IK Multimedia releases MODO DRUM

[mark123]

I just noticed something odd on IK's site.

Under PRODUCTS > Software > MODO, there is now an additional submenu for MODO DRUM, as if there should be multiple items. Compare that to MODO BASS, which doesn't have a submenu. This is new.



Does this mean IK is preparing new MODO DRUM products, or a major update?
(The last time something like this popped up was just before AmpliTube 5 was announced.)

Good catch! Hmmmmm?

[Tj Shredder]

They’ll release Modo Blocks maybe with a model for woodblocks…; - )
Though if the succeed finally in modeling cymbals, this might get interesting…

[yul]

Though if the succeed finally in modeling cymbals, this might get interesting…

Same here. Shouldn't this be feasible already using FM combined with single cycle noise waveforms? Maybe it's not close enough to the real deal but would love to see it eventually.

[Tj Shredder]

That would be synthesis, not physical modeling…

[jamcat]

They’ll release Modo Blocks maybe with a model for woodblocks…; - )

That would be great. Then maybe we would finally get some drumstick count-in clicks in MODO DRUM.

What I want more than anything is:

• Brushes
• Snare strainer on/off (automatable)
• Replace hand claps with drumstick count-in clicks

[Weasel-Boy]

What I want more than anything is:

• Brushes
• Snare strainer on/off (automatable)
• Replace hand claps with drumstick count-in clicks

People have been asking for these features (besides modeled cymbals) since the day this thing was released. My guess is they’re done considering any new features like these, as they’ve been throwing out deeply discounted sales for it (and the bass) for the last month or so. That makes me think they’re trying to recoup every last dollar they can before they move onto something else. Sad to say, but I think they’re done with it.

[machinesworking]

What I want more than anything is:

• Brushes
• Snare strainer on/off (automatable)
• Replace hand claps with drumstick count-in clicks

People have been asking for these features (besides modeled cymbals) since the day this thing was released. My guess is they’re done considering any new features like these, as they’ve been throwing out deeply discounted sales for it (and the bass) for the last month or so. That makes me think they’re trying to recoup every last dollar they can before they move onto something else. Sad to say, but I think they’re done with it.

Doubt it. it's one of the first of their instruments to M1, and it's immensely popular for them.
I would guess they update it in the future, but right now they have more than a dozen other software titles to get to M1. plus some sale or another!

[Scotty]

I haven’t heard convincing modelled cymbals anywhere. My guess is we’ll see more sampled cymbals and that is perfectly fine to me.

[yul]

I haven’t heard convincing modelled cymbals anywhere. My guess is we’ll see more sampled cymbals and that is perfectly fine to me.

Like I said before I think they can be pulled off using FM and this is just as acceptable as PM unless purists say otherwise.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

BFD3 takes cymbal samples and applies swell modeling to them in order to make them sounds more realistic. Would be welcome in MODO. That and better sounding rooms with more traditional recording configurations.

[Scotty]

I haven’t heard convincing modelled cymbals anywhere. My guess is we’ll see more sampled cymbals and that is perfectly fine to me.

Like I said before I think they can be pulled off using FM and this is just as acceptable as PM unless purists say otherwise.

If it works it works . I think for electronic/synthetic sounding cymbals, we are close. I just haven't heard complex acoustic cymbals modelled convincingly. It may be possible and I just haven’t heard them. I am open to being surprised.

[jamcat]

BFD3 takes cymbal samples and applies swell modeling to them in order to make them sounds more realistic. Would be welcome in MODO. That and better sounding rooms with more traditional recording configurations.

This is what IK says about the cymbals:

---

"In addition to the powerful controls that IK’s modal synthesis delivers, MODO DRUM completes each kit with a range of cymbals. Combining sampling and synthesis lets MODO DRUM offer incredible realism with further sound-shaping controls here, as well.

Tune each cymbal to the perfect pitch for your song or mix, and adjust the damping to control sustain. You can even adjust the hi-hat gap to shape the sound of open hi-hat hits."

---

So the cymbals are not just straight samples. There is synthesis as well.
I think MODO DRUM's cymbal behaviour is more complex than just retriggering on repeated hits.

