Softube Modular Synth Thorough Review (with sound)

Softube Modular Synth Thorough Review

This is yosi from Chillout with Beats.

As a virtual modular enthusiast, I bought this because I had to try it, so I will thoroughly review it.

Currently, there are three products competing in the virtual modular world.
(There are also Native Instruments Reaktor Blocks, but I think they are a little weak as a force.)

I have already written a fair amount of articles about the two, so if you are interested, please read them.

VCV RACK summary page

VCV Rack usage summary

This is a collection of articles about VCV Rack.It also explains each module and is increasing every day. As of July 2019, there are 7 articles.

chilloutwithbeats.com

2020.04.21

Voltage Modular summary page

Voltage Modular Summary Page

Voltage Modular summary page Since the number of articles has increased, I made a Voltage Modular summary page.Articles for free-distributed Voltage Modular Nucleus and others are divided. Voltage Modular...

chilloutwithbeats.com

2020.09.05

The introduction has been lengthened, but this time it's a review of the last of the three major powers, the Softube Modular Synth.

In conclusion, Softube Modular Synth is recommended for these people.

On the contrary, it is not recommended for such people.

 

Get an Audified U4 Saturator ($78 value) or Excite Audio VISION 49X Lite ($4 value) when you buy anything from PluginBoutique in April! !

Updated this month too! If you buy anything from PluginBoutique in April, you'll receive either Audified's U4 Saturator ($78 value) or Excite Audio's VISION 75.90X Lite ($4 value). Audifi...

chilloutwithbeats.com

2024.04.27

Overview of Softube Modular Synth

Created in close collaboration with Doubefer, Softube Modular provides both the sound, flexibility and extensibility of a true analog modular synthesizer.However, Softube Modular is more than just a virtual synthesizer plug-in, it's a whole new modular synth standard.

As a modular owner, the basic system provides a great toolkit from the beginning. Includes 6 modeled Doepfer modules and over 20 utility modules.However, there is still much to discover.Starting with different units from the state-of-the-art manufacturer Intellijel, you can purchase additional modules from high quality Eurorack vendors separately.More modules will continue to be available. Owners of the Softube drum synth Heartbeat can add their instruments and EQ modules to Modular and combine them with other modules. Softube's award-winning engineering team models each analog module component-by-component, and the resulting plug-in is acoustically indistinguishable from the corresponding hardware.

Main functions

• Modular is a cross-platform modular synthesizer plug-in standard with approved emulation of well-known hardware Eurorack brand modules.
• True dynamic circuit emulation — hardware-like look, functionality, and sound
• The basic system contains 6 Doepfer modules (A-110-1 VCO, A-108 VCF, A-132-3 Dual VCA, A-140 ADSR, A-118 Noise / Random, A-147 VCLFO )
• The basic system includes over 20 utility modules (MIDI to CV / gate, mixer, thru, sample & hold, switch, multiples, delay, offset, sequencer, clock divider, logic and signal tools, polyphonic MIDI CV / gate. module).
• Additional authorized emulations from Intellijel are available as add-ons (uFold II, Korgasmatron II, Rubicon).More modules released from other high quality hardware Eurorack vendors
• Simple design with unique interaction layout using classic synthesizer style performance modules
• Softube Heartbeat's drum channels and EQ can be used as separate modules for Heartbeat owners.
• Includes over 200 quality presets covering a huge range of styles and sounds
• Can be used as both a DAW effect and an instrument, beautifully integrated with the hardware Eurorack modular
• High internal sample rate in the system allows true feedback

System requirements

Modules that can be added to Softube Modular Synth

Doepfer modules

A-101-2 Vactrol LPG Module,Doepfer A-188-1 BBD

Intellijel modules

Rubicon VCO Module,Korgasmatron II Filter Module,uFold II Wavefolder Module

4MS modules

Spectral Multiband Resonator,Pingable Envelope Generator

Buchla modules

Buchla 259e Twisted Waveform Generator,Buchla 296e Spectral Processor

Mutable Instruments

Braids,clouds,Rings

Softube FX

If you own the following Softube effects, you can use them as modules from Softube Modular Synth.

TSAR-1 Reverb,TSAR-1R Reverb,Spring Reverbs,Tube Delay

Heartbeat

HeartbeatIf you ownHeartbeatThe on-board drum module is available from Softube Modular Synth.

CPU is measured at Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz.

To be clear, the CPU load is high.

