Berlin School of Sound
Course Module 3:
Introduction to Modular Synthesis and Circuitry Building
November 15th, 2022 - January 29th, 2023,
Class Time: Mondays and Thursdays from 2-5pm
First class time, Tuesday November 15th, 2-5pm(exceptions per arrangement with the instructors)

Lecturers: Katharina Bévand, Stephane Lefrancois, Georg Werner
Guest Lecturers: Jan Hennig aka Kabuki, Jessica Kert, Steve Williams aka
Drusnoise, Eliad Wagner, JacqNoise and Simon Berz
Cooperation:
Berlin Modular Society - free show on November 18th, ticket discount to all
further Berlin Modular Society events during the course, workshop
discussing professional club night set-up on a further Berlin Modular
Society event. Possible appearance opportunity (in planning).
A local supplier will lend some modular units to our course for the first 2weeks thanks to a promotional agreement (in planning)
In this hands-on course the participants learn fundamental theory andapproaches to modular synthesis while also learning the basics ofelectronics for building circuitry and synth modules. New ways of integrating
diverse configurations of gear including modular synths will be introduced.
Assignments help the participants learn strategies for better achieving
their artistic goals and structuring work. In the last two weeks of thecourse, approaches to composition, improvisation and performance withmodular synthesis and built interfaces will culminate in performances at theAcud Club Room and a field trip to Fitzroy club with Berlin Modular Society.
In the final phase participants may opt to participate in three evenings ofperformances together with course leaders and guests (in planning) at theAcud Club. The cooperation with Berlin Modular Society also provides achannel through which performance opportunities for some participants
may materialize.
Modular synthesis connects many realms of electronic music and soundart. Intelligently integrating other interfaces and gear with modular synths

can open many new creative avenues. In this course, students will learn
about synthesis, especially as applied to a modular ecosystem, in order toaccurately assess their needs and desires, to build a system which
represents their “ideal instrument”.
The students will also learn about the basics of electricity, electronics andthey will gain an understanding of the foundations of electroacoustics, i.e.,
how we can use electric circuits to produce and sense sounds.
Furthermore we will explore how the most common modular synth system(Eurorack) works and how modules are connected. On the basis of thisknowledge there will be a hands-on session where the participants learn tosolder while assembling a simple DIY module from a kit (parts cost 15 Euro).
A fundamental knowledge of how electronics and building one’s own basic
interfaces work are key to the full creative potential of electronic sound.
Recommended prerequisite for the course:
The best is if the participants already owns a modular or semi-modular
synthesis system at the start of the course – please contact us forquestions or a free consultation if you want to obtain one. A group discountfor purchases at a local vendor will be arranged (e.g. Schneidersladen etc.,- currently in planning).
Even without hardware however, the Course Module can be completed while
only using the softwares VCV Rack and Modulargrid. They will be covered
thoroughly in the classes and provide a solid foundation upon which to builda system. In between, references to readings in course texts and viewing of
key instructional videos will compliment the seminars. With VCV Rack,
Modulargrid, the course, and videos, beginning students will be more than
ready to approach the modular world with complete confidence, even if
they have never bought a modular synthesis system before.
Classes and Workshop Schedule (exact days TBA)
Tuesday 15th, 2-5pm
Class 1 (SL, KB and GW) Introduction to VCV rack, basic building blocks,
modulation, sequencing
Introduction to VCV Rack
brief overview of the different modules
patching assignmentsBasic building blocks
oscillator (VCO) (sine, triangle, sawtooth, square, PWM)

filter (VCF)
amplifier (VCA)
low pass gate
wave folder / wave shaper
wavetable oscillator
Modulationenvelope (AD, ADSR, looping envelope)
low frequency oscillator (LFO)
modulation range, attenuverter
Sequencing
clocking, clock distribution and division
reset
trigger sequencer
CV sequencer
alternate ways of sequencing (LFO, random source, sample & hold)Thursday 17th, 2-5pm
Class 2 (SL) Synthesis types, essential patching examples
Synthesis typessubtractive (east coast)
additive (west coast)
frequency modulation (FM)ring modulation
granular
low pass gate
wave folder / wave shaper
wavetable oscillator

karplus strong

Essential patching examples
traditional subtractive voicesimple FM patch
simple 1 – voice sequencing
modulating the modulator
krell patch
frequency modulation (FM)ring modulation

