VCV Rack vs Hardware: is there a difference? Testing Mutable Instruments Clouds, Rings and Elements

One of the really interesting things about VCV Rack in my view is, besides being open source and free, that it comes with free versions of Mutable Instruments’ modules, some of the most sought after and successful eurorack modules. Controversially, Olivier (Mutable CEO) has decided to discontinue some of the most successful ones… yet the most admirable thing he does is to open source the code for his modules, so they have the potential to live on and evolve forever.
The big question I had is, how do they compare to the real thing? If the differences are small or even unnoticeable, VCVRack can become very disruptive.
I picked three of his most beautifully sounding modules (in my view of course…) Elements, Rings and Clouds (which is has been discontinued!) - and I compare the sound of the hardware to that of the software. These modules are digital, so they have a good chance of sounding similar, but DAC and other hardware magic or software tweaks might make a difference.
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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any what by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@yanasitta]

Using VCV my wallet has richer harmonics and a full tone.

[@ismaelsalazar4656]

Underated comment

[@cornelgherasim5684]

OK, here's my two cents... First of all, there was a slight detuning between the two sound sources, not quite a semitone, but certainly a few comas... Other than that, some of the tests (the simplest ones) were spot on, and others sounded a tad better in the hardware version, with a little bit richer tonal range and harmonics... At the end of the day, in real life, when used for the purpose it was created for, i.e. making electronic music, these subtle differences don't really matter... The simple fact that somebody have dedicated time and energy and spent some money to make such powerful tools freely available for the enthusiasts who lack the financial resources, is just extraordinary! Thank you!

[@loopop]

Cornel Gherasim agreed... thanks for the comment

[@KeithNeilson]

Could the slight difference in tuning be a result of tiny losses (the hardware appears to be tuned down slightly compared to the software) of voltage in the physical hardware due to impedance/resistance, which wouldn't occur in the software for obvious reasons as it's just doing maths with the numbers and not routing physical voltages through physical wires?

[@TheAechBomb]

@@KeithNeilson possible, but unlikely. it's probably just that the hardware clock isn't handled quite the same as the virtual one

[@michaels5166]

I do not use free software because i dont have any money,I use it because I choose to.I am intelligent enough to know when it's a necessity to spend money,and it's not just for 'enthusiasts',free software has been used by many artists who make way more money than any 5 people who commented here.Let;s start with Autechre,Squarepusher,and a host of others.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Hey you read my mind! Great comment.. You are dead on..... Dead on.. This is so cool now I can learn modular before making the initial investment

[@Tibbon]

Nice editing to make the digital rack appear below the real one! Great attention to detail.

[@johndjameson]

David Fisher Seriously. He keeps the continuity between camera angles too. Very helpful!

[@PercivalThe23]

David Fisher i thought its kinda long Ipad......

[@kristianalexander329]

I came here to say this. super cool, never seen anyone do that before, very helpful!

[@loopop]

Kristian Alexander thanks ;)

[@guzeldunyam7348]

تةة

[@Fluxwithit]

great editing and taking the time to time stamp... a lot of time consuming work that I don't think enough people appreciate. well done.

[@loopop]

Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit thanks ;)

[@loopop]

+Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit thanks ;)

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

I appreciated A LOT! Thanks

[@BeholdJesse]

As much as I love VCV rack, I still got a couple MI clones for cheap for my modular rig. As someone who works in tech, sometimes when I'm not at work, the last thing I want to do involves looking at a screen haha

[@illford]

I feel VCV is for people who don't want to spend the money but still access the stuff. Which makes sense the dent in the wallet isn't very fun.

[@robsinHL]

Yea, same boat. I want the physical experience too. Maybe not when I have to buy an envelope generator… but for big synths, gimme hardware. Open source has destroyed so much.

[@etdbsub0]

@@robsinHL destroyed? It’s an alternative, a very affordable one.

