10 New Synthesizer Plugins May 2021
By KVR Marketplace on
10 New Synthesizer Plugins (and standalones) added to the KVR Marketplace - MAY 2021
New synthesizer plugins (and standalones) are added to the KVR Product Database constantly. We will revisit this story periodically to keep up with the barrage. On this date in April 2021 The KVR Marketplace is pleased to welcome Arturia's new Pigments 3, GForce Software's new OB-E, cool new synths from Cherry Audio, Eplex7 DSP, MeldaProduction and IK Multimedia.
Check'em out... there's new music to be made!
Pigments combines hugely powerful, cutting-edge wavetable synthesis alongside Arturia's award-winning virtual analog technology. Pigments offers exceptional sound thanks to its hugely powerful architecture and lightning-fast workflow that makes complex modulations easy, fast, and fun. It is truly a 21st century instrument that will become the go-to choice for all producers, sound designers, and synth-fans alike thanks to its extraordinary features and tempting price.
Benefits:
- Scale quantized pitch modulations to build complex melodic sequences.
- Continuous unison controls that can be modulated, with classic and chord modes.
- Extensive waveshaping options for the wavetable oscillator, with great aliasing control.
- The usual modulation sources and some more unconventional ones like the Turing and Binary random generators.
- Powerful gate/retrig handling for modulators. Perfect to inspire unusual rhythmic sequences or self-generating patches.
- Polyrhythmic sequencer with a strong emphasis on randomness, with scale control to remain musical.
It's really hard to expand upon Ficciones review, which is really thorough. Pigments is a great sounding, MPE compatible softsynth. There are many, many presets that clearly someone had fun creating. Highly recommended.
Read Reviewfree 2.0 update for current users: the new sampling features are great! If you want an instrument for creative sampling - deeply exploring the sonic potential hidden inside a sample - then Pigments exposes the best tools for that right on the surface. You can run it as a straight up sampler, with modulatable sample start (essential creative tool), 6 samples mapped per engine in round robin mode, random, key map, velocity map etc., or switch to granular mode - and here's the cool thing - when in granular mode the engine can alternately pick individual grains from the sample slots according to the mapping mode you've chosen, or you may choose the active sample with a knob (modulatable of course). Granular mode has tons of options and features, from max number of overlapping grains to modulatable grain envelope shapes - e.g. triangular, trapezoid - as well as grain direction, size, density, pitch, and left-right channel separation. Grain density can be clock-synced, including a per grain probability control for density. Each sampler engine also has its own shaper modes including bitcrush, FM and ring mod as well as a resonator. Great stuff.
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Pigments is a monster synth that stands out in a field of monster synths. The sequencer / arpeggiator is unique, and the modulation system is a pleasure to use, making patch creation fast and fun. CPU usage is moderate, and the GUI is beautiful both visually and ergonomically.
The wavetable oscillators can display in 2D or 3D mode, with 2D giving a better representation of how the sound is being warped. Adding wavetables is a drag and drop operation - and yes, it can use Serum's wavetables. Pigments will also allow you to drag in any old wave file, however this yields mixed results and takes some trial and error and fiddling with master pitch. Creating wavetables from wavs is a bit of a black art at the best of times using the best of tools, so I hope Arturia will update Pigments with better wavetable creation tools. I've had good results creating single cycle waveforms with the free Hardcore and Softcore apps from Floats, then gluing them together with an audio editor, then importing into Pigments, but there ought to be an easier way. There are 119 factory wavetables though so just the default install gives you plenty of raw material. Once you've selected or imported a wavetable, you can push it further with audio rate modulations including FM, PM, phase distortion and wave folding, and dedicated mod oscillators. All these parameters can be modulated with the control mod sources, with results ranging from subtle to blistering. The phase distortion algorithm combined with wavetable index modulation is especially cool to my ears, and doesn't sound quite like anything else out there in synthland.
Which brings us to one of Pigments' best features: the control modulation. Select one of the colour coded mod sources in the middle row, then drag the mod ring around a knob, or click the plus sign that appears next to a knob on mouse-over, and drag any number of mod sources up or down in the middle row to assign modulations. Hovering over a knob or clicking the plus shows all the mod sources assigned to that control. It's visually appealing and encourages experimentation. Tracing mod assignments this way is easier than with a tangle of photorealistic spaghetti cables on the screen, in my opinion.
