I am building my first synthesizer, and I have questions

[willbanks]

So, for this chassis, do I need one for the entire thing? Or one chassis per module? And I'm guessing I have to buy them seperatly? Also, why do I need 2 envelope generators? What's wrong with one?

Here's a chassis:





See the connector for a power cord on the back? This one has a power supply in it. You can also see the backplane (the green board with connectors on it attached to the back panel).

You put your modules into the chassis like this:



Yes, you only need one envelope generator, most people like to have one for the amplifier and one for the filter, but that's your choice.

What is your budget? It would be a lot simpler for you if you just bought a standard system with the modules chosen for you. That way when you open the box, you're ready to go.

Pittsburgh Modular System 10.1 $709 is ready to go but half the chassis is empty for you to add more modules as you have the money.



Add any keyboard with a MIDI output. Here's one for $76:



Then a sound system of some sort...your stereo, a guitar amp, powered speaker...

ok, so I am probably gonna end up buying a pre made basic synth, then building my own modulor system to go with it (as you suggested). since im 16, this stuff may be too complicated for me.

so if I buy a premade synth, can I buy seperate modular parts and then assemble them together and make my own modular system? then get that to work with the other synth?

also, im looking at getting this badboy http://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-lead-3

then by extra modulars to link to it, im assuming that's possible.

[Jabberwalky]

Nope. You need other analog synths that work with CV to use with a modular.

[willbanks]

Nope. You need other analog synths that work with CV to use with a modular.

so if it works with CV, then it'll work with eternal modulators?

[willbanks]

So, I am pretty set on buying this synthesizer here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clavia-Nord-Rac ... 1a04c52c29

And I would like to know if it is possible to get an external modulator to work with this.

For example: The synth doesn't have a built in EQ, so I decided to buy a separate modular. Can I link the 2 together to become one? If so, how?

Thanks

[Jabberwalky]

EQ would be easiest, and cheapest to get with a simple mixer or guitar pedal.

You could also use a band pass filter module.

I'd suggest just starting small. You'll start to see what you need as you use the stuff. The whole point of having a modular synth is to be able to patch them together in interesting ways. Everything on a modular is controlled with CV/Gate sources. When people buy synths to go with a modular, they buy things like MFB Dominion, Arturia Minibrute, or DSI Pro2. Synths that have jacks to output the CVs, but also jacks for input.

With a Nord, you can modulate the outputted audio signal, but that's about the extent of it.

[willbanks]

EQ would be easiest, and cheapest to get with a simple mixer or guitar pedal.

You could also use a band pass filter module.

I'd suggest just starting small. You'll start to see what you need as you use the stuff. The whole point of having a modular synth is to be able to patch them together in interesting ways. Everything on a modular is controlled with CV/Gate sources. When people buy synths to go with a modular, they buy things like MFB Dominion, Arturia Minibrute, or DSI Pro2. Synths that have jacks to output the CVs, but also jacks for input.

With a Nord, you can modulate the outputted audio signal, but that's about the extent of it.

so nord wouldn't be too good with external modulators? is there a way I can tell if a synth has CV/Gate support?

[Weirdofromouterspace]

is there a way I can tell if a synth has CV/Gate support?

Yes: By reading the specs and/or description of the synth in question.

[willbanks]

is there a way I can tell if a synth has CV/Gate support?

Yes: By reading the specs and/or description of the synth in question.

it says stuff like CV/Gate for filter, ddoes it mean it only works with a filter?

[willbanks]

So I'm building my own synthesizer (as in buying seperate modulators and stuff, not building from scratch), and I wanted to buy this synth to start me off:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-lead-a1

I plan to add that to a cabinet and add on external modulators for other effects and such. I heard for this to work, it needs to have CV support, and I don't know how to tell if it has one or not.

These is another synth I might buy:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KORG-MS2000R-Ra ... 1749180457

(Wow that link is long)

Also, do I need multiple CV outputs? Or just one to connect to an entire modular system?

Thanks guys!

[meatballfulton]

Neither of those synthesizers have CV connections. Almost no digital synthesizers do, since CV is analog.

[willbanks]

Neither of those synthesizers have CV connections. Almost no digital synthesizers do, since CV is analog.

another question, why is it when i post a new topic it moves it to this f**k topic? I mean what's the point of that? It only makes this project f**k harder.

[meatballfulton]

As moderator I have been moving your posts here to this thread since they are all on the same topic.

[willbanks]

As moderator I have been moving your posts here to this thread since they are all on the same topic.

I see, but everytime I make a new one I assume it can help me. Sorry for cursing, I got angry. I just wish everything was simpler and easy for me to understand. I think I'm going to stop posting here. thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.

[Sonic_Rambler]

I can understand your frustrations as I to have learning difficulties, it can be very overwhelming, especially if you started out in vst world like i did. However, I believe for someone like yourself you could get a lot out of a small modular system to start with. Maybe check out some tutorials on youtube.

This is quite a good video series, its quick, concise and will cover 99% of the questions you asked:

I hope this helps.

[willbanks]

I can understand your frustrations as I to have learning difficulties, it can be very overwhelming, especially if you started out in vst world like i did. However, I believe for someone like yourself you could get a lot out of a small modular system to start with. Maybe check out some tutorials on youtube.

This is quite a good video series, its quick, concise and will cover 99% of the questions you asked:

I hope this helps.

thank you, ill watch the video. thanks for having patience with me.