Essession has just unveiled TouchMod, a pair of innovative plugins designed to revolutionize the way producers, sound designers, and electronic musicians interact with their software instruments and effects. This is not just another MIDI controller; it's a game-changer for those who want to play with their parameters using their fingers rather than a mouse. What makes TouchMod particularly fascinating is its ability to turn an iPad or a Windows touchscreen into a performance surface, allowing multiple parameters to be controlled simultaneously with just a few fingers. In my opinion, this is a significant step forward in the evolution of digital music production, offering a more intuitive and expressive way to manipulate sound. The plugins, TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX, are Windows VST3 plugins that work seamlessly with writable parameters exposed by VST3 plugins. This means that instead of mapping MIDI CCs, users can simply assign parameters by nudging a control in Learn mode or selecting from the plugin's list. What many people don't realize is that this approach not only simplifies the setup but also allows for a more musical and natural control of the parameters, as each one's range can be narrowed or reversed to ensure the movement lands in a musically meaningful place. One thing that immediately stands out is the versatility of TouchMod. TouchMod IN holds two VST3 instruments in a single instance, allowing parameters from both to share the same pad. This means that a layered instrument or a connected effect chain becomes one playable setup rather than a scatter of separate plugin windows. This is a game-changer for those who want to create complex sounds without the need for multiple plugins and windows. TouchMod FX, on the other hand, holds two effects and routes them in series or parallel, offering a new way to create unique and interesting sounds. The plugins also feature Loop Learning, which allows users to capture gestures and play them back as continuous movement. This is particularly interesting because it keeps the shape and feel of a movement performed by hand, rather than repeating a fixed mathematical cycle like an LFO. From my perspective, this is a powerful tool for creating dynamic and expressive sounds, especially in the realm of electronic music production. The fact that the plugins run on a Windows multitouch display or a second screen wired to the computer, and that the free TouchMod Remote app carries the same surface to an iPad over local Wi-Fi, makes them accessible and versatile. This means that users can control their plugins from a dedicated controller without the need for an internet connection, making it an ideal solution for both studio and live performance settings. In conclusion, TouchMod is a significant innovation in the world of digital music production. It offers a more intuitive and expressive way to manipulate sound, and its versatility and accessibility make it a must-have tool for any producer, sound designer, or electronic musician. Personally, I think it's a game-changer, and I can't wait to see how it will be used to create new and exciting sounds in the future.