Despite the absent spaghetti it's very much like working with a fully modular synth, where you can use an LFO to trigger and re-trigger an envelope, and similar shenanigans. You get three each of: LFOs, envelopes, drawable function generators, random sources, and very clever modulation combiners that enable lag and value remapping. The modulators can trigger / gate / reset and modulate the parameters of other modulators, including each unit's synced or free running clock speed. One of the random sources is a Turing unit, which if you're not familiar, can generate varying degrees of randomness, partly-recurring sequences, and lock in a sequence once you hear something you like. Any of the mod sources can be assigned to the synth's master pitch, which can be quantized to snap to scales. The ease of use invites daisy-chain and loop-the-loop mod routings for pleasantly unpredictable results that aren't just noise - you can create cool generative patches that are greater than the sum of their parts.
The polyrhythmic arp / sequencer is a joy for anyone who likes to create evolving sequences. Gate, trigger probability, octave and pitch lanes can be set to different lengths and clock divisions, and the master clock rate itself is modulatable by any of the mod sources, which makes ratcheting sequences possible. There are also randomize and periodic randomize functions here, and optional scale snapping so the randomized sequences always play in key.
Another feature in Pigments that's nice to see is microtuning. I don't consider a synth to be a full fledged citizen of my plugin folder unless it has this.
Additions I'd like to see in updates: ring mod; the ability to drive the sequencer lanes using LFO zero crossings; individual reverse and pendulum motions for the sequencer lanes, or even the ability to scan across the lanes with a modulator; better raw wave import and creation tools for wavetables; and comb filter enhancements and feature additions for physical modelling. None of these are showstoppers though; it's already a bottomless pit of sound design potential. Two thumbs up for this mad beastie.
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AN OCTAPHONIC ADVENTURE.
OB-E is GForce Software's take on the legendary 8-Voice. More than just an emulation, OB-E offers a unique musical experience. Sounding huge, it takes the iconic Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) based 8-Voice (a.k.a the EVS) into new sonic territory via a raft of enhancements and additions.
The concept of the 8-Voice is actually very simple; based around a single SEM containing two VCOs with Pulse and Sawtooth waveforms, two ADS Envelope Generators, one LFO, and a magical Multi-Mode Filter. In isolation each SEM is monophonic, but in the 8-Voice, because there are eight SEMs triggered by a polyphonic keyboard, you have a superb eight note polyphonic synthesizer.
While simple at heart, OB-E is the first virtual instrument with complete per-voice control. This unique Octaphonic architecture offers fresh and exciting creative possibilities to music producers, composers and sound designers for the first time in the digital realm.
Oberheim OB-E
Reviewed By UrbanEric
March 13th, 2021
Really wonderful virtual synth. Fattest sound I have heard from any synth in 30 years - analog or digital, physical or virtual. Expensive for what it is and Mac only no PC version which is not acceptable in this day and age. I expect a windows version and sale pricing in the future or this will be a business failure. But the sound quality is really well done, you can tell the G-Force folks poured a lot of heart and soul into this effort. PluginGuru also unified the patches which make the whole thing just ridiculously awesome. Warning - don't try the demo unless you are prepared to part with @ $200.
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The Cherry Audio Synth Stack is a mind-blowing collection of synthesizers, at an equally mind-blowing price. The Synth Stack contains four incredible synthesizers:
DCO-106 precisely models every aspect of the classic 1980's Juno analog polysynth, from its characteristic self-oscillating filter, to its dreamy chorus effect.
CA2600 is a powerful, self-contained duophonic synthesizer inspired by the groundbreaking 2600 synthesizer from the 1970's.
The fun and funky Surrealistic MG-1 Plus, a super authentic recreation of the Realistic MG-1 paraphonic synthesizer sold in Radio Shack stores in the 1980's.
Voltage Modular Core + Electro Drums, the most feature-rich, sonically flexible modular synthesizer platform in the world, featuring over 95 modules and 645 presets, with hundreds more modules available, for near infinite expandability.
All included instruments are available for both Windows and macOS, in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpK5utIhIqQ&list=PLAV46I4PdcJZdh7NkebYzTmT8YM9VGxpE
Jun-6 V's hardware predecessor was released at a time when a polyphonic synth was a luxury. Many consider the Juno series to have struck a rare and perfect balance when it comes to synthesizer design. Their ease of use, vivid analog sound, and relative affordability helped put the coveted multi-voiced within reach of a bigger audience.
