SynthVR
- January 31, 2021
- 42tones
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamSynthVR is a single-player musical game that offers around 5 hours of playtime, immersing you in a sci-fi fantasy modular synthesizer environment based on the Eurorack standard. With 30+ synth modules, shareable creations, and audio rate control signals, you can craft a variety of sounds, from ambient drones to hard techno, while animating your virtual surroundings. The game features multichannel audio recording options and a community patch library, ensuring a limitless supply of unique bleeps and bloops.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- SynthVR offers an incredibly immersive and intuitive experience for exploring modular synthesis, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
- The ability to create and manipulate sounds in a virtual environment is highly praised, with many users noting the fun and creativity it inspires.
- The developer has shown responsiveness to feedback, and there is a strong community aspect with the ability to share and explore patches created by others.
- The game has been criticized for a lack of updates and module variety, leading some to feel it is abandoned or underdeveloped.
- Users have reported technical issues, such as poor compatibility with certain VR controllers and a lack of essential features like visual indicators for module settings.
- Many players feel that the absence of in-game tutorials and quality-of-life improvements limits the overall experience and learning potential.
- music30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music aspect of SynthVR is highly praised as an accessible and engaging tool for exploring modular synthesis without the high costs of physical equipment. Users appreciate the immersive experience and the ability to experiment with community-created patches, although some note limitations such as the lack of swing functions in sequencers. Overall, it is regarded as one of the best VR applications for music creation, particularly for hobbyists and music tech students.
“This is a great music creation tool for those who are interested in experiencing modular synths but don't have the cash to shell out to buy actual synth modules.”
“In fact, I think this is the single best app for music creators that is currently available in VR.”
“You can just get lost in this music space for hours and lose track of time.”
“There's also, unfortunately, no swing functions in sequencers which definitely will limit the styles of music you could potentially make in here.”
“That being said there are some caveats when it comes to SynthVR that come blatantly obvious once you spend considerable amount of time within this music play space.”
“The controls take some getting used to, but it's an awesome experience that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in music.”
- story10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide a clear narrative or story element for the game "synthvr," focusing instead on the technical aspects and user experience related to the app's performance on the Quest platform. Users emphasize the limitations of the Quest 2's processing power when engaging with complex setups, while also highlighting the affordability and convenience of using VR for modular systems compared to real-world alternatives.
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to repetitive tasks like recreating the same module groups and managing mixer channels. Suggestions for improvement include features that streamline these processes, such as displaying connector names when highlighted, to enhance creativity and reduce monotony.
“Having to turn off every channel on a mixer after spawn is tedious.”
“This would speed up creativity and you'd be able to use what you've learned in the past and build upon it since I find myself making the same groups of modules over and over, which gets tedious after a while.”
“Having the name of the particular connector show up when you highlight it, since looking back into the menu to find what it is becomes tedious.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in SynthVR are praised for their simplicity and effective design, which enhance the immersive experience of interacting with a modular synthesizer. The thoughtful spacing and sizing of controls contribute to a convincing illusion of physical interaction, while the CV-controlled background elements add depth to the visual experience.
“From the simplicity of the graphic design to the spacing and size of the controls, SynthVR creates the believable illusion that you are physically interacting with a modular synthesizer system.”
“CV controlled background graphic elements.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of interactions in the VR experience is generally accurate and enjoyable; however, users report occasional clumsiness during intense moments, which can make it challenging to confidently grab the right controls. While this issue is not pervasive, it can impact performance in critical situations.
“While the interactions are accurate and feel great for VR, there is a touch of clumsiness in interactions if you are in the heat of a performance.”
“In most cases, this problem isn't really a big deal, but if you are trying to work through a build-up during a performance, then grabbing the right control with confidence can be tricky at times.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay in Synthvr is enjoyable, but players feel that the addition of certain quality-of-life mechanics could significantly enhance the overall experience.
“SynthVR is fun, but there are a few quality of life game mechanics that could elevate it to a whole new level.”
“SynthVR is fun, but there are just a few quality of life game mechanics that would elevate the experience to a whole other level.”
