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Lokomotiv

Lokomotiv
Lokomotiv by Archetype Instruments is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin and an Audio Units Plugin.
Product
Version
1.1.3
Windows 7 or Windows 8 (latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit)
Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2
512 MB RAM
2MB free disk space
Product
Version
1.1.3
Mac OS X 10.7 or 10.8 (latest update)
Intel Core 2 Duo
512 MB RAM
2MB free disk space
Instrument
Formats
Copy Protection
None
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
174 KVR members have added Lokomotiv to 27 My KVR groups 209 times.
Not In Your MY KVR Groups
(or group limitation prevents versioning)
+27 in private groups

KVR Rank

Overall: 98   76   97

30-Day: 85; 7-Day: 74; Yesterday: 140

Lokomotiv is a software synthesizer for both Windows and Mac. Lokomotiv is designed to make your sounds more powerful and create wide range of sounds way easier.

Features:

  • Oscillator:
    • Mathematically generated high definition Oscillator without using wavetable or interpolation.
    • Silky smooth 9 X detuned sawtooth wave.
    • Pulse wave with self PWM.
    • Shape morphing sub oscillator.
  • Filter:
    • MG ladder modeling multimode filter featured Zero Delay Feedback technology.
    • Routable filter Drive. (Pre / Post).
  • Modulator:
    • Natural Curved ADSR Envelope generator.
    • Oneshot LFO which can be used as envelope.

Specification:

  • 1 X OSC (Saw+ Pulse) + 1 Sub OSC. Noise Generator.
  • 1 X multimode Filter with Drive.
  • 1 X LFO, 1 X Envelop Generator.
  • 8 polyphonic voices, Mono and Legato mode supported.
  • 64 Factory preset included.
  • Native 64-bit, Mac and Windows OS supported.

Demo Track: SoundCloud.com/archetype-instruments/lokofunk-by-jaewon-choi

- No effector, no sample, used LOKOMOTIV only.

SoundCloud.com/archetype-instruments/lokomotiv-factory-presets

- ONLY Factory presets of Lokomotiv and automation used.

- NO EFFECTS (internal, external or master) at all.

- Maximum 2 instances used at once.

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 3.50 from 6 reviews
Lokomotiv

Reviewed By cyrb [all]
February 18th, 2022
Version reviewed: 1.1.3 on Windows

It's like a Juno 106 mixed with a bit of Virus B/JP8000. Really fat and modern sounding. It's almost like a Charlatan take on Sylenth1: you only get the essentials, but in return you get fast results.

The last guy bombed his review because he couldn't get the presets to work? Firstly this thing's so simple you don't even need presets if you have even a 5th grader's synth editing skills. Secondly, it comes with a LokomotivFactoryPreset1.lkb file. I didn't even install it, just extracted it to obtain the DLLs. You load in banks through the preset menu, it's not rocket science.

Anyway back to the synth. It oscillators sound great and super rich. The filter is good but boosting resonance cuts volume down in a bad way - I hate when filters do that, makes me never want to use the resonance. The CPU usage is a bit more than I'd like, but still serviceable. It's not a super versatile synth, so you won't need 100 instances anyway. It's really trying to force your hand to make leads and pads. It can do nice basses as well with a little finessing. GUI is needlessly large for those with smaller screens - it could've been optimized a bit better.

I like that the portamento is polyphonic. It doesn't do the best job at picking which notes to slide, but its there if you want it. The AutoPWM is a nice touch, freeing up the LFO for something else. However, multiple LFO destinations would've been appreciated. I like that the sub oscillator shape is continuous (morphs between each point). I like how the Hard Sync always stays in tune and has a lot of bite to it. A second Envelope for modulations would've been a good addition, but at least the filter envelope amount can be inverted. Also, it would've been nice to be able to tune the pulse and saw a fifth apart (lets be honest, they're three separate oscillators being layered under the hood...).

So overall, this is an incredibly usable synth you can master in a day. It's a great performance lead synth that cuts through mixes like butter. It's very late 90s-2000s, getting you that incredibly rich supersaw sound. It's a bit of a one trick pony, but if you go expecting that, you won't be disappointed.

Read Review
Lokomotiv

Reviewed By Jim Kirkwood [all]
July 16th, 2020
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows

Watched the demos. Sounds Great. Downloaded the exe and Installed it. Unfortunately, no presents! The preset file was greyed out. Anyone else with this problem. I would really like this vast.

Read Review
Lokomotiv

Reviewed By Greenroom2 [all]
January 22nd, 2020
Version reviewed: 1.1.3 on Mac

Love the sound of this baby - very thick and ballsy synth. Like the simple interface. Beefing with good ole McDSP c101. Any updates on the horizon?

Read Review
Lokomotiv

Reviewed By jocomophilips [all]
July 11th, 2019
Version reviewed: 1.1.3 on Windows

When I can get it to work I like it. Right now I have to search and manually open the default preset bank every time i open the vst. that means I won't use it, because it takes forever to get it functional. I installed it twice and i genuinely don't understand what's wrong. My VST folder is not the default VST folder, it's on a separate drive but still it makes no sense. will give higher rating if someone can help me fix this.

