VCVRack virtual modular synthesizer

[kasselvania]

That does drive me nuts. That’s one of the reasons a dream setup would indeed have two (maybe 3) different controllers, a Twister Fighter, a 16n and something else. Odd the tweaks and tricks necessary to get things JUST right. But then again, I guess it’s that way with a EuroRack too

[codecube]

With respect to sharing … it’d be great if there was a better interface for downloading modules when you download and open someone’s file (rather than just saying that a given module isn’t installed). Like, if they were all free, a button that says, “install all missing modules”, or something.

[unicity]

I too feel love/hate towards the MIDI-Map module. What really bugs me is that when you close and then reopen a file, any parameter that’s been mapped is reset to its minimum value.

Thankfully everything that’s been mentioned so far could theoretically be remedied in future updates. I wish I had the time (and brains) to help in that regard.

[kasselvania]

I ALWAYS wish I could do something in regards to programming and developing. I do conceptual and physical builds, mainly relating ideas to programmers. In a place like the lines forum, that ends up being me just asking for more of the incredibly talented and giving programmers here! Not my favorite position to be. I’ve been learning a little Lua to maybe help with some Norns scripts in the far future.

But yeah, the zeroing of the Midi learn is BONKERS. I end up having to take pictures of my patches like I’m working with a Euro Rack!

[mdg]

wow well done/well chosen! Feel like this has been slowly cooking in the thread, but sooo down for a lines ‘shared system’ comp/patch+technique share with this rig or similar!

[demuxaux]

Try out stoermelder’s MIDI-CAT module and all your troubles will fade away. It has midi feedback and pickup functions.

[unicity]

Oh wow that looks great! Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention. I had seen uMap before but MIDI-CAT had slipped under my radar.

[ht73]

Starting to have a little more fun with this… mostly because the Mutable stuff which I finally get to try out… which is both high quality and a lot of fun.

I think a definite strength of VCV is the ability to start from zero and just bring in the modules you need, every patch having a totally different set of modules.

I’ve been searching for anything decent re: sequencing, for instance anything with up/down, programmable stage select, etc… or other types of simple grid/step sequencing. I guess I will try the Orca’s Heart thing but if there are more fully featured “analog-style” alternatives, even ones which are not free I’d be interested. I prefer to build things up from simple components and have them interact, but the default sequencer (SEQ-3) has very little capabilities for interaction.

I will also feel a lot better once I figure out how to get audio into Logic.

[fbusche]

For more typical step sequencing check out the impromptu modular modules.

For generative there is the Turing machine and Marbles.

For simple stuff I often use Stages with a quantizer.

[kasselvania]

I agree with you Re-Sequencing. For triggers or fates, I’ve got an OPZ that I put the midi through (having the v/oct and gate being sent from each channel). What I would like to have is a sequencer handle melodic stuff. Even something that will take my current melody and morph it.

Something like the Mimetic Digitalis which allows for random, zeroing and shredding one’s timeline. Then being able to save those scenes. That would be great. This way, rhythmic generation can be done out of the box (thanks to the OPZ’w sequencing structure) but I would be able to leverage the randomness and shredding in the box.

Would any of these modules replicate that type of structure? I’ve been noticing on sequencer that looks potentially along those lines, but haven’t looked at the manual yet.

[jasonw22]

If you install all the free modules and filter on “Sequencer”, you’ll get a lot of results. Slightly over a screenful on this 34" monitor.

Really hard to know where to direct your attention without getting more specific, but I think it’s clear that there are a wide variety of sequencers available.

[ht73]

Thanks – indeed many in the bottom three rows of the first image that look like they may be suitable. Will do

[yobink]

Search Omri Cohen’s Youtube page for VCV sequencer. Otherwise, just try them. It’s not a what should I buy decision, just dig in

[Zedkah]

I just wanted to ask how SERIOUSLY people use VCV. Is it on a par with all your other sound making work streams?
Of course I find it an amazing playground and you get so much for free. Not having a real rack i’m very much a learner on the modules and sometimes loose discipline and try out too many new modules at once and get nowhere. I’m sure lots of us do that.
I am sort of struggling to incorporate it into my music. Once I find some textures or layers i like I use one of the multi-track recorders to make a take and import this into my DAW. The sound somehow isnt as good as I hoped it would be. I often do the same thing with pure data and I dont have the same issues.
I am not sure if its me and I haven’t really mastered how to handle the audio levels etc I do get crackles and distortion.Or perhaps some processing issue from my PC. I’m more curious if people think VCV rack is up there and equal with everything else? Would you make (or buy) an album made entirely on VCV?