This is the state when FL Studio is started.

When using a synth

I loaded the preset "Bass Classic Hoover Mono" and saw it.

It is heavy at around 22%.When played, it will be around 24%.

The module looks like this.It looks and sounds great.

I took a video.It has a thick and good sound.

It's amazing to change the resonance etc.

I tried Braids.

It is a considerable load of 4% with 35-tone poly.

HoweverThe sound is great.Compared to VCV RACK, it sounds poorly good.

I would like to write a separate article about listening comparison.

When using effects

It is in the following state with two "A-108 VCF8" and two switches to switch the mode so that it can be used in stereo.

The following "Auto Filter" presets are quite heavy with a load of 26% to 28%.

I took a video.It's heavy, but definitely sounds good.

Usability of Softube Modular Synth

To be clearSound and visual are the bestis.However, the operability is the lowest.

It is considerably inferior to VCV RACK and Voltage Modular.

1. No right click

There is no right-click, and VCV RACK and Voltage Modular cannot be duplicated or deleted by right-clicking. (There is no menu etc.)

There are three buttons below.

There is also a button to enter the preset and Setup at the bottom right.

It suffers from the following contents, but adding, moving, and deleting modules is quite troublesome.

In the case of VCV RACK, right-click on the module to access duplication, module help, etc. as shown below.

2. It is necessary to delete, move, etc. after entering the mode

It's a part that can be used by right-clicking, but you need to enter individual modes to delete and move.
(It was a little shocking)

I think it's hard to understand in words, so I prepared a GIF video.

Of course,From I can't use the key either.

3. No setting for cable transparency or tension change

The transparency and tension of the cable cannot be changed, but the cable will be hidden if the module is not touched.

When you hover the mouse cursor over the module, the cables are displayed, and the cables connected to the module are displayed in dark colors for easy understanding.

I just want the user to change it to some extent.

4. Multiple knobs cannot be assigned to performance

You can assign any parameter you like to the performance of the Softube Modular Synth.

In short, it's like a panel that allows you to manage all the parameters you control during a live performance.

And unfortunately, assigning to this performance also needs to be set in edit mode. (And hard to use)

Assign it to one performance knob and assign the following parameters in layers to give priority to the rest. (disappointing···)

It has the same function as Voltage Modular, but you can assign multiple parameters to the knob.

5. No search function when adding a module

VCV RACK and Voltage Modular have the ability to search for modules, which is quite handy.

Unfortunately, Softube Modular Synth doesn't have that feature.
(Since the number of modules is still small and it is divided by category, it can be said that it can be managed.)

VCV RACK

VCV RACK is easy to use.

The amount of modules is also odd.I think it's perfect except that the sound is faint and it can't be used from VST.

Voltage Modular

Voltage Modular sounds pretty good except for the small number of modules in the free version.

6. No value input

This is also a function that both VCV RACK and Voltage Modular have, but it is not included in Softube Modular Synth.

There is no function called copy paste.

It is quite inconvenient because it displays the price for the time being.

VCV RACK

In the case of VCV RACK, you can enter the value by right-clicking.

Voltage Modular

You can enter the value of Voltage Modular by double-clicking.

7. GUI resizing is only 3 patterns

Both VCV RACK and Voltage Modular have scaling functions, but Softube Modular Synth does not.

The size of the GUI can be changed to "Large", "Medium", and "Small", but reloading is required.

8. Scope module does not exist

Personally, I think that Scope is a good point for modular understanding of synths.

It is a great advantage to be able to check the waveform of any output of LFO, envelope, or oscillator.

I feel that the lack of that Scope is quite a disadvantage.

Both VCV RACK and Voltage Modular can use Scope.

VCV RACK

The Scope of VCV RACK is really excellent.

It's really nice to be able to see and scale as you like.

Voltage Modular

Not far from VCV RACK, but much better than nothing.

The screen is small and the scale is small.

Softube Modular Synth Thorough Review Summary

To be honest, I don't recommend purchasing it for soft synth purposes.

However, this is an option for those who want to experience modular sounds with software.
(Or if you're planning on buying modular hardware in the future (I'm ...), it's a good idea to buy it and find out what modular you like)

Unfortunately, neither VCV RACK nor Voltage Modular has a fat sound.

Especially VCV RACK is a fairly faint sound.
(It's the best teaching material because it's free to study the mechanism of synths and modulars.)

Summarize.