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Welcome to ProfJeff.com
An Electronic Music Composer,
Professor of music technology & the recording arts,
Story Writer, Published Poet, Conceptual Artist, & Guest Lecturer
Plug-in Instruments
At the heart of any digital audio workstation (DAW) you will find the plug-in. Plug-ins are software representations of synthesizer instruments, digital effect processors, and MIDI data generators. They can be provided by the DAW manufacturer or offered as a purchase by a third party. Plug-ins can be inserted directly on a channel strip or sent to a bus output in your DAW. Below you will find a collection of popular plug-in synthesizer Instruments that I use every day as a sound designer. Each plug-in synthesizer offers complex forms of analog, additive, harmonic, wavetable, modeling, sampling, multi sampling and granular synthesis. It should be noted that I hold all these plug-in synths as equal in value. They are all sound designing tools and each one offers something unique to the user. It should also be noted that the sound of any plug-in synth or effect is only as good as the digital-to-analog converter in your audio interface. As all of them are basically numerical binary signal processors, how the 0s & 1s are managed by the D/A converter is very similar regardless of plug-in design. In addition, not all plug-ins can be used without a DAW host driver. Always make sure if the instrument plug-in you are interested in purchasing can stand alone or require a DAW host to work. It is also important to note that most plug-ins are designed to respond to one single MIDI channel at a time. Only certain plug-in packages commonly known as Workstations, such as Native Instruments Kontakt 8, Omnisphere 3, and UVI Falcon can be used as multi timbre plug-in devices. That is to say capable of responding to multiple MIDI channels within the plug-in’s structure simultaneously.
It should also be noted that many of the plug-ins listed below are extremely complex and design, and deep within the physics of sound generating possibilities. It is not unusual to spend hours creating individual preset sounds and still wanting to tweak it later on.
Finally, the intuitive operation of any given plug-in (ease-of-use) speaks to the design quality of the plug-in itself. Spending more time than what is reasonably necessary to find how to edit a specific parameter can be frustrating, and time consuming. Add to that, time limits on displays of parameter data values or placing help menus in locations that cannot be easily accessed by assistive technology reveals a lack of consideration by the plug-in manufacturer. Also, having plug-ins that “standalone” with handy tool-tip data values, requiring no host DAW, makes that plug-in far more convenient to use for sound designing.
With each plug-in displayed, you will hearone of my original designed sounds for the plug-in being presented. The preset will be demonstrated as a short performance sequence. As each plug-in has an unlimited amount of instrument sound possibilities, the audio examples are just a simple reference.
NOTE: Clicking on any plug-in graphic takes you back to the top of the plug-in list.
My Electronic Music Production Process
As an electronic music musician for more than 50-years, I work to composed music that lives outside of the electronic music mainstream. I begin by creating the sound of the instruments using complex forms of analog and/or digital synthesis. Many of my presets and samples are of my own design. My presets are in some cases melodic, and in others, clearly synthesized. My samples are usually granulated and warped with playback speeds changing over time. The result of the instruments I create maybe recognizable, or totally abstract, but in all cases certainly impossible to recreate with acoustic instruments or performed. In addition, I have been experimenting with plug-in sample instrument libraries such as Native Instrument’s Kontakt. Even then, I develop my own instrument presets using the samples and the library interface NI provides. Whatever the case, the original presets and samples I create are very authentic, which is what I strive for within my compositions.
Plug-in List
Pigments
Pigments is Arturia’s flagship plug-in instrument. It combines 5-types of synthesis engines: analog, wavetable, sample/grain, harmonic, and model. There are 2-parallel oscillator sound generators, and a Utility Oscillator providing noise and analog wave sample generation. There is a separate modulation oscillator for each parallel oscillator, providing Frequency/Ring Modulation, Phase Modulation, Phase Transform, and Wave Folding. With an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop modulation matrix, extensive set of multi-mode filters, build-in sequencer/arpeggiator, and Arturia’s multi-effect processors, Pigments is one of the most powerful plug-in instruments on the market today.
ComtrailsProfJeff
00:00 / 00:58
Serum 2 (DAW only)
Serum 2 by x-fer, is one of the most popular and powerful wavetable plug-in synthesizers in the music industry. The update to the original Serum, Serum 2 now offers 3-parallel oscillators (OSC) with 5-synthesis engines for each oscillator. The OSC engines include Wavetable, Multi-sample, Sample, Granular, and Spectral. There is a Noise OSC, a Sub OSC, and even an additional Sample OSC for importing your own Samples. With 2 versatile multi-mode filters, an extensive rack of effect processors, and a complex modulation matrix, Serum 2 is a sound designer’s dream come true.
