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Asound module is anelectronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as apiano-stylemusical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often aMIDI controller, of which the most common type is the musical keyboard. Another common way of controlling a sound module is through asequencer, 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 withMIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), which is a standardized interface designed for this purpose.
Sound modules are oftenrack-mountable, but are also produced in table-topform factor, particularly when the intended user is aDJ orrecord producer. The height of a sound module is often described inrack 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 akeyboard amplifier or aPA 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 produceclonewheel organ sounds.
Hardware sound modules have largely been replaced bysoftware synthesizers, due to the increased speed and processing power of computers and their decrease in price. In 2024, ‘’Music Radar’’ noted that synth modules are “an entire category in music production that has pretty much fallen off the face of the earth in recent years”, because “as prices for hardware synths began to fall while their versatility rose and computers began to grow more powerful, the allure of spending three or four-figure sums on a 19” unit of largely fixed sounds diminished”, to the point that in 2024, the “only sound module on the market is the…Roland Integra-7”.[1]Nevertheless, someDJs,EDM musicians andrecord producers continue to use vintage 1980s sound modules like theYamaha TX16W (1988) for their unique, retro sound.
A sound module may also be referred to astone module,synth module, orrack module. Withelectronic drums, the sound module is sometimes colloquially called thebrain.
Sound modules may use any number of technologies to produce their sounds. A sound module may be an analog or digitalsynthesizer, asampler, or arompler.
Electronic drum modules are sound modules which specialize indrumkit andpercussion sounds. Drum modules may be triggered by externaltrigger pads or pickups attached to an acoustic drum as well as through MIDI controller pads. Drum modules are distinguished fromdrum 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 atonewheel-basedHammond organ using any MIDI keyboard or MIDI-equippedstage piano. Organ modules may have drawbars and controls for a simulatedLeslie speaker (a rotating horn and low-end baffle) effect.
Some sound modules focus on piano sounds, typically providinggrand piano,electric piano, and a few other keyboard sounds, such asclavinet.
Wind controller modules are specialized synth modules that are designed to work with wind controllers. They typically supportlegato 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 orpatches to work well with wind controllers.
An accordion module, which is designed for use with a MIDI-equippeddigital accordion, focuses on providing synthesized or sampled accordion sounds (and sounds for related bellows-pumped instruments, such asbandoneon andconcertina). 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 havemusic sequencer,drum machine, andbacking track features, to enable a performer to do aone man band show. Accordion modules are manufactured by firms such as Ketron and Soltron.
Synth modules often have onboardeffects units, such asreverb andchorus effect, or, for organ modules,vibrato andoverdrive.
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-eraDX-7 synthesizer/keyboard was also sold as a standalone sound module, the TX-7.[2] 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.
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.
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A sound module has the same advantages over a fully integrated instrument as does any system with a modularized design:
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.