Tone2 RayBlaster3 - Impulse-Modeling-Synthesizer

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RayBlaster$99.00Buy

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Product page: https://www.tone2.com/rayblaster.html

RayBlaster unveils a completely new dimension of sounds, impossible with other synths. The revolutionary Impulse Modeling Synthesis is not just a marketing buzzword, but a radically different approach to synthetic sound generation.

A radically different sound generation
  • Radically different synthesis method
  • Unique signature sound
  • Over 1100 inspiring sounds created by professional designers
  • Discover a completely new sonic territory
  • High-end sound quality
  • Huge sonic range and high flexibility
  • GUI with 22 sizes and High-DPI support
  • Native support for Retina, WQHD, 4K, 5K and 8K UHD displays
  • Easy to use & fun to play
  • Powerful sound engine with true stereo architecture
  • Create distinctive sounds that are impossible to produce with other synthesizers
  • Quickly catches your audiences' attention and makes your music to stand out from the crowd
  • Comfortable patch browser and flexible preset management
  • Modular effect section with 44 effect types
  • Drag & drop modulation
  • Expandability
Image
Click here for a big screenshot: https://www.tone2.com/mypic/RayBlaster3_screenshot.jpg

Reviews:

Computer Music Magazine:
"Sounds genuinely different ... Create patches you never would have come across ... A highly expressive synth that lends very well to modern music ... Very immediate and easy to use ... Remains interesting and fruitful for a long time after the purchase ..."

Beat magazine:
"Huge sonic range ... extremely flexible sound design possibilities with remarkably creative potential... Assertive sounds, rich in detail ... Score 91%"

MusicTech:
"A go-to choice for creating signature sounds ... You can guarantee that the results will always be unique ... CPU-friendly ... Score 9/10"

MP3 demos:

https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... aiders.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... ubstep.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... mbient.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... tronic.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... _Space.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... uturon.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... c_Pads.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/RayBl ... lusive.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... sphere.mp3


What is Impulse-Modeling-Synthesis (IMS)?

This innovative approach to sound generation goes far beyond traditional forms of synthesis. It offers a whole new world of sounds and enormous potential for producing creative modern music.
Many conventional synthesizers use a technique that is known as 'subtractive synthesis': An oscillator plays a looped waveform that is passed through a filter to shape the sound. In contrast, RayBlaster uses an entirely new approach to synthesis. It creates its distinctive sound with a convolution-based synthesis technique: Many short samples containing impulse responses are overlapped to create a complex sound. We named this innovative technique 'Impulse Modeling Synthesis' (IMS).
IMS can be considered a superset of granular synthesis. However, it does not suffer from its weaknesses like detuning, poor sound quality or many musically unusable sounds.

Sounds

RayBlaster's radically different approach to synthesis makes it possible to create unique signature sounds that are absolutely impossible with other synthesizers.
The pychoacoustic model of IMS resembles the way our human brain perceives sounds. As a result, these sounds seem enormously immersive or even completely pychedelic.
RayBlaster ships with an inspiring library of over 1100 presets created by the world's top sound designers. Many complex sounds such as arpeggios, vocals or drumloops automatically synchronize with the BPM-rate of your track.
For quick and easy access to a specific sound, we've carefully organized them into logical categories. A comfortable patch browser gives you instant access to a huge sound library with ready-to-use patches.

Image
Click here for a big screenshot: https://www.tone2.com/mypic/RayBlaster3 ... rowser.jpg

Modulation

Spice up your tracks with exciting movement! Do you want to use the LFO to wobble your sound? Simply drop it to a knob and you've got it. Modulation can be as simple or complex as you want. You can use drag&drop or the modulation matrix to connect dozens of sources to all important sound parameters. Modulate almost any parameter with audio-rate speed, from internal modulation sources like LFOs, punchy envelopes, step sequencers, and a wide variety of MIDI signals. We've also included midi-learn, so assigning CC's is as simple as a right-click.

Effects

RayBlaster comes with a huge variety of effects that were developed and fine-tuned to complement RayBlaster's Impulse-Modeling-Synthesis. 44 different stereo effects are included, all carefully crafted to offer the highest quality possible: We have included a large variety of Reverbs, Delays, Chorus, Ensemble, Phaser, Flanger, Rotary, Compressor, Amp-Sim, Equalizer, Surround-Encode, TranceGate, Resonator, Hypersaw and so on.