SonicCloudsProfJeff
00:00 / 00:52
Omnisphere 3
Spectrasonic’s newly released Omnisphere 3, is an 8-part multi timbrel, sample playback and synthesis plug-in instrument. It features multiple forms of synthesis including Wave, Unison, FM, Ring Mod, Freq Shift, Wave Shaper, Harmonia, and Granular synthesis. With 4-oscillators per patch, a powerful arpeggiator, huge multi-effects processing rack, and a complex modulation matrix with morphing capabilities. New features in Omnisphere3 include Mutation, an AI evolving auto-patch generator, Quadzone layering for patch oscillators, and Globel Controls, MIDI mapping to an extensive list of MIDI keyboard synth controllers. With a completely remastered sample library containing 58GB of premier sample content, Omnisphere 3 offers the user, unbelievable possibilities for sound creation.
Pastors&PlainsProfJeff
00:00 / 00:58
Falcon
UVI Falcon v26, is a comprehensive hybrid synthesizer and sample processing playback plug-in. It offers 8-sample processing engines including Grain, IRCAM Grain, IRCAM Multi Grain, IRCAM Scrub, IRCAM Stretch, Sample, Slice, and Stretch. As a synthesizer it offers 808 Bass Drum, Additive, Analog, Analog Stack, Bowed String, Drum, FM, Harmonic Resonance, Noise, Organ, Phase Shaper, Pluck, Super Saw, Texture, VOSIM, and Wavetable synthesis. It’s powerful modular architecture and multi-layer key group structure-design gives the user unprecedented sound shaping control. With a wide range of MIDI event processors (scripts) multi effect audio processors and modulation system for every layer, Falcon offers the user limitless opportunities for manipulating and designing preset instruments. Add to this a multi-channel mixer with independent assignable audio and MIDI outputs for each channel, and direct CAF file import, Falcon is only limited by the power of your computer’s CPU.
GoastWolvesProfJeff
00:00 / 00:56
Kontakt Sampler/Editor
One of the most powerful sample playback devices in the world today is native instruments Kontakt. Kontakt provides users with all the features you would ever need to create your own original custom sample library. Just drag a sample into Kontakt and go from there. Kontakt offers groups, zones, loops, multi sample layering, sample wave editing, sample wave warping along with insert and send effects. Numerous Kontakt instances with separate MIDI channels can be combined to make up a polyphonic multi-channel, multi timbrel Kontakt instrument.
StewPotProfJeff
00:00 / 00:24
Kontakt 8 Library/Editor
Like the Kontakt sampler, Kontakt 8 is Native Instrument’s world-wide sample library editor/player. There are over 900 factory instrument libraries with instrument ranging from traditional East Asian instruments to Stradivarius violins. From vocal and chorus textures to haunting moans and screams. Drums and percussion of every imaginable type, style, and application along with Keyboard preset libraries with unending sonic design possibilities. In addition to the multitude of ready-to-play, sampled instrument presets, there are huge cinematic stereo libraries that create large orchestral cinematic landscapes, using a variety of complex layering and granular synthesis. To top it off, Kontakt 8 gives the user tools for instantly creating chords, patterns, melodies, and beats using Native Instrument’s AI technology. When you dive in to Kontakt 8, be careful, you just might drown in sound.
SpaceHunterProfJeff
00:00 / 00:42
Massive X (DAW only)
Massive X, Native Instruments upgrade from their popular plug-in Massive, takes the concept of massive synthesis to a whole new level. This quirky yet powerful synthesizer provides all the sound generating tools any sound designer requires to shape sound in new and exciting ways. With the UI modulation convention found in the original Massive plug-in, Massive X offers 2 very robust and complex multimode oscillators offering wavetable, PWM, FM, AM and RM modulation synthesis, numerous envelopes and LFOs, pattern modulations and keyboard scaling, a huge list of filters, noise generators, insert effects, output effects processors, and snapshot capture of all synth parameters, the term massive does not come close to describe the limitless preset sounds Massive X can create. Recently, Native Instruments has updated Massive X with an incredible animating morphing pad with snapshot capture for macro parameters. Presets can morph between 4 captured snapshots that are assigned to eight of the 16-macro knobs. Users can either mouse between the 4-snapshots or select one of the 12-selectable morphing patterns. The outcome of this Massive X upgrade is the incredible evolving and morphing sounds of both the factory and your user defined presets. Today, where you take sound design with Massive X is solely limited by your imagination.
