VCV Rack: The FREE Modular Synth You Should Try 🎶 | A Beginners Tutorial

[@VenusTheory]

More modular tutorials in the future? 🤔

[@BrianFields]

Absolutely! I love seeing how other people use / think about modular. It's so flexible the possibilities are endless. They must have released 2.0 about an hour after you got done filming this. :-)

[@MentalSideBeats]

Definitely! Would be great

[@Cmakeev]

May be tracktion F'em tutorial?))

[@JeremyForTheWin]

more bitwig grid!

[@cybergwen]

Yes, that'd be awesome! Thanks for this one already 🥰 I'm not sure my approach of "install all the free modules" was the right one for starting out with a new modular synth though, even though I'm pretty comfortable with Voltage Modular already 😅

[@unfa00]

There's a new exciting development regarding VCV Rack. An open-source plugin called Cardinal was released on 14th of February being a self-contained VCV Rack environment adapted to work within a DAW, having several hundred open-source modules. That was what I was waiting for to start using this tech, since I prefer to keep my work contained in a DAW project and being as non-destructive as possible. And Cardinal allows just that.

[@electropocalypse5877]

Very cool! I can't express how exciting it is to see this type of sound synthesis available in DAWs. It looks too me just like modular synthesis where people build their own synthesizers (some of those things are massive!) I have one question - what synthesis would you suggest one start with the most? I'm learning mostly FM and Subtractive as everything else looks very intimidating albeit amazing. Sorry to talk your ear off there. It's exciting to see KZbin's finest DAW-related content creators/enthusiasts appear in the comments section on each other's videos. That made my day. 🙂

[@johnjohn12044]

Dude thank you! I am loving Cardinal. And I also discovered Carla through them (a plugin host which is fantastic).

[@JStack]

VCV offers a VST now

[@JArbiter1332]

in my opinion, one of the best beginner videos for VCV! really looking forward to finally getting stuck into VCV thanks!

[@VenusTheory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@strobeant144]

Yep, agree.

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpbCdqKOhLKAi5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5m0nYioid2ces0

[@peterandreadis726]

"Howdy Doody, Buckaroonees" is my favorite all-time You Tube intro. It keeps getting better.

[@trocchiettoski]

what i love from venus theory is that describes the sound experience with nuances based on really cool adjectives, this is terribly relaxing. Thanks

[@CatFish107]

Geodesics, Bog audio, Befaco, Count Modula, Instruo. All great free modules.

[@bengsynthmusic]

Any free granulars? Thank you.

[@earlgrey2130]

Dont forget surge xt and the vult collection

[@unfa00]

I really appreciate your work, how clean and well structured your videos are. I don't need to say that you've got an amazing voice as well, but I will, as it makes tuning in that much more enjoyable. Also: I am very glad you differentiate between freeware and open-source software and acknowledge open-source projects. I have a relatively small (~23k subs now) channel dedicated to open-source audio production - also on Linux, since that's a family of open-source operating systems, that's why this is very close to my heart. Anyway - thank you for year great work!

[@trollkarlenjp]

i loved the "quick homework assignment". more homework please!!

[@aSimpleChat]

You've got to be kidding me! I have been looking for this exact type of instruction. I have learned a lot and I am truly inspired since deciding to delve into the modular world. There are, of course, many other people "teaching" about using VCV and how you set it up but none were are direct with the action and explanation. There's a lot more to learn but your explanations made sense. I have the free version of VCV but didn't have a few of the exact modules you had, but I grabbed what I could and just applied the principles based on the features. I've been considering this move for a few months now and have transitioned a lot from the days of the Boss drum machine, Roland XP-80 synths, etc....to OB-6 analog deliciousness to the Moog DFAM & Subharmonicon and even the Pulsar-23. It was all preparing me for what I was gravitating to: more control, more variety, and the ability to evolve. Thank you again for this. I enjoy my Electron Octatrack Mk2 and had also searched for modules that can replicate what it does. I didn't know there were modules that accomplished that and MORE! I have really been missing out! So excited. I just ordered the Erica Synths Fusion System 2 a few days ago because I know what I wanted to do, but I must admit that, although I planned to piece my own system, I will build and subtract from this system as I explore more. I absolutely knew weeks ago that I wanted to create generative ambient house/techno. Now I understand more of why people say it can be addictive. You have a gift of instruction. I hope you really do create more tutorials soon. You earned your subscriber!

