Modular Synthesis Beginners Tutorial using Free VCV Rack 2

Given the recent explosion of modular synthesis and the complexity behind it, SOS Tutor and synthesis guru Tristan Malloch gives us an easy to follow introduction and beginners tutorial video to this otherwise overwhelming art. In this video Tristan uses the excellent free Eurorack Simulator available for all on Mac/Windows/Linux (see link below) and chains together simple VCA, VCO, VCF, Envelope and Mixer modules to provide you with the starting template to create any sound. These techniques can be used across any modular synthesiser including Eurorack modules and self contained modular synths. By chaining together various modules and explaining the much maligned trigger techniques this video will give you a flying start on your pathway to exploring modular synthesis.
Download VCV here to follow along:
vcvrack.com
modular synthesis
#modular synthesis tutorial
#modular synthesis beginners
#modular synthesis techniques
#modular synthesis vcv
#vcv eurorack simulator
#eurorack tutorial #sound design tutorial

[@growcactus]

Vcv rack is amazing. So underrated

[@d3v1lsummoner]

I'm the type who has found mofular daunting. This intro takes some of the edge off.

[@EarlyMist]

One the people that can actually make this seem palpable whilst also inspiring. 👍

[@MikeUIibarri]

Great job!

[@orionstarr5313]

Thanks for this simple straightforward step-by-step tutorial! Someone else mentioned this too but the pace you go is fantastic! Hope to learn more from you on my modular journey :)

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Thanks and appreciated!

[@jmmusic013]

Nice downloading VCV now thank you

[@Greebstreebling]

Brilliant - fast and focused. Thanks very much for explaining the components required to play a midi device in VCV Rack.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@orionstarr5313]

Right? 99% of any tutorial about anything I have to turn up the playback speed. This has the perfect (for me) tempo!

[@akumusik3582]

Gratitude & Appreciation 🎶💯

[@MikeH_PR]

Thanks for getting me started. Into VCV Rack because I want to create more interesting ratchet sequences for a Berlin School project. This looks like the way to do it and I'm grateful for all the beginners help I can get

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Great to hear!

[@zachhoy]

Thanks! After a couple of weeks of playing around and not being able to figure out how to get my midi keyboard linked up, this video did it! Up to now I've been using Macro Oscillator 2 mostly to make pitched sound, or sometimes the pitch is just a consequence of the patterns I create and I just go with it, but it's WAY more practical to actually have midi input and a programmed sequencer, the basics! VCV Rack is so addictive

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Great, glad you are getting going. Happy you found that video useful and thanks for the love.

[@9999science]

Thanks for the video. Helped a ton with getting started with VCV rack

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

You're most welcome and glad it was helpful.

[@woutvalcke]

This video was super helpfull! Thanks!

[@criburgir]

man, I couldn't figure out the trigger thing and it was right there

[@djdarksidejungle559]

vcv rack the joys of modular without the price tag and think your tutorial is aa solid one for the basics of the basics and just from doing that i can see how things fit together and flow but modulars never been my bag but when you have vcv rack its time to have a plook and who knows when we win lottery we can afford a decent rack

[@Sparkette]

Look at the third slider on the envelope module

[@ElijahMoore-Restfulnights]

great video

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Thanks!

[@mrnessss]

I'm just starting my modular journey and this was very useful! Thanks for keeping it simple. I'm curious, why did you use a combination of a saw wave and sqr wave at the same time? To give it a fuller sound?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Yes SQR and SAW wave's have different characteristics or to be more accurate different harmonics. So just the way of changing the timbre or as you said, fullness of the sound. Hope that helps.

[@mrnessss]

@@SchoolofSynthesis Cool, thanks for the reply. Bit by bit it's making more sense!

[@mlabash]

Thank you so much for this fantastic tutorial! I'm a beginner and got stuck on how to link Garageband to the rack. Wondering if you have any advice or suggestions. Thanks so much!

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Note that the free version of VCV Rack (Rack 2 Free) only runs stand alone, not as a plugin. To use it as an AU plugin in GarageBand you will need to purchase Rack 2 Pro from their website.

[@goldenthemerciless5669]

deep breaths

[@MagicAlice100]

Thank you, this was so helpful! One question, I couldn't find a plain ADSR, only ADSR EG. Is there a difference?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Hi MagicAlice100. Yes they have changed the name of this module from ADSR to ADSR EG in recent updates. So they are the same thing. The actual device/module is called an envelope generator (EG), whereas ADSR is referring to the module’s parameters. Some people do simply refer to envelope generators as ADSR, but that’s not technically what they’re called. So VCV Rack renaming them to ADSR EG is probably a good move.

[@Louis-nz1od]

hey i've followed the tutorial exactly so far but when it comes to routing the gate from the midi in to the envelope, for some reason i still get a constant note that isn't responsive to the envelope or my midi keyboard. Any idea why?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Hi Louis. It’s hard to tell what the issue is here. When you connect an envelope via the ENV out to the CV input of a VCA, the VCA’s meter should turn dark to indicate it’s being turned down by the envelope. This being the case is should be impossible to get a constant droning note. Regardless of your MIDI controller settings, you should be able to hear a note by pressing the PUSH button on the envelope. Does this work for you?

[@paulshelleyaudio]

Ah I had the same trouble at first. Try checking if the Release on the ADSR is set at full and lower it if it is, at the top its so long its like a constant tone. That was what it was for me anyway

[@chloemccarthy2297]

Unfortunately I'm on Linux so I hear no sound at 2:49 :( How can I import the Ableton Push 2 1 controller?

[@hhal9000]

So can you use this free version in your DAW and record sound? If so how please?

[@hhal9000]

@@benihanaa So how do you get any audio wav. files or whatever out of it then?Pretty useless otherwise other than as a teaching aid to modular synthesis. VCV Rack was always touted as the great open source and free modular synth system. If you can't get any audio out it is more than seriously limmited, especially since VCV originally had the ''Bridge''. Seems like a backward step to me.

[@neonblack211]

@@hhal9000 What do you mean if you can't get any audio out of it? You just record the audio from whatever output you're using as your normal stereo mix. It's as simple as that... It also can be used as a VST plugin if you have the payed version, if you really need to use it in your DAW

[@hhal9000]

@@neonblack211 I figured out how to get Reaper to record a track from VCV rack in the end.

[@radpix]

Yes using the midi Cv , Audio out device you can Switch to select your DAW

[@ozziee4499]

how do we upload these sounds to use in our daws?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Hey Ozziee, just follow the tutorial and create them! Then you have them in your DAW!

[@thereisonly]

I liked the part where you explained what you were doing. Oh wait that didn't happen. Imma go find a tutorial to explain this tutorial.

[@ademmehmet4181]

why is mine not producing any sounds ?? im on the 4 min mark too, im not sure what it could be as ive followed everything correctly.

[@neonblack211]

You haven't set your outputs up correctly, try different settings in the "Audio" module

[@holzfallen]

Already lost at 19 seconds in. What is a module. Is there anything like this, but for somebody who knows NOTHING WHATSOEVER?