Planning Your First BUDGET Eurorack Modular System (UNDER $500 DOLLARS)

[@PerfectCircuit]

Check out what we used to build this rack here: bit.ly/3lNaW4F Read more about this budget system on our blog Signal: bit.ly/3pH9AcY ALL ABOUT QUANTIZERS: www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/learning-synthesis-quantizers

[@traildoggy]

Go ahead kid, the first hit is free.

[@FromTheRoomOfLittleEase]

That's exactly as true with synthesizers as it is with drugs. As in that would never fucking happen in a million years and you will not only have to work your ass off for the money but also go through some effort to actually get this thing that is already so heavily prized that it doesn't need to trick anyone into anything because they're definitely already lining up and volunteering on their own in the millions. Same reason you use sex to advertise chocolate brownie mix and (almost) never the reverse. Sorry, I'm out of drugs *AND* chocolate brownie mix this morning so I'm kinda stressed out.

[@rendireinaldi3550]

😂😂😂

[@Chunda8]

Just say no. See above.

[@yeetusdeletus8565]

Say no more :D

[@dimitribarrow7]

Lmaooo this is terrifying.

[@meneerjansen00]

You're the first person to encourage buying a modular setup for external input as an effects unit. That's exactly what I'm thinking of buying.

[@AndrewPRoberts]

This guy. I like him.

[@gabrielgolden4336]

I think he might like you too.

[@Ratimus_]

"A little bit of space to expand, should you feel the need..." Trust me, you'll feel it.

[@paulkisser3128]

Isn’t that always the case?!

[@Ratimus_]

@paulkisser3128 no pun intended!

[@rabbithowls71]

I can feel it. “Alright Janet!”

[@MRTAT33]

Great video. It's nice to see someone break down what you need to get started and explains how and why. Also a plus that it is explained at a beginners pace. These videos are COMPLETELY AWESOME!!! Please keep making more videos with everything thing being used to create is in the picture...too many videos just show a module and it's misleading for people just getting their feet wet thinking that the module is creating EVERYTHING. It would be great to see more on systems without a keyboard, daws or midi controllers. Just a SELF CONTAINED FORCE TO BE RECOND WITH !!!

[@BraveSirSausage]

This guy is the Bob Ross of modular synthesis

[@leebrokus5069]

Bob Ross didn't have a nails-on-chalkboard voice or annoying as fuck speech pattern. He also didn't dress & come across like a complete twat.

[@rishpanjeet7479]

This is one of the most useful videos I’ve ever seen when it comes to gear

[@lindyxyo4254]

This dudes vibe is immaculate. Give this man a raise.

[@daneguitarist1]

this guy is super chill, yall need to stop by the arcade when you come thru kansas, its crazy ive got your first whiskey

[@PerfectCircuit]

wow we'll hold you to that ;)

[@daneguitarist1]

@@PerfectCircuit haha fuck yeah bros I book bands at a really cool arcade in manhattan ks, similar to a dave and buster's that you pay a cover and then play for free Its great

[@soffter]

Friggin love the sound of that DCO, so gnarly.

[@MrGnezkewl]

Yes!! Finally!! I think I’ll get into modular now

[@themorphingorb]

"It wouldn't be called modular if we weren't modulating things..." xD Epic!

[@Toasterskirt]

These videos are getting better and better! I wish I had this before I started with modular, I made soo many mistakes haha

[@aytchess]

Videos like these can destroy a marriage, yet still live happily ever after? Thank you sir. Awesome video even before the awesome performance. Glad youtube algorithm picked this up as I have the behringer 2600 on my wish list.

[@PerfectCircuit]

Please don't destroy any marriages over synths, we cannot help you with that hahah But we got your back on all things Music and Modular ;)

[@EleniEliades_]

Whimsical yet, intellectually educational.👄🎵💥👌

[@antsteep]

Great perspective

[@Le100piment]

Yes more Wes please!

[@Sound_ology]

Such cool demo patches and playing!! Niceee

[@richardsaffle]

Thank you for this. I’m a noob into synths, & modular is still a little over my head, & outta my budget. But this explains a lot, & I appreciate it.

[@blakestevenson7261]

Bro your demos actually sounded so good dude wow such dope sounds u are sick 😎

[@rodnee2340]

That was a refreshing take on modular synthesis. So I don't have to sell my kidney to get started. Great bangers BTW.

