Been using MODO drum for around a month, and I find it great right "out of the box".
Here are some suggestions to add to the wish list:
Larger Root Range And/Or Frequency ShifterThis was the first thing I looked at because I find it imperative to tune to the tonic. I'll admit I was a bit disappointed to find that I can only move between a range of around 5 different notes, and with no real notataion reference for the batter or resonant heads, it's guess work. A range of -10 to 10 to me is a "Volt" range.
I don't have the experience or research of working with real drums, or ever having to tune one (I thank the modern age and sampling technologies), but to my understanding pushing a drum around a whole octave might not be realistic.
With that said, I assume that changing the diameter and tension must allow for more than 5 notes.
I'll be grateful to hear from an experienced drummer of what the notes ranges of a real drum are.
To remedy this, I plan to bring a "Frequency Shifter" algorithm I developed out of SynthEdit as a stand alone effect.
If such an effect is to be planned for MODO Drum, I point out that the team makes sure to creates a "frequency shifter" and not a "Pitch Shifter", as a pitch shifter has adverse effects on a drum sound highlighted in this video:
YouTube|Warp Academy:How to Tune Your Drums with Frequency ShifterAs reluctant as I am to give away research, here is a link to research I referenced when building my frequency shifter:
csoundjournal.com:An Efficient, Precise Frequency ShifterI more interested in making music than I am selling plug-ins. So, if this expedites IK's development process, I'm interested in helping get it integrated sooner.
Additionally, I used linear phase filters (FIR) for the low pass, but because MODO Drum is a live type performance instrument, it may be better to use minimal phase filters.
Modal Tuning Macros/Sub-preset ManagerI'm often dishearten by the plug-in market's offerings when it comes to drums. More often than not, developers and artists often overlook the fact that drums
are a tuned instrument. With drums being the back bone of most compositions, it's frustrating to have to spend time dealing with the short comings of this oversight.
What I'm always wanting to see is a comprehensive tuning system for drum samplers/synths.
To my knowledge:
Low - The bass drum is the root
Low/Mid - Toms follow the scale
Mid/High - Snares are an octave higher than the root
High - All the brass (High-Hat and Cymbals) accent the scale (octaves higher)
Not too sure about the brass, again, I don't have experience with real drum kits.
I developed a drum synth to my expectations a couple years ago and made a public offering. Unfortunately, it was developed in SynthEdit 1.1; which doesn't have 64bit support and poor graphical efficiency for standard computers (no dedicated GPU computers).
Needless to say, it sold zero copies and was mostly ridiculed.
Here is a link to the achieved version, which I put here for archival and heritage purposes:
Archive.org:Drum Module VSTiThe "Modal Tuning" here had to be done by individual presets as SynthEdit doesn't natively support "Sub-Presets", I have since developed the ability to "Sub-Preset".
I digress, as the topic here is MODO Drum and not my developments and marketing.
Split SkipI've been taught and learned to keep my low end "tight" to keep low frequencies from muddying up a mix, keep the low end from leaving the sub woofer channel, and keep db levels under control to leave room for the other frequencies.
For the most part to me, that means keeping low/sub frequencies mono.
During my mixing I often split my bass and bass drum by low to mid and high, generally where a sub woofers cut off ends 250-500hz. I first send them to 2 separate tracks and HP/LP the sends using FL Studio's "Fruity Convolver" which has linear phase EQing/filters (FIR) to keep things in phase.
From there I merge the stereo separation for the low end and then I'm free to apply any effects to the mid/high ends, without having to worry about adverse effects to the sub channel.
I am developing a concept that does this as effect insert, which I call "Split Skip". It essentially does the splitting and sending within the effect rack.
To exemplify, my bass instrument goes into Split Skip and then both the low end and high end have options to send to the proceeding insert positions.
The idea is to send the high end to the immediately next position and apply a high end effect and the bass is send further down to avoid this adverse effect; they then merge together on the way out of the rack.
I keep the send numbers variable to allow for more than one effect to be applied the immediately next position, effect just the low end, or for swapping to experiment.
I imagine this may be difficult for MODO Drum to integrate because it's uncommon to have sends directly inside a effect rack.
Again, I use FIR filters, which aren't good for live performances.
Better Low Pass with The Possibility of A Resonance ControlRap (Rhythm and Poetry) is my main genre, for many reasons; I'm not about to go into detail why.
A signature staple for Rap to me is a big round bass drum, which is often achieved by low passing. The resonance filter is also handy for adding more "juice" the remaining mids.
You can imagine my disappointment to see the EQ's LP only goes as low as 3khz and hos no resonance filter.
Output DAW 1/2To be honest, I have no experience with overheads or micing a live drumkit, nor do I usually mix a complete drum bus.
I prefer to send each "hit" into it's own channel and process from there.
Seeing that there is no DAW 1/2 output is strange to me, and "Master" doesn't work like 1/2.
It's trivial and easily worked around, just felt like mentioning it.
I hope these possibilities don't fall on deaf ears, as it took me a couple hours to write this. I'm also publicly outlining my R&D and mixing techniques.
I like MODO Drum as is, and I extend my gratitude to IK for giving sweet deals and making it within my budget.
Best regards.
by jockelundberg » Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:18 pm 