[@philmarsh5593]

Dude, not only do you crack me up regularly (ie you make funnies that are...funny), you're a great teacher. Inspiring watch; thx as always.

[@bloodswarms]

I got the bundle day one, loving the VST plugin, and being able to work in VCV Rack standalone and then open the patches later in my DAW. I think I worked on building atmospheric patches for two years or more prior to Rack2, and now being able to open them all in Cubase is just amazing.

[@kmdaykin]

Yes, being able to run all of the granular nastiness straight into bitwig is priceless. Multitracking with chains is a win.

[@crazzylee]

What a dude. You got that down on a kick-ass level. I was wondering why you don't see people use the MPC’s CV outputs and thought that would be a hell of a KZbin lane to fulfill. There's got to be a VC genius on KZbin. And he is. Awesome show bro!

[@nexxai]

I believe they've already been mentioned in previous comments, but to reiterate: - The Count Modula modules are amazing sequencers and other utilities like a Bernoulli gate (Chances) - The Impromptu Clocked/CLKD modules are easily the most user friendly clocks out there (which fits the primary demographic of this video well) - Geodesics are a beautifully designed set of modules that are so nice to look at (as well as obviously use) - MindMeld for great mixers / EQs - Nysthi make a ton of great modules, but the one I use the most right now is the PolyRec64 for recording multi-track out of MindMeld Great video man. I've watched your stuff for a while but subscribing after this one.

[@morganjones6401]

Geodesics is one of my favorite module collections!! Crazy stuff!

[@Elias_Frost]

it looks like VCV is a killer tool to design a eurorack in hardware. it's really hard to find info about what exactly utility modules do and which ones should I get (since modular synth is a personal thing). Thanks for the best introduction to a modular on KZbin \m/

[@fxdaly]

Excellent video. I’ve been playing around with VCV Rack and MiRack for a week or two and this provided me with a better understanding of how modular hangs together. Thanks.

[@loupasternak]

Been fooling around on and off with VCV since it came out, but still found your tute worthwhile .

[@merlinproductions3035]

Mate, this is the second video I have found you explaining exactly what I need to know and with such a individual manner that I highly respect. Keep up the good vibes man. Big Love from South Africa!

[@RaviYadav-bj6mw]

This video is enough to keep me busy this weekend....

[@VenusTheory]

Happy noisemaking! 🍻

[@RaviYadav-bj6mw]

@@VenusTheory 😂 thanks and same to you

[@andytello6469]

where do you get those vcv plugins such as vca-2 or vco-2, i couldn't find them, i only have one type of each and i like the ones you showed also. great vid btw

[@raisedbysovjets]

i got the same problem

[@pronglebot]

Thank you for this, im dipping my toes into eurorack and in one day i learnt how to make a tone switching thingy it helped me understand your tutorial even better thanks a lot!

[@willumpjuh]

OK. So a clear VCV presentation with somebody who appears to know what he's talking about. Subscribed.

[@arcticfoxstudios2018]

I need like a month off of work just to check this out. So many cool things, so little time. Great video as always.

[@six1free]

@1:50 I watched someone playing with VCV over on pilled many moons ago, and it looked sweet - so I downloaded it for later. Decided it's time to learn it, youtube recommended you up top and so here I am... sounds like exactly what I came for - lets see what I lean ;)

[@thejoshuathomas]

Instantly saved this to one of my playlists. Not only is this a great introduction to modular in the digital realm, but it also lends itself to many helpful tips for hardware users, both modular and semi-modular in nature. I can't thank you enough, Cameron, for always providing such insightful content delivered with your usual witty and engaging approach.

[@zaanmorningstar]

What a fantastic modular intro and tour. Well done! I really enjoyed this.

[@tomsterbg8130]

I have always wanted to make cool sounds and DAWs were always so weird to me, finally a graspable thing to work with! Not that i couldn't understand them, but the underlying things felt weir with all the virtual instruments. Now this is my instrument and i love it.

[@termsofuniverse7251]

I loaded the VEESEE vst version of this into FL Studio thanks for this guide, definitely helped me get more familiar with the modules.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

When this video first came out, I, err, skipped it (sorry Mr Venus Theory) - I've never been interested in EuroRack type nonsense!!! Until yesterday - when I can across VCV Rack in the wild. However, for a newb to EuroRack, it's like reading a book in Chinese (if you know no Chinese at all). Then I remembered - Mr Venus Theory did a video on this.... well, now's the time to offer my sincerest thanks for this video. In the space of 20 mins, I've gone from knowing no Chinese at all to ordering some noodles from a restaurant in the middle of Shanghai (albeit, the wrong noodles)! Of course, there's a long way to go before I can master all the untranslated, written works of Confucius.... but this video has helped me enormously. I pomise never to skip any more videos... 😜

[@livinthedream16]

This is a wonderful and thorough walkthrough of basic modular synthesis. Thanks for sharing this and being easy to understand.

