currently 56 modular + semimodular synthesizers in database.. Want to check some Software Modular Synths
Airbourne AVS04 built 2006 / 4x polyphonic + step sequencer Martin Hollinger who is running the swiss Synth Museum Synthorama showed his Airböurne AVS-04 on the swiss synthesizer meeting in oct. 2006, it's a modular system based on FPGAs, the filters are modelled after the moog filter modules.
Colour coded pins are used to trigger notes in the sequencer shown in 2009, 4 colours represent tones and notes in the sequencer. it can not save sounds, but it's digital but it can handle analog voltages like modular synths. more..
Analogue Solutions Vostok built 2000 / monophonic + analog step sequencer looks like an EMS? it's no EMS, it has a pin matrix like it, thats all.. 3 VCOs and MS filters! more..
Analogue Systems RSintegrator , Sorcerer built 2000 / monophonic + analog step sequencer AS doepfer-compatible system with 3.5mm jacks, lots of interesting modules available incl freq shifter (bode!).. free configuration.. more..
Anyware Forumodular built 2001 / monophonic This is our personal Modular project which took place in the old and new sequencer.de forum and a small working group around Thomas form Anyware who did most of the Schematics and PCB Layouts. more..
Anyware Tinysizer built 2010 / monophonic New patchable concept of a modular synthesizer. All is done via the tiny (name!) patch matrix on very small room.
20 modules more..
ARP 2600 built 1970 / monophonic possibly the best known ARP, the "natural born" competitor moog had only pure modulars to set against it, the 2600 is close to semi-modular? hmm, in fact is is a semi,because it has a not-so-easy change to rearrange the modules, but at a closer look it is possible. Mr Alan R. Pearlmans still very very good sounds synths. the sounds was the greatest competitor for its more "neutral" sound compared to the "moog" sound, which sounded more "synthesizer". more..
ARP Educational , Modular Synthesizer Lab built 1975 / monophonic the system is a number of modules that are not mounted in a cabinet or rack but like stomp boxes but everything is there to make a cmplete modular system. for educational use - the keyboard is simple: 2 octaves monophonic and with "educational keyboard" written in big letters..
no idea about the price.. so this time it is just phantasy. more..
ARP 2500 built 1970 / 4x polyphonic + analog step sequencer the big modular system from ARP was freely configuarable, but mostly it had the configuration shown here.. a 4-voice keyboard was available, but I doubt that many customers used it for the very large of modules needed (well module 1045 contained a whole voice!), 10step Sequencer. special routing bus (20 on top and bottom) , so the users needs almost no or only a few patch cords. more..
Arturia Moog V built 2004 / 32x polyphonic + analog step sequencer Emulation of the Moog Modular System 55 (sort of. It uses the fixed filter bank as master out, so this part is not modular, others are free and filters are extended a bit..
well, this is the frist commercial Synthesizer, Bob Moog startet showing it on the AES in 1964 and had some visionary musicians as clients till 1969 when switched on back was released, after that Moog went over to become a real company. this is what a synthesizer is: synthesis = put together. means putting together modules by patch cords, thats the idea.. more on the modular , click the Link.. more..
Arturia 2600V built 2006 / 32x polyphonic + modulation step sequencer emulates the ARP2600 but adds the ARP Sequencer 1601 and a cool Modulation Sequencer, that allows complex movements. more..
Arturia Origin built 2007 / 32x polyphonic + analog step sequencer Hardware version of the soft emulations by Arturia with 32 Step Sequencer and full Emulation identical to the software versons Moog Modular V, (yamaha) CS80V, Prophet V (vs + prophet 5), Roland Jupiter 8, ARP 2600 V, you can use any of these synths components like a Moog filter with 2 ARP OSCs etc.. Assumably the Jupiter + Prophet may not be in here? (wasn't on the list on the NAMM 2007) more..
BME Axiom , Modular PM10 built 1976 / monophonic a modular system from H.P.Baumann from Aichach, was it a DIY project, first? more..
