Softube Modular Sound Design Series: Basics

What You'll Be CreatingIn 2014, after I'd gained a couple of months of experience with a hardware Eurorack synth, I bought a small system. My experience of this was that it proved expensive to finance. As an alternative to expensive hardware, I tried Softube Modular.I was immediately inspired and amazed. The look and sound of the plugin was amazing and this inspired me to dive deeper.'Buchla and Moog started it all with their modular synthesizers in the 1960s. Doepfer made it affordable in the 1990s by introducing the Eurorack standard. Today, the Modular plug-in from Softube makes the modular synthesizer truly accessible to everyone.'- www.softube.com, Modular product pageSoftube collaborated with Doepfer. They created the modular system in software such that the plugin works either as an effect or as an instrument plugin. Anyone will be able to use Softube Modular whether they're beginners or experts. Beginners learn the basics where experts design sounds in a familiar environment.Softube Modular comes with a number of features:Scalable GUI: small, medium, big7 Doepfer modules20+ utility modulesAdd-on modules from: Intellijel, Buchla, 4ms and Doepfer200+ presetsPreset browser64 bit formatVST2, VST3, AU, AAX pluginsWindows and macOs supportOpenGL graphic supportFree Roli Seaboard Rise module'Softube Modular is a revolutionary virtual modular synthesizer. I finally have a way to patch and experiment on the go with my laptop. So far its been incredibly fun, and I am looking forward to all the new modules they will add!'- Richard Devine, Electronic artist and music producer (Warp, Schematic) (www.softube.com, product page)Pros: Great sound with an analogue vibe, which is really excitingExcellent supportFull modular synth in the basic priceEasy to understand the modulesSuperb manual with examplesSoftube makes a 'Tip of the week' content on the company blog and Facebook pageCons:CPU load is very highYou have to pay extra money for additional modulesThe Buchla module is very priceyTypes of ModulesThere are two module types: sources and processors.Source: it has output but no signal input, though they have control inputProcessor: it has both output and input and can have control inputSourcesVCOAn analog oscillator can produce traditionally 4 waveforms: sawtooth, square, triangle and sineVoltage Controlled Oscillator, this produces a continuous sound. The types of sound can be waveforms such as sine, triangle, square and sawtooth. Each has a different flavour. The square wave may have pulse width setting and PWM, also known as pulse width modulation.VCLFOAn LFO is an oscillator below audible rate, but often they can handle some audio rate frequencies as wellVoltage Controlled Low Frequency Oscillator, this produces a continuous voltage that can go below audible frequencies in order to use as a modulator signal. It's useful to create vibrato or tremolo effects and also to create a filter wobble. Similarly to the VCO, it has got basic waveforms. You can also modulate another VCLFO with another one to create more complex modulations.NoiseThis noise module can generate simple white noise, colored white noise and random signalsNoise is a random voltage source. The white noise produces all the frequencies without any periodic waveforms. Noise is a good tool for creating snare drum or hi-hat types of sounds and also as a noise effect riser. Consider this one for fattening up sounds.ADSRThe ADSR is an envelope module. This can modify voltages synced in time and rhythmADSR, also known as Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release is a voltage source. It can be used to synchronise note events to an envelope generator. ADSR is basically an envelope generator. It makes modulation changes related to time.ProcessorsVCFThis is a Moog inspired ladder filter. (The Moog brand was one of the first synth manufacturers in the 60s.)Voltage Controlled Filter, changes spectrum of sounds below a frequency point (high pass, HP), above (low pass, LP), or both below and above (band pass, BP).VCAA dual VCA, which can be switched to either linear or exponential mode. This modifies the change in time.Voltage Controlled Amplifier, is an amplifier with control inputs. It may be used to control volume levels, both for control voltage and audio signals.MixerA simple tool for mixing audio level signalsThis module mixes the signals.SequencerA classic use for a sequencer is to create musical loops changing over timeThis tool has steps each with an input signal and it produces outputs. It also has a clock input to set the tempo.Ring ModulatorA ring mod can create unusual tones, timbres and cold, metallic soundsThis module creates the sum and difference of two inputs and combines them in a single output.Patch ExamplesYou can wire the modules together with (patch) cables. We call a complete wiring a patch. The Eurorack Modular format uses eight inch jack cables.Single VCOThe sawtooth changes over time in a slight way. It has a great analog sound without any modulationSelect the sawtooth wave for this patch and connect to the left output. In this example a sound generator produces a continuous sound. VCO Modulated With a VCLFOYou can experiment with the CV2 parameter to fine tune the pitch modulationFirst, use the previous patchConnect the VCLFO sine to the VCO's CV2 inputControl the amount of the effect with the CV2 knob.VCO, VCF, VCAWe also call this a 'synth voice'. This wiring became the standard since the old days.Connect the VCO's square wave to the VCF's audio inputNext, patch the VCA with the VCF and with the main left outputThis is a classic patch, which musicians used in many synths, since the Minimoog Model D from the 1960s.VCO, Noise, VCLFO, VCA, MixerThe sound of a waveform and a noise. In the patch the noise changes its volume over timeConnect the VCO output to the MixerPatch the VCA out to the mixerConnect the white noise output to the VCA, then the LFO to the VCAFinally wire together the mixer's output to the main Left inputThis sound mainly consists of a VCO and Noise generator. Further in the patch a VCLFO modulates the VCA. The mixer handles the raw square wave and the noise through the VCA.2 x VCO, RING MOD, VCLFOA classic example for Ring Modulation. Two square waves with changing pulse widths with a ring mod. It has a chaotic soundConnect each square outs to the inputs of the Ring ModThen patch an LFO shape to each oscillators' pulse width CVThis generates a buzzing noise with a wide frequency spectrum.VCO, Sequencer, VCLFOThe sequencer generates musical notes for the VCOConnect the LFO's square to the Clock in of the Sequencer.Then patch the Seq's CV out to the oscillator's CV1.Wire together the VCO's square to the Left main output.Twist each numbered pots on the Sequencer to change their pitch.The LFO provides a clock source, to give the sequencer the tempo. Then the sequencer modulates the pitch of the VCO. Use the Quantize and Range options on the sequencer to give musically useful notes.VCO, VCA, ADSR, Midi to CVThe ADSR envelope provides a regular change in volume for the VCO playing notesCreate a simple one-bar loop in the DAWPlay some notes from the C-minor scaleConvert the notes with a Midi to CV module to pitch and gate signalsFeed them into the VCO and VCA and ADSRThe ADSR gives an envelope shape to the volume control of the VCA.TipsFeel free to experiment. There are infinite ways to connect the modulesBe careful with the volume. Especially when using headphonesUse the manual. It is very well written. It's got great examplesSummaryIn this beginners using Softube Modular, I introduced you the basic modules, then showed how to connect them. Use these connections to make your own sounds and patches.In the next lessons, I'll show you how to use add-ons and more esoteric modules.