VCV Rack - Modular Synthesis, Plugin Manager, Customize UI
What Will I Learn?
- You will learn the basis of modular sound systhesis.
- You will learn the general functionality of Rack.
- You will learn how to adjust user preferences.
- You will learn how to customize the UI for efficient use.
- You will learn how to select and load moduals into the Rack UI.
- You will learn how to operate the online Plugin Manager.
Requirements
To complete this tutorial learners will need to have the following:
- The software application VCV Rack installed
- Access to the Internet
- An account created on www.vcvrack.com
Difficulty
This tutorial is at an Beginner level.
Description
What is Modular Synthesis and How is Rack a modualar synth
Modern day modular systhesis owes a lot to work done decades ago. Back in the 60's and 70's the only way to create an electronic sound was to use multiple pieces of complex hardward. These pieces of hardware usually did one job each. To get the sound you wanted you would need to connect, or 'patch' together numerous pieces of hardware. Each piece of hardware, or 'module' was part of the puzzel and played a key role in the sound synthesis process.
Today we still use the same concept as was used decades ago. We can still use hardware for modular synthesis or we can use software, as it the case with VCV Rack.
Rack is an Open Source modular synthesizer DAW (digiatal audio workstation). You can download and install Rack from this address www.vcvrack.com
How to use the Plugin Manager
Adding and removing modules or 'plugins' in Rack requires you to use the online Plugin Manager. Go to www.vcvrack.com, login with your username and password, click on Plugin Manager at the top of the window. This will list all the available modules you can download and use. You can start to use the modules that are free. Click on the Free button for each. Go back to the Rack software and click Update Plugins at the top of the UI. Rack will automatically download and install your new modules.
How to customize the user interface
The user interface of Rack shows three modules which I have loaded in. Many many modules can be loaded into the Rack UI. Loading modules is very straight forward. Right-click on the UI and you will be given a mini browser with all the module manufactures and the actual modules. Select one and it will appear in the UI.
How to customize the user interface
In the video tutorial I go over various suggestions for customizing the UI to help keep your setup neat and organized. I also go over many aspects of the functionality of the UI and how to get started with using Rack.
VCV Rack is an open source application, which means that it is free for everyone to use. Please consider going to the developers' website and show your support for the project - http://www.vcvrack.com
I hope you enjoy this tutorial. If you have any specific questions for me feel free to leave it in the comments of this post and I will do my best to get back to you with an answer.
Cheers,
@buckydurddle
Video Tutorial
Curriculum
Learn Hydrogen Drum Machine Series
If you would like to learn how to use the open source drum machine Hydrogen, then have a look at these tutorials:
Hydrogen - UI Layout & Basics
Hydrogen - Rhythmic Resolution
Hydrogen - Effective Beat Making
Hydrogen - Song Editor, ADSR, Importing DrumKits from Respositories
Hydrogen - Humanize (Velocity, Timing & Swing)
Hydrogen - New Instruments, Loading Samples & Multiple Sample Sounds
Hydrogen - Beat Counter, BPM & Other Tempo Tools
Learn Helm Series
If you would like to learn how to use the open source software synth Helm, then have a look at these tutorials:
Helm 1st Oscillator Video Tutorial
Helm 2nd Oscillator Video Tutorial
Learn Audacity Series
If you would like to learn how to use the open source sound recording and editing software Audacity then have a look at these tutorials:
1 How to Create a New Audacity Project
2 How to Open or Import Audio Files in Audacity
5 How to Save an Audacity Project
7 How to Set Input Volume Levels
8 How to Export MP3 and WAV Files
9 How to Select and Delete Sound
ACTIVITY 1 - My First Recording
10 How to use Undo and History in Audacity
12 How to Use the Time Shift Tool
13 How to Use the Change Pitch Effect
ACTIVITY 2 - Make Your Voice Sound Like a Chipmunk
14 How to Use the Fade In & Fade Out Effects
15 How to Download Sound Samples from the Internet
16 How to Use the Amplify Effect
ACTIVITY 3 - Multitrack Recording in Audacity - Beatbox
21 How to Use the Change Tempo Effect
22 How to Use the Equalization Effect
ACTIVITY 4 - How to Mess Up a Piece of Music
25 How to Remove Vocals from a Recording
SETUP - How to Install the LAME Encoder
Logo - http://tytel.org/helm
Logo - https://www.audacityteam.org/
Logo - http://www.hydrogen-music.org/hcms/
Posted on Utopian.io - Rewarding Open Source Contributors
Thank you for the contribution. It has been approved.
You can contact us on Discord.
[utopian-moderator]
Hey @rdvn, I just gave you a tip for your hard work on moderation. Upvote this comment to support the utopian moderators and increase your future rewards!
Hey @buckydurddle I am @utopian-io. I have just upvoted you!
Achievements
Community-Driven Witness!
I am the first and only Steem Community-Driven Witness. Participate on Discord. Lets GROW TOGETHER!
Up-vote this comment to grow my power and help Open Source contributions like this one. Want to chat? Join me on Discord https://discord.gg/Pc8HG9x
This is an amazing article i learned alot about even eurorack from this