In a live modular techno rig most modules serve sequencing and manipulation, not sound generation

Because the aim is to keep an existing groove evolving rather than to build sound from scratch, sequencing is treated as the most important element of a live techno system, and most of the rack is oriented toward sequencing and manipulation more than actual sound creation. Voices are kept few and simple while the bulk of the modules clock, sequence, mute, fade, and randomise triggers and CV. This inverts the intuition that a synth system is mostly oscillators: here the running sequencers hold the performance together and the manipulation modules are what the performer actually plays.

Examples

A 6U rig where a clock, two trigger sequencers, a combiner/mute module, CV sequencers and CV utilities outnumber the handful of voice modules.

Assessment

Explain why sequencing and manipulation modules dominate a live techno rig’s module budget over sound-generating voices.