Rez by Ugo Audio: A Mono-Synth with a Unique Character
Rez is a monophonic synthesizer from Ugo Audio, which, despite its seemingly simple appearance, conceals significant potential for creating an extremely wide range of sounds. This compact plugin is a real powerhouse for sound design, offering in-depth timbre shaping capabilities, making it a versatile tool for both studio work and live performances.
From funky “squish” basses and powerful leads that cut through the mix to complex rhythmic patterns and atmospheric textures – Rez is capable of all this and more. Its unique character is defined by carefully designed components and a flexible architecture.
The Heart of Sound: The Resonant Filter
A key element that gives Rez its special sound is the filter. It’s not a standard one: it’s not one, but several serially connected filters that work as a single unit, creating an extremely powerful effect. The high resonance of this filter is what really sets Rez apart from other mono-synths. It allows you to create both soft, singing tones and aggressive, screaming sounds, perfect for electronic music.
The Rez filter supports modulation from key velocity, a low-frequency oscillator (LFO), and an envelope, which allows you to dynamically change its behavior according to your playing or sequencer settings.
Flexible Oscillators and Modulations
Rez is equipped with virtual analog oscillators, which provide a warm and rich sound. An additional sub-oscillator allows you to add depth and weight to bass parts. The detune function makes the sound wider and fatter, and, what is particularly interesting, can be modulated using aftertouch, giving your playing additional expressiveness.
The plugin also has an “Age” control, which adds noise to the pitch, and two types of phase modulation, expanding the palette of possible timbres from classic synthesizer sounds to experimental textures.
Effects for Shaping Timbre
Rez is not limited to just synthesis; it also has built-in effects that help to finally shape your sound. A beastly overdrive with three tone modes allows you to add harmonic saturation and aggression, from light emphasis to full distortion.
A dual delay line with stereo width adjustment allows you to create spatial effects and rhythmic repetitions. A phaser with optional LFO and velocity modulation adds movement and “swirling” of the sound, ideal for pads or textures.
Sequencing and Arpeggiator
To create dynamic melodies and rhythmic structures, Rez offers a programmable phrase arpeggiator and step sequencer. The sequencer works under the control of the arpeggiator and has four modulation destinations, opening up the possibility of creating complex, evolving patterns that can control various parameters of synthesis and effects. This makes Rez a great tool for creating grooves and automated parts.
Additional Features and Capabilities
Among other useful features is full MIDI Learn support, which allows you to easily assign the controllers of your MIDI keyboard or controller to any of the plugin’s parameters for convenient real-time control. The plugin also offers a choice between two visual design schemes: the classic Yellow-Black and the elegant Black-Yellow.
Although Rez itself is free, the developer offers commercial preset banks (Clockwork, Foundation, Aurora), which can significantly expand your sound library, offering specialized sets of arpeggios, basses, leads, pads, and effects.
The Sound Palette of Rez
Thanks to its unique filter, flexible oscillators, powerful effects, and advanced sequencing capabilities, Rez boasts an impressive sound palette:
- Funky Squishes: Bouncy and resonant basses that fit perfectly into funk, house, and techno.
- Powerful Basses: Deep, rich, and aggressive basslines for dubstep, drum and bass, and other heavy genres.
- Screaming Leads: Sharp, cutting-through-the-mix melodic parts for trance, electro, and rock music.
- Dense Arpeggios: Complex and rhythmically interesting patterns created using a programmable arpeggiator.
- Atmospheres and Textures: Ethereal pads, noises, and experimental soundscapes.
- Effects: Various sound effects, from futuristic to industrial.
Rez by Ugo Audio is more than just a free mono-synthesizer. It is an instrument with character that offers deep possibilities for sound experimentation and the creation of unique timbres that will become the highlight of any musical work.