[@thibz84]

Yeah super video thank you! Exactly what I was looking for my first modular experience!

[@joelsanderson98]

Really useful. When i'm ready to dive in i'll be revisiting this

[@seancraig5373]

Great video- VERY helpful! I'd love to see a follow-up going through how you set up these patches (1 by 1 cabling slowly so newbies can follow it)

[@ColdOceanMusic]

Great video. Very informative. It helped answer a few questions for me as I move into modular analog synthesis. I’m starting out with a Pittsburgh Modular Taiga and will build a small eurorack to use along with it. Eventually the Taiga will become the centerpiece of a larger modular synth over time. Thanks again.

[@Jin-Hu]

Really enjoyed that

[@yewtubefayth9211]

Awesome video - to the point and informative !

[@danhectic5629]

those jams were super tasty! sounds good- might have to build something like it soon. i'm sure there's interesting stuff i could do with it & my Minibrute 2s (quite generous patch bay!)

[@thomas_dries]

I just bought a 42hp eurorack case! My plan is to add some modules over the course of a few months. I've planned out a few builds on modular grid but I think I'll be going with this one: Qu-bit Chord, Qu-bit Nautilus, Qu-bit Aurora, and the Synthrotek Head Out.

[@neuzethmusic131]

Good beginner video! Haha but I've got the Doepfer SEM VCF, and to be honest, it has NO character at all. Think I'm gonna get rid it soon. Doepfer is good for utility modules and that, but not for filters or VCOS. When on a budget, get some of the Dreadbox modules, they sound better.

[@Chunda8]

I do like these cool little boxes and the analog sound is hi-quality. But, for about 3K or so, I get a current laptop, a DAC, good headphones, midi keyboard, microphone and ABLETON. With Ableton, I can re-create any sound that any modular produces. I also can do this polyphonically with the keyboard and multitrack plus sample, warp, mix and master. Oh yeah, and there's a TON of free VSTs that are great and really useful. That being said, I have heard people actually come up with great music using a modular- for over 20x my budget. For those on an even tighter budget, there is FL Studio. I also don't need a Master's in Acoustical or Electrical engineering to use Ableton. Lots of free tutorials and 1 or 2 classes will do it.

[@Sadsoft]

Wes is the best! Probably won’t visit signal though

[@abeigor8671]

Dude. Thank you.

[@leyetnin1]

Would love to take a dive down the modular rabbit hole, but it would get out of hand. But, getting out of hand is fun.

[@VinceFinemModular]

Wes is Bill Hader's best character.

[@seangraham9065]

Fun as heck

[@hlgglh]

Does the Club Mate have any effect on the eurorack?

[@jamesthelemonademaker]

Sensational 💢💢 Love that you thru the PO in there, would live to see something with more info on incorporating those funky gadgets

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I recommend buying a larger case than you think you will need to have room to grow later on and plenty of support modules like VCAs, attenuators/attenuverters and so forth. Another option is a prebuilt system like the Doepfer A100 Basic system or Erica Synths Black system.

[@PerfectCircuit]

tru tru!

[@dijjidog]

or get a small case to avoid buying too much

[@Gethinm80]

I like this guy too

[@someonewhobitthedust9124]

So, if I'm understanding correctly, since I've spent money on other synths and music making machines, they can more or less connect and be altered with/from the modules? I can't wait to have no more money.

[@stefanhansen5882]

Inspirational! Thanks!

[@cjbcarr1]

Hey, cool Craig Gleason shirt

[@yosotattoo]

Thks!

[@freddiefranklin1]

Excellent video! Really interested in the Dreadbox Ataxia as it looks like it ticks a lot of boxes for me for the size and price. Super hard to find now though (at least in UK/Europe). Can anyone suggest an alternative (ideally with a similar pricepoint)

[@mastaboog749]

Pod64x powered case thank you so much for stating that! I want a mini rack like this Also thanks for the output module tidbit, that I can use my bastl dude great tip

[@JSprayaEntertainment]

0:00 cool studio ... Whats the Must Have Modular that VCV RACK doesnt have ?? any tips guys ?

[@hjones4922]

excellent intro. Could I ask what is the mixer in the background? looks ideal!

