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Synthesis Technology has released a selection of their most popular Eurorack modules in software form for VCV Rack, the open software modular synth platform.

Synthesis Technology’s Paul Schreiber let us know that the four modules are authentic re-creations of the original hardware designs, with accurate DSP models of the analog circuitry and digital firmware optimized for VCV Rack.

Since they are software, the VCV Rack versions can go beyond the original’s capabilities, adding support for VCV Rack’s polyphonic patch cables.

Synthesis Technology VCV Rack modules include:

• E340 Cloud Generator – The Synthesis Technology E340 is a super-saw/sine oscillator that’s capable of generating up to 8 waveforms per output. It’s designed to create massive bass and lead voices like the JP-8000 supersaw, thick ambient drones as if played from a slow rotary speaker and more. The module supports VCV Rack’s polyphonic cables, so with 16 voices, you can generate a total of 128 waveforms per output. The module uses the original firmware from the hardware Synthesis Technology E340 module.
• E350 Morphing Terrarium – The Synthesis Technology E350 is a wavetable oscillator, with 1D and 2D position modulation, including 3 banks of 64 waveforms. Wavetables are scanned using a glitch-free interpolation algorithm by Synthesis Technology, and the module can operate as an audio-rate VCO or CV-rate LFO. The software module uses the original firmware from the hardware Synthesis Technology E350 module.
• E355 Morphing Dual LFO – The Synthesis Technology E355 is a dual wavetable LFO that generates two related waveforms. The LFO1 RATE knob sets the frequency of the first LFO, at the LFO1 OUT port. The MORPH knob sets the wavetable position, modulated by the MORPH CV input and MORPH MOD attenuator. The BANK switch selects which of 3 wavetable banks to load. The second LFO, at the LFO2 OUT port, uses the same frequency, wavetable position (MORPH), and phase as the first LFO, except for the function specified by the LFO2 mode switch. The VCV Rack software module uses the original firmware from the hardware Synthesis Technology E355 module.
• E440 Discrete OTA VCF – The Synthesis Technology E440 models the SSM2040 lowpass filter architecture used in the Prophet 5 Rev 2, the Voyetra 8, and others. This software module is based on a virtual analog circuit model of the hardware Synthesis Technology E440 module.

The Synthesis Technology VCV Rack Modules are available individually for $15, or as a bundle for $39.

Surge XT, the open-source hybrid software synthesizer, is now available as a collection of free modules for VCV Rack.

Each part of the synth has been reproduced as an independent virtual Eurorack module, which can be patched in any configuration.

For this new release, the Surge community collaborated with two designers from the Rack community, Pyer (VCV, Geodesics) and Steve Baker (MindMeld). The new designs combine the best of both ecosystems and the UI should feel familiar to both DAW and modular synth users alike.

Every module is both stereo and polyphonic and the collection holds no less than 11 oscillators, including virtual analog, FM, wavetable and physical modelling.

In addition, there are 20 effects, with direct access to the original presets found in Surge XT, a filter module with 33 filter types from classic analog modelling to advanced digital effects, a multimode waveshaper, plus mixing and utility tools. The classic multimode LFO/sequencer and envelope from Surge also makes an appearance which is even more flexible in a modular environment.

New modules such as an Envelope + VCA, a quad AD envelope, a quad LFO and a dual function generator have also been created especially for this modular take on Surge XT.

Surge XT for VCV Rack introduces a new modulation paradigm, with a click-to-assign matrix system that is common to all modules. The four CV mod inputs allow a single source to affect any number of parameters of the module, and a single parameter to be affected by any blend of the 4 inputs.

Surge XT for VCV Rack is an open source community effort and is available for free now for Windows, Mac and Linux in the VCV Rack library.

VCV Rack is an open-source Eurorack-style modular soft synth with a great community behind it.

VCV Rack 2.0 will offer VST plugin support, but not in the free version.

Change is afoot with the imminent arrival of version 2, which will offer a new UI, a dark mode for those light-night patching sessions, an improved browser, and import/export, duplicate and randomise module selection options.

Most notable, though, is the addition of VST plugin support, though this only be offered in the new paid-for Studio Edition of VCV Rack 2.0. This will cost $149, though this price will be reduced to $99 during the launch sale. Support for other plugin formats is set to follow.

The good news is that a free Community Edition of VCV Rack 2.0 will also be available, though this will be restricted to standalone operation.

VCV Rack 2.0 is coming in November. In the meantime, you can check out a new set of nine analogue-modelled drum modules, VCV Drums, which is available now priced at $30.