The frequencies that emerge as a result of ring modulation are ensured to never be harmonically related. This makes ring modulation useful in sound design as it can be used to emulate sounds of percussions with inharmonic frequencies like bells, chimes, etc.
What Is Ring Modulation?
Ring modulation is a type of amplitude modulation in which the modulation and carrier signals’ input levels are aligned to result in the emergence of new sum and difference frequencies. In contrast, the original carrier and modulation frequencies disappear totally.
Despite sounding simple, ring modulation can be very challenging to control. On the bright side, it can produce sounds doubtful to be achieved by any other synthesis method.
What Does Ring Modulator Do?
In short, a ring modulator multiplies 2 signals together, resulting in creating two frequencies: the sum and difference of the input frequencies.
How Does A Ring Modulator Work?
A ring modulator is a VCA with a special input. In VCA, when there is no CV, the output should be completely silent. Hence, carrier signals are blocked from passing when the modulation signal is zero, or less and negative signals are ignored altogether.
A ring modulator does the same, but instead of ignoring negative signals, it lets them pass but inverts them, making everything negative.
The 6 Best Ring Modulator VST Plugins In 2024
1. Moogerfooger MF-102S Ring Modulator
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The Moogerfooger MF-102S RingMod is a software plugin based on Moog Music’s classic MF-102 analog effects pedal.
Originally introduced in 1998, the MF-102 was a versatile device featuring a Ring Modulator, a voltage-controlled Carrier Oscillator, and a dual-waveform Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO). Designed by Bob Moog and his team, it inherited the legacy of Moog’s modular synthesizers, capable of processing guitar, voice, synthesizers, and more.
It’s designed to replicate the unique ring modulation effects of the hardware unit and offers the classic metallic, harmonic-rich tones and experimental Moog sound that many producers and musicians appreciate.
Key Features:
- CV Inputs
The MF-102S offers CV (Control Voltage) inputs for Carrier Frequency, LFO Rate, LFO Amount, and Mix, allowing for external modulation and control for more complex sound shaping.
- Versatile Effects
You can achieve a wide range of effects with this plugin, from gentle tremolo to expansive and bright sounds, making it suitable for various musical styles and genres.
- Extensive modulation
MF-102S offers versatile modulation capabilities. It includes Frequency Control to adjust modulation speed, from slow to rapid. Mix Control blends dry and wet signals for desired balance. The Lo/Hi Switch toggles between low and high-frequency modulation, enabling gradual or pronounced changes in audio texture.
- Comprehensive presets
The plugin offers a diverse set of presets for sound exploration. Notable presets include Alchemical Shiftin for experimental music, Flutter Butter for ethereal textures, Old Lanes for a vintage feel, Lowkey for subtle effects, and Harmony Machines for complex tonal textures.
These presets provide instant inspiration and versatility for various musical genres and creative endeavors.
Compatibility:
The MF-102S RingMod plugin is available as a virtual effect audio plugin for macOS and Windows, supporting Audio Units, VST 3, and AAX plugin formats.
Summary:
Overall, the iconic Moogerfooger effect has been faithfully recreated as a plugin, which offers stereo capabilities, expanded features, automation options, preset management, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into digital audio workstations (DAWs).
They retain the powerful control voltage (CV) interconnectivity, allowing instances of Moogerfooger plugins to modulate each other’s parameters across projects in any DAW format (AUv2, VST3, or AAX). This flexibility, coupled with digital attenuverters and side-chain capabilities, unlocks innovative sound design possibilities.
2. Caelum Audio Flux Pro (Multi FX with Ring Mod)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The user interface of Flux Pro is well-balanced thanks to the contrast between the dark grey background and the splashes of color used to highlight the modulated settings.
You can use one- or two-point curves to design complex automation lines in the huge top area of the graph.
The points you add by hand can either be made to snap to the grid or created completely freehand. The lightning-fast preset system also provides 48 forms that may be dragged, resized, and dropped onto the graph window for immediate use.
Key Features:
- Graphs
The three graphs, labeled A, B, and C, and colored pink, cyan, and yellow, respectively, can be timed to a tempo of varying lengths or run independently. The fun begins when you plugin one of the ten effects into one of the four available slots.
With these in place, you can apply positive or negative modulation from the chosen curve by dragging the slider beneath any parameter.
- Filters
There are twenty distinct filter types available between Filter 1 and 2, beginning with the most fundamental modes and expanding to include such advanced filters as the ladder filter, the formant filter, the all-pass filter, the shelf filter, and the Linkwitz-Riley filter.
They produce a warm and distinctive tone, and there is enough sonic variety among the available modes to make each one worthwhile.
- Delay
The Delay (Fixed) effect can be used in a manner analogous to that of the TimeShaper by Cableguys or the Gross Beat by Image-Line. To manipulate it, pick from one of three available modulation shapes and then use curve drawing to make tempo and pitch shifts, as well as other glitch effects.
These modules can drastically alter the pitch and groove of your audio, making them some of the most entertaining and imaginative available.
