Softube has introduced Model 77 Dual Layer Synth – a new virtual instrument that’s inspired by “three Japanese synthesizers from 1977” and the Vangelis soundtracks to Blade Runner & Chariots of Fire.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“We modeled and accurately articulated every detail of the circuits of three legendarily expressive Japanese synthesizers from 1977 and put them in one user-friendly plug-in. The sound, interaction, and performance remain as close to the hardware as possible, while the complex interfaces of the original instruments are enhanced with an intuitive redesign.
Finally, your most-coveted synth has the workflow you deserve.”
Model 77 has a variety of features and workflow enhancements that go beyond the features of the original synths, including stereo processing and DAW sync. An ‘Aging’ slider lets you control how much ‘vintage’ you put in the sound, such as oscillator drift and variations over filter cutoff, pulse width, and envelope time. This lets you choose between a stable modern sound and a more vintage, aged sound.
Other additions include a reverb effect, support for polyphonic aftertouch, integration with Softube Modular and more.
Features:
- Precisely modeled sound, interactions, and performance of the original units
- “Perfectly captured” polyphonic aftertouch and voice allocation
- Original factory presets heard on countless celebrated recordings
- Workflow enhancements such as a redesigned interface, stereo processing, DAW sync, keyboard tracking, unison mode, and more
- Modular- and Amp Room-ready: includes seven modules for Softube Modular and two modules for Amp Room guitar and bass platform
Model 77 Dual Layer Synth Walkthrough:
Official Audio Demos:
Pricing and Availability:
Model 77 Dual Layer Synth is available now with an intro price of $99 USD (normally $159).
Not really sure why they didn’t put both rows into the GUI. Wwitching between the two rows seems to needlessly add extra mouse clicks and could lead to some confusion and slow you down. This choice is just not one I would have made.
lol. that’s hilarious; mouse moves. get a horse.
They do it the way you want on the Arturia version, which I find extremely cumbersome and overwhelming. I find the soft tube offering sounds FARRRR better.
Another UI problem is that In these days of touchscreen portable computers, where’s the touch ribbon? That was one of the most important elements of the Vangelis CS80 sound… Can be emulated with an touch and slide capable MPE controller, I hope so anyway.
I’d like it if all hardware emulation synths had the option of alternative non-skeuomorphic interfaces optimized for real time performance. Maybe we can make skins for this new one, unfortunately you can’t for the Arturia , Cherry Audio, or Korg soft hardware emulators.
Blad-a-runner retro software game
Pet peeve: marketing for software synths that uses renderings of the skeuomorphic interface from other 3D positions that don’t actually happen in the software.
Also, this appears to lack the controls to map velocity and aftertouch directly to level & filter changes (the “touch response” controls on the CS-80 & DD). Maybe they’re buried in a menu somewhere?
Watch the vids… I think it is under the “Expansion Panel” pop-out
https://youtu.be/sW52CxAcnvo?t=370
The sound is pretty accurate, so I’d call it the E-Z CS for people who mainly want the Best Of patches. Other, more complete takes on it are for those who want to dive deeper. I settled on Cherry Audio’s GX-80, which includes features from the original GX-1. Its not something you program casually, but it pays off.
hmm… I own the GX-80 and the Arturia Complete V with the CS-80. I also own a Yamaha Montage M8x with poly aftertouch and the ANX engine. What is best?
It depends on the specific patch and your ears. The Softube Model 77 is cumbersome. iLok and activation on top there already existing Softube app? Hello, McFly?
It’s the Department of Redundancy, Department.
I’ll continue to avoid iLok based software.
Thank you for the information. I wish iLok activation requirements would be mentioned in the article each time. It might help companies to stop doing that..
Software based iLok is pretty easy now that the dongles are gone…I don’t find it any more difficult than any other method.
Ugh. I bought an MPC recently and as soon as the iLok signup for the Beats software environment came up I just immediately lost interest in activating it. It doesn’t work with the newly released 3.0 firmware anyway so it’s sort of a non-issue. It’s just kinda silly to me to have dedicated hardware and be asked to install ivasive software like iLok *on top of that*. I sort of get it for high $ plugins but when you have an actual physical dongle in the form of the hardware unit it comes off as customer hostile.