Class 3 (KB) Modular Sonic Arts I: Sonic artifacts and sustained tones.
Experimental music exploration with modular synths: artistic approach for live
performance and installations.
A history of hearing and new music styles with electronic instruments. Machineschanged our hearing.
Drone music: Practices of listening, time questions and perception of time.
Atmospheres, noise, glitches and feedback. Manipulating time: granular synthesis
and samplers..
Introduction to female pioneers in electronic music: listening sesssion I - Eliane
Radigue, Pauline Oliveros.
Assignment: watch documentary Sisters with Transistors.

Class 4 (KB) Modular Sonic Arts II: Spatial explorations / Extending themodular setup with external inputs for performance or installations.
Hearing space, sound and psychoacoustics. Spaces for installations andperformances, effects and quadraphonic explorations. Otoacoustics.
Spatial composition with modular setups in performances or for installations.
Creative extension of the modular setup: external sound sources

Generative approaches for composing and modulation with random generators,
sequencers and lfos.
Female pioneers in electronic music: listening sesssion II - Maryane Amacher, .

.

Class 5 (GW) Electrical basics, electric parts and introduction toelectroacoustics
Electrical basics
What are voltage, current, resistance and how are they related
AC / DCElectromagnetism
Electronic parts
Resistors
Capacitors
Inductors
Electrical circuits
How to connect things
Measurement
How to use a multimeter
Introduction to electroacoustics
How does a speaker work
How does a microphone work

Class 6 (GW) Introduction to circuits, circuit diagrams and the electricaldesign of modular systems (Eurorack)
Introduction to circuits
Voltage dividers

Analog filters
Amplifiers
Digital ICs
Circuit diagrams
Symbols for electronic parts
How to read and write circuit diagrams
The electrical design of modular systems (Eurorack)
How does the Eurorack system work internally

Guest Workshop I
Jacqnoise: DIY Modular building
During live performances JacqNoise synchronizes with her surroundings.
She finds her main source of inspiration in cultural cross-pollination. In thepast years, JacqNoise has collaborated with musicians from all over theworld. This is leading her curiosity to experiment and adapt new
methodologies.
Lately, JacqNoise has pioneered hardware interfaces that support
algorithms and are based on chaos in order to develop noises and specify
sounds.
Building the eurorack - soldering work

Class 7 (GW) Building your own module
Introduction to tools
Introduction to soldering
Begin building the module from the recommended kit (parts cost 15 Euroextra)Class 8 (GW) Continue building and testing the module
Mechanical constructionChecking for errors
Connection to the Eurorack
Testing and having fun with the module

Class 9 (SL) sound design patching
Sound design patchingkick drum patch
snare drum patch
hi hat patch
bass line patch
melodic patch
drone patch
feedback patching
self patching
Tuning considerations and techniques
Micro tuning, just intonation, scales and quantizers

listening session III

Guest Workshop II
Jan Hennig aka Kabuki: Modular Harmony
Kabuki's heart beats for such seemingly different musical genres as Jungle,Jan or Ambient. For over 20 years, his productions have covered thecomplete spectrum of beat science, always in search of that specialfeeling.
From 1996 - 2021 he released over 200 single tracks as singles or released oncompilations. He produced remixes for artists like Ennio Morricone, Tinashe,
Hot 8 Brass Band and many more.

Since 2016 he has been teaching with a focus on sound synthesis at theAbbey Road Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2018 studies at the California Institute of the Arts (Sound Synthesis UsingReaktor)and from 2019 until today studies at Stanford University(Programming Max: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts).

