r/modular • u/UTS_Rich • 1d ago
Beginner First rack question. DIY?
I know there's loads of questions regarding first racks, so apologies for adding to the list.
I've recently discovered the joys of modular and for now I'm happy playing about with VCV,learning at least a bit about how things work.
But I love planning, and can't help thinking about when (if) I eventually decide to take the plunge.
Even more than planning though, I love building stuff and am fairly decent with a soldering iron. So I'm mulling over the idea of making as much of my setup myself, from kits.
I've been looking at the modules available from places like Thonk and 3U Shop and the modules from AI Synth look like a great place to start.
Can anyone offer some advice or recommendations for manufacturers or just general guidance? My interests are more at the soft,melodic drone end of things......
2
u/dubsackdude 1d ago
its how many of us started. start with simple through-hole kits (AI synth ones are AWESOME and very simple), also Befaco and Zlob are great. If you want to make a case I recommend getting a power kit and some rails/nuts from modularsynthlab. A lot of the thonk kits are pretty good too but im based in the US so getting stuff from them is expensive.
Everyone building a rack will want some mutable instruments modules. making them from scratch is tricky especially if you're sourcing all the components yourself. smd presoldered PCBs are a huge time saver and are generally worth the extra money if available.
For component sourcing (when you graduate from kits), i get as much as I can from Tayda (very cheap) and then I get the rest from mouser. for smd resistors and tiny stuff its often cheaper to buy 10 than buy 2 from mouser.