[@theblowupdollsmusic]

Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Well, after playing with VCV rack for a while I decided to get the real thing. It just feels better. I respect Emilie's idea to make everything open source, but I don't think she anticipated her code would end up in thousands of devices without any form of compensation. Regardless, she's Eurorack's best programmer and I feel she belongs in the Synth Hall Of Fame next to Don and Bob.

[@totopolo2379]

yeah he is one of the greatest, Olivies FTw

[@Cericle]

@@totopolo2379 Olivier and Émilie Gillet

[@jaibhimadevi5805]

Now try right-clicking the hardware to duplicate a module ;)

[@gorillaau]

Jai Bhimadevi Reinitalising a module to default states can be fun when it's hardware.

[@saintcole1085]

and try saving a patch lol

[@unkmus]

That was evil, but funny! LOL

[@KnzoVortex]

Saint Cole yeah, but people say the beauty of modular is that you can’t ever get to attached to a patch, eventually you have to let it go. You have to to accept that you have to let it go. Sadly these darn millenials with their fancy computers will never learn such valuable life skills 😆

[@KnzoVortex]

​@Carl Wolsey I was being sarcastic with that remark. Both systems have their upsides. Of course being able to save gives you more power, and it would be strange to leave it out if you had the option. It also allows for a different kind of modular workflow: sharing patches with people, working on one over multiple days, having templates, etc. But the idea that you can't save patches in real modular makes it very rooted in real life, and people love that about real modular, the real tactile-ness. It doesn't necessarily affect your sound, but it greatly affects the experience, which may possibly be equally important. Of course, if you don't have access to real modular, VCV Rack is great for anyone, and maybe better for some.

[@urbannpa]

Thank goodness for the VCV, I thought I wanted to go hardware modular but the cost alone was a deterrent. Thank you for the demo with the Beatstep Pro.

[@ChrisLTVC]

VCV does a pretty good job, other than the small tuning issues, it's an ideal first dive in to modular without the cost. Great learning tool for those who don't want to put the money in to something they may not get on with. For me, I'll use both the digital and modular versions no doubt.

[@Microtonal_Cats]

The 14 thumbs-down on this video are people who spent $30,000 on Eurorack hardware. lol.

[@GangiFilms]

I am using Expert sleepers ES-8 and Motu audio interface with DC coupled outputs to integrate VCV rack into my eurorack hardware.

[@GangiFilms]

Just check motu website, they have many interfaces that are DC coupled.

[@GangiFilms]

yes additional ins and outs are plus.

[@gustavobravetti]

@Gangi Films, Ultralite mk4 is DC Coupled (it can send sustained voltages) so you can go directly from it to your modules, what is VERY IMPORTANT is to use floating ring cables or you may damage your hardware, use a Balanced TS (stereo) on the Ultralite side, then connect ONLY the Tip and the Ground to a 3.5 Mono TS (modules side) Happy patching! The Ring part of the Balanced TS isn't connected to anything. www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/media/2013/09/TipsTricks02-300x157.gif

[@functionform]

So true, sounds practically identical. This might even convince me to not buy Softube Modular.

[@rednax3333]

Excellent vid, man! Been enjoying your content for a while now- keep up the great work! 👍

[@loopop]

My pleasure - thanks!

You are a true gentleman for taking the time to make this video so well. Subbed.

[@FastusMusic]

Nicely done and very interesting - the Rings in particular seems nicer to my ears & the Cloud reverb - in hardware. Of course the real question is whether you want to play a computer or a customized physical instrument. The VCV randomize / initialize functions looks great.

[@Mathmatrix1]

Thank you so much for this! VCV sounds great, even with those small tuning differences.

[@DivKid]

nice to see a straight up comparison.

[@loopop]

DivKidVideo thanks ;)

[@dialman1111]

The difference to me is almost the same as it's displayed visually. I think the hardware sounds like it has more depth in most cases. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I like the software, but I would not want to live in a world without hardware either. Nice comparison. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@EricKeinrath]

Nice comparison! I think this discussion is like vinyl vs mp3, each one has its advantage.

