO sexy omg" Three years into modular: "Nothing is sexier than an 18U, 396HP synth with an entire room dedicated to it" Six years into modular: "Small portable synths are SO sexy omg"

[@RickyTinez]

hahaha!

[@markbooth]

This was the first ever modular video I watched and KZbin just re recommended it to me. Now I’m 3 years down the rabbit hole and enjoying creating my own KZbin content for people. Wanted to shout this out as a seminal video, thanks Mr T!

[@RickyTinez]

Hell yea! going to check out your channel now :)

[@kmontzka]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your mini modular synth! I especially appreciated you explaining why you have each module and also what you were doing to affect the sound. As one with no modular experience, it helps me understand the hows and whys of that tech (and justification for the hefty price tag). Killer tone too!

[@HumanMotives]

I love it. It's definitely a thing! still starting out, and I find spending a lot of time with a single module really suddenly unlocks a deeper understanding on it. There's so much what you can do with 2 or 3 modules!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

I like how you are upfront about it and the price...it IS what you said...a flexible monosynth with a small footprint...and gr8 sounding

[@NutritionalZero]

2019 is the year of the small system.

[@starwars007oele]

Size doesn’t matter if you know what you’re doing! 😉😜

[@c_routon]

Small peen gang

[@xaviermccloud4586]

@@c_routon Naaaaaaaah lol.

[@bitboxmodular8838]

Absolute Killer Synth. As soon as i got the money i will rebuid the same synth. I like the desktop-Size of a modular Synth. Thanx for the vid.

[@el_dani]

Your video edit skills are impressive, like the prize tag with the time stamp 13:53

[@Justicefu]

How did you even notice that....that's a fucken crazy easter egg

[@Slashings]

@@whiterottenrabbit you don't get it, the thing is that Ricky put the the 1353$ mark at 13:53

[@256k_]

the BIA is by far one of the most fun and interesting modules in eurorack right now. it's so expensive but honestly compared to the functionality that you get for the price, it's actually quite reasonable. buying a BIA is kinda like buying a tabletop synth in eurorack format.

[@matthewdeward1984]

heard great things of this mod

[@Rooftopaccessorizer]

This is the first eurorack setup that i actually am interested in, just due to the size. Its like a custom 0-coast

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

I love this idea! I have a pretty awesome wood, metal electronics space at home here so I see a lot of fun with this idea!

[@kiickinballistics]

Save a ton of money by purchasing only the components that give you the flexibility you require. That would usually be a difficult thing to do, but you made it easier to understand. Nice 👍🏻

[@robertshamansky1912]

I had no idea how cool all this modular stuff is. One more musical rabbit hole to go down now!

[@massimookissed1023]

Bring money. The modular bunny likes money.

[@vigilancebrandon]

Sweet setup! I do not have any modular but have been drooling over it for a while.

[@futur_sunds]

This is probably my favorite case. There just so much gnarlyness in this little case!

[@JasonLeeErtle]

One of the most informative eurorack vids I've seen in the last 6 years

[@RickyTinez]

haha! thank you, i appreciate it!

[@RickyTinez]

Most common questions! The Price of this lil puppy is $1353 according to modular Grid. But buy used when you can! saves you about 20% off the whole thing or more. Here's the entire setup - bit.ly/2TMPH74 Modules from left to right: The Case - bit.ly/2HI0Bnt uMidi - bit.ly/2HtdNNN Quad LFO - bit.ly/2WanDYm Basimilus (the voice) - bit.ly/2F9Ekfl Pip Slop - bit.ly/2Flw7pY Mum M8 - bit.ly/2Tbnd1S HPO (output) - bit.ly/2HKEpZM

[@garaughty]

Considering the limitations, this thing really generates a lot on tone and texture for it's size !

