NanoMod 1: Rich Pads

New from Rhythmic Robot, NanoMods are tiny miniature synthesisers designed to fill specific sonic niches. NanoMod 1: Rich Pads combines twin blendable analogue waveforms with ten multi-function controls, capable of intelligently and musically interacting to replicate most of the functionality of a fully featured analogue synth in a much smaller and simpler interface. This lets you get the sounds you want quickly, easily and efficiently! As the name suggests, it is focused firmly on providing pad sounds, and the two source waveforms reflect this: one is a subtle, smooth triangle-based wave, detuned and lush; the second is a rich, thick, huge multi-sawtooth wave with lots of harmonics for the filters to bite into. Between them they cover the bases from delicate shimmering textures through string-synth warmth to full-on Roland-style "supersaw" territory.

Intelligent controls put several functions in the hands of one interface knob. For example, the Sweep knob not only dials up the filter resonance, it also checks the position of the Envelope knob and then adjusts a hidden filter cutoff envelope to give you either a nice squelch or a slow sweep, depending on what kind of sound you're creating. All NanoMod controls interact in a similar way, working together to help you get the tones you want.

NanoMod 1: Rich Pads features twin convolved static filters, MS20 and Wasp, which replicate two all-analogue classic filters teetering on the edge of distortion. Each of these two models has 16 custom impulse responses, covering cutoff frequencies from 100Hz to 12kHz. The "character filters" work in series with the Smooth Filter, a general-purpose 24db / octave model. Glow and Shimmer add depth and movement to the sound, while Warmth emulates analogue instability and drift.

The Glitch control randomises all the other controls in a musical way, allowing for instant inspiration – great for getting out of a creative rut, or generating new starting points for patches.

Features:

• Custom-designed analogue source waves.
• Intelligently-interacting UI for swift, efficient, familiar control.
• Huge variety of pad sounds on offer from a small-footprint, simple interface.
• Glitch control for instant inspiration.
• Part of the NanoMod series, which builds into a collection of niche-specific instruments.

NanoMod 1: Rich Pads is part of the growing NanoMod series of miniature synths, all of which cost £3. They require Kontakt version 4.2.3 or above to run (including all versions of Kontakt 5). Full information, audio demos and more can be found here.