Eurorack for Beginners Series - Part 2 of 3 - Smart Module Selection 

Thanks Jeremy! It was more work than expected, but I hope this series can be utilized for beginners for many years to come.

I second what Jeremy says, really great stuff. This is the kind of video that I would have liked to see when I was just getting into modular. Thanks for your work to help the new members of the community!

Thanks Brian! Appreciate the love, it's a love letter to my former noob modular self.

RMR is going modular too? O_o

Thank you! Just trying to make everyone up their game....(Well except for like Andrew and Red Means, they have surpassed my skills lol)

Thanks Timi, I really hope this helps people, it was a treat to get to make it!

Thanks Danny, trying to get part 3 out by next week.

Did you make Part 3 yet?

I’m glad you’re enjoying it, seems there isn’t much to Eurorack on the surface, but I hope this really gives some guidance!

Why thank you Marco, it’s honestly not easy.

This means a lot, I honestly didn’t like the “intro to Modular” videos I was seeing, so I tried to be much more straightforward. Make a series and hopefully help people, while respecting their time.

@@NoirEtBlancVie Well, you definitely succeeded; I think a lot of what I was watching was focused on people who have already at least gotten their feet wet in synthesis (not my case).

It's getting released this Tuesday, March 6th

Good plan, I remember how I picked out a ton of modules I wanted, thinking the case was gonna be an afterthought, just to come and find out the case Alone was like $400, WTF, this series is kinda for me from the past lol

If there is one thing I hate, it’s RU-vidrs who ramble, concise is my middle name lol

Noir Et Blanc Vie Oh we already know that 😉

VCV Rack is fantastic isn't it?! I found out about it this year, but it's such a great tool. Plus you can figure out what types of modules you want before you buy. I love it.

Noir Et Blanc Vie tottaly, its a great tool

Glad it could help in someway 🙂

Thanks for the kind words John, Part 3 of the series is coming tomorrow.

Soon, part 3 hopefully in a week or two.

Noir Et Blanc Vie in a day or 2.😉

Thank you! I really tried with this one.

Hahaha, you and me both. Thanks, the backing track is just a little Mother 32 and some Rhodes :)

Like I needed more reason to want a Rhodes!

Hahaha

Yo thank you man! I honestly know my channel is small in comparison, but regardless I wanna keep the quality high and thoughts clear. I know I would have appreciated something like this before I wasted a bunch of money. haha

Thank you I really appreciate it!

I agree, I lusted after that Waldorf module for quite a while, I might get another of these Black VCOs, the thing is bad ass!

Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!

Hahahahaha, you welcome (to your wallet)

I can totally agree, maths is a fantastic module, but the learning curve is steep! Erica has really impressed me, I didn’t look at them at all until October of this year

Lol. Korg is definitely doing very very good things! I remember the rack version of the MS-20, I forgot though, was it Eurorack compatible as well?

It has Volt per Octave, but it's a desktop module, and won't fit a rack. At least not without modifications.

Boo lol

You’re very welcome, part 3 coming soon!

Hmm, these are all really really good questions...I’d say that you can do drum, bass, and leads in a single rack, but you’d need to start off with that goal in mind, specific sound source modules and utility modules would have to be chosen. Chords module by Qbit for harmony as well if you have that sort of sensibility...it’s all a big picture thing, but it is achievable.

+Noir Et Blanc Vie thank you. Again, loving these modular series...super informative.

Yeah that’s a great way to do it! I touched on using VCV rack, not much though. It’s a great way to learn what you want before you drop all that cash.

@@NoirEtBlancVie realistically.... im not born to a rich enough caste to ever do this. Its nice to watch though. Story of my life, lol.

Thank you Jordan!

Thanks for saying this, you’re definitely right Merlin, if I’m able to get my actual episodes to a decent length while keeping the production quality this high I definitely will. I want to, it’s just hard currently...I see other channels with the long vids, but they’re production isn’t really to high quality, nothing against them...just trying to find that balance. After NAMM I’m going to reassess how to do both, maybe a video every other week instead of each week.

People often complain when video schedules are unregularly, but they don't know what they're missing. Quality over quantity. Take your time if you need it, as long as you're proud of what you're doing. I hope you'll show us some of the discoviere you will make at the NAMM. See ya. =D

Thank you man! I'm definitely going to have a ton of content for that. If you hear any rumors of stuff that you want me to check out please let me know, I'm making a list!