[@geecen]

The M8 is such an interesting sounding filter. Just a note: it isn't actually digital as in DSP - it's an analogue switched capacitor filter with a digital clock. More Euro videos please Enrique and love the channel :)

[@RickyTinez]

That’s it! It’s so tricky to understand and explain. I met up with the guy from ALM a while back and he explained it to me and it made perfect sense but I wasn’t able to explain it after that. Lol

[@fakshen1973]

With those Noise Engineering modules, think of the octave switch (bass, alto, treble) as three different voices rather than doubling or halving the frequency. It's definitely one of those modules that you have to explore. It pairs pretty well with Tip Top's Z-DSP VC. However the Z-DSP is pretty greedy when it comes to rack space. But if you're wanting maximum flexibility in about the same size as the Z-DSP, you could go with the 1010 Music's Bitbox. It functions as a sampler/looper but can also load alternative firmware to be a synth or a multi-function FX box.

[@masonandres7679]

I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost my account password. I appreciate any help you can give me

[@arescrosby4855]

@Mason Andres instablaster ;)

[@wulyf4lyf]

So awesome! I have 2 Make Noise skiffs at 3Ux 204hp each, and really like these minimalist setups that I’ve been seeing the past few months, the cases like the 4ms pods cases, even the Intellijel pallete or the Mantis are nice. I absolutely love that B.I.A., and love the C. I.A. The BIA is next on my list of modules that I want, along with Endorphines Milky Way , and Mutable Instrument’s Elements and Stages. My 4 Id go with that I own now are DPO, Clouds, Maths, and Morphagene or Mimeophon, but those 4 are a decent chunk of hp, you can just get so much out of DPO on its own, or DPO and Maths can keep you discovering stuff for days on end. Again, great video!!!!!!

[@papertarrasque]

13:35 Oof! All sorts of bass and kick samples to be had in there.

[@mod.3x]

One of the videos that made me build a small system :-)

[@COSMOPOLITA1966]

the future of electronic music,thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@kmbdbob]

I might want this to be my first modular setup. Thanks for the insight.

[@BrianKupferschmid]

Thank you, now I will be reworking my modular plan. The MIDI to CV would be perfect for my rack, and the Quad LFO will replace the one I originally chose. Totally awesome you made this video.

[@RickyTinez]

Glad to help Brian! I apologize to your wallet ahead of time haha

[@BrianKupferschmid]

Enrique Martinez Music no worries, bro. My wallet has been in a compromised star since KnobCon 🤣

[@majestic.feminine]

Thank you so very much covering modular units!

[@RickyTinez]

Of course! Toni, I rarely use them nowadays. Except for the random funky bass line that I find difficult to think of on my own haha.

[@Bananskuden]

Ouch for the price, but I still like it much better than the alternatives mentioned. I love the MUM M8. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@jc3drums916]

Whenever you have time, could you measure the usable internal depth of the case? Erica says 40mm, but on Perfect Circuit's website, one reviewer says the case can't fit 35mm deep modules, while another says he managed to fit a 48mm deep module (upside down on one side of the case, but still).

[@bertrandvanasch]

Excellent vidéo as always Ricky ❤ (so so late to the party but anyway 😂) Love your modulations ideas for the BIA, very inspiring 🔥

[@Johnalbinm]

I really enjoy your channel, mate. So focused and good at explaining everything you do. Great little mini eurorack!

[@RickyTinez]

Thanks Albin! I appreciate it!

[@PFAFF_]

Well done! I've found 12u to be the sweet spot though in terms of system size, personally. But if you want to go for a simple voice, then this is a great way to roll your own

[@MarshMakesComics]

I love this approach! I’m researching mod synths now trying to figure out which route I want to go. Cool video thanks!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Goddam, you have a Strong technique, so minimalistic but enhanced!

[@el_dani]

Digital is the new analog!

