Product Reviews by KVR Members

Something useful, get it to enhance your vox or any other suitable instrument.

Think of it as a channel strip in a space of a VST on your FX chain..

Engage some harmonies, and bounce them to some other tracks.

I found it useful for traditional sounds and EDM style over processing.

Loads of tweaking options, check out the manual iZotope's web.

It sounds good if you know what you're doing. Saves time and screen space while tweaking the processing.

Just purchased Iris 2 recently and was rather pleased with the modulation matrix.

1. Use a future computer and a fast read/write SSD!!.

"We chose to ensure audio fidelity and sonic possibilities are the top priority in Iris 2,
anticipating faster and more powerful computers will continue to be developed in the future." - Iris2 ref manual.

Even though having only 5 LFOs and 5 ENV, it was pushing the CPU and ASIO drivers hard on the new patches I created. Typically I like to utillise all the sample slots, have an LFOs modulate type Multiply LFO for FM. Assign multiple params to a macro knob, use lots of macro knobs for pitch shifts and sample gain levels, also simultaneous changes of effects params. I end up using all the effects. I guess the newest most powerful machine is required to run the standalone program. I haven't used it in my DAW yet, most probably would do that after a few more sounds patches are done. Ironically, I bought Iris 2 based on the idea of a sample playback VST with unique filtering options, it would be less CPU and disk intensive.

2. Sample and sound playback useful for soundscape creation or soundtrack production. eg. Post production.

"Every pool can load a sample or classic oscillator waveforms
To increase flexibility, the Sub section from Iris 1 has been replaced with a sample pool that
allows you to load any sample. / Every pool can load a sample or classic oscillator waveforms
To increase flexibility, the Sub section from Iris 1 has been replaced with a sample pool that
allows you to load any sample." - Iris2 ref manual.

Filters are good, Warm Synth, Screaming Peak and Tokyo LP been useful for my sounds, just requires careful use of resonance.

Still wondering if I can create or import my own LFOs into IRIS2. Went through the manual, doesn't seem to say anything about that.

The resample option changes pitch of the original sample, but it plays back faster. Really doesn't work well for voice samples. Pitching with Radius RT has limits, is resource intensive. Surely was expecting more from iZotope especially after how well they presented the new version. Having the sound of the chipmunks a fifth or octave up brings me back to the days of early portable samplers, better suited for hand claps and percussion. Even back then key ranges could be assigned to certain samples or individual keys. I understand this is 2015 and we would expect options for layers or loading SFZs or maybe triggering multiple pre-sampled wav or aiff files across the keyboard.

3. Working in a box of boxes maybe. It does simplify sample sound shaping playback, with some effects to add body to sounds. That's about it.

"KEY FEATURES
i) Build your own synth: Create sounds that are completely unique by layering up to four
different samples
ii) Shape your own sound: Develop expressive, dynamic, and evolving musical sounds with
the powerful and flexible new modulation system.
iii) Draw your own filters: Draw, select, and isolate sonic components from each sample layer
using iZotope's award-winning RX Spectral Filtering technology.
iv) Define your sonic signature: Load one of the hundreds of fresh and inspiring presets and
immediately tweak the most important parameters with eight Macro Controls available
right in the preset window." - Iris2 ref manual.

I just couldn't agree with the part of building your own synth. I believe its just a sample playback software that you
a) LOAD samples or single cycle waveforms,
b) apply MODULATION to parameters. I don't see anyway to morph waveforms unless via basic FM, AM.
c) SHAPE sound via specific filtering, isolation.
d) USE presets supplied or sold and tweak them with the eight Macro Control.
e) You can't edit the Sound files in IRIS2, you need an audio editing software that displays zero crossing clearly. Especially important when dealing with loops.

IRIS 2 does feel like a tool that plays samples with basic loop functionality and applies effects and modulation. The spectrum analyser window is helpful but is best left tucked away to reduce CPU load.

i'll just try to work within the box, this 32 polyphony tool box that requires a future computer.

"SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Operating Systems: Windows and Mac (Intel-based Macs only)
Plug-in Formats: 32/64-bit Audio Units, VST, VST3, AAX, RTAS
Product Compatibility: For the most up-to-date system requirements and host
compatibility details, visit our website." - Iris2 ref manual.

H'yall, just wanted to say a few nice things about SynthMaster 2.6.

I've been struggling to find time to get things done and SynthMaster is one of those tools that I just got up and running within an hour.

The flow of the interface is something I can relate to, and the ARP section is what I really wanted, after managing the complexity of external ARPs.

Just preferred to use this synth like my old keys like JP8000 or XP80. Select some sources, route them through basic ENV and filters. leave some stuff clean, some distorted and start jamming away on my DAW or micro host for inspiration.

Presets are good, and if you think they're not suited for your setup then tweak and save or build from scratch. I'm getting the vibe of a musician coming back to me as I play this synth. Instead of being an engineer or designer for which I use other soft synths or plugins. Switching between patches is fast enough for producing stuff but I'm not too sure how it'll do 'live' if you have the courage to use it stand alone, on the stage.

Remember to use a good quality headphones when you work with it, especially if you think it doesn't sound good. I have studio monitors, FOH reinforcement speakers and headphones for use when creating new patches/presets, or for just about anything that need to go up, out there.

There's highs, lows and a full range of sounds flowing from this synth, and if I want to add on, there are exciters and psycho acoustic bass enhancers in my software cabinet. I've tried a few more costly soft synths and I prefer this one because of the balanced sound. Either in the filter algorithms or some harmonic processing, whatever it is I was taken in by the vibe of using this one synth for creating, jamming out notes, phrases, chords and ARPs......... YEAH!

Good work KV331 Audio! :-)

Alchemy is one of the better soft synths out there, Working with waveforms, SFZ, samples. I've got mostly good things to say about this tool.

What I would like to see is some sort of visual on what's happening with the wave form or maybe signal flow, routing pop up screen, that I can call up at a mouse click. For most of the time, it's like visualizing everything in my mind and but the GUI looks rather static. Hey, not complaining but it always good to look forward to something, else it's like working with analogue hardware where the box always looks the same, maybe for a few LEDs blinking. Most common confusion would be the FX/mix knobs found here and there, and how running more that one filter will leave you a little confused at times unless you start switching off a filter or OSC sources.

The thing is that Alchemy is much more than an virtual analogue emulation, there's where all the goodies come flying out of the Alchemy tool box.

Sound is clear, if you have good samples. Whether you need to fatten things up later there's always the FX section with the Phat button and variations of distortions like Mech and Tube. An FX section with reverb, delay, and phase, chorus, flange type of modulation. EQ is useful for reducing honky, boxy, excessive hissing. Compressor runs auto with 2 knobs for light duties, a wise thing at this stage.

Alchemy is able create different types of sounds for the many genres. Going through the audio demos on Camelaudio's website would give an idea of the possibilities of your design efforts.

I mostly use Alchemy to load up my old samples from recordings, SFZ and bring them to life again with new effects and sample manipulation. The ability to load designed waveforms has been useful in changing the behaviour of LFOs and stacking new sounds with interesting harmonic content.

Friends playing synth keys never seem to understand why or what I'm doing with Alchemy and I admit sometimes I don't either, maybe a simpler synth would be suitable for most.

If I just wanted a Rompler or a VA synth, I would have had difficulty upgrading from the Alchemy Player to the full version. After spending quite a bit of time checking out the tutorials and listening to the 3rd party demos from around the internet. I'd just had to get it.

Notice how I didn't want to say anything about the types of synthesis available for use. It's just too much to describe, but I'm glad they're there to provide me with a bigger palette.