[@politesociety]

Looks to me like an Allen & Heath ZED-10FX

[@PerfectCircuit]

@@politesociety Spot on !

[@bororobo7036]

Fantastic video. I am beginner in modular and do not wish to go too far. I like two modules (1010Music Waverazor and Tasty Chip reverb) I would like to integrate into my standard synths/sequencers setup. Any thoughts what to add in order not to overcomplicate, but still make it fun. Let say, 3-4 modules that would fit nicely for filtering and modulation + in/out, eventually MIDI.

[@aarshraja846]

Might be a dumb question but how did u connect your case to an audio output? And what audio output did you use?

[@egils777]

Thank you!

[@MrSchism]

October 2024 update: Super is closing shop at the end of the year according to their site. Both Super modules are currently listed at 99.00 each. Ataxia is 99.00 Doepfer has gone up to 112.37 (cheapest price I've seen - Sweetwater) Blue Lantern is now 130. Current price: 539.27 (while you can).

[@DeputatKaktus]

I think this is an excellent intro to the modular world. Thanks for making it! So far I can only drool over mod synths and appreciate they are complicated and expensive af. Also: is that a bottle of Club Mate Pomegranate in the background? 🧐

[@jesseanderson3835]

It kinda looks like some Louisiana hot sauce. Random.

[@pablowentscobar]

In high school this guy chucked a football across the field and beaned me in the head and knocked my glasses of and him and his bros all pointed and laughed at me and called me a loser. He even had that sweet moustache in high school.

[@skeletonmodel]

Thanks for this. I am such an idiot, but I really want the 960 sequencer, cause all my other sequencers are just too fancy... I could connect it to my Model D, buuuut. I have to ofcourse power that module. So why not a rack? And then maybe fill that rack up with some small modules. This video will make me take the plunge and be broke forever

[@tysonsaner2527]

This is a very helpful video! ... Does anybody have any suggestions for a comparable alternative to the dreadbox Ataxia? Specifically, another dual modulator that is nearly as good, just as good, or better? Thank you!

[@Nuke_Skywalker]

so i have bought a diy rack with power, i bought the disting mk4 to expand on my arturia minibrute 2s. what else for low budget? :S

[@PerfectCircuit]

It's totally up to you! but our Signal article has some expanded choices for other budget options, might be a good place to start planning!

[@Nuke_Skywalker]

@@PerfectCircuit thank you. :)

[@sumchi3690]

Just one question. Why wouldn’t the modules be placed in a logical order. ie Oscillator-Amp-Filter or whatever from left to right …I’m not an expert but I’m sure you get what a mean. Thanks.

[@screamotraplord]

Help me build my first euro rack pod lol I want to use the nerdseq or something like that to give me a production center vibe but I’m still unsure if I need a sampler or extra vco

[@elluisito000]

Hi! Thanks for putting together this nice system. What is the model and price of the case and the power supply? 😀

[@brettprice527]

4ms pod 64x

[@elluisito000]

@@brettprice527 thanks youtube extranger 😀

[@brettprice527]

@@elluisito000 😄cheers.

[@tomlavelle8340]

Am considering the plunge

[@chycor]

The three categories at the beginning, the triangle of power.

[@ceciliavazquez5788]

So good

[@NNLean]

Great choices!

[@mjazz3674]

How did you Sync the TE PO?

[@PerfectCircuit]

By using sync mode 4 ! the pocket operator will sync to an incoming clock or gate signal !

[@mjazz3674]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 I did not know that was possible!

[@thekanehall]

✨dope✨

[@michaelmclovin5098]

It's under 500 dollars without the case and the patch cords, if you add in everything used in the video, you're looking at around $1200 bucks give or take. If you really want to dabble with synthesis on the cheap, just get a used Arturia MiniBrute 2 and a good pair of headphones. This can be had for under 500 bucks, unlike what is suggested in this video.

[@jonfolse5773]

Way more than that because he had to buy that table and those clothes and camera and mic boom and the house note/apartment rent and that picture frame in the back, IT’S SO MISLEADING.

[@stulora3172]

What happened to the third patch???

[@madmac66]

Keystep ‘pro’?

[@ethix123]

This guy reminds me of the highschool teacher from Bevis & Butthead. David Van Driessen. So this is where he went.

