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Getting Started with Modular Synths 2025 - Setup

2025-Aug-28

In the previous article,"Mechanism"In this "Setup" section, we'll show you how to put together a specific set and introduce modular setups for various purposes!

Modular Synth Setup

Things necessary

To set up your own modular synth, you'll need these four things:

module

There's a lot you can only understand about modular synths after you buy them and try them out, so even if you have your setup in mind, it's best to buy three or so at first rather than buying everything at once, and then add more modules as you get a better understanding of them so you can choose the right modules. Clockface is also happy to provide setup consultations in person at our showroom or via email, so please don't hesitate to contact us!

Cable
You will need patch cables and cables for final output of the sound.
Cables used to patch modules together generally have a 3.5mm mono miniphone plug, but some mixer modules may also use a stereo miniphone plug. The cable that connects the final output of the output module to the mixer or audio interface may vary depending on the model, such as a phone plug (6.3mm) or a Canon jack, so be sure to prepare a cable with a plug shape that is appropriate for the module and environment you are using. For a regular patch cable,ALM Busy Patch Cable PacksIt has a wide variety of colors and good color development, so I recommend it.

*About stack cables
Stackable cables allow you to send the same modulation or clock signal to multiple destinations.Color version / white version) AndTendrils Stakkaswill be of this type.

Patch Cable List

Case
Since you may need to add a mixer or utilities, we recommend a case that is larger than the setup you originally planned. Most of the cases we sell come with a power supply. If the modules are not secured when you turn on the power, the circuit boards may come into contact with each other, causing an accidental short circuit and resulting in damage, so be sure to secure the modules to the case with screws before use.

Case Category List

电源
This is not necessary if the case has a power supply. It generates electricity to distribute to each module. The bus board (Intellijel TPS80W) and small modules (4ms Row Power) is available.

Power supply related product list

Important points to note when setting up

To use a modular synth, each module is connected to a power supply inside the modular case with a ribbon cable and screwed into place.

You can arrange the modules however you like, but in the example below we've set it up so that the signal flows from left to right. Since modular systems require each part (module) to be connected to a power source individually, please be sure to observe the following precautions:

  • Connect -12V (red stripe) together: The ribbon cable connecting the power supply and the module has marks indicating which side is the -12V, so connect them accordingly.
  • Allowable amount of protection: It depends on the power source, but as a guideline, be careful when it reaches about 7% of the capacity.
  • Connect to power supply, place in correct position and then power on: Do not connect the module while the power is on.
  • Be careful of pins other than power supply: In addition to the power pins, there may be pins on the module board for connecting to other modules or for programming the internal firmware. If these pins come into contact with the power pins on the bus board, it may cause a malfunction. Be careful of contact with pins other than the power supply.
  • Be careful of cable damage: If the coating of the ribbon cable or flying bus board is peeled off, it may cause a short circuit. If the coating peels off even a little, replace it.
  • Do not touch the board with your hands: Human hands also conduct electricity. Also, be careful not to touch the board with your hands, as static electricity may damage the circuit.
  • Be careful of dropping cables into spaces where no modules are installed: If the case is not completely filled with modules, the cables may fall through the empty space and short out the internal bus board. It is safer to fill the empty space with a blank panel or something similar. If you don't want to buy a blank panel, you can use something simple like a writing pad.

For more information on these points, please see our previous article."Modular Synth Power Supply Basics"I have included more details, so please read that as well.

Modulargrid Recommendations

modulargrid.netAlmost all commercially available modules are registered and can be set up in a virtual rack. You can use it to design your own set, and it also calculates the allowable current consumption of modules, so you can also calculate whether the power supply is sufficient. If you are planning a normal-sized rack, a free account is sufficient, so please register and try it out.

Synth voice + effect set consisting of VCO/VCF/VCA

It is a simple system that uses CV/Gate, consisting of the basic synthesizer components of VCO, VCF, VCA, envelope, and effects.