Read Review
Lokomotiv

Reviewed By elena2 [all]
June 8th, 2018
Version reviewed: 1.1.3 on Windows

In a word: I love Lokomotiv. Despite its simplicity (few parameters) it is capable, with some creativity and little efforts, of some very original and *rich* sounds and textures often hard to achieve with other synths. I too love the hard sync. Filters are great and by intelligent usage of resonance and keytrack one can easily achieve whistle-like sounds without having to play with tens of parameters. By using distortion over highly detuned sawtooths interesting sounds can be obtained. Sound quality is superb IMHO. Even the most basic waveforms sound interesting and rich with this synth. The included presets aren't perhaps fully indicative of the full potential of this synth. I'd have rated it 5/5 if it were not for a little bug (I contacted the author hoping he will cooperate and fix it though): sometimes the noise generator stop working. I am experiencing this with Reaper (I don't know whether the same happens with other DAWs or HW configs though), and only (possibly ?) when multiple instances of Lokomotiv are used and depending on the order of tracks. By now I could circumvent this by simply changing the order of tracks though. A good and versatile little synth, great job. I hope to see a x64 version soon with the bug I listed fixed.
Read Review

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Comments & Discussion for Archetype Instruments Lokomotiv

Discussion
Discussion: Active
pascalb
pascalb
3 August 2014 at 6:27am

Installer don't accept to install where I want, only on default path (Windows 7 32-bits)

jwchoi
jwchoi
3 August 2014 at 10:00am

Hi, that dialog box is for just preset bank file.
You may change the plug-in folder at next step.

Elffin
Elffin
4 August 2014 at 10:55am

For some reason sounds don't stop playing! almost like a sustain sound on some patches (Using sonar X1) Hope this info helps...

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

layzer
layzer
9 August 2014 at 1:01am

at 23-26% CPU usage (intel 1.6ghz centrino) on a single note, you will have to work on that to get it down.

to the 5% CPU usage synth1 and linplug freealpha3 use.

jwchoi
jwchoi
16 August 2014 at 6:29pm

Thanks for report!
It would be helpful to optimization if you let me know more information :) (name of host sequencer, bit (32 or 64) of your host, OS, RAM.

alienimplant
alienimplant
10 August 2014 at 12:05am

I REALLY like the sound of this synth. Add stereo affects and distortion, and I'm on cloud nine. However...

The audio unit hangs every time I stop Logic if the note is still "on". If I don't stop Logic right between nots, it just goes on for ever. Your synth should receive an all notes off message when the host sequencer stops.

It's not a deal breaker, but it definitely affects the professional impression on the user. I hope it can be fixed.

jwchoi
jwchoi
16 August 2014 at 6:31pm

Next update will contain bug fix about receive all note off message (CC 123).

Thanks for your info.

ARC5
ARC5
26 August 2014 at 2:37am

Lokomotiv has been updated to 1.1.3 :)

Issues fixed and CPU usage reduced. Don't forget to grab new soundset from Marko Aamunkajo. (www.aeonlights.com)

DrewDale
DrewDale
27 August 2014 at 7:21pm

Still no fix for FL Studio note off / sustain issues as I posted here on page #2 and #3 - http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=417364 A nice looking synth, but that's all I can say. I have other Juno Emu's that I can use. Shame.

jwchoi
jwchoi
16 September 2014 at 5:47pm

We are still waiting for your setup information of FL studio to solve this issue.

and we are happy to receive any responses from anybody who have experienced similar (note stuck) issue with Lokomotiv in FL Studio. Please contact at support@archetype-instruments.com.

davidalexander
davidalexander
16 October 2014 at 10:55pm

where do i save these presets to on mac ? thankyou.

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

Sound Author
Sound Author
3 January 2015 at 2:18am

Excellent! I agree with alienimplant. Some kind of stereo width parameter would be nice. A unison pan spread control would be awesome.

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

swever
swever
10 January 2015 at 8:14pm

Sounds amazing! BUT there's some sort of voice allocation problem. The "CrimsonGlory" patch from the factory bank is one example. Play a few chords in succession and it sounds worng once its starts stealing voices. Win7 x86, Ableton Live 9.1.6 32-bit.

JStolarski
JStolarski
25 February 2015 at 3:26pm

After I listened to the tracks on Soundcloud, I decided to try it. There are so many synths and it's counter productive to try a bunch and and never get familiar with one, but this one has some subtle effects that just sound so smooth and "wet" that I just have too. Thanks for the work on it guys. I know it sucks to be giving away something you've worked on, probably harder than the work I put into my mixes. But, that's the way things are, for now. So much music, and you would think with the beautiful synths and effects that are now at our disposal, that the music would be getting better. I am an avid listener of music, and I frankly can't understand how bad a lot of the music sounds. I started doing remixes and mixing about 8 months ago, and the quality of the remixes that are being chosen as the winners in a lot of the contests, has really gone down.

Taron
Taron
1 September 2015 at 5:01pm

I'll just say it: I love you guys! 8D.

