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Modus

Physical Modeling Synthesis by Physical Audio
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Modus
What is it?
Format(s)
Instrument(s)   
Operating System Availability
Operating System Latest Version
 1.3.2 
System Requirements
Windows 10 or 11
 1.3.2 
System Requirements
macOS 10.13 minimum
License & Installation Method
Voucher / Code for redemption on other website
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Modus

Enter a sonic imaginarium where science and creativity combine to push the boundaries of sound. Modus is a physical modelling synth where interconnected strings, bars and plates work together to form conceptual instruments that could never exist yet sound astoundingly true to life. The result is a perfect simulation of reality – but at a frontier you've never explored before.

Unreal instruments

Modus uses powerful physical modelling to mimic the way strings and plates behave, giving you several formulations of these elements to create three types of instruments: Strings, Plates and Strings-Plate. You control the relationship between these elements and their connection through "Rattles" or "Springs", producing a range of dynamic overtones and textures depending on your chosen configuration.

Real physics

Every element in Modus' true-to-life physical modelling engine reacts like it belongs to a real action in a real space. The entire chain reaction of sound production is recreated within the plugin, starting with the force that plucks or drives the instrument. Where you hit the strings and plates matters, as do the subtle tensions, interactive forces, and conductions of sound that follow.

Although the strings and plates formulations in Modus don't actually exist as acoustic instruments, the comprehensive onboard physics make them infinitely more real than other virtual instruments. Break out of the traditional synth workflow with acoustically-minded controls like Multi-Strike and Driver Position.

Concrete control

Modus is a virtual synth environment that simulates a rich physical dimension, which means you have control over first, how the elements behave, and second, how they're processed. The more you delve into the effects and modulation options available to you, the more depth you'll find in your sound – there's playable realism in every corner of the plugin.

The Edit panel lets you adjust the properties of each individual component of your configuration. The onboard effects let you take your sound further, shaping its tonal properties or adding space, while the Modulation, MIDI and MPE features let you add rhythmic, random or expressive movement to your sound.

Instrument controls:

  • 6 string combinations.
  • 2 plate combinations.
  • 6 Spring and Rattle maps.
  • Connections Strength and Speed.
  • Rattle Gap amount.
  • Component Edit panel.
  • Damping and Tone.
  • Harmonic content.
  • Partials spread.
  • Driver Position.
  • Surface output reading.
  • Step and octave tuning.
  • Mass ratio.
  • Fundamental frequency.
  • Attack and Release.
  • Multi-Strike.

Feature list:

  • MPE-compatible.
  • LFO modulation.
  • High and Low-shelf EQ.
  • Per-sound gain mixer.
  • Pre-amp limiter.
  • VCF with Moog-modelled drive.
  • Stereo Delay.
  • Reverb.
  • Output Trim.
  • Damp control.
  • VST3, Audio Units, AAX; Universal Binary for Intel & Apple Silicon.

{See video at top of page}

User Reviews Average user rating of 3.50 from 2 reviews Add A Review
Modus

Reviewed By mydrian [all]
November 16th, 2023
Version reviewed: 1.2.1 on Mac

Modus has been on my radar for a while searching for a synth to add to my sound design tools. I wanted something organic and rich, so a physically modelled instrument made a lot of sense.

There are many PM synths out there, but Modus is noticeably different. To start with, it doesn't seek to emulate a real-world instrument. It can be off-putting to some, but it's actually great from a sound design perspective. It takes a bit of tinkering initially, especially getting used to all the controls, but it just pays back.

The modelling capabilities of this instrument are on a different level: it may not be apparent from the sound samples alone, but actually playing with it is the most fun part. Everything is connected in a sort of big feedback mechanism, so the sounds don't just add up, but they interact together in some complicated way. So, I spent a good deal of time trying to "tame" the synth, understanding the ins and outs and learning how to play it. It's a shame the presets and the sound examples don't really do it justice, but the best part of this synth is how alive it feels.

If you are a sound designer looking to add a new tool to your sound palette, Modus is a great place to start.

Read Review
Modus

Reviewed By Takamoonian [all]
September 5th, 2023
Version reviewed: 1.0.6 on Windows

While looking through the physical modelling plugins I came across Modus and found the sounds it could produce very interesting and something I would find useful, so I bought it. At first it seemed great, but when I tried to actually use it in a project, I realized that it was impossible. It is completely unpredictable. And I am aware that to produce realistic sound there needs to be some degree of randomness, but it only makes sense up to a point, it is a musical instrument after all. I am not sure if it is by design or it's buggy, but it behaves very strangely.

For example, there is a mode which is meant to model two metal plates, one of which is driven by an oscillator and the other resonates. And sometimes I play the same note, same velocity, same plugin settings etc and each time it sounds different. Sometimes both plates produce sound, sometimes only one (also, it seems random which one) and no matter what I do with the settings, the issue persists. And it's like that with every model with any number or strings/plates.

I am completely fascinated with the sounds Modus can produce, I only wish I could have more control over it. Unfortunately, at this point, I find the plugin very frustrating and thoroughly unusable.

Read Review

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