Waveforms, Samples & Resynthesis

In addition to importing filter characteristics into RayBlaster's oscillators, you can also import the waveform of any other synthesizer. This gives you an unlimited number of possible waveshapes, all of which are capable of being morphed in real-time. You can re-synthesize short samples like a drumloop or a vocal phrase. RayBlaster also offers many possibilities to synchronize complex sounds to your track's BPM as well as providing the ability to manipulate the pitch, timing and the timbre of all your sounds in real-time.

System requirements:

PC: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 or Linux with WINE; Plugin formats: 64-bit VSTi, VST3, Standalone
Mac: macOS 10.12 or higher including macOS Sonoma; Plugin formats: VSTi, Audio Unit (AUi), VST3, Standalone, Universal Binary; Native support for M1 and M2 and Intel

User-friendly copy-protection:

No dongle, no cloud, no need to be online, no data-collection, does not install an additional 'license-manager' or driver.

Free demo download:
https://www.tone2.com/download.html

Last edited by Tone2 Synthesizers on Tue Apr 21, 2026 1:18 pm, edited 13 times in total.
https://www.tone2.com
Our award-winning synthesizers offer true high-end sound quality.

Post

What's new in RayBlaster 3.0 ?

New features:
  • GUI with 22 different sizes (with and without keys).
  • Native support for WQHD, 4K, 5K and 8K UHD displays.
  • You can now drag & drop wav files on the wave displays to import them.
  • Support for hardware-acceleration.
  • Ultrasharp graphics with enhanced HiDpi and Retina Display support.
  • Automatic detection of the ideal GUI size.
  • GUI can be scaled from 100% up to 450% by clicking in the lower right corner.
  • Patch browser can now also be opened by clicking on 'Browser' or the display on the upper left.
Higher sound-quality:
  • More transparent and clear over-all sound.
  • The synth 'sits better in the mix', especially when it is combined with other instruments.
  • The audio-engine now uses 64-bit precision instead of 32-bit, which results in a higher sound-quality.
  • Enhanced sound of the automatic micro-tuning.
  • More precise pitch calculation.
  • Higher quality resampling in 44 and 88 kHz sample-rate.
  • More linear frequency-response for certain configurations.
  • Enhanced sound of the Reverb Large. It has a more transparent tail and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanned sound of Reverb Huge. It has a more transparent tail and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Small. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Ultra. It has a more transparent tail and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Big. It has a more transparent tail and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Infinite. It has a more transparent tail and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Trance. It has a more transparent tail.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Band. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Glass. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Reverb Spring. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Delay. It has a more precise interpolation and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Delay Band. It has a more precise interpolation and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of PingPong. It has a more precise interpolation and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Delay Fat. It has a more precise interpolation.
  • Enhanced sound of Delay Diffuse. It has a more precise interpolation and sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Delay Dual. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Tape Delay. It sounds less detuned.
  • Enhanced sound of Chorus. It has a more precise interpolation now.
  • Enhanced sound of Hypersaw. It has a more precise interpolation now.
  • Enhanced sound of Chorus2. It has a more precise interpolation now.
Enhancements:
  • Higher performance.
  • Reworked and enhanced graphics.
  • Smoother animations and more responisve controls.
  • Several small enhancemets for the patch-selector and patch-browser.
  • Completely rewritten GUI code.
  • More contrast for the LCD displays.
  • Several small enhancements for the VST3 and AU version.
  • Reworked some tool-tips.
  • More beautiful sectors for knob-modulation.
  • Fine-tuned some coordinates in the interface.
  • Re-sizing the VST3, Standalone and Audiounit works more reliable.
  • Enhanced stability.
  • Smarter installer.
  • Re-renderd the background bitpmap skin with a higher resulution.
  • More beautiful font for the patch-browser for certain configurations.
  • Fine-tuned some colors.
  • Added Color bleeding for the glowing displays on the main screen.
  • The installers come with a Microsoft/Apple approved certificate.
  • Lots of further small enhancements.
Changes:
  • Removed the demo-version timeout and added a voice-over.
Fixes:
  • Some DAWs could show the VST3 version on PC with an incorrect size when Windows scaling was used.
Downward compatibility:
  • All patches created with previous versions can be loaded with RayBlaster3.
  • All existing songs and patches will benfit from the enhanced sound quality.
  • The Vst2 and Vst3 versions are downward compatible with all previous versions
  • The Audiounit version is downward compatible with RayBlaster 2.9 or later
Last edited by Tone2 Synthesizers on Mon Oct 30, 2023 9:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
https://www.tone2.com
Our award-winning synthesizers offer true high-end sound quality.

