Hypersynth has introduced SIDizer, a Windows software synth emulation of the SID chip.
Description:
SIDizer is a state-of-art emulation of legendary SID chip in a form of a modern software synthesizer. Using circuit modeling technology nearly all unique features of two versions (6581-8580) of SID chip among their famous flaws are accurately modeled.
This emulation focuses on simulating nonlinear character of SID filter and mimicking special 6581 distortion that mainly influence the alternation of filtered signal in a real SID chip. It offers additional envelopes, LFOs , mod matrix and a routable bit-cruncher for adding extra lo-fi sound quality. SIDizer GUI is inspired from HyperSID that offers easy tweaking for all parameters on a single page. It is not only a powerful instrument for creating chip-tune style but it can produce a unique type of analog sound colored with harmonic distortion that is suited for creating bass, lead and drum sounds.
Features:
- 3 oscillators offering 8 waveforms: Saw, Triangle, Square, Pitched noise, and combinations of them.
- Oscillators special features: ring, sync, phase sync, Sqr PW, level.
- Selectable 6581-8580 D/A distortion.
- 3 Amp envelopes ADSR.
- 12 dB (LP & HP), 6 dB BP SID modeled Filter.
- Best matched Exponential-fitted curves for 6581-8580 filter frequencies.
- Simulating 6581 half wave filter distortion.
- 1 Filter envelope + key track for filter freq.
- 2 LFOs each with 4 simultaneous outputs offering sync and retriggering option.
- 1 Mod envelope.
- Versatile Modulation matrix.
- Bug-generator module for reproducing famous bugs: oscillator leakage, ex-input noise.
- Bit Cruncher with pre and post filter route option.
- Advanced 8 step C64 like arpeggiator.
- Master: Pitch and Mod wheel, Porta, Spread, Reverb, Delay.
- Easy to use GUI.
- Factory soundbank created by Torben Hansen (aka Metal of Vibrants).
SIDizer is available now as a VST instrument for Windows for $49, regular price $64.
If you’ve used SIDizer – leave a comment with your thoughts!
hmm this doesn't really stand a chance when compared with plogue chipsounds. For less than double the price you get solid software emulation of basically every chip ever built, and not just one. Still I'll be trying it out, and I even have a real C64 to compare against… I might let you know how it compares…
That’s justBS. This basically pees all over Chipsounds when it comes to using a SID emulation synth as a proper synth instead of going for the simple “chiptune” bleepety bloops. Try using Chipsounds as a 3-oscillator synth and report your findings in that area. Kinda difficult, eh? How about using osc sync or ringmod properly? Yup, that’s *maybe* in 2.0 sometime next year. Quite likely you still won’t be able to do 3-oscillator sounds easily with it – unless we’ll manage to convince Plogue to give us just that 😉
As great as Chipsounds is, it doesn’t even compete in the same category, nor should it. It excels in other areas and will continue to do so. It should be dead simple to see the difference, which is blidingly obvious after comparing the respective screenshots for half a second.
I've been using Chipsounds for a bit now, their current version of SID chip implementation is a hybrid of sample / chip emulation. For the other chips it's straight up emulation, but for the SID they had fall back on samples.
Going to be trying this out. These guys make a VST controlled hardware SID synth as well, so I'm willing to bet they've learned a bit from that as well.
On their site they show us oscilloscope readings. How about AB sound files? Then we could ABX it ourselves and see if anyone really notices the difference in the sound of the plug and the real deal. That's where it ends up, thats where it matters. Your ears. Do an ABX of chipsounds vs. this plug, if you can match patches. If you can't hear the difference don't buy this plug.
Personally I wouldn't pay money for something like that now when there are nearly a dozen free solutions out there. I know; this doesn't aim specifically for the C64 but the SID chip.
But with so much variation already out there for free I'm convinced that if you're aiming for a specific sound the combination of the free vst's together with your current gear will cope just as well here. SID was amazing (I owned a C64 (still do) and wrote several music players for it (to be used in demos, so always needed to be as compact yet complete as possible). But amazing as it was it was in no way comparable to the massive options you have these days.
I have been playing with many émulations for years.
First on was Quadrasid. I also like odo sid and 389111.
But…this one seems to have the best filter ever on an émulation.
Downside is the quite high CPU mark.
I just bought it and I'm a little disappointment… This plugs takes CPU load that's really huge.
The sound is not super but it is OK, I will NOT use as SID chip sound.
But…. anyway I think they needs to optimize/utilize the code for the CPU…. I couldn't use this easily.
And, I still love the QuadraSID.