Why Use A Modular Synth For Techno Production? Feat LIL TECHNOBOX

#techno #analogsynthesizer #jamuary
So why make Techno (or any type of music really) with modular synthesizers? We all know it's relatively expensive. You can't save presets and recreating past work is hard, if not impossible. It's cumbersome. It's tough to learn. Is it worth it?
When it comes to making music in 2024, we each choose between many different options in hardware and software, and on this channel we'll investigate more about these options and hopefully have some fun making tracks together.
Unlike the majority dance music production, this track is improvised on the spot. I have a few patterns loaded into Constellation (8 track trigger sequencer lower left) that I programmed minutes before recording. There's no post-mixing or effects. It's literally straight out of the rack into a 2 track recorder.
I like working this way as it forces decisions earlier, and there's no room to make "fix it in post" changes. You can call it techno or whatever you like, but I’m out here just trying to post a vibe.
How do you like to make music? What do you use? What's your workflow or technique? How do you stay motivated and inspired? Please let me know in the comments... it's a major subject of this channel going forward and I'm very curious!
To hear more of my work with modular techno, check out
soundcloud.com/bilijie
Or buy stuff at bilijie.bandcamp.com
Also Spotify if you must
Sequencing:
Acid Rain Constellation, Clank Chaos
Voices:
WMD Crater, Addac 104 VC T-Networks, SSL Thundrum, Erica Synths Pico Drums, Prok Drums flashed as Music Thing Radio Music, Befaco Pony
Filter:
WMD C4rbn
VCA:
Bastl Aikido
Function generator:
Cosmotronic Delta V
FX:
Happy Nerding FX Aid
Mixing and EQ:
Worng Soundstage II, Nano CEQ, Make Noise XOH
Everything recorded 2 track direct.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I'd say with a modular you'd be the composer, performer, producer, engineer and sometimes your own audience when the machine takes over. It's real voltage (regardless of some digital modules) and it's absolutely totally real. Even better, every take is unique and will never be performed again. I forgot you're also your own instrument designer :).

[@Bilijie]

Really puts us in control.. for better or worse!

[@christdolphin69]

vcv rack is also free, to your point about ableton

[@christophervincent77]

I work on a computer all day long so modular/semi-modular for me is perfect. I absolutely love noodling and tinkering and the learning that goes along with the process. Plus I can't play music on a keyboard (or anything really). I definitely don't think of myself as a musician, more of an operator. My music is trash, but it is super fun to make.

[@Bilijie]

If it brings joy its worthwhile in my opinion. Not all sound is made to be digested by the masses and that’s part of what keeps music fresh to me in the long run

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Seriously, if making trash is fun, it's extremely valuable trash.

[@The_Invisible_Hand_Of_CV]

This one is pumpin! Once the voices get distorted, the mood changes a little, and that's a nice little wiggle. I commented on another video asking you if you knew your Prok Drum could be a Radio Music or Chord organ. Clearly you learned that somewhere along your travels. Is there a lady saying 你好 at the beginning? Keep these coming!

[@PrettyCoolFriend]

I loved that.

[@zenkomusic]

This is awesome, I hope you continue the series. I'm actually trying to put together a techno-focused case without purchasing too many additional modules, and this is helpful. Lots of fun ideas in that box. Well done!

[@MarteenMayjer]

Nice perspective on modular. I've been into modular for a little over a year or so now and of course have had the same thoughts "why not just use Ableton?" Ironically, I find using my modular kit inspires me to do more within Ableton. It's kind of my playground for exploring new sounds and new ways of making sounds. I get burned out looking at a computer screen and using the keyboard/mouse (or even Push, tbh), but it's about having that low level control of the sound that's so amazing. Even using other non-modular, non VST synths I have, I find myself wanting to modulate something, but I can't since I can't patch anything, lol. I'm not too into techno, but this was a cool vid! You got a new subscriber :)

[@Bilijie]

Ableton is so totally modular! I mean it’s a bunch of blocks that interact and can be setup to do whatever you want.

[@letmefeelthevibes]

You don't need a reason to do what you love as long as it doesn't break anything, or hurt anyone. Dope track btw! :)

[@The_Invisible_Hand_Of_CV]

Breaking stuff is fine, so long as it's your stuff breaking. With you on not hurting others fully.

[@garaughty]

Lovely work on this B !

