Revisiting Tone 2 Synths (Poll)

[wagtunes]

So I recently had to upgrade my Cubase 11 because it simply stopped working properly with all my OS updates. Various plugins just stopped working. So I upgraded to Cubase 14. Well, when I did that, a lot of old vst 2 synths would not be recognized and trying to enable them through the studio did nothing more than crash Cubase. So I eventually gave up and decided to try to update my vst 2 instruments to vst 3 if possible.

That's when I ran into my Tone 2 synths. None of them were showing up in Cubase 14. So I bit the bullet and upgraded all of them.

I then brought up each on in Cubase 14 to make sure they worked. They all do, though Icarus' browser doesn't close. So I don't use it.

Anyway, in testing all these synths (Icarus, Saurus, Electra, Nemesis, Rayblaster) I was reminded of that Tone 2 sound.

Yeah, I know. A lot of people don't like it. They do sound like no other synths. It's kind of hard to describe their sound. Some people call it plastic. It's kind of weird. It's not FM digital and it's not analog.

Whatever it is, I like it. Tone 2 synths were some of the first synths I ever bought.

So I'm curious. How do you all feel about Tone 2 synths sound? Like it? Hate it? Indifferent to it?

Just curious.

[Korg Supporter]

My only gripes with Icarus are that it does not have enough high-pass filter models (which Markus acknowledged), there are only 16 slots in the matrix, some fx sound clicky when automated (a limitation of the block-chain modulation system), and sine wave oscillators sound clicky when you amplitude modulate them (modulate amp for filter voulme for bouncing ball effect). Otherwise, it is an amazing synth that is very reminiscent of early Ensoniq synths and 90s VAs in a good way.

As for others, Gladiator is very useful for 90s Ensoniq transwave or Kawai additive type tones.

[0degree]

I think those are fantastic synths with (as you pointed out) a very unique sound signature. I'd call it sort of "plastic" or maybe actually "hyper-detailed". I own all of them and love them a lot but IMO they need some alternative UI version. I'm not a huge fan of those glassy/shiny interfaces

[martiu]

thin plastic can

[DashOfLime]

Saurus is badass. Sounds great. I think it sounds very analog. I don't own any of their other products.

[IvyBirds]

So I recently had to upgrade my Cubase 11 because it simply stopped working properly with all my OS updates. Various plugins just stopped working. So I upgraded to Cubase 14. Well, when I did that, a lot of old vst 2 synths would not be recognized

Open Cubase 14 / Nuendo 14

In the menu, go to "Studio".

Click "VST Plug-in Manager"

Click the "VST 2" button at the bottom of the window.

Cubase 14 / Nuendo 14 then immediately scans for VST 2 plug-ins, making them available for use

That should solve your issue. I have a ton of old VST2 plugins that happily work in Cubase 14

[Examigan]

Saurus is badass. Sounds great. I think it sounds very analog. I don't own any of their other products.

I agree. There are some great presets in there and it's easy to make your own. I made a couple demos for it which I thought turned out pretty good, and an OSC entry too.

I do have a couple others from them besides Saurus4:
Electra3 and an older version Icarus.

[zvenx]

@IvyBirds,
That only works for pc's (and maybe intel macs?)
rsp

[Touch The Universe]

Tone 2 synths are amazing, for sure! I remember being blown away by Saurus when designing presets for it - one big sweet spot!

[cryophonik]

I definitely agree that they have a distinct sound, although most of the words people use to describe it are way off-base IMO (I don't associate "plastic" with their sound at all). My fav Tone2 synth has sorta quietly become Warlock - I love its simplicity, straightforward UI, and especially its sound.

[zerocrossing]

I love them, though I mostly only use Icarus, these days. My issue is that Icarus is the only one that has implemented polyphonic aftertouch response, which is necessary for me. If all this synths had it, I'd update them all, but until then, they're of limited use. I did get a lot of use out of Nemesis when doing a Sci-Fi shooter gun sound effects.

[Vortifex]

Love Icarus. It can sound bright and digital but it can also be pleasantly huge and analog-ish. It's very versatile.

[starflakeprj]

Saurus is badass. Sounds great. I think it sounds very analog. I don't own any of their other products.

Many people seem to like Saurus, myself I think Saurus is the least inspiring of Tone2's synths. Don't really know why, but maybe I expect it to sound "analog", but I don't think it does. I would rank them:

1. Icarus 3
2. Electra 3
3. Nemesis 3
4. RayBlaster 3
5. Gladiator 4
6. Warlock
7. Saurus 3

[morphex]

Anyway, in testing all these synths (Icarus, Saurus, Electra, Nemesis, Rayblaster) I was reminded of that Tone 2 sound.

Yeah, I know. A lot of people don't like it. They do sound like no other synths. It's kind of hard to describe their sound. Some people call it plastic. It's kind of weird. It's not FM digital and it's not analog.

Whatever it is, I like it. Tone 2 synths were some of the first synths I ever bought.

So I'm curious. How do you all feel about Tone 2 synths sound? Like it? Hate it? Indifferent to it?

Just curious.

First of all, that sucks that Icarus 3’s browser won’t close. That would be distracting when managing your patches, so I hope that it gets resolved for you soon.

As for the “Tone2 sound” that’s been mentioned, it’s something that I’ve had difficulty in explaining, although I can clearly hear it. I wouldn’t call it plastic-sounding, but I understand the reference.

And although it might sound like advertising hype, Icarus often has this ultra, high-definition sheen that seems to be part of the sound engine’s dna. I’m not sure how else to explain it. But I absolutely dig it!!

The digital basses can be very punchy and aggressive, giving a nice weight to tracks. And the evolving sequences and pads that I program, are typically full of nuance and details. It’s an effective way to engage the listener’s imagination, and all in Tone2’s crystal clarity.

[wagtunes]

So I recently had to upgrade my Cubase 11 because it simply stopped working properly with all my OS updates. Various plugins just stopped working. So I upgraded to Cubase 14. Well, when I did that, a lot of old vst 2 synths would not be recognized

Open Cubase 14 / Nuendo 14

In the menu, go to "Studio".

Click "VST Plug-in Manager"

Click the "VST 2" button at the bottom of the window.

Cubase 14 / Nuendo 14 then immediately scans for VST 2 plug-ins, making them available for use

That should solve your issue. I have a ton of old VST2 plugins that happily work in Cubase 14

Except it didn't (first thing I tried) All it did was freeze Cubase.