[@ClementineFury]

It's like you were reading my mind, just last night I was thinking I should try to mess around in vcv rack and see if it seemed like something for me, thanks for the video!

*_the challenging is so challenging sometimes_* 😂🎉

[@DetroitDJSpade]

This is the primer I absolutely needed!

[@RobCowie]

This is one of, if not the best VCV Rack beginner videos available anywhere! Thank you very much Cameron!

[@nikolasgray1940]

Best tutorial for VCV on KZbin

[@ChristopherWard1967]

Just discovered VCV Rack 2 and this was a great tutorial - many thanks. I've spent way too much of today watching some of your other videos though! Great work.

[@Demotricus]

You can never spend too much time watching VT :)

[@gearforest9746]

Just restarted VCV for myself and this video is absolutely perfect to get into modular. Wonderful and motovational learning curve! Thank you very much!

[@averagebedroomproducer5008]

Nysthi stuff is nice if you want to add samplers to the patch, load up your own wierdness and modulate. Something I think many people miss when wiring the old clouds rings combo and other resonators to granular.

[@averagebedroomproducer5008]

also many great utility modules overlooked in VCV, the most criminal for me is RKD clock divider, Gchoice and some of the modules from Frozen Wasteland.

[@themusiccompass2815]

Wow. New subscriber here. First off... I will join you with the "thank you from the bottom of my heart" to *everyone* involved in creating VCV Rack and making it available for free. (I will *definitely* be buying the Pro Version soon!) But secondly, thank *YOU* my friend for such a wonderful tutorial. I am now a third of the way through reading "Patch and Tweak" and last night I just got to the last tutorial of the Moog Model 15 iPad app, so I had a little momentum coming into this, granted... but still... the patches I was just able to make (and save!) with your guidance have been SO long awaited! Seriously... I have wanted to dive into the world of "modular" since 2nd grade, and that was, like, in 1975 haha. Now, I've been doing ok with keeping up with the technology in general, and I actually regularly include MIDI and Ableton etc with everything else that I am teaching my own music students these days, but I am just now finally able to find the time and space to go down this long-awaited rabbit hole! And i know it's never going to end, lol... but wow... some of these patches I just saved and will be able to feed my Octatrack and always have at my fingertips are AMAZING. And I know it's obviously only scratching the surface of the surface, I am super psyched! And very much looking forward to what lies ahead in the world of sound design, which was kind of my New Year's resolution, honestly... :) So THANK YOU for helping me realize this goal. This is *really* fun, and you made this "first tour" very inviting, very engaging, and very non-intimidating for something so convoluted in all its possibilities and complexities! Cheers! ~Scotty Perey, The Music Compass

[@aaronsilver2977]

Thanks for this - way better than other "beginner" vids I have watched :)

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

I just started with Voltage Modular. It is a never ending journey. Nice to have others proposals. Clear presentation as usual, thanks.

[@irishmossdubwise]

Cardinal! Free!

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

@@irishmossdubwise thanks for this information. I will try it.

[@irishmossdubwise]

@@AlOne-xg6dv its pretty cool. Biggest difference is it works as a plug in in daw for free. Ton of modules. The instructions for vcv work the same on Cardinal.

[@dantescanline]

profoundly good. this is everything i needed to know having a little background knowledge but being confused how everything is done modular-style.

[@vasilismouskouris]

One common mistake for many youtubers in videos of the kind is that, instead of moving step by step, consider some simple but crucial things already known or even common sense and skip them. When I go back to follow the process just explained I find out that there are some little parts missing, so the whole thing gets stuck. So instead of making it easier the thing becomes harder and even ore complex. Here is an indicative example; why should I already know what an 'Audio 8 Module' is, and what do I do if my VCV interface upon opening looks different from yours here?

[@ubustudio]

Many thanks. I only just discovered VCV Rack a few weeks ago, and then this vid came up on my subscription feed. The serendipitous synth gods are obviously pushing me in this direction. (Or the KZbin algorithm, ha) Thanks for another clear and present presentation. Cheers!

