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:

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[drunkening]

I'm pretty new to this so I didn't know how to use any of these modules and this helped me so much. Very simply explained for a noob like me. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get the hang of this!

[Greebstreebling]

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

[Ninjujitsu]

wow this is so cool I've been making music for years but never tried one of these things because they're so intimidating, but now I'm hooked

[EarlyMist]

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

[Normandy_Mike]

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

[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

[DEADPOETOFFICIAL]

great work! took the idea of this VST from inconceivable to manageable... in many ways it reminds of of even simple synths like vital... hooking up certain modules to others

[orionstarr]

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 :)

[dvlsummoner]

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

[djdarksidejungle]

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

[science]

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

[dudleybarker]

one of the most things left out at the start is not showing the options in MIDI>CV module, ie right-click choose keyboard etc if you don't have a midi device - same with audio output device - in fact, right-clicking most modules is vital to understanding them properly - i say this coming back here after about a year of using VCV Rack 2 and this (as with most VCV tuts - it's not just you), left me with more questions than answers, and it took me far too long to figure a lot of this shit out on my own, especially coming from a non-technical background in music - other than that, good tut, although next time do it a little less breathlessly, perhaps - unless you had a train to catch, that is ;) PS, i've just nailed the sequence in On the Run using VCV, so that was fun

[CNFUZED_]

Awesome video thank you for the Tutorial/Lesson :D

[criburgir]

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

[woutvalcke]

This video was super helpfull! Thanks!

[Sparkette]

Look at the third slider on the envelope module

[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?

[chloemccarthy]

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

[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!

[Kohntarkosz]

Is possible to process external audio, e.g. a signal from a mic plugged into an audio interface like Focusrite Scarlet, in VCV? Like can I process a live vocal through whichever modules in the VCV rack?