One can build from schematics, make your own or join group-buys of PCBs, and for the true noobs (like myself a month or so ago) there are kits from companies such as Blacet.

All of these options are far cheaper (and franlkly, more rewarding) than buying over priced dinosaurs of dubious quality, and one can, of course, customize as one sees fit.

A major hotbed for this activity is http://electro-music.com/forum/index.php?f=112
Legendary designers such as Thomas Henry are regular contributors to the forums there..

A bit of an anachronism, yes, I’d agree.

I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about what it means to be a synthesist in a world where pressing down a single key using a preset on a soft synth produces an entire, interesting, evolving track.

Building a sound on a modular with patch cords, working with your hands, has a certain appeal. I don’t feel modular manufacturers are being opportunistic. No one is laughing their way to the bank servicing this market. The manufacturers are serving a grass roots community.

I suspect this community wouldn’t exist if it were not for the other modern tools of music technology, specifically, DAWs. Because we can manipulate digital audio as easily as MIDI these days, it is much more fun to use a modular than in the old days.

Sort of reminds me of people writing the names of the notes on their pianos in big black markets though..

I concur with Keith, very good point about seeking alternatives that work for you and you can afford.
Mmmmm, but still nothing quite like drooling over elusive expensive musical hardware.. *drools profusely*.

I certainly can’t afford this setup myself, but then that’s not the point. Once you see an exciting performance, you’ll find a way to do something of your own on what you can afford; that’s part of the grand tradition of music.

That’s one of the coolest & wisest things you’ve said on here. :)