Product Reviews by KVR Members

𝐷̵𝐸̵𝐼̵𝑀̵𝑂̵𝑆̵

I find myself using it more and more—it's just that inspiring. I really enjoy the depth and complexity of the sounds and modulations you can create with it. It's a beautiful, free, and pleasantly aggressive synth that handles everything from clean tones to heavily distorted textures with ease.

Triple modulation on frequency? Absolutely—no problem. Why not LFO, Drift and Random?

FM, PM, SM—it's all right there. The AUX and phase sections are wonderfully unconventional, full of creative and slightly chaotic options that invite experimentation.

Add/Mod, Delta, Sequence, Drift, Lag, S&H, bipolar LFO with phase modulation—yes, all included and super flexible.

It runs very well on Linux, which is a big plus.

Suggestions for future updates:

• A second LFO and AUX would expand modulation.
• A fresh GUI design could be nice—maybe flat colors with some neon accents for modulator red accents.
• Minor space optimizations (pulldown buttons, too small controls, font-to-knob spacing too narrow).
• A few more filter effects would be welcome.
• Even deeper SUB-style optimisations in the AUX section, feels kinda lost in options in a small place.
• more than 9 Modulations at ones maybe.

Overall, no questions—just grab it and start playing. Definitely a recommended synth.

𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕋𝕠𝕞.

Audio Map is an innovative sample-mapper-player plugin that expands on visual mapping ideas from tools like XO, Atlas, or Abyss. Samples are displayed as dots in an multi catergory XY map, playable and selectable by hovering with the mouse, curves or draw freehand-lines.

Core Features

Curve and Path Drawing: Draw curves or freehand paths to flexibly auto-map samples to keys—combinations possible for creative layering. XY Coordinates: Map sorted by properties like sample length, noisiness, brightness or other ones; global Attack/Release to quick shorten or declick Samples; Polyphonic; Quantisation.

Analysis & Loading

Load sample folders, tool analyzes automatically and sort into categories

Linux Support

Native Linux support available (this is not official yet but i use it on Linux), but polyphony not fully functional yet—minor XY calculation errors exist. The developer delivers quick updates;

I find the tool really great for Linux users, and it's fun to use my 20,000 samples more quickly and creatively than listening to them one by one (you know the "find the right snare" meme?). I think the tool is very effective and creative, and it finally allows me to discover samples that were hidden in the crowd.

Forecast: i bet all issue will be fixed soon so its 5/5.

Really nice plugin! Love how it splits peak/steady, mid/side, low/high, left/right and transients — super useful and surprisingly intuitive. Works great on Debian + ARM -based Linux too! Sure, it could use a few small UX tweaks, but it's free and actively developed, so that's an easy 5/5 from me. Multiple outputs let you go wild with post processing the splitted Signals.

Review of HY-MBMFX3 by HY Plugins (VST3 native Linux, MX Linux, Debian 12, X11, Bitwig, Pipewire).

As one of the beta testers for HY-MBMFX3, I had the chance to see it grow and refine into a solid, highly creative multi-effect tool. HY's developer was always responsive, open to feedback, and quick to address bugs or suggestions — a level of support that made the testing process smooth and productive.

MBMFX3 is a three-band multi-effect plugin, letting you split your signal into low, mid, and high bands. Each section features individual Mute, Solo, Bypass, Gain, and Mix controls, which provide precise control over the tonal balance and processing depth. The sound quality across the board is excellent — the effects feel clean, responsive, and well-calibrated for both subtle mixing enhancements and more experimental sound work.

Each band can load from a diverse selection of effects (41 FX), including Delay, Reverb, Filter, Distortion, Chorus, and buffer-style effects such as Repeat and Reverse, which are especially fun for glitchy or stutter-like sound manipulation. These additions make it easy to add motion and character to even simple signals.

The modulation system is another strong point. You can assign multiple modulation sources — like LFOs, Envelope Followers, Step Sequencers, Random Generators, XY and a MIDI Modulator — to nearly any parameter. Each mod destination offers an individual depth control for fine-tuning the modulation intensity. The 2D-LFO provides six XY-shaped waveforms for more complex XY transformations. Combined with up to eight macro knobs, it's straightforward to build deep, multi-parameter modulation patches that respond dynamically in performance or automation.

Despite its complexity, the interface feels structured and intuitive. Each control is logically placed, and you can easily follow your modulation routings and signal flow, making creative experimentation both accessible and rewarding.

HY-MBMFX3 stands out as a flexible, high-quality effect suite that encourages exploration without overwhelming the workflow. It's a polished, versatile tool that can handle anything from subtle tone sculpting to deeply modulated sound design.

A solid 5 out of 5 stars — highly recommended for producers and sound designers who enjoy modular-style control and creative FX possibilities and Linux Users.

appendix:

• minor lagging when i open the plugin, the GUI is loading a bit slow, what could be related to Linux x11.
• it is possible that version 1.0.2.2 is available later.
• there is a free version.
• translated and polished by an AI.

