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All Reviews by Dana1


By Dana1
On 18th February 2004
Version: 4.2

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Synapse Audio Scorpion

The concept of the Scorpion is quite simple, it has the usual 'analogue' synth controls, then some effects (delay/chorus/reverb). Certainly many other synths easily beat this one in terms of features.

What makes this synth unique is simply the quality. Some presets sound exactly like some Korg machines from the 80s to me, but all in all the sound is unique, it does not try to emulate specific gear. Another strong point is an 'Age' feature, randomizing some stuff slightly while playing. This is turned off by default, of course.

With the addition of the legato/mono mode in 4.2, it's by far the best VSTi now for basses and leads now that I own. It's playable polyphonic as well, but I find it not so useful, with the restriction to 8 voices, and quite some CPU useage in 8-voice mode.

For a professional VSTi the price of $69 is low - I got it even cheaper, bought it last year as part of the Synth Bundle.

Summary:

+ Sound quality
+ Compact, nice GUI
+ Value for money

- it seems only the VSTi has been updated, not the DXi!
 
    

By Dana1
On 4th August 2003
Version: 4.1

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Synapse Audio Hydra

This is by far the best instrument from Synapse. I got the SynthPack from them and also use the Scorpion occasionally which is nice for bass sounds, and then there is the Plucked String which I barely use.
The Hydra features multiple models, it can do both subtractive and fm-like synthesis. The filter and envelopes are always available, something which pure FM synths badly lack. Additionally there is a percussive mode for drum sounds. The drum sounds included are not too useful, but the mode still is for other synth sounds.

Version 4.0 had some stability issues. They released 4.1 shortly afterwards, that runs rock stable, did not crash on me once.
 
    
Latest 2 reviews from a total of 2