Interactive Sound Design Education with VCV Rack

Voiceover

Presenter(s)

Eli Kokesh

Abstract or Description

      In the modern digital world, many seek technical education through online sources, especially in the field of digital music. However, this format usually cannot provide hands-on experience due to the limitations of the medium. This presentation showcases a portfolio of modular patches created with the open-source Eurorack [popular modular format] emulation software, VCV Rack 2.0. The intention of the designed patches is to create an informative and interactive learning environment such that students in the UCD arts program (and potentially anyone with access) can develop a better understanding of fundamental modular sound design concepts by learning via these patches. Along with general research about the subject matter, another area of focus was on the techniques used in the educational process. The goal was to find the area that could be improved on and build those into the patches. More specifically this involved building in a hands-on interactive aspect to sound design education and pairing that along with the more traditional conceptual lecture-based approach to education, both in the classroom and in online areas. The achievements of this project could be shown as an example of how to reframe education to be more effective, specifically in technical fields where hands on experience is necessary alongside traditional conceptual learning.