A new project promises to make modular synthesis more accessible, and to provide an inexpensive synthesis platform for integrating into custom DIY projects.
Developer Leo Gomberg has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of Microrack, a minimal, bread-board based modular synthesizer system that they say is designed to “make modular synthesis accessible to everyone and to lower the entry barrier, while maintaining rich variability and powerful sound.” Gomberg is the founder of Microrack, and Andrew Strokov (fromer Flipper Zero CTO) is co-founder.
Microrack offers a complete platform for modular synthesis, but is also compatible with Eurorack and other analog gear.
Here’s the official intro video:
Features:
- Highly accessible – Affordable kits and modules, and simple, easy to learn design.
- Compact & Portable – With its compact modules design, and Type C power, you can take your modular setups anywhere.
- ‘Limitless variability’ – Use standalone, as an effects pedal, or even integrate with EuroRack.
- All modular & analog
- DIY & Open Source
Pricing and Availability:
Production of Microrack is being funded via a Kickstarter project, and project backers can get it starting at $39 for a minimal DIY starter kit.
Note: Crowdfunded projects can involve risk. See the project site for details.
its a toy, eurorack is perfectly fine as it is.
Eurorack is fine, no question, but there are lots of people who are eager to experience modular synthesis but simply cannot spend a few thousand bucks just to get started, not to mention the necessary space (that bedroom producers often don’t have). These guys don’t care about superbly designed aluminum frontpanels, fancy colored patchcables, super perfect 1V/octave tracking; so it’s great to reduce everything to the bare minimum of what actually makes sound, and nevertheless enjoy patching and tweaking. IMO, microrack did a great job!
That starter kit is still cheaper than a bunch of Eurorack modules which is the point.
Also, ‘playing’ is done with instruments as well as toys. Either way, that’s doing it right.
Toys have a place. It’s a way in for those without lots of spare cash.
Why is it “a toy” in your opinion?
Is it the sound? The look? The lack of possibilities?
“eurorack is perfectly fine as it is”: yes, but this project doesn’t affect the perfection of the eurorack…
Hard agree. It’s as if Behringer tackled Korg Little Bits.
My modular rig is also a toy, just a bigger toy.
This is a different use-case. Presumably not rugged enough for touring. But better for serious experimentation, and also allows quick playing with other electronics like CMOS stuff. Plus much much cheaper — I think 90% of eurorack cost is for the faceplates and connectors.
Iirc Moog Werkstatt is breadboard compatible so this is like a variation on that theme.
I hope one day we will get past dismissing things we don’t understand ( or aren’t “for you”) as “toys”.
Wendy Carlos said this about some of the smaller synths. But she built them from scratch.. and setups.. this enables people to build them.. expand them. It’s bergstik reborn from the likes of microgranny 2.. and started to see the first experimental kits roll out over etsy during covid. Besides.. you can mirror development on eurorack.. pre-build like people use vst to shadow build their big kits. Sam Battle with his Kosmo platform.. and some of us with our mod pack.. and a lot of eurorackers.. love THIS THING
If Richard Devine makes a preset pack for this, then maybe. How is the build quality? Would it handle the vibrations on the Tomorrowland mainstage? And lastly, will Deadmau5 keep them out of stock because of the potential it brings to a high end studio with E-Legos filling every spot
Patching a modular synth via bread board! CLEVER!!!
Welcome to our forum — https://forum.microrack.org/
If you have any questions about the platform feel free to post!
Can’t wait to bust one of these out in the middle of a Trans-Atlantic flight.
I think it’s a solution in search of a problem. If you want to get into Eurorackwithout dropping the cash, you can always use VCV Rack, which is free. It’s not the only option in the software world. The AE Modular format is a pretty full-fledged modular system that’s significantly cheaper than Eurorack, and already exists. These things in the OP are very simple components on breadboards. You might as well just DIY.
Brilliant concept. Have been wanting to get into mod synthesis for years but can’t justify spending $2k-$3k for a basic setup and something that (at the start, at least) might just be a musical hobby. A “toy”? Better a functional toy than an over-priced glitzy module that performs one or two arcane sonic tasks and “looks great” on your square-meter Eurorack layout (always suspected that the mod synth marketplace was driven by the same snobby attitude that goes with over-priced craft microbrews). In any case, I’m interested.
Anybody who was complaining about small knobs on some of the smaller hardware
modules got a new target 🙂