Learn Synthesis with VCV Rack Series 02 Title Screen

Exploring the Free Module Libraries for VCV Rack

In this second series of Learn Synthesis with VCV Rack, we will be looking at the different free module libraries that are available for VCV Rack, the free virtual Eurorack modeling software. Join Dr. Lawrence W. Moore as he tests different modules out in the free libraries to see how useful they area, how they work, and what purposes they can serve in music making. There are plenty of free libraries for VCV Rack, but it can be pretty overwhelming. In this series, you will be able to learn about different libaries and see which ones might be useful for you.

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Episode 01 – The Befaco Free Module Library: VCOs, ADSR, and Mixers

In this second series, we will be looking at module libraries that go beyond the free VCV brand libraries that are made by the developers at VCV Rack, the free virtual Eurorack modeling software. In this episode we begin to look at the Befaco module library. Specifically, we will look at the two VCO modules and compare them to the VCV VCO, we will try out the ADSR modules, and look at the various mixers including the channel strip. Befaco provides a lot of good mixers, for certain, so that you can mix together signals in stereo and easily use panning.

Episode 02 – Making Polyphonic Instruments Using Monophonic Modules

In this second series of Learn Synthesis with VCV Rack, we are looking at different free module libraries that are available for VCV Rack, the free virtual Eurorack modeling software. Now that we looked at some of the module sin the Befaco brand, we noticed that there are some great modules there, but they are monophonic and do not quickly shift to polyphonic mode like the VCV brand. These modules can still be used to make polyphonic instruments and sounds. This episode show one how to do this using the VCV split and merge modules. You can get polyphony from any module that you want int he overall VCV Rack library.

Episode 03 – Retro Drum Making with Befaco Percussion & Noise Modules

As we look through the many module libraries available for VCV Rack, the free virtual Eurorack modeling software, we spend this episode looking at the noise generator, step sequencer, percussion envelope, and other percussion modules in the Befaco module set. Befaco has some truly powerful tools for making synthesized percussion sounds. This episode covers a number of synthesis techniques for designing retro drum sounds. The episode concludes with a survey of the different modules not covered in the first 3 episodes of this series so that the viewer knows all of what is in the Befaco module set. The noise generator from Befaco has a lot of possibilities that go well beyond percussion sounds and is very useful for making atmospheric noise sounds. The Kickall module is very useful for kick drums of various timbres as well as toms. It also has a pitch bending feature. We see how to use it with the step sequencer as well as with MIDI. Overall, this episode is very informative for those who want to learn about the Befaco modules as well as those who are interested in creating their own drum sounds.

Episode 04 – Audible Instruments Modules Macro Oscillators

As we tour the free module libraries for VCV Rack looking for what different brands have to offer, we take a stop at Audible Instruments, which models its modules off of the physical Eurorack Mutable Instruments modules. The free open source virtual Eurorack modeling software, VCV Rack has many brands to choose form and Audible Instruments has some free modules that are really powerful. We focus on the macro oscillators in this episode. The amount of sounds that can be created using these modules is staggering. These are must download modules for VCV Rack.

Episode 05 – Audible Instruments Physical Modeling & Texture Synthesizers

Audible Instruments has some great free modules for VCV Rack, the free and open source virtual Eurorack modeling software. In this episode we look at the Modal Synthesizer, which is a physical modeling synthesizer that executes bow, blow, and strike attacks on different resonance chambers. You can even bring in your own sound for the attack. We look at each and every parameter in this synthesizer. Then, we look at the texture synthesizer, which functions somewhat like a delay and somewhat like reverb on sound. It definitely has its own unique qualities and we explore every parameter. As we tour the different free module libraries for VCV Rack, we can see that Audible Instruments is a must download and these episodes are giving a pretty thorough overview of the different modules.

Episode 06 – The Audible Instruments Modulators & Resonator

We continue our tour of the free module libraries for the free, open source virtual Eurorack modeling software VCV Rack with some more modules from the Audible Instruments brand. Specifically, we look at the resonator and the modulators. The resonator is a string resonator that can also be used to produce drums, bell tones, plucked strings, and a wide variety of sounds. It is a truly powerful module. Next, we look at the Meta Modulator and the Tidal Modulator 2 from Audible Instruments. These modulators can be used for frequency modulation as well as amplitude modulation. The tidal modulator gives one a lot of control over the slope and shape of the modulating waveform and the Meta Modulator gives one a st of algorithms to choose from. We explore all of these modules in detail.