Effectrix2, if you not owned the first Version (like me) is a mindblowing next Level Multieffect with jaw dropping modulations per Step. Imho Multieffects are the future, you dont need ONE Filter in your Row and ONE Reverb, you load Effectix2 and got all Effects faster. I can load around 7 Instances in a Row to see something in CPU-Meter. The quality of SB's Plugins are well know pretty god. Shifting the Activity-Blocks or stretch the blocks is intuitive and easy, also you got the WET Knob where you rule the Intensity of every Effect in different mix styles. You can bind the Lane Automation to modify all activity Blocks or un-bind to modify just one u selected.

You got 32 steps and you can stretch an Effect over this length. Like if you use LEVEL FX you can build up a rise-up or -down pretty easy. One Click Solo or activate FX's. The Holy Looper Section is just brilliant its Looper and TapeStop Loop. Host Sync up to 1/32. Random everywhere for the FX, for all FX Activity, and the Steps for every FX Lane. You can save every FX Preset.

Every Knob of every FX can be Modulated with 4 LFO-Types, Env Follower, 2 Stepsequencer Types, Simple Slope, AR and Random. Re-Order FX as known. Its more flexible than Looperator for sure and i think more flexible as Version 1.

Cons Minor Cons:

• you dont see what parameter is modulated/ automated.
• you got only one modulation section.
• the Fonts looking aliased.
• Becasue the Level FX you can too easy clip and get artifacts.

Suggestion:

• shift a single block into a blockchain to break up the chain or double click to set a single block into a chain, there is no way to break up chains as shifting and length edit.
• "parameter is modulated" indicator.
• change font.
• Global Limiter or Gain to easy Volume down or get rid of easy Clipping and Loudness.

cheers*.

Sonic Charge goes ahead into the next Level Plant. I got just some aha-Effects playing around with the new Velocity and Layering Mode in the first Minute, what a great Idea to use Mididata more. The fluid Rotation Animation looks great..also cool if you wait a bit the DNA starts turning slowly...we got better visual Feedback at all. Playing with DNA makes me feel like Dr. CRISPR and Genopatch is my best AI Friend, together we can do freaking Vegetables.

Oh, i got it, Genopatch synthesize the Sample, thats. awesome, so i understand know the magic dust behind this idea. Also very nice i can save every generated Synthesis as a Patch just like so and can rendering this Patch as a Sample as well. The Sample Size is kinda short, but i think its okay. Oha, mouse over Preview is kinda Vital Stuff very nice. Damn...its just 5/5.

Cons or Wishes:

• Some more filter types would nice. i mean this one is pretty flexible.
• The nice looking handwritten Registration Name need a slightly better position.
• knobs on the main screen feels stuttering, could be smoother.
• i wish we got 1 or 2 parameter modulators in the DNA (there i not much free space).
• some host sync gimmicks -- forget its all ready done *whohoo*).

cheers.

I have tested HY Slicer 2 in BETA and actively participated in the development. Unfortunately not all wishes could be considered like e.g. randomization of slices into the grid (similar to Slicer 1) or exporting the creation as audio. The slicing algo is unfortunately not very good, e.g. also one-shots are cut or it is not cut very accurately, nevertheless one can rework by hand. You can edit each individual slice in the grind again after you drop some into the Grid. There are no assignable modulations so far, this must be done externally (Bitwig is highly suitable for this). Due to the quite good control by mididata you can play your presets really complex and dynamic. The pattern can be played as long as the note is long, also there is a pattern stop via MIDI (some more options). The 5 tracks can be completely freely assigned with slices and each step can be changed by the effects matrix. Each track has 11 clocked modulation e.g. Tune, Reverse, Filter per step. Slicer 2 is incredibly flexible, you can change slices dynamically and keep the previous slices. So you can use different slices of the same sample in different patterns. You can play polymeters by the variable step length in the grid, single steps can be muted as well. The 17 built-in step effects are also rhythmically playable via a grid and can be different in each pattern, this allows very complex patterns and presets. Finally you can choose different Playback Speed in every Track in every Pattern.

greetings to Tadashi.

Cheers.

Egoist is my to go Loop Machine on iPad...its very intuitive and i can make very fast, very nice sounds on it.

I spend hours of hours with it. So damn cool Loops from Techno to Acid to Dub and Dubstep works just great.

Slices, Bass and Beat working well together with the Effect Chains.

Its not the same on Desktop with the Mouse for sure.

The sound quality coming out of egoist itself is acceptable. But can not modify it seperatly post FX (need multi out).

There is no general Master-Effect but for Beats and Slicer an Compressor. No Limiter. I Clip mostly ^^,

Whats nice is adding Custom folders on Desktop Version for you own Sounds. Works better if you minimize and maximize the Plugin then it shows the selected sounds from the folder.

Sadly i dont see any upgrades going on...

