Getting started with VCV Rack

I think this should also be here, since it is a GREEEAAAT source of information for both beginners and others not so beginners :wink:)

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These are also great (all with a subtractive synthesis bias but phase distortion and FM are in the mix too):

https://blog.wavosaur.com/download/arp2600fundamentalsofmusictechnology.pdf

The teaching is based around the semi-modular ARP 2600 but it’s simple to build module networks that realize the concepts that are discussed.

The original patch book is a fantastic learning resource too:

https://www.dsl-man.de/download/attachments/19890733/ARP_2600_Patch_Book_V2_LR.pdf

Finally a good old fashioned book! And it’s the one that taught me the most about the nuts and bolts of synthesis techniques when I was an over-excited teen back in the 80’s:

A synthesist’s guide to acoustic instruments by Howard Massey

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A pdf from Beginners VCV Rack from EMF Camp 2018 I found very useful. It has explainations and graphics of how the basic modules work. I particularly like the instructions to create various effects using various CV sources and inputs.

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Perhaps a lesser known feature added in v1 was opening the manual in a browser when you press F1 :wink:

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14 posts were split to a new topic: Understanding CPU usage

Thank you

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Although not vcv rack related( written well before vcv rack was even developed). the following series or SOS articles,(all in one pdf here), is a mine of information. https://www.mediafire.com/file/7w2dcsqmkbeduea/Synth_Secrets_Complete.pdf/file

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Excellent guide from Jim Aikin:

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Hey guys, I decided to take a crack at writing my own “Absolute Beginners Guide to Modular Synthesis with VCV Rack”. As the name implies this is geared towards people with zero synthesis experience. This is the first part, but I plan on writing more next weekend if I have the time.

Feedback and constructive criticism are absolutely welcome. =]

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That’s great Emmet, thanks! I’ve added the link to this guide. You might consider having the guide as a topic here in the community forum instead, unless of course it will be a multi-chapter thing.

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Is there any quick 3 minute tutorials for v1.x.x - v1.1.6 where selecting the audio and midi device and getting sound with the default template is shown in detail?

Not to my knowledge. I think that when V2 comes out someone ought to do a new “install and get started” video guide.

Why wait? :smiley:

Top post edit…

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Thanks for that Phil! It’s great to see such a succinct tutorial from Omri on the initial patch. Perfect for people turning on Rack for the first time. I’ve done a light edit of the post and incorporated the link properly. I’d prefer if you don’t edit the post directly but rather simple post the link as a comment, thanks. When v2.0 comes out I’ll do a major revamp of this and try and get it somewhat up to date.

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@vortico could this page be linked from the VCV Rack Help Menu, in the next update? It is really good.

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I can’t vouch for its professionalism, so I can’t officially reference it.

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Thousands of patches are available for download at https://patchstorage.com/platform/vcv-rack/

Looking at and analyzing existing patches can be useful to beginners.

Many patches need additional modules compared to the native ones; some of these require paid modules.

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