MODO DRUM 1.5 SE drum machine plugin interface by IK Multimedia

MODO DRUM 1.5 SE: Real-Time Modal Synthesis Drum Machine by IK Multimedia

MODO DRUM 1.5 SE is a drum plugin from IK Multimedia that synthesizes drum sounds in real time using modal synthesis rather than playing back samples. It runs as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX on Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

MODO DRUM 1.5 SE is a drum instrument plugin built around modal synthesis, a method that generates each drum's sound from its physical parameters instead of pre-recorded hits. The developer describes the sound as responding to the interaction between player, drums and room. Dimensions, materials and skin tension shape each drum, while the room section lets you place the kit in different acoustic spaces. The plugin is aimed at producers who want to shape a full kit, from the drum itself to the room it sits in, inside a single instrument.

Best for

Acoustic drum tracks
Drum programming
Room ambience design
Electronic drum sounds
Groove creation

Developer: IK Multimedia
Category: Drum Machines
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Real-time modal synthesis instead of sample playback
Adjust drum diameter and height for each drum
Change shell profile on the fly
Control play style, sticks, room and FX
Integrated Grooves manager
Cymbal sample engine included
Per-element mixer with buses and two sends per element
Room section with convolution-based acoustic spaces

03In depth

Real-Time Modal Synthesis for Drum Sounds

Rather than triggering samples, MODO DRUM calculates each drum's acoustic behavior from its physical properties: dimensions, materials, skin and more. IK Multimedia says the engine also models play style, the interaction between drum head and shell, and sympathetic vibration between drums.

Because the sound is generated in real time, you can adjust elements of the kit as you play. Each drum's diameter and height can be changed, and the shell profile can be swapped on the fly. The developer states the engine loads faster and uses less hard drive space than its previous approach.

The Grooves manager is built in, and the plugin includes a cymbal sample engine alongside the synthesis.

Room, Mixer and Kit Control

The ROOM section places the kit in different environments, which are processed with convolution so each element interacts with the space. Room tone can be left to ring or processed with gates and compression.

The built-in mixer offers per-element levels and panning, mute and solo, and phase flip. Elements can be grouped into buses, and each element has two sends so several parts can share the same effects for a more cohesive sound.

The Custom Shop lets you add new kits, which download through the IK Product Manager and install directly into MODO DRUM.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	IK Multimedia
Type	Plugin
Category	Drum Machine
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does MODO DRUM 1.5 SE support?

MODO DRUM 1.5 SE is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. Audio Units are supported on macOS, while VST2, VST3 and AAX are supported on both macOS and Windows.

Which operating systems can run MODO DRUM 1.5 SE?

It runs on Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.9 or later, both as 64-bit versions. On Mac it runs natively on Apple M1 processors.

What do I need to use MODO DRUM 1.5 SE?

You need a 64-bit system with an Intel Core i5 processor that supports AVX instructions, 8GB of RAM (16GB suggested) and 20GB of free disk space. A USB port is required, with USB 3.0 suggested, and the Windows version needs an ASIO-compatible sound card and an OpenGL 2 compatible graphics adapter.

How does modal synthesis differ from sample-based drums?

Sample-based drums play back recorded hits, while MODO DRUM generates each sound in real time from physical parameters such as dimensions, materials and play style. IK Multimedia says this lets the sound respond to the interaction between player, drums and room.