Softube Modular

[kmonkey]

anyway, its fantastic, and I think could be a 'game changer' for virtual modulars .

I fell the same.It is easy to use and it sound great ! Softube RULEZ!!!

This is a genuine question ... why a game changer?

What does it have that is so much better than the vastly more flexible Reaktor 6 Blocks, or BEAP, Oscillot or Audulus, all of which are cheaper (potentially very much cheaper in the long run)?

I am enjoying playing with it as much as everybody else is, but I am not clear yet what additional advantages it is bringing me.

Is it 'just' about it emulating specific hardware, which I can understand to be an attraction to those already in possession of said hardware, or wanting to 'demo' that hardware, or is it something else that makes it a "game changer"?

Sure. Simple answer. Sound.

For me it is MUCH better because of sound quality which is superior to any Reaktor block i ever heard. Yes i have R6 and Monark.

I never liked "game changer" buzzword but i could easily imagine myself replacing Reaktor 6 UL and thousands of useless patches for this one - to play with. I am speaking about modular synths. Reaktor have so much of evrything else under the table.

so obviously it is changing a game for me...

If you can't hear so much difference in sound quality (which is not unusual because we could have different taste in this) then for sure this is just another meh for you or everyone else. And this is ok. It's not that R6 is all of a sudden useless or something like this.

[HardSinc]

I also do not get the fervour

It's all going to depend entirely on the modules released because to me, the initial offering is hardly a mindblowing voyage into the future, it's pretty basic. The Intellijel stuff does seem better tbh.

I'll probably buy it, because I can get some use out if it and if the licensed modules take off it will be pretty handy, but it has an enormous way to go before it can compete with Reaktor as a modular software environment.

Not even sure why people are comparing it to Reaktor, all you can do in this is re-arrange pre made modules, although I guess that sentence answers itself

[wagtunes]

This is a genuine question ... why a game changer?

What does it have that is so much better than the vastly more flexible Reaktor 6 Blocks, or BEAP, Oscillot or Audulus, all of which are cheaper (potentially very much cheaper in the long run)?

I don't get it either. The people I've been talking to keep telling me Softube modular is cheaper compared to Reaktor 6. This is just silly. Even if 90% of Reaktor's UL were crap, which isn't the case by far, there is enough stuff to explore for a life time. There are already more than 250 free blocks. It's easy to build a hybrid hardware/software synth and to at least everybody I know audio quality is beyond doubt.
If you do not like blocks for any reason, why not go for a System 63? It's 220+ modules including lots of authorized ones from Animodule, Ryo, Synthrotek, Emw.

So apparently it's the emulation of existing hardware modules. This seems pretty schizophrenic to me as well. Personally I prefer to have the real thing. And if I lost interest I could easily sell the module. Good luck with ilok transfers. And why isn't there any road map of what modules are going to be released next? Meh.

Is Reaktor 6 required to run System 63? That's how it appears from what I've read so far. Also, it doesn't appear to be released yet.

[thetechnobear]

why game changer?
for me, the part that is changing is the hardware manufactures involvement, they are recognising software does not compete with their hardware. with this, Softube can hopefully offer a market of 'proven' eurorack modules.
also because, your buying additional modules, this gives a revenue stream for softube (and the manufactures) to invest in development/licensing, so there is incentive.
(similar to VSTs, incentive is there, because there is money in it... and its similar to Reason with REs)

I use Reaktor Blocks, and created blocks which I've contributed, its an alternative, which everyone is still available, and has advantages and I will continue to use it. In my experience, Oscillot and BEAPs filters and oscillators are not close in quality to the softube ones, or even Monark in Blocks... no idea about system 63, since its not available, so demos only.

as for system63, true... except, its been promised for a very long time and is still not available, also whilst authorised, Doepher/Intellijel are bigger brands.
I think there is a 'big question' about how many manufactures would support blocks, as there is no protection scheme, and the code is openly visible.

Sure, Softube are taking a different pricing strategy, and good for them, some people will be willing to pay, others not... but its choice, you try the demo, you decide if its worth it for you... if the modules are successful softube will produce more to get more money.
(like it or not, in-app purchasing did give iOS app development an extra 'boost' ... just hope music software doesn't go down the in-app 'adverts' route which i loathe!)

