Ring modulation (which yesterday’s article was about) can help you completely transform an audio signal into something unique.
It can create metallic, robotic tones, add movement to your tracks all day.
Plus, generate complex harmonics that wouldn’t exist otherwise 一 even a simple sound can turn into something mind-blowing with the right ring modulation plugin.
That’s why I’m breaking down the absolute best ring modulation plugins in the game.
Knowing all about them, as producers, can seriously help you shape your sound in ways that no other effect can.
Whether you want subtle modulation or wild, extreme transformations, these plugins include everything you’ll need, like:
- Carrier frequency control to shape modulation depth ✓
- LFO with multiple waveforms for evolving movement ✓
- Stereo spread to widen or focus the effect ✓
- Mix knob for blending dry and modulated signals ✓
- Envelope following for dynamic modulation tied to input levels ✓
- Tempo sync to keep modulation locked into your beat ✓
- Noise oscillators for textured, organic modulation ✓
- Smart randomization for instant creative inspiration ✓
- Much more ✓
By knowing all about the best ring modulation plugins, you never have to worry about your sound being too basic or predictable (nobody has time for that).
Plus, you’ll be able to seriously push your creativity, knockout insane textures, and unlock new techniques that set your music apart.
This way, your tracks will always hit harder, sound more futuristic, and stand out like a boss.
And remember, my posts always include everything you need to know about each, so you get a super solid understanding.
Table of Contents
Moogerfooger MF-102S Ring Modulator
Moog’s legendary ring modulation hardware comes to life in the Moogerfooger MF-102S Ring Modulator, which is one of my favs.
It’s a fully digital recreation of the original unit with some modern additions.
You get a continuously adjustable sine wave oscillator that blends with your input signal, generating new frequencies based on the sum and difference of the two signals.
The carrier frequency ranges from 0.6 Hz to 4 kHz so you can create everything from slow, rhythmic tremolos to harsh, robotic metallic tones that cut through a mix.
One of the best features in my opinion is the tempo-syncable LFO, letting you lock modulation speed to your DAW’s BPM for tight, rhythmic pulses.
There’s also an LFO shape selector that gives you options between sine, square, and sample & hold so you can completely alter the movement of your modulation.
If you want a little bit more deeper control, virtual CV routing lets you automate parameters just like a modular synth, opening up endless modulation possibilities.
This ring modulator also includes a drive knob, which warms up harsh modulated tones with analog-style saturation.
And then there’s the mix control that lets you blend between the clean and modulated signals, so you can dial in just the right balance.
Whether you’re adding subtle movement to synths or completely destroying a drum loop, this ring modulation plugin can transform your sound in ways other effects can’t.
One of my favorite things about it is how harmonics interact with modulation.
When you dial in just the right settings, even the simplest sound turns into something complex and evolving, trust me.
NOTE: If you really want to push this thing to its limits, set the carrier frequency around 1.2 kHz and crank the drive knob past 75% to get an aggressive, gritty texture that cuts through a mix.
Try setting the LFO rate to 0.25 Hz with a square wave for a choppy, rhythmic effect or switch to sample & hold mode with a depth of 60%.
This will give you that unpredictable, glitchy modulation.
If you’re working with drums, lowering the carrier frequency below 100 Hz while keeping the mix around 50% can add a pulsing, synthetic feel without completely washing out the original transients.
Why It’s One of the Best Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Authentic Moog hardware emulation in digital form
- Carrier frequency from 0.6 Hz to 4 kHz for extreme flexibility
- Tempo-syncable LFO locks modulation to BPM
- Selectable LFO frequency waveforms (sine, square, sample & hold)
- Virtual CV routing for advanced modulation control
- Drive knob adds warm analog-style saturation
- Mix control blends clean and modulated sound
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins available
Caelum Audio Flux Pro
Flux Pro by Caelum Audio is a multi-effects modulation powerhouse that lets you create deep, evolving movement in your sound.
This ring modulator gives you four effect slots, each capable of hosting one of ten modulation effects, including:
- Ring mod
- Phaser
- Chorus
- Flanger
- Delay
So when it comes to creative shaping, you really have endless possibilities.
You can draw custom modulation shapes on three independent graph-based modulators 一 which gives you total control over how effects morph over time.
The MIDI triggering system includes One-Shot and Retrigger modes, letting you sync modulation changes to your performance in real-time.
Flux Pro also lets you output modulation graphs as MIDI CC or CV signals, so you can control hardware synths or other plugins using the same movement.
One of my favorite features is the ability to modulate multiple parameters at once, turning even a simple synth or drum loop into something unpredictable and alive.
To really fine-tune your modulation, set the LFO rate between 0.1 Hz and 2 Hz for slow, evolving movement, or push it past 10 Hz for rapid, rhythmic effects.
