Published 2/2/09
FXpansion's first soft synth!
Until now, Fxpansion have been very much a drum-focussed company, thanks to the success of their acclaimed BFD virtual drum software. But the UK-based developers have branched out into the realms of the keyboard, with the announcement their first non-drum product: DCAM Synth Squad. We’ll call it Synth Squad for simplicity’s sake, but in case you’re wondering what ‘DCAM’ stands for, it’s Discrete Component Analogue Modelling, an acronym that explains the approach used to create the modules that make up the virtual instrument. The FXpansion team disassembled and examined classic studio equipment, old and new, and derived parts of Synth Squad based on what they found. Consequently, you’ll find the new instrument is influenced by different modules of such studio stalwarts as the Moog Prodigy, Korg’s MS20, Sequential Circuits’ Pro One, the Oberheim OB1, Arp’s Omni, the Roland Juno 106, and many more.
Synth Squad comprises three individual but internally linked synth modules: Strobe, Amber and Cypher. Each module has its own style, equipping the user with the tools to create synth sounds from any era. A fourth element of Synth Squad is Fusor, which links the three tone-generating parts of the instrument together.
Fusor is a software environment built into Synth Squad that lets the user layer up to three synth modules. It also provides the infrastructure to send audio through effects (including filters, dynamics-processors and distortions modelled on studio classics), and route parameter data from the synths to the effects modules (and vice versa), to create further complex cross-modulation. It even has a set of eight virtual knobs that can either be assigned to individual parameters or to macros, enabling the control of multiple parameters with just one virtual knob.
Until now, Fxpansion have been very much a drum-focussed company, thanks to the success of their acclaimed BFD virtual drum software. But the UK-based developers have branched out into the realms of the keyboard, with the announcement their first non-drum product: DCAM Synth Squad. We’ll call it Synth Squad for simplicity’s sake, but in case you’re wondering what ‘DCAM’ stands for, it’s Discrete Component Analogue Modelling, an acronym that explains the approach used to create the modules that make up the virtual instrument. The FXpansion team disassembled and examined classic studio equipment, old and new, and derived parts of Synth Squad based on what they found. Consequently, you’ll find the new instrument is influenced by different modules of such studio stalwarts as the Moog Prodigy, Korg’s MS20, Sequential Circuits’ Pro One, the Oberheim OB1, Arp’s Omni, the Roland Juno 106, and many more.Synth Squad comprises three individual but internally linked synth modules: Strobe, Amber and Cypher. Each module has its own style, equipping the user with the tools to create synth sounds from any era. A fourth element of Synth Squad is Fusor, which links the three tone-generating parts of the instrument together.
Strobe is described as a “performance synth with a cutting modern edge” that can be used to create everything from ripping leads and evolving polyphonic pads to deep bass tones. Its built-in multimode filter (inspired by the circuitry inside the Roland SH101) has a drive control for creating what the developers call “extra thick tone”, and its dedicated Sub Oscillator makes beefing-up your low end a breeze.
Amber is a string synth reminiscent of hardware of the ’70s. It features a paraphonic divide-down oscillator, the type found in the classic Solina string synth; a formant filter section, which comprises four resonant band-pass filters running in parallel; and three chorus modes, which will help to get that trademark string synth oscillator-modulation.
The last of the three tone generators in Synth Squad is Cypher, an FM synth with a mind of its own. Its three oscillators can intermodulate in a number of different ways, creating unpredictable, rich and abstract sounds. FXpansion call it their “modulation monster”!
Fusor is a software environment built into Synth Squad that lets the user layer up to three synth modules. It also provides the infrastructure to send audio through effects (including filters, dynamics-processors and distortions modelled on studio classics), and route parameter data from the synths to the effects modules (and vice versa), to create further complex cross-modulation. It even has a set of eight virtual knobs that can either be assigned to individual parameters or to macros, enabling the control of multiple parameters with just one virtual knob.