[@devanois]

I’m new to this but would Definitely welcome more modular synths tutorials, it’s complicated but the results are worth the work.

[@NeoGeoEch13]

Have been watching your vids the last few months. Thanks for all the reviews and tutorials. Subscribed, liked, keep it up man!

[@seanengel3647]

ahahahahahaha!! Que bueno, that was awesome, the reference to Cadet Kelly. I laughed for about five minutes! Amazing how something that you are not expecting can hit you like that.

[@fr3heart]

I'm new to VCV, inspired by a hardware synth evening I went to recently. This was a great start to understanding some of the options, thank you. I can see there is going to be a lot of playing around to do.

[@nullobject7966]

You are a fantastic teacher with a wealth of knowledge. Amazing.

[@cgeckert4370]

Best VCV rack tutorial, ever! Thanks!

[@redpanda4102]

this might be one of the best tutorials i've ever followed. cant wait to mess more with this program

[@ctd_audio]

Poking notes like a useless meatbag lmao! Great tutorial VT. I really need to dive into VCV Rack 2 properly, it looks so fun.

[@VenusTheory]

Enjoy!

[@lunafoxfire]

Awesome I'm getting this immediately! I've been wanting to get into modular for a while now.

[@ThaKryssboy]

Hy! Thanks a lot for your videos, they are awesome! Can you tell me please what DAW do you use from 12:25? Thanks a lot!

[@futur_sunds]

This was so helpful. Straight to the point and informative. Time well spent. Good job 👏

[@VSTLifeCom]

Awesome overview, thanks! More VCV tutorials!

[@shirounurimba6898]

Wow, you're on a roll! Thanks for the vid

[@user-lt2rw5nr9s]

2:00 The thing with open source is that you have to rely on a nerd that's annoyed enough to fix it himself. But it also helps that you submit a report on their issue tracker, since they probably don't have as many testers as commercial software. Though they do have a paid option, so I'm curious where the money goes after that. 🤔

[@arobins74]

New to VCV Rack, I definitely learned something here and definitely enjoyed it.

[@anuel3780]

small nitpick, 17:08 you can just duplicate a module with ctrl-d instead of going ctrl-c ctrl-v constantly. other than that, great introductory video :D i know friends who want to get into vcv rack and I've been gathering resources to help them, and this is definitely going into the pile!

[@musicartguy1]

This is fantastic. EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I am new to Eurorack, and while I am creating some cool stuff on my system, it is some knowledge + happy accidents, This step by step with the same software is very useful. Nice job!

[@desreb3385]

Synth eDit of the dAy. Good info. And knowledge of the workflow. Reaktor is still a friend of mine..

[@tylerpark9999]

great video was really helpful. keen to see more VCV videos in the future.

[@Eurikon]

Free: Impromptu , Bogaudio, Submarine, MindMeld, Geodesics, Stoermelder Pack One, Befaco, Bidoo, Count Modula, Instruo, Erica... and so much more! ;) And a lot of cool paid modules as mentioned in the video! note: Bridge is deprecated, to avoid disappointment later on , do not rely on it. extra note: As of 30 November Rack 2 Pro (which is Rack 2 Free plus the VST version) has been released This is still an ongoing transition form version 1 to 2, and a lot developer are still busy getting their plugins (the modules) ready and over to the new library. Like with any new software that goes a version change, expect a bumpy road for the coming weeks.

[@audeon_visual]

Thank you so much man! I’ve been so intimidated/frustrated with Rack. I look forward to making a sound without feeling inept!

[@bmbiz]

You mentioned module documentation. Worth noting that you can right click on a module, go to "Plugin" and select "Manual" and the online manual for that module will open in your browser. (The menu item won't be there if the module is sans documentation.)

[@petermican]

YES, please more such beginner videos for VCV, thanks...

[@guidorehder6802]

You should turn the volume down when you start experimenting unless you wanna fuck up your speakers. This thing is pretty powerful. If you use it in a DAW it's a good idea to have a limiter in the master channel. I'm a huge fan of modular synthesizers. You can create complex sounds with VCV. I usually save basic patches as templates, so I can load them later and go from there. This synth is really addictive and time flies once you start creating something.

[@christoroppolo8742]

Best step by step I have witnessed on anything modular. Your demeanor is excellent and the pace is spot on . I deleted vcv not only because euro rack is so poorly described in use and general applications. This might get me to take another look . Peace Christo👽

[@VenusTheory]

Thanks Christo! Cheers! ☕

[@mrz80]

"spaghetti noodle mess of sonic glory" I love it😁

[@fdolbec123]

Thank you so much! I was looking for some idea of rack to download for VCV, well you answered my question!

