VCV Rack
A virtual Eurorack modular synthesizer for Windows, macOS and Linux with a large module library.
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2 more ways to get VCV Rack
Package managers
- Chocolatey
choco install vcvrack - Homebrew
brew install --cask vcv-rack
About VCV Rack
VCV Rack simulates a Eurorack modular synthesizer on the computer. You place modules in a virtual rack and patch them together with cables, drawing on a library of modules from VCV and third-party developers.
The base Rack 2 application is joined by paid VCV+ features and modules such as Host for running VST plugins inside Rack, a physical modeling synth, a spectral processor and a modular drum machine. It suits people learning modular synthesis or building patches without hardware.
Strengths
- Large library of free and paid modules
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Host module can load VST plugins
Limitations
- Some modules and features require payment
- Modular patching has a learning curve
Details
- Pricing
- FreemiumRack 2 is free; VCV+ and some modules are paid.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- VCV
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Best suited for
- Learning and experimenting with modular synthesis without buying hardware
- Categories
- Audio tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to VCV Rack
Compare allSoftware that can replace VCV Rack for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Cardinal
Free, self-contained virtual modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, as a plugin and standalone app.
Cardinal is a free open-source rebuild based on VCV Rack with 1382 built-in modules and plugin formats, but it cannot load external Rack modules.
SunVox
A small modular synthesizer with a pattern-based tracker sequencer for desktop and mobile.
SunVox combines a small modular synthesizer with a tracker sequencer and adds Android and iOS versions, but it is closed source.
Pure Data
Open-source visual programming environment for building interactive audio and multimedia works.
Pure Data is a free open-source visual patching environment for real-time audio, built from general processing objects rather than Eurorack-style modules.
VCV Rack as an alternative
Listings that name VCV Rack as an alternative.
Surge XT
An open-source hybrid synthesizer available as a plugin and a standalone app.
VCV Rack is a freemium virtual Eurorack modular synthesizer with a large module library, trading Surge XT's hybrid synth for patch-based modular building.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Vital
A wavetable synthesizer plugin that uses spectral warping to reshape waveforms by acting on their harmonics.
Dexed
A free FM synthesizer plugin closely modelled on the Yamaha DX7, also usable as a DX7 cartridge manager.
SuperCollider
A programmable platform for real-time audio synthesis and algorithmic composition.
Csound
A free and open-source audio programming language for sound synthesis and computer music.
Carla
A modular audio plugin host that loads LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, LADSPA and DSSI plugins.
