web based editors and pattern generators

FiroLFO · October 23, 2026, 7:48am

I think that the most hyped item of the hardware synth scene is M-Vave FM-1 in 2026. It’s interesting to see the amount of creativity and community work poured into this gadget. There are almost 80 custom firmware released and there is a very lively discussion on other parts of the internet (see Reddit).

As an interesting side-quest somebody created a web based pattern generator with the option of uploading to a connected FM-1 (see https://discodave-glitch.github.io/eight-bells/).

I find this very interesting and I am wondering if something similar could be beneficial for some VCV Rack modules like @clone45’s Voxglitch Digital Sequencer or docB HexSeq just to name two.

Anyone here experimenting with this concept?

Alphagem-O · October 23, 2026, 8:15am

I am not sure whether the module interfaces you mention need additional editors, but I have been toying with the idea to crowd-source a library of module presets (.vcvm, or in some cases .vcvs).

I envision a collection of more complex sequences, e.g. for HexSeq, but also of nice timbres, e.g. for Anuli (Sanguine Mutants) or certain FX modules.

IMO, the exchange of ‘presets’ in VCV Rack could be expanded greatly. Of course, there are user that always want to build everything from scratch, and that’s perfectly fine.

But in other cases, I find it quite helpful to get going quickly with a pretty sequence, timbre or FX, and then modify and tune the settings afterwards.

clone45 · October 24, 2026, 2:14am

I tend to agree with this. I suspect that why the FM-1 is such a good playground for hacking because it’s hardware. It seems odd to need separate software for a VCV Rack module, since the editor could be included directly in the module.

For example, my wyrm module has a pretty elaborate multi-tab editing system:

Or, something like the Entrian sequencers pop out their own editor for additional space:

I’m making myself a promise right now: I will not purchase a FM-1. I will not get addicted to making firmware for it. Stay the course, Bret. But my god, the pull is strong.