Additive Synth VST/AU Thread

[Korg Supporter]

Hey guys, I am fascinated with additive synthesis (especially the inharmonic kind), and I want to start a thread so that looking up additive synths using the KVR filter wouldn't get tedious.
Here is what I have so far (not counting wavetable synths with additive editors):

• Alchemy (Only on Logic Pro)

• 2gether Audio RE4ORM (unknown # of harmonics, possibly abandoned)

• Air Loom II (Up to 512 partials, may be abandoned, requires iLok)

• Alexander Zolotov's Sunvox (standalone on Mac and Windows, AUv3 on iOS, has inharmonic spectrum module and PPG-like harmonic module)

• Arturia Pigments 3 (512 harmonics for each oscillator)

• Synclavier V (12 partials with 128 harmonics each, FM Synthesis)

• Audiodamage Phosphor 3 (64 harmonics per oscillator)

• DiscoDSP Vertigo (256 partials)

• DS Thorn (128 harmonics)

• Hrast Programmer Tranzistow (1024 harmonics)

• Image Line Harmor (516 partials for each layer, FL-only, VST can be bought from Plugin Boutique)

• Harmless (Ditto)

• Morphine (128 harmonics, ditto)

• Karma FX Synth Modular 2 (1024 detunable harmonics)

• KV331 Synthmaster 2 (8 oscillators)

• Melda MPowerSynth (256 harmonics per oscillator)

• MSoundFactory (64 partials per module)

• NI Razor (320 partials)

• OSS Polyphenom 2 (16 partials with FM, legacy, Windows only)

• OSS Enterprise (16 harmonics per oscillator, legacy, Windows only)

• Reason Parsec 2 (512 partials for each layer, Reason only)

• Rob Papen Blade (99 partials)

• Ryukau's EnvelopedSine (64 harmonics with independent envelopes and saturation)

• IterativeSineCluster (Up to 512 partials, 16 base overtones not in harmonic series)

• Predator 3 (256 harmonics)

• Quilcom Padulator (16 partials with spread/detuning, Windows only)

• Sampleson Akoustic (36 partials, each has individual tuning and an ADSR envelope)

• Seaweed Audio Fathom (128 harmonics)

• Solcito Musica Arido (10 harmonics, Windows only)

• Syne (up to 40k+ partials)

• The WaveWarden Odin 2 (unknown # of harmonics)

• Tone 2 Warlock (variable # of partials)

• Tone 2 Icarus 3 (up to 16 partials per oscillator! Wavetable editor has a harmonic editor.)

• UVI Falcon (256 partials per oscillator)

• U-he Zebralette 3 (over a thousand partials!)

• VirSyn Addictive Pro Synth (256 harmonics per oscillator, iOS/M1 only)

• AddStation (512 partials per layer, iOS/M1 only)

• Cube 2/Pro (512 partials, grouped into four zones, desktop version allows for resynthesis)

• Poseidon (512 partials, abandoned atm)

• ZynAddSubFX (8 partials, 128 harmonics each, pad engine can be inharmonic, up to 16 layers)

• PPG Infinite (214 partials, discontinued)

• Linplug Spectral (256 harmonics per oscillator, discontinued)

Upcoming additive synths include Sumu by Madrona Labs, which has 64 partials with independent envelopes, LFOs, and FM. Martinic, the dev behind the amazing AX73 plugin, is working on a new emulation for RMI harmonic synthesizer.

[gentleclockdivider]

Reaktor sinebank:10’000 partials , razor only uses a small fraction of it .
This really shows that N.I. really designed the sine - modal with next gen computing in mind , iow future proof .

[FakeNatty]

Thank you for the list. It's been hard finding these synths mentioned anywhere else.

I like DiscoDSP Vertigo a lot because it lets you customize each partial to whatever frequency ratio, amplitude, and phase you want.

Is there something else like this? A lot of synths that allow you to do inharmonic partials only do it through something like "detune" of the harmonics, which isn't what I want. These either apply changes to a large set of harmonics or only lets you fine tune the frequencies of the pre-established harmonics, but I want customizability of every single partial.

I too, am fascinated by the inharmonic-capable kind of additive synth. I crave for that full control like in DiscoDSP Vertigo.

Also:

UVI Falcon has "Analog Stack", which lets you add "partials" but isn't as efficient on CPU as additive synths. Each "partial" can also be a basic waveshape like saw, triangle, pulse with PWM, very similar to MSoundFactory's additive module. Gives a slightly more refined control of the "partials" because you can change the frequency with octave, semitones, cents, or just ratio values in 0.01 semitones. Falcon also has an additive module with up to 256 partials. Partials not individually editable, but has some cool partial tweaking features.

Melda MSoundFactory has that DiscoDSP Vertigo full control of the partials. Up to 64 partials. Incredibly powerful, let's you do per-voice modulation on each partial's detune, volume, phase, panning. So ridiculously powerful that it is quite time-consuming to use. But if someone is looking for that FULL CONTROL for up to 64 partials, MSoundFactory is it. MSoundFactory also has an additive mode in the "Oscillator" module that lets you control up to 256 harmonics, and can control volume and phase of each harmonic

[Korg Supporter]

Thank you for the list. It's been hard finding these synths mentioned anywhere else.

I like DiscoDSP Vertigo a lot because it lets you customize each partial to whatever frequency ratio, amplitude, and phase you want.

Is there something else like this? A lot of synths that allow you to do inharmonic partials only do it through something like "detune" of the harmonics, which isn't what I want. These either apply changes to a large set of harmonics or only lets you fine tune the frequencies of the pre-established harmonics, but I want customizability of every single partial.

