AcousModules


Acousmodules	The Guide!	SpatStruments	Spatialization	Effects	Sampling	Synthesis	Utilities	Win32/Linux	MIDI/Controllers	Resources

the matter of space

since 2003

a complete set of audio creation tools for loudspeakers' spaces

These plugins constitute a modular set of tools mainly developed for acousmatic composition in high spatial resolution.
Their main objective is to allow the creation of sounds and spaces in a unified way by integrating spatial processing as closely as possible within sound generation and transformation in effects and instruments.
Another important aspect is their openness to every spatial configurations, which include, but is not limited to, formats related to media distribution and immersive environments.

More than a hundred different plugins are organized into categories and families. While the number of parameters can be important, they share the same UI elements and principles, which makes possible to be quickly efficient and to switch easily from one to the other.
The small series of SpatStruments constitutes a concentrate of what can be found in most other Acousmodules, more optimized for common space types.
Follow the Guide ...

In a glance:

spatial formats: particularly suitable for 3D meshed arrays and volumetric spaces, but periphonic and spherical based ones are of course possible, it is like YOU want...

channels: most up to 64, some up to 128 (SpatStruments are limited to 24 or 32 channels)

compatible with all immersive formats like domes, 22.2, Dolby Atmos, but don't forget also acousmoniums!

easy conversion to higher order ambisonics (HOA) and binaural with free plugins (IEM, Sparta, SpaceVR ...)

plugin formats: VST3 (+ 32 bits VST2) for Windows, VST3 and AU for MacOS, partially compatible with Linux via Yabridge/Wine 9

direct integration of full features into hosts which support open and limitless multichannel possibilities (Reaper, Ardour, Bidule, Usine Hollyhock ... for instance)

multichannel effects up to 64 channels (filters, delays, reverbs, granular, spectral, pitch ...) associated with various creative spatialization modes

64 channels sampling and synthesis based instruments, with original "spatial MPE" support

spatialization of multiphonic sounds comprising up to 64 channels

internal automations and gesture based animations (simple and complex animations, physical models, trajectories ...)

utilities (64 channels and more) for calibration, visualizations, bass management, spatial format conversions ...

custom spatial configuration format for saving and exchanging

F A Q

Can these plugins be useful if ...

You work in stereophony?

Although they are designed exclusively for multichannel,
some effects and instruments can give very interesting results when mixing their outputs to two channels: try it !

You manage concerts or performances spatial shows?

Some spatialization only plugins could possibly be useful to you, but their features are above all designed for sound creation
(see for example SpatRevolution for this kind of utilization).

You create works in classic "surround" formats such as quadraphony, "7.1" or octophony?

Why not, even if most Acousmodules may be oversized,
effects and instruments plugins offer original sound processing that you may certainly appreciate ...

You are won over by spatial audio and "immersive formats", including VR and binaural?

Most plugins are optimised for "true 3D" physical spaces, but you may find a lot of ways to enrich your palette in the SpatStruments mini series, together with free converters.

You create sound installations, multiphonic live electronic or acousmatic, and any sound creation in which the loudspeakers space is a constituent in its own right ?

In this cases they are really made for you ;-)

More precisely...

Which hosts do you recommend?

Reaper and Bidule are the best, but look at the full list on the resources page.

Is there Linux versions?

Unfortunately no, Synthedit cannot export to Linux, but 32-bit versions work very well with Yabridge/Wine 9
(but 64 bits VST3 may present graphic instabilities).

Are they compatible with ambisonics?

1. these plugins are designed to handle every kind of spatial organization, particularly full 3D ones,
whereas ambisonics is limited to single layer sphere-based format, so the answer is "not directly"
2. but there are excellent free plugins (IEM and Sparta/Compass in particular) that allow to convert multichannel inputs/output of Acousmodules from/to ambisonics.
Just constrain the space to periphonic and always use the higher possible coding order (7th or even 10th)!

Can they be used in a Dolby Atmos production?

1. most of so called "Dolby Atmos" tools and plugins process or generate sound in multichannel formats such as "7.1.4" or "9.1.6", so the SpatStruments series is perfectly adapted to it.
2. Fiedler Audio Dolby Atmos Composer Essential free plugin can be used to convert and encode them.

Why so many channels?

"He who can do the most can do the least" ...
There are indeed few places and devices around the world that can support 64 real channels or more,
but the advantage of working with high resolution nodal spaces is to obtain such a definition that it will be easy
to adapt, to reduce or encode them as needed for other more common spaces.

Installation and OS Compatibility

Each plugin is accompanied by a direct download link , allowing you to select and update only those you need.

There is also some "bundles" which gather the more essentials in each category. The download link is available at the beginning of each page.

Finally, a "Basic Bundle" includes a selection of plugins from all the categories, allowing you to start and to become familiar with their use.

Also don't forget to download the Fast Help documents! Users manuals are very rare here, so these ones must be cherished ;-)

Installation / plugins location

There is no installer, plugins have to be put in the right location by hand ...

