The
modular synthesizer is a type of
synthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument that is capable of producing a variety of sounds by generating and combining signals of different frequencies...
consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires (patch cords) to create a so-called
patchA patch, in terms of music synthesizers, is a sound setting. For example, a synthesizer may have patches for a piano sound, a guitar sound, etc.Modular synthesizers, the first synthesizers, used cables to patch the different sound modules together...
. Every output generates a signal - an electric
voltageVoltage is commonly used as a short name for electrical potential difference. Its corresponding SI unit is the volt...
of variable strength. Combining the signals generated by multiple modules into a common audio output allows a potentially infinite number of configurations, leading to a potentially infinite number of sounds.
There exist many different types and sub-types of modules - even modules with the same basic function will have different inputs, outputs and controls on various models.
The
modular synthesizer is a type of
synthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument that is capable of producing a variety of sounds by generating and combining signals of different frequencies...
consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires (patch cords) to create a so-called
patchA patch, in terms of music synthesizers, is a sound setting. For example, a synthesizer may have patches for a piano sound, a guitar sound, etc.Modular synthesizers, the first synthesizers, used cables to patch the different sound modules together...
. Every output generates a signal - an electric
voltageVoltage is commonly used as a short name for electrical potential difference. Its corresponding SI unit is the volt...
of variable strength. Combining the signals generated by multiple modules into a common audio output allows a potentially infinite number of configurations, leading to a potentially infinite number of sounds.
There exist many different types and sub-types of modules - even modules with the same basic function will have different inputs, outputs and controls on various models. There are some standards which manufacturers followed for their range of synthesizers; however, connecting synthesizers from different manufacturers often requires converters.
Some standard modules found on almost any modular synth are:
- VCO - Voltage Controlled Oscillator
A voltage-controlled oscillator or VCO is an electronic oscillator designed to be controlled in oscillation frequency by a voltage input. The frequency of oscillation is varied by the applied DC voltage, while modulating signals may also be fed into the VCO to cause frequency modulation or phase...
, which will output a pitched sound (frequency) in a simple waveformWaveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a solid, liquid or gaseous medium.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph of the...
(most usually a square wave or a sawtooth wave, but also includes pulse, triangle and sine waves).
- Noise source - A generator that supplies "hiss" sound similar to static, which can be used for explosions, cymbals, or randomly generated control signals. Common types of noise offered by modular synthesizers include white, pink, and low frequency noise.
- VCF - Voltage Controlled Filter
A voltage-controlled filter is a filter whose operating characteristics can be controlled by means of a control voltage applied to one or more inputs....
, which attenuates frequencies below (high-pass), above (low-pass) or both below and above (band-pass) a certain frequencyFrequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency....
. VCFs can also be configured to provide band-exclusion, whereby the high and low frequencies remain while the middle frequencies are removed.
- VCA - Voltage Controlled Amplifier, which varies the amplitude
Amplitude is the magnitude of change in the oscillating variable, with each oscillation, within an oscillating system. For instance, sound waves are oscillations in atmospheric pressure and their amplitudes are proportional to the change in pressure during one oscillation...
of a signal in response to a supplied control voltage.
- EG - triggering an Envelope Generator produces a single, repeatable shaped voltage pulse. Often configured as ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) it provides the means to shape a recognizable sound from a raw waveform. This technique can be used to synthesize the natural decay of a piano, or the sharp attack of a trumpet. It can be triggered by a keyboard or by another module in the system. Usually it drives the output of a VCA or VCF, but the patchable structure of the synthesizer makes it possible to use the envelope generator to modulate other parameters such as the pitch or pulse width of the VCO. Simpler EG (AD or AR) or more complex (DADSR -- Delay, Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) are sometimes available.
- LFO - A Low Frequency Oscillator is similar to a VCO but it usually operates below 20 Hz. It is generally used as a control voltage for another module. For example, modulating a VCO will create vibrato
Vibrato is a musical effect, produced in singing and on musical instruments by a regular pulsating change of pitch, and is used to add expression and vocal-like qualities to instrumental music...
while modulating a VCA will create tremeloVibrato is a musical effect, produced in singing and on musical instruments by a regular pulsating change of pitch, and is used to add expression and vocal-like qualities to instrumental music...
.
