# Analog Modular Synth Beginner **URL:** \ **Category:** Music Production\ **Tags:** synth, electro-house, analog, ableton, modular\ **Created:** [July 5, 2012, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/analog-modular-synth-beginner/44210 "2012-07-05T06:57:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FILTHZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@FILTHZ](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/FILTHZ)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/analog-modular-synth-beginner/44210/1 "2012-07-05T06:57:13Z")
**Analog Modular Synth Beginner** So, recently inspired by Deadmau5’s “In The Studio” type videos, I have decided to start laying off the soft synths and get onto building an using the real deal. This is mainly because it seems a lot more fun, not only building your equipment from the ground up, but also having the rich authentic analog synth sound in a song mean something to me… So, I live in Australia, does anyone have a good place I can start? EDIT: So I know I need at least one VCO, one VCF, one Envelope Gate, one VCA and one LFO. What else do I need to actually build the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![ThinkAboutIt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@ThinkAboutIt](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/ThinkAboutIt)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 7:15am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/analog-modular-synth-beginner/44210/2 "2012-07-05T07:15:10Z")
I guess this thread might give you some ideas: > **[I'm about to take the red pill and start a Eurorack modular setup, god help me.](https://forum.djtechtools.com/showthread.php?t=52979)** > > The decision has been made, I'm going to start off with a small 3u system and order as much as I can tomorrow so that I can still eat for the next week- which puts me at about a $1600 budget tops including shipping. Eventually I will expand to 6u and... ---
**Author:** ![JasonBay](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jasonbay/32/15310_2.png) [@JasonBay](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/JasonBay)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/analog-modular-synth-beginner/44210/3 "2012-07-05T18:46:38Z")
Yup, was about to point you in that direction as well. ---
**Author:** ![Xonetacular](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/xonetacular/32/13588_2.png) [@Xonetacular](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Xonetacular)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/analog-modular-synth-beginner/44210/4 "2012-07-05T21:46:09Z")
Turn back now while you have the chance! What’s your budget? For $1500-$2000 you can get a decent start with a 3u. Besides what you have listed you will want some sort of MIDI/CV interface to control it or some other sequencer option. You will need a case and power, 1/8" cables (preferably some stackables- if not then you will need a couple multiples modules- I’m just gong to assume you are talking about eurorack). Honestly you will expand to 6u or 9u way sooner than you expect. Also what do you want to do with it and what kind of sounds do you want to make? Get multi function modules, and lots of things can serve many purposes- for example a VCO run at low frequencies is the same thing as an LFO assuming the VCO has decent range- so I wouldn’t buy a dedicated LFO in a small system. Some VCOs like the intellijel dixie even have a switch for slow range for LFO duties. You will also want more than once VCA- get at least a dual VCA module to start. Intellijel uVCA or pittsburgh dual index. VCAs are used for all sort of things- they can be used as voltage controlled attenuators and you will want to use more than one- not just to control the volume of the final signal (and you could also use a low pass gate for this). You will want an 1/8" to 1/4" cable to get sound into your soundcard or mixer or some output module (I just use an adapter cable for now).