Try using the Ring Mod effect with a carrier frequency of 500 Hz and automating the mix from 30% to 80% to gradually introduce metallic textures over time.
If you’re working with percussive elements, setting the modulation depth to 75% while syncing it to 1/8 note divisions can create a pulsing, glitchy effect that locks perfectly.
Side note, if you want to learn all about chorus, flanger, delay, or phaser effects, I got you covered.
Why It’s One of the Best Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Four effect slots for stacking ring mod, phaser, chorus, flanger, and more
- Graph-based modulation with fully customizable movement
- MIDI One-Shot and Retrigger modes for performance control
- Outputs modulation as MIDI CC or CV to control hardware or other effects
- Multi-parameter modulation for dynamic, evolving sound design
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins available
MeldaProduction MRingModulatorMB
MeldaProduction’s MRingModulatorMB is a sick multiband ring modulation plugin that offers extensive control over your sound.
Honestly I feel like plugins by MeldaProduction don’t get enough hype when they’re actually super solid.
It features up to six fully configurable independent bands, so you can apply ring modulation selectively across different frequency ranges.
Each band includes its own adjustable oscillator with customizable shapes so you can create unique modulation effects until you hear what you’re going for.
It also comes packed with a variety of modulators, such as:
- LFOs
- Envelope followers
- Pitch detectors
They can all be assigned to any parameter for dynamic sound manipulation.
Plus, MRingModulatorMB supports M/S, single-channel, and up to 8-channel surround processing, which makes it versatile for various mixing environments.
One of my favorite features is the smart randomization, which inspires creativity by generating new settings with a single click (definitely play around with it).
Try setting one band’s frequency range to 200 Hz – 800 Hz while keeping another between 2 kHz – 5 kHz for a layered, dynamic effect.
NOTE: Using the LFO with a sine wave at 0.5 Hz and a modulation depth of 60% can create smooth, evolving motion, while switching to a square wave at 5 Hz adds a choppy, tremolo-like pulse.
If you’re after unpredictable textures, set the pitch detector to track an incoming synth lead while applying 50% mix on a single band.
This makes the modulation follow the melody in a way that sounds organic yet futuristic (which is the perfect balance if you ask me).
Why It’s One of the Best Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Six independent bands for precise frequency targeting
- Customizable oscillators with adjustable shapes
- Multiple modulators including LFOs and envelope followers
- M/S and surround processing for versatile mixing options
- Smart randomization for a little bit of inspiration
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins available
Efektor Ringmojo Ring Modulator by Kuassa
Efektor Ringmojo by Kuassa delivers aggressive, metallic textures with a focus on waveform shaping and precise frequency control.
Instead of locking you into a single modulation style, this ring modulation plugin includes five LFO waveforms:
- Sine
- Triangle
- Saw
- Square
- Random
Meaning, you really have all the flexibility in the world to create smooth motion or chaotic, unpredictable movement.
The waveform shape transformation feature pushes modulation even further by letting you morph between shapes so you can achieve the perfect vibe.
This way, it’s super easy to gradually evolve textures or shift instantly between different modulation styles to really nail it down.
If you want your modulation to stay locked to your beat, there’s also tempo-syncing which lets you match the LFO rate to your project’s BPM for tight, rhythmic pulsing.
The adjustable center frequency control makes sure you can isolate specific frequency ranges, perfect for dialing in anything from subtle harmonic shifts to full-spectrum frequency destruction.
Make sure to play around because you can really create all sorts of magic.
One of my favorite ways to use it is by applying slow modulation to a synth pad.
This adds a dope futuristic, metallic character that makes the sound feel alive without being overpowering.
If you want to take the metallic textures even further, try setting the center frequency around 800 Hz with a triangle LFO shape at 0.3 Hz to create a slow, sweeping motion that gradually shifts harmonics.
For a more rhythmic effect, lock the LFO rate to 1/8 notes and use a square wave with 70% depth, which adds a pulsing, almost robotic feel to synths or percussion.
If you’re experimenting with extreme modulation, morph between saw and random waveforms while keeping the mix at 50%.
This keeps things wild and unpredictable while still letting the original signal shine through.
Why It’s One of the Best Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Five LFO waveforms for a mix of smooth and chaotic movement
- Waveform shape transformation lets you morph modulation in real time
- Tempo-syncing keeps modulation locked to your track’s BPM
- Adjustable center frequency for precise control over the effect
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins on the market
KiloHearts Ring Mod
KiloHearts Ring Mod keeps things simple but powerful with a built-in sine wave or noise oscillator while also letting you use a second input signal to create modulation.
Instead of being locked into a single modulation source, you can shape the frequency of the oscillator or use noise filtering to add extra texture.
The spread control shifts frequencies slightly between the left and right channels 一 adding a stereo widening effect that makes modulation feel more immersive.
If you want to take things even further, the bias and rectify settings let you add positive bias or apply rectification, completely changing the harmonic character of your sound.
Personally, those are my favorite features of this one, but everything is solid.
This ring mod plugin also includes a mix knob to balance the effect, so it’s super easy to dial in anything from subtle movement to full-on metallic chaos.
One of my favorite tricks is using the noise generator with a high frequency setting and just a little bit of modulation to give synth pads a grainy, atmospheric edge.
For example, setting the noise generator’s frequency to 4 kHz with 20% modulation depth adds a subtle, airy texture that sits beautifully under a mix.
If you want something more intense, try cranking the modulation depth past 70% while using rectification at 50%.
This introduces a grittier, almost distorted quality that works great on percussive elements.
Another cool trick is automating the bias control from -30% to +30% over time, which makes the modulation shift dynamically.
This way, you’ll get a sound that constantly evolves instead of staying static, so if that’s what you’re looking for, definitely play around with that.
Why It’s One of the Best Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Built-in sine wave or noise oscillator for flexible modulation
- Use a secondary input signal for unique sound interactions
- Frequency and spread controls for tonal shaping and stereo depth
- Bias and rectify options
- Mix knob to dial in the perfect balance
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins available
MeldaProduction MRingModulator (Free)
MRingModulator (not to be confused with MRingModulator MB) by MeldaProduction is one of the most powerful free ring modulation plugins available.
It delivers high-quality sound with deep customization, and it’s actually pretty impressive.
Instead of a static modulation source, this ring modulation plugin includes one or two oscillators with fully adjustable waveform shapes.
This basically means you can morph between sine, square, triangle, and custom waveforms for a wide range of effects.
The phase difference control lets you introduce stereo widening by offsetting the modulation between the left and right channels, creating a more immersive sound.
There’s also automatic gain compensation, so your levels will always be consistent and on point as you adjust modulation depth.
As well as the safety limiter, which prevents unwanted clipping when pushing the effect to extreme settings.
If you need precision, the frequency knob allows fine-tuning of the modulation rate, letting you target specific harmonics or completely destroy an audio signal.
Whatever direction you’re going for, it’s got you covered.
One of my favorite ways to use this free ring modulator is by applying slow modulation with a high depth setting on a vocal (but of course, feel free to play around).
This will turn it into a robotic, otherworldly texture that cuts through a mix.
For example, setting the modulation frequency around 150 Hz with 80% depth and using a square wave creates a choppy, vocoder-like effect.
It sounds futuristic but still intelligible, which is actually pretty cool.
If you want something even more extreme, try switching to a triangle wave at 20 Hz while setting the mix at 60%.
This will keep some of the original vocal while introducing a metallic, sci-fi quality.
For a more subtle touch, lowering the modulation depth to 30% and applying a sine wave at 2 Hz gives a gentle, evolving texture that can add movement to a vocal without making it unrecognizable.
Why It’s One of the Best Free Ring Modulation Plugins:
- Two oscillators with fully adjustable waveform shapes
- Phase difference control for stereo widening effects
- Frequency knob for precise modulation tuning
- Automatic gain compensation for balanced levels
- Safety limiter prevents unwanted clipping
- One of the best ring modulation plugins/ring mod plugins available
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: the absolute best ring modulation plugins in the game.
There are options for every kind of producer, so whether you’re after subtle harmonic movement or full-on sonic destruction, you got it.
Some are packed with multi-band processing and deep modulation routing, while others keep things simple but effective for quick workflow enhancements.
So, regardless of which one(s) you pick, they’re all super solid. It really just boils down to your personal preference as well as how much control you want, how extreme you want your modulation to be, and what kind of textures fit your sound the best.
Just remember, ring modulation can be a game-changer, but it’s all about using it with intention.
Never overdo it to the point where your mix loses clarity, and always dial in the right balance between dry and modulated signals for the best results.
And since we’ve talked so much about percussion and rhythmic modulation, you have to check out the absolute best Free Percussion Samples in the game.
In this pack, you’ll get 20 unique percussion samples that you won’t find anywhere else (you can make killer drum patterns that really stand out from the competition).
Each sound was created by top-tier producers and sound designers, so you never have to worry about quality.
Plus, layering these percussion samples with ring modulation plugins can take your drum grooves to an entirely new level.
It will give them extra movement, texture, and sonic depth all day.
Bottom line, when it comes to these best ring modulation plugins, it’s all about understanding how modulation interacts with your sounds and experimenting with different settings.
Just remember to use modulation depth carefully, play around with frequency settings, and try combining LFOs with envelope followers for dynamic control.
Plus, layering modulation with percussive elements, automating key parameters, and using stereo spread controls strategically will help bring everything together.
If you do all those things and apply everything we broke down, your tracks will always stand out, sound fresh, and have a unique character that sets them apart.
This way, your productions can hit harder, feel more alive, and your sound design skills will be on another level.
Until next time…
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