All levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Max. participants: 12
Once you start patching…
This course teaches you modular synthesis basics and specializations
Compose your own MODULAR SYNTHESIZER for your LIVE SET-UP or for SOUND DESIGN and COMPOSING. Explore a wide range of approaches and aesthetics:
- How to fill a modular case
- Basics of Sound Synthesis and patching
- Understand the professional workflow and building your own setup
- Analog vs. Digital modules
- Composing and Improvising with modular synthesizers
- Integrate sound recordings or external instruments
- Stage considerations for live performances
- Develop your own musical language across genres
- Learn about experimental approaches and multichannel environments
- Explore sequencing, designing beats and drums on Modular Systems
- Join shared Listening Sessions and in-depth discussions
- Build a DIY-Module, instructed by the founder of KOMA Elektronik
- Learn about Sound in Space and Spatial Diffusion at Spatial Media Lab (SML)
- Present your work at Acud Club
Did you ever wonder..
…how to start your sonic journey with Modular Systems? If you are building your own setup, what is your next step? If you cannot invest in a full modular setup, what are the alternatives?
In this hands-on course you learn fundamental theory and follow practical exercises to modular synthesis. You get a hands-on introduction and overview of modular synthesis for composition, improvisation, live performance, and sound design, from basics to your individual approach.
Learn how to compose or improvise live with and how to extend your modular setups. We will also assist you in finding ways to design a case suited for you. Get a wide range of inspirations to help you develop your own musical language.
Renowned artists and professionals will provide you a deep insight in their practice and assist you in building your own electronic music instrument.
Listening sessions, discussions and exercises support your knowledge of electronic music history and your artistic development. Bring your own Modular System, start to build one from scratch, or learn with VCV Rack on your laptop. In some classes, different systems will be brought by the instructors to demonstrate various approaches.
Additional workshops introduce you to soldering and electronics, building your own DIY modules to take home! As a special feature, KOMA Elektronik offers discounts to all participants. A visit to the Spatial Media Lab (SML) introduces multichannel and spatial audio setups, and a VJ workshop provides an insight into audio-visual concepts that accompany many live performances!
The course culminates in a final public performance: perform your own work at ACUD CLUB in Berlin-Mitte.
June 4th – June 29th 2025
Dates at ACUD (10am-5pm): June 4th / 5th / 11th / 12th / 18th / 19th / 26th
Workshop at KOMA Elektronik, Berlin-Wedding (5-9pm): June 18th
Workshop at Spatial Media Lab / SML, Berlin-Weißensee (12am-6pm) : June 25th
Final public presentation at ACUD: June 29th (evening)
ACUD
Veteranenstrasse 21, 10119 Berlin
1180€ Registration Fee (whole course)
980€ Early bird (whole course)
Additional 30-50€ for material to build a DIY Kit to take home
120€ KOMA Elektronik Workshop only (without course)
Optional: Individual Tutoring upon request
100€ additional fee (1 hr session)
Course Program:
SESSION 1: JUNE 4th, 2-5pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Stephane Lefrancois
Introduction and Foundations of Modular Synthesis
This introductory session engages in theory and practical demonstrations to understand the basics of sound. Moreover, concepts of modular synthesis up to advanced patching techniques will be explained:
- What is modular synthesis
- Introduction to VCV Rack and Modular Grid.
- How to build your own synthesizer
- East Coast and West Coast synthesis
- Basics of Modular Synthesis: sound waves, modulation forms, sequencers
- Percussive sounds and rhythms, drum machines
- Textures, Drones, Atmospheres, Melodies
S L F (aka Stephane Lefrancois) started his music career in the early 90’s and is now producing in London (for labels such as Compost, !K7, BBE, Tuskegee, KMS, R2 Records), and DJs at Lightbox or Ministry Of Sound. Stephane’s love for everything percussive is apparent when listening to his music. So is his fascination with dense, complex, evolving synth textures, and… effect units!
stephanelefrancois.com
Instagram: @halosaurmusic
SESSION 2: JUNE 5th, 10am-1pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Katharina Bévand
Notation and Transcription / Extended Modular Setups and integration of external instruments for live performance
How to prepare a live performance based on improvisation, integrating external sound devices such as acoustic instruments, microphones, contact mics, sensors, etc into your setup to generate organic sounds, textures and noises.
- Practical and artistic considerations for preparing live performances
- Sound Composition and Graphic Notation
- Notation of Electronic Music to perform with others
- Transcription of modular patches
- Reading: Achim Szepanski (Ed.) “Ultrablack of Music”
- Listening Session – Female Pioneers in Electronic Music I: Pauline Oliveros (Sonic Meditations) and others
Katharina Bévand is a sound artist based in Berlin. She creates site-specific sound installations, sound sculptures, and performs on modular synthesizers. In 2017 she was honoured by “bonn hoeren – sonotopia” of the Beethoven Foundation for Arts and Culture Bonn. In 2021 she was part of Goldrausch Project for women artists. She received various grants and exhibited internationally in Germany, Spain, Finland, Egypt, Taiwan, the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, among others. Her collaborations oscillate between the fine arts scene and the experimental and electronic music field. Since 2022 she teaches sound art and modular synthesis at Berlin School of Sound and currently is a resident at BS Projects in Braunschweig.