- Windows: /Programs/Common Files/VST3/
+ eventually Presets folders: /Documents/VST3 Presets/AcousModules/
- MacOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ or /VST3/
+ eventually Presets folders: /User/Library/Audio/Presets/AcousModules/

Compatibilities:
- Windows all versions (Windows 10 or more recommanded)
- MacOS minimum 10.15 (Intel), for "security" reasons, recent versions and ARM processors are not officially supported (see below)
- Linux with Wine 9 and Yabridge: (partial) compatibility is indicated with

Hosts must support VST3 format on Windows and Audio Unit or VST3 on Mac. Of course they must have a multichannel architecture for plugins and sounds (8 channels minimum).
Tested and working: Ardour, Bidule, Carla, Element, GigPerformer, LiveProfessor, Max/Msp, Pyramix, Reaper, QLab Pro, Usine Hollyhock, VSTHost / SAVIHost.
Also working with limited channels or features: Cantabile, Cubase, Nuendo, Sequoia, Studio Live, Tracktion Waveform
See the full list and details on the Resources page.

Known issues:
- in some cases delete a plugin then insert another on the same effects chain in Reaper can quit
- the automation of some plugins have an effect only if their UI is visible
- pick or delete a Patch cable when there is several in the same plug can be difficult
- VST3 and AU patches versions are not compatible, thus Windows and Mac hosts projects can only be exchanged if they use VST3 plugin, BUT spatial configuration files ("3D" type UI) can be imported/exported in any case
- in some rare cases in Windows some graphic elements may not be visible
- MacOS: the UI can be jerky in some hosts and computers, it is in general less smooth than in Windows
- MacOS: in some version of the OS the graphics can be badly displayed
- MacOS: the latest "advances" from Apple in the field of security as well as other changes may prevent plugins from loading (see below)
- MAC ARM: all the Mac plugins must work with Rosetta 2 emulator, native versions for ARM processors' family are progressively added, but some may never be ...
- Linux + Wine + Yadbridge: the graphical elements may be unstable, making the plugin more or less difficult to use.

About screens resolution:
If you have a HiDPI screen on Windows with a magnification factor (125%, 150% for example), it's possible that the GUI of some plugins is too large and some parts are hidden. In Reaper, go to Options / Preferences / General and click the "Advanced UI/System tweaks" button at the bottom, then click HiDPI Mode (Windows 7+) at the bottom. Try the different options one by one (restart Reaper each time). There should be at least one that allows you to find the right size...

The plugins status is indicated by the following smileys:
as good as possible!
quite functional, improvements are still possible or already in progress
usable, but its operation can be erratic or somewhat limited yet ...

Important note about macOS and security

From macOS 10.15.4 applications and plugins require to be 'notarized', which means they need a digital signature to identify who made them. Plugins that are not notarized are blocked from running. You will see a message like "Plugin cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified", or the plugins will simply not appear in the host.
Nevertheless the following methods can make a plugin running on macOS Catalina and up.

1. In your DAW, hit <Cancel> to the message, then open System Preferences/Security & Privacy, you should see the plugin mentioned at the bottom. Click 'Allow Anyway' to enable it.
Open Terminal. Type the following three commands, hitting <return> in between:
sudo spctl --master-disable
auval -a
sudo spctl --master-enable
See also : https://disable-gatekeeper.github.io

2. open the Terminal application
- paste this line of text and press Enter key: sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/* (Terminal will ask for their Password)
- paste this line of text and press Enter key: sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/*

3. use the Sentinel app https://github.com/alienator88/Sentinel

4. works for all macOS version: download the archive on Windows or Linux, then transfer it to the Mac with a USB key!

About 32 bits VST2 versions

These plugins work in any 32-bit Windows host that has multichannel busses, but they are also directly compatible with 64-bit hosts that have a bridge mode like Reaper. Since some of them have no equivalent and will never be updated, take advantage of them while it still works!
The .dll files can be placed in the folder of your choice, provided of course it is indicated to the host that you use. Resource files needed for the plugin are uncompressed at first launch and placed in a folder next to the dll.
Depending on the version and configuration of Windows, this can be problematic if the plugins folder is placed on the system partition. In this case, the place in the user folder.

These plugins works also very well in Linux with Yabridge, as long as you use Wine versions up to 9.21 :-(

C O N T A C T S U P P O R T

Four ways:

1. by email at: acousmodules@free.fr (generally, I answer rapidly)

2. Facebook page

3. users Forum on KvR-Audio http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=59 (rarely used ...)

4. come to La Monnerie-le-Montel / Auvergne / France and discuss together ;-)

You are of course allowed en encouraged to distribute the plugins around you, but I ask you to keep together the small text file that accompanies them and to refer to this site.
If the distribution is made to a larger scale (website, Magazine), thank you for asking my permission before.
Otherwise, you can use them without informing me, without give me anything. However, I will accept with a great pleasure any donation ...

credits

These plugins are made with Synthedit software, which use Steinberg's SDK for the exported plugins, and I would like to thank Jeff McClintock and the extension developers without whom these tools would not exist, as well as most of my production since more than 20 years ...
They are distributed as "freeware" because even if their public availability means a lot of extra work they are first made for my personal use, so...

Synthedit by Jeff McClintock

extensions by:
Elena Design
Sasha Modules
Davidson
RoyTech Modules
Rob Herder
Time Domain Modules
...

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

AU is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.