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VCV Rack
A virtual Eurorack modular synth studio with a large module library; Rack Free is open source and Rack Pro runs as a DAW plugin (reference project).
github.com/VCVRack/RackMaintenance
Last release 2.6.6 on 2025-11-04 per CHANGELOG; last push 2025-11-04 (gh api). Nearly a year without a Rack release. (checked 2026-10-25)
In Music-making software
Where it stands apart
- Is it actively maintained? maintenance or slowing (11% of 19 others)
- Do you need an account to use it? optional account (0% of 19 others)
- How do you mainly use it to make or shape sound? patch modules together or write code (16% of 19 others)
- What does it cost the person using it? free core with paid extras (in-app purchase, Pro tier, paid content) (11% of 19 others)
- Does it recreate real instruments or classic hardware? yes, it recreates real instruments, named machines, or chips (16% of 19 others)
What it shares with most of the community
- Can it run entirely on your own device or infrastructure, without the maker's servers? yes (89% of 19 others)
- How does it use MIDI? MIDI 1.0 in or out (notes, CC, clock, or MIDI files) (65% of 17 others)
- Does the product itself use AI or machine learning? (if both, pick the LLM or agent option) no (72% of 18 others)
Nearest neighbors
- Floe 47% of 15 shared answers match
- vibez 47% of 15 shared answers match
- Ardour 40% of 15 shared answers match
Every answer
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is it actively maintained? | stands apart maintenance or slowing 2.6.6 (2025-11-04) is the latest; the plugin Library keeps going separately. | source 2026-10-26 |
| How is the main thing licensed? | copyleft or source-available with restrictions GPL-3.0-or-later with a non-commercial plugin exception; Rack Pro is proprietary. | source 2026-10-26 |
| How is it mainly sustained? | company with a paid product, tier, or ads VCV sells Rack Pro ($149) and commercial modules. | source 2026-10-26 |
| Can it run entirely on your own device or infrastructure, without the maker's servers? | yes | source 2026-10-26 |
| Do you need an account to use it? | stands apart optional account Rack runs without one; installing plugins from the Library requires a VCV account. | source 2026-10-26 |
| Who is it for? | both Musicians patching; a large community of module developers. | source 2026-10-26 |
| Which shared standard or format does it mainly build on? | none of these (its own format or interface) Its own module format; Eurorack is a convention, not a file standard. Rack Pro also runs as a plugin. | source 2026-10-26 |
| Where does the main version run? | desktop app Answered for Rack Free (standalone); Rack Pro is also a plugin. | source 2026-10-26 |
| How do you mainly use it to make or shape sound? | stands apart patch modules together or write code | source 2026-10-26 |
| How does it use MIDI? | MIDI 1.0 in or out (notes, CC, clock, or MIDI files) Polyphonic MIDI in and out. | source 2026-10-26 |
| Does the product itself use AI or machine learning? (if both, pick the LLM or agent option) | no | source 2026-10-26 |
| What does it cost the person using it? | stands apart free core with paid extras (in-app purchase, Pro tier, paid content) | source 2026-10-26 |
| Can you take your music out of it as a file other tools can open? | yes, audio only Through the VCV Recorder module ('records stereo audio and video to a file'). | source 2026-10-26 |
| How much musical experience does it assume? | a lot: working musicians and producers | source 2026-10-26 |
| Does it recreate real instruments or classic hardware? | stands apart yes, it recreates real instruments, named machines, or chips 'The virtual Eurorack studio'; many modules recreate real hardware modules. | source 2026-10-26 |
Sources
This page was derived from:
- GitHub · github.com/VCVRack/Rack · read 2026-10-25
- GitHub · github.com/VCVRack/Rack/blob/v2/CHANGELOG.md · collected 2026-10-26
- GitHub · github.com/VCVRack/Rack/blob/v2/LICENSE.md · collected 2026-10-26
- Web page · library.vcvrack.com/ · collected 2026-10-26
- Web page · library.vcvrack.com/VCV-Recorder · collected 2026-10-26
- Web page · vcvrack.com/Rack · collected 2026-10-26
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