38HP +12V:335mA -12V:200mA +5V:0mA Depth 40mm

Patching example

The audio patching is completed with just three lines: connect the output of Cycle 5 to the audio input of Ping Filter, connect the Lowpass output to the signal input of VCA Tangle Quartet, and input the output to the effect Monsoon. The output of the envelope Pip Slope mkII isYou could just connect it to the CV input of the Tangle Quartet, but that would be a bit dull, so you can branch the envelope using a Stackcable or Multiple and connect it to the FM input of the Ping Filter to create a more synth-like sound. Patching outside of the modules is as simple as connecting the CV from a sequencer or other device with CV/Gate output to the v/oct of the Cycle 5, and the Gate to the Trig of the Pip Slope mkII. For effects, we use the granular effects unit Monsoon, an advanced clone of the Mutable Clouds, which can be used for real-time granular processing and reverb.

MIDI compatibleSynth Voice + Effect Set

The mmMIDI MIDI to CV converter converts MIDI notes to CV/Gate and velocity to CV, allowing patching to control more than just pitch and sound. The multi-effector's MFX features a variety of effect algorithms, including not only echo and reverb but also distortion, phaser, and chorus, allowing you to create over 100 different sounds when combined with the MCO mkII.

16HP +12V:150mA -12V:45mA +5V:0mA Depth 32mm

Patching example

Glitch Set

This system mixes QCD clocks and uses the Night Rider resonator to produce percussive pinging sounds.

62HP +12V:319mA -12V:134mA +5V:41mA Depth 28mm

Patching example

This system mixes three clocks of different speeds from the QCD with the Atten/Mixer and uses the Night Rider resonator to create a percussive pinging sound. You can also add Data Bender's glitch effect and Nautilus's delay effect to emphasize irregular sounds. Use the QCD's Tap clock to run the Night Rider sequencer, and by setting the direction of progression, you can switch between periodic phrases and random movements. Use the fourth clock output as a modulation source to find interesting points of change!

Feedback Noise Set

This simple two-module system uses a Bifold with two types of wave folders for self-feedback patching, Flurry's S&H random CV to control the feedback amount, and algorithmic Noise as an audio input to create more extreme sounds. The oscillation sound generated by the feedback changes dynamically with even the slightest adjustment, so you can enjoy changing the sound by turning the knobs.

16HP +12V:210mA -12V:124mA +5V:0mA Depth 38mm

Patching example

All-in-one Ambient Set

This system allows you to freely control the ambient module Oneiroi, which combines sound sources and effects, with the Black Joystick10 controller, which has 2 outputs, to create an infinite number of fantastic sounds.

42HP +12V:271mA -12V:80mA +5V:0mA Depth 30mm

Patching example

Oneiro not only records his own sound in a sound-on-sound state to the looper, but also controls each parameter with the CV of the joystick.By making full use of the Black Joystick2's LFO and Gate, you can create ever-changing drone sounds.

Improvisational Melody Building Set with Quantizer

This is a sequence system that automatically generates melodies using a quantizer, and a set of sound sources and effects.

52HP +12V:346mA -12V:27mA +5V:0mA Depth 39mm

Patching example

This system generates scale-based phrases by inputting a cycled channel from Envy Machine into the CV input of the pitch CV quantizer Scales and holding and sounding the CV with the clock from Gloc. The sound source uses the Mutable Plaits clone Beehive and the delay Seelegs, which can also apply reverb, to create a wide variety of sounds. Using one of the Envy Machine channels as an envelope and controlling the Beehive level can create a sound with a slow attack. Since gloc functions not only as a divide/multiply but also as a random clock, you can enjoy tempo-synced random sounds.

West Coast Set

This is a West Coast system that combines four Tiptop Buchla modules.

96HP +12V:567mA -12V:226mA +5V:0mA Depth 45mm

Patching example

The complex oscillator 259t and low-pass gate 292 are used as the sound source, while the quad function generator 281t and S&H 264t control the scale and pronunciation. Using Tiptop's new Art standard, two random melodies are played in a 12-tone scale, and you can enjoy rich, organic sounds by manipulating the FM and wavefold with the knobs.

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