FXpansion releases Cypher2

[legowiggle]

I'm also experiencing a memory leak. I currently have a single instance of cypher2 open and a tuner on a single ableton track and that's taking up 2.6GB of ram. Each time a preset is loaded the usage jumps by around 25-200mb as far as I can tell.

Otherwise I really like it. I've used cypher 1 for years so I'm quite used to it and I think 2 is very nice, perhaps a bit easier to use and the mod sequencer is great. As for the sound I think it really nice and bright sounding, I haven't done an A/B test to see how it compares to the original, but it's definitely got that modulation madness going on in the oscillators. The filters are maybe a bit less juicy more gritty though I think the filter drive scaling is a bit different so it may be they have similar character just with different parameter settings, but with filter fm on there's a clear difference. All In all I think that it's a nice synth and I'm looking forward to getting to know it better.

[Jonny Quest]

This is a modern modular monster more than anything else.
It offers so much new modern sonic possibilities that it baffles me that people here are complaining that it doesn't do
"analog brass" patches for example like the plug ins that are specifically modeled to do this.

How many versions of the same sounds do you want/need ?
What is the purpose to look for these sounds and compare them to your favorites every time you install a new plugin ?
Especially when the plug in wasn't designed for that ?

I'm seriously interested to hear the answers.

Missing "analog mojo" in Cypher 2 is like missing the smell of diesel every time you charge up your Tesla.

A lot of folks believe if a manufacturer can't put forth presets that sound good, that it's a dubious sign of sorts. In other words, if they can't make it sound good, why do they expect I can?

That's a valid notion, in general.

That said, I have not tried the Cypher 2 demo, so can't speak to its presets. I was, as I recently stated, impressed by the Soundcloud audio files, which I presume are based on presets. Many of them sound fantastic to me.

As you say, I don't think the point of this synth is to go after the analog recreations of traditional synths, with brass patches, 808 basses, synth pads, etc. The market is flooded with many excellent forms of that, so who needs another?

This product seems to fall into the category of things like Omnisphere 2 and some of the AAS products, with its own modern take on such synthesis.

At $199, it ain't cheap, but in the right hands, it could be invaluable.

[lastmessiah]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

[ChamomileShark]

I'm a Seaboard owner so it's $79 for me.

The MPE is the biggest draw for me - but I'm wondering if I could achieve similar results/ sounds by messing around in Falcon - even if it were just editing the current MPE presets.

[Benjamin923]

I can also confirm the memory leak. Build-ups occur when changing presets. Win 10, FL Studio 20. This will need to be hotfixed asap.

[Echoes in the Attic]

I must say, based on the audio demos, this synth is very lush and rich sounding.

I don't know how much enhanced mastering went into the soundcloud tracks, but very cool stuff, especially the granular synth sounds and the string-esque (cello, cosmic sitar, rustic guitar) in terms of expression. And a spot on EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE synth. good show

I’m not sure yet how I feel about the sound. I guess I feel the same as v1 where I liked it sometimes but it often made sounds I distinctly do not like. But you’re right, the in it’s right place sound was pretty spot on.

[Echoes in the Attic]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

[martinjuenke]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

That‘s a serious argument against Bitwig...

[aMUSEd]

Check out that math page!

[pdxindy]

Bitwig has Voice Stacking with per-voice modulation and most of its modulators are poly:

Ah I see, this is cool, but this would be for its own internal synths only, would it not?

The voice stacking features are, yes. But that's not really a knock against it, Bitwig's native devices are awesome and can achieve pretty much any sound when combined with the native mods and effects. It is really a sound design instrument as much as it is a sequencer.

The per voice modulation is also only for Bitwig devices... but that makes the Bitwig devices amazingly flexible!

You can also do audio rate modulation... for example the LFO goes up to something like 20Khz

[lastmessiah]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

Well, you can actually add as many filters as you want to anything in Bitwig Studio. Just saying.

I agree that MPE expression is much more advanced in Cypher2. I'm playing it with my Rise 49 right now and will probably continue to do so all night.

[martinjuenke]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

Well, you can actually add as many filters as you want to anything in Bitwig Studio. Just saying.

I agree that MPE expression is much more advanced in Cypher2. I'm playing it with my Rise 49 right now and will probably continue to do so all night.

Have fun and greetings to the rising sun....

[pdxindy]

I forgot to mention, Cypher2 has a slew of wave shaping and filter types that Bitwig does not. That is actually a significant difference when shaping the harmonics that travel through the filters.

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

You can shape modulation in Bitwig... but it is not so straightforward as the expression maps.

I also wish Phase-4 had dual filters... eventually we will be able to add the second filter! But that is of no benefit today.

[pdxindy]

And it also has the mpe expression ramps, which bitwig doesn’t and which is a significant mpe advantage. And dual filters. Even that is a huge sound design advantage. I wish phase-4 had two filters.

Well, you can actually add as many filters as you want to anything in Bitwig Studio. Just saying.

But the filters are global only... not per voice...

[gentleclockdivider]

Missing "analog mojo" in Cypher 2 is like missing the smell of diesel every time you charge up your Tesla.

The original cypher was marketed as the holy grail of analogue modelling back then( 2009) , with thru zero fm capabilities .
Calling the successor cypher 2 ,... you get my point