Erica is fantastic, I need a bigger case, I’m seriously screwed lol

Modular is pure evil for your wallet. LOL

Whose advice would you follow if you don’t mind me asking? Know that I’m just a musician, I don’t know everything and can always improve. When I made this series it was because all the other “intro to Modular” videos I saw were long, drawn out, and never actually telling me what I needed in detail. They ended up just showing off their modular. I wanted to teach the way I learn which is through concise information that isn’t concrete, but respects peoples time and can lead them in a direction after watching. So if someone is a great teacher that did something similar to myself I’d like to know about them :)

@@NoirEtBlancVie finding such well produced videos as yours is not simple, guess why I watch yours ;) Anyways, I am just in the process of watching everything related to "starting with Eurorack modular stuff" and have already seen some where i can start for 500. ;) not as well made, but better tipps for sure. see, it's not all about the looks. Ian Webster or molten modular come to mind, and then some. but beware, they are just showing of their modulars, apart from a few excellent tips. I would recommend a Doepfer DIY kit, an old box and 3-4 starter modules. 400-500, done. One can always add more later (and probably will) It's just a bad iea to take 400-500 just for the empty case and than it takes another year before you can make music.

btw I haven't seen the other vids in your modular series, but quite a few of your other videos. this one was clearly not your best, contentwise. Not long or drawn out or boring^^, just... lacking info. My fear: many people watch this and don't think about eurorack anymore, because "too expensive" Not a cheap hobby for sure, but there's not only pitsburg and the like, who are clearly more expensive than others.

I totally see what you’re saying, I made the series in a way that I wanted to learn, so trust me, not everyone will get my philosophical approach more than a paint by numbers explanation. My way is definitely not better, just different and was made because when I started getting into modular all I found were 30 minute videos where at the end I said to myself “wait, so what parts to I actually need?” Haha. I also got started a very long time ago and so cases and modules were not so cheap and it wasn’t fashionable at all. I rewatched the video and I definitely made sure I pointed out to pick modules that fit your wants and your wallet. The SV-1 and Pittsburgh stuff if what I’m familiar with, so I didn’t mean to come off like it’s the best or that’s where to start, I just want to speak from personal experience, and heck, Make Noise and the Mother and Pittsburgh were all the modules I bought to start. I know so many people who have found there way through this series, but it’s definitely because they learn like me, not because I’m a good teacher hehe

Wait why not? That’s so strange....try to redownload, it’s definitely not supposed to be locked.

Yep, same. The module just doesn't exist :(

@@Rastapopoulpos1 The one he mentions in the video doesn't exist, but there are "MIDI-1" and "MIDI-4" which are similar.

the site is called modulargrid :)

​@@NoirEtBlancVie Oh thnx! I'm watching right now your stream of IK Uno Drum - Krispy Kreme Kickback - In Time 😅 Fan number 1!

Daryn yeah, I think going all in right away is tough. One because of the money, and two because it’s kinda not real easy to pick all at once. I truly do think starting with the semi modular is good value for money. I wouldn’t suggest the mother 32 though.

Haha, yeah I watched you compair the SV-1 and M32. Now I'm just researching all semi mods. But the damn Erica DB-01 is like the exact sound I was looking for. So now I'm back to square one. 😅 So many options. Helpppp

Any other semi mods you like or suggest checking out?

Daryn Oooo the DB-01 is sweet, but such a stand-alone instrument that I’d enjoy just having that. I stand by that the SV-1 is the most fully featured full voice in eurorack. Plus they’ve made the module more stable over time. Thing is, PM has their own way of doing things. You either buy into it and thrive or it’s kinda annoying. Personally since so much of my system is PM it’s all to easy at this point :)

Oh wow, I had no idea...not cool at all. Good suggestion for the 2HP. Stephen the owner of 2HP is an awesome dude as well. Honestly I loathe Reddit, but this is good information to have. Thank you!

Not a Reddit user myself lol, but the information is compiled there rather than digging through a bunch of Muff's pages. Definitely plan on grabbing a buncha 2HP stuff (...after I determine if the tiny knob caps are for me) for utility. Leaves me space in a smaller rack for the space hog sound generators, filters, fx and what-not I'm lusting over.

