As I'm not intimately familiar with drum fittings and fixtures, I couldn't reliably say whether the graphics for each kit represent specific real-life models or marques. MODO Drum currently offers 10 drumkits: Studio, Jazzy, Rock Custom, Djentleman, Black Oyster, Bubinga, Plexi, Grungy, Extreme and Reference. However, attempting to deconstruct the 'how' is akin to having a magic trick spoiled by knowing how it's done - what matters is if it works and sounds good.Īudio titled Classic_Jazz_solo by Sound On Sound The Basics Perhaps - and this is purely speculation - it's based on a system of partials that are continually recombined on the fly in response to the player's input. This suggests there is sample data involved, as opposed to purely mathematically based synthesis. The size of the installation - 6GB - may offer a clue, being larger than expected for a modelled instrument. IK are keeping technical details of MODO Drum's modelling method close to their chest, referring to it simply as 'modal synthesis'.

MODO Drum fills that void, bringing with it the ability to customise kit pieces in fine detail, even to the specifics of how they are played. Apart from hardware units such as Roland's V-Drums (introduced in 1997) and Korg's Wavedrum (1994), modelled acoustic drums have been thin on the ground up until now. Almost everything, it seems, is up for the modelling treatment - with one notable exception. We have Hammond clones popping up everywhere, and of course there's IK Multimedia's own superlative MODO Bass.

Modartt's Pianoteq VST offers a growing collection of modelled pianos, harpsichords, electro-mechanical keyboards, harps, pipe organ and idiophones Audio Modeling's SWAM system gives us solo strings, woodwinds and saxes, whilst Sample Modeling boast a collection of astonishingly realistic modelled brass instruments, and solo and ensemble strings.

IK Multimedia follow up their highly acclaimed MODO Bass with a percussive counterpart.Īs an alternative to sampled instruments, physical modelling is increasingly proving itself to be a viable method of generating the sounds and performance nuances of real-world instruments, often with astonishing authenticity. Ten kits are available, each loading with a predetermined configuration and a 'serving suggestion' mix already set up as a starting point. MODO Drum opens on the Model selection screen.

Modo 15 features