I'd never heard BFD's cymbal swell modeling before, so I found a video that demonstrates it. Honestly, I'm not terribly impressed by what I saw, because it looks like all BFD is doing is reducing the velocity on repeated hits, which you can easily do yourself with sequencing.

Here's what BFD3 does: (starts at about 2:20)

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

BFD3 takes cymbal samples and applies swell modeling to them in order to make them sounds more realistic. Would be welcome in MODO. That and better sounding rooms with more traditional recording configurations.

This is what IK says about the cymbals:

---

"In addition to the powerful controls that IK’s modal synthesis delivers, MODO DRUM completes each kit with a range of cymbals. Combining sampling and synthesis lets MODO DRUM offer incredible realism with further sound-shaping controls here, as well.

Tune each cymbal to the perfect pitch for your song or mix, and adjust the damping to control sustain. You can even adjust the hi-hat gap to shape the sound of open hi-hat hits."

---

So the cymbals are not just straight samples. There is synthesis as well.
I think MODO DRUM's cymbal behaviour is more complex than just retriggering on repeated hits.

I'd never heard BFD's cymbal swell modeling before, so I found a video that demonstrates it. Honestly, I'm not terribly impressed by what I saw, because it looks like all BFD is doing is reducing the velocity on repeated hits, which you can easily do yourself with sequencing.

Here's what BFD3 does: (starts at about 2:20)

Ok, so a few things here to start: I'm not pro drummer, but I've got BFD3, Superior Drummer 3, and MODO Drums on top of an actual acoustic kit in the basement, which I'd say I'm not quite at an intermediate level yet but can hold a beat. I've used BFD since version 1 and I've been a BFD tester since at least the version 2 pre-releases. So I've got practical first hand experience with the product being discussed as well as others as well as the real thing.

First, your understanding from watching the video was wrong. BFD3 cymbal swell modeling isn't triggering a lower velocity. The swell modeling is modifying the attack of the note on repeat hits. Like an actual cymbal. The first hit will have a distinct crash, but in subsequent hits, the cymbals are in motion and don't get quite the same distinct attack. It may be doing other things too but the manipulation of the attack is what makes it sound realistic. You hear it most when you're riding 8th notes on an open hat, crash, or ride. Try that on MODO Drums. In BFD3, the cymbals are washy/splashy like on an acoustic kit. On MODO Drums, they're just loading up the sample again. Nothing else going on. It's a huge difference. I can assure you, MODO isn't doing any kind of advanced cymbal modeling: just basic pitch stuff. MODO's cymbals suck from a playability perspective.

Superior Drummer has a similar swell feature and honestly, it doesn't work as well as BFD3's IMO. It's an opportunity for SD3 for sure. I don't have any experience with Addictive Drums but I'd rate BFD3's cymbal swell modeling as being best in class, SD3 below that but not terrible, and MODO Drums cymbals as being down at the bottom of that particular list.

[jamcat]

The swell modeling is modifying the attack of the note on repeat hits. Like an actual cymbal. The first hit will have a distinct crash, but in subsequent hits, the cymbals are in motion and don't get quite the same distinct attack. It may be doing other things too but the manipulation of the attack is what makes it sound realistic. You hear it most when you're riding 8th notes on an open hat, crash, or ride. Try that on MODO Drums.

I checked out the BFD3 video again with all that in mind, and I also found a video of a couple cymbals being hit in 8th note successions. What I notice from the real cymbal video is that when in motion, the cymbal sounds less rigid on repeated hits. Less "crash" and more "whap."

(starts around 0:40)


I still don't hear that in the BFD example. What I'm hearing is like a lower velocity hit that blooms. It could be a crossfade or maybe just an envelope. I tried repetitive cymbal hits on MODO DRUM, and it does sound very rigid with a distinct attack, so BFD indeed sounds better, but I don't think any of them are all the way there. I've worked with various Toontrack drums in the past and I don't recall the cymbals being any better than MODO DRUM. I actually use crash cymbals prettying sparingly and never do repeated hits because it's a sure way to make your drums sound fake, though I never really thought about it explicitly before.

Maybe IK will address this if they're coming out with MODO DRUM 2.

The hi-hats sound quite realistic to me in MODO DRUM though (starts around 1:15)

[manfex]

Modo Drum just updated to 1.5, adding three new kits (apparently SE will also get them), Modo Drum CS, and kits you can buy separately