Excite Audio’s latest software instrument has been designed with dark drum and bass, atmospheric techno and experimental electronic music in mind. Evolve Dark Matter is a sample-based synth that’s capable of creating “sub-rumbling drones, tectonic low-end textures and ominous soundscapes”, drawing inspiration from artists such as Skrillex, Burial and Jon Hopkins.
The new arrival is built around a four-layer engine, with each layer capable of hosting either a sample-based instrument — a collection of 250 sources is included, and users are free to import their own — or a synth oscillator. Sample layers are equipped with parameters for play direction, tone and key-tracking parameters, while synth layers feature an oscillator-shape slider and unison detuning options; both include Pitch and Fine Tuning controls, along with velocity sensitivity, panning and volume functions. An X-Y pad then makes it possible to blend between the four sources, or modulate any of the instrument’s parameters.
There’s a wealth of onboard modulation, with a total of 12 sources including six ADSR envelopes with delay and hold functions, two LFOs with retriggering and offset options, velocity and keytracking with adjustable curves and the aforementioned X-Y pad. Everything can be configured using a modulation matrix display, which offers the ability to adjust the likes of curve shapes and polarity for each assignment.
Four macro effects are present, including Quanta, which is apparently inspired by wave-particle duality, and combines wavy modulation with downsampling; Entropy, which mixes heavy distortion, noise and chaos; Orbit, which delivers a combination of a slow oscillating phaser with faster flutter-style pitch modulation; and Infinite, which provides an endless delay and a vast reverb that Excite Audio say has inspired by the depths of space. A pair of resonant filters are provided, and there are also three rearrangeable effects slots that can be loaded with any of the following effects modules:
- Saturation
- Feedback
- Bitcrush
- Delay
- Reverb
- Compressor
- Transient
- Modulation
- Phaser
- Auto-Wah
- Speaker
- Width
- Noise
- EQ
- Pitch Drift
- Filter
Key Features
- Blend four layers of samples or synths using the powerful quad-engine.
- Morph sounds in real time with the expressive X-Y Pad.
- Get instant creative sparks with one-click randomisation.
- Import your own samples and build entirely custom patches.
- Modulate anything with drag-and-drop envelopes, LFOs and X-Y controls.
- Shape and polish your sound with physics-inspired macro effects.
- Tweak your tone with dual filters and a rearrangeable three-slot effects chain.
- Explore 250 genre-spanning presets or create from scratch.
Compatibility
Evolve Dark Matter is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.15 and above. VST, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Evolve Dark Matter is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of $£39 until 31 July 2026, when it will increase to $£59. Prices include VAT.
