Best Virtual Modular Synths: Modular in the Box
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Modular synths offer almost limitless creative freedom for sound design. If you want try out modular synthesis without investing in an expensive hardware system, virtual modular synths are an affordable alternative. We’ve put together some of the best virtual modular systems.
Best Virtual Modular Synths
Virtual Modular Synths
Native Instruments pioneered modular software synths in 1996 with Generator, which later evolved into Reaktor. A year later, Clavia released the Nord Modular, a hardware synth with a modular software interface. While it already looked similar to modern virtual modular systems, it only ran on the dedicated DSP hardware, which still has some die-hard fans to this day, especially the Nord Modular G2 variant.
Modern virtual modular systems don’t require any special hardware. Today, you can build patches from hundreds of different modules on your computer, from the comfort of your DAW software. It goes without saying that this is an awesome opportunity to experiment with modular synthesis before shelling out cash for a hardware system. Another advantage is that virtual modular systems offer almost limitless creative freedom, so they’re fantastic if you have very specific or unusual sound design ideas you’d like to try. Creative sound design is one of the biggest strengths of modular systems – whether in hardware or software. There’s almost nothing that can’t be done. Here’s our overview of the best virtual modular synths for your sound design explorations.
VCV Rack: A Complete Eurorack System on your Computer
VCV Rack 2 is the undisputed top dog when it comes to virtual modular synths. The massive library now contains over 3,600 modules! Most of them are free, while others are available for little money. Numerous hardware manufacturers now also offer virtual counterparts of their modules for VCV Rack.
The basic version of the software is open-source, free of charge, and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It runs the free modules. The Pro version, which can run as a plugin and supports Pro modules, costs $149. If you’re thinking of putting together a Eurorack system, VCV Rack is a great place to start – you’ll likely even find virtual versions of the hardware modules you’ve been eyeing. For larger systems, however, your computer should have plenty of power.
Cherry Audio Voltage Modular: Free Intro Version
Released in 2018 as the company’s first product, Voltage Modular helped establish Cherry Audio as a household name in the world of software synths. The system is available in three versions: Nucleus, Ignite, and Core. Numerous expansion modules are available from Cherry Audio and many other developers. For example, Cherry Audio has released the complete Moog 900 and ARP 2500 series for Voltage Modular. Nucleus, a free entry version that contains 22 modules, is a great way to find out if Voltage Modular is right for you.
Cherry Audio Voltage Modular runs on Windows and macOS. The Ignite and Core packages are available from Thomann*.
Softube Modular: Virtual Eurorack Simulator
Like VCV Rack, Softube Modular emulates the Eurorack system. Softube’s version, however, was developed in close collaboration with Dieter Doepfer, the creator of Eurorack. The basic system comprises seven Doepfer modules that have been emulated at the component level, along with over 50 additional modules, including mixers, sequencers, and more. You can expand the system by purchasing additional emulated modules from manufacturers such as Mutable Instruments, 4ms, and Intellijel. Numerous effect plugins from Softube are also available for the virtual modular system.
Softube Modular runs on Windows and macOS in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX format. It is available at Plugin Boutique*. The virtual modular system is also included in the big Softube Volume 6 bundle, which also contains many other software synthesizers and effect plugins and is available from Thomann*.
u-he Bazille: All-in-one Modular Synth
Unlike the virtual modular synths on this list so far, u-he Bazille isn’t a Eurorack simulator, but a self-contained, modular software synth. However, it has a lot to offer: each voice offers four digital oscillators with phase distortion, FM, and fractal resonance, four multimode filters, four envelopes, two LFOs, and a sequencer. There are also various auxiliary modules such as a mixer, an inverter, sample & hold, a quantizer, and more, as well as built-in effects are also integrated. The combination of digital oscillators and “analog” filters makes Bazille a very versatile and great-sounding virtual modular synth.
Bazille runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. You can get it from Thomann*.
Reason Studios Complex-1
Reason Complex-1 is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to virtual modular synths. It combines elements of East Coast and West Coast synthesis, such as a complex oscillator, a waveshaper, a filter, two lowpass gates, and many additional modules such as LFOs, envelopes, and a sequencer. While it’s not as extensive and expandable as some of the other virtual modular systems on this list, it offers plenty of options for creative sound design.