The Juno synths were notoriously easy to use - Jun-6 V is no different. From the minute you open it up, you'll be in familiar synthesis territory, from the simplicity of DCOs to the instant stereo glory of BBD chorus. Dial in a dynamite sound that's true to the original in no time.
To bring you the authentic Juno experience, Arturia even went to the lengths of offering different levels of analog voice dispersion. Subtle variations in condition and voltage sometimes meant that each voice was very slightly different, from filter cutoff to VCA envelope attack. Choose a level of analog drift to suit your taste - squeaky clean, rough around the edges, or somewhere in the middle.
Polymode Synthesizer is inspired by the groundbreaking Moog Polymoog synthesizer. One of the world's first polyphonic synthesizers, its unique multiple parallel filter implementation and mod routings give it a sound like no other synth. And though the original Polymoog sounded incredible, it could be challenging to operate and was prone to breakdowns. Cherry Audio's Polymode sidesteps all of the drawbacks of the original instrument and massively expands its capabilities. With a streamlined user interface and immense modulation capabilities, Polymode sets a new standard for animated, sonically evolving string, pad, and choral tones.
Polymode Synthesizer is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and Standalone formats.
47% Off for 3Days13Hours18Mins03Secs(1 Oct 2023)
Eplex7 DSP Klerhaim N1 analog VST plugin synthesizer with virtual circuit emulation technology
There are many analog emulation synthesizers available, but unfortunately 99.5% of them are far from real analog hardware synths (sounding sterile, digital, cold, boring, robotic, uniformly, numb and sharp). Why? Firstly because they are made by coders, not electronic engineers. They perfectly understand the code but not circuits, electronic components and physics. We are both: programmers and educated electronic engineers with more than 18 years of experiences.
And also... basic code cannot behave like electricity in real analog circuits.
That is a reason why we developed our own virtual circuit technology. We are emulating whole analog circuits, electronic components and modules of synthesizer + their behavior in various situations, noises, feedbacks, interfering signals etc.
MSoundFactoryLE provides all the sounds MSoundFactory comes with, but it doesn't let you access the edit screen though.
MSoundFactory provides hundreds of predefined sounds available via global presets, just as any other instrument. The true marvel however is the categorized system of instruments. An instrument is not just a sound, potentially with a few macro controls. It is an entire "instrument", with lots of settings and its own presets.
Imagine an 808 bass, you'd buy a dedicated plugin for it, right? Well, you don't need to, because that's an instrument inside MSoundFactory. Same as a grand piano, an electric piano, an organ, various synths, basses etc. And we are making more as we speak.
One of the most coveted analog synths of all times.
One of the most loved polysynths of all time, the Syntronik J-8 recreates the Roland Jupiter-8 along with sounds from the Jupiter-6 and Jupiter-4. Manufactured from 1981-1985, the Jupiter-8 was Roland's top-of-line polysynth intended to compete with the American giants like the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and Oberheim OB-series.
It's 2-oscillator per voice design uses discrete circuitry for a noticeably fat and warm sound, and the oscillators go into the classic Roland IR3109 IC filter chips to provide the 4-pole low pass filter along with a non-sweepable high pass filter. Like the Oberheim OB-series and Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, the Jupiter has a Unison mode where all voices are stacked for a thicker result.
A basic arpeggiator is also provided, easy to use and effective for classic repeating patterns. The Jupiters are loved for their efficient and intuitive front panel interface in addition to their distinctive analog sound.
The Jupiter-8 has been used by Tangerine Dream, Duran Duran, Jean Michel Jarre, Roxy Music, Depeche Mode, Rush, Thomas Dolby, Howard Jones, The Cars, Prince, Jan Hammer, Elvis Costello, Tears for Fears, Huey Lewis and the News, Journey, Toto, Yes, George Duke, Simple Minds.
Content:
- Over 2.5 GB of content.
- Over 3,000 samples.
- 116 instruments.
Also included in:
- Syntronik.
- Syntronik Deluxe.
- Total Studio 2 MAX.
Modulum
Album-ready synth drums.
We used the Modular Moog, EMS VCS3 and Alesis Andromeda synthesizers all cross-patched together to generate driving, powerful synth drums and percussion sounds especially for Syntronik.