- Presets
The 48 preset modulation curves in Flux Pro cover a wide range of uses, and you may choose between tempo sync and free frequency options if you don’t feel like tinkering with the curves yourself. Flux Pro provides robust tools for modifying and saving custom curves, and these features are done superbly.
You may make adjustments quickly and easily by double-clicking the mouse. Optional enhancements include a movable snap grid, a floating contextual toolbar, and a range of global graph alterations.
- Midi
DAW playback is the default trigger for Flux Pro. Nonetheless, you can also set it off using MIDI, with two options accessible from the main menu.
In contrast, the Retrigger mode begins playback normally but allows you to restart the curves with a MIDI note manually, and the One-Shot mode plays through all three curves only once.
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.
Summary:
While it’s true that Flux Pro excels at producing wild-sounding rise effects and glitched-out beats, it’s also quite capable of handling more nuanced tasks, such as adding a gentle, undulating unison to a pad, fluffy-sounding saturation to a percussion part via the filter drive and delay feedforward amount, and modulating the panning of hi-hats.
3. Melda MRingModulatorMB (Full-Featured & Creative)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
One of the most desirable things about this plugin is its 6 band control option with 2 oscillators.
You may think to yourself, “one oscillator is confusing enough; why need 2?”. However, Melda’s implementation of those 2 oscillators over 6 bands makes its usage easier and more pleasing. In addition to that, Melda provides you with parameters that you can modulate independently. Each modulator can function as an LFO, envelope, audio level follower, randomizer, and pitch detector.
Since this is a MeldaProductions product, you get the usual M/S 8 channel surround sound, up to 16x up-sampling, A-H presets to aid your workflow, a built-in help system, and many more.
Key Features:
The MRingModulatorMB offers one of the most innovative and advanced user interfaces in the market. It is resizable, stylable, and GPU accelerated
It consists of 2 user interfaces, a simple one for beginners and an advanced interface for professional users who would like to have in-depth control
A visualization engine that is distinctive in its own way with classic meters and time graphs
You can control the effect independently over 6 different bands
Adjustable oscillator shape technology
M/S, single-channel, up to 8 channels surround processing
Smart randomization to generate random settings to help serve as a starting point
This plugin implements the Automatic Gain Compensation (AGC) technique to help regulate the overall volume level of your audio
The ring modulation effect in this plugin can be tempo-synced to match the host BPM
Compatibility:
This plugin is compatible with Windows 7 or higher for PC and macOS 10.9 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/VST3/AU/AAX versions and supports 32 or 64-bits for PC but 64-bits only for Mac.
Summary:
Unique addition to the several high-quality plugins by MeldaProductions. Its advanced GUI and dual interface modes help you have a more organized and more efficient workflow.
4. KiloHearts Ring Mod (Free – Great For Beginners)
This simplistic plugin by KiloHearts emulates analog ring modulation.
Secondary signals inherited by this plugin include input signal and its sidechain, a sine wave oscillator, and a low and bandpass filtered noise. All those parameters can be shaped using the Bias and Rectify controls. Then you have the Frequency control knob, which is responsible for setting the filter or the oscillator’s cutoff frequency. Next to it, the Spread control knob manages the stereo width of the effect. Finally, the Mix knob controls the Wet/Dry levels, which enable parallel processing.
Key Features:
- A simple interface that allows for easy usage and maximum efficiency
- A modulator that provides you with control over a sine wave oscillator as well as a low and bandpass filtered noise
- The interface of this plugin is resizable to enable it to fit multiple displays and DAWs
- Control parameters are fully automatable
- Settings panel which contains multiple presets to help you get a starting point
Compatibility:
KiloHearts Ring Mod is compatible with Windows 7 or higher for PC and OS X 10.10 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/VST3/AU/AAX formats and supports 64-bit systems only.
Summary:
Its simple design and straightforward control knobs enable faster workflows and higher efficiency. However, its simplicity is also its downside since it is compromised in terms of versatility and controllability, limiting the range of sounds that it can generate.
5. Stagecraft RingMod
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
Stagecraft RingMod is a lightweight, easy-to-use ring modulation plugin that offers you a surprisingly decent amount of control.
This plugin has a very organized interface. The main focus point is the XY pad present in the center of the interface that allows you to control the modulation. To the right, you have the controls for the flanger, chorus, and LFO filters. You can choose to enable or disable any effect that you need. In addition to that, there is the Warp tool, which helps time sync the oscillators to match your host tempo or to different timing like a quarter note, triplet, etc.
Unlike most plugins, RingMod allows you to generate the ringing effect by choosing 5 different waveforms instead of the traditional sine wave only. Additionally, RingMod offers pulse width modulation, which expands the range of possibilities for this effect.
Key Features:
- RingMod is one of few plugins that allow you to use a waveform other than sine wave to generate the ringing effect
- Various syncing settings include straight, 1/4 note pulse, offbeat triplet, or 64th notes. In addition to that, flangers, choruses, and Filter LFOs can also be tempo-synced
- All parameters in this plugin are fully automatable
- You have a choice between a handful of presets to make your lives easier. Additionally, you can create your own presets for later use
Compatibility:
This plugin requires Windows 7 or higher for PC and OS X 10.7 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/VST3/AU/AAX formats and supports 64-bit systems only.
