modular synthesizers XPANDER - KRAAKDOOS - SYNTHI - BUCHLA - JOHAN BOBERG - MODULAR SYNTHESIZERS | |
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A true modular synthesizer is a synthesizer where the different sound generators, processors and control facilities are presented as independent objects without preconceived signal and/or control paths inbetween. The musician/composer chooses the combination of modules and connects them according to the musical idea, essentially creating a new instrument for each "patch". This was the way all synthesizers were designed in the beginning. Soon some manufacturers discovered that it was more commercially successful to pre-package the synthesizer in a certain way, locking it into a single patch with just a few choices available to the musician and attaching a piano keyboard to the circuit. The word "synthesizer" quickly became synonymous with this design, often even called "keyboard" and used almost exclusively by pianists. Most people out there are not even aware of the modular synthesizer design. In the process of commercializing the synthesizer its abstract sound world had to be mainstreamed by letting it imitate acoustic instruments - strings, brass etc. Synthesizer quality was measured in terms of how realistic its sounds were. The synthesizer is so much more. Why not let the synthesizer have a voice of its own? Liberated from the "basic patch" the synthesist can explore new worlds of sound the way this instrument was intended. The synthesizer is truly a new instrument and it is in several ways unique compared to other musical instruments. Besides being an electro-acoustic instrument the most striking difference is that the synthesizer doesn't impose the method of instrument control on the musician. Naturally some use piano style keyboards, there is nothing wrong with that, but it is just one of many ways of controlling the synthesizer. So while traditionally instrumental skill and virtousity is largely based on muscular technique on a common "controller" (strings, keys, sticks etc) synthesizer skill is based on innovation. This makes it harder to define synthesizer virtuosity, as it is not relational. It has no defined limits.
Some instrument builders such as the innovator and pioneer
Don Buchla has successfully avoided the commercial
side of the synthesizer and continues to this day to break new ground for the true modular
synthesizer, or "electric music box" as he chooses to call it. Here is a list of links to some of the current modular synth makers. Some offers complete systems and some just a few modules or kits:
Analogue solutions
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