[@zzirjukez2899]

I was just on Snapchat and I found out tasty was using your backing track for most of the videos you do

[@ParalysedGekko]

I'm using the BIA on a Voltage Block and Varigate combo, it's just an outstanding voice module! Thanks for the inspiration regarding filtering. And please do yourself a huge favor: get a Neutron from Behringer, you will get a ton of modules an two oscillators that sound beefy af. And you get each of them out on eurorack level plus their sum, plus every seperate modulation output. This adds up perfectly to the BIA. Trust me. I don't write this due to sponsoring. I write it because it blew me away.

[@RickyTinez]

Well the voltage block and the varigate are some really powerful modules especially paired with the BIA.

[@matthewdeward1984]

I dig the doepfer Quad VCLFO, as it can be used as a VCO or a trippy ass LFO with CV attenuation. Their new Polyphony version are nice too, i just got the Joystick, Vcadsr Poly, and the Octal Linear VCA ( about damn Time Doepher) comining in at a slim 6 hp. have their A 111 5 in the mail today. ALM BUSY CIRCUITS is the shizz. The Squid and Pamela are Dope, I run My squid into the S.e.m filter its butter smoothe and harmonic as klaat, i use the wasp for my braids, and morgasm for my doephers, or for their Osclators, ( in the new Doepher in the fm in It TRACKS VOLT PEWR OCTAVE so you get square triangle Saw and sine!

[@vitaliistep]

It provides so many choices, but man, that's so expensive!

[@OctavianTech]

9/10 needs more deckard’s dream

[@juvenoia-sounds1434]

Your channel has gotten me into so much sexy gear I didn’t even know existed. Thank yoooooooooou so much dude

[@RickyTinez]

My pleasure!

[@FunnyPhisto]

Yeah thanks for letting us crave all this expensive gear... 😛

[@stixvane]

I love your channel because you're just like me in that we both love to create sound and textures... the only difference is you have money.. :(

[@emilyschmanks]

I don't particularly love the sound of this synth but its pretty inspiring to see someone make something i feel like is useful out of modules. When I eventually get into modular in a few years i'll look back to this video to build something like this.

[@twiglet2214]

Minimalism - i can't get enough of it !

[@christoroppolo8742]

Just a mono synth says ye. Lol it’s killer . Peace Christo👽🐕🎶❤️

[@HotStrange]

Christo Roppolo troll

[@holonmundi5320]

Really nice little setup great explanatio of your patching and way of thinking. More like this please. :)

[@Noisybatt]

Awesome vid! Thanks for sharing all the details. LFO is life!

[@Jobo47]

@Enrique Martinez Music, definitely what I see myself getting if I went modular, and also, all your music in a your videos is always dope man.

[@RickyTinez]

Thank you!

[@MikeKraze]

Must not go modular, must not go modular! Sorry I need to keep telling myself this after watching this video.

[@JamonCam]

Yesss thank you for making this video, I was so interested to see more about this little modular synth from your last video! Now I am thinking about to build one for my own, but Euroreck Modules are so damn expensive...

[@Lalaland.001]

You should start with some second hand stuff first then, see if it fits your needs then. Most second hand stuff comes at almost 50%-30% cheaper and when taken well care off will last you a life time as well. Most noodlers take good care of their syths so, there's that...So you don't start off immediately breaking the bank..when the bug really gets you, start saving up and get the real stuff. But first make a plan what kind of synth you want to build. An ambient machine, a drone, a techno build or just a really expressive synth...Hope you enjoy the journey...

[@JamonCam]

@@Lalaland.001 thank you, this really helped

[@Lalaland.001]