Boehm Soundlab built 1979 / monophonic Böhm Soundlab by Professor Enders (University of Cologne, now Osnabrück). was released.. duophonic keyboard. THE BOEHM SOUNDLAB .. short info.. it uses banana jacks and is quite interesting / flexible. it provided multi mode filters when HPF,LPF,BPF combinations were still rare. böhm is a german electronic organ company for DIY kits and other stuffs from minden in germany. biggest competitor is wersi ;) find a nice info about the soundlab in "Synthesizer von Gestern Vol.2" by M.Becker who also released 3 CDs feat. Vintage Synthesizer Tracks .. the böhm was the only synthesizer by böhm beside the böhm dynamic expander with casio-type of PD synthesis , in this case phase modulation meaning phase distortion ;) the soundlab is quite rare and boehm offered DIY Kits and assemlbled ones. quite interesting modules were made.. more..
Buchla Music Easel built 1972 / monophonic + step sequencer Don Buchla is "the other" Synthesizer Pioneer beside Moog, he did a lot of very innovative instruments and there is still the Buchla 200e .. The Music Easel is no toy.. more..
Buchla 200e built 2005 / monophonic + step sequencer Don Buchla is "the other" Synthesizer Pioneer beside and not smaller than Bob Moog, he did a lot of very innovative instruments and there is still the Buchla 200e .. it follows a special philopsophy which is not designed for VCO-VCF-VCA-kind of principle (some call it the west coast principle..)
more..
Clavia Nord Micromodular , Micro Modular built 1999 / 4x polyphonic + TR sequencer one slot of the nord modular in a smaller case. A DSP Synth, also works without computer (even for parameter change), the only thing you need it for is to edit/create a new patch via a second MIDI port. The number of voices will be reduced depending on the patch complexity. max 4 voices, in fact it will be almost 1 or 2 voiced.. more..
Clavia Nord Modular , Nord Modular Rack built 1998 / 16x polyphonic + TR sequencer Predecessor of the Nord Modular G2. A DSP Synth, also works without computer (even for parameter change), the only thing you need it for is to edit/create a new patch via a second MIDI port. The number of voices will be reduced depending on the patch complexity. 32 voices is the expanded G2, standard: 16. more..
Clavia Nord Modular G2, g 2x , G2engine built 2004 / 16x polyphonic + TR sequencer Successor of the Nord Modular. A DSP Synth, also works without computer (even for parameter change), the only thing you need it for is to edit/create a new patch via USB. The number of voices will be reduced depending on the patch complexity. 32 voices is the expanded G2, standard: 16. more..
Club Of The Knobs Modular built 2009 / 5x polyphonic + analog step sequencer This is a modular system reminding a lot of Moog from Portugal, but the founder came from germany (Düsseldorf) and 2008/9 he (Gerd Peun aka Kazike) was joined by Georg Mahr from Düsseldorf - now they got classic Moog modules as well as new creations like a 2 Arper-Keyboard which can address multiple voices like the sought after Roland 184 Keyboard. more..
Curetronic Modular built 2004 / monophonic + analog step sequencer matthias began with DIY synths and they are still available, now there are complete systems available in standard "moog" size (motm etc..) the earlier ones where formant size (6 HE) more..
Cwejman S1 built 2004 / monophonic swedish semi modular synth with ultra-fast envelopes / VCA and 2 filters with midi control, it's pronounced "svai-man" more..
Cwejman Modular built 2006 / monophonic this system is very slim and there are enough modules out to make full modular system incl a module with one complete voice like the roland system 100m more..
Doepfer A100, Modular built 1994 / monophonic + analog step sequencer Dieter Doepfers Modular System offers a laaarge variety of modules, even 8bit samplers that allow CV control for position, modules are very different in sound quality.. take a look, there are very interesting ones among them.. more..
EEF Modular built 1972 / monophonic + analog step sequencer I do not know much about this system, even when it was made. EEF was formed by the DIY activist Eric. E. Feremans in Antwerp (Belgium) who was also part of ELK-Muziek (guy2d.com posted this info)
eight EEF Sequencers 16-4 were made - one of them being used by The Klinik (Dirk Ivens / Marc Verhaeghen) more..
EML Electro Comp 101 built 1972 / monophonic originally for education purpose (?), well.. in the US? here in europe/germany I did not see too many of them, still.. so all EML is rare "for me at least". Semimodular but no chance to rearrange the modules. more..
