# A beginner's guide to the components of a modular synthesizer

**URL:** <https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070>\
**Category:** FAQ\
**Created:** [May 30, 2020, 10:14am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070 "2020-05-30T10:14:50Z")\
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**Author:** ![Maxhirez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/maxhirez/32/42_2.png) [@Maxhirez](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Maxhirez)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070/15 "2020-05-31T00:36:19Z")

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**FUNCTION GENERATOR**  
Function generators offer a way of controlling the slope of a voltage curve, usually including an option for repetitive execution of the curve. By far the most popular function generator (as well as the most popular Eurorack module in the world) is the Make Noise Maths:

[http://www.makenoisemusic.com/thumbs/modules/maths/mts2-white-dec13-1883x2388.png(image larger than 4096KB)](http://www.makenoisemusic.com/thumbs/modules/maths/mts2-white-dec13-1883x2388.png)
  
Maths has inputs to trigger a cycle, voltage controls over the rise and fall rates and a “both” voltage control to create a stable waveform, and outputs for the generated waveform (“Cycle”.) In addition, Maths has a logic section that allows for summing, inverting or “or” gating waveforms, with inputs for 4 busses of logic manipulation.

Function generators are similar to envelope generators, and sometimes are used to generate AD/AR envelopes for the same uses as ADSRs. They’re also often used with their repetition (“Cycle”) functions as LFO and VLFOs.

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