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VCV Rack - Modular synthesizer on the laptop screen

9/25/2018

The matter is simple: a modular synthesizer with all of the necessities can cost us a lot of money; and in my particular case, the import of components to my country (Chile) is very expensive, which has led me to stop the construction of some more complex modules.

Luckily there is the virtual alternative, which is not the same as twisting a real knob but allows us infinite exploration in the world of modular sound.

The VCV Rack software is free (open source) and includes many modules to download. Others can be purchased from its creators (the price is very low) and there are also donations to support a vast library of constantly growing modules. Best of all, it is available for Mac, Windows and Linux, only in 64-bit architecture.

I'm using it on a 64-bit HP laptop, 2.8 GHz processor and 6 gigabytes of RAM running Linux Ubuntu 18.04 and it works wonders.

There is also a web page with tutorials and patches that you can download to begin to understand the workflow of VCV Rack, which is not as complicated as it seems. Plus if we make any errors we will not pay with the destruction of an electronic component; it will simply indicate to us that there it is not possible to connect one module with another.

I think it is a good alternative to know in depth the modular synthesis and to be encouraged in the future to acquire a physical device.

Here I share all the necessary links:

Official website: https://vcvrack.com/
Online manual: https://vcvrack.com/manual/About.html
Patches and more: https://patchstorage.com/platform/vcv-rack/
Beginner Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NunMnOxjtY&t
Happy connections!

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Eduardo GOZNE
& Zacarias Malden

Audio visual artist since 1984.

In 1983 - 84 composed “Radio” on cassette format, based on the sounds of the shortwave radio stations with a purely experimental and strange sound for the time.
During the 80’s produced many experimental and other discs marked by the sound of the Electric Body Music (EBM).

In the 90’s he formed “Alvania” with some friends. Influenced by the Electro-industrial, making numerous live appearances and two albums: “Estado de Coma” and “Alvania en Vivo”.

Later, following the dissolution of the band, began a search for a more personal style. For this, the use of analog synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers, effects pedals and any device to deliver an interesting noise, were the basis of their sound. With the advent of new technologies, Gozne renewed their sound, without neglecting its core analog.

At present come together in his studio virtual synths, iPad, computational processes, plugins and sound edition in screen, with their old and faithful analog synthesizers.

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VCV Rack - Modular synthesizer on the laptop screen

Eduardo GOZNE& Zacarias Malden

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Eduardo GOZNE
& Zacarias Malden