[license]

I’m wondering this myself. I have no eurorack but my GAS for it has been really strong over the last few months, and when I get really riled up I’ll fire up VCV. I can can get great noises or textures out of it really easily, but nothing with interesting structure, mostly just drones or corny clock-divider beats. It ends up being fairly effective anti-GAS - I’m left thinking it would be way more difficult (for me) to be productive in eurorack compared to, say, the Monomachine.

[kasselvania]

I have been attempting to use VCV as my main sound design source for a few weeks. It is certainly NOT easy. I have found certain aspects of the process far easier than my DAW, and some things way harder. The truth is, it ends up being much like a Euro Rack in multiple ways. First, it is just straight up difficult to use! Part of this lens itself to what you’ve mentioned of just creating either corny beats or sound beds. That happens to many folk when first interacting with Racks! Each rack is its own instrument and it takes time to learn.

Second, if anything, the very large library of modules makes it harder to focus the way a rack would. I think of it like this; VCV Rack is every stringed instrument on a glass case. A Euro Rack would be like making a choice of one instrument. Sure, you can get sound out of every string instrument, but you’ve got to spend time with a certain one to get good with it. I’ve been narrowing down the sound and structure of how I want to work, and it’s been getting better!

Finally with the sound, you’re probably having input level issues. There are some recorders in VCV that have given me very good results.

(PS, my experience has helped show me that Euro Rack feels like its for Me. I love it and it has got my GAS way up).

I could go more in to the method I’ve been working to come up with, but that might be a bit long in the tooth. I will say that is taken me a few weeks to get to this point.

[license]

I think of it like this; VCV Rack is every stringer instrument on a glass case. A Euro Rack would be like making a choice of one instrument. Sure, you can get sound out of every string instrument, but you’ve got to spend time with a certain one to get good or even great with it. I’ve been narrowing down the sound and structure of how I want to work, and it’s been getting better!

This confirms a suspicion I’ve developed about it. It goes back to the discussion about limitations that electronic musicians have been having for a couple decades or more. To get fluent with an instrument, just like a language, you have to live it, be immersed in it. In modular that also means pinning down what the instrument is, which as you noted is easier with a real rack’s physical and financial limitations.

It’s easy to imagine going on a similar journey to yours. However, I would first have to quell my habit of starting with a clean slate.

[kasselvania]

Yeah, the things that are tough about VCV rack get answered BEFORE one buys a Rack (if they are diligent): What do I want to make and how will this $400 module which takes up 8hp and this much power help me get there?

Like, VCV has me spend literal days on practicing generating sounds I like. Like, I mean days. And I’ve learned “huh, if I get a rack, I generally prefer the sounds I hear from people using Mangroves, Just Friends and Make Noise Modules”. I probably won’t have a traditional VCO in my eventual build (maybe a small one made from a kit for cheap, but I digress).

VCV has added the ability for loading in VST’s. This is a $30 module. I will probably get this and load a Goodhertz tape FX, Maschine (for my drum loops to be more human and flexible) and Aalto, for sounds I like more than traditional VCO’s. But then I still get all the things like easily adding texture, bending things, randomly shifting triggers and V/Oct, while also modulating all of the texture, tempo and effects as well!

I also plan to sample/loop these sounds and certain layers using the sampler (or one of my many FATES boards) chopping up those sample with Mangl, Orca or mlr! It starts to bend the mind, actually. Lol

[yobink]

Starting with VCV Rack is daunting if you’ve had no experience with modular. Luckily, there are some really good resources to accompany good old trial and error. Like this beginner series by Omri Cohen on YouTube, and these single-VCO patches from Klaussualk on Patchstorage.com. Happy tweaking!

[kasselvania]

I’m going to scope these! I need more practice at bending simple VCO’s to my ear.