Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG by Softube, modular add-on plugin interface

Modular Add-On: Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG – Gate Effect for Softube Modular

Rated 4.5/5 on Plugin Boutique (222 ratings)

Modular Add-On: Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG is a low pass gate effect plugin by Softube that expands Softube Modular. It recreates the vactrol-based response of the Doepfer A-101-2 hardware module.

VST3VST2AUAAXRTASWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Low pass gates are known for adding organic, lifelike movement to modular synth patches. Softube's Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG models the Doepfer hardware module inside Softube Modular. It combines a vactrol-controlled 12 dB low pass filter with a voltage controlled amplifier, so the same module can shape tone, level or both. The add-on requires Softube Modular to run.

Best for

Organic synth basslines
Percussive gated sounds
Plucked tone shaping
Modular patch sound design
Vactrol-style filtering

Developer: Softube
Category: Gates
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Vactrol-controlled 12 dB low pass filter and voltage controlled amplifier
Vact switch for fast, medium and slow vactrol response
Resonance control with range up to self-oscillation
Output mode switching between Low Pass, LPG and VCA via G1 and G2 inputs
Over thirty included presets for Softube Modular
Available as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS
64-bit support on Windows and macOS

03In depth

Vactrol Response and Resonance

The hardware Doepfer LPG is based on vactrols, the same light-dependent components found in opto compressors. Their response time varies from unit to unit, which is part of the character producers associate with low pass gates.

Softube's version adds a Vact switch, which is not part of the original hardware. It lets you choose a fast, medium or slow response to cover differences between individual analog units. The Resonance control adds anything from a subtle nuance to strong resonance, and can push the filter into self-oscillation.

Output Modes and Control Inputs

The plugin can run as a low pass filter, as an LPG, or as a VCA. Output mode is set through the G1 and G2 auxiliary inputs, so it can be switched with patching rather than only through the interface.

The module includes over thirty presets built for use in a Softube Modular rack, which gives a starting point for typical patches.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Softube
Type	Plugin
Category	Gate
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to use Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG?

Softube Modular is required to run this add-on. It also needs a Softube account and an iLok account, plus a compatible AU, VST, VST3 or AAX host.

What plugin formats are available?

The module is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats. Softube recommends VST3 because some of its plug-ins include features not present in the older VST format.

Which operating systems are supported?

The plugin runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and on macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12 and Ventura 13. Apple silicon is supported natively on macOS.

What is the Vact switch?

The Vact switch selects a fast, medium or slow vactrol response. Softube added it to the plugin version; it is not part of the original Doepfer hardware.