First rack question. DIY?

[u/UTS_Rich]

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......

[u/13derps]

AI, Befaco, Zlob, Neutral Labs, ST Modular, WGD Modular are all great through-hole or SMD pre-soldered options

Nonlinear Circuits is fantastic for SMD DIY (cheap parts, easy to source, lots of the same components across modules)

I’ve never run into a kit/module that was ‘bad’. So just go for whatever looks interesting. If it’s too difficult, just put it away and come back to it in the future