I rly want see some improvements:

• FX chain swap.
• A Modulation Tab - that would improve the whole Thing...
• Beat Steps for all Sequencers (i was thinking of "how much should this step beat" 1 times or 2 times or more).
• Multi Output for Desktop Version to improve the Sound of Beat, Bass, Slice and FX separatly.
• FX per Step not as master FX but per Tab (choosen from the FX Section like Reverb on Beat and Snare but not Bass).

Cheers*.

Hi, i am on Windows 10 on Bitwig 4.

At first i was a bit sceptical about the concept, it looks like a normal Sampler with a Fader and this special feature of seamless velocity ranges. I was wrong.

I am not a pro musician and mostly dont use velocity that much, hit the key getting full sound is mostly what i like when i use my cheap plastic keyboard. But for some sounds like ASMR Winter Tale it works very well (imho).

In fact i like the sounds of soundpaint at all, these ASMR Foley Stuff is pretty good for a Free Collection, i like the morphing, and the (analog imitation) effects are kinda special. But not that awesome u can get with some nice freeware too.

A Phaser in RACKS with only 4 Faders is not that awesome but easy control-able. You can not save Effect Presets in Racks but in the Effects Section. There are also more Effect Parameters in the Effect Section. You can re-arrange the Effects with ease.

That Morphing-Thing is interessting but it sounds like a simple Fader, i imagine an XY Pad would be an pretty good option. But i was so wrong after watching this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyDrZtoIiXc - What happens when you morph music into an instrument?

So morph is the right word here, it not fades Sounds it morph. I do not know any Instrument that can do this but i just found Morph 2 by zynaptic or Transmutator doing this kinda stuff. This openens another world. And i like that, because i can now add my OWN SAMPLES via the User Sample Editor. OMG.

The Arpeggiator is pretty complex.

Dont Like::

• I do not like the Zoom Option, there is a huge gap between default and large size.
• Seetings for the User Interface hopefully get us some more option. Not all Fonts are Sizable.
• Sometimes i got 50-60% CPU for some ASMR Winter Tale but okay Quality eats CPU.
• You can not Save a RACK or Effect Collection, if you have a 7 FX Collection, you can not save it.
• font color "black" on orange turns into "white" when scrolling, that is heavy readable.
• all parameters are not seen in my DAW so i can not automate it via my DAW Modulators (Bitwig).
• Mouse scrolling Values does not work everywhere (LFO Automation Window, Filter Types, Arpeggiator).
• You can not Drag and Drop one Part to another, it also should be switch, if an Part is active there.

Tutorial for Beginner / your first Program:

When u choose ASMR Instruments from the Factory Library which is Free, u have a bunch of Instrumnts inside when you have "Default" or "One Note Same" selected in Sound Mode. You can play the Instrument when choosing "One Note Stretch" in Sound Mode. The Sound Mode is below the Part Number, below the on/off switch.

Now if you go to PART-Tab in the Browser left side, drag and drop ASMR-Instrumets on a Part. Make sure you are in Sound Mode and click on "One Note Stretch"...hit the Keyboard until u found a sound, and click into the space the get rid of the Menue. Now you can play the Instrument.

Add another Part into Part 2, do the same here, play with Morph.

Rename it or give it a Name -> Save Programm in User Library.

Done. So you can build up a little Collection with different Sound Morphs and constellation.

Cheers*.

Well, okay, LOL*.

I am not sure if this project is done or in Progress, but i see potional in this Synth...

it is a nice, little, easy, rough and cool Freeware Synth, there is a "don't know special classic" synthesis happening, with FM, Ringmod and such Algorithms for 2 OSC's with Basic Waveshapes incl. Noise on OSC 1.

The most fun is the randomization .

Selfoscillating Filters are pretty cool but also very simple, just 3 Types (LP, BP, HP). I like the Parameter edit per Mouswheel and double-click for Resets Knobs. The Algorithms (FM, WF (Wavefolder?), Ringmod) is affecting a bit too decent. The Volume-Knob there, is that not (should it not better be) a MIX-Knob into original signal path? Because its irritating this Volume Knob works like a Master Volume also, but why in this Section? The Wave Window is mostly over the Limits.

Interessting, if booth OSC Volume is OFF then Ringmod still works (like Hardware right?). WF Dist seems not work correctly in this previous mentioned case it acts like a switch in the full open position, so iam not sure about it.

But here is List i want to see:

Version/ Build Number in the Plugin.

Resize.

Show Parameter Values in LFO (Hz and sync).

OSC Phase.

Better Presets Management and Browser.

Save as (selected) and Save as New (always new).

Intesity Fader vor the Wave FRQ Preview.

If an OSC is off, lets us show that it is off (like fade out orange lines if OCS 2 Volume is zero).

Put the FX in one Row.

Allow us FX routing (Reverb before Delay).

More Modulations would be nice.

OSC 1 has NOISE but, we want to modify this Noise (i think we want this, i am not sure).

Separate Master Volume from the Algo-Section.

Yeah*.

cheers*.

Thank you 2Rule.