Post

FAQ:

Is the upgrade free?
The update to v3.0 is a major update. The upgrade is free for anyone who bought RayBlaster directly from tone2.com after April 2023. All others can upgrade with a big discount ($29).

Why is the upgrade not free?

We kindly ask to stay fair and realistic here. We provided 9 free updates for a period of 10(!) years for RayBlaster. There are not many other companies that provide as many free and generous updates as we do. At some point we need to earn some money to cover the costs to run the company.
The transition to a new GUI with crisp look on high-dpi/retina and zoom support was lots of work. The code for the complete GUI library had to be replaced and we needed to fix tons of bugs and run a massive number of tests in different DAWs.

Do I need to upgrade?
No. We do not use a subscription system. Your current version will continue to work without any limitation.
The upgrade is fully optional. Noone is forced to do it. If you don't like it - simply don't buy it.

Will there be RayBlaster4:
No. v3.x is the final version.

Will there be other Tone2 synths in the future?
No. We will not longer develop new products. Just updates for the existing ones. Apart from Icarus3.0 (which is planed for early 2024) RayBlaster3.0 is the last major update that we will release.
Then there will only free updates for mainteance of the existing products like v3.1 etc as well soundsets for the existing products.

Why do you not longer develop new products?
viewtopic.php?t=601129


Will you go out of business?

No. But we already got many products that we must maintain. This keeps us busy enough. We want to focus our resources on improving the existing products.

When will RayBlaster3 be available?
It will be available in early November.

Where can I upgrade?
The upgrade will available here:
https://www.tone2.com/rayblaster.html
or here:
https://order.shareit.com/product?productid=301070349
Last edited by Tone2 Synthesizers on Mon Oct 30, 2023 9:56 am, edited 6 times in total.
https://www.tone2.com
Our award-winning synthesizers offer true high-end sound quality.

Post

Please note that:

We do not have a company forum on kvr and we do not longer do support here for various reasons.

For feedback, feature requests and bug reports you must refer to our official support channels. These are:

Updates: https://www.tone2.com/download.html
Email: support[a t]tone2[do t]com
Website: https://www.tone2.com/faq.html
Forum: https://www.tone2.org/forum/
Video tutorials: https://www.tone2.com/video-tutorials.html
Manuals: https://www.tone2.com/manual.html
Installation: https://www.tone2.com/product-installation.html
Bug reporting: https://www.tone2.com/report-a-bug.html
Last edited by Tone2 Synthesizers on Thu Apr 09, 2026 10:10 am, edited 6 times in total.
https://www.tone2.com
Our award-winning synthesizers offer true high-end sound quality.

Post

Good news. I own just Rayblaster and have an eye on Icarus…

Post

Great to see tone2 back here. All the best .

Post

There will be Icarus 3.0?! Incredible! I thought 2.5 would be the last major version. It would be nice to see dual-axis wavetables.

Post

Yes Icarus has become one of my favorite synths so a version 3 certainly gets my interest. :tu:

I'm downloading the Rayblaster demo now and will consider a purchase. :)
None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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I tried Rayblaster but it's just not for me. As for Icarus2 can't say enough praise for it.
<list your stupid gear here>

Post

Lectropunk aka influx808 wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:41 pm Great to see tone2 back here. All the best .
Thanks for the wishes. Sadly this will be not the case.

To prevent confusion:

- In early September, when Markus announced that he will leave the industry, RayBlaster3 was already feature-complete and in beta. Because of deep changes in the GUI code this version needed to be tested excessively. Our philosophy is to release only updates that are really stable and have been properly tested.

- In September Icarus3 was already in alpha stage. The work on this one will most likely (slowly!) still be finished. Icarus3.0 will be the final major update that will be released by us.

- After Icarus3 only free minor updates and soundsets will be released. Gladiator4.x, Electra3.x, Saurus4.x, Nemesis 3.x, RayBlaster 3.x and Icarus 3.x will be the final versions.

- There are no plans to develop new Tone2 products. There is a detailed statement available here: viewtopic.php?t=601129

Best Regards
https://www.tone2.com
Our award-winning synthesizers offer true high-end sound quality.

