Exploring Modular Synthesizers

This web page was created for those who would like to learn more about the history of modular synthesizers and the current impact they have in electronic music production. This can also be used as a resource for beginners who would like to start producing their own music using modular synths. This blog was created by Oubah Dougsiyeh for the course English 3090: Exposition.

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Works cited:

Allan, Jennifer Lucy. “Mothers of Invention: the Women Who Pioneered Electronic Music.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 June 2016, www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/17/daphne-oram-synthesizer-deep-minimalism.

Araujo, Sara. “5 Women You Didn't Know Pioneered Electronic Music.” Music - Music, Cultura Colectiva, 16 Mar. 2019, culturacolectiva.com/music/female-electronic-music-pioneers.

Reyes, Jordan. “A Look at 5 Musicians and Their Massive Modular Rigs.” Reverb.com, 7 Dec. 2018, reverb.com/news/a-look-at-5-musicians-and-their-massive-modular-rigs.

Mantione, Philip. “Modular Synthesis 101 - History, Gear, Eurorack, Moog, Buchla & More.” Pro Audio Files, 31 Aug. 2018, theproaudiofiles.com/the-what-why-and-how-of-modular-synthesis/.

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I Dream Of Wires

http://www.idreamofwires.org/

I Dream of Wires is an excellent documentary on modular synthesizers

    “I Dream Of Wires is an independent documentary about the history, demise and resurgence of the modular synthesizer - exploring the dreams and obsessions of people who have dedicated part of their lives to this fascinating, esoteric electronic music machine. Over 100 inventors, musicians and enthusiasts are interviewed about their relationship with the modular synthesizer - for many, it’s an all-consuming passion.Through tracing the history of the modular synthesizer, I Dream Of Wires also outlines the history of electronic music as a whole, from its very beginnings at the dawn of the electric age. The film provides a fascinating look at how technology has shaped the electronic music landscape. Today, the modular synthesizer is no longer an esoteric curiosity or even a mere music instrument - it is an essential tool for radical new sounds and a bona fide subculture.”

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Synth block diagram guidelines - SyntherJack Article

A clear list of guidelines to clear and consistent synth block diagram creation along with Inkcape template. Alternative Moog Grandmother block diagram.

After learning the basics, this website could useful once you’re ready to dive deeper into learning more about synthesis.

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Beginner’s Guide to Building Your Own Modular System

Here are some useful links to websites that give very useful information on where to get started in the world of modular synthesizers. Although obtaining your own gear has become easier over the years as more options become available, it can still be a bit overwhelming to know where to start. Whether it’s figuring out the right price range for you or just simply not knowing the correct modules to get, these following sites will help you get started:

https://www.factmag.com/2017/09/21/modular-synth-eurorack-buyers-guide/

This article focuses on the major components of euroracks and which parts you should consider getting first. Its also gives details on what each part actually does for the system all together.

 https://theproaudiofiles.com/the-what-why-and-how-of-modular-synthesis/

This article gives a lot of useful information on modular synths and a more straightforward guide on the major components of a simple modular system.

https://www.modulargrid.net/

This is one of my favorite websites on building eurorack systems. This website features a more visual approach and allows you to drag modules you are thinking about using for your system so you can plan out how you want it be in the end. 

https://music.tutsplus.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-to-get-into-hardware-modular-synths--audio-20171

As it says in the title, this article simply contains everything you need to know to get into hardware modular synths.

Overall, there are many resources out there, but these ones I found most helpful and useful. 

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Daphne Oram paved the way for modular synthesis and electronic music as we know it today.

“This British composer became popular for many things, but one of her most popular contributions was the early experimentation with "musique concrete” (an experimental music genre based on a mixture of sounds from natural sources and everyday life). Moreover, Daphne also was the first woman to direct an electronic music studio, and design and construct an electronic musical instrument on her own.”

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“French composer Éliane Radigue was an early convert to the ARP 2500 synth (the same one used to communicate with the aliens in the film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind). She also brought Buddhism into modular synthesis, creating a heavy, lush drone, as in her 11th-century-Tibet-inspired piece Jetsun Mila.”

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Look Mum No Computer is a popular youtube user who uploads his experiemental performances. This demonstrates one of the more creative ways in which musicians can incorporate modular synths into their performance setups. 

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Martin Gore - ‘MG’ interview

MG is the new Martin Gore album - out now on Mute. Martin Gore reveals his inspirations behind this singular and beautiful album in this exclusive interview....

Martin Gore of Depeche Mode

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Current Musicians Who Use Modular Synthesizers

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

“Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's beginning in modular synthesis were influenced by a neighbor from her home on Orcas Island. After learning of Smith’s love for composer Terry Riley, the neighbor showed her a massive collection of Buchla synthesizers. Graciously, the neighbor lent those synthesizers to Smith for a year, over the course of which she was able to learn all about modulars.”

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Current Musicians Who Use Modular Synthesizers

Trent Reznor and Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails 

“ Whether he’s discussing the impact that Moog has had on his life and sound or how his dynamic has changed with the film scoring he has done, Trent Reznor is eloquent and direct in his thoughts on synthesis.”

https://vimeo.com/81576339

A clip from the documentary I Dream of Wires featuring Trent Reznor and  Alessandro Cortini.

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Doepfer’s Eurorack Systems: The Great Comeback of Modular Synths

Although the early pioneer manufacturers of modular systems made a significant impact in the development of such synthesizers, they were very expensive back in the day and inaccessible to the average musician. In the 90s, Dieter Doepfer created the eurorack, which made modular synthesizers gain back popularity amongst musicians. This format made it easier for people to choose what parts they would like and was significantly less complicated to learn how to use them, “the standard was adopted by other manufacturers and since then the sector has exploded with hundreds of companies producing exceptional and innovative products.”

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Brief History on Modular Synthesizers

The earliest commercial modular synthesizers started being developed more in the 60s as manufacturers began to incorporate different types of modules in order to make unique sounds. Some of the pioneer manufacturers included Moog Music and Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. 

Philip Mantione from the website Pro Audio Files makes some interesting points regarding the history and functionality of modular synths:

“Modular Synthesis began as a bicoastal phenomenon with Don Buchla on the West coast and Robert Moog on the East coast in the 1960s. Both were developing products for musicians looking to explore new electronic sounds. Each had different approaches and there was not a lot of communication between them at the time. Buchla’s clientele were more on the experimental side of the spectrum and interested in machine music and generative type approaches. While Moog was interested in making playable devices for performers in the mainstream.”

“The main premise behind modular synthesis is that by connecting various modules together the user can construct unique signal paths capable of synthesizing sounds. In self-contained, non-modular gear, there are hardwired connections under the hood and the functionality is relatively fixed regarding the number of oscillators, LFOs, envelopes, etc., that are built into the device. With modular, there is the ability to expand the system in infinite ways, simply by adding more modules. Devices control or are controlled by other devices by means of CV (control voltage), the lifeblood of modular. Patch cables are used to send voltage throughout the system.”