IK Multimedia's Syntronik was already an impressive collection of 22 virtual classic analogue synths, and with version 2 it's grown by no fewer than 11 instruments.
New to Syntronik 2 are emulations of:
- Octave Cat SRM
- Yamaha GS1
- Korg DW-8000
- Waldorf Microwave
- Oberheim Matrix-12
- Oberheim OB-1
- OSCar
- Sequential Prophet VS
- Moog Source
- Digital Keyboards Synergy II+
- Korg Trident
As before, Syntronik 2 features an extensive layering system, so you can play up to four instruments in a single instance, in any combination of layers or keyboard splits that you desire. New to v2, however, is a control filtering option, which lets you display only key parameters such as sustain, pitch-bend and aftertouch modulation routing, for quick access.
Also new is an in-depth Edit panel, which opens up a host of new parameters including oscillator drift, extended LFO and envelope controls, and a programmable modulation matrix.
No fewer than 71 effects are provided, these are based on IK Multimedia's acclaimed T-TrackS mastering suite, the MixBox plug-in collection and the AmpliTube 5 guitar-amp sim package.
Syntronik 2 also adds a powerful chord and note arpeggiator, with assignable note ranges and the ability to store patterns as part of presets, plus an intuitive step sequencer. And speaking of presets, Syntronik 2 includes over 5500 of them, including all of those that shipped with the original. Navigating them is made easy, IK tell us, by an advanced browser that lets you search by instrument, keyword, category and so on.
Syntronik 2 is available in a number of different versions, the key differences between them being the number of presets on offer. So, Syntronik 2 MAX (€299) comes with the full complement (5710), the 'standard' edition (€199) ships with 4203, Syntronik 2 SE (€99) comes with 1003 presets, while the free Syntronik 2 CS ships with 100. Special introductory prices are currently available on the IK Multimedia website.
And if you want to hear it in action before you part with your money, who better to show off Syntronik 2's potential than keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess? Click below to check out the video.
