Tracktion Outersect Modeler is a cutting-edge physical modeling synthesizer plugin that pushes the boundaries of virtual instrument design. Developed by Rob Rayle, a former Avid/DigiDesign developer, this synth aims to recreate the nuances and expressiveness of acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments with remarkable authenticity. The plugin utilizes advanced physical modeling algorithms to simulate the behavior of various instrument types, including plucked strings, bowed strings, reeds, and brass. Outersect Modeler’s interface is designed to be intuitive yet powerful, allowing users to shape sounds through familiar instrument-related parameters rather than abstract mathematical concepts. The synth offers a unique blend of realism and creative potential, enabling musicians and producers to craft everything from lifelike acoustic emulations to otherworldly soundscapes. With its semi-modular architecture and extensive modulation options, Outersect Modeler provides a playground for sound designers to explore and create innovative timbres that respond organically to player input.
Pros:
• Highly expressive and responsive physical modeling engine
• Intuitive interface with instrument-focused parameters
• Versatile sound design capabilities, from realistic to experimental
• Powerful modulation system with virtual patch cables
• Comprehensive preset library covering a wide range of sounds
Cons:
• Potentially overwhelming interface for beginners
• Higher CPU usage compared to sample-based instruments
Outersect Modeler’s feature set is both extensive and innovative, catering to musicians and sound designers who crave depth and realism in their virtual instruments. At its core, the plugin employs proprietary physical modeling algorithms to simulate the behavior of various acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments. The synthesis engine is built around the classic exciter-resonator relationship, but with a level of sophistication that allows for incredibly nuanced control over the sound.
The plugin offers four distinct exciter models: plucked string, bowed string, reed, and brass. These can be used independently to recreate specific instrument types or combined to create hybrid sounds that transcend traditional categorizations. Each exciter model comes with its own set of parameters, allowing users to fine-tune the attack characteristics, playing techniques, and timbral qualities specific to that instrument family.
The resonator section is equally detailed, offering control over decay, damping, dispersion, and distortion. This level of control allows users to shape the body and resonance of the virtual instrument with precision, mimicking the acoustic properties of different materials and construction techniques.
One of the standout features of Outersect Modeler is its body filter section. This comprises a lowpass filter, a highpass filter, and six fully modulatable parametric bands. This powerful EQ system enables users to sculpt the frequency response of their sounds with surgical precision, emulating the complex resonances of acoustic instrument bodies or creating entirely new tonal characters.
The plugin also includes a unique pickup simulation system, allowing users to position virtual pickups along the length of the modeled string or resonator. This feature not only adds to the realism of electric and electro-acoustic instrument emulations but also opens up new avenues for sound design by altering the harmonic content captured by these virtual pickups.
Outersect Modeler’s modulation capabilities are particularly noteworthy. The semi-modular architecture allows users to route various modulation sources to almost any parameter using virtual patch cables. This system includes three DAHDSR envelopes, three multi-wave LFOs, and six macro knobs, providing a wealth of options for creating dynamic, evolving sounds. The visual representation of these modulation routings adds an intuitive element to what could otherwise be a complex system.
The effects section rounds out the sound-shaping capabilities with a stereo chorus, delay, and reverb. These effects are well-integrated into the overall design of the plugin, allowing users to create spacious, atmospheric sounds or add subtle depth and movement to their patches.
When compared to other physical modeling synthesizers, Outersect Modeler stands out for its breadth of modeling capabilities and its intuitive approach to complex sound design. While plugins like Modartt’s Pianoteq excel in recreating specific instrument families with extreme accuracy, Outersect Modeler offers a more diverse palette of sounds and greater flexibility in combining different modeling techniques. Its approach is more akin to plugins like Applied Acoustics Systems’ Chromaphone or Madrona Labs’ Kaivo, which also offer broad physical modeling capabilities. However, Outersect Modeler’s unique exciter models and its powerful body filter and pickup simulation systems set it apart from these competitors. The semi-modular architecture and extensive modulation options also give it an edge in terms of sound design potential, placing it somewhere between a traditional synthesizer and a modular system in terms of flexibility.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking realistic acoustic instrument emulations
• Electronic musicians looking for expressive, organic-sounding leads and pads
• Film and game composers requiring diverse and nuanced instrumental sounds
• Experimental musicians exploring the boundaries of synthesis and acoustics
• Producers wanting to add unique, physical modeling-based sounds to their tracks
Tracktion Outersect Modeler represents a significant advancement in the field of physical modeling synthesis. Its ability to recreate the subtle nuances and expressive qualities of acoustic instruments while also offering vast sound design potential makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of music production scenarios. The plugin’s intuitive interface belies its complexity, offering an approachable entry point for those new to physical modeling while providing depth for experienced sound designers. The combination of multiple exciter models, a sophisticated resonator section, and powerful modulation capabilities allows for the creation of sounds that range from strikingly realistic to wildly experimental. While the CPU demands may be higher than some other virtual instruments, the level of expressiveness and organic feel of the sounds produced can justify this trade-off for many users. Outersect Modeler’s unique approach to physical modeling, coupled with its extensive feature set, positions it as a valuable addition to any producer’s toolkit, particularly for those seeking to break away from the limitations of sample-based instruments and explore new sonic territories.