Introduction to making modular Techno - Basic modules and considerations

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Today we are going to have a look at building a modular synthesizer designed for making Techno. My system is actually designed to be pretty flexible, but over the last few years I have been making modular music, the techno tracks have been the more popular ones, and quite some people asked me how to get started building a techno system. So here it is!
We define some key elements: The kick, percussion, synths, effects and sequencers. For each of those elements we go over some core modules and options to look at. What kick, percussion, synths and effects are the ones for you? We end with a bonus tip.
Affiliate links:
Perfect Circuit - US - bit.ly/3Yn0Gll
Sound of You - EU bit.ly/3DzdFYi
Clockface - AS - bit.ly/3YkDJ1B
Here’s the timetable:
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - The key elements
01:40 - The kick
03:44 - Percussion
07:18 - Synths
11:40 - Effects
14:20 - Sequencers
16:12 - Final tip
If you want to support my project:
Patreon: / monotrail
Bandcamp: monotrail.bandcamp.com
Special thanks to Legendary Patrons:
Michael Rutchik
Wayne Cowan
Steve Williams
Glnds
Let’s connect!:
RU-vid: / monotrailmusic
Facebook: / monotrailmusic
Soundcloud: / monotrailmusic
Instagram: / monotrail
Modular grid: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/v...
#modulartechno #euroracktechno #technoforbeginners

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1 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 124

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Hello everyone, we reached 1K subscribers in a few months! I’m very happy with that, and want to thank everyone for the very kind and positive comments over the last videos :) This will be my last one for 2020, so onward to a new year of Tech Talk and Monotrail tunes! I wish everyone a great musical time, and a happy new year! Hope to see you all soon! Support my project on Patreon: www.patreon.com/monotrail Or shop through my affiliate links: US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-267461-9759 EU: www.thomann.de/de/index.html?partner_id=32555

@kalubandali2241 3 года назад

2k nearly now :) great job!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

@@kalubandali2241 Yeah, thank you! It's so great to see it's slowly picking up faster. I'm glad I took on this journey :)

@bentonmohamed1369 2 года назад

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a method to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot my login password. I would love any help you can offer me!

@tobycollin5759 2 года назад

@Benton Mohamed instablaster :)

@bentonmohamed1369 2 года назад

@Toby Collin i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

@Tallis61 3 года назад

Really great work! As a beginner, these are easily the most helpful and informative videos I have encountered on modular synths. Thank you!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you! Glad to hear it, I've been wondering a bit about the right tone for these, but wanted to start on a fairly easy level :)

@PabloRodriguezwhyCharlieWhy Год назад

i know this dude for a few years and.... he never mentioned, that he does this!!!

@MrKililae 3 года назад

Great video as always! Learning so much and getting so much inspiration from you. Really makes me sit down and tinker with my new and growing modular system :)

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad to hear it's working for you! Makes me happy to hear it :)

@bogdankardash571 3 года назад

Presentations and explanations are great. No bsing. Really useful. Subscribed!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad to hear it, welcom aboard ;)

@carlos_martinezzz 3 года назад

The best video to begin with modular. You are a great teacher!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you so much! Glad to hear you liked it :)

@mrparksy 3 года назад

Really enjoyed this, lots of ideas!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad to hear you liked it!

@stefanhansen5882 3 года назад

This was absolutely amazing! Thank you so much! I am new to this, and this was super helpful!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful! All the best!

@mymodularjourney 3 года назад

Again another great video.

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you, cheers!

@ZAYAZOfficial Год назад

Thanks for this video. Really helpful

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Glad it was helpful! All the best :)

@Mo-tf9jb Год назад

Man your content is top notch. Thanks for that great overview.

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Glad you enjoy it! And thanks for letting me know, positive responses like these make it worth it! Cheers :)

@trevormalcolm4328 3 года назад

2021 will be the year I get into modular systems, watching this video was invaluable and perfect for what I’m after! 🙏🏽👍🏽🇬🇧

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Sounds like a great plan, all the best for 2021! :)

@iFaaNaTiiK 3 года назад

Im starting modular and Im glad I found your channel :)

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad to hear it! Have a great time with your personal journey, and feel free to ask and or suggest things for videos :)

@risro.O 3 года назад

ace. these videos are super useful 👍 got another patreon supporter for sure

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you so much! The amount of positive reactions to these is really inspiring! :)

@jedgould5531 2 года назад

Agreed. Jomox’s ModBase 09 has nearly 100 kick sounds, plus variations. I have trouble minimizing decay on many of the kick models, so if you use fast tempos, be sure and go through all the sounds for decay control. The Erica just getting into. Love their VCO2 oscillator.

