Because they are open-source, those modules have been ported to VCV Rack [1], a virtual instrument aimed at recreating the Eurorack experience in digital audio workstations. Obviously, using a mouse/trackpad is not the same as tweaking real knobs, but it's much cheaper.
> Obviously, using a mouse/trackpad is not the same as tweaking real knobs, but it's much cheaper.
I’m interested to see what the availability of cheap VR does here. With today’s room scale VR, using knobs and sliders in a 3D space is feasible. Being able to develop spatial memory, even without tactile feedback, makes for a compelling alternative to using a mouse and screen. Once VR/AR gets tactile feedback like this glove[0], it gets even closer to parity with hardware.
If the module controls in VCV Rack are standard components (button, knob, slider, etc.) then it should be pretty simple to translate them into 3D controls. Though I guess buttons may not work as well as switches, I haven’t encountered them in VR yet. Anyway, with those component mappings in place, any VCV module should be displayable in a virtual rack with no extra effort—it’s just a procedural UI change, generated from the existing 2D layout, that doesn’t impact the audio engine at all.
I'm not as excited to see traditional interfaces cloned in VR space because the lack of tactile feedback in VR really hampers such interfaces (it's really annoying to have to look down at your hands and the knobs you're turning or the switches you're pushing to make sure you've got the right one, etc).
What's much more interesting to me are exploration of innovative interfaces. For example, with full-body tracking you could map body parts to different synth parameters or algorithm parameters and then allow the user to make music by dancing.
The sky is really the limit in terms of what body/head/arm tracking and VR can allow you to do with innovative interface design.
Hopefully, haptic feedback needed for this would eventually be recreated in VR. It already has some really good haptic feedback in default controllers (talking about Oculus Quest here, but also experienced the same with Vive setups), where something as simple as reloading a gun feels way more impactful with the haptic engine built into those controllers.
For something as refined as the sensation of twisting a knob, however, I don't think that the current VR controllers are enough. Maybe once VR gains a bit more mainstream adoption, we will get VR glove controllers with a bit more complex haptic feedback mechanism, which should allow for the "twisting the knob" sensation to be implemented, and then it will be a total gamechanger. I would looove to have my DAW and synths in VR, as the spaciality of VR is perfect for this kind of workflow, but we gotta wait a bit for tech to catch up.
I think current gen controllers could work well enough here to be useful. The modules might have to be oversized, and you’d need to have a visual indicator that “this is the knob you’ll grab if you pinch now,” with good visual position feedback. But when I play Beat Saber, part of the fun is how my every slight twist is reflected exactly by a freaking lightsaber! The fine motor control is already present.
It’d take some getting used to, but still miles ahead of mouse/trackpad. The nice thing about VCV being open source is...someone can just build it, and it can be iterated upon as the haptics improve.
One of the better examples of that I've seen was actually back in 2012, done with a couple of Kinects[1]. Although it's still not much more than the equivalent of pressing a few buttons and sliders and it's obviously highly pre-programmed.
There's the Hot Hand[2]; the bassist is using one in [3]. There's still a lot more that could be done.
VCVRack is one of the all-time greatest pieces of synth software, ever. The sheer number of modules you can install, out of the box, for free, is astonishing.
Its also pretty neat that a lot of hardware manufacturers use VCVRack as both a prototyping system as well as a promotion mechanism. I've introduce a lot of people to Eurorack by way of VCVRack - usually they play with it for a few weeks, and before I know it, they've got a new hardware rig set up in the living room ..
Pretty great time to be a synth nerd. (See also: Behringer.)
The longer you ignore Behringer, the longer a thriving community of module builders can exist. Cheap ripoff modules sound great (no pun intended) but provide one more angle to screw the little guy.
Start your synth life with a cheap Behringer Neutron, add a few modules here and there - and before you know, you've got a wall of synths, and not all of them will be Behringer.
They open the doors for kids to get started, at a cheap price, and it means way more people on the market than otherwise. Some of us remember when synth manufacturers could get away with gouging their customers - not any more!
[1] https://vcvrack.com/