This unique combination of top-quality synth sources creates album-ready analog drum sounds that will instantly boost the range, depth and quality of every production.
Forge massive drum tones for your next electronic hit or experiment by layering the Modulum drums with your freshly recorded drum kit - or any of the high-quality drum collections available for SampleTank – to come up with hybrid-sounding, modern drum kits that are so popular today for pop, hip-hop and many other genres. Liven up your rhythmic tracks and "bend" the Modulum to your own will, play out with the filters, add effects and have some serious drum fun.
You can even use our powerful 4-part arpeggio to create electronic beats and rhythms right inside Syntronik! Really, it's up to you.
Syntronik - Hardware Synthesizer DNA.
Content:
- 400 MB of content.
- Over 2,000 samples.
- 108 instrument presets.
- 27 multis.
- Requires Syntronik 1.2 or higher or SampleTank 3.7.2 or higher.
Also included in:
- Syntronik.
- Syntronik Deluxe.
It all starts with a legend.
The Syntronik Minimod is based on the Minimoog Model D, Modular Moog and Moog Voyager.
The modular Moog, or simply "Moog Synthesizer," was the first commercially manufactured voltage-controlled music synthesizer. It was a truly "modular" instrument in that each system consisted of several independent modules – such as oscillators, filters, VCAs, mixers, even spring reverbs – that could be mixed and matched to create a truly custom instrument for the musician.
The original Minimoog was designed to be a portable, pre-patched version of the gigantic modular synths Moog was producing. Three rich-sounding oscillators with selectable waveshape along with a noise generator are mixed together into the classic Moog 4-pole transistor ladder resonant low pass filter, generating some of the warmest and best analog synth bass, lead and whistle sounds ever like the instantly recognizable lead sound used by Rick Wakeman on "Catherine Parr", from the album The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
The Voyager was Bob Moog's re-imagining of the Minimoog for the 21st Century. With a similar audio path to the 70s Minimoog Model D, the Voyager added more modulation routings along with a flexible dedicated LFO, and of course, program storage and MIDI.
Throughout the years, the Minimoog has been used by legendary artists such as Rick Wakeman, Chick Corea, Depeche Mode, Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre, George Duke, Rush, Toto, Keith Emerson, Yes, Vangelis, Pink Floyd, Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock.
Syntronik - Hardware Synthesizer DNA.
Syntronik - Virtual Instrument Synth Demos.
Content:
- Over 2 GB of content.
- Over 5,000 samples.
- 143 instruments.
Also included in:
- Syntronik.
- Syntronik Deluxe.
- Total Studio 2 Deluxe.
- Total Studio 2 MAX.
Glorious memories.
Memory-V is based on the classic 18-oscillator monster analog polysynth, the legendary Memorymoog. Manufactured from 1981 to 1985, it's often described as six Minimoogs in one unit! Its timbral palette is nothing short of impressive, capable of producing a huge variety of sounds including strings, brasses, pads, flutes as well as more percussive sounds.
The Memorymoog has earned the reputation of being one of the fattest-sounding analog polyphonic synthesizers ever made – and rightly so – but also of being somewhat unreliable and prone to damage. While, for most musicians, owning one is a fantasy – second-hand units can command a five-figure sum – the high price of maintenance is also a concern to most synth aficionados.
We wanted to truly immortalize this gem's analog soul once and for all, so everyone could take advantage of its unmistakable sonic power.
We sourced a pristine unit, we recorded the single oscillators, innovative combinations of multiple oscillators, along with unison stacks, pulse width modulation, and synched oscillators plus some classic full patches to bring this legendary beast to life once more.
This rare and expensive synthesizer has been used by numerous artists over the decades including Jean-Michel Jarre, 808 State, The Orb, Jan Hammer, Bon Jovi, INXS, legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, George Duke, Tom Coster and many others.
Syntronik - Hardware Synthesizer DNA.
Content:
- 5 GB of content.
- Over 6,000 samples.
- 148 instrument presets.
- 4 multis.
- Requires Syntronik 1.2 or higher or SampleTank 3.7.2 or higher.
Also included in:
- Syntronik.
- Syntronik Deluxe.
In closing, our universe of software synths is exploding even as we're making music with these mind boggling tools. We use these tools ourselves so can say with authority; it's a great time to be a computer musician. We'll update this story when another 10 interesting new synths arrive.
Stay tuned and jam on.
Your KVR Marketplace Team
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