7 ms·

Because they are open-source, those modules have been ported to VCV Rack [1], a virtual instrument aimed at recreating the Eurorack experience in digital audio

Because they are open-source, those modules have been ported to VCV Rack [1], a virtual instrument aimed at recreating the Eurorack experience in digital audio workstations. Obviously, using a mouse/trackpad is not the same as tweaking real knobs, but it's much cheaper. [1] https://vcvrack.com/ https://vcvrack.com/

fit2rule 7y ago
VCVRack is one of the all-time greatest pieces of synth software, ever. The sheer number of modules you can install, out of the box, for free, is astonishing. Its also pretty neat that a lot of hardware manufacturers use VCVRack as both a prototyping system as well as a promotion mechanism. I've introduce a lot of people to Eurorack by way of VCVRack - usually they play with it for a few weeks, and before I know it, they've got a new hardware rig set up in the living room .. Pretty great time to be a synth nerd. (See also: Behringer.)
- InitialLastName 7y ago
  The longer you ignore Behringer, the longer a thriving community of module builders can exist. Cheap ripoff modules sound great (no pun intended) but provide one more angle to screw the little guy.
  - fit2rule 7y ago
    Start your synth life with a cheap Behringer Neutron, add a few modules here and there - and before you know, you've got a wall of synths, and not all of them will be Behringer. They open the doors for kids to get started, at a cheap price, and it means way more people on the market than otherwise. Some of us remember when synth manufacturers could get away with gouging their customers - not any more!
- prsy 7y ago
  Classic drug dealer move, the first hit's free. I would have probably passed on a Chronoblob2 before, but damnit now I want one.
tekstar 7y ago
They are also at the core of Spectrum Synthesizer bundle for iOS, which is a free set of AUv3 instruments. https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spectrum-synthesizer-bundle/id1467384251 https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spectrum-synthesizer-bundle/id... (I am the creator of Spectrum)
- squeaky-clean 7y ago
  Followed this link to download and saw you're the same author of the Modes app! Thank you for making my distings usable, haha.
chillingeffect 7y ago
at least a few of them have been ported to Axoloti as well [1] [1] http://axoloti.com http://axoloti.com
filoeleven 7y ago
> Obviously, using a mouse/trackpad is not the same as tweaking real knobs, but it's much cheaper. I’m interested to see what the availability of cheap VR does here. With today’s room scale VR, using knobs and sliders in a 3D space is feasible. Being able to develop spatial memory, even without tactile feedback, makes for a compelling alternative to using a mouse and screen. Once VR/AR gets tactile feedback like this glove[0], it gets even closer to parity with hardware. If the module controls in VCV Rack are standard components (button, knob, slider, etc.) then it should be pretty simple to translate them into 3D controls. Though I guess buttons may not work as well as switches, I haven’t encountered them in VR yet. Anyway, with those component mappings in place, any VCV module should be displayable in a virtual rack with no extra effort—it’s just a procedural UI change, generated from the existing 2D layout, that doesn’t impact the audio engine at all. [0] https://youtu.be/OK2y4Z5IkZ0 https://youtu.be/OK2y4Z5IkZ0
- pmoriarty 7y ago
  I'm not as excited to see traditional interfaces cloned in VR space because the lack of tactile feedback in VR really hampers such interfaces (it's really annoying to have to look down at your hands and the knobs you're turning or the switches you're pushing to make sure you've got the right one, etc). What's much more interesting to me are exploration of innovative interfaces. For example, with full-body tracking you could map body parts to different synth parameters or algorithm parameters and then allow the user to make music by dancing. The sky is really the limit in terms of what body/head/arm tracking and VR can allow you to do with innovative interface design.
  - Nition 7y ago
    One of the better examples of that I've seen was actually back in 2012, done with a couple of Kinects[1]. Although it's still not much more than the equivalent of pressing a few buttons and sliders and it's obviously highly pre-programmed. There's the Hot Hand[2]; the bassist is using one in [3]. There's still a lot more that could be done. [1] "The V Motion Project" https://vimeo.com/45417241 https://vimeo.com/45417241 [2] https://www.sourceaudio.net/hot-hand.html https://www.sourceaudio.net/hot-hand.html [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs

fit2rule 7y ago

VCVRack is one of the all-time greatest pieces of synth software, ever. The sheer number of modules you can install, out of the box, for free, is astonishing. Its also pretty neat that a lot of hardware manufacturers use VCVRack as both a prototyping system as well as a promotion mechanism. I've introduce a lot of people to Eurorack by way of VCVRack - usually they play with it for a few weeks, and before I know it, they've got a new hardware rig set up in the living room .. Pretty great time to be a synth nerd. (See also: Behringer.)

InitialLastName 7y ago
The longer you ignore Behringer, the longer a thriving community of module builders can exist. Cheap ripoff modules sound great (no pun intended) but provide one more angle to screw the little guy.
- fit2rule 7y ago
  Start your synth life with a cheap Behringer Neutron, add a few modules here and there - and before you know, you've got a wall of synths, and not all of them will be Behringer. They open the doors for kids to get started, at a cheap price, and it means way more people on the market than otherwise. Some of us remember when synth manufacturers could get away with gouging their customers - not any more!
prsy 7y ago
Classic drug dealer move, the first hit's free. I would have probably passed on a Chronoblob2 before, but damnit now I want one.

tekstar 7y ago

They are also at the core of Spectrum Synthesizer bundle for iOS, which is a free set of AUv3 instruments. https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spectrum-synthesizer-bundle/id1467384251 https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/spectrum-synthesizer-bundle/id... (I am the creator of Spectrum)

squeaky-clean 7y ago
Followed this link to download and saw you're the same author of the Modes app! Thank you for making my distings usable, haha.

chillingeffect 7y ago

at least a few of them have been ported to Axoloti as well [1] [1] http://axoloti.com http://axoloti.com

filoeleven 7y ago

> Obviously, using a mouse/trackpad is not the same as tweaking real knobs, but it's much cheaper. I’m interested to see what the availability of cheap VR does here. With today’s room scale VR, using knobs and sliders in a 3D space is feasible. Being able to develop spatial memory, even without tactile feedback, makes for a compelling alternative to using a mouse and screen. Once VR/AR gets tactile feedback like this glove[0], it gets even closer to parity with hardware. If the module controls in VCV Rack are standard components (button, knob, slider, etc.) then it should be pretty simple to translate them into 3D controls. Though I guess buttons may not work as well as switches, I haven’t encountered them in VR yet. Anyway, with those component mappings in place, any VCV module should be displayable in a virtual rack with no extra effort—it’s just a procedural UI change, generated from the existing 2D layout, that doesn’t impact the audio engine at all. [0] https://youtu.be/OK2y4Z5IkZ0 https://youtu.be/OK2y4Z5IkZ0

pmoriarty 7y ago
I'm not as excited to see traditional interfaces cloned in VR space because the lack of tactile feedback in VR really hampers such interfaces (it's really annoying to have to look down at your hands and the knobs you're turning or the switches you're pushing to make sure you've got the right one, etc). What's much more interesting to me are exploration of innovative interfaces. For example, with full-body tracking you could map body parts to different synth parameters or algorithm parameters and then allow the user to make music by dancing. The sky is really the limit in terms of what body/head/arm tracking and VR can allow you to do with innovative interface design.
- Nition 7y ago
  One of the better examples of that I've seen was actually back in 2012, done with a couple of Kinects[1]. Although it's still not much more than the equivalent of pressing a few buttons and sliders and it's obviously highly pre-programmed. There's the Hot Hand[2]; the bassist is using one in [3]. There's still a lot more that could be done. [1] "The V Motion Project" https://vimeo.com/45417241 https://vimeo.com/45417241 [2] https://www.sourceaudio.net/hot-hand.html https://www.sourceaudio.net/hot-hand.html [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs