Your first step into analog trouble
Introducing the Shmøergh Moduleur.
The Shmøergh Moduleur is everything we’ve learnt about building synths, designed to be easy to assemble, hack or just enjoy. It comes from our love of music, design and tech so it sounds incredible, looks incredible, and is made for people who care about both.
It includes seven analog modules and a digital one, making it a great starter kit for analog synthesis or a gateway into Eurorack and hardware DIY. The digital module, Brain, is a universal add-on for new sounds, effects, controllers or any wild idea you want to try.
The Moduleur is fully open source, totally flexible, and free for anyone to build — the whole synth or just a couple of modules. It comes with a ready-to-play default patch, but everything is open for you to tweak, break, rebuild, or redesign however you like.
Already excited? We might make a small batch if enough people want one — and if we do, every unit will get its own unique look.
Big analog energy
From deep basses to unruly noise, the Moduleur delivers. Two VCOs with a sub oscillator going through a super-drippy diode-ladder filter cranked up with diode based overdrive. Massif.
A brickhouse beauty
Built from thick aluminum, powder coated, UV printed, and fully handmade. The Moduleur is where our love of design meets our love of music and tech.
one-of-a-kind
We don’t plan to mass-produce the Moduleur. The few units we build get a custom, one-off front plate made from different materials or coating. The result: no two owners will have the same synth. C’est exclusif.
Très flexible
Use the Moduleur as a prepatched synth. Or repatch it. Or connect it to Eurorack. Or rip the modules out and build your own synth. It’s flexible to a worrying degree.
Just plug in and make music.
No need for a million patch cables. The Moduleur is a clean, prepatched subtractive analog synth. Connect your MIDI controller and get lost.
Repatch & discover
Every module can be rerouted, letting you shape the signal flow and explore new sounds. It’s a gentle introduction to the world of modular without the overwhelm.
Hack around
The Moduleur is hackable on many levels. Code your digital module, take out any module and add it to your Eurorack system, 3D print accessories or even build your own synth. Anything goes. All open source.
Un machine incroyable
A complete modular system under the hood.
Oscillators
- Analog voltage controlled oscillator
- 8 octave precision
- Selectable triangle, sawtooth, square output
- Selectable triangle, sawtooth, square output
- Pulse width control
- Pulse width modulation
- Frequency modulation
- Hard sync input
Hackability
- Selectable noise or sub output
- Default octave setting
- All I/O connection is available on the PCB for default patching
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Mixer & sidechain compressor
- 4 channel DC coupled mixer for CV or audio
- 4th channel works as an optional sidechain compressor
- Sidechain compression with gain and threshold control
- Main output volume
Hackability
- Default attack and release times for compressor
- All I/O connection is available on the PCB for default patching
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Filter
- A classique diode-ladder filter based on the OG Synthaconn Steiner-Parker circuit
- Cutoff and resonance
- High pass input
- Low pass input
- 2 cutoff CV inputs with attenuverters
Hackability
- Maximum resonance tuning
- All I/O connection is available on the PCB for default patching
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Envelope & VCA
- ADSR and VCA in a single module
- Envelope times go from 50usec to 15sec
- VCA CV is normalized to envelope output
- LED indicator
Hackability
- VCA normalization can be removed
- Default VCA gain tuning
- All I/O connection is available on the PCB for default patching
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Utils & output
- Analog bitcrusher
- External trigger for bitcrusher for sample & hold usage
- Square and triangle LFO
- LFO timing from 10sec to 100Hz audio range
- LED LFO speed indicator
- Dual mono, line-level output converter
- Diode/LED based overdrive
- Headphones amp
Hackability
- Minimum LFO timing tuner
- Line level tuning
- Selectable line-out or headphones out
- All I/O connection is available on the PCB for default patching
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Brain
- Universal digital module based on Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2
- Two buttons with optional LEDs
- Three potmeters
- Dedicated MIDI input
- Six dimmable LED indicators
- Two audio or CV inputs
- Two audio or CV outputs
- One pulse input
- One pulse output
- USB-C connector
- Uses an actual Rpi Pico board under the hood
Hackability
- Anything you can code in C++ or Micropython
- Brain SDK for all UI components in C++
- Software based AC/DC coupling on audio/CV output
- Separate UI & core PCBs for reusability
Power supply unit
- Works with 12V DC adapters (center positive)
- On/off button
- 420mA switching power supply
- Eurorack compatible headers
- ON LED indicator
- Reverse polarity protection
Hackability
- Use in any Eurorack case
- Compatible with 5 different Mean Well DC/DC converters for larger currents
Default patch
- A removable PCB that creates a default connection between the modules, under the hood
Hackability
- All connection can be broken via PCB plate jumpers
- Compatible only with the original Moduleur enclosure
We Added Rails. Now You Can Add Anything.