[@modul8tr]

Thank you so much for putting the effort into this, I can see it’s a lot of work. They do sound pretty much identical especially when you consider the parameters weren’t matched exactly. The biggest difference (and it’s small) is I hear more imaging/depth/roundness coming from the hardware modules, especially with anything ambient. That’s due to the differences in the DAC Mutable is using vs. the Audiofuse and sample rates etc. So exciting!

[@brucekeen6699]

Obviously not the same exact settings hence the slight differences. Running VCV rack at 96k like it's hardware counterpart makes it closer. Amazing software

[@Vandalsounds]

Great comparison and edit! Not exactly the same sound , but for someone just getting started experimenting with modular the VCV Rack is a wonderful resource.

[@JeremusMusic]

IMO this is a fantstic intro into the wide world of modular! In order to come closer (arguably) increasing the sample rate, reducing aliasing and running through analog saturation plugins i.e UAD stuff would give you a fairly unlimited palette of great sounding material. The gap is getting smaller and smaller! The disclaimer is real, actual knobs are so satisfying. The tactile, realtime feel is part of what makes modular so great -however- building your own system would be a pocket-sucker. With VCV i could more closely zero-in on what hardware I’d eventually like to build!

[@cinebient5343]

Great video. Thank´s! VCV has a bright future....at least i hope that!

[@PC0067]

It's very close anyway, despite the small differences. Thank you adapting a little is good

[@Dogboy73]

Excellent video as always. Very close sound wise. I like hardware for physicality & to get away from the screen / out of the box. But for accessibility software wins hands down.

[@wimve4719]

Just discovered VCV ... truly nice comparison! Love the editing. IMHO, I think a lot of the differences are due to not being able to get the exact same settings. Playing around with VCV taught me that the slightest difference in 'knob'' settings, gave me incredibly different sounds. They should incorporate some kind of 'clue' as to what your settings are (pop-up, module, ...). But I must say that I was pretty impressed by what the VCV modules delivered ... could just be me ... Now the hardware ... *drool*

[@FedericoSolazzo]

Hey Loopop, tnx for your video. Just one thing: I can see that the vcv engine is running at 44100, without oversampling then. Bear in mind that for example, some algorithms in Braids works at 384Khz, 8x 48khz oversampling to avoid aliasing. For your own fun, try to put vcv at 192Khz and the Audio driver module at 48Khz and you'll be amazed to hear how close they are :) The only difference at that point would be the DAC on the MI modules.

[@loopop]

Federico Solazzo cool thanks!

[@rdomain]

Both sound great but there is seriously no comparison if you're creating music/sound, that the hardware format is much more rewarding and enjoyable to work on. What a time to be living when tools like this are free if you can't afford the hardware! And thank you Oliver for such great modules. I have quite a few of them and I look forward to your future designs.

[@AnalogMonoxide]

Great stuff, love VCV Rack, this was interesting to watch :)

[@wimwijn1]

amazing video, learned so much during this video, thx, now my nektar p6 talks to vcv too!!!!!!

[@loopop]

Wim Wijnhoven thanks ;)

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

Whilst it's not apples v oranges it is Granny Smith v Delicious, Some sounds were almost the same and others not (parameters?) Either way I think VCV Rack is a very good thing.

[@ideologikal]

Thanks for share this, very informative!

[@TheNimasan]

the vcv rack is a tremendous tool for ppl. who want diving into modlation world and learning first how the whole thing works. i really love it. i even perfer it more than reaktor which is one of the best soft modulation synth out there. but the harware sounds much more better and brighter... more enjoyable..... to my ears at least. but again: i recommand vcv rack to anyone. it sounds good enough to have lots of fun.... no matter where you are, you just need ur laptop! great video as alwyas!!!

[@kelvynification]

Thanks very much for the amazing job:) As a total noob this was incredibly informative. Kudos.

