Well, exactly what do we mean when we say Modular Synths?

The music synthesizers are systems made of electronic circuits. Electronics is widely used in many devices and it developed and evolved since the first decades of the last century.

Many aspect have been dealt with it during this time with modularity being one of those. Modular synths follow this approach.

The realization of complex systems by connecting independent modules makes the manufacturing process faster (several components can be assembled in parallel) and sinplifies maintenance (if a module fails it can be easily replaced to put back in order the device while fixing the broken unit off-line).

It is then easy to understand why the first synthesizers have been realized using modules. Today's modular synths are directly derived from this approach which can have several advantages.

Modules to make a modular synth

Synthesizer's architecture evolved in direct contact with the technology progresses. The synthesis techniques are a bunch and modular synths can, thank to their modularity, handle all the possibilities offered over the years by the researchers from all over the world. Without thinking to be complete, the modules can be grouped in following categories:

• Oscillators
• Filters
• Amplifiers
• Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO)
• Envelope Generators
• Effects
• Utilities

The last category comprizes all the modules which don't perform sound generating functions. They are anyway needed since the can be, for instance Sequencers, Controllers, Interfaces and so on.

We also have available more complex devices which can eventually be as complex as full synthesizers. Think about the Samplers or the semi-modular productions by Moog or other Companies.

The Eurorack Standard

As often happens, when a technology succedes in the market, it helps to define the standard to be followed.

In the modular synths field this happened when Mr. Doepfer defined the Eurorack standard (1996).

Following those rules all the components made according the Eurorack standard can be used together without problem. You can then think about and build the synth of your dreams (or even invent original solutions).

It is clear so that this was one of the reasons why modular synths have reborn in this early third millenium.

Connecting Modules

In modular synths the components can be patched by using specific patch cables. Connections are possible for both audio and control signals. No shame gets out if you want to connect audio to control signal and viceversa to get unusual behaviours.

This means that you can have (especially when modules increase in quantity) endless possibility to generate original behaviours and sounds.

Well, once a given patch is disassembled it becames difficult to duplicate and this was one of the main reasons to think about configurations with patch memories (and abandon modular synths).

Nonetheless, this remains part of the charm of modular synths. You get the feeling that every patch is an original and unduplicable piece of art.

What are modular synths

We are now capable to answer the title's question. Following the technology (and a little nerdy) approach we can sat that modular synths are electronic devices realized by connecting (patching) modules which generates sounds, melodies, rythms and armonies because are specific control signals.

Following a more romantic and artistic approach, we can say that modular synths are quite complex objects capable to give rarely duplicable emotions. In this sense modular synths can be though as unreplicable modern pieces of artwork. Don't you agree with us?