Modular Synth Basics! Learn how to PATCH. [Tutorial]

Make awesome sounds with modular synthesizers! We cover MIDI to CV, VCO, VCA, LFO, ADSR and pulse width modulation. Don't know what any of that means? Watch the vid! :)
Facebook: / sahergalt
Patreon: / sahergalt
Modular synth units used in the tutorial: Doepfer A-110 VCO, A-132 DVCA, A-147 VCLFO, A-108 VCF8, A-140 ADSR.
You can follow along with Softube's Modular: www.softube.com/index.php?id=...
I'm fascinated by synthesizers. And the power to craft precisely the timbre and shape of sound you've imagined is naturally attractive to me. Patching with modular synthesizers is something like a Rube Goldberg machine for sound. It can feel like a game, a puzzle and a laboratory experiment all at the same time.
But it's also a world that can seem pretty opaque to newcomers. The numberless dials and jacks labeled only by acronyms, the infinite tangle of cables, the arcane jargon. It can be a bit intimidating. But once you get past that, there's freedom, excitement and limitless possibilities. I wanted to share that experience with you.
To get the most out of this, I'd encourage you to follow along. Nowadays, there are tons of modular synth apps. You can download the same Modular VST I'm using and patch to your heart's content free for 20 days. You probably even have a keyboard that has control over some of these functions built-in (LFOs and ADSR controls are common on most consumer synths). Any questions, ask in the comments.
Additional footage courtesy of Wein Glas ( • Hidden in the Cable Ju... ) and Batchas ( • Prototype for Buchla M... ) licensed under Creative Commons.
(Some links are affiliate links.)

[@yorganyog]

A real teacher can explain Simple concepts. You are a real teacher. Not another hipster showing off their material. My congrats master.

[@kolabuzlu]

Best video in this category, period.

[@murph2572]

^ by far the most intuitive and easy to follow video made for people getting into modular synth, also what a clleeaaarrr voice to introduce everything. Well done!

[@gavinwarner3480]

This is soooo interesting! Andrew Huang confused me a LOT so I needed some help with understanding, so thanks.

[@stupidtaurus6039]

Gavin Warner me too. I love the guy but he does move very quickly and I’ve been looking for something a lot better to explain this to me.

[@MrRagnarxx]

huang is a hack

[@yorganyog]

Huang, he is cool and makes cool stuff but he is the living proof of one fact: Knowing something doesn't makes you a teacher!!! A teacher is the person with hability to transmit knowledge. And he seems a kid with cool stuff who want to show it off. But he knows what he is doing.

[@anthonyholmes113]

I know you did this a few years back, but would you consider doing more? This tutorial was so good. In just 10 minutes I learned more about modular than I have in a few weeks of searching and reading. Hats off to you my friend!

[@t3chnod3lic]

Natural teaching ability. Clearly delivered. What's not to like here. Well done + subbed!

[@anddecay3056]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE VIDEO!!!! it really helped me understand how these modules work!

[@chadzulu4328]

Best explanation I've seen on KZbin so far, thanks!

[@KookyCloud]

You sir, have an AMAZING speaking voice.

[@robertreitze3192]

Definitely altered in post

[@Alesistx2023]

lmao

[@philperry6564]

That voice is annoying as hell.

[@URRBANELEKTRO]

Great tutorial Saher !!!

[@Feanor1397]

Amazing voice, so pleasant to listen.

[@citruesilver]

Great introduction, perfect tempo. Thank you for this excellent tutorial!

[@mr.w7803]

Thanks for breaking this down so thoroughly!

[@risheyrsp4519]

Another Great One. Thank You Saher 🤗

[@MarkusAudio]

I subscribed because of the stellar explanation. Thanks for the great work!

[@ThierryPBeaulieu]

top quality presentation as usual! Thanks

[@CosmicPotato]

I've never heard of Softube, but this seems really interesting. I definitely wanna use the 20-day trial now and would love to see more videos on this :) Thanks.

[@SaherGalt]

More on the way!

[@ujtb]

Tony Tran never ever head of it before I have to buy it straight away I can finally have a modular synth in my computer double win man!!!!

[@PureAmbientDrone]

Great job explaining this topic

[@roccoharris]

that was really, really solid. thanks so much for this helpful vid, sir!!

[@SynthChris]

This was incredibly helpful, thanks man!