katharinabevand.com
Instagram: @katharina_bevand
SESSION 3: JUNE 5th, 2-5pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Stephane Lefrancois
Modules and Patching
Continuation of sound theory and introduction to modules as elements of modular systems. Introduction into patching and various patching modes for your setup:
- Sound theory in signal flow
- Frequency modulation (FM), ring modulation
- Introduction to modules (VCO, VCF, VCA), function modules, synthesis types
- Learn to set up simple and complex patches
- Examples of essential patching, create your own patch
SESSION 4: JUNE 11th, 2-5pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Stephane Lefrancois
Sequencing, designing Beats and Drums on Modular Systems
Modular Systems can be used for creating many sounds, including beats and rhythmic patterns. In this session, you will learn basic and advanced methods to use your modular setup to create beats:
- Basics of rhythm theory
- Sequencing. Clock management, multipliers, dividers
- Drum designing with traditional modules
- Kick, snare, hi hats, toms, wood and glass percussion
- Percussive sounds and rhythms, drum machines
SESSION 5: JUNE 12th, 10am-1pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Stephane Lefrancois
Live performance sound design and fine tuning of your system
In this session, you will learn how to enhance your own setup and the various performance practices of playing a modular system:
- Performing with a modular system
- Diverse sound design considerations for your live setup
- Tuning of a Modular System
- Combining software with modular synthesis for performance
- Open questions and preparation for your live performance
- Class Jam with all the systems or individual sound checks
SESSION 6: JUNE 12th, 2-5pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Katharina Bévand
Acoustic Effects in Music and Sound Production
This session introduces the specifics of human aural perception, the relation between sound and space, as well as psychoacoustics and auditory illusions. The difference between sound, silence, and noise will be explained. It will also feature a brief introduction to spatial sound for our visit to the Spatial media Lab (SML).
- Hearing Space and Psychoacoustics
- Auditory illusions in music, incl. listening examples: Otoacoustics, Shepard tones, Risset Rhythms etc.
- Perception and concepts of time
- Composing with silence, sound, noise
- Quadraphonics and panning as aesthetic tools
- The concept of noise in music and auditive architecture
- Reading: Steve Goodman aka Kode 9 “Sonic Warfare”
- Listening Session – Female Pioneers in Electronic Music II: Maryanne Amacher (Otoacoustics and Imprinted Places) & Suzanne Ciani (Quadraphonics with Buchla Systems)
SESSION 7: JUNE 18th, 10am-1pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Jan Henning aka Kabuki
Masterclass I: Granular Synthesis
In this workshop, the history and basic principles of granular sound synthesis will be explained and practically demonstrated using the Morphagene module from Make Noise. Jan will take you on a journey through his unique approach of patching this sampler module to showcase how to create your individual sounds and aesthetics.
- Introduction to Granular Sound Synthesis
- Demonstration of the Morphagene Module
- Explore unique patching and create individual sounds
Jan Ove Hennig aka Kabuki (*1973), sound artist, music producer, pioneer of the Jungle/Drum&Bass scene and a versatile performer of Modular Systems, always curious for emerging technologies. Musical education at Dr. Hoch’s Conservatory in Frankfurt and the American Institute of Music in Vienna (focus on jazz). Moreover, Jan completed courses for Sound Synthesis using Reaktor (California Institute of the Arts) and Structuring Interactive Software of Digital Arts (Stanford University). He has released over 200 tracks and 10 LPs, and remixed artists (e.g. Ennio Morricone, Tinashe, Hot 8 Brass Band). He consulted and worked for WACOM, Nintendo, and Native Instruments, lectured at Abbey Road Institute (Frankfurt a.M.) and developed video content for Soqube (Modular Sound Explorations) and Korg. He is currently managing „Apollo Kithara“ by Jeff Koons, a Max/MSP-based animatronic exhibit at Liebieghaus.
SESSION 8: JUNE 18th, 5-9pm @KOMA Elektronik (Berlin-Wedding)
Instructor: Christian Zollner
Workshop:
Build your own DIY modules
This workshop provides ample time for in-depth exploration and hands-on learning for students of all levels. It will be divided into a practical soldering class and an experimental production technique demonstration. The main focus of this workshop is the practical soldering class, providing students with a working module to take home. Introduction to the The KOMA way of Sound Design: turn objects and hidden signals into sound!
To enhance the educational experience, we provide two teachers for this workshop, ensuring enough guidance for every participant.
- Introduction to the KOMA way of sound design
- Learn about building your own module and DIY kit
- Practical soldering of your own module to take home
- Explore KMNDR modules: infrared light beams control synthesizers
For this session, an extra kit of KOMA Elektronik can be purchased at the workshop (30-50€ not included in workshop fee because of variable prices).
DIY Soldering class (no previous knowledge necessary)
Build your own special CV/Gate device: The KMNDR , a new module making use of an infrared light beam to control a synthesizer. You will also learn about tools and techniques necessary for building DIY Kits. Explanation of electronic components, how they make up a circuitry, reading schematics, and how to solder and assemble a Eurorack module.
