Intro to Modular Synths with VCV Rack - Summer 2025

Tuesdays, 7pm - 9pm (IRL @ dadaLab in Austin, TX.)
July 29 - August 19, 2025
4 class sessions total + opportunity to exhibit your work at dadaLab on September 5, 2025.
$195

Howdy, dadageeks 💙

We're glad you're here! dadageek is excited to offer this in-person course to the Austin, TX dadageek community. You can learn more about the course below. Feel free to reach out with any questions to kyle@dadageek.com

dadageek is a non-profit community of immersive artists and electronic musicians. Our mission is to offer education and community to those creating at the intersection of art, interactive media, and tech. Our community is filled with talented and creative technologists with a passion for sharing their expertise with others. https://dadageek.com/

What is this course about?

Curious about modular synthesis but not sure where to start? This hands-on course is your gateway into the world of modular sound design—no hardware required. Using VCV Rack, a powerful and free virtual modular synthesizer, you’ll learn the foundational concepts of synthesis and patching in a flexible, software-based environment. Whether you're a musician, sound artist, or just synth-curious, this course will give you the skills to build your own sonic playgrounds and understand the inner workings of modular systems—skills that translate directly to physical modular gear if you decide to go that route later.

What will I learn?

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the core principles of synthesis that apply to both software and hardware synths
• Build a complete synth voice from scratch using virtual modules
• Work with control voltage (CV) in both digital and analog contexts
• Use in-rack tools like oscilloscopes to visualize and understand your signals
• Explore generative patching techniques for evolving, self-playing systems
• Compose modular music using internal and external sequencers
• Connect your patches to other creative tools using MIDI and OSC (e.g., Ableton Live, TouchDesigner, Resolume)

Who is this course for?

Students who enroll in this course are:

• Beginners who want to dive into modular synthesis without investing in hardware
• Musicians and producers looking to deepen their understanding of synthesis
• Artists and technologists exploring new tools for sound design and interactivity
• Anyone curious about the intersection of music, technology, and creative coding

What is the class like?

Each class session will meet once a week at dadaLab; our headquarters in East Austin. The class is capped at 18 students so you will have plenty of opportunities to connect with your instructor and ask questions. Your fellow students in the class will be an eclectic mix of dadageeks from artists, musicians, programmers, and creative humans excited to learn, create, and connect! The class combines lectures, hands-on workshops, and collaborative projects. You’ll start with foundational skills and gradually move toward designing your own laser art piece, which you’ll showcase in a final class exhibition.

Are there any requirements?

• A Mac or Windows laptop
• Headphones
• (Optional) A MIDI controller with keys, knobs, or sliders

Download VCV Rack for free here: https://vcvrack.com

Meet your instructor!

Brandon Stargrave is a creative technologist focused on generative, interactive, and immersive audiovisual experiences. He builds deeply interconnected systems that meld hardware, software, and protocols into tangible expressions of art and technology. Brandon has extensive experience with laser technology, including serving as the lead laser technician for the national Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular tour. He is the Lab Manager for the Lab for Immersive Media (LIM) in the Arts and Entertainment Technologies department at UT Austin. He also designs, develops, and engineers interactive installations with dadaLab.

FYI

Refund Policy: Students can receive refunds up to 7 days before the class start date.

Class Minimums: If the class minimum has not been met, the class will be canceled or rescheduled. Those who have pre-paid will be notified in advance and will have the option to receive a class credit or a full refund.

Media Release: Please note that some events may be photographed or video recorded. Registering for this event hereby authorizes dadageek and dadaLab to use said photos or videos on social media or in future promotional materials.