Audiority Releases “FreeMod” Freeware Modulation VST/AU Plugin

Audiority has announced the release of FreeMod, a freeware modulation effect in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats for digital audio workstations running on PC and Mac.

FreeMod is a stereo phase modulation effect capable of pulling off simple tremolo-like modulation, as well as more aggressive FM-like sounds. The interface is organized into four color-coded sections: phase modulation, LFO (which modulates the PM rate), envelope (which also modulates the PM rate), and volume controls (input volume and wet/dry levels). The plugin includes ten modulation shapes (one of which is a random modulation source) which can be assigned as the LFO and the phase modulation waveforms. The envelope is a simple attack/release affair which detects the audio on the input and modulates the phase modulation rate accordingly.

I didn’t run into any stability issues while testing FreeMod in MuLab, although our team member Bryan Lake did notice some automation issues in FL Studio. These will be reported to the developer and hopefully fixed in a future update. The CPU hit is expectedly very low, hitting around 1% per FreeMod instance on our test machine.

In terms of usefulness, FreeMod is absolutely worth checking out if you like somewhat unusual modulation effects. While it isn’t the most original modulation tool out there, FreeMod does indeed have a few neat tricks up its sleeve, especially once the LFO section comes into play. It can transform the most relaxing sounding pads into energy-packed modulated sequences, or completely change the timbre of a sound at higher modulation rates. It also works well as a plain tremolo effect, but the truth is I’d prefer using a simpler tool for something like that. To get the most out of FreeMod, try assigning some automation to its depth and rate parameters. This can lead to some very exciting build-up sequences as shown in the demo video at the top of this page.

FreeMod can be downloaded completely free of charge from the product page linked below. A valid email address is required to complete the checkout process. The plugin comes packaged in an auto-installer and doesn’t require authorization.

FreeMod is available for free download via Audiority (36.2 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & Mac OS).