Oscillators come in varying styles and complexities, but there are a few key things to know about them.įirst, in the modular world, the pitch of an oscillator is controlled by a protocol known as volts per octave or V/oct. The oscillator is the heart of a synth, it gives a synth its characteristic sound and timbre. Having said this, I would not recommend patching CV signals straight into the output as they do not sound interesting on their own and may even damage your speakers. This means you can patch the output of an oscillator into the CV input of a filter for some extreme frequency modulation! One cool thing about modular synthesis is that there is no distinction between control voltage and sound signals when it comes to patching. So a filter module will have a CV input for controlling the cutoff frequency.Ī common way to think of CV is as “analog MIDI” that is a continuous signal rather than a series of discrete digital messages. voltage controlled filter (VCF) or voltage controlled amplifier (VCA).ĬV inputs are commonly found wherever modulation is possible. Because of this, parts of modular synths are often referred to as being “voltage controlled”, i.e. To continue this analogy, they are also all connected by a system of “veins” in the form of patch cables! Let’s break down the signal flow of a typical synth patch to understand what each part does: Control Voltage (CV)Ĭontrol voltage is how modules in the system talk to each other. You can think of these modules like organs in the human body, they all work together as a system to produce a sound. Though there are a few “do everything” modules on the market, most of the time a module will fit into a single category. This is because each element of the synth can be visibly and physically separated into distinct modules, all of which perform specific roles. In some ways, modular synthesizers are easier to understand than their non-modular counterparts, at least at the core level. Unlike traditional synths you may be familiar with, modular instruments are made up of several different interchangeable parts known as modules. One of the core ideas underpinning modular synthesis is interconnectivity. If you want to really get your head around sound design, Syntorial is an excellent platform to learn synthesis on (read our review). Your dad’s Microkorg can’t do that now, can it? Perhaps even a theremin that has 8 voice polyphony of exclusively cat sounds. You could make a synth with the oscillator of a Prophet-1 and the filter of a Korg MS-20 or a clone of a Roland 303 that is sequenced by hooking it up to a houseplant. Modular gives you the unique ability to create the exact synth you want from different readily available parts or modules. Modular synths are a powerful tool for music and sound design some musicians can compose entire albums or soundtracks with just a synth and no DAW! Have you ever seen a mass of cables and blinking lights on someone’s desk or in a studio and wondered how such an amalgamation can be a musical instrument? This device is most likely a modular synthesizer, one of the most versatile and inspiring electronic instruments in existence. Explore real modular synthesis for free online!.Get answers to frequently asked questions for beginners. Learn about modular synthesis and the Eurorack format.Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
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