D16 Group has announced LuSH-101 – a new virtual analog synthesizer plug-in for Windows and Mac.
Here’s what they have to say about LuSH-101:
LuSH-101 is a synthesizer created from modules that can be found in many modern virtual synthesizers, all combined into a single compact and logically intuitive design.
Prepare to have your notions of what a plugin should be capable of forever redefined! Extremely powerful multilayer architecture, a palette of the finest insert effects (each selectable per layer), and an extensive mixer with compression, EQ and send effects all add up to a truly modern synthesizer with vintage playability–and all in the absolute highest sound quality possible at every point along the signal path!
Details and audio demos below.
Features:
- Multilayer architecture with 8 independent Layers (per-layer properties)
- Up to 32 voices of polyphony
- MIDI channel
- Keyboard zone
- Audio output
- Synthesis
- Oscillators (Saw, PWM, Noise), with Supersaw and HardSync options
- Sub Oscillator (5 waveforms)
- Self-oscillating, high-quality, multimode filter
- Passive high-pass filter
- Up to 8 voice unison with Tune, Cutoff and Panorama spread
- 2 LFOs with optional tempo synchronization and re-triggering modes (Trig, Gate, Arpe, None)
- 2 envelopes with re-triggering modes (Trig, Gate, LFO1, LFO2)
- Insert effect (selectable algorithms):
- Chorus
- String Ensemble
- Phaser
- Flanger
- Distortion
- Vowel filter
- Decimator
- Tremolo
- Modulation Matrix (modulation sources):
- Note velocity
- Pitch bend
- Modulation wheel
- Expression pedal
- Sustain pedal
- Keyboard’s aftertouch
- Note pitch
- Arpeggiator’s output
- Arpeggiator
- Step sequencer (Gate and Tie per step)
- 6 Run modes (Up, Down, Up and Down, Down and Up, Random, Manual)
- Chord mode (Gater)
- 3 Hold modes (Normal, Toggle, Trigger)
- Shuffle
- Tempo multiplier (Full notes, Dotted notes, Triplets)
- Mixer
- Parametric EQs (1 per channel strip)
- Compressors (1 per channel strip)
- Up to 11 freely-assignable stereo output busses per instance
- Send FX’s (Reverb, Chorus, Delay with tempo sync)
- Presets
- Over 1700 factory presets
- 5 preset categories (whole synth, single layer, Arpeggiator, Reverb, Delay)
- Advanced, file-based preset browser
- Miscellaneous
- Advanced MIDI learn
- Parameter mapping for VST / AU automation
Pricing and availability are TBA. See the D16 site for more details.
via readers Robert Reynolds, aymat
Does look very impressive. On the website, it shows a few additional interface pages, like the mixer, and modulation matrix which look well-designed and flexible. From an initial scan of the parameters and interface, it is all logical, intuitive, and in most respects it is “traditional” in its treatment of the path. The demo sounds nice to me.
For synths like this, I sometimes wish for a “hidden” next-level-deep where things like additional oscillator shapes, additional envelope breakpoints (or curved segments), and response curves for the mod-matrix could lurk without cluttering the main interface.
One wonders if there will ever be an analog emulator that will come close to scratching the itch for the synth-head. I suspect it will require a USB nostril interface for the smell of a warm circuit, and a fun glowing external box with jacks and knobs connected to nothing. Relax. I kid.
Alchemy is ridiculously deep. The presets are pretty cheesy but if you get into that thing it is a beast for sound design. The envelopes are just fantastic and the modulation possibilities are staggering. Not to mention you get granular and spectral synthesis thrown in and you can import any sound file and have it analyzed and imported to be used as a wave. It’s actually not very hard to get your head around either. Another super deep soft synth is Omnisphere. That thing is outstanding for cinematic sounds. You probably already know all of this though, just my two cents.
handsome roland-esque interface
Yep – to be honest, I always thought that the LuSH-101 (formerly called “SHioitor”) would be a software clone of the Roland SH-101 with a few additional features, just like D16 Group’s Phoscyon is a clone of the TB-303.
But somehow I now get the feeling that the only thing that still is SH-101-ish about this synth is its interface. Or at least they don’t advertise it as SH-101 clone (anymore?)…
I might have been more interested if the demo was not just more DISCO. Do people have NO other ideas for their synths?? At least tonally, its the most expressive instrument in existence and all people can come up with is more boom-bap? Do any of you listen to anything BUT dance? I will compliment the LOOK of the synth; its a savvy step up for the basic design realm, so due respect for that. It just feels wasted when underused with yet more DISCO. If you like zombies, here they are, shambling around, lusting after the flesh of the living. Heh heh, sorry guys, I do hear some great things from people on here, but NOT THE DISCO. For God’s sake, stop it.
Or you could actually look at their soundcloud which has many more audio demos, some of which may suit your tastes.
Well at least it wasn’t dubstep
The demo is showing standard “berlin” style which is what most folks were into when these real analog synths were around. Mine were ARP Odyssey, 2600, Yamaha CS15, Octave Cat and Solina String Ensemble. That’s the kind of music most of us did, but, we weren’t snobs. I even did Donna Summer covers, 1977-84 as well as Fad Gadget, Eno and rock and roll, Those are roots. Now if you can do that stuff that annoys you, there is nothing to keep you from going out of tune or making blips, clangs, bleeps, gurgles, sweeps, industries and fairy sounds with it – chaos and process are easier than order and will. The Odyssey and VCS-3 were famous for that. The foot pedal on the Odyssey was sweet.
And if it wasn’t for dance music, or Devo and Numan, our gear would cost 4 times as much and there would be less freedom of choice. Ever been to the avant-garde section of a records store? Get over your beef with the beat.
That surely looks sexy, can we have it as hardware now?
I’ve got to agree there. That thing makes me want to touch those sliders. Roland would sell a brazillion of these if they went back to making synths.
Man this thing sounds great! i love the way they chose to represent the user interface, very very cool, makes me wish it was a real synthesizer. I like it alot!
It is a real synthesizer. You mean you wish it was a hardware synthesizer.
Man, that design is fantastic. The key and knob shadows actually follow perspective; a first in any synth interface I’ve seen.