Essession has released TouchMod, a pair of VST3 plugins designed to revolutionize how producers, sound designers, and electronic musicians interact with their software instruments and effects. TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX offer a unique approach to parameter control, allowing users to manipulate multiple parameters simultaneously using their fingers on a touchscreen or iPad. This innovative tool enables artists to create dynamic and expressive performances by combining gestures with parameter control.
What sets TouchMod apart is its ability to handle multiple parameters with a single gesture. Each finger can control two parameters, one on the X-axis and one on the Y-axis, resulting in up to eight parameters being controlled simultaneously. This level of control allows for complex and nuanced adjustments, such as opening a filter while adjusting resonance or manipulating delay feedback and repeat settings.
One of the key advantages of TouchMod is its direct interaction with writable parameters exposed by VST3 plugins. Users can assign parameters by nudging controls in Learn mode or selecting from the plugin's parameter list. This ensures that the movement is always within a musical range, preventing accidental or unwanted changes. The plugins also support Loop Learning, allowing users to capture gestures and play them back as continuous movement, maintaining the natural feel of hand-drawn gestures.
TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX are designed to streamline the workflow for artists. TouchMod IN holds two VST3 instruments in a single instance, allowing parameters from both instruments to share the same pad. This creates a unified performance surface, eliminating the need for multiple plugin windows. Similarly, TouchMod FX holds two effects and routes them in series or parallel, creating a seamless effect chain.
The plugins can run on a Windows multitouch display or a second screen connected to the computer. Additionally, the free TouchMod Remote app enables artists to control the plugins from an iPad over local Wi-Fi. This setup ensures that the DAW and plugin windows remain on the main screen, while the iPad acts as a dedicated controller, providing a seamless and intuitive workflow.
TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX are available as 64-bit VST3 plugins for Windows and are free to download until September 15, 2026. Users who download the plugins before this date will receive a permanent license and future updates, making it an excellent opportunity for artists to enhance their creative process and explore new ways of interacting with their digital instruments and effects.
