Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The process of creating music on a modular synth is a kind of improvisation / composition / meditation / treasure hunt all wrapped into one.
I love the blank-slate moment when you first sit down at your synth, nothing patched…and a whole sonic universe is at your fingertips.
In a conversation with one of my Learning Sound & Synthesis students recently, the topic of “getting started” came up:
How do you decide where to begin when you have SO many options?
How do you start somewhere fresh every time, so you don’t end up just making the same patch over and over?
What if you don’t have any ideas of how things should sound?
Such good questions. ❤️
First, if you’re brand new to modular synthesis, the best first step is taking my FREE mini course, “Your 1st Modular Synth Patch!”
It will guide you step-by-step into the world of synthesis, so that you can build your first few sounds & patches in under 2hrs. This class takes all the guesswork out of getting started—plus, I’m here to help!
Comment “MINI COURSE” below if you want the link!
Second, I wanted to share some things I find helpful & inspiring when it comes to starting a new modular synth patch. If you have other approaches that are helpful to you, share them in the comments!!
➡️ start small: limiting your palette to just 2-3 modules, 1 instrument or even just 1 technique can spark entirely new creative directions (bonus: choose a different combo every time!)
➡️ follow the sound: it’s ok if you don’t always have an idea for how things will turn out. Sometimes I like to patch 1 simple sound, listen to it deeply, and just see where it leads me
➡️ stay curious: you might successfully create the sound in your head, or you might not—but even if you don’t get to what you were imagining, it’s not a failure… keep your ears open along the way, because you might discover something even better!
The process of creating music on a modular synth is a kind of improvisation / composition / meditation / treasure hunt all wrapped into one.
I love the blank-slate moment when you first sit down at your synth, nothing patched…and a whole sonic universe is at your fingertips.
In a conversation with one of my Learning Sound & Synthesis students recently, the topic of “getting started” came up:
How do you decide where to begin when you have SO many options?
How do you start somewhere fresh every time, so you don’t end up just making the same patch over and over?
What if you don’t have any ideas of how things should sound?
Such good questions. ❤️
First, if you’re brand new to modular synthesis, the best first step is taking my FREE mini course, “Your 1st Modular Synth Patch!”
It will guide you step-by-step into the world of synthesis, so that you can build your first few sounds & patches in under 2hrs. This class takes all the guesswork out of getting started—plus, I’m here to help!
Comment “MINI COURSE” below if you want the link!
Second, I wanted to share some things I find helpful & inspiring when it comes to starting a new modular synth patch. If you have other approaches that are helpful to you, share them in the comments!!
➡️ start small: limiting your palette to just 2-3 modules, 1 instrument or even just 1 technique can spark entirely new creative directions (bonus: choose a different combo every time!)
➡️ follow the sound: it’s ok if you don’t always have an idea for how things will turn out. Sometimes I like to patch 1 simple sound, listen to it deeply, and just see where it leads me
➡️ stay curious: you might successfully create the sound in your head, or you might not—but even if you don’t get to what you were imagining, it’s not a failure… keep your ears open along the way, because you might discover something even better!
