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!

14 Comments

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.

email
Chile

William Davison link

9/25/2018 11:56:28

Thanks, Eduardo! I've tried installing and running this on my Linux system a couple of times in the past but it has never worked for me. Currently running Lubuntu 16.04 on a 64 bit PC. Maybe I need to upgrade to 18.04. Anyway, from what I can tell this is a pretty cool synth. I might give it another try.

Eduardo GOZNE link

9/25/2018 16:55:57

Insurance!. In addition there is a lot of information online to solve doubts

Frank

9/26/2018 19:08:24

Thanks for the other links! I've got this program already a while on my laptop, but so far I had no time to start noodling with it.
I am sure the links you shared will be of a great help, as I know nothing about modular.

9/26/2018 22:15:05

And a tutorial from Bobeats... one of my favorite YouTube personalities.

Eduardo GOZNE

10/2/2018 16:24:09

Or download my first patch for free in:
https://patchstorage.com/goznefirstpatchdrone/
and in this place see for more ;)

Dave Fuglewicz link

9/29/2018 13:50:20

Nice article Eduardo. I got into VCV Rack a couple months ago. Unfortunately, the temporary laptop I'm using doesn't allow me to record the results so I've set it asisde until I get my desktop back up anbdb running. I wholeheartedly recommend this software package.

9/30/2018 13:35:45

Excellent Dave! in Laptops with more than 2.3 GHz works even better.

Jeremiah Paddock

9/29/2018 14:18:50

Wow! This is really cool.

9/30/2018 13:37:51

cool and free ;)

Jeremiah

10/2/2018 11:51:49

Two of my favorite things!

Rafael González

10/4/2018 12:47:02

Very interesting! Thanks Eduardo!

Per-Arne Hognert

10/4/2018 18:30:35

I've been tinkering a bit with this piece of software and I quite like it. Thank you for sharing!
I remember using a program called Buzz (which I think still exists) for my modular synthesizer needs. But that didn't emulate the appearance of actual physical modules.

Lumen K

10/6/2018 18:03:25

This is the kind of thing that makes me marvel at the generosity and passion of electronic instrument makers and musicians. It's a great way to dip into modular without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars. I need to check it out. It will probably improve my skills with modular quite a bit.

10/7/2018 22:35:01

I think the same that you. I started using it recently (4 months approximately), but the results obtained are very good, it is addictive. Greetings.