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Modus, a new synth plugin from British developer Physical Audio, promises to “push the boundaries” of what’s possible with physical modelling synthesis.

This new MPE-compatible synth plugin enables you design ‘conceptual instruments’ made from physically modelled strings, bars and plates

Physical modelling is a form of synthesis that uses complex algorithms to emulate the acoustic sounds produced by the manipulation of physical objects. It can be used to create realistic recreations of existing instruments or to produce the sound of new and conceptual instruments that do not – or could never – exist in the real world.

Modus works by modelling the sound of interconnected strings and plates: the user can choose from several different configurations in which the physically modelled objects are connected by springs and rattles. The properties of each string and plate in the set-up can then be fine-tuned by using controls for tuning, damping, tone, number of modes, inharmonicity, mass, and fundamental frequency.

Once they have constructed a virtual instrument, the user is able to adjust how the physically modelled object is played by shaping the type of virtual pluck or strike that drives the model to generate sound. A multi-strike function can be used to produce repeated hits which can be synced to the timing of your DAW.

Parameters can be modulated with two LFOs, and Modus is outfitted with a low-pass ladder filter, high and low shelf EQs, a signal mixer and delay and reverb modules for further sound-sculpting. The synth is fully MPE-compatible, meaning you’ll be able to hook it up with MPE-equipped controllers for expressive performances.

Physical Audio is the British manufacturer behind the plugins Preparation and Derailer. Their software grew out of a research project undertaken by Dr. Craig J. Webb at the University of Edinburgh that examined new algorithms for the digital synthesis of acoustic systems.

Modus is available now for Mac and PC in VST, AU and AAX formats at an introductory sale price of £59/$69/€60.

Watch the video below to hear Modus in action.

Find out more on Physical Audio website.

Pioneer DJ owner AlphaTheta Corporation has announced that it’s acquired Serato, bringing two of the biggest names in the DJing market under the same roof.

Pioneer DJ’s hardware controllers have long been compatible with Serato’s software, so the acquisition certainly makes sense. Serato also develops several pieces of music production software: Studio, Sample and Pitch ‘n Time.

Yoshinori Kataoka, President and CEO of AlphaTheta, said:

“I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Serato. Through extensive discussions within our company and with Serato’s management team, we have been exploring new ways to contribute to the industry. Bringing Serato into the AlphaTheta Group will lead to new synergies and significant technological innovations, adding continued value to the community.”

Young Ly, CEO of Serato, added:

“Serato has enjoyed a 25 year history of success that is driven by a single-minded focus on serving DJs, producers and artists. We are incredibly proud of both the strength of our business as well as the community that surrounds our brand. Today, we are excited to deepen our long-standing partnership with AlphaTheta, accelerating how we create value for our users and the industry.”

AlphaTheta Corporation now owns the entire of Serato’s shares, but says that the company – which is based in Auckland, New Zealand – will continue to operate as a separate brand.

ADDAC System has introduced a limited edition release (75 units) of an iconic electronic instrument in modular format: the Cracklebox.

Cracklebox (ADDAC708) is a tribute to the pioneering work of Dutch musician and instrument maker Michel Waiswisz (1949 – 2008), who invented Cracklebox with Geert Hamelberg in the late 1960s.

The Cracklebox was a small, handheld device that was designed to explore new sonic territories. As one of the first electronic musical instruments to use circuit bending techniques in the creation of electronic music, it allowed musicians to manipulate and control electronic circuits in real-time — thus creating an enormous range of unique and experimental sounds.

Michel Waiswisz used a circuit from a toy piano as the basis for the instrument, and then added a series of touch-sensitive pads that were connected to the circuit. When a player touched one of the pads, the circuit would be complete, producing a crackling sound.

“The Cracklebox was probably the first commercially available portable, self-powered, alternative ‘keyboard’ analog electronic instrument that also featured a built in loudspeaker,” commented André Gonçalves, CEO and Founder of ADDAC System. “In the decades since its invention, the Cracklebox has continued to be an important and influential instrument in the world of electronic music. It is still in use today, and is considered a classic example of the potential electronic music has to create unique and innovative sounds.”

An example of an original Cracklebox in action:

Re-booting A Classic

In the 1970s about 4000 Crackleboxes were built and sold by STEIM in Amsterdam. Today, many people consider the Cracklebox as the archetype of ‘glitch’ or ‘circuit bending’.

The ADDAC System Eurorack recreation includes a 9v battery, swappable through the front panel. This allows isolation of the current flowing through the user’s fingers from the Eurorack frame PSU. ADDAC also removed the internal speaker and integrated a transformer, instead, to isolate the output signal.

The module features an On/Off switch to turn off the 9v battery, a Power Starve knob, which reduces the 9v voltage feeding the circuitry and changing its overall timbre/pitch, and an Output Gain knob to control the output volume. A Boost switch is also included to add more presence to the signal, as needed.

Its Output section can be used as audio, as a gate or a CV signal. When using it as a CV source, users may wish to experiment by sending it through other modules with slew, sample and hold, quantization and other functionality to help tame and control its peculiar CV output.

The ADDAC System Cracklebox is available now for €150.