Modus

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.