[@ModePhaser]

I love this video! Fantastic work! :D

[@Bilijie]

Appreciate it!

[@chiefthomson]

Cool rack, like it and also the output. Keep 'em coming, intrigued to hear more 🙂

[@BrailleSounds]

Nice video Billie!!

[@FakthorX]

Nice rig buddy! All black love it

[@svenwehrend7495]

Nice take! I wonder what case you are using, can you tell me? I mostly enjoy building synths in diy but seldom come to playing it, currently building some modules from NLC. But what I make is not really musical so far, so maybe I have to learn a thing or two from it.

[@kirasail]

Mass respect😎 just continue....

[@SonRawMusic]

Cool video! I make Hip Hop beats in Eurorack so I've had a LOT of (well meaning) questions since that's not very common. I think you expressed a lot of my reasoning (better than I have haha)

[@Bilijie]

Thanks I’m sure there are plenty of other reasons but as another commenter said: ITS AWESOME

[@ericmosh]

I tried hip hop beats too, was quite difficult for me. How do you sequence your drums?

[@robvbeats]

Dope as always~

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

DOPE! Subbed! 😁👊

[@SebastianBlix]

The jaded snobby techno nerd in me is c*mming so hard right now. I love this kind of stuff. Sub’d, bell on. Can’t wait to see what you do next😊

[@Phantom_Communique]

SICK. I love your little technobox, very inspired to build my own. I agree completely on the perspective of hardware vs daw’s/software. It’s not necessarily that hardware sounds better (although it may or may not, depending on the application, or what “better” means to you), but more so the difference in workflow or the possibilities offered by control parameters that can differ dramatically from working in the box. But of course they’re both great. And I completely respect that for some people the appeal of modular lies in getting away from the computer. Good shit dude 🪬 What case are you using here?

[@Bilijie]

It’s 2x skiffs stuck together, 64hp each made by Tall Dog. A bit heavy as they are deeper and denser than say a 4ms pod.

[@Toughinger]

For me I think semi mod is ENOUGH! If I lock at this cable salad, it’s a bit of hhhhhhmm🤔 btw. RESPECT!!! 🥵

[@acfpv]

Your voiceover work on the BIA video was so good. New vids are great but I feel like you talking over writing captions would be better. Just my opinion tho, great stuff either way. Keep it up!

[@Bilijie]

Thanks! I’m short on time right now hence the captions… hope to get back into narration in the coming month or so!

[@nntblst]

Short answer: IT’S AWESOME!!!!

[@christdolphin69]

you could do that audio rate voicemail thing in 2 seconds in vcv rack

[@strawmanhat]

I like this. I want more. :)

[@Bilijie]

More coming bb

[@variousdispositions]

Great video!

[@MattLongstaff]

Acid Rain brought me here 🔥

[@Bilijie]

I love Ryan’s stuff!

[@stefanhansen5882]

This was a powerful argument. Good stuff! What's the total price? $7-8,000?

[@Bilijie]

Definitely not! Far lower

[@fabianmartinez31283]

Cool Video and a good question in the Title. I'm "into Eurorack" only since a year and a few months. I can only say that: yes it's expensive, sometimes it's complicated, sometimes symbols on the modules are cryptic, not to forget that the modules behave in a unpredictable way sometimes, and sometimes some modules behave very strange without any clue why that happens, there is also no possibility to save the patches ( at least some modules allow to save some settings e.g: uO_C or the sequencer), there is also the inconvenient that the tuning of some oscillators changes after the "system is warmed up" but I love this way of experimenting with it, I like it way more than working on a DAW (even with a controller it's not the same haptic experience). I like the fact that before I create a sound I have to think about how to do it, how to patch different signal flows and what modules would be better than others to achieve that goal and I absolutely like the fact that many ways can lead to the same result. I like the possibility to "create my own" instrument or different instruments in a case. What I like the most is the fact that all patches are momentary and once you put the patch cables out it's like a blank canvas.

[@Bilijie]

Same on all these fronts. It’s refreshing to unpatch, and it’s fun to explore. The cost is the cost of small batch individual labor and love… never cheap in this world. And it shouldn’t be.

[@fabianmartinez31283]

@@Bilijie I completely agree with you. When it becomes cheap I almost immediately have to think about the working conditions of the workers that produces the modules.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

more plz, subbed

[@Bilijie]

Thanks! Your channel is really good too!

[@Wavefolders]

sick tune :)