Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by IDS Team

VCV Rack is one of the most innovative pieces of synth software going at the moment. Essentially, it follows the Surge XT in a trend of open source synth software and plugins, sites, and software that are shaking up the classic structure of the VST. 

This article will give you the complete lowdown on VCV rack, how it differs from similar products, and what exactly it contains and what you can do with it. 

What is VCV Rack? 

Simply put, VCV Rack is a freemium open source eurorack modular synth with literally hundreds of modules available for download. 

Modular synths comprise of a series of modules that musicians can put together in any order to create their dream signal flow. They have a reputation for being challenging to learn how to use. On the flipside, they can present a host of creative possibilities and combinations beyond your regular synth. 

VCV Rack is one of the first products that has taken this concept and doen something new. In short, VCV Rack uses modular’s mix and match nature to develop an open source platform. This is one that allows musicians to access a range of user-developed modules as well as forums and a strong community. Honestly, the format is IDEAL for modular synthesis, and makes it WAY more accessible than ever before…

How To Use VCV Rack

Using VCV rack is simple but depends on whether you have the free or pro version. To get either version, you first need to register and login on the website. Then, you may either purchase and download the free version, or purchase, download, and run the pro version on your DAW of choice. However, there is a bit more to it than that. So, we dig deep into what it’s actually like to use the modules… 

Once you’ve downloaded VCV rack, you should find an installer in your downloads folder. By following the instructions on this installer, you will quickly be able to access the app from your applications file. Once you open it you will find an interface that mirrors a real life eurorack synthesiser. 

From here, you can use your trackpad (on MacOS) to scroll left and right with an almost unlimited feeling set of spaces for modules. You can add these by right clicking and choosing from the selection presented. The formatting is very intuitive, and all modules are clearly labelled too. There’s clearly lots of care and design that has gone into making them look like the real things that they are emulating them as well as standardising them across the plugin. 

If choosing and arranging your modules is easy, the most difficult part of using this platform is getting to grips with modular. This can be tough if you’re not already familiar with it. Otherwise, this virtual version works exactly the same way as a real eurorack synth. For example, you can transfer cables from one module to another for an infinite variety of signal chain patterns. 

Lastly, if you are using the standalone (free) version, you will have to have software to run VCV rack as a standalone plugin such as gig performers. 

VCV Rack VS Surge XT 

If we are to be honest, comparing VCV Rack and Surge XT is comparing apples and oranges. The two are covering totally different bases of synthesis. However, if you’re only thinking of getting one open source virtual synth we would have to say that VCV rack slightly has the edge based on the following factors: 

• Professionalism: if you’re new to synthesis the standardisation and ease of finding modules that do the exact thing you want them to is much greater than with the surge XT, which requires a bit of menu diving 
• Interface. The surge XT has a huge variety of patches and one interface. Whilst this ties it all together, it doesn’t accurately reflect the way patches interact with different hardware – or emulations of hardware. So there’s less divergence there than with VCV rack 
• Hands on style: Of course, surge XT is a great plugin. We’ve covered it here and talked about what makes it stand out head and shoulders amongst synth VSTs. However, simply the nature of modular synthesis makes VCV rack a more hands on plugin. In this way it feels more like a true to life emulation of the modules it uses. It feels like a playground to learn how each module works in depth, something easy to translate to other parts of your production, so we have to give it credit for this 
• Community involvement: Yes, surge xt is open source, but VCV rack actively encourages users to develop and upload their own plugins. Meanwhile, it still has strict quality control standards. If you’ve been interested in plugin development but have wanted more guidance as to where to start, this offers the perfect opportunity. You can find more about it here. 

VCV Rack Price and Availability

VCV rack is available as two versions in a freemium model – rack 2 free and rack 2 pro. The free version is a standalone downloadable plugin whilst the pro version comes as VST, VST3, AU and CLAP format plugins, requiring Windows 7 and up, MacOS 10.9 and up, or Linux Ubuntu 16 and up. Below are the other key differences. 

Free	Pro
Standalone	VST, VST3, AU and CLAP
Requiring 1GB memory and 1GB disk space	Works with cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, Reaper, Mixbus, Studio One, Cakewalk, Logic Pro, and GarageBand, and ableton live
Free modules only	Free and pro modules
No support	Professional support
Free	149 USD, or Rack 2 Pro + VCV Drums + VCV Sound Stage bundle at 189 USD

Final Thoughts

VCV Rack is an innovative new form of eurorack modular synthesis and is pretty much the only option in its category. Yes, the surge uses a similar model, but VCV rack is the only website of its kind that focuses specifically on modular synthesis. We personally think that it’s leading the way in making modular a more accessible form of synthesis, breaking down its reputation for being intimidating and creating a virtual space online that encourages the kind of exchange that you would have seen in the golden age of synthesis. 

In the age of the bedroom producer, VCV rack is also part of a pioneering subsection of technology that allows musicians the kind of fluid interchange of ideas they would have had in a physical music scene yet without the limitations of distance, bringing them together. Overall, there isn’t anything really quite like it in its niche and we highly recommend it as a low cost way of getting increased access to gear in a flexible and inspirational environment. 

If you like emulations, check out our article here! And for more great music software, we have an entire section here…