@@JamonCam You are more then welcome, fam. We are all part fo this weird niche group who likes to noodle around because, it's fun and inspiring. I started my journey about 5 years ago. And was just like you, that stuff is fricking expensive. But turns out the second hand market helped me jumpstart it. My first rig I build part by part, and started off with about a $100 per month sometimes per 2 months. It took me about a year to have a really solid and nice rig. I then started to do some diy stuff, thanks to lookmomnocomputer here on youtube and synthdiyguy of course, which also saved me a lot of cash and it made me realize that some stuff is way overpriced and a lot simpler then I thought...Not all of it, of course. I'm not an expert by no stretch of the imagination, but I know how to handle a voltmeter and a soldering iron, which is pretty much all you need if ou decide to try your hands at diy builds. I also recommend you join the synthbuilder diy group on FB and muffwiggler those are really cool people who are likeminded and super helpful. Any question asked over there wil get answered within a day MW is also a great source for any information regarding patching and layout. And then of course there is modular grid which allows you to build your dream synth and allows you to actually visualize and see the completed synth, how much it would cost new and it's power consumption. Allows you to dream with eyes wide open ;) If you have any questions feel free to ask I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can, Have fun on your journey...

[@mathias841]

Buy a crave !

[@tommyg5095]

yes. this vid was truly helpful. Man, that euro scene is sooooo costly.

[@mrsulcus674]

It doesn't have to be, if you take a look at Ladik or Doepfer. You can save a bit of cash if you can solder, Bastl's kits are great to make. The new Cre8audio Nifty case looks well nifty and is around $250, it's a great place to start. Couple it with something like a behringer crave, or pricier but ultimately worth it - an 0 Coast and you've got a solid instrument. The problem with running a small rig is that maxing out functions per module in a small footprint starts to hike the cost up a bit.

[@tommyg5095]

@@mrsulcus674 Thank you for your insight/ information. I have just recently got into synths, and already purchased several items, Make Noise O Coast is my first real Eurorack module. Still no Eurorack rack or case. But have several desktop/ semi modular pieces, and am really just getting to know, getting to understand the interplay of the components of synths... But, I would rate myself an eager beginner, kindergarden level of knowledge, but unabashedly aware of the addiction that this is creating.One question for you, or anyone caring to give good knowledge or experienced advice concerning patch cables... What cables would you buy again, and which cables would you say to steer clear of due to overall performance...

[@mrsulcus674]

@@tommyg5095 that's an interesting question. I've not had any that are totally rubbish quality wise. I also haven't gone for any particular brand over another, and have probably gone for the cheapest options. I have some right angled cables in very short and quite long lengths that I use in my live system because they fit in with the case closed. They are things that I don't unpatch during the set. I also have some very long and distinctive (black and gold braided) cables that are my live patching options. I know I can change these on the fly and it won't kill the music. That's just my system. I find that short ones connecting modules that generally work in pairs (such as Grids to Ladik's Drumboy) keep things less cluttered, but having long ones available makes unusual decisions possible. Same thing applies to your semi modular synths.

[@mrsulcus674]

@@tommyg5095 some people apply a colour coding theme to their cables. A friend of mine prefers to use only two colours as an aesthetic thing, and it's common to find some stick to a colour per length or colour per function (audio in red, triggers in green, pitch in yellow etc). These are good in principle but expensive in practice imo.

[@tommyg5095]

@@mrsulcus674 Thanks for your input... Right angle for permanent connections inside of closed case is good info. Less clutter with shortest possible connection is good info. Good to hear that there really arent any bad cable manufacturers. Thanks.

[@Madmohawkfilms]

Sooooooo I looked up most of those modules. Didn’t even bother looking at a Case and went DAMN! a Moog Matriarch isn’t looking that expensive anymore hehehe

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Love your channel and love your passion for modular stuff, but personally I’ve gotta full-time job and a 7 year old kid! When am I gonna get time to do patch cord “noodling” and not even to be able to save the results!

[@silkyglimpses7686]

Great post 👍😁🪐🫠 I’m maybe going to get into modular this was super helpful 👍

[@EpicFelinski]

Your videos are fantastic. Keep up the good work

[@EISERMANN80]

Very interesting video! I have the RackExtension Version of the NE Basimlius and it’s an amazing sound source.

[@crab-dogjones4659]

Pamela's New Workout would be a great addition/substitution for this rig. P.N.W. and B.I.A. alone make a totally serviceable percussion synth.