Post

Tone2 Synthesizers wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 9:38 am Product page: https://www.tone2.com/rayblaster.html

RayBlaster unveils a completely new dimension of sounds, impossible with other synths. The revolutionary Impulse Modeling Synthesis is not just a marketing buzzword, but a radically different approach to synthetic sound generation.

Image
Click here for a big screenshot: https://www.tone2.com/mypic/RayBlaster3_screenshot.jpg

A radically different sound generation
  • Radically different synthesis method
  • Unique signature sound
  • Over 1100 inspiring sounds created by professional designers
  • Discover a completely new sonic territory
  • High-end sound quality
  • Huge sonic range and high flexibility
  • GUI with 22 sizes and High-DPI support
  • Native support for Retina, WQHD, 4K, 5K and 8K UHD displays
  • Easy to use & fun to play
  • Powerful sound engine with true stereo architecture
  • Create distinctive sounds that are impossible to produce with other synthesizers
  • Quickly catches your audiences' attention and makes your music to stand out from the crowd
  • Comfortable patch browser and flexible preset management
  • Modular effect section with 44 effect types
  • Drag & drop modulation
  • Expandability
Reviews:

Computer Music Magazine:
"Sounds genuinely different ... Create patches you never would have come across ... A highly expressive synth that lends very well to modern music ... Very immediate and easy to use ... Remains interesting and fruitful for a long time after the purchase ..."

Beat magazine:
"Huge sonic range ... extremely flexible sound design possibilities with remarkably creative potential... Assertive sounds, rich in detail ... Score 91%"

MusicTech:
"A go-to choice for creating signature sounds ... You can guarantee that the results will always be unique ... CPU-friendly ... Score 9/10"

MP3 demos:

https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... aiders.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... ubstep.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... mbient.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... tronic.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... _Space.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... uturon.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... c_Pads.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/RayBl ... lusive.mp3
https://www.tone2.com/mp3download/Tone2 ... sphere.mp3


What is Impulse-Modeling-Synthesis (IMS)?

This innovative approach to sound generation goes far beyond traditional forms of synthesis. It offers a whole new world of sounds and enormous potential for producing creative modern music.
Many conventional synthesizers use a technique that is known as 'subtractive synthesis': An oscillator plays a looped waveform that is passed through a filter to shape the sound. In contrast, RayBlaster uses an entirely new approach to synthesis. It creates its distinctive sound with a convolution-based synthesis technique: Many short samples containing impulse responses are overlapped to create a complex sound. We named this innovative technique 'Impulse Modeling Synthesis' (IMS).
IMS can be considered a superset of granular synthesis. However, it does not suffer from its weaknesses like detuning, poor sound quality or many musically unusable sounds.

Sounds

RayBlaster's radically different approach to synthesis makes it possible to create unique signature sounds that are absolutely impossible with other synthesizers.
The pychoacoustic model of IMS resembles the way our human brain perceives sounds. As a result, these sounds seem enormously immersive or even completely pychedelic.
RayBlaster ships with an inspiring library of over 1100 presets created by the world's top sound designers. Many complex sounds such as arpeggios, vocals or drumloops automatically synchronize with the BPM-rate of your track.
For quick and easy access to a specific sound, we've carefully organized them into logical categories. A comfortable patch browser gives you instant access to a huge sound library with ready-to-use patches.

Image
Click here for a big screenshot: https://www.tone2.com/mypic/RayBlaster3 ... rowser.jpg

Modulation

Spice up your tracks with exciting movement! Do you want to use the LFO to wobble your sound? Simply drop it to a knob and you've got it. Modulation can be as simple or complex as you want. You can use drag&drop or the modulation matrix to connect dozens of sources to all important sound parameters. Modulate almost any parameter with audio-rate speed, from internal modulation sources like LFOs, punchy envelopes, step sequencers, and a wide variety of MIDI signals. We've also included midi-learn, so assigning CC's is as simple as a right-click.

Effects

RayBlaster comes with a huge variety of effects that were developed and fine-tuned to complement RayBlaster's Impulse-Modeling-Synthesis. 44 different stereo effects are included, all carefully crafted to offer the highest quality possible: We have included a large variety of Reverbs, Delays, Chorus, Ensemble, Phaser, Flanger, Rotary, Compressor, Amp-Sim, Equalizer, Surround-Encode, TranceGate, Resonator, Hypersaw and so on.

