SMP vs MOD vs CTRL — Which VJ Loop Tier is Right for You?
If you've landed on the Meta Story store, you've probably noticed the packs come in three tiers — SMP, MOD, and CTRL. They're not just different sizes of the same thing. Each one is built for a completely different type of performer and workflow.
Here's how to know which one you actually need.
SMP — for when you just need great loops
SMP stands for simple. You get 20–40 finished, seamless 4K loops ready to drop straight into your set. No layers, no breakdowns, no technical setup required — just strong visuals that work in any VJ software from the first play.
Ministry of Sound Installation Loop
If you're a DJ adding visuals to your performance, a VJ who wants reliable content without extra prep time, or a promoter building atmosphere for a club night or festival stage, SMP is the right call. It starts at $50 and works out of the box.
MOD — for VJs who mix live
MOD builds on SMP by adding the layers that make live mixing actually creative. On top of the finished loops you get luma and alpha masks, wireframe renders, light passes, and variants designed for rhythmic remixing and modular sequencing.
In practice this means you can isolate elements, layer them over other content, and build entirely new combinations live — the pack becomes a toolkit rather than a playlist. MOD is for VJs who perform with Resolume, VDMX, or similar software and want genuine flexibility over what appears on screen. $100.
Ministry of Sound Installation Loop
CTRL — for professionals who need full control
CTRL is the master pack. It includes everything from MOD plus full EXR breakdowns — normal maps for stylised relighting, AO and shadow passes, Z-depth for atmosphere and depth of field, crypto mattes, and additional buffers for advanced compositing workflows.
This is for touring artists and their show designers, LED stage creative directors, and agency teams who need to relight, restyle, recolour, and integrate content into complex pipelines. It requires After Effects, Fusion, or equivalent compositing software and is not recommended for beginners. $150.
| SMP | MOD | CTRL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished loops | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Masks & layers | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EXR passes | — | — | ✓ |
| Software needed | Any VJ app | Any VJ/edit app | AE, Fusion or compositor |
| Best for | DJs, simple sets | Live mixing VJs | Touring, agencies, LED pros |
| Price | $50 | $100 | $150 |
All three tiers are available as instant downloads. Every loop is fully seamless, commercially licensed, and delivered in 4K. If you're not sure which tier fits your setup, start with SMP — you can always upgrade to MOD or CTRL for the additional layers when your workflow demands it.
Or if you need something built entirely around your sound and never resold to anyone else, explore the Exclusive Visuals tiers →
Mihaly Sipos is a London-based motion designer and visual artist creating festival-grade VJ content for DJs, touring artists, and live productions worldwide.
