THE LOST SIGNAL — a simple Rack patch by Multivibrator

Four synth voices, a few phrases from the record, and a little variation.
Leave it running or have a play. It loops every 6 minutes 13 seconds.

GET IT RUNNING

1. Install VCV Rack 2 Free for your computer:
   https://vcvrack.com/Rack
   You don't need Rack Pro, REAPER, a MIDI keyboard or any paid modules.

2. Sign into the VCV Library and add these five free modules using the links
   below. This also installs the packs they belong to.

   Entrian Player: Timeline — plays the notes
   https://library.vcvrack.com/Entrian-Free/Player-Timeline

   Impromptu Clocked — keeps time
   https://library.vcvrack.com/ImpromptuModular/Clocked

   Audible Instruments Branches — occasionally skips a reply note
   https://library.vcvrack.com/AudibleInstruments/Branches

   Alright Devices Chronoblob2 — delay
   https://library.vcvrack.com/AlrightDevices/Chronoblob2

   Valley Plateau — reverb
   https://library.vcvrack.com/Valley/Plateau

   The other modules come with Rack (Core and VCV Free).
   In Rack, log into the same account through Library, choose Update all,
   and restart when asked. The free Entrian player is enough here.

3. Download the compact patch (.vcv) from the forum post. In Rack choose
   File > Open and select
   The-Lost-Signal-Study-06.vcv. Save any patch you already have open first.

4. Turn your listening volume down. In Audio 2, near the right-hand end of
   the bottom row, choose your audio driver and output device.
   Use an output device, not a microphone. Start with 48 kHz and 512 samples
   if those settings are available. Raise your listening volume gradually.

5. It should start playing. If it doesn't, press Run on Clocked, near the
   top left. Run also stops it. To go back to the beginning: stop, press
   Reset, then Run. No external MIDI file needs loading.

HAVE A PLAY

Try the VCF frequency knobs, Chronoblob2 delay and Plateau reverb first.
Keep the two mixer master faders together to preserve the stereo balance.
Mixer channels 1–4 are sequence, reply, bass and pad.
The top Branches knob controls how often the reply is left out; zero plays
every reply. Save As under another name to keep a clean copy.

For the video look, Rack's View settings use room brightness 64%, light
halos 65%, cable opacity 45% and cable tension 82%. These are optional
view settings, not part of the sound, and won't replace your preferences.

IF SOMETHING IS WRONG

Missing modules: check the five links above, update Rack's Library, restart
and reopen the patch. Don't save over it with modules missing.
No sound: check Audio 2 has an output device selected and Clocked is running.
Crackles: try a larger audio buffer and a wired output. Leave the two Process
modules as supplied; they smooth note changes.

THE FULL PIECE

This is a standalone study, not the complete arrangement. The record also
uses Mellotron, field recordings and processing in REAPER.
Watch the full 43-minute film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl4VxrHmTK8

More films: https://www.youtube.com/@mvbrtr

Tested with Rack 2.6.6 on Apple silicon using only free modules. The tests
used the installed Pro standalone application, not a separate Free install.
Module versions and technical notes are in modules.json and TESTED.txt.
Official installation help: https://vcvrack.com/manual/Installing