Modular Synths

A modular synthesizer is an instrument that is composed of separate, interchangeable modules that are manipulated to create sound. The modules are circuits designed to make, alter, or mix sounds together.

Unlike a keyboard synth, which features different modules that are hardwired together in a specific order, modules in modular synths can be rearranged via patch cables. Modular synths also don’t have a keyboard that you press to make sounds. Instead, sound is produced via control voltages signals that you feed through your different modules.

In short, modular synths work by manipulating voltage sent through them to produce sounds. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Let’s start with modular synth basics. There are three main types of modules that are involved in modular synths:

• Modules that generate sound (e.g., VCO or voltage-controlled oscillators)
• Modules that change sound (e.g., a VCF or voltage-controlled filter)
• Modules that change sound behavior over time using an envelope curve (i.e., Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release controls)

A basic modular synth setup will include all three types of modules, connected in the user’s preferred order.

The cost of a modular synth depends on which modules you use, their brand, their age, and their condition. However, modules can range in price from about $80 to hundreds of dollars or more.

A modular synth starter kit, which is a bundle of the basic building blocks of a modular synth, will likely be an investment of a few hundred dollars.

Modular synths are increasingly popular for several reasons, including their use in popular music over the past several decades and the ability of their user to make the exact sounds they want. Whereas a standard keyboard synth has hard-wired components that live in the same order, modular synths can grow and shift and be moved around to the player’s content.

To exclusively browse Modular Synths near you, reference the list of top cities and countries available on Reverb to search within a desired location. You also can review shipping details within an item’s “Shop Policies” section.