d16 Group LUSH-2 coming in June 2023

[WatchTheGuitar]

Used the first version a lot until about 3 years ago. But, I've got Omnisphere now and now Lush 2 is kind of like a very lite version of that so I'll regretfully pass on an upgrade unless it's a lot cheaper when I can treat it like a preset pack.

[kmonkey]

Used the first version a lot until about 3 years ago. But, I've got Omnisphere now and now Lush 2 is kind of like a very lite version of that so I'll regretfully pass on an upgrade unless it's a lot cheaper when I can treat it like a preset pack.

[Teksonik]

So it pains me a great deal to have to say this but LuSH101 2 is a bit of a let down.

The first thing that struck me immediately is how much better version 1 looks. It's much crisper and sharp. Version 2 really messes with my eyes and in a short time gives me a headache due to the fuzziness.

I've always felt that D-16 has some of the finest GUIs on the market and I've always loved them. Their photorealism makes it look like you could reach out and turn the knobs on screen which I love since I grew up using hardware. Of course the older plugins like the drum machines are suffering from GUI shrink as monitor resolutions increase. I was really looking forward to seeing how much better the GUI on Lush 2 was but to be honest am very disappointed. One could argue that they had to do this due to the new sizes but when we realize that IK TRack's plugins are crystal clear and sharp at any size (with grab and drag resize) we realize it is entirely possible to have clarity at larger sizes.

You can see the difference here. Version 1 on the left and it looks like it should be the update:

Lush 2 062323-1.png

The text and number read outs are clearer on version 2 so that's an improvement but the rest is a retrograde.

Again this pains me to say this but there is really nothing I like about this upgrade so will pass on it at least for now. I'll be deleting it later today. There isn't really anything new sound wise that I feel warrants the update. Don't even get me started on the new Browser which is another retrograde in my opinion. I really dislike it....

particularly bearing in mind the fact that very few people actually use all those layers

How did you arrive at the "very few" number?

On the subject of layers they exist in more advanced synths for people who are more advanced synthesists. Without layers the 101 would be one of the most boring synths around.

It's great that layered synths exist and beginners can still just use a single layer if they're still enamored with such mind numbingly simple sounds.

Oh sure you could layer 5 of the same synths in your DAW or you could just load a single instance with a complex patch and save your self a lot of hassle. In the end you can still layer LuSH101 with itself if for some reason you think that's efficient.

To me being able to create,save, then reload complex patches is the foundation of my music and it allows me to keep my projects manageable without using dozens of synths when a handful of more capable synths will do.

You've never layered a Saw bass with a Square Bass? Or had one layer doing a filter sweep while other layers are playing Arpeggiators at different speeds and directions ? Multi-layer leads? There are so many possible uses for layers with just a tiny bit of imagination. To think it's harder to control a layer than it is a separate synth it misguided in my opinion.

So thank the synth gods for layered synths and those who find them too powerful or intimidating can still use a single layer. Win/Win

[hurricaneaudiolab]

On the subject of layers they exist in more advanced synths for people who are more advanced synthesists. Without layers the 101 would be one of the most boring synths around.

It's great that layered synths exist and beginners can still just use a single layer if they're still enamored with such mind numbingly simple sounds.

[VariKusBrainZ]

A round robin / random function to cycle through the layers would be nice

[Dencheg]

So it pains me a great deal to have to say this but LuSH101 2 is a bit of a let down.

The first thing that struck me immediately is how much better version 1 looks. It's much crisper and sharp. Version 2 really messes with my eyes and in a short time gives me a headache due to the fuzziness.

I've always felt that D-16 has some of the finest GUIs on the market and I've always loved them. Their photorealism makes it look like you could reach out and turn the knobs on screen which I love since I grew up using hardware. Of course the older plugins like the drum machines are suffering from GUI shrink as monitor resolutions increase. I was really looking forward to seeing how much better the GUI on Lush 2 was but to be honest am very disappointed. One could argue that they had to do this due to the new sizes but when we realize that IK TRack's plugins are crystal clear and sharp at any size (with grab and drag resize) we realize it is entirely possible to have clarity at larger sizes.

You can see the difference here. Version 1 on the left and it looks like it should be the update:


Lush 2 062323-1.png



The text and number read outs are clearer on version 2 so that's an improvement but the rest is a retrograde.

Again this pains me to say this but there is really nothing I like about this upgrade so will pass on it at least for now. I'll be deleting it later today. There isn't really anything new sound wise that I feel warrants the update. Don't even get me started on the new Browser which is another retrograde in my opinion. I really dislike it....

particularly bearing in mind the fact that very few people actually use all those layers

How did you arrive at the "very few" number?

On the subject of layers they exist in more advanced synths for people who are more advanced synthesists. Without layers the 101 would be one of the most boring synths around.

It's great that layered synths exist and beginners can still just use a single layer if they're still enamored with such mind numbingly simple sounds.

Oh sure you could layer 5 of the same synths in your DAW or you could just load a single instance with a complex patch and save your self a lot of hassle. In the end you can still layer LuSH101 with itself if for some reason you think that's efficient.