I think the Reaktor Blocks is better because the blocks are free is a moot point, its just a different strategy.

if you have a eurorack system, you have the choice to just buy the hardware (at a premium) and its a frankly completely different experience. you get to choose if you want to have a soft solution too.

is it useful for demo'ing? is an interesting question ... I will point out that you don't need to buy the (softube) module if your considering the hardware, as you can get a 20 day demo, so demo it, see how it works in softube modular e.g. how you can interact with different modules, and then buy the hardware if you like it... (so don't even buy the softube module).
... if softube and the manufactures get clued up on this, perhaps they could give you a discount on the hardware, if you have bought the softube module.

thats what I think could be game changing, sure its another (modular) soft synth, but its association with real hardware, changes the relationship a bit.
of course, it will only be 'game changing' if other manufactures do jump on board... or if it leads to another platform which they jump onto.

Personally, I hope softube succeed... then perhaps do what Doepher did for eurorack hardware.. softube could open the platform make an api for 3rd party developers... but very early days for that wish.

but as pointed out previously, even as it stands today, its a great sounding synth... other options being available, does nothing to detract from that

Is Reaktor 6 required to run System 63? That's how it appears from what I've read so far. Also, it doesn't appear to be released yet.

Not released, still 'nearly there' ... R6 Don't think they have said, but given quite some effort was made to allow it to interact with Blocks (though its not built on the blocks framework), Id suspect it might be.
Im interested to see the pricing on this, he has said it will be 'reasonable'... so hopefully, not a matter this OR 'modular' but AND

[VariKusBrainZ]

If you can't hear or don't appreciate the quality of sound this can output, then clearly it's not for you and should stay with the digital sounding software.

Those of us with decent speakers / headphones / ears can hear the quality and appreciate what audio rate modulation brings with it.

Someone mentioned System 63 for Reaktor.
Has this been released yet or is it still vapour ware?

[tedannemann]

And if I lost interest I could easily sell the module. Good luck with ilok transfers.

This argument is a funny one. You never owned a iLok license, right? You can transfer any iLok license in minutes around the world especially the Softube ones as these don't need any additional serial number transfers.
The luck (and patience) must be on your side with shipping expensive hardware from one continent to another.

[billcarroll]

For anyone else still having download issues, I received a download link from Softube after sending a request to support yesterday.

Apparently the download link on their site pulls the download over a different network depending on your location. So, if you are still having issues downloading, contact Softube support.

[Lejurai]

iLok? Then it's a no for me. I rather buy real physical modules than buy something that uses (wait, I throw up now *blurhghghgh*) iLok.

[tedannemann]

@wagtunes
After testing this fine beast I immediately bought the three Intellijel modules as well.
So I am waiting for your sound bank at least for the standard modules .
And don't fed me up with modular bleeps and noises. This is what my nephew creates on my real modular while randomly patching cables anyway . Make it musically and playable, more Wendy Carlos-esque...

[tedannemann]

iLok? Then it's a no for me. I rather buy real physical modules than buy something that uses (wait, I throw up now *blurhghghgh*) iLok.

This doesn't bother the grown ups. Some sort of "modular selection" . It just keeps the weak way.

[Lejurai]

iLok? Then it's a no for me. I rather buy real physical modules than buy something that uses (wait, I throw up now *blurhghghgh*) iLok.

This doesn't bother the grown ups. Some sort of "modular selection" . It just keeps the weak way.

Just keeps my money away from their pockets

[tedannemann]

Just keeps my money away from their pockets

That's true then.
But don't be afraid as soon as you grow up you won't be afraid of tiny little USB flash drives anymore. It will go away, I promise...

[tripleflows]

iLok? Then it's a no for me. I rather buy real physical modules than buy something that uses (wait, I throw up now *blurhghghgh*) iLok.

It is always funny to see how disinformed people are about the iLok based PACE SOFTWARE protection...

[hivkorn]

Okay , i have played with it all the afternoon ...
A game changer ? SURE !!!

It sound wonderfull , the workflow is perfect , it is REALLY simple and quick to build a good sounding synth.

I have reaktor 6 too , no way to compare it , softube modular is better (for me , for my needs) and don't sound bad.
You need skill to build a synth with reaktor , you need to think to create a synth with modular.
What modular miss ? a lot of extra module !

For those who still believe modular sound bad and is a pain to use , test the demo...

[Lejurai]

Just keeps my money away from their pockets

That's true then.
But don't be afraid as soon as you grow up you won't be afraid of tiny little USB flash drives anymore. It will go away, I promise...

I'm pretty sure I'm older than you But when you grow up kid, you'll find some nasty real life modules to be quite attractive compared to virtual ones