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I play the note C-3 (C in octave 3) on several oscillators from my sequencer and the oscillators play partially on different octaves. Are they out of order?

Thomas / No, in fact there is no real definition what voltage (and by the oscillator the generated note C) a C-3 should have (e.g. 3 volts). This can be different depending on the oscillator. And there it does not matter if it is a digital or an analog oscillator. Some have a switch - the Doepfer A-110 has a range switch for the base octave, for example - and others can go up or down more than an octave via the pitch knob. Or not. You should also note that not all oscillators support the full ten octaves (0 - 10 volts). And with sequencers, there are also different implementations. However, some complex sequencers can compensate for this per CV output, so that an A-2 (note A, octave 2) turns out the same on all oscillators.

What is the difference between CV, gate, trigger and audio signals? Can I connect these to each other in any way?

Thomas / CV (control voltage) is a voltage that can be generated in various ways (via sequencers, LFOs, envelopes, complex modulations, etc.). This voltage is usually between -5 and +10 volts in a Eurorack system. However, this varies with each module. For example, one can generate or process bipolar voltages, others only positive. A gate is usually a signal with two states: either 0 volts (gate off) or 5 volts (gate on). These are used for short or longer lasting states. So gate on could be note on and gate off could be note off. Or you could switch a specific function on and off. A trigger is very similar to gates, but with the difference that instead of a permanent gate, only a short „on“pulse is generated. This pulse is usually in the lower millisecond range. This is used to trigger envelopes or drum modules, for example, which then play their sound. Audio signals are also in most cases bipolar (-5 / + 5 volts or less) and are used in an audio chain. So an oscillator goes into a filter, then to the delay, and finally to the line-out module. However, it gets really interesting when you use an audio signal as a modulation source or a CV signal as a trigger source. Connecting any signal types to each other is possible in most cases and ensures interesting „happy accidents“.

Do I have to buy a whole rack and modules to try Eurorack?

Thomas / No, that‘s not necessary! There are virtual Eurorack simulations, such as VCV-Rack. This is a completely virtual rack, which can be patched in the computer just like a real Eurorack system. Many existing Eurorack modules are simulated here, but also several purely virtual modules that are only available in VCV-Rack. The free version already offers an extensive choice of modules and is excellent for trying out. However, one should never forget that it is much more fun to play around with real knobs.

Is it true that you can only make fart sounds with modular synthesizers?

Thomas /Haha, that‘s nonsense. It is of course excellent for „patching“fart sounds and everyone should have done that! But modern sequencers like NerdSEQ and others allow you to create complex compositions and complete songs within the rack that go far beyond simple loops.