Foundations
Start with signal flow, modulation basics, and first sound design patches.
- CV vs audio
- oscillator, filter, VCA
- envelopes and LFOs
Foundations
Lesson 01: What Is Modular Synthesis
A first explanation of modular synthesis as a system of connected functional blocks.
Markdown content
Theory, structure, and practical context are all driven from content files.
Related patches
Concrete repository anchors already exist for this lesson track.
Theory
Modular synthesis is a way of building an instrument from separate functional blocks.
Instead of opening one fixed synthesizer with a prewired signal path, you connect the parts yourself:
- sound source
- timbre shaping
- amplitude control
- modulation
- timing
In VCV Rack, that means the instrument is not a single plugin. The instrument is the patch.
Why It Matters Here
Modular Genesis is not centered on presets. It is centered on systems.
That matters because later lessons will depend on building behavior from smaller units:
- sequencing
- probability
- feedback
- audiovisual mapping
Patch Idea
VCO -> VCF -> VCA -> AUDIOPractice
Open VCV Rack and identify these module roles:
- a sound source
- a filter
- a level control stage
- an output
Write down what each part changes in the sound.
Patch references
Use the linked patch entries below as concrete repository anchors for this lesson track.
Continue inside Foundations
Adjacent lessons in the same track keep the topic progression coherent.
Hybrid routing overview
The first system diagram connects the modular engine, DAW layer, and visual output layer.