Unfortunately, Complex-1 isn’t included in the standard version of Reason, but must be purchased separately as a rack extension (€109). The Reason+ subscription plan is another way to unlock the synth. As the Reason Rack can also be used as a plugin, you can also use the synth in other DAWs.
Reason 13 and Reason+ are available at Thomann*.
Full Bucket Music ModulAir: Free Virtual Modular Synth
Some virtual modular synths are even available for free! Full Bucket Music ModulAir is up to 64-voice polyphonic and lets you combine up to 18 modules per patch. There are currently 57 modules to choose from.
Instead of virtual patch cables, ModulAir uses drop-down menus for making connections between modules. While this makes for a cleaner look, the disadvantage is that the connections aren’t always visible at first glance. Nevertheless, ModulAir is a great synth and an impressive freeware project – just like we’ve come to expect from Full Bucket Music.
ModulAir runs on macOS and Windows in VST, VST3 and AU formats.
Moog Model 15 App: Modular Synthesis to Go
The fantastic Moog Model 15 app emulates the iconic modular system of the same name and is available for iPad, iPhone, and macOS 11 or higher.
The virtual Model 15 is up to 4-voice polyphonic. In addition to all the classic modules, it includes an on-screen keyboard, a ribbon controller, a sequencer/arpeggiator, and even the Animoog keyboard with polyphonic modulation. Additional features include a complete MIDI implementation, a looper/recorder, and a delay effect.
At $14.99, the excellent-sounding Moog Model 15 App is what I’d call a “no-brainer”.
Arturia Modular V: A Complete Moog Modular for your DAW
Quite unbelievably, Arturia’s emulation of the iconic Moog modular system was released over 20 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest virtual modular synths! A complete virtual modular system that was good enough to receive an official endorsement from Bob Moog himself was nothing short of groundbreaking in 2003. The software synth emulates all modules of the original using Arturia’s TAE technology. Over the years, Arturia continued to improve the synth by adding many clever ideas and features. Today, Modular V is an integral part of the V Collection, but is also available separately.
Arturia Modular V runs on macOS and Windows in VST, AU, AAX, and stand-alone formats. The individual plugin is available at Plugin Boutique*. The V Collection 11 bundle, which also contains over 40 other software instruments, is available from Thomann*.
Arturia Buchla Easel V: Virtual West Coast Synthesis
In the wake of the modular boom, Buchla-style West Coast synthesis has come back into focus in recent years. And there could hardly be a better way to get your feet wet than with Arturia’s emulation of the most famous of all West Coast synths.
Buchla Easel V emulates the “Minimoog of the West Coast” down to the last detail, from the complex oscillator to the sequential voltage source and the Easel’s special keyboard. Of course, Arturia added some modern features such as editable envelopes, a 32-step sequencer, effects, and an arpeggiator.
Arturia Buchla Easel V runs on macOS and Windows in VST, AU, AAX, and stand-alone formats. The individual plugin is available at Plugin Boutique*. It is also part of V Collection 11, which is available from Thomann*.
Native Instruments Reaktor: The Grandaddy of all Virtual Modular Synths
No article about virtual modular synths would be complete without NI Reaktor. The software, whose history can be traced back to the aforementioned Generator in 1996, was one of the very first modular software environments for synthesizers and effects. However, it was also quite complex, and many users barely scratched the surface. Instead of creating their own patches, most musicians stuck to pre-configured Reaktor instruments.
This changed with Reaktor 6 and the Blocks – a much more accessible virtual modular system with a familiar rack design and Eurorack-style patching. For those who want to go deeper, the underlying Reaktor environment is of course still there. Over the years, the vibrant user community has created a vast library of Reaktor instruments – an incredible resource!
Native Instruments Reaktor 6 runs on macOS and Windows in VST, AU, AAX and stand-aloneformats. Reaktor 6 is available individually and as part of Komplete 15 (Standard and up) from Thomann*.
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One response to “Best Virtual Modular Synths: Modular in the Box”
Reaktor also let’s you create your own modules from scratch.
Not sure if that’s possible with any of the other systems?