- RM - Ring modulator
Ring modulation is a signal-processing effect in electronics, related to amplitude modulation or frequency mixing, performed by multiplying two signals, where one is typically a sine-wave or another simple waveform. It is referred to as "ring" modulation because the analog circuit of diodes...
- Two audio inputs are utilized to create sum and difference frequencies while suppressing the original signals. This gives the sound a "robotic" quality.
- Mixer, a module that combines multiple signals into one.
- S&H - Sample and hold
In electronics, a sample and hold circuit is used to interface real-world signals, by changing analog signals to a subsequent system such as an analog-to-digital converter...
, which takes a "sample" of the input voltage when a trigger pulse is received and "holds" it until a subsequent trigger pulse is applied. The source is often taken from a noise generator.
- Sequencer
A music sequencer is software or hardware designed to create and manage computer-generated music....
, which produces a sequence of notes, usually a music loopIn electronic music, a loop is a sample which is repeated. Loops may be repeated through the use of tape loops, delay effects, cutting between two record players, sampling, a sampler or with the aid of Computer Based Looping Software.-Definitions:-Origins:...
.
- Slew Limiter - smooths off the peaks of voltages. This can be used to create glide or portamento between notes. Can also work as a primitive low-pass filter.
- Custom Control Inputs - Because modular synthesizers have voltage-driven inputs, it is possible to connect almost any kind of control. Pitch can be varied by room temperature if you wish, or amplification varied by light level falling on a sensor. They have ablilities far beyond the scope of more "modern" digital equipment.
It is difficult or painstaking to produce polyphonic music with a modular synthesizer. They can be bulky, expensive, and there is a steep learning curve. However, there continues to be a loyal following of musicians and manufacturers who prefer the physically-patched approach, the flexibility and the sound of traditional modulars.
In the late 1980's, modular synthesizers were largely replaced by highly integrated keyboard synthesizers, racks of
MIDIMIDI , ) is an industry-standard protocol defined in 1982 that enables electronic musical instruments such as keyboard controllers, computers, and other electronic equipment to communicate, control, and synchronize with each other...
-connected gear, and
samplerA sampler is an electronic musical instrument closely related to a synthesizer. Instead of generating sounds from scratch, however, a sampler starts with multiple recordings of different sounds added by the user, and then plays each back based on how the instrument is configured...
s. Lately there has been a resurgence in the popularity of analog synthesizers. In fact, there are more manufacturers now than there were when they were at the height of their popularity.
Historic manufacturers of modular synthesizer hardware
The earliest commercial modular synthesizers were developed, in parallel, by
R.A. Moog Co.Moog Music is an American company based in Asheville, North Carolina which manufactures electronic musical instruments. The current Moog Music is the second company to trade under that name.-R.A. Moog Co. and the original Moog Music:...
, and
BuchlaBuchla & Associates, Inc. is a manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, notably synthesizers and unique MIDI controllers. The 200e Electric Music Box is currently in production.-History:...
in 1963. The synthesizer both broadened the spectrum, and greatly eased the creation of
electronic musicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, which before was made via tape splicing, use of primitive electronic oscillators, and earlier electronic or electromechanical instruments such as the
thereminThe theremin , originally known as the aetherphone / etherophone or termenvox / thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928...
and the
Ondes MartenotThe ondes Martenot , also known as the ondium Martenot, Martenot and ondes musicales, is an early electronic musical instrument that Maurice Martenot invented in 1928. The original design was similar in sound to the theremin...
.
ARPARP Instruments, Inc. was an early electronic music company founded by Alan Robert Pearlman. Best known for its line of synthesizers that emerged in the early 1970s, ARP closed its doors in 1981 for financial reasons.- History :...
,
SergeThe Serge synthesizer is an analogue modular synthesizer system originally developed by Serge Tcherepnin at CalArts in the 1970s and originally produced by Tcherepnin's Serge Modular Music Systems company.Serge synthesizers have been used by composers such as Michael Stearns and Kevin Braheny The...
, and
EMSElectronic Music Studios Ltd. is a synthesizer company formed in 1969 by Dr. Peter Zinovieff. The company created the VCS 3 the same year. The synthesizer was developed in the basement of Zinovieff's London house...
versions were soon to follow. In 1976, the Japanese company
Rolandis a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in...
came out with the System 700. Also in the mid-1970s, the mail-order electronics-kit vendor
Paia ElectronicsPAiA Electronics, Inc. is an American synthesizer kit company that was started by John Simonton in 1967. They sell various musical electronics kits including analog synthesizers, theremins, mixers, and various music production units designed by founder John Simonton, Craig Anderton, Marvin Jones,...
marketed two different lines of simple DIY modular synthesizer systems.