@Heetebrij 3 года назад

Thanks again for the inspiring video! I've started a while ago buying too much gear. After I've seen your first video's, approx. 2 months ago, I put a basis set of modules in a 3x84 case and for the first time I really dived into the possibilities of those modules. Gradually I'm involving my other gear, and finally I get a grip of things. Thanks to the reset after seen your video's. So many, many thanks!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Hey Paul, thanks for letting me know! That's nice to hear, having to much gear is a nice position to be in, but indeed I think narrowing it down to a setup that you can really get to know ,and works prodictive for you is key for good music. Thanks again and all the best to you! - (En vast een gelukkig muziek-rijk nieuwjaar ;)

@MotorHolmes Год назад

Really enjoyed this!

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Glad to hear it!

@aleksdizhe 2 месяца назад

Great thing!!! Very inspiring!!!

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 месяца назад

Thanks! Glad you think so :)

@raum3354 3 года назад

One of the best explanation on RU-vid. Thumbs Up and Take an Abo. Cheers

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you so much! Glad to hear it :)

@PaulGeffen 3 года назад

Your presentation is one of the best on the 'Tube, effective in conveying useful information in a direct and clear way. I especially like the workflow diagrams. I often hit Pause to take notes and copy some of these into a notebook for reference when building patches.

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you so much! Its so nice to hear people get value out of these! Im looking forward to making more next year. After getting it suggested I'm also working on making all the sheets available for patrons in the near future :)

@tonyt303 2 года назад

That was great. Thank you x

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

You’re welcome 😊

@BrettYoakum 2 года назад

this was awesome! so much good stuff

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed! Cheers!

@Algoritmarte 3 года назад

Great informative stuff !!!!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you!

@alfredex22 2 года назад

Thanks a lot for the info! I wanted to start using modules but I didn't exactly know where to begin. Subscribed!

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Awesome, glad to hear you got some useful info out of it! Enjoy the journey :)

@cidst8 2 года назад

Been using modular systems for several years and still enjoyed this video.

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Glad to hear it, cheers!

@christophsmaul5575 Год назад

I would love to start making module techno a new hobby but it seems really really pricey. Do you have any recommendation on how to start?

@LR-wd1od 3 года назад

GREAT VIDEO THANKS

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

You're welcome!

@benringer5149 Год назад

Excellent

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Thanks

@ElectronisoundsAudio 3 года назад

Amazing job! Subbed! 🤗😁👊

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Glad to hear it, thanks!

@studiobrootle 9 месяцев назад

great video

@MonotrailTechTalk 9 месяцев назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@Wouterferdinand Год назад

First video I came across from you, very helpful. Good overview and enough in-depth if you are just starting out. Wondering though, the sound at 09:50 is this oscillator which is send to the sequencer also the Black wavetable VCO? Sweet sounding patch! Same goes for 10:28 actually. Would be pleased to know!

@alexios7147 10 месяцев назад

Just want to say thank you so much! I have wanted to get into hardware (modular in particular) forever now. I have been working in a DAW for 10+ years and have finally started putting together a modular rig. I got a semi modular synth (DFAM) and some 909 clone modules + the erica drum sequencer and have been having a blast but I am missing a ton of other stuff (no effects, no other synth voices/ filters etc) and this video helped ease my stress its been causing me looking at all this stuff haha. Still need to find a way to do a rumble kick and get the right effects for that...

@MonotrailTechTalk 10 месяцев назад

Hey, thanks for the comment! Really like the DFAM, that's a great place to start! Happy to hear these videos help out, that's exactly why I make them! Also did a video on modular techno rumble, just in case you missed it ;)

@elyobretep 3 года назад

great explainer for those looking beyond generative ambient (not that there's anything wrong with that)

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Nothing wrong with ambient indeed! But always loved the flexibility of a modular when using it hese last years, like to spread some of that :)

@JohnTrasher 3 года назад

Danke! Grüße aus osnabrück!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Gern geschehen! Alles Gute :)

@GuitarsAndSynths 2 года назад

I use Winter Eloquencer sequencer such great 8 channel sequencer for techno and can create presets, song chain mode so awesome! For percussion- Jomox Modbase 90 MK2 kick drum, clap, snare, hi hat modules fed into Hexinverter Mutant Hot Glue mixer that has compression and distortion and also some delay to kick drum. Use Doepfer VCO for bass and Plaits for chord voice. So far pretty good mobile modular techno rig. Jomox makes best kick drum easily. For modulation, love the Batumi quad LFO and Instruo Divkid 0chd plenty options. I use Doepfer filter/vco so great for bass tones.