[@KordTaylor]

A really nice video for that is great for learning modular synthesis. Thank you! 👍🏻

[@hendrik8587]

Wow! Great tutorial. Thanks :)

[@YannickJoubert]

thanks for this video, i've bought Softtube Modular about a month ago to learn but kinda ended just randomly patching stuff, nice to get a basic model to start, I started to build my own real one too, this plugin is helping a lot figure out what to buy first.

[@SaherGalt]

Yeah, Modular is great for planning what'll go in your rack

[@lewisknudsen1]

Very helpful, thanks so much.

[@nickmoran1]

This was so helpful.Thank you

[@jimmydim2212]

thank you sir. Very amazing video!

[@mattdangerg]

awesome video man!

[@SaherGalt]

thanks Matt!

[@uniqhnd23]

I f*cking love this video! I think I went into a state of zen as I started to realise everything, that first part is definitely true lol. Watched this twice to get an even better understanding.

[@davidlewis1787]

Excellent

[@CO5MA]

Bravo 👏🏻

[@JeremyShaver]

Loved the video. I just subscribed. You explain really well. I just bought miRack iOS and im leaning form a concealable way rather than Moog’s Model 15 that im learning. Thanks a lot 👍🏼

[@Mark0Mokum]

Great video! I've been fascinated by artists like Ansome etc and wanted to explore modular synths. I think it will help me to be more creative in my productions and maybe help me to understand digital synths. When I have time, I will definitely check Softube out.

[@ElisandroDeLeon]

That was cool. Might need to look at that software

[@gonzalovolonterio4991]

really good explain ,thanks good job

[@chow335]

PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE!!!

[@1997Mrlorenz]

Thank you so much bro.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

This is a superb intro. Any chance of a follow up or two for us newbies? Thanks

[@chow335]

This made me feel guud

[@devonk298]

You have the coolest voice..

[@nateh2665]

could be the host for unsolved mysteries. cool info though thank you.

[@sajinahmed6553]

awesome tutorial, i have question about plugin and patching. A friend of mine just declare that "plugin dont make sense, patching is everything. I disagree with him, because i think not every plugin has the same option and features to built the exact sound i need. So i said "as patching sound is important the plugin also important." So heres the question what is the right? i hope u will help, cuase u always do... lv u man..

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Any tips for patching LFOs and quad envelope generators that have gates and triggers to feed into VCA and sound sources like VCOs?

[@jean-baptiste9230]

ok but is there some more tuto on how to patch everything ???

[@simoing75]

Hi, I would be happy to buy this, as far as I can understand, it's about SOFTWARE. What does it mean "This item doesn't currently ship to Italy"? Can't I just download it from anywhere? Please reply :) Cheers, Simone

[@JoeLaRocca]

How are you connecting to the midi to cv module?

[@fredojackson8589]

How do I get my keyboard to play like at 2:14

[@alfredovillarreal1440]

I tried this and could not get my keys to control they gate. I patched it step by step with the softube software.

[@Stray_side]

Wait wait wait, am I right in thinking I can do modular synthesis on a digital interface? This is groundbreaking for me if so! Or is this still being triggered by a midi keyboard? Please could you explain to me like a five year old. I have forever wanted to get into modular synthesis and now have the time, I just don’t know where to begin.

[@reibangchakma]

Why do you have such a nice voice wtf

[@maxxkarma]

Good stuff. Weird though that with this equipment you connect an output to an output. That is not how things work.

[@MeatyController]

Are you a model as well?

[@The0Stroy]

VCV Rack is very simmilar and is freeware.

[@InnerReach]

Does it allow you to patch thing in incorrectly thereby teaching you bad practices for someone whom is looking to learn this process?

[@SaherGalt]

It allows you basically any functional connection, even ones that are unstable or produce strange results like, say, with mismatched voltage per octave. In that sense, you're able to explore and learn in a virtual modular playground. It doesn't allow connections that would create no effect whatsoever though. So like outputs to outputs or inputs to inputs is generally prohibited.

[@InnerReach]

Saher Galt That's pretty cool especially for those who need to get there feet wet. Thanks

[@FeeldahVibe1]

Very informative please i wish you would speak up you sound as if your whispering very great tutorial

[@suereed]

I like the whispering. Too many loud people in the world.

[@fritagogo1]

;-)

[@trejohnson7677]

patcher > anything else

[@SidJ8300]

Most important question .. Is this software paid or free ?? 😅😅

[@nobodyneverknows]

lol