Software modulars are the new hardware modulars. And a steeply discounted summer sale from Softube might mean it’s time to reconsider their offering.
Softube Modular is a beautiful, complete emulation of modular tools on a computer screen. It’s demanding - you’ll want a recent computer with decent specs and updated software - but stable.
Modular comes standard with 6 Doepfer modules, 4 DAW and MIDI interfacing modules, an effects module, 3 mixers, 4 sequencers, 12 utility modules, and 20 performance modules. The Doepfer A-110 oscillator, A-108 filter, A-132-3 dual VCA, A-140 ADSR envelope generator, A-147 LFO, and A-118 noise generator are the heart of the system. These are virtual-analog models of Eurorack hardware modules you can find on Doepfer’s website. You could easily construct a complete modular synth using only these six modules. All are typical subtractive building blocks faithful to their hardware counterparts with very few surprises. For example, the A-108 VCF models a self-oscillating lowpass transistor ladder filter with separate outputs for four cutoff slopes and a bandpass output.
FOR A FEW MODULES MORE
Intellijel’s Korgasmatron II ($49) is a dual filter that takes its inspiration from Korg’s MS-20 filter. Parameters for channels A and B are identical, and each has six modes: 6 and 12dB/octave lowpass, 6 and 12dB/octave highpass, 6dB/octave bandpass, and 6dB/octave band-reject (notch). Korgasmatron has a nice gritty sound and variable distortion when needed, and it can function as a dual sine-wave generator when self-oscillating. You can also crossfade between the A and B channels using the Xfade parameter.
Rubicon II ($49) is a through-zero, triangle-core oscillator designed for FM synthesis. It generates three types of pulse wave and three variations on a sine wave. Its through-zero FM, symmetry offset, and waveform-flipping parameters give it uncommon frequency-shifting and waveshaping capabilities. μFold II ($29) is also a waveshaping module with through-zero symmetry, but it needs a signal from another module to fold in two, four, or eight stages. μFold allowed me to make some very interesting sounds, especially when processing external audio.
Heartbeat ($169) is a separate product from Softube. Conceptually, it’s a comprehensive virtual analog drum machine plug-in. In addition to its own mixer, effects, and pattern generator, Heartbeat has independent sections for each of seven instrument types—two for kick, two for snare, and one each for hi-hat, percussion, and cymbal—each with ample controls for tailoring sound parameters. If you own Heartbeat, Modular can use these sections as sound source modules that have the CV, trigger, and audio jacks you need to connect them. Play them using either the Drum MIDI to Trigger module for real-time performance or the Beat Sequencer module for constructing drum patterns. Like drum modules in the Eurorack world, Heartbeat modules greatly extend Modular’s percussive capabilities.