VCV RACK - Really amazing VST and Standalone software

[WarpCanada]

Anyone interested in learning about and playing with Modular synthesis (think, Patch cords out the wazoo) should grab VCV Rack.





It doesn't do anything much until you start adding the plugins to it.  It's a plugin with plugins. Meta right?

1. create an account (you need this trust me) at https://library.vcvrack.com/

2. download vcv rack from https://vcvrack.com/ and install then  click the LIbrary plugin and LOG in to the account.

3.  go and add just about the vendor list below to your account: https://library.vcvrack.com/

Subscribe to these as your starter pack of "subscriptions", which gets you all their free modules added to your VCV Rack app/vst:

AlrightDevices
AriaSalvatrice
AS
AudibleInstruments
Befaco
Blamsoft-XFXDistortionPack
Blamsoft-XFXReverb
Blamsoft-XFXWave
Bogaudio
cf
CountModula
ESeries
FehlerFabrik-Suite
Fundamental
Geodesics
Grayscale
ImpromptuModular
JW-Modules
ML_modules
ModularFungi
mscHack
MSM
NYSTHI
SonusModular
squinkylabs-plug1
Valley
VultModulesFree
ZetaCarinae

 You really should get everything above and then you will be able to try out the pile of presets I built for you.

4. There really should be a big PLUS icon in VCV for adding modules, but there ain't. You
need a mouse and you need to RIGHT CLICK to add a module to your screen.


5. I attached for you some VCV Rack presets that you might have some fun with, but the forum moderators have decided that ZIP files can't be uploaded.  These go in the VCV folder in your Documents folder. Start with the Warren1.vcv preset, as that is the "basic stuff you would always want to start with", but you will want to MAKE CHANGES AND THEN SAVE THAT PRESET AFTER YOU MAKE YOUR OWN CHANGES.

5a. Select your main midi keyboard as seen here:



5b.  Select your own audio interface you want VCV to send audio OUT to.




5c. SAVE Warren1.vcv as "Starter.vcv" and then you will have a preset that works on YOUR PC with YOUR MIDI and YOUR AUDIO.

You should now have at thing that makes noises.  If you want this to always be what you get when you do a new preset, choose File > Save As Template.


6. Grab this set of presets from this gOogle Drive link:
Zip file (27kb, contains .vcv presets) : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tan9GtYesQ2IlqsF4FiVVKEyJr84FQSX/view?usp=sharing

7. There's a little "record WAV file" plugin by NSYTHI called MASTER RECORDER that lets you generate weird bloopage and then export it to a WAV file where you could maybe chop it up and turn it into something playable as a drum or sound effects "kit" in your favorite DAW/sampler.


8. Final Thoughts:

I think that VCV Rack's biggest problem is that it doesn't ship with a starter set of modules and some presets, like any other VST would.

It really is a DIY thing. Whereas I prefer to have something all wired up to take apart and figure out.

It's super fun, and of course, is best to be used inside your favorite DAW rather than standalone on your desktop.

[WarpCanada]

Here's a demo of what's possible.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIhL2RsSCi8

[bruno]

Sounds awesome. Although, careful with that synth Eugine, down this road leads to .....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3wk9WWTfNs

:-)

B

[WarpCanada]

LookMomNoComputer is awesome.  He's one of my favorite youtubers.  His creativity, positivity, and his bonkers aesthetic are just inspirational.

Not that I would spend Weeks meself hand soldering up 1000 oscillators to make a megadrone, but I would pony up 20 Pounds to go to a show of his if I was in the Greater London England Area at some point.