I totally feel you..I really am thinking about the 2HP mix module, hopefully soon :)

Hey Emily! You’re correct, and thank you for noticing! I felt I wanted to simplify as much as possible, so in my mind amplifier and louder made more sense than saying attenuators...it’s a series for beginners.

@@NoirEtBlancVie I completely understand - if i were to explain what a vca does to a beginner I'd also just say it's a volume control of sorts. just wanted to check if I had the right idea myself. thanks for getting back to me!

I’d honestly say something Analog delay-ish. Now that being said that’s what I’d do...I love analog delay!

@@NoirEtBlancVie Awesome! I'll take a look. Probably looking for something under 100, so if anything comes to mind, let me know.

Hey Alan, Part 3 will be up this Tuesday March 6th.

I get that interesting is a very relative term. I guess I'll give it a shot and I'll let you know how I do. I'm trying to keep the budget down because I'm more of an electronics enthusiast than say a musician, so it would be strictly an expensive hobby lol.

They do nothing, but they cost a lot 😄

It was such a big undertaking as a series time wise as I’m sure you can tell, it’s all filmed, it just requires editing. It will be up in the coming weeks.

My suggestion, totally just contact the manufacturer. Often times modules are powder coated somewhere along the process, if you want just bare metal you should ask for it straight from them, that way you won’t have to strip the coat before you repaint.

Noir Et Blanc Vie thanks !

Noir Et Blanc Vie You've gotta be one of the best Synth channels ! The video are reaaaaaally well made Easy to understand and any questions I've had you've Always answered ! 👌👍

Not a problem. I miss comments sometimes so thanks for your patience and compliments, it means a lot!

Noir Et Blanc Vie 🎹🔈🔉🔊

Maybe in another couple weeks. It’s already been filmed. It’s just up to me to edit

Hey Aaron, Part 3 will be up this Tuesday March 6th.

Noir Et Blanc Vie Can’t wait! And please keep making ANY vids for Arturia MicroBrute2/2S, Behringer Nuetron, or any interesting all in one Eurorack synths!!!

Which case, my case?

Yeah, I think it looks pretty sharp!

It’s the Doepfer A100, 6U 84hp. It’s around $400 new I think. It’s been great, power supply is super reliable. It’s not cheap, but it’s a good size!

Thanks man!

Hahahaha, unfortunately I shouldn’t do what 1 person suggests when they’re offering an critical opinion without any real constructive value. That being said, as a person who seems like you know more than maybe the bare bones beginner this series is NOT for you. Hundreds of people have said how much they appreciated this series for 1. Other peoples explanations are too advanced 2. Other peoples explanations are not real world enough 3. Other peoples explanations are too long winded and not concise to the point. If I changed what I did for you, it would make countless others unhappy. Many don’t think subtractive synthesis is boring, but as a way of understanding a broad topic I thought it best to present it in the most universal way, building blocks of a prefab into module form. All that said I appreciate you taking the time, but as a intellectual I would love if you narrow down specific points of contention and offer ways I could improve not just for you, but for this whole community. Mr. Sunglasses welcomes you to lessen the negative (as it doesn’t hurt my feelings and well, dislikes and negative comments count as engagement so thank you) and help those who know less than you.

compared to what a modular synth can be, the fixed routing of a vanilla subtractive synth is quite frankly boring. but it gets especially confusing that you explain a start to modular by imitating this fixed architecture synths, which is imo completely backwards (explaining the basics of synthesis can be extremely helpful if it's done with modular). i don't mean this negatively, don't get me wrong, i just think you could emphasize that the strenght of modular synth is in the patching, eg the modular aspect of modular. by routing signals differently to fixed architectures you can come up not only with new timbres and sounds but in essence with new ways of playing a unique instrument. that's what i miss here, i know it's for beginners and surely you reach people, but what you're explaining is synth for beginners, not eurorack for beginners. excuse my english, cheers :)

Fair enough, but the best way for someone (in my opinion) to understand Modular is to breakdown something familiar, like a prefab design. I went into VCV rack to detail exactly how modules combine to create sound. Without the basic understanding of synthesizer parts modular doesn’t really make much sense to a beginner, does it?