A software synthesizer, also sometimes known as a virtual synth, is a computer program designed to create and control a variety of sounds. The concept of the modern synthesizer was defined by Robert Moog in the mid to late 1960\’s, but software synthesizers did not become popular until the late 1990\’s.
Here are the most recent posts at Synthtopia about software synthesizers.
UVI has introduced Falcon – a new software synth, for Mac & Windows, that they describe as the ‘most complete hybrid instrument available’. Falcon lets you mix and modulate samples, synthesis modules, fx and more.
This video, via synthesist Mark Mosher, is a demonstration of his approach to using Percussa AudioCubes as tangible controllers for the software synth, U-He ACE. Here’s what he has to say about the demo:
Plugin Boutique has introduced Carbon Electra – a 4-Oscillator subtractive synthesizer featuring informative displays, editable step sequencer, vocal filter, integrated distortion and analog control. Here’s their official intro trailer for Carbon Electra:
iceWorks has introduced Lorentz Polyphonic Synthesizer, a new virtual analog synth for iPad. Here’s the official intro video:
Developer Mayank Sanganeria has released bent.fm – a full FM model of a circuit-bent synthesizer. bent.fm allows the user to tweak classic circuit bending modifications like fine and octave-decimated clock bends, and experiment with more esoteric bends. Sanganeria says that bent.fm is ‘for anyone interested in circuit bending, glitch sounds, industrial music, and post-procedural art.’
Zvork Audio has released Oberon – a new software synthesizer Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason.
Softube has announced the release of Heartbeat, a drum synthesizer instrument for Mac & Windows.
After a long period of slow development on Animoog, Moog Music is following a major performance release in May with another update. Here’s what’s new in Animoog version 2.2.5:
Rob Papen has released Vecto – a four-oscillator vector synthesizer Rack Extension that allows you draw in vector paths to shape the sound in many different ways. Included are a large range of oscillator waves, plus sampled waveforms and lots of different modulation options. Here’s a video patch preview:
nLab Synthesis has introduced Monolite Poly K synthesizer for Reaktor, described as ‘the ultimate evolution of the Monolite synth family’. According to the company, the new synth is ideal for experimental, noise, ambient and fx sound designers, thanks to Monolite Poly K’s extensive sonic capabilities.
