FAQ

Device Questions

What are the differences between the MOD Duo, the MOD Duo X and the MOD Dwarf?

In generic terms, the MOD Duo is designed to be a floor unit especially focused to be used by guitar and bass players. The MOD Duo X takes the same technology, focusing mostly on the synthesizers and live interaction with effects - the reason that justifies the bigger number of actuators. The MOD Dwarf is the learning of these both devices and applied in a more user-friendly way. Meant as well to be a floor unit focused on guitar and bass players, the MOD Dwarf includes a pagination system that multiplies the possibilities of assignment of the 3 encoders and the Footswicthes B and C (the footswitch A is meant to cycle between pages).

If we take a closer look at the technical aspects of both devices, the Duo X is a more powerful unit. With a more powerful processor, bigger memory, storage, and bit rate, the Duo X allow you to run more complex pedalboards with multiple instances of high requirements plugins. The MOD Dwarf is more optimized.

The Duo X also has physical CV input and output ports, which allows it to interact with modular synths, for example. The Duo X has also an extra input where the user can connect an expression pedal.

Can the MOD devices be powered with a battery?

Yes, the MOD devices can be powered with batteries. For that type of usage, you need a power bank that outputs 12V. Yet, we recommend using the official power supply that comes with your unit, as it keeps the noise level low.

Do the MOD devices support MPE?

Currently, none of the plugins available on the MOD platform supports MPE. Yet, future or new plugin releases may support MPE. As we are constantly improving the platform, it will be only a matter of time.

Do I need a computer or other similar device to play with the MOD devices?

No, you can take just the device to the stage and it works like any other regular multi-effects pedal. The computer/tablet/phone is used to install new effects, create pedalboards (plugin arrangements with control assignments), upgrade the internal software, and share your pedalboards on MOD Cloud.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to use the MOD devices?

No. You can create pedalboards using the plugins that are already installed on your MOD device. Internet connection is required only to install new plug-ins, to share or download other users’ pedalboards, and for device updates.

What are the specifications of the devices power supply?

Both the MOD Duo and the MOD DuoX come with its own approved power supply which outputs 12V, 2A over a center-positive barrel-type plug.

MOD Duo

Do I need an amp to use the Duo?

Not necessarily, but you are free to use it if you wish.

There are a few amp simulators available on the MOD platform. You can load them on your pedalboards inside your MOD Duo and connect it directly to a mixer or any sound system.

Yet, you can also connect your MOD Duo to an amp and use it as your sound source. As a best practice for this type of setup, we suggest that you don't load amp simulators inside your MOD Duo. But, as music-making should be about creativity and experimenting, you are free to load them on your pedalboards anyway. This will not break your device. Be only aware of the output volumes of your MOD Duo.

Can I use it as an FX loop?

Yes. The MOD devices are extremely versatile effect units. As you can totally program and arrange the effects inside the device you can set the device in pretty much any position of your setup.

MOD Duo X

What is the maximum number of plugins that can be used on the devices?

In any of our devices, the number of plugins that you can load on each pedalboard depends on the resources that each plugin in your pedalboard requires. Some plugins consume barely any resources (things like MIDI utilities or CV plugins) and therefore you can load a lot of them. Some others (like Pitch Shifters with Hi-FI settings or convolution plugins with long IRs) consume more resources and therefore you can load fewer plugins in pedalboards where you use them.

How many different parameters can be addressed on the controls?

With the pagination system available for the MOD Duo X, you get 6 pages of assignments. This means that you can assign up to 6 parameters for each physical control (Endless Knobs, Potentiometer Knobs or the 4 Buttons).

The 3 small rubber buttons between the Endless knobs are used to cycle between these pages according to the Page Mode that you define in your device settings.

MOD Dwarf

Can I use a USB MIDI Controller with the MOD Dwarf?

Yes. All of our devices have USB MIDI class-compliant compatible, so you can connect any USB MIDI device and will be automatically recognized by the MOD Dwarf.

How can I connect an Expression Pedal to the MOD Dwarf?

