Modulo Kinetic

Modulo Kinetic is a high-end media server with an embedded live mixer for preparing and running show content, from study and simulation to creation, encoding, playback, and control. Kinetic Designer supports offline work and can distribute media automatically to connected VNode servers. It handles formats including Apple ProRes, HAP up to 8K+, 10-bit DPX sequences, and Interactive Shader Format. Creative tools include non-linear real-time timelines, 2D compositing, 2D and 3D warping, and X-Map mapping. The mixer offers program, preview, and confidence screens, presets, and transition effects. Its 3D workflow covers scene visualization, animation editing, particles, interactive content, and VR show-scene visualization. KineMotion supports optical tracking for moving-object projection and 3D interaction. Show control can trigger tasks through Calendar, MIDI, OSC, GPIO, and DMX via Art-Net. Multiple operators can work with synchronized content and operations. Designer licenses are Windows-only, and full show playback requires Modulo Kinetic hardware. The 2D+3D license is €90.00 per month, with applicable VAT additional.

Modulo Kinetic combines offline show preparation, media-server playback, mapping, tracking, and live mixing in one workflow. Check the Windows-only Designer requirement and hardware requirement for full show playback before choosing it.

Modulo Kinetic suits show designers studying and simulating projects, graphic designers creating content, and operators programming projects offline. Its listed use cases include events, installations, creative mappings, theme parks, museums, and touring.

Overview

Modulo Kinetic is a media server and live-mixing system for building, preparing and running projection-based shows. It suits production teams that need offline design, 2D and 3D mapping, tracking and coordinated operator control; its main trade-off is that full show playback requires Modulo Kinetic hardware.

Its strongest fit is a complex show workflow, from simulation and encoding through playback and control, rather than a lightweight mapping tool. The Windows-only Designer requirement also matters: the listed Android, iOS and macOS platforms do not make Designer available on those systems.

Key features

Kinetic Designer supports offline show study, simulation and pre-encoding, then distributes media automatically to connected VNode servers. That lets designers prepare work away from the playback system, though preparing a show is distinct from running it: full playback requires Modulo Kinetic hardware.

Format support spans Apple ProRes, HAP up to 8K+, uncompressed sequences including 10-bit DPX, and Interactive Shader Format. Non-linear real-time timelines, 2D compositing, 2D and 3D warping, and X-Map mapping give designers room to build layered and mapped content in one workflow.

The embedded low-latency mixer includes program, preview and confidence screens, presets and transition effects. Multiple operators can work in the media-server and mixer interfaces at once, with content and operations synchronized—a practical advantage for teams sharing show preparation and operation.

For 3D work, the system includes scene visualization, animation editing, a particles engine, interactive content and VR show-scene visualization. Its KineMotion optical tracking module supports projection onto moving objects, interaction with 3D scenes and sending beacon positions to lighting desks through PosiStage protocol (PSN).

Show-control tasks can be triggered through Calendar, MIDI, OSC and GPIO, with DMX control through Art-Net. Live input cards use Deltacast FLEX video I/O technology. The combination of tracking, live input and control is aimed at productions that need more than playback and basic surface mapping; it is likely more system than a simple, static projection job needs.

Pricing

Modulo Kinetic is paid, with pricing starting at €90/mo. The two Designer plans have different billing terms and restrictions, and neither removes the hardware requirement for full show playback.

Both plans are limited to 1 blinking output, and full show playback requires Modulo Kinetic hardware. The monthly plan's temporary external-device access is not the same as unrestricted device access. Modulo Pi provides technical ticketing, weekday phone support for urgent matters and regularly organized training sessions.

Platforms

The listed platforms are Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, but Kinetic Designer licenses work on Windows only. Its minimum requirements are Windows 7 64-bit or above and a dedicated GPU with OpenGL 4.1 for 2D, or OpenGL 4.5 for 2D+3D. Buyers should treat Windows and graphics compatibility as a prerequisite for Designer, not assume the broader platform list means the design workflow runs everywhere.

Who it's for

The 2D+3D monthly license is described for show designers studying and simulating projects, graphic designers creating content, and operators programming projects offline. The wider system targets corporate events, permanent installations, creative mappings, theme parks, museums and touring. It makes the most sense when those teams need a connected design-to-playback workflow, live mixing, tracking or synchronized multi-operator work. A buyer seeking only occasional mapping, without the required hardware, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Offline preparation and automatic distribution to connected VNode servers support a workflow from design toward playback.
• Broad format support, 2D/3D mapping and compositing, plus 3D and VR visualization serve demanding show-design needs.
• Live mixing, tracking, control protocols and synchronized multi-operator interfaces bring several production tasks together.
• Ticketing, urgent weekday phone support and training provide support options for production teams.

Cons

• Full show playback depends on Modulo Kinetic hardware, adding a requirement beyond the Designer license.
• Designer is Windows-only, and 3D work requires OpenGL 4.5 on a dedicated GPU.
• Both listed plans provide only 1 blinking output, and the 2D plan is watermarked and limited to the 2D environment.
• The 2D+3D plan is subscription-based, with the stated price starting at €90 a month plus applicable VAT.

Alternatives

For a broad starting point, browse Projection Mapping Software. Consider these named options when their stated pricing or platform details better match your needs:

• SurfaBeam Pro has a free plan, unlike Modulo Kinetic. Its free tier is watermarked, requires an entry gate before mapping, and does not allow saving, loading or exporting, so it is a constrained way to start rather than a substitute for Kinetic's described show workflow.
• Ghost Arcade offers a free desktop app with all features included and no tiers, trial, watermark or expiry. Choose it if those no-cost terms matter more than Modulo Kinetic's described production workflow.
• Christie Mystique has a free Lite plan limited to one webcam, up to three Christie projectors and flat screens. It is the more relevant option for that narrower setup.
• Disguise Designer offers a free Starter plan for learning, training, testing, pre-visualization and project development without connecting to Disguise servers. It is a fit for those preparatory purposes.
• LightAct has a free Creator tier with all features unlocked and unlimited outputs, though outputs are watermarked. Consider it if output count is a priority and watermarking is acceptable.
• entity has a free, GPLv3 Community plan with full media-server features. Its Pro plan is not for sale yet, so consider it if a free Windows media server is the priority.
• MadMapper has a free Try MadMapper plan with all features, but watermarks video output and input, blacks out DMX channels every 30 seconds and limits space-scanner resolution to one quarter. It suits evaluation where those restrictions are acceptable.
• Screenberry offers a free Non-Commercial plan for personal, learning, evaluation and non-paying use, limited to up to 2x 2K video output; its license renews every 90 days and requires internet. Consider it for non-commercial use within those limits.

Verdict

Modulo Kinetic is a strong choice for show designers and production operators who need offline preparation, mapping, tracking, live mixing and coordinated control in one system. Its breadth is the reason to choose it; Windows-only Designer access, a single blinking output on either listed plan and hardware-dependent full playback are the reasons to look elsewhere if your setup is simpler or those requirements do not fit.