Top 10 Eurorack Modules in 2023
The most popular Eurorack Modules ever!
Getting into Modular Synthesizers is one of the most exciting (and expensive) steps you can take when it comes to music gear. There are thousands of modules to choose from so that you can create your dream machine for your music studio. It can be a synthesizer, a drum machine, a sampler, an effects rack, and everything in between.
Today we decided to list the 10 most popular modules on the market according to the beloved Modular Grid website. Modular Grid is a website that has almost every module ever created with its specifications and helps you plan your modular system. An absolute necessity when it comes to modular.
Mutable Instruments - Plaits
Mutable Instruments is one of the most iconic module manufacturers and, sadly. a few months ago, Émilie Gillet, its founder, announced that Mutable Instruments is shutting down and no longer produces modules. The influence of Mutable Instruments on the modular scene is extraordinary and played a huge part in the popularity of modular all around the world. So thank you Émilie for that.
Plaits is a digital oscillator, with 16 different synthesis models. 8 of them are focused on pitched sounds and the other 8 on noise and percussive sounds. It has an internal filter and envelope so it’s a complete voice on its own and the sounds on it sound amazing. Its vast flexibility is the main reason it’s so popular cause it can do so many things in one module and it’s very budget-friendly (from a modular perspective).
2. Alm Busy Circuits - Pamela's NEW Workout
Pamela’s workout is a utility module with so many features that it makes it hard not to include it on every modular system. It’s a clocked modulation source with 8 editable outputs that can be used for all sorts of tasks. It can be a clock generator, an LFO, a randomizer, a sequencer, a quantizer, and many more.
It’s a Swiss army knife type of module and it can take care of so many different things that are impossible to be replaced by another module at its cost. While it requires a lot of menu diving, the size and price are unmatched for any modular enthusiast. Keep in mind that there is also the new & more advanced Pamela’s Pro Workout that includes a few more features!
3. Make Noise - Maths
As its name implies, Maths is a complex module. In simple terms, it’s a dual-envelope generator & LFO but that’s an understatement. On top of that, it can be a 4-channel attenuverter, a slew limiter, an ADSR envelope, and more. The cool thing about Maths is that it can do simple tasks but also very complex stuff depending on the patch and your creativity and that’s why it’s so special and loved.
4. Expert Sleepers - Disting MK4
The Disting MK4 is the most multi-purpose module out there and very cheap for what it does so it’s no surprise it’s the fourth most popular module. It can do almost everything with its 84 (!!!) algorithms but you’ll need to have a manual handy at all times when you use it. For its tiny size (just 4HP), the Disting MK4 can always take the part of that missing part of the patch’s puzzle and even if you hate screens and many diving it’s very tempting to have one on your rack.
5. Make Noise - Morphagene
Another popular Make Noise module is the Morphagene. It is a “tape” sampler with a ton of ways to manipulate samples and playback splices in so many creative ways that will generate a totally new sound out of a simple sample. If you’re looking for experimental samplers, the Morphagene is your best friend since it’s based on the old tape manipulation techniques brought into the modern era.
It’s a lot similar to pedals like the Tensor by Red Panda or MOOD by Chase Bliss since they all share the same approach in sampling and can do all the things those devices do in terms of sampling but, since it’s a module, everything can be controlled by other modules making things very fun and interesting.
6. Mutable Instruments - Rings
Another iconic module by Mutable Instruments, Rings is a Karplus Strong oscillator and a resonator. It can be used both for generating sound or for affecting other sounds and it’s based on the physical modeling synthesis. If you’ve ever seen any modular ambient jams on YouTube, is certain that you’ve heard those plucky string sounds that 99% of the time came out of a Rings module.
It’s a great module with a very unique sound but it’s so overplayed that it almost feels like a cliche to listen to it. I think that Rings and the next Mutable Instruments module on this list are probably the most influential modules of all time and the reason a lot of people got into modular in the first place.
7. Intellijel - Quad VCA
VCAs are the most boring type of modules and at the same time, you can never have enough of them. So having 4 fully CV-controlled VCAs in just 12HP is something no one can resist when building a modular rig. It can also become a 4-channel mixer which is also very useful and for a price below 200€, it’s a great value-for-money module.
8. Mutable Instruments - Clouds & Beads
The last Mutable Instruments modules on this list are the best modular effect ever created. Clouds and its newest version Beads is a granular audio processor that takes your incoming signal and splits it into tiny grains scattered in time creating a lush and ethereal sound. The sound can be frozen, it has a great reverb and a few different modes to choose from. It can pitch shift, time-stretch, and do all sorts of granular processing making it such a unique and beautiful-sounding effect.
Those modules are so special that I’ve seen a lot of people having a tiny modular case just to have Clouds or Beads on it and use them with their other instruments.
9. Make Noise - Mimeophon
Another effect module, Mimeophon is a digital stereo delay that can also do some granular processing and has a lot of modulation options. As a delay is great but, once you start affecting parameters, the Mimeophon shines and produces unexpected and rhythmically alive delay patterns that you wouldn’t be able to do without a modular system.
It’s an expensive module for a delay but it has such a massive effect on your sounds it’s worth the investment.
10. Xaoc Devices - Batumi
Last but not least, Batumi has 4 LFOs in a small 10HP package. To be fair, Batumi can be patched to do more than just that, although 4 separate LFOs in one module is more than enough to justify its place on this top-10 list.
Conclusion
Building a modular synth is a very personal process that requires a lot of thinking, planning, and, of course, money. The most important thing before you go into the rabbit hole is to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and start building from there. The options and combinations are limitless and the fun thing is that you can actually create your dream instrument. So do your own research, plan using Modular Grid, experiment using the Free version of VCV Rack (a VST modular synthesizer with hundreds of modules), and enjoy the journey!!