6. SPC Plugins Wobbulator (Stereo Ring Modulation)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
Wobbulator is a stereo ring modulation plugin with unique features like distortion, cross modulation, and sample rate reduction.
Wobbulator is a unique plugin when it comes to its LFOs as it features independent left and right LFOs with 96 waveforms (including 8 random shapes, 32 ‘sequencer’ patterns, and an envelope follower). Moreover, the LFO can be tempo-synced to different timings like a quarter note, random triplet, or just according to the project tempo.
When it comes to the user interface, Wobbulator has large controls that are very easy to adjust. Additionally, the parameters have wide ranges and can be adjusted smoothly and randomized using the smart randomization feature, which generates random parameters. Furthermore, parameters have independent displays that are colored differently, making them easy to read.
Key Features:
- Stereo ring modulation
- Advanced, dual 96-waveform LFOs
- LFO waveforms can be manipulated through the 8 different random modulations that you can choose from
- LFO has 32 sequencer patterns
- This plugin supports tempo sync
- Wobbulator has a fairly easy to use interface with interesting colors and organization of controls
- Randomize feature that generates random settings which can help you find a good starting point
- Wobbulator is designed to be CPU friendly and be light on memory usage
Compatibility:
This plugin requires Windows 7 or higher for PC and OS X 10.7 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/VST3/AU/AAX formats and supports both 32 and 64-bit systems.
Summary:
Its highly advanced LFO with 92 waveforms alongside its easy-to-use interface is what makes this plugin stand out among the rest.
Free Bonuses:
1. SonicXTC Ring Modulator 101 (FREE)
This freeware by SonicXTC is an impressive ring modulator that packs an exciting amount of features.
The Modulator 101 attempts to emulate a classic effects chain featuring a vintage ring modulator present in vintage hardware modulator units. The developers of this plugin claim that it offers the closest emulation of the classic vintage sound.
Apart from the ring modulator, this plugin also has chorus and flanger modules, a built-in preamp simulator, and a spring reverb effect. In addition to that, this plugin offers a 2-pole low pass filter that can be used to control the generated harmonics. While the interface looks a bit messy, everything is divided into sections where you have the LP filter in the “Filter” section, “Ensemble” section for the chorus and flanger effects, “Echo” section for spring reverb, “Amp Drive” section for the preamp, and “Ring Mod” section for controlling the ring modulation. Furthermore, there is a giant VU meter at the center of the interface to enable you to view the output levels.
Key Features:
- This ring modulator plugin offers a Vintage spring echo effect
- You can generate an ensemble chorus/flanger effect by utilizing the multiple controls present in the “ensemble” section
- This plugin supports MIDI automation
- Users have a choice between 32 presets to help serve as starting points
- Dual-channel tube amp drive emulation
- Low CPU consumption
Compatibility:
Ring Modulator 101 works on Windows 7 or higher only. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support Mac devices at the moment. It comes in VST format and supports both 32 and 64-bit systems.
2. de la mancha Ring Thing
Ring Thing is another impressive Ring Modulator plugin that is developed by de la mancha. It packs impressive features on a simple interface.
The interface in this plugin revolves around a big XY pad the is placed in the center. This XY pad controls the frequency and mix level of the ring modulator. Each axis on the XY pad is modulated independently using a tempo-sync LFO, and the modulation is displayed graphically on the XY pad. Below the XY pad, you have controls for the ring modulation waveform where you can choose between several waveforms.
Key Features:
- This plugin provides you with 9 types of ring modulation, each with different tonal qualities
- 11 different ring modulation waveforms that allow you to have in-depth control over the effect
- XY pad to control the frequency modulation
- Wet/Dry level mix for parallel processing
- Each axis can be tempo-synced using its own tempo-sync LFO that allows for in-depth control
- 7 LFO waveforms as well as a “random” waveform
- LFO’s can be damped and inverted
- This plugin has a graphical display of the modulation on the XY pad
- You can add more complexity to the modulation since LFO can be synchronized
Compatibility:
Like the Ring Modulator 101, Ring Thing is a Windows plugin that requires Windows 7 or higher. It comes in VST format and supports 32 and 64-bit systems.
Summary:
Its inclusion of an XY pad to control the modulation effect makes it so much more controllable when compared to its counterparts that do not possess it. However, it is a pretty outdated plugin that needs some refurbishment and better support for more devices.
Conclusion
To wrap this up, ring modulation is a fascinating part of sound design. It has for a while been the little secret for dark hip hop and dubstep sounds. Ring modulation plugins are quickly gaining traction and becoming more popular among sound designers and music producers. This article reviews a few of the best ring modulation plugins, both free and paid, to guide you into picking the one that fits your taste.
Started as a rapper and songwriter back in 2015 then quickly and gradually developed his skills to become a beatmaker, music producer, sound designer and an audio engineer.