Simon Berz: DIY Instruments, modular and improvisation
Based on electroacoustic equipment (D.I.Y. instruments, effects, mixer,
modular system) Simon Berz shows extensive and creative ways of soundmanipulation in improvisation.
The workshop shows possibilities of microscopic sound research using
body sound microphones. He lets the participants experience how thesimplest sound events can be transported into monumental walls of soundand create new improvisation ideas.

Class 10 (SL) Designing a system, performing with a system
Designing a system
power considerations
size considerations
which modules to buy
introduction to Modular Grid
design a system in Modular Grid
Combining software with modular synthesis for performance
MIDI and routing
channels and mixing
Performing with a systemdesign choices
achieving a polished sound from a modular setup
performing tips and tricks
writing tips and tricks (randomizing)

Modular video
introduction to LZX Visual Cortex and integrating it with audio modules
listening session IV

Guest Workshop III:
Eliad Wagner: Serge modular sythesizers, patch programmability and mild
cybernetics
Eliad Wagner is a composer, performer, sound artist and educator. He is aclassically trained musician, holding academic degrees in physics andmusic. In 2012 Wagner relocated to Berlin, where he quickly became an
active member of the city’s experimental improvised music scene as aperformer of electronic music (playing the modular synthesizer) as well ascomposing for ensembles and installations. Since 2015, He is the head of
the Electronic Music Production and Performance degree programme at theCatalyst Institute for Creative Arts and Technology in Berlin.

His music has been performed/ published/ presented by Computer Music
Journal (MIT Press), Guggenheim New York, Q-O2, Steim, HKW Berlin, Worm
Rotterdam, Ensemble Phoenix Basel, TU Berlin, UDK Berlin, Aarhus academyof music amongst others.

Steve Williams aka Drusnoise: Live Performance Workshop
This workshop will help you learn how to make the most of your modular
synths in a live setting. We will cover topics like how to build a live set thatworks for the space and audience, concepts to keep in mind when
performing, engaging with the crowd, and balancing planning andimprovisation. We will also dive into more practical questions like choosing
gear, audio/MIDI routing, integrating modular synths with other gear, mixing
for live performance, packing, setup, and soundcheck tips.

Drusnoise is a live, electronic music producer, sound artist and co-founderof the Berlin Modular Society hosting bi-month live electronic events inBerlin. Originally from Canada, his roots in techno lie in the 90s rave scenesof Toronto, Vancouver and London before reaching to the German capitalwhere he currently resides. drusnoise integrates analog modular
synthesizers with digital FX and organic samples to create a style that flows
from lush ambient tones to gritty techno, in addition to a few curveballs
along the way. Over the past years, drusnoise has performed live technoand experimental sets in clubs across Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam. Known in
the outside world as Dr. Steve Williams, his academic work includes
conducting and publishing research on sustainable energy transition in
Canada, Germany, and Sweden. Keen to merge themes of sustainability withdance music and sound art in today’s eco-challenging climate, drusnoisebuilds live sets from a plethora of natural sources incorporating fieldrecordings, sonified climate change data, and feedback loops.

Class 11 (KB)
Further software/hardware combinations
Managing workflow
Creative strategies
Develop a piece in groups
Improvisation and performance techniques
patching on the fly
live recording techniques
Notation in electronic music
Female pioneers in electronic music listening session VClass 12 (KB, SL)
Finalize and rehearse the piece in groups
review work and record extra sections
Write texts for the piece

Project week: Performances / Collaboration alongside guest artists:

Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat
January 25th – 28thAcud Club
[and additional venue TBA]

Course Texts
Handmade Electronic Music, Nicolas Collins
https://www.handmadeelectronicmusic.com/index.htm
Circuit Bending: Build Your Own Alien Instruments, Reed Ghazala
Links:
https://www.modulargrid.net
https://syntherjack.net
https://schneidersladen.de/

Course Videos
There are numerous further inspiring and insightful channels that can besuggested. Some fundamental ones are:https://www.youtube.com/c/DivKidVideo
https://www.youtube.com/c/Moltenmusictechnology
https://www.youtube.com/c/mylarmelodies

Sisters with Transistors - Electronic Music’s unsung heroines
https://sisterswithtransistors.com