McDSP Synthesizer One HD: Total Sound Synthesis

See all MCDSP products on CHERUBINI.com

Specifications

Synthesizer One is a high-end soft-synth designed to maximize sonic creation and manipulation. Many sound sculpting techniques are included - wavetable, FM, AM, Ring modulation, additive, and subtractive synthesis.

Overview

Synthesizer One combines many sound creation techniques into a single software plug-In including wavetable, FM, AM, Ring modulation, additive and subtractive synthesis methods. External audio can be processed and combined with synthesized sounds. Oscillator, filter, LFO, and envelope signals can be routed to multiple modulation targets. Two wavetable oscillators (three waves per voice) allow unprecedented manipulation of waveform data. A third analog-style oscillator has been added in version 2.0. Two multi-mode filters simultaneously output high pass,low pass,band pass,and band stop filtered signals. Three LFOs per voicewith dedicated multi-mode ASR envelopes.The LFOs can use the same waves as the OSCs for the ultimate modulations. The LFOs can be synced to MIDI beat clock or the internal clock of Synthesizer One. Multiple LFO loop modes are available, as well as key tracking. Three ADSTAR envelopes can be used as s source for any modulation target. The second attack (post key up)can be enabled or disabled. Effects include wave shaping, EQ (high pass, low shelf, high shelf), and a modulatable delay line capable of chours, flange, vibrato, pitch warping, doubling, and echo effects. The Synthesizer One interface - Synth Page 'OSC' is shown above.

Modular Modulation

A modular design allows oscillator, filter, LFO, envelope, and audio signals to be routed to a variety of modulation targets. Many synthesis parameters have a dedicated menu of modulation sources on each control page for optimal editing speed. A 4-point modulation matrix is still provided for additional modulation routing.

Other Information

A set of Quick Pages gives access to basic parameters, while the complete set of controls are available on the Synth Pages. MIDI controller assignment is programmable by the user and saved as a preference inside the Synthesizer One plug-In. A 4-point MIDI controller modulation matrix is available per patch.

Wave Editing

The vast sound pallete of Synthesizer One starts with its editable wavetables. By using waveables,the user can create unique waveforms. The waveform editing facilities are built into the Synthesizer One interface and Wave Edit control page (shown at right). Several waveform functions, filters and edit modes catalyze the creative process. Mouse drawn waveforms and functions can be created. Even audio can be imported into a wavetable. Up to 8 edited wavetables can be saved per preset for an unlimited range of sounds.

Synthesizer One uses wavetables to create the waveforms in the OSCs and LFOs. Many preset waves providing the standard types of sounds and modulations are available as presets in the OSC and LFO waveform popup selector. Additionally, 8 editable waves are saved per preset, and can be used by any OSC or LFO. These editable waveforms are created using the controls on the Wave Edit Page.

The Wave Edit page can also be used to copy and paste waveforms from one preset to another, from one wave to another, or from one Synthesizer One instance to another.

Using Wave Capture Plug-In

Synthesizer One can use audio recorded in a ProTools session as a source for waveform data. An Audiosuite plug-In called ‘Waveform Capture’ is used to import a selected portion of audio, and then transfer it to the Synthesizer One Wave Edit Page.

Using the Wave Edit page, the generator function called ‘captured’ is selected. The entire sampled waveform is displayed in the lower plot, and the segment used in the actual wave table is shown in the larger waveform display. The user can compress or stretch the sampled waveform, and then scroll through it to find a suitable portion for the edited waveform.

Its important to note Synthesizer One is NOT a sampler. It cannot replicate long passages of audio. However, periodic audio, such as audio from other synthesizer, can be imported into Synthesizer One’s wavetables with great success. When auditioning the sample keep in mind a second OSC with the same or varying samples can be incorporated into the sound. Add filters and envelope modulation and the sound takes on new sonic features not present in the original material.

Many other good examples of sample waves in presets can be found in the preset folders. Many of these waveforms were taken from CDROM samples which can provide a multitude of waveform data. Many popular keyboards from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s 90’s and today can be emulated by Synthesizer One.

Print Product Chart

Tech Sheet

Synthesizer One combines many sound creation techniques into a single software plug-In including wavetable, FM, AM, Ring modulation, additive and subtractive synthesis methods.

External audio can be processed and combined with synthesized sounds. Oscillator, filter, LFO, and envelope signals can be routed to multiple modulation targets.

RTAS
HD
HD|Accel
iLok
Max Sample Rate	96k

Full Product Compatibility Chart