Tracktion released BioTek Synthesizer Plugin (Sound Designer Edition now available)

[MillerSam]

In my tests and more in depth communication with the company, we must say here it's more to compare it with a Output Library for Kontakt than a big Synthesizer plugin where you get an engine. Behind this plugin, it works a very huge synthesis architecture which is not available for the public. I see this architecture and it's big

[MillerSam]

Second Video with more sounds and my conclusion
Thanks for watching

[VeeEsTee]

Seems more of a rompler with vector control on the surface but interesting sounds otherwise. I agree it's current price $150 too steep.
$79 especially for Tracktion users sounds more realistic (Tracktion say the've done there research on the price) Either way with the background of designers and developers on this I'm sure it will evolve over time and grow into something bigger. Happy to be a Tracktion Daw user so good luck at Namm guys !!

[Astralv]

Still no 50% off coupon?

[robotmonkey]

Then this version should be considered more like a "Player".
So I wonder what the full version will cost

For some reason those videos reminded me of Neuron VS, a synth that was really novel in theory and not very useful in practice, and that cost 900$. I guess the full version will be in that price range.

[kiezum]

I like Tracktion, but this new synth puzzles me. Expensive... How does it work... Why a closed system... Etc

Is a demo available?

[MillerSam]

Coming soon after NAMM

- Demo Version
- Additional Waveforms for the LFO
- New Sounds by Sound Designers

[Hez]

Was actually very impressed with the demo, as cheesy as the visuals were. Some interesting sounds and pretty well mixed/arranged compared to the average synth promo vid.

Having said that, it doesn't look like there's enough control over the back end architecture to make this interesting for me. Not necessarily against keeping some of the complexity hidden, but I couldn't really see how I'd be able to customise any of these patches enough to make them my own sounds from the videos so far. Which is a pity, as I really really like the idea - merging synthesis with found sounds/real samples is something I've always found appealing conceptually.

Are there any long term plans to streamline the architecture and make it user friendly enough to fully release to the public?

[MillerSam]

Hi Hez

Tracktion doesn't want actually release the complete engine because they want give you an high quality instrument ready to use for people. It's more fun than a classic rompler. You can transform your sounds completely radically. Compare it like an UVI Sample Library
but with more controls. Each preset has is own parameters so they change from preset to preset.

[wagtunes]

Hi Hez

Tracktion doesn't want actually release the complete engine because they want give you an high quality instrument ready to use for people. It's more fun than a classic rompler. You can transform your sounds completely radically. Compare it like an UVI Sample Library
but with more controls. Each preset has is own parameters so they change from preset to preset.

So it's not really a synthesizer in a conventional sense?

[MillerSam]

What Official Sound Designer get, is a real big Synthesizer with FM and Sample Based Engine (I see it and yes it's big )

This is not a complete Synthesizer and not a Rompler. It's something between.
It's an organic Synthesizer instrument which can be compared very well with UVI Sample Libraries but goes over this sample libraries.
BioTek gives you more freedom of manipulation of your sounds. You have a preset from a sound designer and this one is your basis.
On this basis, you transform the sound and each presets comes with custom pre-mapped macro-controls like (More FM, ...). So each preset has is own pre-mapped controls for manipulating the sound.

Also in the video, you see that the X Y Controls make the most transformation action and this action works behind the scene of the main plugin. It's a way to make a difficult engine simple

[wagtunes]

What Official Sound Designer get, is a real big Synthesizer with FM and Sample Based Engine (I see it and yes it's big )

This is not a complete Synthesizer and not a Rompler. It's something between.
It's an organic Synthesizer instrument which can be compared very well with UVI Sample Libraries but goes over this sample libraries.
BioTek gives you more freedom of manipulation of your sounds. You have a preset from a sound designer and this one is your basis.
On this basis, you transform the sound and each presets comes with custom pre-mapped macro-controls like (More FM, ...). So each preset has is own pre-mapped controls for manipulating the sound.

Also in the video, you see that the X Y Controls make the most transformation action and this action works behind the scene of the main plugin. It's a way to make a difficult engine simple

So kind of like a rompler with some controls that can alter the sound a bit. But no way to take like a sawtooth and other osc's and create patches from scratch. Correct?

[Dunc]

Or in other words:

We had to dumb it down for 2 reasons.

1. We can't rely on anybody other than a "Synth Sound Designer" to know what the heck they are doing with a full tilt "real big Synthesiser"
2. We'll make more money by dumbing it down and releasing "sound pack" updates to keep the masses interested...


How dumb ass do you think we are to not see through this marketing tosh !

[wagtunes]

Or in other words:

We had to dumb it down for 2 reasons.

1. We can't rely on anybody other than a "Synth Sound Designer" to know what the heck they are doing with a full tilt "real big Synthesiser"
2. We'll make more money by dumbing it down and releasing "sound pack" updates to keep the masses interested...


How dumb ass do you think we are to not see through this marketing tosh !

Well, it's disappointing to say the least.

[wasi]

Or in other words:

We had to dumb it down for 2 reasons.

1. We can't rely on anybody other than a "Synth Sound Designer" to know what the heck they are doing with a full tilt "real big Synthesiser"
2. We'll make more money by dumbing it down and releasing "sound pack" updates to keep the masses interested...

Tell me about it. I was intrigued until I realized that for us ignorant mere mortals lacking the mystical skills of a 'Synth Sound Designer', it wasn't really a synth. They should call it 'BioTek Player' and just sell the sound packs. I think it would lead to less confusion (and less irritation), and it's a fair enough product as lon gas you're up front about what it is - and isn't.