Entering the modular world Key answers from:

What do I need to consider when connecting my module? Can I break something in the process?

Vladimir / The connection of a module to the power supply unfortunately causes confusion again and again. While most manufacturers stick to the fact that the red stripe on the ribbon cable stands for -12V, there are a few that do it the other way around. Or the stripe stands for -12V, but is blue, for example. Most modules themselves have a marking like -12V, RED, STRIPE or even just a stripe at one end of the connector. At Doepfer, for example, the rule is „red stripe down“, but there are also modules where it is not like that and you have to check the manual. Most newer modules and busboards have a „tub connector“whose plastic edge allows only one direction. Also, many modules have a protection circuit that prevents anything from breaking if the plug is inserted the wrong way around.

I‘m just starting, which case and which power supply do I need?

Vladimir / Again, the keyword is „modular“, you can combine case and power supply. Manufacturers publish on their websites the power requirements of their modules, but it is much easier to look on modulargrid. net. There are all modules listed. You can put together your dream rack and then read off the power requirements. With 20-30% reserve planned, you then also know which case or power supply is sufficient.

They tell me I should modulate more. But I‘m already modular, aren‘t I?

Vladimir / While the system consists of different modules, by „modulate“you mean change the sound over time. You can certainly get a good sounding patch just by using fixed potentiometer settings, but it‘s much more interesting to change it over time. To do this, you use slowly changing control voltages (CVs) such as those provided by LFOs or envelopes. Their intensity you can fix or it can be modulated by a voltage controlled amplifier (VCA). Therefore, in the modular system the motto applies „you can never have enough VCAs“.

Can I combine any module with any other? Or should I use only modules from one manufacturer?

Vladimir / The nice thing about Eurorack (and other modular systems) is that you can combine modules from different manufacturers. Of course, some modules of one manufacturer are matched to each other, even if only by color or by the shape of the knobs. But for each module there are usually several interesting alternatives, so you should not be afraid to mix wildly. By plugging cables (patching) you can actually not break anything and „accidents“sometimes sound unexpectedly good :)

Do I need a special module to connect my rack to a PC or mixer?

Vladimir / Eurorack signal levels are much stronger than those coming out of CD players or synthesizers, but most mixing consoles or audio interfaces can handle them well, you turn up the gain accordingly less. And if you want to record and process many voices individually, you would need several of these so-called output modules. If you only want to eliminate a ground loop, you can also use an inexpensive external box with transformers. But if you want to use longer cables, an active balanced output module is recommended.