DecayClicksProfJeff
00:00 / 00:37
Absynth 6
The all new Native Instruments Absynth 6 (updated from Absynth 5) takes plug-in synthesis to a whole new level. Completely redesigned, Absynth 6 starts with a unique color coded patch browser giving you easy access to all factory-preset. The three oscillator modular style rooting system like that of Absynth 5 has been graphically refreshed and offers greater versatility. Each oscillator has access to a wide range of factory waveforms that can be further edited in their wave and harmonic spectrum editor. There are 6 engine types for each oscillator including, Single, Double, FM, Ring Mod, Fractal, and Sync oscillator. There is also a Sample Engine and Granular Engine for each oscillator. Of course, the power of Absynth 6 is in its complex, multi stage envelopes with an endless time duration for oscillator parameter modulation. In addition to its envelope generating capability, its 3-LFOs (1 for each oscillator offering 4 LFO targets) allows the user to create custom waveforms and samples for the shape of the LFO. Add to this a newly designed Master effects bus with 5.1 surround-sound capability, and Absynth 6 will take you to new sound spaces never before explored.
OurBlueSkyProfJeff
00:00 / 00:44
OurBlueSkyProfJeff
00:00 / 00:44
Reaktor
Reaktor (Reaktor 6) by Native Instruments is a one stop shop for anything to do with sound. Reactor is a comprehensive plug-in software language that allows for the creation of custom made synthesizers, sequencers, sound generators, effect processors, samplers, and so much more. As the graphic on the left shows, there are three levels to Reaktor, Play, Patch, and Build.
PLAY - Users have access to the entire Reaktor instrument library. Here, you can find many of the signature Native plug-in instruments designed specifically for Reaktor. Some of the most popular reactor instruments such as Razor, Monarch, Form, Polyplex, Prism, Kontor, Flesh, Rounds, and Skanner, provide incredible ways of manipulating and shaping sound. Play, also allows user access to the Reaktor Factory Library. The Reaktor Factory Library offers multiple folders containing specialty instrument files arranged by category. These categories include effects, grooveboxes, samplers, sequencer synthesizers, sequencers, sound generators, and synthesizers, all of which can be used as components within larger custom-designed Reaktor ensembles.
PATCH – Opens the user to the world of virtual rack-modular synthesis. Reaktor Rack Blocks are hundreds of individual modules that can be connected together using virtual patch cords. Construct complex patches with oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, mixers, effects, sequencers, amplifiers, triggers, MIDI processors, graphic displays, complex modulators, and so on.
BUILD – Create your own Reaktor device. The world of Reaktor’s object oriented programming language allows the user to start building Reaktor audio devices from the ground up. Anything is possible as all the Reaktor instruments are designed and made within the Reaktor language. From complex forms of synthesis, sequencing, effect processing, to Reaktor blocks and everything in between, the reactor language allows your creativity to go crazy.
The graphic on the right is a screenshot of one of reactors specialty instruments designed using the Reaktor language. The instrument is called Metaphysical Function and can be found in the sound generator folder of the factory library. It is one of my favorite specialty instruments to generate wild and imaginative audio content.
Finally, there is a large community of reactor instrument builders that upload their projects to the reactor community library. These instruments are free and can be downloaded by any licensed reactor user.
SlideInTheCogProfJeff
00:00 / 00:55
Twin 3 (DAW only
FabFilter’s Twin 3 is an analog subtractive plug-in synthesizer instrument that uses a XY exponential frequency and amplitude real-time graphical interface. It offers 4-basic analog waveform oscillators with Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Squar, White Noice, and Pink Noice. Each oscillator offers a multi-mode, adjustable graphic filter that can be modulated in many ways. There are 4-effect processors, arpeggiator, and a huge range of modulation sources.
