Tracktion RetroMod Complete Collection — Free Download

Purpose and Concept

The RetroMod Complete Collection aims to capture the soul of iconic hardware synthesizers, going beyond simple sample playback. Each instrument is built from detailed, multi-sampled recordings taken note by note and across multiple velocities, preserving the nuances of the original gear. The samples are then combined in creative, unconventional ways to forge new sounds that push beyond the source hardware’s capabilities, offering a contemporary twist on classic tones.

The collection includes seven virtual instruments, each drawing from a distinct family of hardware. Lead focuses on Clavia instruments, 106 on the Roland Juno series, FAT on modern Moog synths, and Digital 1 on eighties hybrid digital synthesizers. The LoFreq series spans three volumes covering analog mono synths, labeled Classic, Modern, and Wired. Together, they provide a broad arsenal of sound sources for a virtual studio.

Key Capabilities and Controls

A central feature is the X/Y pad, which can be assigned to parameters like FM, ring modulation, distortion, and filter frequency. This enables real-time, expressive manipulation of the sound, allowing for dynamic performances and sound design. This pad is present across the instruments, providing a consistent, hands-on control surface.

Each instrument includes a suite of creative effects, such as reverbs, chorus, and distortion, to further shape and enhance the sound. For example, the LoFreq instruments boast a secondary multimode resonant filter and a second oscillator to beef up the sound, while the 106 virtual instrument offers a multi-oscillator Juno for layering tones.

Workflow and Sound Design

The RetroMod series encourages a workflow centered on layering and recombination. In Lead, users can merge the attack of an FM piano from a modern NordLead A1 with the raw body of an early NordLead 1, creating a unique hybrid sound. This approach of blending samples from different sources is a recurring theme, turning the instruments into tools for innovative sound design.

The LoFreq instruments offer extensive performance capabilities, including up to sixteen voices of unison and an integrated arpeggiator. These features are designed to rapidly generate patterns and create pulsing basses, searing leads, and thick pads. The X/Y pad adds a further layer of real-time control, allowing for subtle or aggressive sonic coloration, making the collection suitable for both studio production and live manipulation.

Practical Applications and Sound Palette

The collection is well-suited for musicians and producers seeking authentic vintage sounds with a modern edge. The Digital 1 instrument, sampling the PPG Wave, Korg DW8000, and Prophet VS, delivers evolving pads, shining electric pianos, and harsh basses characteristic of the eighties hybrid era. The FAT instrument provides powerful low-frequency capabilities, ideal for bass-heavy music, but users should be cautious of potential speaker damage.

For those exploring analog mono synths, the LoFreq series covers a vast range of textures, from classic basses to modern experimental tones. The 106 instrument allows exploration of the Juno’s bass and chorused pads, while Lead offers everything from lush pads to cutting-edge leads.

Key features

• Seven virtual instruments for a comprehensive synth palette
• Meticulous multi-samples of classic hardware synthesizers
• X/Y pad for real-time expressive parameter control
• Built-in effects suite including reverbs, chorus, and distortion
• Layered sound design using combinations of different hardware samples
• LoFreq series includes 16-voice unison and an arpeggiator
• Broad preset bank with over 2500 presets

Best for

This collection is best for music producers and sound designers who want to meld vintage hardware character with fresh, modern sonic sculpture. It suits those seeking expressive live control via the X/Y pad and a vast palette of sampled synths for genres like electronic, synthwave, and cinematic composition, without relying on emulation of a single instrument.