Softube Changelog
Marybelle Bailey
Not all plugins are ready yet for v1 so you will only see some of them in the module browser. Remember to check the Plugin Manager for new modules too (several free and commercial ones have appeared with v1 was released).
This is a poorly understood feature for many users (including myself when I first learnt about it many months ago). I think what many imagine is that modules will be spread thinly across multiple cores, which will be individually ticking over at low usage. That is not what happens.
The details behind the implementation are quite technical and note that multicore modular is a very challenging problem when you operate at single sample latency. DAWs use much larger buffers and VSTs on different threads do not normally cross modulate each other at audio rates.
In Eurorack modules sometimes come with expanders that extend the module. These are wired to the parent module with ribbon cables around the back. Whilst this has been implemented before by Marc Boul in some of his Impromptu modules it is now in the SDK. Whereas in the Impromptu modules the expander was launched from the parent, it is now launched as a separate module from the module browser.
Entering precise values is not really possible on hardware (and, arguably, this contributes something to the sound). Such limitations do not exist in software. It was previously possible to achieve this in Rack by manually editing a module preset in a text editor.
It is very easy: just Ctrl-click on a module and move it left or right. This will nudge all the modules sideways. If you want to move a module in between existing adjacent modules you will need to Ctrl-drag it into an empty area and then into the middle of the two modules you wish to separate.
Andrew has a demo here: Force-move and scroll demo Coming in Rack 1.0: Hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) to "force move" modules, which shoves other modules out of the way. Also use Ctrl-scroll to zoom in/out quickly. By VCV Facebook
Apart from Rack and the VCV modules main documentation the way to find manuals or any other textual information on modules has been via the links, mostly to GitHub repositories, on the plugin manager page of the VCV website.
This is more for new users than seasoned ones who will have developed their own templates, but Rack no longer opens up with an empty rack; instead there is a pre-cabled basic subtractive synth patch that will play from the computer keyboard. Onscreen instructions are displayed in a Notes module.
Rack will normally run at the default settings that the graphics card and monitor refresh rate reports to it (eg. 70Hz = 70 frames per second (fps)). This can put a substantial load on the GPU, especially when Rack is being run on a Retina or HiDPI screen. Where a computer lacks a discrete GPU and relies on onboard graphics the load can be severe. Dropping the framerate relieves some of this load.
Note that It unfortunately remains the case that laptops with a combination of HiDPI/Retina screens, no discrete GPU, and poor thermals including, but not limited to, many models of Apple laptops in the last few years, remain poorly suited to running Rack and this is unlikely to be improved in the future.
Adding a greater number of menu options whilst trying to minimise screen estate wastage has led to the replacement of the icons and sliders of the previous menu bar with text menus. This also helps with narrower Rack windows on screen and may assist localisation in the future.
If you are used to software with an infinite canvas, like Max or Plogue Bidule, you will love this. A great convenience for organising modules and releasing the top vertical and left horizontal constraint.
The ability to change cable colours previously depended on use of the Submarine Utilities module. Now the cable colours can be specified in hex (like in HTML/CSS) in settings.json. A list of as many colours as you like can be created; they are stepped through as before by sequential cable clicks on ports. Again, this file should not be edited whilst Rack is running.
When updating the plugin library (the red dot on the menu bar still alerts you of updates) a list of plugins is now available. Where supplied by the plugin developer there may be a link to the changelog for the plugins. Plugin version numbers are displayed on the list too.
This offers the fine tuning of plugin updates (potentially informed by the changelog facility). It also gives immediate feedback on which plugins have changes and may be worth investigating for new modules, information that shot past in the prior updating procedure and would require a visit to the plugin manager VCV page to review.
Much requested since the early days of Rack, MIDI can now be sent out to external hardware or via internal midi routing to other audio software on your computer. All your exotic sequencing tools and complex generated CVs can now be used outside of Rack, a very exciting possibility.
Another much requested facility module controls in Rack can now be mapped to MIDI controllers in much the same way as this is achieved with plugins and DAWs. This is particularly useful for certain modules that lack CV controls on parameters you wish to modulate. You can now, for example, map your controller directly to the steps of sequencer.