LoopDeeDueProfJeff
00:00 / 00:42
Blue III (DAW only)
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Rob Papen’s BlueIII is a 6-oscillator/operator, cross-fusion, algorithmic, waveform and sample playback, 16-voice synthesizer plug-in. The total amount of synthesis processes is enormous. To begin, there are 6-parallel engines. These engines can serve as a single oscillator, accessing a large library of Single cycle waveforms, instrument samples, stereo samples and even user imported samples. Or, the 6-oscillators can be used as FM operators, configured into a traditional 32-algorithmic structure. For each oscillator there are controls for Phase Distortion, Wave Shaping, String modeling, along with LFO modulation. There are also 4 editable multi-envelopes with up to 16-points per envelope with looping capability. There are 3, 32-step modulation sequencers with a variable looping function. The modulation matrix offers 16-slots for source and destination targets. There is even an 8-voice Chord Memory function where pitch, velocity, pan, and even chord strum is available. Add to all of this a 32-step arpeggiator and sequencer, and 4-assignable stereo effect processors, and BlueIII becomes a sound-generating monster. Just remember, BlueIII has a 16-voice capacity, and every oscillator generates a voice. It is easy to overwhelmed the plug-in so make sure to save often.
SpringMeTunesProfJeff
00:00 / 00:22
Predator3 (DAW Only
Predator3, by Rob Papen, is a powerful, versatile, and comprehensive plug-in synthesizer. With Predator3, all the tools you would ever need to dive deep into sound design and synthesis await your creative imagination. Starting with Predator’s 3 incredibly powerful oscillators offering an extensive collection of single cycle and sample waveforms, a user definable waveform editor with 64 additive partials along with draw-your-own waveform, 8-user definable waveform slots, and an entire waveform processing system for making further modifications to the waveform structure. Once you have selected the waveforms you wish to use, either from the factory library or your user defined waveforms, the Predator3 oscillator structure takes you deeper into waveform processing. Each of the three oscillators are by timbrel. A mixture between two selected waveforms for each oscillator can be Mixed, Morphed, Interpolated, High & Low Morphed, Ring, FM, Phase modulated, and combined. Predator3 also offers two Multi mode filters with an OSC to Flt routing network. Each filter offers an enormous selection of 6, 12, 18, 24, & 36dB filter types such as LP, HP, BP, Notch, Formant, Shift, and Comb. Predator3 also offers an incredible 4, 16-step arpeggiator, a 128-step XY vector control pad, and a 3-layer multi effects processor, a play mode for unison, string delay, and pan Control, and a vast modulation matrix for most parameters. Of course, there is so much more inside Predator3 that once you get started creating a sound, it’s hard to stop exploring.
StrumRunProfJeff
00:00 / 00:47
Go2-X (DAW only)
Go2-X by Rob Papen is a fast, fun and powerful plug-in synth. It’s sports and XY morphing oscillator with dule waveforms, 128 point animated modulation programable pathway with 2-pairs of X/Y control destinations, along with X/Y morphing modulation controls. Each waveform has access to a huge list of factory waveforms with editable or hand-drawn user waveforms. Go2-X global filter offers 21-filter types, with separate modulation for ENV, LFO, and Vel. A standard 4-stage ENV for both the main filter and global amplifier with distortion, Pan, Velocity, and Volume. There are Play Modes for Arp and unison voicing, along with 3-multi-effects processors providing Chorus, flange/Phase, Delay, and Reverb. There is an 8-slot mod matrix, 2 additional LFOs, ENVs, and a separate High Pass filter with Key-Track, Cue, and frequency. To top it all off, Go2-X give you a recordable and deeply programable, 16-step arpeggiator with Speed, Direction, Octave, Latch, and Tie Mode parameters. When you work with Go2-X, sound design becomes a race between you and your imagination.
JustTrippinProfJeff
00:00 / 00:45
SynthMaster 3 (DAW only)
SynthMaster3, KV331 Audio’s unique multi-layer synthesizer plug-in offers a one-of-a-kind, easy-to-use UI that facilitates the creation of never before heard preset timbres. SynthMaster3’s 16 layer architecture starts with the 6-oscillator engines: Basic, Granular, Additive, Vector, Wavetable, and VAnalog. Add to that, 9-filter types, multiple modulation sources for each layer, wave shaping, FM and Ring modulation synthesis, stereo effect processing, and an arpeggiator/sequencer for each layer. SynthMaster3 provides a routing network for each layer, allowing users to patch, synth engines, filters, and modulators in any configuration. With SynthMaster3, the only limit is your imagination and the amount of CPU you have on hand.
