This question has been kicking around in my head for a while, but seeing something similar brought up in the "best modular kick drum thread" in 3U convinced me to ask about it.
So modular synths are synthesizers composed of different self contained components/units or "modules" - so far so good.
But modular synths also allow users to "modulate" or change sounds, and you'll often see people make claims like "modulation is what make modular synths unique!" - That's an entirely different concept to modules (and I don't think it's true? Fixed architecture synths allow you to use LFOs or envelopes to modulate sounds - they just don't allow you to change the routing... except the ones that do via a mod matrix for example)
So what I'm asking, is - what is the root of "modular" here? Is it synths made up of different components? From my understanding, early Moog and Buchla instruments were all made of components, but initially sold as complete instruments. They would have also allowed for modulation via LFOs and such, but I don't think they were referred to as "modular" until the arrival of fixed architecture synths later down the line. Or is the root "synths you can modulate" and the fact that they're made of modules, somewhat coincidental?
Alternately, is there something else I'm missing?
What came first here? The chicken (modules) or the egg (modulation)? Is there a common root or is this just a case where two very similar yet unrelated words both being applicable to different aspects of these musical instruments? And if so, is the "modulation makes modular unique" chestnut just an accidental half truth, rather than something inherent to the format?
Thanks for indulging this word nerd down this rabbit hole. I'd love for there to be a straight answer but also, I'm just as interested in info relating to this just being terminology the community made up as it went along.
So modular synths are synthesizers composed of different self contained components/units or "modules" - so far so good.
But modular synths also allow users to "modulate" or change sounds, and you'll often see people make claims like "modulation is what make modular synths unique!" - That's an entirely different concept to modules (and I don't think it's true? Fixed architecture synths allow you to use LFOs or envelopes to modulate sounds - they just don't allow you to change the routing... except the ones that do via a mod matrix for example)
So what I'm asking, is - what is the root of "modular" here? Is it synths made up of different components? From my understanding, early Moog and Buchla instruments were all made of components, but initially sold as complete instruments. They would have also allowed for modulation via LFOs and such, but I don't think they were referred to as "modular" until the arrival of fixed architecture synths later down the line. Or is the root "synths you can modulate" and the fact that they're made of modules, somewhat coincidental?
Alternately, is there something else I'm missing?
What came first here? The chicken (modules) or the egg (modulation)? Is there a common root or is this just a case where two very similar yet unrelated words both being applicable to different aspects of these musical instruments? And if so, is the "modulation makes modular unique" chestnut just an accidental half truth, rather than something inherent to the format?
Thanks for indulging this word nerd down this rabbit hole. I'd love for there to be a straight answer but also, I'm just as interested in info relating to this just being terminology the community made up as it went along.
Statistics: Posted by SonRaw — Wed Jan 29, 2025 1:06 pm — Replies 3 — Views 75