7. Patching: Getting it right!

With the vast array of modules available in the market, there are countless ways to patch and create unique sounds. This can be overwhelming for newcomers, leading them to ask: How do I do it "right"?

Concept Experimentation

Indeed, there's no definitive "right" or "wrong" path in Eurorack. Essentially, each patch and sound you craft is an exciting journey. In the realm of modular synthesis, you're continuously delving into uncharted sonic territories. Nonetheless, this journey always starts with some form of a plan. While random experimentation can yield exciting results, it doesn't guarantee it. Having an initial concept or strategy for your patch provides a mental roadmap, steering you towards a specific destination. Yet, even with a plan in hand, the path to the final sound remains filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Alright, what could one of these plans look like? Here are a couple of examples that could serve as starting points for your first patches:

1. The Subtractive Synthesizer Voice

Here's the first example, and it's a fundamental patch that every Eurorack enthusiast should be familiar with. It's the classic subtractive voice setup, comprising an oscillator, filter, envelope, VCA, and sequencer. Let's break it down step by step: First, take the 1V/Oct signal from the CV output of your sequencer and plug it into the corresponding input on the oscillator. Next, grab the gate signal and patch it into the gate input of your envelope. Now, from the audio output of the oscillator, route it into the filter, and from there, connect it to the audio input of the VCA. Lastly, patch the envelope into the CV input of the VCA. What you've got here is a sequence of notes from the sequencer that drives the oscillator. Each note is shaped by the envelope and sent out to your speakers through the VCA. Simple, but essential!

2. Generative Music

Now, if you're up for a slightly more intricate approach, let's dive into generating random melodies. This builds on the first technique but adds an element of randomness to your sequences. In addition to the components we discussed earlier, you'll need a module capable of generating random CV signals, often referred to as a Sample & Hold module. A good choice here is the ADDAC 215 Dual S&H+. You'll also require a quantizer, like the Bard Quartet by Shakmat Modular. Here's how it works: Sync everything to a master clock, which can come from your sequencer and is sent to the trigger input of a Sample & Hold module. With every beat of the clock, this module generates a new random value. Now, take this value and route it to the 1V/Oct input of the quantizer. The quantizer's job is to transform this random signal into a musical melody for the oscillator. After this step, the rest of the setup remains the same as in the first example.

Consider these two approaches as your launchpad for creating your first patches. As you gain confidence and experience, you can start tweaking and modifying individual elements of your setup or introduce new modules to explore new sonic territories. This way, you'll keep your Eurorack journey fresh and exciting, always discovering something new and unique with every patch.