Honestly, this thing is beautiful, the sound is what I already knew it had to be and then some, just gorgeous, rich and clear and I can't wait for you guys to make a commercial big brother of it with additional modulation controls as brilliantly arranged as you've already started. And don't forget to sponsor an OSC here for sure.

Congratulations, you're giving me a moment of euphoria and my new favorite free synth! Rock on.

Taron
Taron
1 September 2015 at 5:11pm

...almost forgot: The only "funny" thing is the "Bend Range" number! Ordinarily it's halftones away from the origin, meaning 2 should go 2 halftones around the played note, but in your case it's one less. That's a little odd, I'd say, but other than that: Still love you! 8))))

Yeager
Yeager
3 September 2015 at 7:49pm

Yep, a 2 octave bend is NOT possible, you get close, but it's missing that last little push..;)

Taron
Taron
3 September 2015 at 9:43pm

One other odd thing is that there's no tuning? That almost feels a little like an oversight to me and that alone makes me wish for a version 2.0.

I also can't quite put my finger on it, but when max polyphony is reached, it seems to cut off notes not based on the quietest, but possibly in order based, haven't checked it, yet, but it sounds a bit wrong to me. I also believe it could handle a lot more notes and going up to 32 or higher should be no problem, I'm sure. A choice for that could be elegant.

Those things I would still consider foundation and would make a courteous update to the free version. A commercial version could simply have complex modulation routing, several LFO targets with independent amounts or even 2 LFOs and 2 envelopes. It wouldn't even need that much more, maybe a stereo option, but I'm sure it would be enough to have a stunning little product well worth buying.

Taron
Taron
4 September 2015 at 8:41am

I probably should look for a thread on this, but anyway...

Polyphony issue #2: Velocity on Amp shows more logic troubles that simply have to get approached differently. Give a sound some release time! Hit a note hard and then hit that same not softly right after! You'll hear that the second cuts of the first immediately, showing that the polyphony logic looks for the same not currently still playing and assumes it has to get replaced with the new hit since the same note "couldn't play more than once". Bad choice and should really get fixed, honestly.

With the full-on glory of this synth in its sound and its interface elegance, it really deserves greater care on those fundamentals. I really, really urge you to have another look at the code, please. You're literally sitting on a- if not 'THE"- pearl out there. It will only take some minor tweaks to make it unbeatable for the near future.

Add the option to increase the maximum polyphony, add a global or even individual fine tuning, fix the bend range display number (hihi) and that's kind of about it and you will have contributed a piece of VST history.

Sound Author
Sound Author
4 September 2015 at 5:22pm

...To update my last criticism, when I say "stereo width parameter", I'm just talking about a single delay line that you could toggle on and off, perhaps labeled "Stereo" or maybe "Haas", with a time value control from...oh, let's say 7-25 milliseconds. It would be a simple add-on, taking up very little CPU. Of course, I don't have much experience with C++, but I think most of the work would involve making room for it in the GUI.

Currently, I'm using FL's Stereo Shaper at about 16ms in tandem with the "Synth Strings" preset from Marko Aamunkajo's free "Original House & Trance" bank -- seriously check that out if you haven't already -- and I'm only using up 14% CPU with my fingers holding down four notes. Sounds very nice. I think I'll definitely be taking Lokomotiv on-board my go-to freeware VA synth arsenal, which (until now) includes only two programs: Synth1 and Charlatan 2. It's good to finally have a third party ;)

toolsquatch
toolsquatch
12 December 2015 at 11:34pm

NEEDS A PANIC BUTTON BADLY

Taron
Taron
13 December 2015 at 12:07am

LOL, it needs an overall overhaul.

I was way too excited way too early. I know now how tricky it is to write proper polyphony, for example, but even my first attempt is something Lokomotiv could use bitterly. There were many unfortunate weaknesses in it...kind of a waste of some really neat stuff in there. Ah well...I hope he keeps at it.

tungee78
tungee78
14 January 2016 at 7:41pm

This is in my ears the best sounding Freeware-Synth!
The Oscillators and the Filters are sounding extraordinary good.

The Drive section, especially the POST-drive, gives the sound an analog warmth.

Its extreme versatile alltough it has not so much knobs. This will stay for sure in my arsenal.

caiua
caiua
15 February 2016 at 10:00am

Is there a manual for Locomotiv?

100F
100F
23 July 2016 at 11:14pm

Have you thought of doing something like a more traditional VA with this sound engine?

I mean I LOVE THE SOUND but the synth is incredibly limited.

Please do the world a favour and release a new version with 2 LFOs, tunable osc and an amp env. And SELL IT!.

clocolan
clocolan
7 December 2016 at 8:01pm

I've used AI's Lokomotiv rather ruthlessly in my new album--it does way more than just arpeggios and bass lines. Beautiful textures to be found in this little gem, ranging from silky, whispy leads to noisy, buzzing pads.

Album preview here:
https://soundcloud.com/clocolan/nothing-left-to-abandon

Lokomotiv featured on:
01 Namaqua
02 Everything You See Is You
03 Cannon Rock, '72
04 Redstone
05 Obsolete Advancements
06 Ciskei

Thanks for making this available guys, one of my favorite noisemakers.

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