The prolific Kaximia of Tembra Modular and the series “Let’s explore modular synthesis” transports us to a Synth Days holiday weekend event in Kyiv. Let’s welcome her CDM writing debut, as she gives us a window into a Ukrainian modular scene that’s thriving, despite everything.
This Saturday, April 11, on the eve of Easter (we celebrate it on April 12 according to the Orthodox tradition), I attended a wonderful event in Kyiv. I would like to start by thanking everyone who contributed to the organization and support of the first SYNTH DAYS lecture, “What modular synthesizers are and how to stop being afraid of them.” [below] Without your involvement and engagement, this event would not have had the form and atmosphere it did. A special thank you to everyone who worked to make it happen.
“Що таке модульні синтезатори — і як перестати їх боятись” with setup, laptop with SITKA sticker. Okay, everybody at least got the “модульні синтезатори” part, right? See the bottom of the article if you didn’t! -Ed.
The lecture was well structured. Oleksiy Hrachov [Sitka Instruments] presented the material in an accessible way, primarily oriented toward beginners, making the complex topic of modular synthesis clearer and more coherent. For me, it was also an opportunity to refresh the foundational knowledge that began my journey into modular synthesis. It was evident that the material was deeply prepared and delivered with a strong understanding of the subject.
Class is in session with Prof. Sitka.
After the lecture, Konstantin Poveda [Crazy Chicken Modular] took the stage. He gave a live performance using his hybrid setup (modular synthesizer and laptop). Konstantin described the genre he was playing as “modular hip-hop”: а mix of sampled drums and modular synthesizer voices, pre-recorded and played live. The performance was dynamic, loud, and sonically diverse, demonstrating the capabilities of a modular synthesizer in a live performance and sound design.
Konstantin Poveda (@konstantin.poveda) live: image above; video below. All media courtesy Kaximia.
I would also like to highlight the NU31 Hacker Space, where the event took place. Artem Synytsyn, as the leader, together with all residents contributing to the space, creates an environment that feels alive, engaged, and motivated. From the very first interaction with the hackspace, when we held our first workshop there on soldering our Ukrainian-designed Tembra Modular modules, we were met with openness and support. Even despite difficult conditions, including power outages and other challenges related to the war, there was a strong sense of proactivity and willingness to help. This leaves a very strong impression and deep gratitude.
The Ukrainian modular community continues to develop even amid war and instability. Further educational lectures and performances are planned within the Synth Days framework.
As for us, Tembra Modular continues working on synthesizer development, and soon these will become available as a complete modular synthesizer system for ordering. I personally work on assembling and soldering these devices, putting attention and care into each one. You can follow this process on my Instagram.
For me, this text is also a kind of personal note – a reflection of a state in which creativity and the process of creation feel especially alive. In such moments, it becomes clear how important support, interaction, and shared effort with others truly are.
Support, love, and the ability to create – whether instruments, lectures, or simple human gestures – become especially significant in difficult times. Preserving inner balance and humanity becomes an important task.
As Viktor Frankl noted, and as I understood early in my experience of living through war from the age of 12, everything can be taken from a person except one thing – the freedom to choose one’s attitude toward circumstances and one’s own path.
Support, love, and the ability to create – whether instruments, lectures, or simple human gestures – become especially significant in difficult times. Preserving inner balance and humanity becomes an important task.
Soldering synthesizers, testing modules, creating patches, and working with sound are for me not only technical processes, but also a form of concentration, meditation, and deep presence in the moment. It is a complex and, at the same time, very alive process that brings a sense of meaning.
It is wonderful to live. It is wonderful to create.
Special thanks to Peter Kirn for his support, engagement, and for the opportunity to write and publish this article. And thanks to everyone who supports initiatives for the development of the Ukrainian modular scene, even in small ways – this is where great collective work begins.
Bonus: learn the alphabet
Ed.: Okay, international readers, here we go! Ukraine’s national alphabet is a specific version of Cyrillic. (And that, in turn, originates from the First Bulgarian Empire. The Antiochian Lebanese/Syrian church I come from also celebrates Easter today; that’s the calendar from Julius Caesar.) Let’s learn it so we can read Oleksiy’s slides! -PK:
Previously: