Pro Tools 2024.3 introduced MIDI AAX plugins to Pro Tools. This long-requested feature opens up lots of real time MIDI experimentation previously out of reach of Pro Tools users. In this video Julian demonstrates the one which screams ‘fun’ most loudly - Modalics’ EON Arp!

For me Arpeggiators are the keyboard equivalent of a delay pedal when I’m playing guitar - instant talent! I’m only half joking when I say that, but the common thread between them is that they both have the potential to make something big and impressive out of a simple input by creating lots of extra notes. This generative role of some processes is acknowledged by Avid who have bundled six plugin into the initial tranche of MIDI plugins. The three ‘in house’ Avid plugins are utility plugins and the three third party plugins - Riffer, Grooveshaper Lite and EON Arp are all more generative in nature.

Of these three it was EON Arp which immediately caught my attention, possibly because of the familiarity of an arpeggiator to anyone who grew up in the 80s as a synth-nerd, but also because arpeggiators are just cool. However, it only takes a few minutes with EON Arp to realise you need to take at least a little time getting to know this plugin to get the best out of it. In this video I give a whistle-stop tour of the UI, including some tricks to get the best out of it in the shortest amount of time.

EON Arp Tips

• Use Multiply Mode instead of the default Divide Mode if you want something familar to start with. Divide mode is cool but for predictable, intuitive results start with Multiply.

• Use the Velocity Tool to introduce accents to your patterns. Use the Z key to toggle to it momentarily.

• Events snap to the grid by default but you can use CMD (Ctrl on PC) to move or trim events in Slip.

• Use the 8 preset snapshots at the top of the UI to toggle between patterns live from you MIDI controller. They can be accessed from the white keys. Transpose your controller down until you find them!