[@Banquet...]

Awesome video, thank you. I just tried VCV rack 2 but my head exploded trying to make a sequencer to control hardware so please do a full video on that! Edit oh wait you did at the end - thanks man

[@lebronzejames9738]

This was awesome a lot of the ambient I listen to are modular synths now I know how to get the same generative patches! Thanks

[@Dave-nm8uk]

Excellent - yes - more please!

[@Luwispurpul]

Excellent video! As for a module recommendation - Bidoo DTroy is a great recreation of the Intellijel Metropolis sequencer, Impromptu Clocked is a really easy to use clock generator with a built in divider / multiplier so you can get different parts of the patch running at different speeds and Befaco Percall is a very good 4 channel VCA & AD envelope generator with a side-chain input (it also works as a mixer too).

[@MrTheakstone]

Excellent tutorial! Big up

[@Linguae_Music]

VCV rack is the bestttt Very excited for 2 :D

[@The0Stroy]

Befaco & Bogaudio are both great. Bogaudio have tons of usefull utilities that I can't imagine doing anything in VCV rack without.

[@prod7nearth]

of course a vcv rack tutorial by you. if you didn't make a tutorial about it, who would :)

[@szeredaiakos]

I am going to tell you a secret for not needing the VST bridge (just tested it): You can have your DAW output midi into your interface. From the midi of your interface you can input the output. In VCV you can use your interface's midi in which by this point is also the out of your DAW. Then you can have VCV output to a different device than your interface (or different channels) and patch that into your interface and subsequently your DAW. What you physically need is: 4 audio out channels (can be multiple devices), 2 audio in channels, a midi in and out, a midi cable and a double TRS cable with the proper connectors.

[@RobDRich]

You know I am going to have to watch this about 10 times lol

[@emilhaller1004]

Very well structured tut, thanks!

[@justmenate]

Great video man - Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Liked and Subbed

[@mbainrot]

There is an EOC output which you can feed into random (or the chaos CV in in the larger one)

[@gabrielg.delatorre1865]

Excellent Tutorial

[@qq-me2vo]

this explains so much oh my god thank you

[@pauljohnson3317]

This was an awesome vid!

[@JakeRussell77]

thanks so much for this, really helpful

[@stephenroldan5107]

Got the bundle. Plays nice with Bitwig and my eurorack

[@timsamsung3736]

Very very good beginner video. Thnx

[@panicrev555]

Painless! Thank you!

[@lore6803]

Great videos. Always great quality and super informative.

[@adrianhendy]

Just a heads up - vcv bridge is NO longer supported on vcv rack 2

[@ErnieJamison]

Lots of great information thanks.

[@draconianrhythms]

Outstanding session .. thank you

[@Suraj.Thakur]

Thank you so much sir, your videos are very helpful for me. ❤🌹 Love from India 🇮🇳.

[@Bigwave3K]

Thank you so much for this

[@swampdweller5]

I just love your videos. Maybe you'd consider making this video again as the modules in Rack 2 are different? (The VCO-1 ADSR and VCA2.)Can't seem to find them now? I know there are other modules that do the same thing more or less, but it's tough to follow when I can load any of the same modules you are using. Just a thought. Keep rockin it....I appreciate you.

[@umanoid1523]

I played withnVCV rack when it first came out in an effort to understand modular. Very cool community and developers . I found myself getting frustrated with understanding literally the ins and outs. Id forget how to patch things together inbetween playing with it and eventually i just stopped. I’ve invested in some of the cherry audio stuff with he same results. I never use them(I do use their synth emulations). To be honest i also ran into the same issues with Native instruments modular synth as well. I LOVE the concept of modular synths. Its too deep of a rabbit hole for my brain to handle. Lol. Im not a sound designer, just more of a tweaker where ill take presets and adjust them to taste. I do understand synthesis, just not well enough to start a patch from scratch and say I want to make a lead sound that does x y and z. I sort of fumble through the process. Which is one reason i just cant get the hang of modular. I will eventually give one of these modular softwares a try again down the line. Im definitely going to upgrade VCV( free version for now) with the hooes i use it.

[@Tyler-Tyler-Tyler]

the VCA-2 module doesn't exist in the program or on the website for me. kinda frustrating as I cant follow along with the tutorial