The enclosure is built around two BOSCH® rails. You can mount handles, passive modules, weird stands, or hardware that doesn’t even exist yet. Go nuts.
One Digital Module, Tons of Possibilities
The built-in Pico module works as a MIDI-to-CV interface by default, but it’s fully programmable. Turn it into a sequencer, an effect, a utility, or your own custom digital module.
Your Gateway to Eurorack
If you want, you can move each module into any Eurorack system: they run on Eurorack voltages, use Eurorack power connectors, and each one is a 12HP module. Expansion is built in from day one.
A living instrument
The Moduleur is not a snapshot. We’ll keep refining it over time: updating parts, adding features, and expanding what the instrument can become.
Synth hardware
We plan to release updated modules as the design evolves. Thanks to the construction we can improve the synth hardware piece-by-piece.
Brain
The Brain will get ongoing firmware updates: sequencers, lo-fi effects, digital voices, utilities, mini drum machines. Whatever feels fun and useful or not, all digital.
Accessories
We’ll also design new accessories that attach to the enclosure: handles, lights, passive modules, effects and other add-ons that extend the system as it grows.
How to get it
Okay listen. We're just two dudes trying to figure out this whole hardware shizzle. The Moduleur is our next step on the journey, and we never planned to mass-produce it.
We might make a few for people who really want one. Every unit would have its own unique design, plus we're designing a growing number of accessories and Brain firmware along the way.
If you potentially want a Moduleur, drop your email. We have no idea about the price yet, but we’re leaning toward something flexible. We’ll let you know once we know.
Can you solder?
It’s All Open Source.
Build a single module or the entire system. Every schematic, PCB, panel, and part list is available and ready for DIY.
Hackability
The Moduleur is fully open source, from schematics to firmware. It’s a great place to start if you’re curious about synth DIY — poke around, learn how things work, and build whatever catches your eye.
Every module is made from two PCBs: a Core board and a UI board. You can reuse the Core to design your own panels, layouts, or entirely new interfaces around the same analog engine.
All 3D files are available too — Eurorack panels you can print at home, plus the entire Moduleur enclosure if you want to remix it. Build one module, the whole synth, or something totally different.
Hardware
Level 1 — Dude
Tools you need
- Screwdriver
What can you do?
- Remove backplate and unplug the default-patch pcb to make the synth fully modular. Replug the default-patch to go back to semi-modular.
- Attach enclosure accessories like 3D printed carrying handle or synth stand.
- Remove any module from the moduleur enclosure and put it in your eurorack case using the provided front panel.
Level 2 — Bro
Tools you need
- Screwdriver
- Soldering tools
What can you do?
- Everything in level 1
- Build your own Moduleur synth. Design files are free and open source.
- Make your own default patch using the blank default pcb.
- Create eurorack compatible passive or active modules. They will all work with the Shmøergh Moduleur.
Level 3 — Bobby
Tools you need
- Screwdriver
- Soldering tools
- PCB design app
- Desire to go down the synth DIY rabbit hole
What can you do?
- Everything in level 1 & 2
- Each module has a core and a UI PCB stacked together. If you know how to design PCBs your can create your own UI for each module.
- Reuse any schematic in your own synth design.
- Create eurorack compatible passive or active modules. They will all work with the Shmøergh Moduleur.
Software
Tools you need
- Computer
What can you do?
- Code your own firmware for the Brain module in C/C++ or Micropython.
- Use the Brain C++ SDK to easily access buttons, pots, LEDs or MIDI input.
- Design any weird module to extend the Moduleur: sequencers, MIDI tools, utilities, lo-fi effects, digital voices, anything really.
- The Brain uses a Raspberry Pi Pico under the hood, which is a board with tons of available learning materials and a vibing community.
- Push the limits of the Pico.
We're continuously improving the design of the Moduleur. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates.
