KVR Audio

jt230115 · Post by **jt230115** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 12:04 am

I remember back in the days when Electra 2 was very popular. but nowadays it seems like no one uses it anymore...

Seafire Mk2 · Post by **Seafire Mk2** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 3:43 am

Based on what data?

tumface · Post by **tumface** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 8:12 am

I actually just bought a license for it recently. Super low CPU usage, instances load very quickly, so feel free to put a ton in a project, 4 layers, fast to set up new patches. OSC sync (not wavetable osc FX) and FM, simultaneously. Plus two filters. Like a lot of VA synths from the early 2000s era. It's a good formula. And the bonus Tone2 features like the Hermode-like automatic intonation adjustments. Downsides are no MPE support (Icarus has MPE) and the filters sound Tone2-y when driven hard with the resonance turned up, if that's not something you like. For me, I like unique personalities in synths, so it's a plus.

nusound mind · Post by **nusound mind** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 8:25 am

I do, though more often Gladiator and Nemesis.

Tone2 is arguably imo one of the best sound to low cpu ratio's of all softsynths I know of. Sylenth is another one that comes to mind in that category.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 10:33 am

I use it

Examigan · Post by **Examigan** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 11:28 am

Yes, I use it.

trusampler · Post by **trusampler** » Sat Jul 18, 2026 11:30 am

waiting on their next sale when it's 99 n i'll probably pick it up again. I always thought they should have updated the ui to make the multi-timbral part more obvious. similar to Halion 7 instead of a horizontal style view , more vertical for stacks and splits, they still dont seem to have a view like that.

Sakke80 · Post by **Sakke80** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 9:50 am

Yep, using it.

Examigan · Post by **Examigan** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 11:04 am

trusampler wrote: Sat Jul 18, 2026 11:30 am waiting on their next sale when it's 99 n i'll probably pick it up again. I always thought they should have updated the ui to make the multi-timbral part more obvious. similar to Halion 7 instead of a horizontal style view , more vertical for stacks and splits, they still dont seem to have a view like that.

No, there’s no way to change the view in that way. I’m used to the way it is, so for me it’s no big deal.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 11:24 am

I owned it once, but, that layer based workflow was tedious, to say the least. I liked the sound, but, everything else was a chore, so I sold it. Tone2's resale policy made it virtually impossible to get remotely what it's worth used, by the way. Another negative with this company.

Examigan · Post by **Examigan** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 4:08 pm

One of the best developers in my book with great support.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 4:16 pm

I've abandoned all Tone2 synths, except Icarus. Over the years I've made MPE and polyphonic aftertouch a big part of my music, and Tone2 completely ignores MPE, and only supports polyphonic aftertouch on Icarus. I'd love to go back and update everything, as I find that they are great sounding instruments, but it does't seem to be in the cards. If you don't care about such things, I'd highly recommend them.

Tone2 Synthesizers · Post by **Tone2 Synthesizers** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 5:01 pm

Icarus 3 supports MPE. You can enable it in the setup tab

tumface · Post by **tumface** » Sun Jul 19, 2026 6:25 pm

Yeah, Icarus' MPE works great. I use it all the time.

Does anyone still use Electra?