The library for the free and open source VCV Rack has been on fire lately. But this one is a standout: 4ms has a sprawling library of ROMpler modules based on classic drum-machine samples. And don’t let the “ROMpler” part fool you: those samples are ready for full voltage control.
Honestly, it almost feels like having circuit-bent versions of these classic machines. They’ve put a bunch in there: Ace Tone Rhythm King, KR55, Casio SK-1, CR-78, TR-727, TR-606, Synsonics, plus a full set of acoustic sampled modules, and Orchestral Hits. (Yeah, let’s rave!) Now, we’ve seen other ROM-based modules and occasionally physical modules — Erica Synths has even done it in pico modules. But before you imagine this is just about dialing up some canned drum sounds, you get CV inputs for length, speed, pitch, and sample select (depending on the module). That allows for some serious patching mayhem.
To prove it, I wired up some favorite sounds and went nuts:
4ms explains:
The sequencing comes courtesy Pascal, wildergarden’s wonderful sequencing module (also free), based on Pascal’s triangle.
https://library.vcvrack.com/wildergarden/Pascal
And in addition to downloading this stuff, you should absolutely watch Casandra Monroe explain Pascal’s triangles and why they’re great!
Now since her thumbnail image looks like Numberwang, someone should really make a Numberwang VCV Rack module. You’ve been challenged. (I mean, obviously, it uses the Numberwang sequence and there’s a trigger output any time there’s a Numberwang and there’s a Wangernumb toggle to switch modes. Hey, what were we talking about again?)
There’s so much other recent goodness to talk about in VCV Rack… SignalFunctionSet including a fantastic oldschool voice synthesis module with a ton of patching options, a bunch of new stuff from Venom, a vast new looper by Moffenzeef and Omri Cohen, DAW-style sample playback from Voxglitch, and I’m definitely planning to say more about the coding environment Orca running in Rack. But that’s for another day.