Is there a difference between VCV Rack and Cardinal Rack when it comes to sound quality?

Discussion in 'Software' started by YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022.

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  1. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    A few days ago I was about to buy the Pro version of VCV Rack but then I came across a video on Youtube from Venus Theory showing a plugin called Cardinal that basically has the pro benefits of VCV Rack and it's free. Are there any updates to this version? Is there a difference in sound quality? I read somewhere that Cardinal tends to have some fluidity issues within some DAWs and sometimes it crashes.

     
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    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  3. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    Best Answer
    I'm glad that you discovered Cardinal. That's the best free modular VSTI today.

    No, there is no sound quality difference between Cardinal and VCV Rack.
    But as mentioned in this video, there are some things that VCV Rack can do that Cardinal can't.

    About stability, Cardinal is open source, and it's constantly updated, so I suggest that you try it in your DAW of choice, as it may work perfectly. I've used it with Reaper and it worked perfectly.

    You can download it from it's homepage:
    https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal

    Side note: If you like modular, have a try at Unfiltered Audio Lion, it have a sound on its own and incorporate granular effects.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2022
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    Olymoon, Oct 22, 2022
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  4. triggerflipper

    triggerflipper Audiosexual

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    Yeah, Cardinal's developer isn't likely to go full spectrum meltdown if their work is criticized :bow:
     
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  5. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    I am sorry for my ignorance but...How do I download Cardinal? Github makes me feel sooo confused haha

    I think I managed to download it but I don't know how to Install it hahaha it has several files
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2022
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    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  6. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    Not ignorant, I feel the same, completely confused in their website.
    I prefer to download it from sister site...
    But hopefully someone explains how to find the install download from their github page.
     
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    Olymoon, Oct 22, 2022
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  7. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    I think I found the way to download it. You have to go to their Releases tab and there you will find the Windows, Mac and Linux versions. In my case I downloaded the file called Cardinal-win64-22.10.zip because I use PC. I will update this on how to install it.



    https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal/releases
     
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    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  8. Valnar

    Valnar Rock Star

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    Scroll down to "stable release" and click the link

    Why do the best things always have to be hidden :wtf: I just heard of it for the first time of my life
    Well, thank you Oly
     
    Valnar, Oct 22, 2022
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  9. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    My stinginess made me discover Cardinal hahaha
     
    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  10. jennyblack

    jennyblack Audiosexual

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    To install, just put the extracted folders which come inside the main folder in their right places in your system (for instance, the folder that has the vst2 files, put it inside your vst2 plugins folder). You do not need to put all of these folders, but just the ones you are going to use (I do not use vst3, for example).
     
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  11. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    upload_2022-10-22_8-52-23.png

    I get confused seeing all those folders. I want to use the VST2 version but I don't know which one to choose. Is it the FX or the Synth version? I'm sorry for being a pain in the a%& haha
     
    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  12. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    I gave up and ended up installing the version from the sister site lol
     
    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  13. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    Same thing here ... :rofl:
     
    Olymoon, Oct 22, 2022
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  14. Amore_de_la_Vida

    Amore_de_la_Vida Rock Star

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    Simple:

    1. if you want only the vst2, you have to copy the entire folder called Cardinal.vst into your VSTPlugins folder

    2. For VST3, it's Cardinal.vst3.

    3. About the other folders, here is the explanation of the developer (also on the sister's site):
    BUT... BUT... BUT...

    If you only want a regular, "no brainer", ultra-simple installer, here is a direct link to the last WIN64 .exe:

    https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal/releases/download/22.10/Cardinal-win64-22.10-installer.exe
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2022
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    Amore_de_la_Vida, Oct 22, 2022
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  15. YhomTorke66

    YhomTorke66 Newbie

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    I hadn't seen the direct installer file to avoid moving the folders manually... I think I was dropped on my head when I was a baby.

    Thank you very much.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2022
    YhomTorke66, Oct 22, 2022
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  16. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    We all were, otherwise how could we be musicians?
     
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    Olymoon, Oct 23, 2022
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