At the 2018 NAMM Show, Cherry Audio introduced Voltage Modular, a new software modular synthesizer platform.
Voltage Modular joins a growing category of software modular systems that are based around the look and feel of the popular Eurorack hardware standard, rather than being based on the elemental functions of synthesis.
We talked with Mitchell Sigman, who gave us an overview and demo of the new system.
In the second video, below, Sigman demonstrates the Modular Editor, which lets you create your own modules:
Cherry Audio expects to release Voltage Modular around April 2018. See their site for more information.
Really odd for me to see the of use of the word modular in terms of software .
Lost on me the whole idea.
Modular design has long been a part of software development. Many of the software you use everyday is coded with a modular methodology. The only difference here is that the UI is also modular. In that, you construct an instrument from modules, or smaller parts that eventually make up a functional whole.
Hardware has never had a monopoly on the word modular.
Hey, WakeUp call, VCV! Your too late to this party!
This actually looks great, but, realistically, it’s not free like VCV Rack and it’s not as established as Softube Modular.
These guys are going to need to adapt to this, in order to succeed. They could do this by providing an alternative to the chaos in the VCV Rack world and to the closed nature of Softube Modular.
They way to do this would be to get to where VCV Rack is heading, but to get there sooner. Make the platform free to try out, offer tons of free open source modules, make it a great platform for developing and selling premium modules and make sure it’s stable and integrates into real-world workflows.
I really like the module designer – that should be a huge asset for them – make it easy to create and sell great modules and you’ve got a platform.
“Voltage Modular joins a growing category of software modular systems that are based around the look and feel of the popular Eurorack hardware……” so when you say feel what exactly are you referring to??
btw it is really unthinkable how ahead of time was Clavia and how they abandoned it…Such a shame..
In software design, ‘look and feel’ is a phrase used to refer to the visual design and functionality of an interface.
Apps like Voltage Modular & VCV Rack imitate the design and functionality of Eurorack modular synths.
Yes – one of the great mysteries of the Universe – why did Clavia give up on the Nord Modular – it was ground breaking. Now, all they make is stage pianos. What a big come down.
It’s not a huge mystery — it didn’t sell enough, and they got tired of software support. I’m sad they haven’t revisited it though.
Stage pianos are profitable. Around 2000, modular software synths were not. Today hardware modular units sell well. We’ll see if free software modular synth such as VCV will make anybody earn money and then lead to the return of Clavia (or other wealthy company) in the game.
I’ve owned a few modular systems and I purchased the reasonably priced and very well thought out Softube Modular hoping it would give me the same sense of exploratory excitement as a hardware unit. It doesn’t. But I guess you knew how this short story would end.
I’m in the same boat. But VCV rack is… different. I highly recommend you give that one a try.
The reason I got in to Eurorack was to get away from using a computer and stareing at a screen…
If you want modular type VSTs there are far simpler and more effective GUIs than trying to mimic the rack and cable layout.
Just getting into VCV Rack, and this looks great too! This I think is the way into modular synthesis before buying eurorack hardware. Great for experimentation, and I love the idea of a large screen TV to display everything. This goes onto my buy list.
Nice to have a variety of softwares to choose from these days i guess
Fred Armisen really convinced me with his demo!