Where visuals come from
NestDrop plays MilkDrop presets, which generate visuals from audio. FRCTL applies a chain of effects to footage, a camera or generated sources.
FRCTL vs NestDrop
NestDrop, made by N.E.S.T. Immersion in Sherbrooke, Quebec, is a real-time music visualizer and VJ tool for Windows, built on the MilkDrop engine. It ships with a curated preset library and sends video out through Spout. FRCTL is a browser-based VJ studio built around a chain of effects applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources.
Side by side.
| FRCTL | NestDrop | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Effect chain applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, plus Shader Lab for custom shaders | Generative MilkDrop presets across up to 4 video decks, with preset queues and presets that can change automatically on the beat |
| Platforms | Web browser. Windows desktop app on the Pro plan, with Spout and NDI output | Windows 7, 10 and 11 |
| Pricing | Free $0. Creator $12/month or $99/year. Pro $29/month or $249/year, first 7 days free. Lifetime plan listed as coming soon | Classic free. Midnight $50. Midnight Pro $75. One-time payments |
| Free option | Full toolkit with every effect and shader, live mode, no watermark. Exports up to 1080p, 30fps, 2 minutes. Personal and non-commercial use | Classic: full preset library and Spout output on up to 4 decks |
| Audio reactivity | Modulation matrix with LFOs, an envelope follower, sample and hold, and ten audio frequency bands. Beat detection | Listens to system audio output on all editions. Choosing an input device needs Midnight. ASIO input needs Pro. Automatic BPM detection and tap tempo |
| Custom content | Shader Lab (GLSL) | Loads MilkDrop preset files. The manual directs preset creation and editing to Winamp 5.66. Shader file can be customized |
| Sync and control | Tap tempo, automatic beat detection, and clock sync via MIDI clock or OSC. Clock output to external gear. MIDI learn | Keyboard hotkeys on all editions. MIDI controllers with MIDI learn on Midnight and Pro. Reads MIDI clock. OSC and Ableton Link on Pro |
| Video output | Second display. Spout and NDI on the Windows desktop app (Pro) | Spout on all editions. NDI output on Pro. Direct fullscreen output to a monitor on Midnight and Pro |
| Video input | Camera | Image sprites on all editions. Spout input as sprites on Midnight and Pro. NDI input as sprites on Pro |
| Resolution | Exports up to 1080p on Free and Creator, up to 4K on Pro | Above 8K at 60fps, per the vendor |
| Recording | Exports video files inside the app on every plan | The manual links to a tutorial on recording. It doesn't describe a built-in recorder |
| Built-in content | 170 effects in 16 families. 40 built-in typefaces for overlays | Curated library of 1,900+ presets |
| Marketplace and community | The Collective, for presets and loop packs. Selling on Creator and Pro | No store on the NestDrop site. Links to external preset packs. Community on r/NestDrop |
Key differences.
Platforms
NestDrop runs on Windows. FRCTL runs in a web browser, with a Windows desktop app on the Pro plan.
Pricing model
NestDrop editions are one-time purchases, with a free Classic edition. FRCTL uses monthly or yearly plans alongside a free plan.
Making your own looks
NestDrop's manual points to Winamp for creating MilkDrop presets. FRCTL has Shader Lab for GLSL, and presets can be sold in the Collective on Creator and Pro.
Spout and NDI
NestDrop includes Spout on every edition and NDI on Midnight Pro. FRCTL includes Spout and NDI in its Windows desktop app on the Pro plan.