EMS VCS3 built 1969 / monophonic A classic! looks like a russian power plant control. a matrix controls what is modulated by what source. there are not too many requests for keyboards or midi, quite "clinical" Sound, very british also. quite minimalistic (no lfo and only one ENV). anyway worth more than one ear. the CD David Voorhaus - white noise was made with 2 VCS3. more..
EMS Synthi A, AKS built 1971 / monophonic + simple sequencer AKS: a keyboard with 256-step sequencer (optional), btw the first digital sequencer. A classic! looks like a russian power plant control. a matrix controls what is modulated by what source. there are not too many requests for keyboards or midi, quite "clinical" Sound, very british also. quite minimalistic (no lfo and only one ENV). anyway worth more than one ear. the CD David Voorhaus - white noise was made with 2 VCS3. more..
EMS Synthi 100 built 1971 / monophonic + step sequencer A classic! looks like a russian power plant control. a matrix controls what is modulated by what source. there are not too many requests for keyboards or midi, quite "clinical" Sound, very british also. quite minimalistic (no lfo and only one ENV). anyway worth more than one ear. dr. who was recordet with one of them and stockhausen told about it "boring filters but a fascinating sequencer" more..
EMS Synthi P built 1974 / monophonic the professional version (synthi p stands for).
well, in fact it is a better synthi a and never went into production more..
EMS Synthi E built 1975 / monophonic the educational (thats what stands "E" for) synthi for schools needs patch cords to connect the modules. it has a ribbon and sensor keys to play it.. quite simple synth. more..
Emu Modular built 1972 / 10x polyphonic + modulation step sequencer innovative Modular system, also with digital Modules. Oberheim and others got their keyboard from emu (licence of course), perhabs you have heard one on Vince Clarkes records?.. also meat beat maniesto had (have?) one, do they still exist?.. more..
Future Retro XS built 2006 / monophonic the new and first modular by future retro shown on (winter) NAMM 2006 first. thought to be stacked to get more VCOs and LFOs..
price is not yet fixed. more..
Korg MS50 built 1978 / monophonic an expander for the semomodular ms series, the ms50 is real modular (while ms10/20 aren't really modular), a bit overrated and therefore expensive. more..
Lassence ventury II, ventury 2 built 2003 / monophonic this was connected to the bluebay site (disappeared some day).. Lassence µVenturyII
mini modular system made for percussive sound reinforcment/treatment from belgium in a suitcase.. more..
Macbeth M5, M5N built 2005 / monophonic quite ARPish look but different in concept and sound: prepatched routings that can also re-arranged by the user, so this is more than "semi modular" synth, it has 2 filters and almost everything you need for a modular system more..
MFB Kraftzwerg , Synth 3 built 2008 / monophonic small synth with really astonishing features incl. 35 patch jacks for semi modular patching at this size!
The official name is Kraftwerg (power dwarf), not Synth 3. more..
MFB Megazwerg built 2010 / monophonic + modulation step sequencer this is a perfect addition to the Kraftzwerg which is something like a new Korg MS50 in our times…
has a morphable filter! more..
MFB Schlagzwerg built 2009 / 6x polyphonic + TR sequencer a TR-step sequencer with 6 CV/Gate outs to trigger internal and external modules, internal sound is 4 basic drum modules that can be orderes as modules also. more..
Moog Modular built 1964 / monophonic + analog step sequencer well, this is the frist commercial Synthesizer, Bob Moog startet showing it on the AES in 1964 and had some visionary musicians as clients till 1969 when switched on back was released, after that Moog went over to become a real company. this is what a synthesizer is: synthesis = put together. means putting together modules by patch cords, thats the idea.. more on the modular , click the Link.. more..
Native Instruments Absynth built 2003 / 99x polyphonic + modulation step sequencer bsynth uses 3 sections with OSCs (additive, fm, granular samples) and 2 freely assignable modules (filters, shapers, ringmod..) they are mixed and manipulated by 2 more master modules (same: filters, ringmod, shapers..) more..
