Super Last Minute Gifts I'd Want As A Music Producer & Modular Synth Lover - Pt. 2
Gifts For The Modular Synthesist In Your Life
You don't need to hear it from me. Shopping for someone that is into modular synths is totally hard unless they have been going on and on for months about a specific piece of gear they want. Agree to agree with me? Awesome.
Even if that’s not the case, chances are good that you might have put off finishing that holiday shopping because you don’t really know how to help the person along in their modular synth journey. No worries.
It is going to sound strange but I’ll take you on a journey of modular gifts I’d get myself. This is Part 2 in a two part series. Let’s go.
1. Gift Cards
In part 1 of my list of Super Last Minute Gifts I'd Want As A Music Producer & Modular Synth Lover, which focused on things every music making human could use, gift cards were last on the list and looked at as sort of a last resort.
On this list I’m putting them first. Eurorack can be a very specific niche. It's a complex environment that each of us builds up a little differently, and it's often easier just to let us pick out what we want to get next.
There's also the cost factor. Modular synth gear isn't cheap. We get that, and we also get that you aren't going to buy us gear that costs several hundred dollars. Saving up multiple gift cards to the same store is something I like to do, so I can work towards that awesome piece of gear I want over time.
There are links to a couple of my favorite synth-focused stores. You can pick up their gift cards through these links.
2. Patch Cables
When it comes to modular since there are things that you can never have enough of, and I’m not talking about VCAs right now.
I’m talking patch cables. 3.5mm patch cables specifically, because we're talking eurorack right now.
Everyone has their own approach to cables. Some use different colors by specific cable companies to keep track of the different lengths they need while working on a patch. Others like to have a color scheme that appeals to them.
I'm primarily in the second camp. It's got to look lovely to me.
I want my cables to look interesting by day, and glowing like the moon at night. I have a mostly blue color palette of cables, with some teal and green mixed in. Modbang cables are a perfect match for the aesthetic I want. I love them. Just saying.
Don't get me wrong, I'll use any cable to achieve the desired patch, and sometimes I like to switch it up visually. There are a bunch of top-shelf companies out there making incredible cables. We all have our preferences.
TipTop Audio makes stackable cables that have a jack and plug connection on each connector, and this allows for splitting signals and sending them to different places in pretty cool and efficient ways. I love these too.
3. MIDI Controllers & Sequencers
This section is dedicated to controllers and sequencers that are not eurorack modules. There are a ton of great options that can get in a case, but what if the musician you are shopping for has a full case? Let's talk about things that will fit on a desk or off the workspace and on a keyboard stand.
There are times when modular synthesists just want a patch to be organic, wild, doing its own thing and we set that thing free to see if it comes back.
Other times we want to have a little more control over notes, song structures, control voltage, and other elements of sound. This is where MIDI controllers and sequencers can be really useful.
I would check to make sure the audio sorcerer you are buying a gift for doesn't already have a controller before you go buying them another. That said, these suggestions are what I'd like to add to my setup if I had the opportunity.
Korg SQ-1* - Small, affordable sequencer that doesn't take up space in a modular synth case. Battery powered. This offers a lot for its price and size.
The Arturia Step range of controllers are so solid. I have Arturia's MiniLab mkII, KeyLab 49, a MicroLab, their RackBrute 6U case, and the MiniBrute 2S semi-modular synth. It's safe to say that I would add either of these two to my collection. They have their differences, and the clearly visible difference is one has piano keys, the other has pads.
OXI One MIDI Controller - This is a professional piece of gear that is built for complex creativity... and fun. It's not cheap, but it delivers a ton of features. It could be the control center in a studio for multiple pieces of gear or a portable controller geared towards performance. It's a remarkable controller with four sequencers available at the same time and a ton of other features that you can read about through the link.
4. Modules
No. I can't do it. I have no clue!
Modules are likely the hardest thing to suggest. I don't know what the modular synthesist in your life enjoys when it comes to sounds, sights, textures, or even what companies they want to support!
Well, if I have to throw my opinion in, here it goes. Here are a couple of modules I'd love to be gifted.
DivKid øchd Organic Drift LFO - The øchd is a wonderful way to add modulation and movement to patches. It has eight triangle LFO outputs. You can control the frequency with a knob and cv input. The outputs are musically tuned in intervals from each other. It's something I've been missing in my patches and on my wish list for a long time now.
Bela Gliss Open-Source Touch Controller - Sometimes the human touch is just what a patch needs to bring it to life. The touch surface module comes with four modes, Control, Record, Signal, and Notes. The neat thing is that it is open source, so if someone can think of new ways to use this touch controller/gesture recording module they can tinker away and repurpose it.
Lately I've been thinking about getting a small case and outfitting it with a few of these Gliss modules along with a couple of other eurorack modules to make a dedicated cv controlling/modulation box that would sit outside of my modular synth's main case.
5. Pedals
There couldn't be a list like this without some pedals thrown in for good measure. Right now I have a Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine sitting between my modular and my Apogee Duet 2.
It's fun to get a patch going and then move on to the pedals to see how spicy things can be dressed up before everything gets recorded. Here are some interesting pedals I'd love to have on hand.