SkatingInHeavenProfJeff
00:00 / 00:38
Grain (Reason Studios)
Grain by Reason Studios is a powerful unsung hero. Found only in the Reason rack plug-in, Grain’s user interface is clean and simple. Basically, there are 4-parts to the Grain plug-in. The wave display, the signal path, the modulators, and the modulator matrix with the effects pane on the right-hand side. There are 4-grain engines, spectral grain, grain oscillator, long grain, and tape. Grains can be one-shots, scanned in both directions, looped, and frozen at any point along the waveform. There is even a dedicated envelope (ENV1) that can modulate the speed and direction of the grain scan. From the display, the signal path moves through the grain shaper, providing length, rate, and X-fade controls. Next, pitch control with octave, semi, tune, and key controls, along with a selectable waveform oscillator directs the audio into the filter that can be bypassed if required. Finally, the signal path moves to the output, controlled by a global graphic envelope generator. For modulation, there are 4-shapeable looping envelopes, and 3-LFOs with rate and fade controls. Add to all of this, an 8-slot modulation matrix with drag-and-drop targeting, and a 6-selectable and configurable effects processor, and Reason Studio’s Grain, stands out among granular plug-in instruments.
MerryGoGrainProfJeff
00:00 / 00:31
Zebra2 (DAW only)
Zebra2 by u-he is a powerful wireless modular rack-style plug-in synthesizer. Its main front panel architecture is divided into 2-parts, the upper bar and the lower bar. The upper bar from left to right houses the rack display for the sound generators and audio signal path modifiers. This includes the oscillators, the Noise generators, the voltage control filters, the FM oscillators, Comb filters, the Shapers, Mix mods, Ring mods, the XMF filters, SB mods, Distortion mods, and the Fold mods. In the center of the top bar is the 4-lane modular routing grid, allowing users to direct the audio signal path from mod to mod. The 4-lanes connect to a 4-channel mixer at the bottom of the routing grid, providing output assign, volume, pan, mute, and envelope assign for each lane. On the right side of the upper bar is the modulation sources rack display. When a modulation source is selected anywhere within Zeber2, a dropdown menu with numerous mod sources appear. There are more than 30 mod sources including global LFOs, individual LFOs, ENV generators, MSEG envelopes, MMaps, MMix, ArpMod, and all the MIDI controller functions like pitch bend and mod wheel, after touch, velocity, keyboard follow, etc. On the bottom bar there are tabs for global control, the oscillators, the MSEG shape display, the Arp/Seq display, the XY pad display, and the matrix display. When an oscillator is selected, a 16-key frame (KF) sequence wave display appears with the first KF waveform selected. Each KF can have a different wave shape depending on the waveform generator. There are 4-waveform generators: GeoMorph, SpectroMorph, GeoBlend, and SpectroBlend. Each waveform engine, changes how the waveform is created and appears. Zebra2 also includes an arpeggiator, a step sequencer, and a multi effects processor that can be bussed within the effects grid. As you would expect, there is much more to Zebre2 than seen here. However, its powerful synths features, numerous mod sources, and audio effects, along with a low CPU footprint, gives Zebra2 a synthesizer sound beast you can easily tame
BinWhileProfJeff
00:00 / 00:38
Hive 2 (DAW only)
Hive 2, u-he’s comprehensive, two oscillator, cross-integration (link) plug-in synthesizer is extensive. Hive 2 offers three System Engines, Clean, Normal, and Dirty, that changes the internal circuitry characteristic of Hive’s audio behavior. Each oscillator can act independently with standard selectable analog waveform shapes such as Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse, and more. There is also a list of selectable wavetable categories containing Additive, Complex, FM, Formant, Harmonic, and Singles, providing a huge range of wavetables to choose. Each oscillator offers a sub-oscillator to add thicker textures to the overall oscillator patch. There are two linkable filters with 10-filter types including Peek, Comb, Dissonant, Reverb, and sideband. Each oscillator has an AMP-EG, MOD-EG, and LFO. There is a Shape Sequencer with Function Generator offering ENV, Rise, and Still options with two additional Shapers. There are two Matrix tabs A/B with 12 source and target slots for each tab. A large variety of modulation sources rounds out the processing power. In fact, Hive’s modulation capability is one of Hive’s strongest assets. In the middle of Hive is a large honeycomb shape hexagon panel giving the reason for its name. The hexagon panel provides visual feedback for the ARP/SEQ, XY pad, the FX, and oscilloscope that graphicly displays any mod source. There is so much more to learn and explore with Hive2. When you create a preset with Hive 2, the sound you make is like honey to a bee without ever getting stung.