Native Instruments Reaktor built 2000 / 999x polyphonic + modulation step sequencer First real native commercial modular Synth which has changed to Reaktor after introducing Transformator (the granular sample module) and generator was first..
strict 2 sided basic structure:
1) patches (structures)
2) panels and knobs (panel)
3) all together (ensembles)
uses also OSC to communitate with other computers / controllers (like lemur) via ethernet..
more than midi resolution possible. more..
Polyfusion Modular built 1971 / 8x polyphonic + analog step sequencer Ex Moog Employees reformed to make a very moog style and size modular system, even the ciruitry is quite close (simliar?) exept the layout, they also improved the ciruitry and made 8 voice keyboard with velocity (!), btw they still exist, but do no longe built synthesizers but hi-end amps.. more..
PPG Modular 100, Modular 300 built 1975 / 4x polyphonic + analog step sequencer Wolfgang Palm made his first modular System 100, later the 300 witch was also available with german lettering (strange one ,even for germans). keyboards range up to 4 voices (quadraphonic) more..
Roland System 700 built 1976 / monophonic + analog step sequencer the Roland 700 is a very nice modular which has prepatched jacks that can be changed by just pluggin in a patchcord. so it's much more to get out of the module. it is not as compact as the smaller 100m, so one module is one funcitonality on this system - ah, btw: of course the modules could be chosen by the user. more..
Roland System 100 built 1976 / 2x polyphonic + analog step sequencer this System reminds a bit of the SH5 and it's exatcly the SH-Sound (thats a good thing). of course it has no manual BPF like the SH5 but it is modular. to be exact: it is semimodular because it allows not to access ALL parts. system parts: (101: 1 ADSR, 1x Filter 12dB/oct LPF, 1x LFO, 102: 1x ADSR , ringmod, 1x LFO, 1x Filter 12dB/oct LPF, 104: sequencer, 103: mixer) surely you can use the two 102 + 101 as 2 synths, so it is 2 voice more..
Roland System 100m built 1978 / 4x polyphonic + analog step sequencer this System reminds a bit of the SH5 and it's exatcly the SH-Sound (thats a good thing). of course it has no manual BPF like the SH5 but it is modular. to be exact: it is semimodular because it allows not to access ALL parts. system parts: (101: 1 ADSR, 1x Filter 12dB/oct LPF, 1x LFO, 102: 1x ADSR , ringmod, 1x LFO, 1x Filter 12dB/oct LPF, 104: sequencer, 103: mixer) surely you can use the two 102 + 101 as 2 synths, so it is 2 voice more..
Serge Modular built 1975 / monophonic + analog step sequencer Serge is rare, it's made by the Serge Tcherepnin he lives in the us (russian name, true! stems from France) - serge modulars were available as DIY kits in the past. Serge still producing Modules.still produced. I still mark the VCOs etc, 999 (unfinite), but the modules are "fixed". Serge is now Rex Probe who did it all for the recent 12 years.. more..
Symbolic Sound Kyma , Capybara built 2005 / 99x polyphonic + advanced sequencer Kyma is a DSP System and was developed over time by Carla Scaletti on a Mac, the Hardware is called the Capybara 320 (atm) it has slots for double DSP cards. Kyma allows complex processing like spectral vocoding, real time audio morphing and audio processing. It has also a timeline to load and change "FX" and processing and arrange them like on a sequencer. 4 DSPs max 28 (Motorola) - Motorola 56309? more..
Synlab Modularsystem built 1972 / 4x polyphonic + advanced sequencer this system is quite similar to the ARP2500, it was made by Professor Dirk Reith and the Hofschneider company in germany - it has been improved and changed in its layout and look but the 2500-bus / routing system is the same..
I believe it is unique, so there is no more than the one at the Folkwang School in germany (Essen).
well the rest is almost like the ARP info:
the big modular system from ARP was freely configuarable, but mostly it had the configuration shown here.. a 4-voice keyboard was available, but I doubt that many customers used it for the very large of modules needed (well module 1045 contained a whole voice!), 10step Sequencer. special routing bus (20 on top and bottom) , so the users needs almost no or only a few patch cords. more..
Synthesizers.com Modular built 1999 / 8x polyphonic + analog step sequencer freely configurable Modularsystem very close to Moog (sonically), freely configurable.. more..
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