Episode 07 – The E-Series Cloud Generator

Our next stop in the tour of free modules for the free and open source virtual Eurorack modeling software, VCV Rack, is the E-Series brand. The only module in this brand is the cloud generator, but it is a very powerful one. This module allows for guided randomization forming a “cloud” in either sawtooth or sine wave output. The size, circulation, and desnity of the cloud can be controlled with the module. This module is used within the 3 movement work entitled Determined by Whom, which can be found here at The Wayfarer Project on the VCV Rack Patches page.

Episode 08 – The Stochastic Sequencer Grid by Sha#Bang!

The tour of free modules for VCV Rack, the free and open source virtual Eurorack modeling software continues with the brand Sha#Bang! Specifically, we look at the Stochastic Sequencer Grid in this episode. This inventive form of sequencer lets you utilize 4 sounds per sequencer instance and has many interesting functions. You can create poly rhythms, randomization in varying degrees, CV & Gate control, and varying path formations across the grid for the 4 different sounds you wish to sequence. It’s a great way to implement some chance and probabilities in your sequences and layer rhythms in some new and unique ways.

Episode 10 – The Neutrinode Controller Sequencer Module by Sha#Bang!

We continue to look at the free Sha#Bang! brand of modules for VCV Rack, the free and open source virtual Eurorack modeling software. In this episode we look at the Neutrinode module, which has an interface reminiscent of the interface for Nodebeat. You have 4 color-coded generators that you can place within a square area that project out “neutrinos” that stimulate nodes to play a pitch and send a trigger. You can graphically map out the placement of your generators and nodes such that some nodes are shared and some are not. You can select pitches and declare a tonal center and mode that your pitches are centered around. You can then have the generators and nodes move at a speed that you control. It’s a very creative way at looking at a sequencer or controller for synthesis.

Episode 10 – The Stochastic Sequencers & Polyrhythmic Clock from Sha#Bang!

As we continue our tour of free modules for the free and open source virtual Eurorack modeling software VCV Rack, we have come across some interesting modules from Sha#Bang! in previous episodes. In this episode we look at the Stochastic Sequencers and the corresponding Polyrhythmic Clock. The stochastic sequencers execute both pitch and gate messages. The pitch messages can be assigned to a key or mode with a tonal center and have varying ranges throughout the octaves. The gate messages can be given probabilities so that sequences do not end up repeating exactly the same pattern with each repetition. There are a few quirks, but this episode goes a long way to showing all of the details on these modules.

Episode 11 – Talea Arpeggiator, Qubit Crusher, and Collider from Sha#Bang!

As we near the end of this second series, we are still exploring the free modules from the Sha#Bang! brand for the free virtual Eurorack modeling software, VCV Rack. In this episode, we look at how to use the Qubit bit crusher, the Talea Arpeggiator, and the Collider. Talea is a funky arpegiator that is easy to use and works polyphonically with polyrhythmic capabilities. The Qubit bit crusher allows one to take a signal from an oscillaotr and apply bit rate and sample rate changes that reveal interesting distortions and low bit rate game sounds. Finally, the Collider takes a pitch signal and outputs a cloud of pitches with many parameters for shaping them.These are truly some powerful tools.

Episode 12 – Cosmosis, Orbitone, and Photon Visualizer from Sha#Bang!

This is our final episode in Series 02 and our vinal visit with the Sha#Bang! modules for VCV Rack, the free open source virtual Eurorack modeling software. In this episode we will look at the Cosmosis module, which allows you to place nodes for pitch control in positions that affect rhythm and timing. There is a lot flexibility with the parameters and the way it can execute the modes, tonal centers, and octaves that you select. Orbitone simulates orbital patterns of particles around attractors. The X and Y coordinates from the particles can then be used to control parameters of just about any kind in your synthesizer design. You can use them in a monophonic way to extract various composites of X and Y coordinates, or in a polyphonic manner such that each particle’s orbit can then be routed to different parameters. Finally, Photon is a pretty crazy visualizer for your synthesizer designs.