FallingOnSplintersProfJeff
00:00 / 00:45
Bazille (DAW only)
Bazille by u-he is a semi modular analog style plug-in synthesizer. Unlike other plug-in synths, Bazille uses a patch cord architecture, giving it the feel as if you are working with a hardware modular system. With four extremely versatile oscillators, two complex LFO’s, four envelope generators, two multi-mode filters, an extensive MIDI voltage processing section with white and pink noise generators, 2 multiplex combinators, a fully functional 16-step arpeggiator, 4 multi effects processors, 2 128-step programmable LFO modulators, 2 independent output channels, and even an on-board oscilloscope, Bazille gives the analog hardware synth programmer, a software dream come true.
HamRythProfJeffe
00:00 / 00:34
Hype
AIR, Advanced Instrument Research’s plug-in Hype, has a unique futuristic look to the user interface. The plug-in has 2-sound engines and its UI sports four separate synthesis engines, Analog, Sample, Wavetable, and FM that can be combined using both oscillators in multiple ways provided by the manufacturer. Oscillator parameters are represented by a series of 3D shapes you drag up or down on. There is an oscillator mixed parameter that rotates between the sound of both oscillators layered, a single circle, to both oscillators represented by a side-by-side blue and green circle. There is a filter, 2-LFOs, 2-envelopes, and a complete rack of effects. It comes with a wonderful library of presets with lush and exciting pads, textures, leads, basses, percussion, and so on.
ClickHaaVueProfJeff
00:00 / 00:33
Modwave
KORG’s Modwave (native) plug-in is the software interface of the KORG Modwave hardware keyboard. It features a two layer, (A/B) 4-oscillator (2 for each layer) wavetable and sample engine with Kaoss physics modulation. Entering the edit mode, there is access to layers A and B, the Kaoss pad, main global effects, zones and scales, modulation list and global tempo settings. There are individual filters, effects, mixer, an arpeggiator, and even a programable rhythmic sequencer for each layer. Besides the huge number of wavetables, samples and modulation sources, including four assignable mod knobs, there is a Kaoss Physics modulator pad. The Kaoss Physics modulation pad acts like a typographical map containing an animated ball that is triggered when you press a note. Depending on the typographical surface of the modulation pad, the ball can move up or down according to time, height, tilt, friction, and lag time along the X, Y, oscillators A, B, C and D coordinates. To make this Kaoss Physics even more interesting, the surface location of the typographical map can be modulated as well. Add to this, Modwave’s global effects processor with reverb, dynamics, and equalization, you now have a plug-in that goes beyond the surface.
RollMaryProfJeff
00:00 / 00:40
Iris 2
iZotope’s Iris 2 is a four layer sample playback device with a twist. Each sample lane can transform into a harmonic frequency spectrum. Areas within the spectrum can be selected and modified using a wide range of selection editing tools including time, frequency and time, frequency, free-hand, brush, Magic wand, erase, and deselect. These selection tools can be used anywhere on the XY sample canvas. Iris 2 also packs a load of modulation sources. There are 5-LFOs, 5-shapeable envelopes, modulation sources for velocity, key tracking, after touch and modulation wheel. There are 8-macro sources that are assignable to any parameter within Iris 2. Each sample lane has its own sample engine with volume, pan, transpose, fine adjust, sample direction, stretch, loop, and effect sends to the 4-master effects bus. Samples can be up to 60-second in length with loop start, end and offset parameters. As a powerful playback plug-in sample instrument, Iris 2 will surely make you open your eyes. It’s a shame, Iris2 is no longer available for purchase from the iZotope website.
TonglersArtist Name
00:00 / 00:56
Evolve Velvit
Excite Audio, a relatively newcomer to the world of hybrid sample instruments, has recently released the Evolve Series of multi-layer, sample-based, instrument plug-ins. The series includes; Evolve Air, Evolve Alloy, Evolve Dark Matter, Evolve Elastic, Evolve Nest Acoustics, and Evolve Velvet. Each plug-in in the series contains roughly a gigabyte of wave sample data, presented in 250 well-crafted presets. The presets appear to provide the primary purpose to the plug-in. The UI for each instrument is identical, making it easy to use and to operate the interface on all six plug-ins. Each plug-in features four separate layers surrounding an X/Y pad. Each layer can be set to either a sample or a synth with a slidable control for moving through the analog waveshapes—Sine to Pulse. There’s a standard Selection of modulation sources such as ADSR, LFO, ENV, KEYS, KEY TRACK, VELOCITY, and the X/Y Pad. The modulation sources are simply, drag-and-drop. There are two filters with each filter offering the standard LPF, HPF, PEEK, and BPF. There are also three multi-effects processors with a wide range of effect types.
