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DS Audio Thorn

Thorn
DS Audio Thorn by Plugin Alliance / Dmitry Sches is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin, a VST 3 Plugin and an AAX Plugin.
Product
Version
1.3.2
Windows Vista or higher
Product
Version
1.3.2
OS X 10.9.X or higher
Instrument
Formats
Copy Protection
Serial Number
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
410 KVR members have added DS Audio Thorn to 218 My KVR groups 524 times.
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30-Day: 645; 7-Day: 825; Yesterday: 527

Thorn is a modern software synthesizer, flexible and easy to use.

The sound engine in Thorn is built on spectral synthesis method, which gives you control over the harmonics involved into a forming process of a final timbre. Three Harmonic Oscillators with an additional Harmonic Filter cover all the needs for producing of a very wide range of modern sounds. Two analog modeled multi-mode filters with a zero delay feedback path provided to charge your sound and make it shine through the mix. Analog envelopes, LFOs and multi-stage envelopes can be used to modulate any internal parameter you would like to. Set of 9 high quality effects polish your sound and breathe life into it. For maximum fun Thorn provides a pattern-based Glitch sequencer.

Formats: VST / VST3 / AU / AAX.

Number of presets: 372.

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 4.86 from 7 reviews
DS Audio Thorn

Reviewed By VELLTONE MUSIC [all]
January 2nd, 2023
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows

Super fresh synth, love it:).

There is something super nice in it, can't define it with one word.

Is it the sound worth the money compared to other synths - Absolutely the discounts are no brainer :).

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DS Audio Thorn

Reviewed By Boy Wonder [all]
July 13th, 2022
Version reviewed: 1.3.0 on Windows

I'd been a Diversion user for some time because it's loaded with useful features such as all parameters being modulatable, great sounds, gate sequencer, full-featured sequencer and arpeggiator, oversampling, one-page design, etc. It's only drawbacks are it's smallish GUI and anti-click feature which sometimes doesn't work. I'm not sure Thorn is the successor to Diversion, but in all probability, it could be since it contains a lot of the same parameters as Diversion in addition to a full-featured glitch sequencer. At least here the anti-click feature works, but not perfectly. When I use glitching, I get sharp clicks that I sometimes have to smoothen out with Oeksound's Spiff. I've tried other transient shapers but they're not as effective or transparent as Spiff. Definitely, another selling point with Thorn is how silky smooth you can make pads without bringing your CPU to its knees like Diversion does. There seems to be no shortage of presets for Thorn, either, if that's your thing. For a sound designer, there's a lot to work with in Thorn. The possibilities are huge.

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DS Audio Thorn

Reviewed By YnJ [all]
July 1st, 2022
Version reviewed: 1.3.0 on Windows

Top shelf synth. What really makes it stand out for me is the glitch sequenser, which can be used in conjunction with the step sequenser, and which is really intuitive and powerful.

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DS Audio Thorn

Reviewed By digitalboytn [all]
February 28th, 2020
Version reviewed: 1.21 on Windows

There is not much to say about Thorn that has not already been said...

Everything about this synth is top shelf...

This is coded by a very smart cookie who knows a thing or two about DSP and the importance of having a clear and functional layout...

Because everything is basically on one page, the workflow of Thorn is fast and efficient...

This synth is capable of producing so many different sounds - from warm analog to harsh digital - and it has it's own "character" which blends well with other instruments in the mix...

Because of it's unique nature, when you are tweaking things to sit it in the mix, you can find so many nice surprises and that makes this not only an enjoyable, practical tool but a fun toy as well :).

The glitch sequencer is extremely cool and you can really dial up some rhythmic goodness there...

I am a fan of Tantra, so to basically get Tantra built into a synth is a serious bonus...

One of the smart features is that you can save the presets for the sections separately, so importing those into other patches is really easy and so helpful...

This is a desert island synth for me...

I have some solid soft synths that I use and most of them have been with me for some time, but Thorn has quickly become a real workhorse and part of the handful of synths that I consider indispensable....

5 Stars to Dimitry for coding such a wonderfully inspiring piece of software...

Thank you...it is greatly appreciated....

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DS Audio Thorn

Reviewed By BONES [all]
November 26th, 2018
Version reviewed: 1.0.8 on Windows

I got Thorn cheap as a side-grade from the excellent Tantra effect but even at full price it is an absolute bargain. It would be easy for some to talk for pages about the synthesis method but I'm more interested in the sound that comes out at the end, not what gets put in at the start, so I'll try to make it more of a brief overview of what it's like to actually use.

The two oscillators use spectral (additive) synthesis to create both basic and complex waveforms. You get loads of presets and you can open an editor to muck around with the partials and change the sound, although to my ears you don't get much value from doing that. There is also a Harmonic Filter which removes certain partials, which I assume it is doing digitally, not like a normal filter (because there is also a Comb Filter in the other Filter section). Suffice to say that you have a lot of control over the way the raw oscillator sounds. You get a few options, like detune, pan, volume and unison per oscillator, and each of the three oscillators can be routed to either filter. You can copy/paste settings between oscillators. There is also a separate noise oscillator.