[@RickyTinez]

I kind of wanted to mak an O-Coast inspired synth but I think I’ll try a percussion synth next

[@jake.]

Really great synth idea, you deserve way more attention because your vids have such a high quality

[@hiiipower3005]

Naughty!!!....i miss my s950 filter cutoff @ 60/61 was my sweetspot an that rackunit....love to build a modular one of these days... 🤔 💭 Deezammn!!!

[@jthorpe4droid]

Excellent video, i feel like I learnt something today.

[@HenryGomez]

Hi and thanks for your video, that's so awesome! I am curious what is the unmodulated/unmodified sound sent from your launchpad to your Euro rack?

[@gabrielhansen2667]

what is that track in the background from the beginning? so good!

[@gavinpeters9531]

I really like the idea of individual concise modular kits, as someone who's learnt that too much of a good thing is crippling to productivity. That LFO module looks sweet. Does it have pickup or immediate mode for the controls when you change parts?

[@jasoncaldwell0613]

Thinking about getting the zerocoast...the closest thing i have ever had to a patchable synth was the moog dfam...shit was so sick. I regret selling it.

[@nodfactor8808]

Interesting sounding filter

[@PocketUnv]

I want to go down the Eurorack rabbit hole sooo bad, but man that would hurt!

[@BrunoWiebelt]

thanks for inspiration , good tips I like to go this way

[@AtomkeySinclair]

Stop Ricky... I wasn't going to mess with this. Holy cow man - perfect circuit rounds this out to $1,300 without the case. I've been happy with things already made. But after watching this and similar vids I kinda want to make one. But I'm pushing a Dave Smith here man in cost. Ugh! Prophet Rev2 is $1,500 on sweetwater. I know there's no actual comparison - wait - yes there is. In $$.

[@AtomkeySinclair]

By the way - what case are you using actually?

[@keudj]

Awesome little setup

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Not sure BIA is wavetable, if I'm correct its sines with 6 operator FM. (cursus is wavetable, manis is hyper-saw). But who cares, it's awesome. Could also be smaller with another ALM giant like PAM especially with the BIA. But I love your mini super synth! One thing I'd like to share because I had loads of fun with it, is to feed the BIA a square wave instead of triggers.

[@crumbdinger4990]

Thanks for making this video Enrique, but one quip. The mum m8 has an analog filter core under digital control.

[@RickyTinez]

right right! that's what it was, thanks for clarifying Bram!

[@SonicCircuitry]

Nice little rack! I love smaller systems like these

[@AerioNauts]

Are you sure that is a erica pico case? Doesnt seem to have the thick borders. I really want one like yours its so slim!

[@goodpal7444]

Enrique, again with a great video.

[@Justin_Shadow999]

Awesome video man. What case is that?

[@housemachine509]

Yo that ish is perfect

[@nutritionalyeast7978]

I used to think it was too complicated but I'm starting to think purely digital modulars might be a thing soon (and i mean purely digital, modular atm is inherently analogue because all the CVs must be analogue). There are so many fully digital modules, which in eurorack format require tens of DACs and ADCs per module which increases the price considerably.

[@xorthontech]

I need a quantizer made into a desktop style one because I don't have eurorack. I am doing Moog DFAM and Moog Mother 32 expansion into generative music. O have several different Hungry Robot Modular pedals to patch in and out of the Moogs but no quantizer to make it more musical. Could you make one for a price?