[@FreeThink1984]

Love vcv rack. I use it to expand the capabilities of my eurorack and other synths. Things like Turing machine, effects, etc. are cool to keep in vcv but not really worth it to me to buy and take up real hp. Love using the vcv oscilloscope too!

[@maticherzog]

It is an amazing approximation. Slight difference is of course in the texture and richness of the signal which will always be better, fuller on hardware but nonetheless amazing how VCV rack performs and sounds

[@monsooncity484]

They don't sound exactly the same but that might just be a difference in the settings because they're pretty damn close. But one thing's for sure, VCV Rack is free, whereas the hardware is quite expensive... so for me that is reason enough to say that VCV rack wins, especially with how close it comes to sounding just like the hardware.

[@unkmus]

Spoke my words.

[@kinderobi]

thank you so much for this video!

[@loopop]

My pleasure - was fun making it

[@satyanpatel6403]

Loopop, awesome awesome video as always! I'm so bummed, Clouds is no longer produced. My very old Motu Microbook does have two DC coupled outputs, so I will be able to use vcvrack with my system 1m soon. I guess just no input into vcvrack, except audio which I can do easily by routing audio into Clouds in vcvrack then audio out into my mixer. Some Eurorack is better then no Eurorack I just didn't want a PC near my music stuff. :'(

[@carycrank9453]

nice video, thanks a lot!!

[@thehowlingterror]

Hardware by a nose on audio and the winner by miles when it comes to interaction/performance/smiles. Amazing that VCV Rack is open source in these times. Thanks for doing the comparison.

[@BeholdJesse]

I actually disagree on the performance aspect. I use VCV Rack live by rigging up midi controller knobs, I use that and a couple analogue synths and honestly both feel equally organic for performance. I also create visuals with the show though so idk about if people prefer which knobs I turn lol. I think with ambient stuff having a visual element allows those who exist outside the genre to enjoy it cause you can kind of show them what you see in your head when composing this

[@cray56]

Super idea!

[@oTchago]

I think it is a good, affordable and steady studying aplication. For learning purposes, and even live settings (depending on the jam) could use this to improve a lot of the sonic aspects of and analogic instrument. I believe that nothing compares to the hardware in therms of depth, but VCV is inspiring me to learn more about analogs, which I thought would be impossible without having to buy one. Thanks for the video, amazing content.

[@djkurtstudio]

Hardware definitely has a more midrange bite with little harmonic distortions going on, which gives a bit more of a grittier sound, this maybe partly down to a/d conversion. Software is really clean, bright and a false sense of width in the top end when you compare it to the hardware, as with pretty much every software synth out there, when compared to the real thing. Still sounds really good though, I am just being really critical! :) Nice comparison :)

[@zoundsic]

VCV sounds great, handy to know. friend bought a load of mutable DIY so I can have a go with software see if I'd like any enough to ask him to put any for my eurorack system he's promised to repay me with.

[@nodz007]

Sounded pretty much identical to me and any sonic diffrences is so minute that is doesn't justify the price tag on the hardware in my opinion. Great demonstration.

[@greatmateworkshop9764]

well... with all the money you need to pay the hardware, components, pcb, alluminium panel, package, building the thing, and other things.. prices are ok..

[@gorillaau]

When it comes to analogy synths, I feel that it's cheating to be using a computer. Having said that I have just connected a M-audio keyboard up to VCV Rack... Now I am itching for real hardware modules as the sound is a bit glitch (pops and crackles) on my computer.

[@loopop]

All these modules are digital, not analog. And I completely understand the desire for modules but getting a faster computer would probably cost you less... or just reduce your sample rate

[@joeparker2725]

@GreatMateWorkshop: Unfortunately the prices for the Clouds are not that okay these days. Few weeks ago one was sold for £410. I think it's a bit too early for prices like this...it's not even a year since it has been discontinued, and the retail price was £250 for a brand new module.

[@shitmandood]

@@joeparker2725 They've got clones for as low as $170 or so.

