Modular Synths - Over Priced?
Snake Oil?
Modular synthesis promises freedom, but it also hides a minefield of inflated pricing, brand-driven hype, and unnecessary premium modules. Morgue Studio in Devon—home of This Window— has spent decades navigating those traps, choosing a hybrid path that blends affordable modern Eurorack with rugged CV/Gate machines from the 1980s.
Brand Tax and Overpriced Utilities
One of the biggest problems in modular synthesis is the extortionate pricing some companies attach to simple utilities. A module that does nothing more than split a signal, invert a CV, or provide a basic mixer can cost several times more than an equivalent unit from a smaller manufacturer. This isn’t about quality; it’s about branding. Many boutique makers charge premium prices for modules that are functionally identical to cheaper alternatives.
The Illusion of Exclusivity
Some manufacturers cultivate exclusivity through limited runs, artist panels, or modules marketed as essential for a particular genre. This creates artificial scarcity and pushes prices up. But modular synthesis is fundamentally open in spirit. A filter is a filter. A VCA is a VCA. A sequencer is a sequencer. Creativity comes from patching, not from owning the right brand.
Over-Engineering for Marketing
Another pitfall is modules packed with features that look impressive but add little to actual workflow. Complex digital modules often replicate functions already available in DAWs or standalone hardware, yet cost far more. This leads to racks filled with multifunction modules that are barely used, while essential utilities are missing.
Morgue Studio (Devon): A Different Philosophy
Morgue Studio—This Window’s long-running creative base—takes a different approach. Their philosophy is shaped by decades of working with CV/Gate hardware from the 1980s, especially Roland machines that still remain central to their workflow.
Still Using Roland CV/Gate Synths from the 1980s
Roland’s early CV/Gate instruments and sequencers offered deep control voltage sequencing long before MIDI became standard. These machines were built to last, and Morgue Studio still uses them because they integrate seamlessly with modern modular gear, their timing is rock-solid, and they offer a tactile workflow digital systems can’t replicate.
This continuity gives Morgue Studio a unique sonic identity: modern modular textures shaped by vintage control systems.
Avoiding the Modular Money Pit
Morgue Studio mixes affordable modern modules with vintage hardware. Their recent upgrades include Moog, Doepfer, Behringer, Datapoint and Rakit modules—brands known for function-first design and fair pricing. Doepfer keeps Eurorack accessible, Behringer recreates classic circuits affordably, and Rakit adds DIY-friendly character perfect for experimental work.
Instead of chasing hype, Morgue Studio focuses on modules that perform a clear function, integrate well with CV/Gate systems, offer hands-on control, and avoid unnecessary digital complexity.
A Studio That Embraces Imperfection
Their October studio update revealed a charming detail: a box of 3mm screws from the late 1990s, rediscovered during the modular expansion. There’s a surplus, so if you need a few, Morgue Studio is happy to share. It’s a reminder that modular synthesis doesn’t have to be precious or elitist. Sometimes it’s just about screws, cables, and curiosity.
Each pack contains 20 Eurorack screws, suitable for mounting modules, faceplates, and other components within a standard Eurorack case. Although the brand is unknown — typical for New Old Stock hardware — these screws follow the familiar 3mm Philips format used widely across modular systems.
Free Downloads and Accessibility
Morgue Studio continues to release free downloads, including the long-form archival collection Hopeless 1989–2026. This commitment mirrors their modular philosophy: creativity should be open, affordable, and shared—not locked behind inflated prices.
Final Thoughts
Modular synthesis is powerful, but it’s easy to fall into traps set by branding, hype, and inflated pricing. Morgue Studio shows a better way: use vintage CV/Gate gear that still works beautifully, choose modules for function not fashion, avoid overpriced boutique utilities, keep the system tactile and playable, and share knowledge freely.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to build a modular system that inspires real creativity.
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