This hands-on activity teaches practical DIY skills, showing not only the music production side of modular world, but the DIY culture and community behind it, made of people from all parts of the spectrum between music producers and technological aficionados. After the workshop a live demonstration featuring the KOMA Elektronik gear will take place. You will have the opportunity to witness the practical application of the instruments you have soldered with an experimental modular set-up, using sensor sand to observe the physical world interacting with a modular system for crafting unique sounds.
Christian Zollner is the founder, CEO and lead developer of KOMA Elektronik, Christian has 15 years of experience in working with electronics and comes from a background of hosting workshops and creating DIY kits, fascinated of electronic circuits and their endless possibilities. He develops, produces and maintains commercial products, overseeing the whole process from idea to finished product. Christian also founded Common Ground, hackspace and DIY venue in Berlin, hosting workshops, talks, composer meetups and concerts. An avid learner who always seeks new challenges, he believes that learning should be fun and everyone should get their hands on a great DIY kit to learn new skills and broaden the horizon.
Instagram: @koma_elektronik
KOMA Elektronik
SESSION 9: JUNE 19th, 10am-1pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Jan Henning aka Kabuki
Masterclass II: Polyphony
Modular synthesizers are generally used to create monophonic sounds. However, there are ways to extrapolate monophonic voices from a chordal structure that are more native to the modular synth paradigm. Together we will look at different polyphonic concepts and explore their potential for artistic and musical practice.
- Monophony vs. Polyphony
- Extrapolation of monophonic to polyphonic sounds
- Explore various polyphonic concepts
SESSION 10: JUNE 25th, 12am-6pm @SML / Spatial Media Lab (Berlin-Weißensee)
Instructors: Katharina Bévand, Andrew Rahman
Workshop:
Sound in Space and Generative Techniques
This workshop explores 3D / 4D Sound environments as artistic tools. Introducing the concept of the spatialization of audio for installations and live performances together with SML founder Andrew Rahman, we will have a special focus on modular synthesizers using multichannel audio systems. Katharina Bévand will demonstrate a live setup for the SML loudspeaker array.
- Introduction into spatialization of sound
- Generative techniques with synthesizers
- Write a concept for your final presentation
Andrew Rahman is a producer, sound designer, and composer with a passion for immersive multimedia experiences. In 2017, he co-founded the Spatial Media Lab e.V. where he helped curate groundbreaking multimedia showcases at the Zeiss-Großplanetarium. He has collaborated with artists such as Carolina Eyck, Jan Wagner, and Discovery Zone on a series of successful concerts. Andrew holds an Honors B.A. in Music from the University of California, Berkeley, where his research focused on recording ambisonic impulse responses.
Andrew Rahman
Spatial Media Lab e.V.
SESSION 11: JUNE 26th, 10am-1pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructor: Sanja Star
Workshop:
VJing with Modular Systems
Introduction to audiovisual VJ performance techniques, including the concepts behind the audiovisual experience, immersion, and the methods for achieving them. The course also explores audiovisual improvisation through both theoretical and hands-on practice.
- Introduction to VJing with modular systems
- Apply Modular paradigms to audiovisual performance
- Collaborative audiovisual group improvisation
This workshop includes an exploration of the evolution of audiovisual experimentation in performance and exhibitions, the basics of audiovisual improvisation, and the connection of these ideas with practical examples (listening session and theory). Moreover, we will do a practical collaborative audiovisual improvisation in a performative context, a hands-on experience with software for generative visuals and audio input, concluding with a reflection on this experience. An opportunity to deepen your understanding of audiovisual performance, expand your collaborative improvisation skills, and enhance your creative expression in a supportive and experimental environment.
Sanja Star is an experimental media artist based in Berlin since 2015, working at the intersection of time-based media, digital art, design, performance and improvisation. She has a background in fine arts and graphic design and through her practice offers reflections on the perception of reality – particularly in relation to the boundaries between physical and esoteric, human and alien, self and otherness and notions of time. Her work is a contemporary and playful mix of media art and 3D animation. Through limited but vibrant color palettes and mesmerizing abstract shapes, she explores and harnesses our perception of depth and movement.
vimeo.com/sanjastar
Sanja Star
SESSION 12: JUNE 26th, 2pm-5pm @ACUDCLUB
Instructors: Stephane Lefrancois & Katharina Bévand
Troubleshooting Session
Last but not least: a troubleshooting session to solve your problems and practical questions, including sound checks for your final live performances at the public presentation night. In this session, the two instructors Katharina Bévand and Stephane Lefrancois will be there for you. There is more than one way to patch or use your modulars to perform live. Find the tools and processes that fit best to developing your own artistic vision, your live performance setup, and your individual musical language.
- Prepare your final live presentation
- Troubleshooting of your problems
- Two Instructors will guide you and answer your questions
PUBLIC PRESENTATION: JUNE 29th, 7pm @ACUDCLUB
Public Presentation Night
This final public presentation night offers you a slot to perform your own live set in front of the other participants and a curious audience. Invite your friends and family to show what you learned in this course and join a great night at ACUD Club with us.