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Awesome! That sounds like a really great setup, enjoy it! :)

@GuitarsAndSynths 2 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk thanks yeah it took me a long time and many sequencers and modules later to find the workflow for me.

@YaLu69 3 года назад

Exactly the video that I need. I'm moving a little bit out from DAW and I saved a lot. "Regardless" your final tips, what you think about the Techno System by Erica Synths? Except for probably a couple of modules the rest looks pretty solid.

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thanks, glad to hear it! And a very capable system for sure! I mention a lot of modules from their line for a good reason. I'd have a lot of fun with that system, but for me there is to much space dedicated to single function analog drum sounds, im not such a fan of those. I would like more modulation, a second voice and more experment. I don't want the modular to be to much like a drum machine I guess. It's always good to wander what you want from your system, more than say a Digitakt or Roland TR8s or so can do. But like I said, many of the modules are great. The dual sampler, effects and drive are my favorites :)

@blackdunes1 3 года назад

Great video, thank you! What kind of case is that?

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thank you! The case on the thumbnail is from the moog mother 32, the case I use in my video is a custom case I bought from a local builder in Berlin a while ago. Don't think he still makes them.

@onchrono 3 года назад

Can you tell something about your mix-setup? Do you connect the output of your sound modules direct into your Mackie 1202? Then stereo-out to your mac? Some post production in ableton? Great work here!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Hi Onchrono! Mostly that's it. I often send a modular signal from a VCA, so I can attenuate the signal a bit, the direct output of say, an oscillator could be to hot for example, but yeah it's mosty Modular to Mackie, then I use the first four inserts directly to my MOTU interface, so I can multitrack the modular in Ableton or Audition.

@onchrono 3 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk Thanx. Never think about a mixer IN the rack? (e.g. BEFACO, WMD...)

@walrtbstudios5430 3 года назад

I’m shooting a lot lower than this- I needed a simple modular drum set-up, and I find myself with spare hp just crying out to be filled with a simple synth voice. I’ll still be using AUM on the iPad , which gives me space for all the fx I’ll need, and sequencers I have. Some very useful pointers though- thanks! And subbed- what do I have to lose?

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Nothing to lose! Well, maybe some cash ;)

@frankie5671 3 года назад

problem i have is there are so many modules. I use allot of samples reverb deley and a 303 thats it I dont need much but I need allot of good sequencing. thanks for your video btw

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

lot's of choices indeed! But sounds like you have a solid place to start from :)

@vampiresforesl 3 года назад

It would be helpful to learn the rhythmic and melodic characteristics of the sequenced synth parts.

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Which ones do you mean? :)

@ericgandler2945 2 года назад

I subscribed to your Patreon. Do you have a PDF for the patch at 7:50? I'm particularly interested in how you were creating the 5/7 pulse on the underlying molody. Looks like you start with a C-Eb-Ab-G from the Disting mk4.

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Hey there, that's great to hear, thank you! I started making the patreon patch sheets a bit later, so there's no sheets for this video yet. But the patch used is a pretty simple voice, like illustrated right before the audio demo. I'm just using a simple quantized sequencer to create the melody. The Disting in this setup is just used as a tuner, and displaying the notes played. It's not sequencing, quantizing or doing anything at all really :)

@ericgandler2945 2 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk Gotcha. Thanks! But, how are you getting the pulsing of the notes in that alternating 5 and then 7 pattern?

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

I think i'm using the Korg-SQ-1 here. You can set a sequence length between 1 and 16, then on some steps the gate is tunrned of, so the envelopes are not triggered.

@ericgandler2945 2 года назад

Gotcha!!! That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

@MarkIreland_carrierband 3 года назад

First try everything in VCVRack

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Definetely a great way to try things out and see if a modular workflow is for you!

@acdnrg 2 года назад

Great introduction, the modulargrid link seems to be broken, would you mind updating it?

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

Thanks! Ah, thats unfortunate I messed that up :/ Here is the current version: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1489159

@boniz 3 года назад

Hey, is that a pic of you at Loophole in Berlin? I play there years ago!

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Haha, yes it is! Really enjoyed playing there a couple of times, I mis it...

@aytchess 3 года назад

This video is NSFW for someone who's not into modular synth yet. Very well delivered and really the best one out there. Many thanks,,, Q: I want to upgrade my old 6 channel mixer for desktop synths, samplers & effects, and was wondering while watching if I could build one with eurorack/modular components for performance and sends instead? Any advice on where to start?

