The best free tools for working with modular synthesis and music

Patching for the people – there’s no reason cost or access has to keep you from the powers and fun of modular synthesis and music making. VCV Rack’s launch this month got lots of attention, but there are other options, too. Here the latest, best picks.

Miller Puckette, creator of Max and Pd, on how he’s patching his way to remote collaboration

Miller Puckette, the original creator of Max and Pure Data, has been working on keeping connected remotely, too. In this video, he reveals how he plays with a percussionist using Pd and Ableton Live, then joins Cycling ’74’s David Zicarelli to talk about the future of collaboration in modular environments.

Peter Kirn - March 19, 2021

LIRA-8 reimagines the LYRA-8 organismic drone synth in Pd, VST, AU free – donationware

The wonderfully mysterious analog LYRA-8 synthesizer world now has an unofficial digital cousin – and it’s free-or-pay-what-you-can for Pure Data (and cross-platform AU and VST).

Peter Kirn - December 30, 2020

Pure Data is running in the browser, for free Web-based sound patching

Peter Kirn - October 30, 2020

One big, open standalone grid for playing everything: dadamachines composer pro

Peter Kirn - May 9, 2019

Post folk: when a hurdy gurdy meets MIDI, a new hybrid is born

Peter Kirn - October 19, 2018

A marvelous sound machine inspired by a Soviet deep drilling project

Peter Kirn - September 25, 2018

Vectors are getting their own festival: lasers and oscilloscopes, go!

Peter Kirn - August 7, 2018

This free tool could change how you think about sequencers

Peter Kirn - June 25, 2018

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