beginner questions (be nice)

[hallospceboy]

so i have done google searchs, and other forum searchs and i still dont understand what a modular rack/synth is. i understand what modular means but i dont know what it is or what it does so...
1 could someone either direct me to good website to explain it or just tell me what one is?
2 i have read a bunch of beginner "purchases" threads and those people know what kind of sound they want. now i dont know what sound i want so i dont really know what to ask for but what is a good modular product to experiment with and see if i like it (or what i should look for at a music store to experiment with.)?
3 if this thread is already somewhere please sink this and direct me that one please.

[fuckrapsputin]

"The modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires (patch cords) to create a so-called patch"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_synth

[crystalmsc]

to have a taste, you might try the Nord G2 free demo:
http://www.clavia.se/products/nordmodular/demo.htm

[Stab Frenzy]

Welcome to VSE!

so i have done google searchs, and other forum searchs and i still dont understand what a modular rack/synth is. i understand what modular means but i dont know what it is or what it does so...
1 could someone either direct me to good website to explain it or just tell me what one is?

Did you try putting "modular synth" into Google? The first two hits do a decent job of explaining things.

2 i have read a bunch of beginner "purchases" threads and those people know what kind of sound they want. now i dont know what sound i want so i dont really know what to ask for but what is a good modular product to experiment with and see if i like it (or what i should look for at a music store to experiment with.)?

As stated already, download the Nord Modular G2 demo to get a bit of a basic idea of what the different modules do. Have a look at the demo patches that come with it and pick them apart til you have a fair idea of what's going on. Do you know what bands have a sound you like? That'll help give people an idea of where you might want to start, but like anything you can't expect to know exactly what you want to begin with. I suspect that a hardware modular isn't exactly what you want, but it might take a little while to figure out exactly what it is you do want. In the meantime read up on synths and listen to lots of demos.

3 if this thread is already somewhere please sink this and direct me that one please.

This thread belongs in teh Buyers Guide, I'll move it over there. Have a read of the stickies at the top of that forum, it'll help people help you.

[cornutt]

There's some confusing terminology here; the word "module" gets used in two different contexts. A "module" can refer to a rack-mounted synth which lacks a keyboard and can only be played via MIDI. They are often re-packaged forms of keyboard synths, with the keyboard removed and the electronics rearranged to fit in a smaller box. Some people call these "rackmount" or just "rack" synths.

A "modular" synth, on the other hand, is a type of synth in which each of the individual functions of the synth is sold and installed separately. (The individual functions are called "modules", not to be confused with the use of the word "module" in the previous paragraph.) Modulars require a frame or cabinet in which to install the individual modules, and the frame or cabinet has to have power supplies which each module is connected to. Usually, in a modular, there is no "automatic" connection between modules. You have to plug patch cords in to route signals from one module to the next, and until you do so, it won't produce any sound.

There's also something referred to as a "semi-modular". This is a synth which has "automatic" connections between functions, but it also has jacks where the automatic connections can be overriden and added to using patch cords, in the fashion of a modular synth. The ARP 2600 is a famous example.

[esqoner]

there is already a spaceboy here. just so you know.

[calyx93]

there is already a spaceboy here. just so you know.

His moniker is hallospceboy - just so you know.

[esqoner]

there is already a spaceboy here. just so you know.

His moniker is hallospceboy - just so you know.

thanks for assuming i meant any harm.

there could be confusion down the road. figured i'd let him know.

perhaps he was saying hello to spaceboy. i don't know.

maybe he spelled halo wrong.

trying to be helpful.

[hallospceboy]

yeah hallospceboy is one of my favorite david bowie songs.
and yes its hallo not hello or halo and also its spce mostly so im kinda guaranteed a username for multiple sites
and yeah this information is really helpful. im mainly a non electrical musician (drums and guitar) but i love the electronic aspect and being able to sculpt sounds with a couple of patches so im gonna try things out

[OriginalJambo]

And it looks a bit like an old style telephone switchboard with a keyboard.

[cornutt]

All it needs is Lily Tomlin, saying "one ringey-dingey..."