I broke my MXR Carbon Copy this year (just plugging it in) so here are some pedals I'd put in the space of my heart that the Carbon Copy used to occupy. (I know, it’s a bit much huh? I get weird and wordy. It’s a thing. Anyway, check these pedals out.)
The videos below will give you a sense of what these pedals can do.
Chase Bliss & Goodhertz Lossy - This is a fun, lofi, glitchy pedal. I'm in love.
Chase Bliss MOOD MKII - A multi-effect pedal that is an instant feeling. Check it out.
Hologram - Chroma Console - I want to throw this on here, because it looks like a ton of fun! Please be aware that it doesn't ship until January 2024.
If you want a funny run through of this year's many awesome pedals, then check out this year's EMMAs. Plus, beyond getting a nice, informative overview of what's out there, you'll get to hear what these pedals sound like with a harp going through them, which is pretty rad.
6. New Case
There are plenty of reasons for getting a new case.
My reasons for wanting a bigger case is that I'm out of space in my Arturia RackBrute 6U. If not a bigger case, another RackBrute would be great.
On the other hand I'd like a smaller more portable case with an out for headphones that I can bring outside with me to make music out of the studio. I mentioned above that I'd love to make a dedicated cv controlling/modulation box, and for that case I'd like it to be just wide enough to control with one hand, freeing the other to turn knobs and
Arturia RackBrute 6U Eurorack Case Enclosure with Power Supply, Noir (Black)
Large case sizes - When you get to this size there are a lot of factors involved such as weight, height, room space, and more that might push you towards purchasing a custom built case. Of course this gift won't come in time to make it on the back of Santa's sleigh. Instead, you'll be giving a massively useful gift that will bring loads of planning, refining, excitement, and use for a long, long lifetime of use. The custom cases made by 2 Many Synths might be what you're looking for if you choose to travel this path.
7. Lessons
Learning how to build, use, and feel at home with a modular synth can be frustrating and exhausting. It's a subject I am chipping away at daily and very much love studying. It’s rewarding for me, but often I’d like to just patch with someone else way better than me.
Going it alone can lead to some difficult terrain. Thoughtful teachers and helpful, inclusive communities can keep the path forward a fun and exciting place to travel.
So wouldn't it be nice to gift a beginner or even a more advanced modular synthesist with some lessons from experts who also happen to be amazing human beings? I have a few of those humans in mind below.
I've must have watched days and days worth of their educational and fun Instagram and YouTube posts by now. So much good sound and ear candy. Looking forward to what they come up with next is something I look forward to all the time. There are links to what they offer below.
- Red Means Recording Education - Jeremy Blake is one of the reasons I dived into modular, his excitement and clarity about the subject made me super curious about all things eurorack, and his videos have long been comfort food for my brain.
He offers custom 1-on-1 lessons that cover a ton of the topics he has made videos about on his YouTube channel, such as songwriting, mixing, mastering, hardware tutorials (not all hardware ever produced of course but he knows a lot, and what he knows he knows, you know?), patching modular synths, video production, and more.
- Sarah Belle Reid - If coaching and mentorship are what you would like to gift someone, you’ve come to the right place. Sarah’s offerings cover topics from building your knowledge and confidence with modular synthesis, getting you on track for live performances, to helping you grow with your career.
I like getting lost in the sounds she creates while sitting outside with a coffee and gazing at nature. Her music is like a force of nature, encompassing all of it at once. You have to hear her play. Do it!
- Akash Thakkar - If you’re looking for an awesome gift for someone who uses modular synths specifically for sound design and wants to create sound for video games, I think Akash has more than a ton of solid and thoughtful advice to provide anyone who is thinking about getting into the game audio industry. He has several courses to help someone get started on the game audio path.
This article is focused on modular synths, so I want to point out that Akash isn’t teaching modular synthesis as far as I know. Instead you’ll be learning how to gain entry and navigate the game audio industry, how to find work and keep it coming, how to work with clients, and plenty of sound design.
I mean if you listen to an episode or two of The Sound Business Podcast you’ll have a great sense of what Akash is about. It’s one of my favorite podcasts and it always leaves a smile on my face and a dose of inspiration in my mind.
Whether you are thinking about taking any of these courses or not, you should give each of these people a follow on YouTube and at their other socials.
They graciously give so much of their time to teach others about their art that it would be a bummer to just pass on the creativity and knowledge they have to offer!
8. Books
I think a great way follow up to gifting lessons is to stick with the education theme. Books are always ready to be there when you want to get away from the computer and get away from screens.
I have these two books and they’ve provided me plenty of insight that I’m thankful for.
- Patch & Tweak - Patch & Tweak is pretty much all someone would need to get started with modular synthesis. It stays on my desk and I'll keep it close by for a long time. Bjooks publishes many other amazing books and you can find more at their site.
- Designing Sound - Designing Sound teaches how to create sound effects from nothing using the Pure Data language. It's a bit above my grasp right now - but it might be just the gift your modular synthesist is looking for if they want to explore sound creation in a deeper fashion.
Thanks for reading through this list. If you missed Part 1 which is focused on things that every musician could benefit from, you can read it here. Hope you are doing well and having fun. Cheers!
Hey do me a favor. Share this post. Pin it on Pinterest, or send it to the person you were buying a last minute gift for. They might want to read it. That would be so appreciated!
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