All of the Evolve plug-in instruments are early versions (1.0.0 – 1.0.2). What this means is there is much development that needs to happen to make Evolve plug-in hybrid sample instruments a competitive plug-in instrument in the virtual plug-in industry. Although you can import your own sample content into the plug-in, there are needed improvements. Needed improvements include better sample editing tool such as adjustable loop point, loop start, and loop end parameters for each layer, along with sample warping capability. Moving from preset to preset within the browser can cause preset jitter. On a high note, all the plug-ins in the Evolve bundle stand-alone. You do not need to open your DAW to get started on creating your own original preset sounds.
Pad ManiaProfJeff
00:00 / 00:51
Vital
Vital, by Vital Audio, is an incredible, easy-to-use, and extremely powerful wave table plug-in synthesizer with a twist. At the top of the plug-in there are four pages: Voice, Effects, Matrix and Advanced.
Click on the Voice page to access the three wavetable oscillators along with their additive spectral warping editor, the sample oscillator where you can import your own samples, the two shapable filters with eight filter types including dB values and band width variables, and all the drag-and-drop, editable modulation sources which are flexible and extensive.
Click on the Effects page to access the nine effect processors on the left side of the window. All the modulation sources are always visible on the right for easy drag-and-drop modulation of effect parameters.
Click on the Matrix page to see the list of all the source modulators including bipolar on/off, stereo on/off, morph curve, amount, and modulation destination. An extensive menu of factory modulation remapping curves at the bottom of the list is also displayed.
Click on the Advanced page to access OSC options such as key track, oscillator resolution, voice allocation options, over sampling options, frequency units, and unison voicing. Six different plug-in skins can also be selected. Real-time displays for analyzing waveforms and harmonic structure gives visual feedback on the preset you are creating. The wavetable twist mentioned above is a text-to-wavetable synthesis conversion process. Type in any phrase and Vital will transform the words into a custom wavetable. There are a few small niceties that vital offers such as drag corner to resize window, scroll envelopes to zoom to fit, double click knobs to set to default, scroll knobs to change values, clear a sharp contrasting text, clean animation throughout the plug-in and of course, Vital can stand alone, not requiring a DAW host.
As a final note, at this time, Vital does not support the Pro Tools AAX plug-in formats. It does however, support VST and AU.
SilverSlipersProfJeff
00:00 / 01:02
ARP 2600
Like the Mini Moog Model D, the ARP2600 was a king among early analog synthesizers. Its Sonic signature could be found in both the music pop culture as well as the television and movie industry. Great superstars like Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, The Who, and the progressive jazz ensemble, Weather Report use the ARP2600 as part of their musical exploration. The ARP2600 was also featured in movies and TV shows. The ARP2600 was used to create the sound of the birds in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller The Birds, and in TV, the opening theme song to the popular Sunday night NBC Mystery Movie series used the ARP2600 as its iconic portamento melody.
Today, there are many plug-in Versions of the ARP2600. Best known is the Arturia ARP2600 V, and the KORG ARP2600. However, none of these reproductions faithfully emulate the original ARP2600 like the WayOutWare TimeWarp ARP2600. In fact, the TimeWarp ARP2600 is the only plug in emulation of the ARP2600 officially certified by Alan R. Pearlman, the founder of ARP Instruments (see the ARP2600 hardware).
NOTE: The audio example is short in duration. It is taken from the original Mystery Movie opening theme
MysteryThemeProfJeff
00:00 / 00:11
Moog Modular-V
The granddaddy of analog synthesis, the Moog Modular Synthesizer received fame when in 1966, Wendy Carlos and Bob Moog co-collaborated on the recording of Switched on Bach, the best-selling classical album in the world. The Moog Modular Synthesizer popularity became even more evident when rock bands such as the Beatles, the Monkeeys, and Emerson Lake and Palmer began to use the synthesizer in their songs. Songs like, “Here Comes the Sun,” “Dayley Nightly,” and “From the Beginning” captured the sonic versatility of analog synthesis. As the Moog Modular System 55 was beyond the budget of lesser known groups, the Mini Moog Model D filled the void. Today, Arturia’s Moog Modular V (seen here) recreates the legend and the power of the past with their virtual hardware representation as a plug-in. The Mood Modular-V is comprised of 6 modular banks. the filter, envelope and voltage processor bank, the oscillators and output envelope bank, the MIDI in/out bank, the sequencer, effects filter bank, the keyboard control range bank, and the keyboard itself (not seen here). As a virtual plug-in, the Moog Modular-V offers users far more options than the original hardware based system. Options like patch memory recall, unlimited patch cord connections, MIDI controller functions, and best of all, 32-note polyphony.
