Introducing Cedr by Saltline – a synthesizer that will transport you to the golden age of 8-bit sounds. Created with the soul of chiptune, this plugin offers a unique combination of classic subtractive synthesis and an innovative 16-step pitch sequencer. Forget about monotony – Cedr opens up new horizons for creating rhythmic melodies, strange textures, and rich arpeggios that will fit perfectly not only into chiptune, but also into modern electronic music, lo-fi or even experimental genres.
The Heart of Cedr: Two Oscillators and Subtractive Synthesis
At the core of Cedr’s sound are two powerful oscillators. Each of them is equipped with:
- Four classic waveforms to shape the basic timbre.
- Pitch control, allowing you to precisely tune intervals or create deep changes.
- Pulse width modulation for dynamic changes to the timbre of the saw or square wave.
- Oscillator mixer to balance their levels.
- Panning setting to position the sound in the stereo space.
- Oscillator sync function for creating complex, harmonically rich timbres.
Step Sequencer: Melodies and Control
The central figure of Cedr is its flexible 16-step pitch sequencer. Its features:
- The ability to enable or disable the sequencer independently for each oscillator, allowing you to create multi-layered patterns and textures.
- Gate control for precise control of note duration.
- Static pitch function for fixing a certain step.
- Most interestingly, the sequencer can control not only the pitch, but also affect other synthesizer parameters, opening the way to creating living, evolving sounds.
In addition, the integrated step sequencer step envelope allows you to form unique rhythmic patterns, turning sequenced notes into something more than just a melody – from chopped arpeggios to strange, pulsating textures.
Filtering and Effects: Sound Shaping and Processing
After the oscillators, the signal goes to the filter and effects section.
Filter:
The synthesizer is equipped with a state variable filter, which offers:
- Three operating modes: Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass.
- Classic ADSR envelope generator for controlling the cutoff frequency, allowing you to create moving filter effects.
- The ability to connect the sequencer to control the filter’s cutoff frequency, deepening the possibilities of creating dynamic, rhythmic patterns.
Effects:
To add the characteristic “vintage” and spatial depth to the sound, Cedr has built-in effects:
- Bit Crusher: Adds characteristic digital distortion, perfect for imitating the sound of old game consoles and low-bitrate samplers.
- Delay: A classic delay effect that adds space and rhythmic repetition to your sound.
These effects perfectly complement the overall aesthetics of the plugin, giving the sound the same “degraded” quality that is associated with the music of the past.
Modulation and Versatility
Cedr offers 5 modulation slots, allowing you to assign MIDI controllers such as Key Follow, Velocity, and Aftertouch to various synthesizer parameters. This expands the possibilities of expressive performance and dynamic control over the sound during the game.
Although Cedr was designed with a focus on chiptune, its flexibility and unique capabilities make it a valuable tool for a wide range of genres. Reproducing authentic 8-bit sounds, creating experimental textures, rhythmic arpeggios, or strange, otherworldly pads – Cedr is ready for any of your musical experiments. Its simple interface and intuitive controls allow you to quickly immerse yourself in the sound creation process, regardless of your experience with synthesizers.
The plugin is available in VST format for the Windows operating system (32-bit).
If you are looking for a fresh, unique sound with a pronounced character, especially if you are a fan of chiptune or experimental electronics, Cedr by Saltline will be a great addition to your collection of virtual instruments. Download it today and discover the world of retro sound and innovative sequencing!
