Planning my first modular, and why I shifted my approach

[SynthWizard]

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Planning my first modular, and why I shifted my approach

<!-- SC_OFF --><div class="md"><p>Hey <a href="/r/modular">/r/modular</a>!</p> <p>After developing a modular obsession in VCV Rack, I reached a point where it’s hard to think about much else besides planning real hardware. I’ve gone in spirals of research, gear lust and guilt, doubt and anxiety, the whole lot. I wanted to share both my current plan and my experience of getting there because I suspect fellow newcomers can relate.</p> <p>Every advice thread emphasize having a clear goal from the outset. For me, my dream rack has a mix of complex analog and digital physical modeling voices, granular sample manipulation, software integration, performance control, both generative and composition-oriented sequencing. Dream big, right? That list of goals turned into a list of big-ticket modules: CsL, Plonk, Nebulae, ES-9, Pressure Points, Marbles, ER-101. I plopped that list into Modulargrid. And surprise! despite being $3k+, I couldn’t use them without many other things!</p> <p>So I made compromises, trying to squeeze as much of that goal as I could out for the least money. I opted for micro-versions of everything, at one point thinking multiple o_Cs and Distings would be the most cost effective solution. This approach made me realize that I was sacrificing the thing I wanted in the first place: tactility.</p> <p>All this to say that I learned: getting into modular is not about being cost-effective and the image of my ideal setup was more frightening than helpful. Instead, I focused on what would be my “desert-island modules”. Ones that are essential, beautiful, a joy to connect with. I went back to VCV Rack and remembered how much fun can be had with just a few basics.</p> <p>I think I’ve finally landed on a plan I feel calm about, something much more simple:</p> <p><strong>Marbles, Stages, Tides 2018, Quad VCA and Mixup, in a Mantis case.</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1293046">I arranged them in modulargrid</a> with along with some in the bottom row that would be my next gradual steps.</p> <p>Is this a good approach to take for a beginner? Is my new plan too basic?</p> <p>I would love to hear your feedback.</p> </div><!-- SC_ON --> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/eelromance"> /u/eelromance </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/i9tla6/planning_my_first_modular_and_why_i_shifted_my/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/i9tla6/planning_my_first_modular_and_why_i_shifted_my/">[comments]</a></span>