Essession has unveiled TouchMod, a pair of innovative plugins designed to revolutionize the way producers, sound designers, and electronic musicians interact with their software instruments and effects. TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX are not just plugins; they are gateways to a new level of creative control and expression. By leveraging the power of multitouch technology, these plugins transform an iPad or Windows touchscreen into a dynamic performance surface, allowing users to manipulate parameters with their fingers rather than a mouse. This shift in control paradigm opens up a world of possibilities, enabling users to explore and manipulate multiple parameters simultaneously, creating a more intuitive and immersive creative process.
What makes TouchMod truly fascinating is its ability to merge the physicality of playing an instrument with the precision of digital control. With TouchMod, each finger becomes a conductor, driving two assigned parameters at once, one on the X axis and one on the Y. This means that with four fingers, you can control up to eight parameters simultaneously, creating a fluid and dynamic performance environment. Imagine opening a filter while simultaneously adjusting the resonance or pushing delay feedback up while darkening the repeats – all with a single, graceful gesture.
One of the standout features of TouchMod is its simplicity and versatility. Unlike traditional touchscreen MIDI controllers, TouchMod skips MIDI CC mappings altogether, working directly with the writable parameters exposed by VST3 plugins. This streamlined approach allows users to assign parameters by nudging a control in Learn mode or selecting from the plugin's list, ensuring that each parameter's range can be tailored to fit the musical context. For instance, you can narrow the range of a parameter to create a more precise control or reverse its direction to add an unexpected twist to your sound.
TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX are not just about individual plugins; they are about creating a cohesive and integrated workflow. TouchMod IN holds two VST3 instruments in a single instance, allowing parameters from both to share the same pad. This means that a layered instrument or a connected effect chain becomes one playable setup rather than a scatter of separate plugin windows. Similarly, TouchMod FX holds two effects and routes them in series or parallel, providing a seamless and intuitive way to process your sound.
But TouchMod's innovation doesn't stop there. The plugins also introduce Loop Learning, a feature that captures gestures and plays them back as continuous movement. Unlike traditional LFO cycles, which repeat fixed mathematical patterns, TouchMod loops retain the shape and feel of a movement performed by hand. This means that you can create dynamic and expressive effects that evolve and respond to your playing style, adding a new dimension to your sound design and performance.
The plugins run on a Windows multitouch display or a second screen wired to the computer, and the free TouchMod Remote app extends this functionality to an iPad over local Wi-Fi. This setup keeps the DAW and plugin windows on the main screen while the iPad sits close to hand as a dedicated controller, with no internet connection needed. This integration ensures that users can maintain their workflow while still enjoying the benefits of multitouch control.
In my opinion, TouchMod represents a significant leap forward in the way we interact with digital audio software. It combines the physicality and expressiveness of traditional instruments with the precision and versatility of digital control, opening up new avenues for creativity and performance. As a producer, sound designer, or electronic musician, I find the idea of using my fingers to manipulate parameters incredibly exciting. It's like having a new set of musical instruments at my fingertips, each with its own unique voice and expression. The fact that TouchMod is free to download until September 15, 2026, makes it an even more compelling proposition, offering a permanent license and future updates to those who grab it early.
What many people don't realize is that TouchMod's impact extends beyond the studio. It has the potential to transform the way we think about performance and control in live settings, offering a new level of interactivity and expressiveness. Imagine a DJ using TouchMod to manipulate effects and instruments in real-time, or a live performer using it to create dynamic and evolving soundscapes. The possibilities are truly endless.
In conclusion, TouchMod is more than just a pair of plugins; it's a gateway to a new era of creative control and expression. By merging the physicality of playing an instrument with the precision of digital control, TouchMod offers a fresh and exciting way to interact with software instruments and effects. Whether you're a producer, sound designer, or electronic musician, I highly recommend giving TouchMod a try. It just might change the way you create and perform music forever.
