How to make a kick in VCV Rack
I love modular synthesis for its advanced modulation options. This is especially useful when you’re creating drum sounds like kick drums. Creating kicks in VCV Rack is really easy and since we have no limits on how many modules we can use there are loads of tone-shaping options. The basic principle of synthesizing a kick […]
How to add effects in VCV Rack
Let’s talk about effects in VCV Rack 2. By default, you’ll have access to the Delay plugin, which in itself is a very useful effect. The fun thing about modular synthesis is that almost every knob has a CV input, so you’re only limited by your own imagination. In this video, I’ll show you how […]
Patching LFO’s in VCV Rack 2
VCV Rack 2 a.k.a. the Eurorack simulator is an amazing piece of software to learn modular synthesis. When you’re just starting out with modular synthesis, I usually recommend patching your own subtractive mono synth. In my previous tutorial, I’ve talked about Sequencers. In the video above I’ll dive into LFO’s or Low-Frequency Oscillators. When you’re […]
Sequencing with VCV Rack 2
Continuing on from my previous post on how to get started with VCV Rack we’ll take a look at sequencing with VCV Rack today. Sequencers really are the unsung heroes of any Eurorack modular system. Sequencers allow you to come up with melodies you wouldn’t otherwise think of when using a traditional keyboard. In the […]
Get started with Eurorack for free!
Are you thinking about getting started with Eurorack modular synthesis? You know, those flashy little synthesizer modules that everybody seems to be raving about. How amazing would it be to own a wall of modules just staring at you from the corner of the room while you wonder where the hell the money in your […]
Production Basics #11 – Subtractive Synthesis III
The signal flow of a subtractive synthesizer as we’ve seen so far is oscillator > mixer > filterWe will continue to follow the signal path with one last part: the amplifier. Amplifier The amplifier, also known as Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA), is used to control the volume of a subtractive synthesizer. If you would listen […]
Production Basics #10 – Subtractive Synthesis II
Let’s continue down the signal path of a subtractive synthesizer. In part 9 we got some insight into oscillators and other common parameters. In this part, we’ll discuss filters. But first, let’s talk quickly about the mixer. Mixer Since most synthesizers have multiple oscillators, we need some way to sum all outputs together. This is […]
Production Basics #8 – Basics of Synthesis
Synthesizers play a huge role in electronic music production. Synthesizers basically defined electronic dance music. In the next couple of articles about music production basics for beginners, we are going to dive into synthesis. With hundreds of synthesizer plugins and more being developed every day, we’ve got a ton to learn. Fortunately, we don’t have […]
Starting out with Eurorack Modular Synthesis Part 3 – Patching
This is the last part of the series on how I made my first DIY Eurorack setup. In Part 1 I talked about the modules and the case, while in part 2 I explained a little bit about the problems I went through when building the modules. This article is about my setup, how it […]
Starting out with Eurorack Modular Synthesis Part 2 – Building
Part-1 of this modular journey series was about orientating myself into a new modular world. In this part, I’m going to show you the process I went through to actually build all modules. I started out with the simplest module you can imagine. A passive mult. I bought this one from AISynthesis and is just […]
Starting out with Eurorack Modular Synthesis Part 1 – Planning
I have always been intrigued by Eurorack or modular synthesizers in general. The ability to pick and choose your own synthesizer building blocks and the ability to customize the signal flow opens up an infinite amount of sound design possibilities. And while software like VCV rack is fun, nothing beats the real deal of a […]