[@VictorSteiner]

9:15 What mode is that on the SQ-1 that lets you push buttons to chose output voltage (it seems)?

[@PerfectCircuit]

It's the step jump mode in random sequence, so when you hold down 1 - 3 buttons it kinda jumps and generates a random sequence, it's fun try it!

[@DJSoSadRN]

Good to know my digitakt is at least two extra modules, so I shouldn’t sell it to fund this set up.

[@MrCoyoteculler]

KeepIt!

[@last_rizla]

quack!

[@daniel2622]

Does this dude have a channel?

[@orchestratedpassage9468]

speaking of Signal: are there alerts to new articles like via e-mail? No? well I don't take calls from numbers I don't recognize

[@PerfectCircuit]

we do send out updates on Signal in our weekly emails!

[@orchestratedpassage9468]

@@PerfectCircuit thx, must be a problem on my end I'm checked box for the news letter but the last on I see is from july. i'll sort it

[@NicholasNorway]

This guy Reminds me of the hipie teacher in Beavis and butthead but cooler 😎

[@Zvox]

you sound like a cartoon character and i fully mean this as a compliment

[@jonhealartandstuff]

I've avoided eurorack modular for the very simple and obivious reason that it will eventually lead to bankruptcy. So instead, I've nickel and dimed myself half to death with semi-modular: 1. Neutron 2. 0-Coast 3. MicroGranny 4. The two Bastl Kastles 5. Crave 6. The two Koma Field Kits Do I want to add up the cumulative costs of those now? No, but OK, let's see ... according to Bing Chat, I've invested $1700-1800 (I've tried to hit sales where I could). To make matters worse, I am just a noodler. Nothing substantial has come from any of this. And now ... I still crave some modular items. But to make matters REALLY worse, it's not the "budget" stuff Wes is peddling here. No, I want a friggen Morphagene and a Noise Plethora. F me. I wish I'd taken up knitting instead.

[@dvnc-music]

The first patch made me want to play doom

[@PSILOCYBINISTHEWAY]

We got Big eurorack trying to sell me on eurorack. I see whats going on here

[@sodothehivesonhisleg]

Honestly at this level of the game, a semi modular is still a better choice for the skrill

[@migiel111]

Quack!

[@gabibboquinto129]

What Is this rack?

[@hyderhydra3269]

i feel like this is an add for heroin and now i'm hooked

[@mpmi7588]

This dude should do tutorials

[@PerfectCircuit]

kzbin.info ;)

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Very cruel of you to publish this video right before I'm getting my holiday bonus.

[@vlasuhiro_eth]

crazy

[@TheModularClubhouse]

If you need more info on the Super Synthesis PHRSR: Here's a deep dive video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rITHZmapjp5mfqs And ATAXIA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHe5dnxrn8mbZ7M

[@redfernguitar]

One way to cut costs is to use a cheap behringer td03 to drive cv and gate without needing a module for sequencing.

[@lukasm8990]

That modular setup you have is around $800 definitely not under 500

[@bearwynn]

plus saying you don't "need" an output module, then showing all this other stuff you need to output is dumb

[@MRTAT33]

Meant RECKONED WITH... MY BAD.

[@gcode_]

quack > 🦆

[@jordanWAH]

Maaann, I am very tired of reading, "out of stock. Pre-order now! Back order."

[@basshoundrecs]

big eurorack won’t tell you you can put ANY stickers on your blanks….even feet 🦶🦶🦶

[@slowpunkforslowpunks2050]

"After all, it wouldn't really be modular synthesis if we weren't modulating things." Good video, and thank you. But now go to your room and think about what you've done.

[@Chunda8]

You could also just get an excellent Yamaha Keyboard for under 600 with multitimbral split, just plug it in and you're off. Go really all out, pick up a microphone, drum machine/synth (Volca), and a tascam 4-track, still well under 2K. Then you could just take some lessons from the neighborhood piano teacher. In about a year or three of daily practice, you will be an actual musician. Sorry, not trying to be a d*ck, I saved my bank account, credit rating and my marriage by not going down the modular rabbit hole.

[@spiritofechero]

is that a craig gleason shirt

[@fromagedemammouth]

Yooo bro s drinking club maté

[@supersynthesis]

👀👀👀🎉❤️👍