Moog Modular VProfJeff
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Synclavier V
Open Plug-in View
Panel View
Screen View,
Of all the Arturia plug-in instrument emulations, the Synclavier V stands out from the crowd. Based on New England Digital Synclavier, Synclavier V software is far more powerful and cost effective than its hardware counterpart. Unlike any of the other Arturia plug-in synthesizers, Synclavier V’s software interface is multi layered with three distinctive levels of operation.
Open plug-in view provides global controls for all 12-partials including retrigger and arpeggiator.
Panel view provides global control for each individual partial including LFO vibrato and stereo width modulation.
Screen view provides a visual display for all 24 additive harmonics, 24 FM harmonics, along with sample graphic display for importing and editing audio sample content.
In the scream view, all 12 partials are individually editable with their own mute and solo button. At the top of the screen, there are five tabs relating to each partial. Engine, Mixing, ENV/LFO, Key Dynamics, Velocity, and Mods. There is also a tab for global stereo FX/Master.
The Engine tab displays the 24-additive harmonics and their phase levels, 24 FM harmonics and their phase levels, along with drawing harmonic editing tools and harmonic coefficient restrictions. Here you can choose either the additive harmonics or switch to sample view and import any audio sample 30-seconds or less.
The Mixing tab provides a horizontal channel strip for each partial with volume fader, pan, tuning, transpose, Octave in frequency, chorus, fine, FM-mod, FM-rate, and FM find tune controls.
The ENV/LFO tab displays the Delay, Attack, Peek, Decay, Sustain and Release amplitude and frequency modulation envelope for each partial. It also includes two LFO’s for vibrato and stereo imaging including waveform, sync, rate, depth, attack, phase S-curve, alternate and invert.
The Key/Dynamic tab allows for setting partial keyboard scaling curves for volume, velocity and mod wheel by simply dragging the parameter range for the MIDI keyboard scale.
The Mod tab is the modulation matrix for all the partials with 16 Source/Target parameters available.
Directly below the five tabs is a unique Synclavier V plug-in function. For each of the 12 partials, there is a timeline that allows for timbral development overtime using Frames. Up to 50 frames within a total of 300-seconds per partial can be placed anywhere along the timeline with each Frame having its own individual Delay Time, Frame Time, Tuning, Volume, Modulation, Loop Direction, Loop Start, Loop End, Loop Sync, Release, and Frame Speed. Frames can fade between each other or a step between each Frame can be set. The Frame feature lets the user set the 24-additive and/or 24-FM partial amounts for each separate frame, creating a morphing transition, frame to frame.
Finally, the FX/Master tab provides three multi effects processors with Flange, Phase, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, and Dual Delay. There is a master section with System Parameters for switching between Animation, Timbre Normalize, and rotary controls for Noise Floor, Over Sampling, and Bit Depth. To top it off, besides a programmable Pitch Bend range, there is a 12-note programmable tuning function for creating your own micro-tonal scale.
As a final note, the features mentioned above are just brief summaries. There are so many other features Synclavier V offers the user it is impossible to mention them all here. What I can say is this. As a sound designer, who had the wonderful opportunity of working with the original New England Digital Synclavier hardware in the early 1980s, Synclavier V is unbelievable. The original Synclavier had four partials and with each partial containing 24-additive harmonics with an FM modulation system. The basic keyboard with computer, CPU, and floppy drives cost about $38,000. Synclavier V for $149 is one of the best values within the Arturia V-Collection.
If you are looking for incredible presets to place within your contemporary song, this may not be the best choice for you. However, if you are a serious sound designer and music composer looking for a plug-in that will challenge your skills and overwhelmed your imagination, Synclavier V will leave you breathless.
PinBellFMSlideProfJeff
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