# 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:** ![antoine.pasde2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/antoine.pasde2/32/326_2.png) [@antoine.pasde2](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/antoine.pasde2)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070/20 "2020-06-01T03:25:05Z")

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**0 - THE CASE & POWER SUPPLY**

Surely the first thing to do when you start a modular synthesizer :

- THE CASE :  
For Kosmo format: it must be made to accommodate 20 cm high modules.

SCHEMATIC FOR DIY WOOD CASE

 ![case schematic](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/2/29eb665eb227dcabcc5888e2db334f1782dcd812.jpeg)

- THE POWER SUPPLY :

A modular synthesizer generally works with either ±12V (Kosmo, Eurorack) or ±15V (Moog, Yusynth).

For Kosmo you absolutely need to have a power supply who will give you +12V / Ground / -12V.  
A good easy cheap solution is this product from [Frequency Central](https://frequencycentral.co.uk/product/fc-power/)

You need also a wallwart 12V AC/AC (2 or 3 ampere it’s good)

The wallwart 12 V AC go into the power supply and your power supply transforms and regulates to a +12V DC / - 12V DC and Ground to supply several modules.

You can put 2 power supplies with one wallwart in parallel, like this

 ![B05725DE-9DF6-4E65-97A6-1DA29516B945](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/1X/6e7597b478b984d44a9db880e4021168b1f9f7dd.jpeg)

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All information in this video

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/d/d006f4a0dfe73850ba9a756132fd7db9c953ff75.jpeg "Build A DIY Case And Power Supply For A Modular Synth CHEAP") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T6J-K8_yk4)

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