[@housemachine509]

I just love the experience of patching and cabling. Virtual patching is not for me yet although I still try it.

[@garyturner5204]

This is a great video. You show off what Clouds and Rings can do very well. Love it! OK. I also decided to buy 1 of each. Granted clones uBurst/uClouds and NanoRings from mistergoop on eBay because I like the look of the smaller versions they now make in black. I am sure they will sound great! Thank you!

[@IzharAshdot]

תודה!

[@PiercingSight]

>Me eyeing those misaligned frequency nobs Broooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

[@HyperVectorGab]

I'd like to hear analog hardware modules vs corresponding VCV emulations. The modules in the video are all digital, so the difference in sound is minimal, mainly due to DA converters.

[@theirrationalmediasociety7993]

Have you tried running VCV at 88K? if you have not, try a side by side comparison between 44.1K and 88.2K with the virtual mutable stuff..... it's rather impressive :)

[@girlinagale]

VCV Rack is excellent for trying out and building your own Eurorack, you can be up with a £10,000 system within hours. One point though is I don't think I would enjoy as much, a VCV performance as I do hardware Eurorack such as Annannie, R Beny, Alastair Wilson. Hardly anything to do with the timbre, all about the physical presence.

[@alpenjon]

Thanks for pointing me out these musicians! Beautiful! Got more? :)

[@prgrms]

great vid. hardware felt more alive to me

[@aethervagrant244]

I didnt realize the input/pc knob was nonstandard. I wouldnt buy an interface without such a function, but them im always buying gear out of date so i rarely notice trends. it helps me constantly, and not just with the bonus of being able to use the interface as a standalone mixer/amp.. my tascam 4x4 for $90 has been a lifesaver that I didnt realize was such a great deal when i got it.

[@milk_bath]

I'd love to see a video demoing how the Beatstep Pro can be used with VCV Rack. I'm really curious if I could use both note sequencers and drum sequencer with all their respective features as well as polyphonic note playing with the pads.

[@loopop]

milk bath yes, anything it outputs via MIDI can be picked up in VCV (sequencing, CC, notes played on the pads). It’s what I do in this clip

[@milk_bath]

I may have missed some of that, my apologizes!

[@sub-harmonik]

there seems to be some slight difference in the "vca"/envelope volumes somehow, but maybe that's the rest of the system or something (like the dac of the computer or the samplerate, as other comments mentioned. The human ear is actually very good at picking out transient timings so slight dac inaccuracies/sample rate differences could play a part there)

[@LuCrow528]

Whoa this looks bad ass for sure!!! 😵🙏😎

[@kristianalexander329]

@ 14:30 - this sounds so cool - very aphex twin

[@robinkramer4173]

I am wondering what the strengths and weaknesses are. I've been playing with VCV recently, but I used to do alot with Jeskola buzz, it kinda sucked when you realized you'd never really get high quality sound out of the platform. VCV is definitely better than Jeskola. The thing was that digital and analog had certain limits in how much processing could be done sequentially. Things like feedback in particular didn't work very well. I feel like they may have reached threshold kind of like digital photography where the quality isn't quite as good, but the form factor is a strong motivation.

[@77easy77]

Hey there, let me first thank you for your amazing videos, hands down best and most clever way of teaching and showing stuff thanks a lot. I have a question which is: I have the Arturia BSP and the Mother 32 and planning on buying elements, so how could I include elements in my gear so that I can have the mother32 and Elements playing together? And I keep having these problems between the Arturia BSP and other things I connect to, because often I lay a rythem on the beat sequencer then go to the yellow sequencer lay there something else and often they will start taking the rythem pulses to the other sequencer and i alays then have to mute or delete the content on one of the sequencers in order not to have things mixing up together. So actually if you would make a detailed video about the Arturia BSP on how to lay 3 different instruments on its 3 sequencers and have them play together without any of the pulses starting to affect other sequencers. maybe im being really stupid and its a very simple solution but i still havent found it. thanks a million in advance

