I’ve always admired classically-styled modular instruments, particularly the ones sold by synthesizers.com. But my aversion to having to tear apart a cool-sounding patch to create the next one ensures that I’m unlikely to ever buy a true patchable analog modular.

So, here’s a modular synthesizer for Reaktor, based on modules available from synthesizer.com. It’s designed to fit in a 44-module walnut cabinet. A few of the modules are modified or enhanced to suit my whims. The modules included are:

1 MIDI Interface
1 Slew Limiter
1 Noise Source
6 Voltage-Controlled Oscillators
3 Voltage-Controlled Filters
2 8-Input Mixers
1 Sample/Hold
2 Control Voltage Processors
3 Voltage-Controlled Amplifiers
3 ADSR Envelope Generators
1 Fixed Filter Bank
1 Voltage-Controlled Pan/Xfade
1 Ring Modulator
1 Shaper
1 Voltage-Controlled Delay
1 Oscilloscope/Voltmeter
1 Stereo Output Mixer
1 Stereo Output Chorus

Module inputs are visualized as drop-down menus which display the available module outputs. Modules don’t consume CPU cycles unless actually used.

The operating voltages mimic synthesizers.com modules. For example, oscillator outputs swing between +5 and -5 volts, and envelope generator peak voltages are +5 volts.

There are no LFOs. In the style of synthesizers.com instruments, oscillators double as LFOs.

Playing modes include polyphonic, monophonic legato, and monophonic retrigger. Monophonic and polyphonic portamento are built into the pitch controller.

Four assignable MIDI busses are included.

Two extra mod matrix outputs are available (labeled Extra1 and Extra2) so that two additional modules can be added to the system without having to modify the mod matrix.

V2 update: I've connected the pitch wheel, which wasn't wired up. If you want to fix this without downloading the update, go to the "Inputs" macro and draw a wire between the pitch wheel multiplier and the adder to the right of it.

V3 update: The instrument now has a wonderful new skin created by Jonathan Style. The internal circuitry is unchanged, so existing snapshots can be loaded into this version with no issues.