Tracktion have announced the release of Kult, a new software synthesizer made in collaboration with Peter V (AKA Dawesome), who has previously worked with the company to develop their acclaimed Novum, Abyss, and Chop Suey instruments. This latest offering utilises FM and AM synthesis and provides a wealth of visual feedback which Tracktion say is perfect for those who may previously have struggled with understanding the principles of FM synthesis.
Kult's GUI uses a 2D graphical display to provide a visual representation of each oscillator's waveform. Kult’s sound is generated by a pair of oscillators that Tracktion refer to as Strange Attractors, which offer over 30 models that range from classical waveforms to “chaotic sculptures”, all of which are presented visually in the GUI as curves within a 2D space. Tracktion decided against including a third oscillator, saying that their complexity already offers a wide variety of sonic changes and modulation, and that in many cases even a single oscillator may prove to be more than enough!
A filter section then provides two formant filters for each voice, along with a pair of comb filters that boast negative and positive feedback modes and a distortion stage. Finally, two independent modelled analogue filters are present, which can be arranged in serial or parallel configurations. The instrument also features a stereo effects section, and a powerful modulation system equipped with multiple LFOs that can be assigned to individual voices. A built-in arpeggiator is also included, and Kult offers full MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) support.
Compatibility
Kult is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or 11, as well as Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 10.13 or above. It is available in VST3 and AU plug-in formats.
Pricing & Availability
Kult is available now, priced at $129, although it is currently being offered at a 50% discount as a part of Tracktion’s Christmas Sale, which ends on 2 January 2023. As with all of Tracktion’s products, a fully functional 90-day demo is available.