[@77easy77]

sorry my first question I wanted to ask how could I include elements in my gear so that I can have the mother32 and Elements playing together connectivity wise. like do I connect then the elements to the mother32 patch bay or do i have to figure out a way to connect it to my sound card? im really a noob in the modular world but been making EDM since 2005

[@loopop]

Hey, thanks for the kind words. Regarding BSP - I'll consider a video about what you mentioned but I have a pretty full pipeline for now :/ Regarding hearing Elements, ultimately you'll want to bring in multiple inputs (Expert Sleepers ES-8 is great because it also lets you use virtual modules - check out my Hybrid modular video, you can also get a mixer module or an external mixer) but, for now, if it's just those two, Mother-32 has a mixer, so if you don't mind giving up that input for Elements, you won't need anything else.

[@77easy77]

aaahhh ok great idea about the mix in the M32 do you think I might have to change something in the midi control center from the BSP in order not to have this problem of having the 3 sequencers interfere with each other? as I said until now I am limited to recording something from BSP to ableton then deleting it from BSP or keep it in the BSP but choose a new pattern slot, both options are pretty inconvenient but luckily i didnt buy it to perform with it I use it mainly for composing in the studio but one day i might wanna perform with it. thanks again and hope you could give me any insight on how to resolve this issue with the BSP

[@loopop]

Hey, I haven’t tried that on BSP. Did you contact arturia?

[@FlowFormMobileMusic]

Thanks

[@OFFMike]

It’s a good video, to try modules before buy them, they sounds the same, but it’s like everything, plug-ins are dope but, real synth got there particularity, and pleasure that virtual don’t provide. Vcv or miRack are crazy good software to discover or try before you spend money in gears... thank u.

[@syedali2943]

As someone who's started to explore generative modbap using VCV, the reason I want a hardware setup eventually is that I couldn't trust VCV Rack to play a show with. Whilst I know everything is fallible, I know the hardware setup will be way more reliable than VCV. VCV is amazing though, and I don't think I would be able to plan my modular setup without it. It's all well and good using modular grid to plan out boxes, but until you've tried to patch those modules together than you don't really know how it works. Being able to try out different modules and different patching approaches has made working out what I eventually buy way easier.

[@TheRombiq]

trying to recreate on Rack, what do you have as a rest of a chain after "texture", please?

[@StevenClements]

1:31 say that gain... sin-Thee-sis? Buggin... love your KZbin 100%

[@loopop]

That was back when I was into to European coast synthesis

[@MUNRO13]

Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding

[@zibbybone]

Hector Salamanca would be proud

[@KentBuchla]

Dong.

[@hern19]

MUNRO MUSIC *D I N G*

[@loopop]

zibbybone that’s funny

[@adriansmithmusic]

@@zibbybone the ding is back in Better Call Saul baby!

[@willdorak985]

The tuning sounds a bit different but it's very close. Just need to adjust the hardware semitone a bit to match the software.

[@loopop]

Willdorak yes it was very hard to get perfect tuning

[@willdorak985]

Overall VCV Rack coders did a great job I think. It sounds very close to the real thing.

[@Richard_P_James]

Great video - but (as a noob to eurorack) how do you patch VCV to use Clouds/Rings/Elements with a hardware MIDI keyboard?

[@loopop]

Richard James thanks! Simple, use the free core midi to cv module

[@doctorwize]

It sounds to me like the actual instruments had more presence and warmth. I wonder if that has something to do with a difference between bit rate/sample size between VCV rack sounds and actual instruments? I could be way off.

[@ImplosiveCatt]

Once you try the software Texture Synth, your VCV RAck will take you to unforgettable trip.

[@ahmetcangokceer]

2:23 that was too funny haha

[@VCVRackIdeas]

Almost a year have passed, what do you think about VCV Rack at this moment? Software has changed after so much time...

