Modular Synthesizers For Kids

DivKidVideo‘s Ben Wilson shared this look at building a modular synthesizers for kids.

“I was recently working at the Science Tent at Deer Shed festival,” he told us, “and put together a Eurorack system specifically for kids to come and play on.”

Deer Shed is a family-friendly festival, with a large number of kids and parents. The Science Tent gives kids a chance to come and try soldering, make slime, chemistry workshops, build raspberry pi units and come and make music on modular gear.

“I tried to put together the best Eurorack synthesizer that I could that was a mean little groove box of beats, melodies, bass, FX and some more ‘out there’ fun stuff. So, here’s what I used, how I patched it and how it went.”

As the pint-sized modular guru Caitlin aptly demonstrates, young people can get deep into synths, and modular synthesizers mix science, technology and art in a way that’s fascinating to a lot of kids.

Share your thoughts on building a modular synth for kids in the comments!

13 thoughts on “Modular Synthesizers For Kids

  1. Eurorack is the new crack. Once they sell you that first wave multiplier, you’re theirs for life, or until your filthy habit leads to a bankruptcy and/or a divorce.

  2. Every modular musician who is a parent tries to do stuff like this. The kids don’t actually learn anything. Harsh but true. This is all for the grown-ups to show on IG or YT… The kid is getting the same knowledge as if it was a Nintendo game. Just let your kids find music on their own. Or at worst, give them instrument lessons. Or Mario Paint from the 90’s. Every parent who tries to push this kind of stuff at them, by age 13 they’re over it and never pursue music… Just spend actual time with your kids, modular-free, instead of this type of thing

  3. Nice way to introduce ‘making noise´ for kids 🙂

    I don’t have the money for it….like this rack i roughly estimate at least at 3000,- euro or higher. But a minibrute s2 would be something nice to get started with. Or a Roland SE-02.

  4. Nice way to introduce kids to ‘making noise’.

    I don’t have the money for it (estimate this rack at least 3000,- or higher) but one could start with an Minibrute S2 or a Roland SE-02…

  5. Nice way to introduce kids to ‘making noise’.

    I don’t have the money for it (estimate this rack at least 3000,- or higher) but one could start with an Minibrute S2 or a Roland SE-02…

    1. Im sorry for several posts of the same…the site showed as they wherent posted…even after a while…now i check this post again see my name all over the place…

  6. My kids (now ages 8 & 4) have always had access to my studio. I bought my oldest one of those casios with light-up keys and it is usb’d Up to my setup, she can play whatever synth is currently active. It is cool to witness her expression as I change different sounds on the devices as she is playing. Naturally her musical approach changes informed by what new sound I call up. Totally rad. And when I sequence what it is she is doing, she loves it, especially within the context of how she played along with my compositions.

    1. You’re working on some Good Parent cred in doing that for your kids. The time you give them and the musical fun of it equals a win-win. It’ll help them learn to conceptualize better early on. Its not the direction to go if you want for them to perhaps become more serious about music, though. IMO, that requires at least SOME instructive discipline, so I’m big on starting with piano or near it. The interrelationships involved in playing melody and harmony with two hands are very different from a synth’s signal flow. In my case, being a non-Euroracker, ‘modular’ is a flavor I add to more song-like work. In yours, a great alternative to the Boob Tube for your offspring. Smart!

      1. Thanks S-Trigger Dave, appreciate the thoughtful input! Yes, she does receive proper independent training. Having an instructor other than family members is super beneficial (no comfort zone). On the home front, she learns about rhythm interpretation and synthesis (in its various aspects). It’s a blast having the youngsters retain what resonates with them and then apply that knowledge whether through application or audio/verbal analysis & confirmation! Cheers

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