I too, am fascinated by the inharmonic-capable kind of additive synth. I crave for that full control like in DiscoDSP Vertigo.

While I like the features of Vertigo, I find its sound to be dated or cold compared to that of Harmor and Razor. PPG Infinite could let you edit the first 50 partials for the iPad version and all 214 on the desktop version. The synth had a main oscillator, a pair of sine resources for modulating the gain, and a pair for modulating the frequencies. Sadly, Infinite and Infinite Pro are abandoned.

[Korg Supporter]

I just updated the list with a few upcoming synths. Madrona Labs Sumu, which is almost in its beta stage, has 64 partials with their own ADSR envelopes. The LFO has individualized features for the partials. More can be read about it here (https://madronalabs.com/products/sumu?locale=us, https://madronalabs.com/topics/8469-sum ... ?locale=us).

[k2006]

Vital, Zebra/Zebralette,Ogun,Oatmeal(legacy),Addvector(legacy)

[aMUSEd]

Hey guys, I am fascinated with additive synthesis (especially the inharmonic kind), and I want to start a thread so that looking up additive synths using the KVR filter wouldn't get tedious.
Here is what I have so far (not counting wavetable synths with additive editors):

• 2gether Audio RE4ORM (unknown # of harmonics, possibly abandoned)

• Air Loom II (Up to 512 partials, may be abandoned, requires iLok)

• Alexander Zolotov's Sunvox (standalone on Mac and Windows, AUv3 on iOS, has inharmonic spectrum module and PPG-like harmonic module)

• Arturia Pigments 3 (512 harmonics for each oscillator)

• Synclavier V (12 partials with 128 harmonics each, FM Synthesis)

• Audiodamage Phosphor 3 (64 harmonics per oscillator)

• DiscoDSP Vertigo (256 partials)

• DS Thorn (128 harmonics)

• Hrast Programmer Tranzistow (1024 harmonics)

• Image Line Harmor (516 partials for each layer, FL-only, VST can be bought from Plugin Boutique)

• Harmless (Ditto)

• Morphine (128 harmonics, ditto)

• Karma FX Synth Modular 2 (1024 partials/harmonics)

• KV331 Synthmaster 2 (8 oscillators)

• NI Razor (320 partials)

• OSS Polyphenom 2 (16 partials with FM, legacy, Windows only)

• OSS Enterprise (16 harmonics per oscillator, legacy, Windows only)

• Reason Parsec 2 (512 partials for each layer, Reason only)

• Rob Papen Blade (99 partials)

• Predator 3 (256 harmonics)

• Seaweed Audio Fathom (128 harmonics)

• Solcito Musica Arido (10 harmonics, Windows only)

• Syne (up to 40k+ partials)

• The WaveWarden Odin 2 (unknown # of harmonics)

• VirSyn Cube (512 partials, grouped into four zones)

• Poseidon (512 partials, abandoned atm)

• ZynAddSubFX (8 partials, 128 harmonics each, pad engine can be inharmonic, up to 16 layers)

• PPG Infinite (214 partials, discontinued)

• Linplug Spectral (256 harmonics per oscillator, discontinued)

Upcoming additive synths include Sumu by Madrona Labs, which has 64 partials with independent envelopes, LFOs, and FM. Martinic, the dev behind the amazing AX73 plugin, is working on a new emulation for RMI harmonic synthesizer.

There's a great RMI harmonic synthesizer emulation for Reason too (https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... nthesizer/) plus several other additives and spectral synths on that platform

Don't forget Alchemy 2 (Logic only)

[FakeNatty]

Vital, Zebra/Zebralette,Ogun,Oatmeal(legacy),Addvector(legacy)

OP said not counting wavetable additive editors.

[Borbolactic]

Good list, you seem to have done your homework. I'm in the same boat so maybe we can compare notes here as we go along.

Myself, I am looking for an additive synth that has the most control over the sine waves for the greatest amount of expression and sounds range. Unsure how many sinewaves are ideal, but I guess the more the better unless it ends up bogging the CPU down?

I have Thorn, have used it and even made a few of my own 'presets' with it, but wonder about its limitations and how it stacks up with other additives. From some YouTube vids, Razor sounds quite nice. Never heard Harmour yet. I also have Zebra 2.9 but it seems more like what I call 'The Kitchen Sink' sort of synth that throws many forms of synthesis into it. Looking for a bit of purity.

[andrelafosse]

Alchemy allows a lot of additive stuff...

[WasteLand]

for VM you have the Additive Oscillator from Cherry Audio, but the one i find more interesting is the Request For Music TAO, synclavier inspired.

what i call now a 'complex additve oscillator', will come (soon?), the third prototype is being made, 64 partials, per partial modulation (audio rate or not..., Pitch, PM, AM, Pan etc.), and per partial there is an envelope (ADSR), also each partial can be triggered seperately.

but a great overview of the additive synths now available.

i think the Spectra Additive ReSynthesizer (for Reason) isn't mentioned yet, now for free..
and Parsec...

[Borbolactic]

Alchemy allows a lot of additive stuff...

I have an old version of Alchemy, but is the new one only included in some kind of suite?

[martiu]

Great thread, additive is one of my favorite type of synthesis.

[aMUSEd]

Alchemy allows a lot of additive stuff...

I have an old version of Alchemy, but is the new one only included in some kind of suite?

It's part of Logic now

[Korg Supporter]

Any more to suggest?