To me being able to create,save, then reload complex patches is the foundation of my music and it allows me to keep my projects manageable without using dozens of synths when a handful of more capable synths will do.

You've never layered a Saw bass with a Square Bass? Or had one layer doing a filter sweep while other layers are playing Arpeggiators at different speeds and directions ? Multi-layer leads? There are so many possible uses for layers with just a tiny bit of imagination. To think it's harder to control a layer than it is a separate synth it misguided in my opinion.

So thank the synth gods for layered synths and those who find them too powerful or intimidating can still use a single layer. Win/Win

Did you set up the system scaling setting (in Lush settings)?

[mholloway]

Hugely disappointing update / upgrade, can't believe _this_ is what I've been waiting 9 years for !?!

• the UI is a huge downgrade
• the browser is a huge downgrade
• the new features are scant (1 new effect slot, a new modulation destination, couple other tweaks...c'mon, that's not v2 stuff, that's a minor FREE update, jeez)

this is a "pay me 45 bucks so this plugin still runs on your computer" update, not a version 2 upgrade.

after the stellar Phoscyon 2, I'm really surprised by how crap this is. Disappointing.

[AdvancedFollower]

I think the issue with the GUI is the plastic "texture" which was present in v1 too but not nearly as pronounced. It ends up looking like dithering rather than adding depth and realism, and it makes the GUI harder to look at. I do however find the dark grey theme quite pleasant.

[skyman88882002]

So it pains me a great deal to have to say this but LuSH101 2 is a bit of a let down.

First, I think Teksonik is great and has added a lot to the community for a many years

However, at the risk of being pummeled by everybody I'm going to say that I like this new upgrade. As far as I can tell, it addresses all of the long standing issues that users have been complaining about for the past 10 years - small GUI, Apple support (I'm a Windows guys so I can't really speak to this one), a more streamlined browser and workflow (for me at least).

I'm really enjoying experiencing this synth all over again.

So is the big problem here the price of the upgrade? I mean we wouldn't expect a developer to do this for free. D16 doesn't use that annoying subscription model so they only get one pop in revenue when the product is bought and that's it. They're going to need to charge something for all that work.

And if the argument is that there aren't enough new features like the Phoscyon2, what exactly were the new features everyone wanted and expected? As far as I can tell, this upgrade solved all of the main problems and gripes people have had with Lush-101. What am I missing?

[paterpeter]

Price wise the update is outside of the no-brainer range, that's for sure. In comparison to eg Twin 2 to 3 which I got for less in the current sale, there are not too many new features, either. But I'll still probably pick it up. I like the synth and the company and I'd rather do business with them than with Waves or the likes.

[WatchTheGuitar]

I've happily paid D16 for updates to Phoscyon and some of their great effects, like Syntorus, but yeah my 'no brainer' updates are always $30/£30/€30 or less. If I then have to think about whether I actually need something the answer is very nearly always "no".

[mholloway]

As far as I can tell, this upgrade solved all of the main problems and gripes people have had with Lush-101. What am I missing?

Well, to repeat myself:

• the UI is a huge downgrade
• the browser is a huge downgrade
• the new features are scant (1 new effect slot, a new modulation destination, couple other tweaks...c'mon, that's not v2 stuff, that's a minor FREE update, jeez)

and...
• the price point is too high, for what you're getting

[skyman88882002]

and...
• the price point is too high, for what you're getting

Those are all valid points - subjective, but valid. I like the UI and browser in Lush-2 but that's just me. I might feel like that update cost is too high for something I don't subjectively like either.

I will say, that I don't mind paying extra for good customer service and hassle free license transfers though.

To that point - I believe you can still sell your Lush-101 license without affecting your Lush-2 license (at least that is how it worked when I upgraded to Phoscyon2). I'm sure somebody on KVR or elsewhere would happily pay $30+ for the Lush-101. Or if you really hate Lush 2, sell it - for likely more than the upgrade cost. Either way, you would offset the cost of this upgrade. If D16 only cared about money they would tether the update to the original like other vendors.

Again, that is what I like about D16. I really don't think they are trying to fleece us. You might not like the update but you certainly aren't stuck with it

[atticmike]

Do all their products have an unrestricted demo? I'd like to try Toraverb 2.

[Synthman2000]

I cannot quite be excited about this myself. Same with the Phoscyon, the upgrade was too expensive for a start then I found some deal which could not be followed through on i.e V1 to V2 for $29.00 - Also no reply from support so I thought why support a company that cannot be bothered to answer a basic support question.

I find the manually assigned automation to parameters a total inspiration killer and stopped using Lush V1 mainly cause of this.

Why you cannot immediately turn a knob with your DAW track/synth in write and the synth not be automated immediately is anyone's guess. Really bad implementation actively killing inspiration and work flow. I can barely remember how to do it each time so just don't use it. Is that fixed in V2 ?

After reading the above posts I see people's opinions are not very glowing either.