You can connect an expression pedal to the MOD Dwarf either via MIDI to the MOD Dwarf MIDI ports or to the USB port A. In this case, if your Expression pedal doesn't have a MIDI output, you can use an expression pedal to MIDI converter.

Another option is to use the Control Chain port of the MOD Dwarf.

MOD Platform

Can I control MIDI synths with a guitar?

No. Currently, there are no plugins on the platform able to convert audio inputs to MIDI.

How are the MOD devices updated?

Every time that you connect your device to the Web graphical interface, the device checks if it's currently updated. If there is an update available, you will be notified. You can then perform the update with a single click.

Note: the device where you are visualising the graphical interface must be connected to the internet. Our team of programmers and engineers work to develop new features and to improve existing ones. We launch regular updates, which means that your MOD device constantly becomes more efficient and more stable.

Can I assign one physical control of my MOD or from a MIDI controller to multiple parameters?

Yes, with the help of CV plugins. Check this tutorial to learn more.

Plugins

Are the effects that run in the MOD devices made only by MOD company?

No. The MOD devices use an open standard called LV2. It was created by the very active Linux Audio Community and hundreds of LV2 plugins are freely available, made by different independent developers. Most of the plugins available on the MOD Cloud already existed when the project began and many more shall be created independently of MOD's existence.

Do the MOD devices run VST effects?

No. The format used by the MOD devices is LV2. This format is similar to VST, but released under an open-source license. This avoids the license hassles related to VST and allows multiple developers around the world to create effects for the MOD platform.

Are plugins free of charge?

Not all plugins are free. Yet, most plugins on MOD Plugin Store are indeed free of charge.

We currently have close to 1000 plug-ins in our library and new plug-ins are regularly added.

The paid plug-ins allow developers from around the world to sell their creations, encouraging these programmers to spend more time developing new and unusual plug-ins.

Can I install plugins on my MOD device that are not available on the MOD cloud?

Yes. MOD gives full support to the LV2 standard and any working LV2 plugin will work in any of the MOD devices. The installation of these plugins is done using our free SDK.

MOD Peripherals

Does the MOD Footswitch support control pagination?

It's not yet possible to use control pagination using a MOD Footswitch.

Control Chain

How many Control Chain devices can I place in a chain?

You can connect up to 8 Control Chain devices together in the same chain.

Interfacing with other devices

Can I use the MOD devices with an expression pedal?

On the DUO X you have a port available where you can connect an expression pedal. It is not possible to connect expression pedals directly to your MOD Footswitch, for example. Yet, you can use the MOD Arduino Shield to create an interface for your expression pedals or even create your own expression pedal and connect it as a Control Chain device.

Can I sync to an external clock?

Yes. You have two different ways to sync your MOD device with an external clock, via MIDI (MIDI Clock) or using Ableton Link.

MIDI

Can the MOD devices be used to control other devices via MIDI?

Yes. You have plugins available on the MOD platform that allow you to send MIDI data to other devices using both the old-school MIDI output or USB MIDI. You can for example set a parallel MIDI "command line" together with your effects/instruments chain or you can make both of them interact. As the platform allows you to arrange and connect plugins (no matter if effects, generators, MIDI, etc.) as you wish, your possibilities are pretty much infinite.

Do the MOD devices support MIDI?

Yes, all MOD devices have great MIDI connectivity. There is support for old-school MIDI over DIN cables, as well as USB-MIDI over USB cables. It is even possible to add a USB hub to the devices to expand the number of USB connections that you can make.

Control Voltage

What is the voltage range of the CV ports?

The MOD Duo X inputs and outputs have a range from 0V to 10V. These values are different for the Duo X Limited Edition. Please check out the Technical Specifications for more info.

How can I use CV controls on my device?

The Duo X is the only device with external CV connections, yet you can still use CV controls on the Duo. Check out this tutorial for more info.

Audio

What is the latency of the devices?

All our devices have the same latency of roughly 8 milliseconds in a total roundtrip.

What's the bit rate and frequency?

All the plugins available in the MOD platform run internally at 32bit floating-point format and with a 48kHz sample rate.