This is set up via the new MIDI-MAP module. Click a slot there to activate it and then adjust the control in Rack, and the control on your MIDI controller (or vice versa) to map the parameter. A coloured square will appear next to the parameter on the module to indicate this.
Now that polyphony is available in Rack the changes to this module allow you to set the polyphony mode (Rotate, Reuse, Reset and MPE) and the number of voices (up to 16). Using many voices will increase CPU usage.
For those with the exotic new generation of MIDI controllers, such as ROLI devices, Rack can now utilise the control data they produce. Not owning one myself an explanation of how this works would be better supplied by somebody who does.
Somebody who thoroughly understands open source licenses would be better placed to explain these license changes. You can read about the current license here: Rack/LICENSE.md at v1 VCVRack/Rack GitHub.
Super Volume Keys Improvements
Performance has been improved, to avoid rare delays when volume keys are pressed very rapidly. As well, SoundSource now recognizes volume events sent by Stream Deck and other keyboard finagling software.
Updates to ACE 11.8.1
The Audio Capture Engine (ACE) has been updated to 11.8.1, with several improvements for even more reliable audio capture. CPU usage has been reduced in many common audio flows, clock synchronization across devices has been improved, and persistent device tracking has been improved.
Fix for Presets-Related Launch Issues
In rare setups with saved presets for certain Audio Units, a bug introduced in SoundSource 5.5 could prevent the app from launching. The bug has been exterminated with much vengeance.
Shortcuts Support Comes to SoundSource
On MacOS 12 (Monterey) and higher, SoundSource now offers a slew of actions in the Shortcuts app. With them, you can automate many different things, including changing device volumes, setting effect presets, toggling effects processing, and much more.
Standard Audio Unit Presets
SoundSource's saved Audio Unit effects presets can now be read by other applications which support Audio Units. As well, SoundSource will now read presets created by any other applications.
Audio Effect Nicknames
It's now possible to give audio effects custom names. This is especially helpful if you're using multiple effects of the same type. Edit the title of each effect and you'll always know exactly what's what.
Improvements for Problematic Third-Party Audio Effects
SoundSource's plugin hosting service now relaunches more reliably in the event that a plugin crashes, and also handles frequent crashes of plugins more gracefully.
As a result of changes to MacOS, the Shortcuts app erroneously showed non-functional Shortcuts for SoundSource. This has been corrected, and those invalid Shortcuts will no longer appear. We hope to add proper Shortcuts support to SoundSource in the future.
AirPlay Bug Fixes
Corrections have been made to how SoundSource handles AirPlay devices. Per-app output selectors once again correctly exclude the AirPlay output. As well, the AirPlay output will no longer incorrectly appear when Music.app is set to play audio to an AirPlay device.
Major Updates in ACE 11.7
The Audio Capture Engine (ACE) has been updated to 11.7. Its sample rate converter has been upgraded, drift correction has been improved, and several rare issues have been resolved.
Modified Popover Behavior Now Better Accomodates Desired On-Screen Layouts
You can now better control the exact on-screen layout of pinned windows, because SoundSource no longer automatically reattaches pinned windows when they're moved close to their original attachment points. To reattach a pinned window, click the Pin button to unpin it. It will return to its standard location for later access.
Better Support for Loopback Virtual Audio Devices
SoundSource now works better with Loopback virtual audio devices set as the System Output. Audio effects will now work as expected with these virtual devices.
Input Device Monitoring Fix
SoundSource no longer incorrectly accesses the input device when it is muted. This fixes a regression found in SoundSource 5.3.0 involving menu bar meters.
ACE Updated to 11.6.3
The Audio Capture Engine (ACE) has been updated to 11.6.3. This update has several fixes, and provides handling for future MacOS updates running on Apple Silicon. M1 Mac users should update immediately.
Faster Keyboard Access to Devices and Apps
When SoundSource's main window is visible, new keyboard shortcuts make it easy to change devices. Command-0 will highlight the Output Device's device selector, while Command-Hyphen (-) highlights the Input Device's selector. Similarly, Command-1 through Command-9 select the output selector for the first 9 Favorited apps.