The "standard patch" is for subtractive synthesis. The idea is that
the VCO generates a signal rich in harmonics (eg. a square wave) and
a filter is used to remove some of the harmonics to achive a desired
sound. Whether you use BP, LP or HP depends on what part of the
signal you want to subtract. It's best to have a picture of the
patch, but I can't find one online at the moment, but it's pretty
close to what you described:

MIDI pitch CV->VCO->Filter->VCA->Audio output

MIDI gate CV->ADSR->VCA

At this point, things can go in many directions because all of the
modules typically have CV inputs for further modulation. For
example, you could split the gate CV and feed a second ADSR into the
filter cutoff. Or you could split the pitch CV and feed the filter
cutoff.

If you are concerned about what modules to purchase, I wouldn't
sweat it too much. Just plan on selling ones that don't work out.
Experimentation is one of the benefits of modular synthesis.

Doug

> I'm trying to make sense of how everything generally wires

together in

> a modular. Obviously, anything is possible, and the

experimentation

> is where the fun comes in, but I would like to understand the
> "typical" way that a synth is wired, so that I can know what I'm

doing

> when I deviate from it.