Waveforms, Samples & Resynthesis

In addition to importing filter characteristics into RayBlaster's oscillators, you can also import the waveform of any other synthesizer. This gives you an unlimited number of possible waveshapes, all of which are capable of being morphed in real-time. You can re-synthesize short samples like a drumloop or a vocal phrase. RayBlaster also offers many possibilities to synchronize complex sounds to your track's BPM as well as providing the ability to manipulate the pitch, timing and the timbre of all your sounds in real-time.

System requirements:

PC: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 or Linux with WINE; Plugin formats: 64-bit VSTi, VST3, Standalone
Mac: macOS 10.12 or higher including macOS Sonoma; Plugin formats: VSTi, Audio Unit (AUi), VST3, Standalone, Universal Binary; Native support for M1 and M2 and Intel

User-friendly copy-protection:

No dongle, no cloud, no need to be online, no data-collection, does not install an additional 'license-manager' or driver.

Free demo download:
https://www.tone2.com/download.html
Oooh!!! Linux Support through WINE!!!! Very Cool!!! :D :tu:

Will your other applications soon be supported through WINE as well?
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

Post

audiojunkie wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 4:22 pm Oooh!!! Linux Support through WINE!!!! Very Cool!!! :D :tu:
Will your other applications soon be supported through WINE as well?
I for one am running RayBlaster, Electra and Icarus in Bitwig Linux since several years, through wine of course, and linvst.

And nowadays with yabridge/wine I also run the current Gladiator, Warlock and Nemesis using Xubuntu 22.04. The latest updates are just great, performance, GUI and sound wise. I noticed a difference with the latest Electra and with RayBlaster it's also apparent : the sound quality is more wholesome, it feels much better.

With RayBlaster3 the GUI performance update makes it run much better on Linux. The display of waveforms, so important in shaping RayBlaster sounds, is no longer shaky, but flows smoothly. For this very reason - if nothing else - I'm looking for Icarus v3 as I still use v1.6 (no problem in running that version, it's a very creative synth with lots to explore) since v2 didn't fare very well.

As far as I see it there's nothing to do on the part of Tone2 to support Linux. :)

EDIT : I would like to add, no matter what me and anyone says, when running Linux and considering Windows VSTs, always run the demo first. Linux systems, while being much more streamlined, still can have differences between them with some of these affecting the running of Windows VSTs.
Last edited by mevla on Tue Oct 31, 2023 4:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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And bought.. thanks.. looking forward to Icarus 3.
rsp
sound sculptist

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This is exciting b/c Rayblaster imo is the worst sounding Tone2 synth (but still sounds good don't get me wrong) but also maybe the most interesting / unique, so I may go for this.

While I'm here I'd like to ask again what are people's opinion's on the best Tone2 updates in terms of sound improvments from their respective previous versions? They all do the job as is so money aside I'm reticent to update something that isn't broke, so to speak. Idk if it's a faux pas to ask or what, people seem unwilling to give an opinion on this.

Mainly I'm wondering about Gladiator, Nemesis and Electra in terms of which update sounds the best/noticeably different. Gladiator at the version I have I'd say could benefit from a sound enhancing most and it also happens to be my fave Tone2 synth and among my favorite softsynth overall.

Post

mevla wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:20 pm
audiojunkie wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 4:22 pm Oooh!!! Linux Support through WINE!!!! Very Cool!!! :D :tu:
Will your other applications soon be supported through WINE as well?
I for one am running RayBlaster, Electra and Icarus in Bitwig Linux since several years, through wine of course, and linvst.

And nowadays with yabridge/wine I also run the current Gladiator, Warlock and Nemesis using Xubuntu 22.04. The latest updates are just great, performance, GUI and sound wise. I noticed a difference with the latest Electra and with RayBlaster it's also apparent : the sound quality is more wholesome, it feels much better.

With RayBlaster3 the GUI performance update makes it run much better on Linux. The display of waveforms, so important in shaping RayBlaster sounds, is no longer shaky, but flows smoothly. For this very reason - if nothing else - I'm looking for Icarus v3 as I still use v1.6 (no problem in running that version, it's a very creative synth with lots to explore) since v2 didn't fare very well.

As far as I see it there's nothing to do on the part of Tone2 to support Linux. :)

EDIT : I would like to add, no matter what me and anyone says, when running Linux and considering Windows VSTs, always run the demo first. Linux systems, while being much more streamlined, still can have differences between them with some of these affecting the running of Windows VSTs.
Right on I hadn't read this, exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for. I think that seals it, at least Rayblaster for the time being.

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