Your First Patch¶
Let's make some noise! This "Hello World" patch will guide you through the basics of signal flow in MICRORACK.
Step 1: The Drone (VCO → Output)¶
Goal: Hear your first sound — a continuous tone.
What You Need¶
- 1× VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator)
- 1× Output Module (mod-out-35 or mod-out-63)
- 1× Patch cable (jumper wire)
- Headphones or speakers
Instructions¶
- Insert the VCO: Place your VCO module into the breadboard (notch at bottom)
- Insert the Output Module: Place an Output module nearby
- Connect the Signal:
- Find the Red pin (Output) on the VCO
- Find the Blue pin (Input) on the Output module
- Connect them with a patch cable
- Listen: Plug in your headphones and turn up the volume
Result: You should hear a steady tone. Try turning the Pitch knob on the VCO to change the frequency.
Tip: The VCO has multiple outputs (saw, triangle, square). Each has a different timbre — try connecting different ones!
Step 2: Subtractive Synthesis (VCO → VCF → Output)¶
Goal: Shape the tone using a filter.
What You Need¶
- Previous setup, plus:
- 1× VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
Instructions¶
- Insert the VCF: Place it between the VCO and Output module
- Re-route the Patch:
- VCO Output (Red) → VCF Input (Blue)
- VCF Output (Red) → Output Module Input (Blue)
- Tweak: Turn the Cutoff knob on the VCF
Result: The sound gets brighter (cutoff up) or darker (cutoff down) as you filter out frequencies.
Try this: Turn up the Resonance knob for a more aggressive, "singing" filter sound.
Step 3: Adding Modulation (LFO → VCF)¶
Goal: Make the filter move automatically.
What You Need¶
- Previous setup, plus:
- 1× LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) — or use mod-vco in LFO mode
Instructions¶
- Insert the LFO: Place it anywhere on the breadboard
- Connect the Modulation:
- LFO Output (Red) → VCF CV Input (Blue)
- Adjust: Set the LFO to a slow speed (0.5-2 Hz)
Result: The filter cutoff now moves up and down automatically, creating a "wah-wah" or sweeping effect.
Experiment: Try different LFO waveforms (if available) — triangle for smooth sweeps, square for abrupt changes.
Signal Flow Summary¶
┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌────────┐
│ VCO │─Red──│ VCF │─Red──│ VCA │─Red──│ Output │──► 🎧
└─────┘ └──┬──┘ └──┬──┘ └────────┘
│ │
Blue │ Blue │
│ │
┌───┴───┐ ┌───┴───┐
│ LFO │ │ ENV │
└───────┘ └───────┘
Remember: Red (Output) always connects to Blue (Input).
What's Next?¶
Add More Modules¶
| Module | What It Does |
|---|---|
| mod-env | Add attack/decay/sustain/release shaping |
| mod-vca | Control volume with CV |
| mod-delay | Add echo and space |
| mod-seq | Create melodic sequences |
Explore Use Cases¶
Check out the Use Cases section for complete patch ideas: - Ambient drones - Guitar effects processing - Generative music - MIDI integration
Congratulations!¶
You've just built your first modular synthesizer patch. From here, the possibilities are endless.