Cherry Audio has released Voltage Modular Synthesizer – a new software modular synthesizer platform – for Mac & Windows.
They say that Voltage Modular is designed to be the ‘best sounding, most powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use virtual modular instrument available.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Designed from the ground up to address the shortcomings of other virtual modular synth instruments. Featuring six-way pop-up mults on all inputs and outputs, super easy repositioning of modules or groups of modules, cables that can be moved and rerouted at all times, and control panels designed to be easy-to-read and operate with extensive visual feedback, including cable signal flow indicators, Voltage Modular offers a clean, polished, virtual modular interface like no other.
All audio processing in Voltage Modular uses high-quality 64-bit double precision math, and all module processes are zero- latency and operate on individual samples for true modular performance. This translates to fantastic sounding audio-rate frequency and amplitude modulation, oscillator sync, insane delay feedback, and more.
The innovative module browser allows users to purchase and automatically install modules and sound presets directly from within Voltage Modular for immediate expandability.
A Module Designer is also available that makes it possible to design and program custom modules and you can even submit modules to be sold in their Module Store.
Voltage Modular is available for Windows and OSX in AU, VST, VST3, and Pro Tools AAX formats, and also runs standalone on both platforms. User patches and cabinets are freely exchangeable across platforms.
Here’s the intro video from NAMM. We talked with Mitchell Sigman, who gave us an overview and demo of the new system:
Here’s a look at the Module Designer:
Voltage Modular Audio Examples:
Pricing and Availability
Voltage Modular is available now for US $150.
Sounds nice, although I wonder why they didn’t just join in with VCV rack, especially since that’s already got a massive collection of modules. Would be interesting to know how it improves on VCV.
It improves on VCV with VST integration that ain’t buggy AF.
That sure sounds sweet. My mental health isn’t strong enough to take on a modular, but if it was, this would be a lot like what I’d want. I like working in the box, so this would be ideal for me. It feels more west coast than east, but that’s just splitting hairs. They deserve added points for not only selling new modules but allowing users to offer new ones, Reaktor-style. That sounds like serious commitment to me. Impressive.
That’s a pass until a demo version is available.
A 7-day trial is now available at their web site.
I tried out the beta version and it did sound great. Although it did make me realize that modular is not for me… but it was fun and it has a much better sound than VCV to me and the interface seems better in my opinion.
So I had a chance to demo it today… its ok. There’s a couple of things I wasn’t a fan of:
1. Unscalable gui… the fonts used for labeling in some sections are very small and difficult to read. My initial reaction was to look for a scaling option and was disappointed. This should be standard on all vst in my opinion.
2.The sound… it’s kinda meh to be honest. Presets were a bit uninspired and even building sounds from scratch didn’t really blow me away. Sound wise, I feel it doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
3. FX section… definitely not a fan. The built in effects are nothing to write home about and the reverb that comes bundled definitely needs some help.
Now for some praise:
1. Sequencer panel… I love that every control option has its own sequencer panel. Its absolutely awesome and left me wondering why this hasn’t been implemented as a standard on other virtual synths.
Overall, its an ok synth. At the end of the day, for me it’s all about how a synth sounds. These days we’re so spoiled by choice and there are an insane amount of synths competing for our attention. At that price point you’re starting to compete with developers like U-he who make some of if not the best sounding virtual instruments on the market. Personally, sound wise it just misses the mark. However, there are some great ideas here and definitely room for improvement and develop things further.
Hi, what do you mean by “every control option has its own sequencer panel”?
You left the exact same comment on the Audiaire Zone Parameter article. It feels like its not meant for this article because of the part about the sequencer panel.
I know, I saw this too. Word for word, same comment.