VCV Rack – a free, multi-platform modular synthesizer platform – has been updated to version 0.6.0, adding VCV Bridge and more.

Here’s what the developers have to say about it:

This is the largest update ever with nearly 300 commits and 3 months of development effort. It includes VCV Bridge, a plugin that allows audio and MIDI to be transferred between Rack and your DAW.

See the change-log for a list of new features and fixes. Most notably, this release includes VCV Bridge for routing audio between Rack and a DAW using a VST/AU effect plugin. This release enables future VSTi/AU instrument plugins with MIDI and DAW clock transport to be added in a later Rack 0.6.x update.

The Plugin Manager now handles most open-source plugins and potentially all plugins with time and help from the VCV Community.

If you are upgrading from Rack 0.5, you will need to delete or backup Rack 0.5 plugins in your “Documents/Rack/plugins” directory before launching.

Here’s what’s new in VCV Rack 0.6.0:

Released VCV Bridge for interfacing Rack with your DAW VST/AU effect plugins (Mac and 32/64-bit Windows) for using Rack as a send/return on a DAW track Enables future VSTi/AU instrument plugins with MIDI and DAW clock transport to be added in a later Rack 0.6.* update

Updated Plugin Manager to handle open-source plugins Potentially all plugins can be added with help from the VCV Community

New Module Browser for adding modules to the rack Launch by right-clicking on the rack or pressing Add “favorite” modules by clicking on the star button Navigate modules with arrow keys or mouse

Redesigned Core modules Access to audio channels beyond the first 8 inputs/outputs Improved AUDIO stability Added retrigger output to MIDI-1 Merged MIDI clock module with MIDI-1 Fixed MIDI-4 sustain pedal in polyphonic modes

Improved sample rate conversion performance, is disabled entirely when not needed

Patch cable colors are saved to patch files

Added highlighting for active patch cables when hovering mouse over port

Added shadows to knobs and ports

Added File > “Disconnect cables”

Released Rack SDK for compiling plugins without compiling Rack

It’s a free download via the VCV Rack site.