[@loopop]

It’s awesome - I just wish they’d add midi mapping for all the knobs (rather than just those where the module maker created a cv in). I believe that’s coming in 1.0 in a few months

[@VCVRackIdeas]

yeah, I'm also waiting it!

[@dynamictechbass2582]

VCV Rack I like to practice, and can save the patch

[@Frakaphoto]

first thanks to Emilie to give access to the Mutable instrument code. Then VCV rack is an excellent simulator and you can use it to play, to choose your configuration, to test or to try exotic module. ( these module are digital) Playing the real one is by far more tactile experience. Then of course for some lucky, the real stuff will be there far after computer, firmware and support disappear and could have a certain affective or financial value.

[@lundsweden]

It sounds the same to me (plus is free, saves space and has patch saving!)

[@davidgroeneveld1382]

Usually I will not say this, as I have preference toward hardware or software, but in all cases here I did like the hardware a LOT better.

[@KnzoVortex]

David Groeneveld well, I mean VCV Rack is free and modular can stack up to be thousands, so, you get what you pay for 😆. VCV Rack is a great thing though, especially for people without that money.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Thank u for this video (Im always late for everything... Lol) just what I needed before spending cash on hardware .... I need a beatstep pro tho....my old beatstep will only sequence one channel.... Right?

[@loopop]

I've never tried the Beatstep - don't know...

[@snorrevonflake]

Looks like i am going the opposite way than most, after spending 10 K on Eurorack i just discovered VCV Rack and think i will start to sell off most of my hardware. Makes much more sense for what i want to do with it, experiment, learn, explore. Its not only the money i don't even have the space.

[@unsoundmethodology]

Others have mentioned stuff like sample rates and such, but I suspect a lot of the audible difference between a module in Rack and a physical module (when all the pots are in the same positions) is due to the physical potentiometers being real; such parts usually come with a ±20% tolerance for variation in resistance. I don't know if the ones MI used had tighter tolerances than that - they get really expensive fast - but that lack of repeatability from unit to unit makes knob-position-based comparisons chancy.

[@totopolo2379]

softube modular mutable instruments also sound better than VCV and are based on the same software

[@pleasecho2]

Assuming your PC audio hardware is high end and up to the challenge

[@tilliinfinity]

never had the og clouds but a monsoon and i couldnt get the same results in vcv rack but i think i got a different firmware on my monsoon which allows for a bigger range of grainlenght

[@josevreis]

Hi, great video! Do you by any chance have a idea if there is any chance of having a line out of this? This is so awesome!!! Thank you

[@loopop]

José Reis thanks! What do you mean a line out...?

[@josevreis]

loopop an audio output. routing the sound out of the program into a daw or record out.

[@loopop]

José Reis sure - there are a few workarounds on the forums but they’ll be releasing a VST soon

[@josevreis]

loopop that’s great news. I’ll explore it a bit more and hopefully by the time they release I’ll be able to enjoy it even more. Thanks a lot

[@saintcole1085]

is it out as vst yet ?

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

The MI stuff IS digital code so it’s not that hard to believe they sound identical for the most part

[@ThePCxbox]

I bought A makeshift rig so I could use a DiY Mutable Clouds and I dont regret it. It cost about $400 but i like it. Of course I wanted an actual synth because software was getting boring. Just get the free stuff if physical knobs dont matter

[@lakloplak]

I like working with limits and scarcity. I find myself to be more creative with limited tools, hence why i dodn;lt like VcV rack, as I had no idea where to start. The physical part also enhances this. I can see myself, however, using VcV when im comfortable with modules and knwing what I want, but to start, i am gonna spend some to be limited.