Modern manufacturers of modular hardware synthesizers (alphabetical)
Hardware offerings range from complete systems in cases to kits for hobbyist DIY constructors. Many manufacturers augment their range with products based on recent re-designs of classic modules; often both the original and subsequent reworked designs are available free on the WWW, the original patents having lapsed. Many hobbyist designers also make available bare PCB boards and front panels for sale to other hobbyists.
Form Factors
Many early synthesizer modules had modules with
height in integer inches: 11" (e.g., Roland 700), 10" (e.g., Wavemakers), 9" (e.g., Aries), 8" (e.g., ARP 2500), 7" (e.g., Polyfusion, Buchla, Serge), 6" (e.g., Emu) and width in 1/4" inch multiples. More recently it has become more popular to follow the standard 19"
Rack unitA rack unit or U is a unit of measure used to describe the height of equipment intended for mounting in a 19-inch rack or a 23-inch rack...
system: 6U (Wiard), 5U (8.75" e.g., Moog, Modcan), 4U (e.g., Serge). Two rack 3U unit systems in particular are notable: the Frac Rack system (e.g., Paia) and the similar Eurorack system (e.g., Doepfer). Further minor variations exist where European or Japanese manufacturers round a U measurement up or down to some closer convenient metric equivalent; for example the common 5U modules are exactly 8.75" (222.25mm), but non-American manufacturers may prefer 220mm or 230mm.
Electrical
Other differences are with plugs (1/4" jacks, 3.5mm jacks, banana), with main DC power supply (typically +/- 15V, but ranging from +/-18V to +/-12V for different manufacturers or systems), with trigger or gate voltages (Moog S-trigger or postive gate), with typical audio signal levels (often +/-5V with +/-5V headroom), and with control voltages of volts/octave (typically 1V/octave, but in some cases 1.2V/octave.) Most analog modular systems use a volts/octave system, sometimes termed linear voltage control; some (such as Korg MS-20, ETI 4600) use a volts/herz system with excellent temperature stability but less flexible control.
Modular software synthesizers (alphabetical)
There are also software synthesizers for personal computers which are organized as interconnectable modules. Many these are virtual analog synthesizers, where the modules simulate hardware functionality. Some of them are also virtual modular systems, which simulate real historical modular synthesizers.
- Alsa Modular Synthesiser http://alsamodular.sourceforge.net/
- ARP 2600
The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog subtractive audio synthesizer, designed by Alan R. Pearlman and manufactured by his company, ARP Instruments, Inc. Unlike other modular systems of the time, which required modules to be purchased individually and wired by the user, the 2600 was semi-modular...
by ArturiaArturia is a software company located in Grenoble, France and founded in 1999 by Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil, both INPG-qualified engineers. The company's focus is on the development of electronic music software and tools...
- AudioMulch
AudioMulch is modular audio software for making music and processing sound. The software can synthesize sound and process live and pre-recorded sound in real-time....
- Bidule
Bidule is a modular program for creation of interactive computer music and multimedia works that runs on both Windows and Mac computers. It is produced by the Canadian company Plogue Arts and Technology. Bidule is based on a patch cord and module model, like AudioMulch, Reaktor, Pure Data, and...
By plogue
- ChucK
ChucK is a concurrent, strongly timed audio programming language for real-time synthesis, composition, and performance, which runs on Mac OS X, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. It is designed to favor readability and flexibility for the programmer over other considerations such as raw performance...
- CreamwareAudio Modular III
CreamwareAudio Modular III is a modular synthesizer running on DSPs ,as part of the software environment provided for the Creamware 'Scope' line of sound cards....
- Csound
Csound is a computer programming language for dealing with sound, also known as a sound compiler or an audio programming language. It is called Csound because it is written in C, as opposed to some of its predecessors...
- jMax
jMax was a highly-modular visual programming environment for interactive real-time music. It was developed by the real-time team at IRCAM. It was quite similar to PureData and Max...
- Jeskola Buzz
- MaxMSP
Max is a visual programming language for music and multimedia developed and maintained by San Francisco-based software company Cycling '74. During its 15-year history, it has been primarily used by composers, performers, software designers, researchers and artists for creating interactive...