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Thanks, glad to hear you liked it! To be honest I get that question more often, but really don't understand why it seems attractive to people?! You can have a look at the Befaco Hexmix and Hexpander for example, but those two modules and a case with power will cost about €1000. You could get a huge outpoard mixer with a lot more flexibility in routing, and even look at the new Mackie Onyx series for example, wich even can be used as an interface to multitrack everything. That is so much more value for money. I guess it depends on very specific features you would like that maybe you can only find in modular, but just using a modular for mixing seems innefficient to me :)

@aytchess 3 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk You just saved me few more nights of research. Very clear and well said. Maybe to give you perspective on why ask in my situation. It's not going after a 'huge' one but rather being portable and customized to the need. I assumed it would cost multiples to a good mixer for sure. But, it seems that each if the leading mixers are missing one feature and offer few other not needed instead (among 8-12 channel mixers, a dj mixer, or something like the 1010 blue box.) Maybe the main thought was to have a small modular case where more than half would be for audio mixing and effects and what's left for replacing a mono synth, sampler, or like a drone sound etc. This would drop my set to three or four things to move around. The wiring can also be kept, when moving around. Hearing your advice convinced me to pick the best neat mixer and add the stuff I need with few more pedals.

@christophsmaul5575 Год назад

Id love to start trying out module techno as a new hobby. But the hardware seems really pricey. Is it possible to start on a lower budget?

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Hello! Modules are very expensive indeed. If I where you I'd take a good time to think about why you like modular for techno. And what about the modular is interesting to you. That might help in decide how to start or what to get. In this video I go over all ingredients, but doing all this with modular would be an expensive journey. For example, you could be a lot more happy with a drum machine and a behringer Neutron. But it's always hard to give personal advise :)

@christophsmaul5575 Год назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk couldnt I also just start with a micro brute and see where it takes me?

@MonotrailTechTalk Год назад

Absolutely! You can basically start with anything you like. I actually bought a micro brute as well, just before starting with modular :) It's a great sounding device that offers a lot of power!

@melodicarms4292 2 года назад

What case are you using there?

@MonotrailTechTalk 2 года назад

The one in the thumbnail is a basic 60 hp moog case. The one I use in the video is a case build by a local crafty guy :)

@melodicarms4292 2 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk Nice thank you. I messaged you on your fb side for some advice if you would have a look 😄

@AndrewPRoberts 3 года назад

How have you done sidechaining?

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Hey there! You mean at a specific point in this video, or in general? Different ways of course :)

@AndrewPRoberts 3 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk Like at 13:22

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Ha I see. Within the modular I just mult a trigger that goes to the Kick. Is send that to a simple attack-decay envelope generator, with a fast attack, and slightly longer decay. Then I send that envelope to an inverter, and then either a filter or a VCA of a baseline. Because the envelope is inverted first, it closes either the filter or VCA, or even both if you like :)

@AndrewPRoberts 3 года назад

@@MonotrailTechTalk Okay gotcha, that's the way that I usually do it. Any other methods, or is that pretty much the only one you use?

@Krcha13 3 года назад

Where's Berlijn? :D

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

What do you mean? :)

@MonotrailTechTalk 3 года назад

Ah, I see. More people have mentioned it by now. Berlijn is the proper Dutch way to write Berlin. I just select Berlin from the list when I upload, and it auti-corrects it to Dutch. Was expecting it would show the location in the laguage the viewer is using, but aperently it doesn't. I'll look into it ;)

@night_speed 3 года назад

My advice for anyone who wants to go down the modular rabbit hole... Start with a semi modular synth. Behringer Crave on the low end and Moog Grandmother or Matriarch on the higher end with the Arturia Minibrute 2, Behringer Neutron and Moog Mother 32 somewhere in between. Then get the Cre8audio Niftycase. It is the best bang for buck eurorack case out there. It's a perfect size and has built in power, flying bus, midi to cv, usb and output. 200 bucks and pair that with the Behringer Crave which has a built in sequencer and you're ready to choose some modules to go with it. Get a used μburst for crazy textures and reverb. A pico drums for 2 outputs of tons of different drum sounds. In fact i would get 2 of them for a full 4 drum voices in very little hp. Euclidean circles to trigger them and a small 6 to 8 channel mixer. The regular Blue Lantern Sir mix a lot does the trick nicely. Another filter wouldn't be a bad idea like a Wasp or Sem and finally a Disting mk 4 to fill in for anything you don't have yet like a quantizer or extra lfo, etc.