Essession has launched TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX, two new Windows VST3 plugins designed to transform an iPad or Windows touchscreen into a multitouch control surface for instruments and effects. The release focuses on enabling more direct, hands-on interaction with software by allowing simultaneous control of multiple parameters through touch gestures.
TouchMod is built around a performance-oriented concept in which a single finger can control two parameters at once, with support for up to four fingers simultaneously. This allows users to shape as many as eight parameters in parallel using natural finger movements, rather than adjusting controls individually with a mouse.
TouchMod IN is intended for use with VST3 instruments, including synthesizers, samplers, pianos, and other virtual instruments. It can be applied to tasks such as filter movement, timbre shaping, morphing between sounds, layered modulation, and other forms of expressive sound control that benefit from continuous physical input.
TouchMod FX extends the same multitouch approach to VST3 effect plugins. It supports a wide range of effect types, including:
- Delays and reverbs
- Filters and dynamics processors
- Modulation effects and distortion units
- Creative multi-effects
Both versions communicate directly with VST3 plugin parameters. Users can assign parameters by moving a control within the hosted plugin once, enabling TouchMod to learn the parameter automatically. Alternatively, parameters can be selected from a complete list provided by the plugin, including those available to the host but not visible in the plugin’s graphical interface. This allows users to create custom touch layouts that include both commonly used controls and less prominent modulation targets.
Each TouchMod instance can host two plugins simultaneously. In TouchMod IN, this makes it possible to combine two VST3 instruments within a single setup. In TouchMod FX, two effects can be arranged in series or parallel. This configuration supports workflows such as controlling layered instruments from one touch surface or shaping combined effects such as delay and reverb, dual filters, or other paired processing chains within a unified multitouch environment.
Touch gestures can be recorded and played back as looping automation. Playback speed and movement amplitude can be adjusted in real time, allowing short gestures to evolve over time. This functionality can be used for subtle modulation, more pronounced sound design changes, transitional effects, live performance control, or experimental processing.
The touch interface can operate on a Windows touchscreen, including a secondary touchscreen monitor. Essession also provides TouchMod Remote, a free iPad app available through the Apple App Store. The app connects wirelessly to TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX over WiFi and displays the TouchMod pad in fullscreen mode on the iPad.
Layout settings such as sector sizes, configuration changes, and color assignments remain synchronized with the VST3 plugin. Users can also select which TouchMod instance they wish to control from the iPad interface. This setup allows the main DAW and plugin windows to remain visible on the primary computer display while the iPad or touchscreen functions as a dedicated performance surface.
TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX are Windows VST3 plugins and are designed for producers, sound designers, and live electronic musicians seeking a more tactile way to interact with virtual instruments and effects. Essession describes the TouchMod range as part of its focus on tools that aim to make software-based music production more direct through multitouch interaction and parameter-level control.
To mark the launch, Essession is offering TouchMod IN and TouchMod FX free of charge until September 15, 2026. Users who download the plugins before that date will retain lifetime access and receive future updates.
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