Editing Sound module (section)

==Technologies and types==
[[File:Studio Electronics - Omega 2.JPG|thumb|right|230px|A Studio Electronics Omega 2 rackmount module.]]
Sound modules may use any number of technologies to produce their sounds. A sound module may be an analog or digital [[synthesizer]], a [[sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]], or a [[rompler]]. 

[[Electronic drum module]]s are sound modules which specialize in [[drumkit]] and [[percussion]] sounds. Drum modules may be triggered by external [[trigger pad]]s or pickups attached to an acoustic drum as well as through MIDI controller pads. Drum modules are distinguished from [[drum machine]]s through their lack of dedicated onboard triggers and lack of an integrated sequencer.

[[File:WERSI OX7micro.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A WERSI OX7 micro, a clonewheel organ module.]]
[[Clonewheel organ]] modules are usually tabletop-style devices that enable keyboardists to recreate the sound of a [[tonewheel organ|tonewheel-based]]  [[Hammond organ]] using any MIDI keyboard or MIDI-equipped [[stage piano]]. Organ modules may have drawbars and controls for a simulated [[Leslie speaker]] (a rotating horn and low-end baffle) effect. 

Some sound modules focus on piano sounds, typically providing [[grand piano]], [[electric piano]], and a few other keyboard sounds, such as [[clavinet]].  

Wind controller modules are specialized synth modules that are designed to work with wind controllers. They typically support [[legato]] 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 or ''patches'' to work well with wind controllers.

An accordion module, which is designed for use with a MIDI-equipped [[digital accordion]], focuses on providing synthesized or sampled accordion sounds (and sounds for related bellows-pumped instruments, such as [[bandoneon]] and [[concertina]]). 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 have [[music sequencer]], [[drum machine]], and [[backing track]] features, to enable a performer to do a [[one man band]] show. Accordion modules are manufactured by firms such as Ketron and Soltron.

Synth modules often have onboard [[effects unit]]s, such as [[reverb]] and [[chorus effect]], or, for organ modules, [[vibrato]] and [[distortion (music)|overdrive]].

[[File:Access Virus A.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Access Virus A module.]]

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-era [[DX-7]] synthesizer/keyboard was also sold as a standalone sound module, the TX-7.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who needs a MIDI synth module?|url=http://tweakheadz.com/midi-synth-modules/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701060313/http://tweakheadz.com/midi-synth-modules/|archive-date=2018-07-01|work=Tweakheadz}}</ref> 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.