[@KNHSynths]

Mutable Instruments modules used in VCV are mostly digital modules, the most usable in such a comparison because they sound very near since they are sharing same software. But real modules are working at a higher sampling rate, they have some analog parts, etc. And they sound very different. Near but different. VCV can be used to produce music, in a mix lot of things can be used once post processed. VCV can also be very useful to prototype a configuration before doing it on a real rack. But in no case VCV and real rack are sounding the same. Each has its own strength and both can work well together. But a strict comparison has no real justification, they don't sound the same. Just take the scan exemple, if someone can't hear the difference he/she must stop making music :-) (even the "grand final" is a good example of these differences that are making real modules far better). So there is no need to compare, we just love comparisons that'all, VCV and real racks are two different things, each is cool. But emulation will not equals soon real hardware modules even digital one because of the sampling rate, the quality of DAC and ADC, etc.

[@gustavoelizondo2498]

There seems to be a difference when comparing the same job positions, but when you tried to match the sound... They're almost the same!

[@garyhazelton3307]

Nice video and thanks. Where do you think VCV is headed? Being new to modular, curious what interfaces are necessary between a rack and a windows PC. Advice on that? Also any idea if programs like Cubase can be friends wit a VCV?

[@loopop]

Thanks and Yes - please search “hybrid modular” on my channel - I talk about it in depth and yes I really hope VCV opens up to more integration with hardware.

[@arjuna207]

i can imagine doing a lot of stuff by mixing the signals and panning

[@2JohJoh2]

Seems you don't really match the settings between HW and SW : eg check at 2:50, setting of Element's Contour and FM, 5:39 setting of Resonator's frequency, ... Still : interesting material !

[@loopop]

Thanks! I did my best to match - however specifically the FM knob has no impact on the sound in this test so I ignored it (there needs to be a CV cable connected to the FM input for it to have an impact) and Frequency needs to be in a different knob position because otherwise the pitch of the notes wouldn't be the same (apparently either the hardware is calibrated differently, or the CV the BSP was sending was off). Regarding contour - it has no impact on strike which I demo in the beginning.... but you're right, it does on sounds with bow and blow! So basically I do admit to slightly messing up 2:50... the rest is denied ;)

[@pongtrometer]

I do prefer the tone of the real modules, it has a uniqueness in its tuning , but the VCV Rack is still excellent but lacks an organic melancholy ...very close second...and it’s free with so much generosity from the Designer allowing it to be open source, that is Karmic positive feedback in itself

[@mrarul1694]

IS VCV better than Reaktor?

[@X-101]

Even i can tell you didn't have the knobs in the right place lol, im guess its the angle you were looking at the hardware, the camera is above so we actual so it clear how far some of the knobs are off

[@loopop]

X-101 since the knobs are analog I was going for general feel not precise position - even if they were in the same exact physical position - per Olivier’s comment, it wouldn’t mean much. The big question is what do you think ... which is better ... is one better?

[@iancain6647]

I had a hard time finding the mutable instruments in vcv.

[@7Spronge]

Comparing to the original, recreating other people their music, showing of studios ....do people still make their own with synths ?

[@transcanada9028]

If they both were free I would much rather have the hardware. With that being said I think the Software is absolutely great and once out of beta would be worth paying for. It is very good and a lot of fun. As for what do I prefer. Neither. Both. Apples and oranges. ???

[@davidrobertson4301]

Some of the time the hardware sounds slightly better. Like most of us I can't afford the hardware but the bits that I do have I know that the joy of hardware is physically unplugging and plug it physically making a connection. The only sensible plan is to have both.

[@Goettel]

You can get a minimalist PC (to run VCV Rack on) for the price of many single desirable hardware modules. Just a fact, I hope both worlds thrive.

[@jafarex]

How do you map your controller in vcv rack? :)

[@shitmandood]

They have videos on KZbin for it. You just add in one of the included MIDI modules, point to the BSP and the desired channel for each sequencer. You can separate the Control to its own channel as well which then sort of gives you a 4th sequencer (a 1-note drone layer for example).

[@jafarex]

@@shitmandood Sorry I'm a newbie ^^' Can you link me one of the videos you're thinking of? (I have an Akai mpk mini)

[@shitmandood]

@@jafarex Check out Omri Cohen's channel.