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Creative Arts Explorations | Sound Design with VCV Rack
SOUND DESIGN WITH VCV RACK
A 5-day workshop facilitated by Vaibhav Batra
Date: 21st April to 26th April, 2025
Time: 5 PM to 8 PM
Location: Mool
About the Workshop
This workshop is designed for people with a basic understanding of synthesis concepts like Oscillators, LFOs, Filters, and Envelopes. Beginners are encouraged to join, but some prior knowledge will help in following along more easily. Everything taught will be applicable to any synthesizer—hardware or software.
Workshop Breakdown (5 Days)
Each session is structured to gradually build up skills, leading to a final sound design project.
Day 1 : Listening and applying that listening in a modular synth environment
- Listening: How to listen when trying to emulate sounds
- Introduction to the three pillars of sound and sound synthesis
- Introduction to the three basic stages of sound synthesis
- Learning how to navigate VCV Rack and other modular synth environments
- Recreating basic leads, bass, and drone sounds in VCV Rack
Day 2: Video Game Sounds: Bringing the ‘80s back
- Listening to popular retro video game sounds
- Applying the principles of sound synthesis learned on Day 1 to recreate these sounds
- Taking inspiration from these video game sounds to create your own unique palette
Day 3: Bird Sounds as Inspiration for Sound Design
- Emulating bird sounds using VCV Rack
- Moving from simple bird sounds to more complex movements
- Using the principles to design sounds associated with a forest
- Getting more nuanced in our understanding of sound and sound synthesis
Day 4: Applying Sound Design to Visuals
- Basics of sound design for film, animation, and games.
- Understanding how sound interacts with movement and mood.
- Assigning final project: Participants will select a 2-3 minute clip to design sound for.
- Hands-on: Creating initial sound sketches for the project.
Day 5: Finalizing Projects & Showcase Preparation
- Refining and structuring the final project.
- Mixing and balancing elements for a cohesive sound design.
- Individual feedback and troubleshooting.
- Preparing for the showcase: Presenting the work to an audience.
Final Showcase (April 26th)
Participants will present their final sound design projects, sharing their creative process and discussing their approach. This will be an opportunity to experience different interpretations of sound for visual storytelling.
This workshop is a hands-on, creative deep dive into sound design using modular synthesis. By the end, participants will have gained practical skills in synthesis, sound manipulation, and designing for visuals—all while building their own unique soundscapes.
About the Facilitator
Vaibhav Batra is an educator, composer, and live performer who uses modular synths and field recordings to create improvised live sets. A proponent of free improv, he is one of the founding members of Dilli Improvisers Orchestra, the first such ensemble in the country. With a keen ear for experimentation, he is known for eclectic collaborative sets, including those with a turntablist, a hip-hop collective, and a sound coder.
In the past, he has played a Magnetic Fields Festival as part of the Social Isolation showcase. His work has also travelled to the UK and Australia as part of a Sound and Image Festival.