Scope
Notch is a 3D and 2D real-time graphics tool whose projects can run inside media servers as Notch Blocks. FRCTL is a VJ studio for building and performing effect-driven visuals in the browser.
FRCTL vs Notch
Notch, made by 10bit FX in London, is a node-based real-time graphics tool used for live events, broadcast, VR and interactive work. Projects can render to video or export as Notch Blocks that run inside media servers such as disguise and Resolume. 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 | Notch | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Effect chain applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, plus Shader Lab for custom shaders | Node graph for real-time 3D and 2D compositing, with a timeline, particles, fields, volumetrics and four GPU renderers |
| Platforms | Web browser. Windows desktop app on the Pro plan, with Spout and NDI output | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) with a discrete GPU. Minimum NVIDIA RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon VII |
| 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 | Indie $279/year. VFX $1,399/year or $139/month. RFX $2,589/year or $315/month. Playback licenses sold separately |
| 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 | 60-day trial with Indie features. Trial projects can't be opened in VFX or RFX directly. Annual VFX and RFX include file conversion from Indie or Trial |
| Commercial use | Creator and Pro. Free covers personal and non-commercial projects | Indie is described as the license for hobbyists and non-commercial use. VFX and RFX have no commercial revenue limit |
| Audio reactivity | Modulation matrix with LFOs, an envelope follower, sample and hold, and ten audio frequency bands. Beat detection | Live audio capture and audio file playback with FFT analysis. Sound modifiers, FFT regions, effectors and deformers |
| Custom content | Shader Lab (GLSL) | Custom HLSL shaders, JavaScript scripting, ONNX model import |
| Sync and control | Tap tempo, automatic beat detection, and clock sync via MIDI clock or OSC. Clock output to external gear. MIDI learn | MIDI, OSC, TUIO and depth cameras on all tiers. Art-Net and camera tracking systems on RFX |
| Video output | Second display. Spout and NDI on the Windows desktop app (Pro) | NDI and Spout in and out on VFX and RFX. Notch Blocks for media servers on RFX |
| Export | Free: 1080p, 30fps, 2 min. Creator: 1080p, 60fps, 10 min. Pro: up to 4K and 60fps, up to 1 hour at 1080p30, plus keyed exports. The desktop build records local 4K MP4 | Indie: MP4 (H.264/H.265) up to 1080p. VFX and RFX: video and stills up to 16k x 16k |
Key differences.
How it's built
Notch uses a node graph and a timeline. FRCTL uses an effect chain with a modulation matrix, plus live decks.
Platforms and hardware
Notch runs on Windows with a discrete GPU at the specs listed above. FRCTL runs in a web browser, with a Windows desktop app on the Pro plan.
Pricing
Notch licenses are annual or monthly, starting at $279/year for Indie. FRCTL has a free plan, Creator at $12/month or $99/year, and Pro at $29/month or $249/year.
Media server playback
Notch RFX exports Notch Blocks for media servers. FRCTL sends live video to other software through Spout and NDI on its Windows desktop app.