[@quantum_ocean]

could have saved some HP with a C4BN filter! It can do more than ALM MUM

[@wulyf4lyf]

Rickey, have you tried out Noise Engineering’s Ataraxic VCO? I was really interested in it, but the few people Ive talked to who own one have said that as amazing as Noise Engineering’s modules are, the Ataraxic is literally out of control, and very hard to use. I have a Grandmother and love it, but this setup you put together sounds incredible! Excellent advice in this video for first timers with modular /Eurorack, looking to start building a setup. Since I started 5 months ago, I’ve learned It’s definitely going to be pricey any way you slice it, but can be cheaper either by going used (although the prices some sellers price used modules that are still in production on Reverb is nuts) or with a cheaper company like Intellijel, some of the Doepfer stuff. VCV rack is good for checking out a lot of modules before you buy them. Joining an online community like a FB group, or forum like Muff Wiggler, Gearslutz...etc for questions. I’d say the 2 things to not go cheap on are 1. Power supply/case, and 2. A VCO ... Id def encourage people who are interested to not be discouraged, and research as much as possible, but definitely anticipate it getting expensive, once you start, and incredibly addict. There are so many great modular companies out there, offering so many different unique modules to fit any personal style , that it gets hard to resist grabbing new modules, but it’s one of the most fun, rewarding experiences, IMO.

[@darrellthayden]

Hi great video what box did you put these modules into ????

[@CablesForClouds]

Man I love your videos ❤

[@starwars007oele]

Nice, what kind of case is this? 👍✌️Greetz

[@freecharles3902]

Hakuna Matata that is a “4ms” brand case I’m guessing

[@RickyTinez]

Hakuna its the Erica Synths Pico Case!

[@UncleJimima]

Enrique Martinez Music, is the depth deeper than the 4ms Pods? I foolishly got a Pod without checking the depth specs. ~34mm depth makes getting practical use out it pretty tricky.

[@RickyTinez]

Yeah that’s the only reason I didn’t get the pod to begin with. They were too shallow. They came out with a new X version of them though. Slightly deeper

[@starwars007oele]

Enrique Martinez Music Thanx did not recognize the Erica case without wood ends. Greetz 👍✌️

[@mrcwalker33]

I loved this video!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Check the Make Noise MusicMaschine, now THAT'S my next machine, I'm just starting out in modular, -

[@matthewdeward1984]

seems to be, i am trying to build the right synth, i have plenty sizes

[@KevinSchantalle]

Can realy every cable be puttet in every hole without crashing a mobile synthesizer?

[@DivKid]

Tidy little set up.

[@256k_]

I'm planning on building my own modular rack but all custom modules built by me... the only thing i dont want to bother building is the case... any recommendation for a budget case? i know that budget and modular don't really go together.... kinda why i wanna build my own modules....

[@RickyTinez]

Honestly you can’t beat the tip-top happy ending kit. Just not really a fully enclosed case

[@256k_]

Enrique Martinez Music I actually bought the tip-top rails and Z-ears with their uZeus power module. And I’m currently breadboarding my first couple of modules 🙂

[@skriptico]

little beauty

[@notusboding8748]

It's amazing the amount of territory the BIA can take you into

[@RickyTinez]

Mind blowing

[@mattekudasai8249]

I wanna make a super bare minimum sequencer synth as a beginner with the behringer system 55 modules, do you think i could get by with just the sequential controller, sequential switch and a power supply? the sequential controller has a pulse oscillator built in too

[@tilliinfinity]

cant decide bia or mantis? help

[@izme4700]

What does that thing cost to build?

[@Matt_Regan]

$1353

[@REDACT3D]

// when you walk into the room and you realize that you're waring the same clothes. yes i'm a thing?

[@jamalyannicguzmansierra7996]

Hey ricky If i wanna connect my modular with a mixer into ableton Which one would you recommend? Share your knowledge, knowledge is power

[@deepersamwise]

Your videos are dope man, where are you based?

[@mafmadmaf]

Great ideas!Inspiring 😊

[@ableepaday772]

Any reason to get the Intellijel µMIDI rather than the Hexinverter Mutant Brain for instance?

[@RickyTinez]

Nope, other than the premapped things. I really like the adjustable clock divider on the face of the unit. But I also rarely use other jacks which I could change if I had the mutant brain

[@DocBolus]

Modular synths... For when you have GAS but more so!!!!! I will have to stick with my little micro modular for now.