At Knobcon 2024, Andrew Belt introduced VCV+, a new subscription payment option for its VCV Rack Pro plugin that gives you unlimited modules.
No other software has generated as much excitement in recent years as VCV Rack by developer Andrew Belt. The modular synth has captivated many people because it transfers the workflow of Eurorack modules 1:1 to a software environment. The fact that it is open source and free has contributed a lot to this.
In 2021, Andrew published VCV 2 with an additional Pro version that added VST plugin support and more exclusive modules. At Knobcon 2024 last weekend, the developer unveiled VCV+, a new subscription option.
VCV+
Don’t worry—VCV will not become a subscription-based bottomless pit. The software and the modules will still be available for purchase. With the VCV+ version, Andrew Belt now offers people a different way to get the software.
The new PLUS version gives you access to VCV Rack Pro with its standalone application and DAW plugin functionality.
Then, it includes all VCV-branded modules, including VCV Pluck, Drums, Pro, and more. These usually are only available as a purchasable add-on. It also ships with the official virtual Eurorack modules from various hardware developers: Synthesis Technology, ALM Busy Circuits, Unfiltered Audiom, and more.
On top, it comes with hundreds of premium third-party modules by participating modules. And new ones are constantly being added.
New VCV Rack Modules
Alongside the VCV+ announcement, Andrew showcased new VCV Rack modules at Knobcon 24. A big highlight was the ports of the mighty Synthesis Technology E352 quad morphing VCO and E370 wavetable oscillator by Paul Schreiber.
Further, the Grayscale Nexus, an advanced version of the Mutable Instruments Frames, will be available on the software modular platform. Plus, Klavis will join the VCV Rack party. This is very good news.
First Impression
It’s always welcome when companies offer people multiple options for getting software, but I’m not a fan of subscription services for software.
VCV+ is available now for $29 per month or $19 per month via the annual option. There is also a new 7-day refund guarantee for VCV. If you aren’t fully satisfied with your purchase, you can return the software for a full refund.
More information here: VCV Rack
I’m doing electronic music since the 90’s. I will never own a subscription. Screw this neofeudal business model!
30 a month. surely just buying a mudule every month is a better option as then you own it.
access to all plugins for $19 a month is really not that bad if you want to use a lot of them and would otherwise buy a lot of them as the plugin costs would add up to a couple years of subscriptions probably. Some people have tons of cash like actual eurorack modules would cost WAY more and people do buy hardware on credit. Personally I would prefer a pay to own model where you would have the sub fees serve as credit to aquire licenses for modules once you paid in as much to get them perhaps with some interest value added in or something. I would subscribe to way more things if they were pay to own type deals, afterall why wouldn’t you just buy the stuff on credit if you wanted all that and rate it out over the same period to see how long you would need to pay down the credit to pay for the plugins perpetually. Again.. these are ease of use type stuff. A lot of people are just fine working on liquidity models for access to things, I sort of dread to think that something I am working on musically / artistically whatever I can’t do anything with anymore becuase my plugins been turned off for non payment or rental fees…. I guess people do rent equipment and services though so not that weird. Again if it is the only model they have its the only model they have to do it. Its their product though so its really up to them. Having just bought VCV 2 like a week ago, I still feel there are a lot of free options for me to experiments that I wouldn’t feel compelled to pay $20 a month to access more but if I actually had a need for the pro modules it might be easier if I didn’t have the cash but I prefer to just buy whatever I need rather than getting tied into perpetual service fees. You will own nothing and be happy… until your services are turned off. Scary especially when banks seem to for various reason just shut off peoples accounts now. It’d be scary to be cancelled then suddenly all the subscription services just stop working because you can’t pay them cause the financial services were refused. IMO more options for people is better especially since lots of people fad music for a couple years then stop being active the technology changes over that time, it probably doesn’t matter as much for the vast majority of people who don’t live music as their life.
It was Knobcon 12 (the dirty dozen) – not 24.
24 for 2024
Thanks for your clarification! However, the event I attended was Knobcon 12, as it’s always named according to the sequential number of the event rather than the year. The numbering reflects the history of the conference, and this year marked its 12th edition, not the 24th. Just wanted to ensure that detail is correct for your article.
Since it’s already noted that it was ‘last weekend,’ referencing ’24 for 2024′ seems unnecessary?
it’s 2024 already?
Yea, I’m not sure about this one?
I do own a subscription but not to VCV rack but to own the plugins in my subscription it would cost me 10 grand. With VCV rack you get a lot of modules for free and if you really wanted a certain module/modules that were premium you still can buy them at a fairly cheap price. For it to be worth the cost VCV Rack would need to be adding new exclusive premium modules each month and I can’t see this from VCV Rack history.
It’s “Klavis” with an L. Mixwitch FTW!
fixed thanks