FSK Audio has released ModPlay, a flexible MIDI LFO plug-in designed to bring real-time modulation to your favorite plug-ins and hardware.
Priced at $49.95, ModPlay is an intuitive, performance-ready MIDI modulation tool for producers who want to inject dynamic movement into their effects and instruments.
In videogame terms, you could think of ModPlay as a modulation upgrade for any of your existing gear that supports MIDI.
Described as “a plug-in for your plug-ins,” ModPlay generates MIDI CC data that can control virtually any target with MIDI Learn capabilities. This includes software plug-ins as well as external MIDI hardware. If your DAW or device understands MIDI CC, ModPlay can likely manipulate it.
The LFO engine is at the heart of ModPlay. It offers a highly malleable waveform editor with intuitive controls for rate, shape, skew, phase, and polarity.
Whether synced to your host tempo or running freely, the LFO can be retriggered with MIDI notes or playback start. You can choose from standard shapes or create custom variations with the Morph control and built-in randomizer, which is great for adding evolving motion or chaotic modulation.
However, what makes ModPlay especially appealing is its Snapshots feature. You can store up to 12 different modulation configurations and switch between them in real time using MIDI notes C0 to B0.
This feature is performance-focused, and it’s ideal for live tweaking or arranging intricate modulations without touching a mouse or relying on DAW automation.
Each of the four available MIDI CC outputs offers individual control over base level and modulation range, with visual feedback and mute toggles. Routing is streamlined using the MIDI Assign Assist mode, which simplifies the process of assigning CCs to parameters in your target plug-in.
Please note that this is not an audio effect in itself. ModPlay won’t process sound directly, but it adds life to plug-ins that might otherwise feel static.
I’ve found it particularly useful on plugins that lack internal modulation. I’ve tried it with BPB Dirty Filter, and yes – ModPlay is the perfect upgrade for plugins without a built-in LFO.
But there’s a lot more you could do with it. It’s also cool for building complex FX chains with tons of modulation or simply for having more control over your soft synths and effects.
ModPlay is available for Windows and macOS (Intel and Apple silicon), with support for VST3, AU, and AAX formats. A 14-day trial version is available if you want to test it before purchasing.
More info: ModPlay
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Last Updated on July 23, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