- Moog Modular V by Arturia
Arturia is a software company located in Grenoble, France and founded in 1999 by Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil, both INPG-qualified engineers. The company's focus is on the development of electronic music software and tools...
- Pure Data
Pure Data is a graphical programming language developed by Miller Puckette in the 1990s for the creation of interactive computer music and multimedia works. Though Puckette is the primary author of the software, Pd is an open source project and has a large developer base working on new extensions...
- Reaktor
Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio of proprietary license developed by Native Instruments. It lets musicians and engineers design and build their own instruments, samplers, effects and sound design tools. It is supplied with many ready-to-use instruments and effects, from...
- RolloSONIC
- SpiralSynthModular
- SuperCollider
SuperCollider is an environment and programming language originally released in 1996 by James McCartney for real-time audio synthesis and algorithmic composition....
- SynthEdit
- SynFactory
SynFactory is an open source software synthesizer for Windows. It is based on the same sound generating principles such as subtractive synthesis as used in vintage modular synthesizers. Patches can be built from separate components and connected together with virtual patch cables...
- SynthMaker
SynthMaker is an audio programming tool developed by OutSim mainly focused on developing VST plug-ins in a purely visual editing fashion. It has the ability of generating stand-alone applications and VST plug-ins that can be used in any VST Host....
- Tassman by Applied Acoustics Systems
- Timewarp 2600 by Way Out Ware
- VAZModular
Computers have grown so powerful and inexpensive that software programs can realistically model the signals, sounds, and patchability of modulars very well. While potentially lacking the physical presence of desirable analog sound generation, real voltage manipulation, knobs, sliders, cables, and
LEDLEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
s, software modular synthesizers offer the infinite variations and visual patching at a more affordable price and in a compact form factor.
The popular
pluginIn computing, a plug-in consists of a computer program that interacts with a host application to provide a certain, usually very specific, function "on demand"...
formats such as
VSTSteinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use Digital Signal Processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
may be combined in a modular fashion.
Semi-modular synthesizers
A modular synthesizer has a case or frame into which arbitrary modules can be plugged; modules are usually connected together using patch cords and a system may include modules from different sources, as long as it fits the form factors of the case and uses the same electrical specifications.
A semi-modular synthesizer on the other hand is a collection of modules from a single manufacturer that makes a cohesive product. Modules may not be swapped out and often a typical configuration has been pre-wired. However, the manufacturer provides mechanisms to allow the user to connect modules in different orders.
Matrix Systems
Matrix systems use pin matrixes or other crosspoint switches rather than patch cords. Historic examples with pin matrixes include the EMS Synthi 100, EMS VCS-3, ETI International 4600, Maplin 5600. The Arp 2500 used a matrix switch.
Patch Override Systems
The different modules of a semi-modular synthesizer are wired together into a typical configuration, but can be re-wired by the user using patch cords. Some examples are the Arp 2600, Anyware Instruments Semtex, the Cwejman S1, Korg MS-10, MS-20, MS-50, PS-3100, PS-3200 and
PS-3300- History :The gargantuan Korg PS-3300 is one of the biggest and rarest synthesizers ever made. Only around 50 units were produced by Korg over a period of 3-4 years in the late 70s before it was discontinued. The high production costs of this very complex instrument gave it a price tag that was...
,and
Roland System-100The Roland System-100, released in 1975 and manufactured until 1979, was a more-affordable analog semi-modular synthesizer manufactured by Japan's Roland Corporation....
.
Electronically Reconfigurable Systems
Reconfigurable systems allow certain signals to be routed through modules in different orders. Examples include the Oberheim Matrix and Rhodes Chroma, and Moog Voyager.
Hybrid modular synthesizers
Hybrid synthesizers use hardware and software combination. In alphabetical order:
- Clavia Nord Modular
The Clavia Nord Modular series is a line of synthesizers produced by Clavia, a Swedish digital synthesizer manufacturer. The Nord Modular series, in common with their sister range the Nord Lead series, are analogue modelling synthesizers, producing sounds which approximate those produced by...
and Clavia Nord Modular G2 by ClaviaClavia Digital Musical Instruments is a Swedish manufacturer of virtual analog synthesizers, virtual electromechanical pianos and stage pianos, founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1983 by Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson.-The Company:...
, these are however 100% digital modular synthesizers.
External links