The Filter Section has two multi-mode filters with a great sounding Drive circuit that can add as much meat to the sound as you like. There are around 20 different filter types, that include everything except a notch filter (which you could make by using one filter low-pass and the other high-pass). You can definitely tell the difference between the different filters and you are bound to find one that works for whatever it is you are trying to do. The two filters can be locked together and you have the option of running them in series or parallel.

You get three ADSR envelopes, which include parameters for Key Track and Velocity, plus two MSEGs and two LFO. There is a Mod Matrix for making complex modulation assignments, as well as knobs where it's handy, e.g. envelope modulation of Cutoff. There are 9 high quality effects built in. Of special note is the Distortion effect, which is just about the best distortion I have ever used. It can be very subtle or completely bonkers, depending on the settings. There is also a limiter built into the output section.

There are two separate sequencers in Thorn. The Arpeggio is actually a fairly standard, easy to use step sequencer that works as an offset to the input note. The Glitch Sequencer is something else that really sets Thorn apart. Using both together can give some amazing results. I can't imagine how much more crazy it could get if you also threw the MSEGs into the mix. What's great about using these features in Thorn is that you can make things sound really harsh, like Massive's glitchy sound, or you can keep it smooth and interesting to add a bit of flavour or texture to an arrangement or a sound. It's extremely versatile.

Thorn comes with lots of presets and what I like is that rather than try to dazzle the user with all the capabilities of the synth, many of them seem to have been crafted to allow the user to take them and build on them to make your own sounds. Better still, you get lots of presets for different parts of the synth - there are preset waveforms, presets for the Harmonic Filter, presets for the Arpeggio and Glitch Seq and presets for the MSEGs. This means you don't have to do everything yourself or just use preset sounds. You can very quickly make something that is uniquely yours by combining a few of the existing presets into something new and brilliant (because all your work is brilliant, right?). It's all part of the attention to detail that includes nifty things like being able to shift each sequencer's events left or right to line up with the rhythm you are trying to get. It even has it's own undo/redo.

What I really love about Thorn is that it can have such a great character. The harsher, more digital stuff is good but when it gets all warm and analogue-like it really starts to stand out from the pack. It is great for big, beefy basslines, it has some absolutely sublime pads and the SEQ presets are simply incredible. Best of all, the way it's put together means that you can start creating your own sounds, which will be just as good, almost straight away. It is all so well thought out that everything makes sense from the first time you load it up. Download the trial and listen to some of the presets and you'll see just what I mean. It's so good I have run out of superlatives to describe it so I'll shut up.

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Comments & Discussion for Plugin Alliance DS Audio Thorn

Discussion
Discussion: Active
PUSHA
PUSHA
23 October 2017 at 1:18am

No surprise.........ITS A FREAKING BEAST!!!!!!!!!.

lucasoliveira
lucasoliveira
13 November 2017 at 3:56pm

This plugin is everything i ever dreamed about !!.

madwab
madwab
19 April 2018 at 12:04am

Just got the latest Computer Music mag today. In it, under Next Issue, they show next issue's downloadable vst, and it's... Thorn CM :)

I have to say this one had passed me by, but from a quick eyeball it looks like it gets 2 oscillators instead of 3 and 1 filter instead of 2, and the noise section is missing a couple of routing options; but for the cost of an issue of CM, it looks superb.

madwab
madwab
20 May 2018 at 5:19pm

Thorn CM is now available, and it's *extremely* nice. It had me at the first preset - I turned the Arpeggio option on and modified a couple of settings at random, and fell in love. Will definitely be buying the full product :)

AomiN
AomiN
21 April 2018 at 2:12pm

my new favorite.

2NDMOUSE
2NDMOUSE
10 May 2018 at 10:36pm

Bought it a few days ago, after reading that it would be in CM, getting excited and trying the demo. Had to have it. Using it in everything now. Has such a great clear sound.....really pristine. Sounds like some NI synths, such is the level of quality.

Chris-S
Chris-S
10 July 2018 at 3:14pm

Hi, .

no Thorn CM patch banks available yet?

xtreme sounds
xtreme sounds
27 August 2018 at 1:10pm

this thing is powerful and many need to understand how easy it is to program.

chrisg
chrisg
8 February 2019 at 11:58pm

wow, one cool synth this! fantastic UI, fat dirty unique sounds. love it .

rcrath
rcrath
13 February 2019 at 11:20am

just did a video with TEC breath & bite controller 2 and Thorn CM. https://youtu.be/l7odPRhDoMA. Geek details at http://way.net/waymusic/?p=97. Want just the music? https://richrath.bandcamp.com/track/thorn-breath.

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

Eanna
Eanna
30 November 2019 at 10:37pm

Sounds excellent! Very few types of sound it can't turn it's hand to. And doesn't just do some types OK, and some great - everything sounds great. Love the glitch seq too, didn't think I would. Thanks Dmitry.

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