How to create a simple Softube Modular setup

Here’s how to set up a one-voice synthesiser with a low-pass filter and single envelope

01 >

In modular, Doepfer, Intellijel and 4MS modules are organised accordingly, but there’s a host of Softube modules that are organised by function, making finding modules a snap. There are groupings based around sequencing, mixer functions, DAW interfacing, and a host of utility/performance modules that allow for ‘macro’ knob capability.

02 >

We’ll need to start by adding a MIDI to CV module to be able to play the oscillator with our controller of choice. You’ll find it under DAW and MIDI interfacing. This module only works for monophonic voices, just like using real CV on a hardware system. For more voices, there’s the Quadrophonic MIDI to CV module, which allows four notes to be played at once and sent to your destination.

03 >

Now, let’s build up our synth voice. Click Add and add Doepfer’s A-110 VCO. This has a choice of four waveforms (sawtooth, square, triangle, and sine). You can preview each of the ‘raw’ waveforms by connecting the output of each directly to the main output. However, you’re probably going to want to control the pitch with notes from your keyboard, so patch a cable from Note to the input of CV 1.

04 >

Click Add and select Doepfer’s Dual VCA. Add a patch cable from gate on the MIDI to CV module to a CV input on the VCA, and patch the sawtooth wave to the input below. Patch out from the VCA into the main outputs, with the CV knob turned right up and the gain knob right down. Triggering notes on your keyboard now should trigger the VCO.

05 >

Now we want to add an envelope and a filter. Add Doepfer’s A-140 ADSR envelope and the A-108 Low Pass Filter by clicking on each while holding shift. To patch in the envelope, we’ll re-route the gate output from the MIDI to CV module to the gate input on the ADSR, thus allowing us to shape the contours of the sound.

06

The sawtooth wave needs to be re-routed as well, this time into the Audio In jack on our filter. The output of the filter is then sent to the Input on our VCA, re-completing the circuit. One final connection needs to be made – the output from our ADSR needs to run to the CV in on the dual VCA. Now, we have a one-voice synthesiser with a low-pass filter and single envelope.