Noise Engineering has announced the release of plugin models of 3 of its most popular modules.
Known for the unique sounds and textures their modules create, Noise Engineering has become a fan favorite for modular synth users from artists, producers, DJs, and sound designers worldwide such as Martin Gore of Depeche Mode, producer/musician/songwriter Rik Simpson, filmmaker JJ Abrams, composer/producer Tori Letzler aka TINYKVT, producer/musician EdIT of the Glitch Mob, and so many more.
Stephen McCaul and Kris Kaiser, husband-and-wife co-founders of Noise Engineering, have had plugin versions of some of their products in the works for several years. According to Kris, “We speak to so many customers who love the modules, but need either the portability or the fast recall functionality of plugins.” Added Stephen, “Because many of our products are digital, porting the products into plugins was straightforward: it means the same core synthesis, without the space constraints we run into in hardware.”
The team spent a few years optimizing the plugins, the modulation structures, and the installation, developing everything in-house. Along the way, they discovered the joy that came with software versions: more flexibility and power meant that extra parameters could be exposed. And of course multiple instantiations cost nothing. “We always tell the story about a set Stephen did with 11 Basimilus Iteritas modules. That’s obviously been out of reach for almost anyone…until now,” said Kris.
Last year, they tested the waters with a free bundle of three plugins. “We learned a lot from the experience of releasing the Freequel bundle, and it all helped make these plugins even better. We are so excited to launch Bundle 1!” said Markus Cancilla, whose title is Chief of Destruction.
Bundle 1 includes:
- Cursus Vereor: Spectral synthesizer with intuitive control over unique tones.
- Basimilus Iteritas: Percussion synthesizer.
- Desmodus: Synthetic tail-generator reverb and atmospheric creation tool.
Because these plugins come from their hardware predecessors, they are designed first and foremost with playability and expression in mind. Each plugin has four powerful and versatile LFOs: choose between wave, step, and envelope LFOs to modulate your sound. Adjustable randomization and noise make it easy to add a little variation to your patches. All parameters, including the four Macros, can respond to MIDI velocity and aftertouch. User-friendly MIDI learn and complex mappings like polyphonic aftertouch make them even more fun.
The team confirms more development, and more plugins, are in the works, too. MPE support, tooltips, language localization, and more are in the current development pipeline.
Initially launched in AAX only, plugins now offer major feature updates for early adopters as well licenses for AU and VST3. To update, anyone with a current AAX license can simply return to the Noise Engineering Customer Portal to download the most recent installer from the Plugins tab and run it.
Basimilus Iteritas, Cursus Vereor, and Desmodus are available for purchase for $49 USD each, or all 3 for $119 USD as part of Bundle 1. The plugins support VST3, AU and AAX for Windows and Mac.
More information: Noise Engineering
