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August 19th, 2024

Cardinal – Virtual modular synthesizer plugin

Cardinal is a free, open-source virtual modular synthesizer plugin available in multiple formats and operating systems, featuring 1219 modules from 79 authors, with ongoing development on GitHub.

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Cardinal – Virtual modular synthesizer plugin

Cardinal is a fully free and self-contained virtual modular synthesizer plugin inspired by VCV Rack. It is available in multiple formats, including AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2, VST3, and as a standalone application for various operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the Web. The synthesizer is open-source and designed to function as a conventional audio plugin without the need for external modules, as all components are built-in. Cardinal supports real CV ports for integration with other modular systems and includes a total of 1219 modules from 79 different authors and brands. It offers three plugin variants: a main variant, Synth, and FX. Development of Cardinal is ongoing on GitHub, and users can engage with the community through the #cardinal IRC room on the irc.libera.chat server.

- Cardinal is a free, open-source modular synthesizer plugin.

- It supports multiple plugin formats and is available on various operating systems.

- The synthesizer includes 1219 modules from 79 different authors.

- It features built-in components and does not require external modules.

- Community engagement is facilitated through GitHub and IRC.

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AI: What people are saying
The comments on the Cardinal synthesizer plugin reveal a mix of opinions and insights about its features and comparisons to VCV Rack.
  • Some users question whether Cardinal offers unique features beyond what VCV Rack provides, expressing concerns about subsidizing its development.
  • Many appreciate Cardinal as a valuable tool for beginners, allowing experimentation with modular synthesis at a lower cost.
  • There are discussions about the limitations of Cardinal, particularly regarding the absence of certain popular modules from the VCV Library.
  • Users express a desire for better documentation, such as guides for MIDI input using a PC keyboard.
  • Some comments highlight the ongoing development and community engagement surrounding Cardinal, contrasting it with perceived stagnation in VCV Rack's updates.
Link Icon 11 comments
By @v64 - 5 months
Programs like this and VCV Rack are great ways to get started on the road to building your own modular synthesizer [1]. Many of the modules in the program are based on real hardware, and while the hardware versions of these modules can cost hundreds of dollars, the software versions are using the exact same firmware. Whether you stay virtual or go out and build the hardware equivalent of your rack, it's a great way to experiment and learn the basics at a lower cost than in the past.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_synthesizer

By @vindex10 - 5 months
Very nice project, it has all the basic modules to start learning from, and most importantly - in one place.

I'm using it myself in combination with Ardour, now at the beginning of my learning curve - it is great!

By @tpm - 5 months
Also there is now a physical eurorack module where you can load and play VCV modules. https://modulargrid.net/e/4ms-company-metamodule
By @Lucasoato - 5 months
It would be nice to add a guide or a question in the FAQs about using your PC keyboard for MIDI input. I've explored the project and the menus a bit, but I can't get it to work from the browser (Firefox, Linux).
By @gausswho - 5 months
I'm a little torn on how I feel towards the Cardinal project. It claims not to be a fork on a technicality. It brings some improvements certainly and VCV dev has felt stagnant the last couple years, but it's also a little uncomfortably (to me) ideologically trying to GPL VCV. At least they are transparent about it. I like their community presence. I wonder if most users of Cardinal are aware how much of what they appreciate is the work upstream. A lot of value is lost to not have access to all of VCV's free-but-not-GPL modules, but the gap is shrinking.
By @vegadw - 5 months
This only includes a small subset of the VCV Library, some of the best modules aren't included in this and pretty cool. There's also some incredible paid modules in the library worth checking out.
By @jinay - 5 months
I'm in the process of building a similar project aimed towards beginners, so it's hopefully a bit less daunting than Cardinal/VCV Rack.

https://wavepen.jinay.dev/

By @throwaway888abc - 5 months
It remind me Rebirth [0] (had so much fun epochs ago). Soo many buttons, but where the heck is play button ?

I will leave it more experienced musicians :). Looks like great project

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReBirth_RB-338

By @fp64 - 5 months
Does this offer anything besides circumventing the little set of features that VCV Rack charges money for? Am I subsidizing the development of this tool with my paid VCV Rack version?
By @squigz - 5 months
How might one get started with this sort of thing? It's always intrigued me but it's very daunting...
By @Archit3ch - 5 months
It lacks the VultModulesFree from VCV...