Externally controlled electronic musical instrument
A
sound module
is an
electronic musical instrument
without a human-playable interface such as a
piano
-style
musical keyboard
. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a
MIDI controller
, of which the most common type is the musical keyboard. Another common way of controlling a sound module is through a
sequencer
, which is computer hardware or software designed to record and playback control information for sound-generating hardware. Connections between sound modules, controllers, and sequencers are generally made with
MIDI
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface), which is a standardized interface designed for this purpose.
Sound modules are often
rack-mountable
, but are also produced in table-top
form factor
, particularly when the intended user is a
DJ
or
record producer
. The height of a sound module is often described in
rack units
. Small sound modules are mostly 1U in height, the larger models a multiplication e.g. 2U or 3U. Despite their name, most sound modules do not produce any audible sound until their output is plugged into a
keyboard amplifier
or a
PA system
.
There are a wide variety of sound modules, ranging from more generalist modules that can be used for a number of controllers or instruments (e.g., a rack mount synthesizer with hundreds of commonly used presets of instrument sounds, from piano and organ to synth brass and string pads) to specialized modules designed for use with wind controllers, electronic drum pads,
digital accordions
, or to produce
clonewheel organ
sounds.
Hardware sound modules have largely been replaced by
software synthesizers
, due to the increased speed and processing power of computers and their decrease in price. Nevertheless, some DJs,
EDM
musicians and record producers continue to use vintage 1980s sound modules like the
Yamaha TX16W
(1988) for their unique, retro sound.
Terminology
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A sound module may also be referred to as
tone module
,
synth module
, or
rack module
. With
electronic drums
, the sound module is sometimes colloquially called the
brain
.
Technologies and types
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Sound modules may use any number of technologies to produce their sounds. A sound module may be an analog or digital
synthesizer
, a
sampler
, or a
rompler
.
Electronic drum modules
are sound modules which specialize in
drumkit
and
percussion
sounds. Drum modules may be triggered by external
trigger pads
or pickups attached to an acoustic drum as well as through MIDI controller pads. Drum modules are distinguished from
drum machines
through their lack of dedicated onboard triggers and lack of an integrated sequencer.
Clonewheel organ
modules are usually tabletop-style devices that enable keyboardists to recreate the sound of a
tonewheel-based
Hammond organ
using any MIDI keyboard or MIDI-equipped
stage piano
. Organ modules may have drawbars and controls for a simulated
Leslie speaker
(a rotating horn and low-end baffle) effect.
Some sound modules focus on piano sounds, typically providing
grand piano
,
electric piano
, and a few other keyboard sounds, such as
clavinet
.
Wind controller modules are specialized synth modules that are designed to work with wind controllers. They typically support
legato
wind-style playing and can respond to the unique controller inputs, which sense breath, biting on the mouthpiece, and pressing keys. Wind controller players may use a specialized wind controller module such as the Yamaha VL70-m module or its predecessors, the VL-1 or VL-7. As well, wind controller players may use general-purpose rack synthesizers such as the Yamaha Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom X, or the Roland Integra-7 rackmount MIDI sound module; however, these general-purpose synthesizer modules require extra wind sounds or
patches
to work well with wind controllers.
An accordion module, which is designed for use with a MIDI-equipped
digital accordion
, focuses on providing synthesized or sampled accordion sounds (and sounds for related bellows-pumped instruments, such as
bandoneon
and
concertina
). Like other specialized sound modules, accordion modules also have other sounds (piano,
string orchestra
, flute, etc). More so than for other sound modules, accordion modules are likely to also have
music sequencer
,
drum machine
, and
backing track
features, to enable a performer to do a
one man band
show. Accordion modules are manufactured by firms such as Ketron and Soltron.
Synth modules often have onboard
effects units
, such as
reverb
and
chorus effect
, or, for organ modules,
vibrato
and
overdrive
.
Because most electronic instruments are designed in a modularized way, manufacturers often release a sound module version of their fully integrated instruments. For example, the 1980s-era
DX-7
synthesizer/keyboard was also sold as a standalone sound module, the TX-7.
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A sound module may have all the other features of the controller-equipped version, but it often has a smaller display or limited programming controls. In this case, instrument and other sounds can be loaded through MIDI or external media. In some cases, sound modules have expanded capacity for sounds in comparison to the controller-equipped version.
User interface
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The front of a rackmount sound module, or the top for tabletop units, typically contains a small screen or panel to provide information to the user. An LCD panel or an LED alphanumeric display may be supplemented with LED indicators to show the status of various features. In some models, LED indicators are embedded within a translucent button, so pressing the button shows its status on the button. There is usually a volume control, some types of buttons or knobs for selecting sounds and changing settings, and a power button. The front panel may also have a headphone jack, USB port, or another port for making connections. The smallest, simplest piano modules may have only a volume knob and a knob to select different piano sounds. The most complex synth modules may have a large number of knobs, buttons, and faders to control oscillators, filters, and amplitude settings.
The rear panel usually contains 1/4 inch left and right audio outputs and one or more 5-pin MIDI inputs. Some units may have MIDI thru connections, which can be used to chain devices. Starting in the 2010s, some modules have one or two USB connections and can be connected to a computer (laptop, tablet, etc), to allow the user to use editing software to make advanced changes to settings or sounds.
Advantages
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A sound module has the same advantages over a fully integrated instrument as does any system with a modularized design:
- Cost ? a sound module is cheaper than a comparable instrument equipped with a controller.
- Space and weight ? a sound module takes up less room and weighs less than an instrument equipped with a controller, facilitating transportation and touring.
- Portability - a performer going on tour can bring only their sound modules, so long as a MIDI controller (e.g., a MIDI keyboard) is provided as
backline
gear. Many professional studios have a MIDI
stage piano
on hand.
- Expandability ? many sound modules can be expanded with sounds and memory.
- Troubleshooting ? if a sound module in a rack case develops problems, just this one unit can be removed for repair or replacement, leaving the rest of a keyboard player's rig the same (e.g., other rack-mounted sound modules, power amps, etc.).
- Obsolescence cycles ? when it becomes obsolete, a sound module can be replaced without changing a favorite controller, or vice versa.
Notable examples
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Difference from audio interfaces
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Audio interfaces
may be confused with sound modules. The audio interface connects a computer to other devices. Software in the computer actually generates sound using samples or synthesis. The functionality of the computer and audio interface plus the software can perform a superset of the functions of a sound module.
See also
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References
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