Audio Damage Basic: A Classic Mono-Synth with an Aggressive Character
Introducing Basic by Audio Damage
In the world of virtual instruments, where variety can be overwhelming, sometimes you want to go back to basics, but with modern power. This is exactly what Basic from the well-known developer Audio Damage is. It is a monophonic subtractive synthesizer that, despite its name (“Basic”), hides a tremendously powerful and flexible sound engine behind a simple interface. Designed with an emphasis on ease of use, Basic is ideal for both beginners in sound synthesis and experienced producers looking for a tool with its own unique character – an aggressive tone and filters that can “scream” when the resonance is cranked up.
Key Features of Basic
Basic combines the best elements of classic analog synthesizers with the precision and capabilities of the digital age. Here’s a more detailed look at its functionality:
- Three Oscillators: At the heart of Basic are three table-wave oscillators without aliasing. Each offers a choice of six different waveforms, providing a wide palette for the starting point of sound design. The presence of oscillator sync allows you to create more complex and harmonically rich timbres, ideal for harsh leads or textures.
- Cascading Filters: The filter section is one of the most interesting parts of Basic. It includes a pair of cascading filters: a lowpass and a highpass, made in the style of the legendary Korg MS20, known for its unique and often unpredictable character. Additionally, there is a bandpass filter of Audio Damage’s own design. These filters are capable of self-resonance and can sound extremely aggressive and sharp, adding a special “zest” to the sound.
- Flexible Modulation and Envelopes: To add movement and dynamics to the sound, Basic is equipped with an LFO (low-frequency oscillator) with four waveforms and a built-in waveshaper. The LFO can sync to the tempo of your project, which is very convenient for creating rhythmic effects.
- ADSR Envelopes: Classic ADSR envelopes (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) are available for both volume (amplitude) and filter cutoff frequency. This is a standard, but extremely effective tool for shaping the dynamics and “life” of your sound, from sharp percussive sounds to slow, sprawling pads (although Basic is monophonic, envelopes still play a key role).
- Saturation and Workflow: The plugin has a user-definable soft-saturation function, which allows you to add warmth, density, or a slight overdrive to the sound. The workflow is inspired by the classic topology of vintage analog synthesizers such as the Minimoog, SEM, and MS20, which makes it intuitive. At the same time, the interface is modern, visually pleasing, and convenient even for touch screens.
Sound Character and Applications
Basic does not strive to be a universal synthesizer for everything in the world. Its strengths are powerful bass lines, cutting through the mix leads, and textures with a pronounced analog character. Aggressive filters and saturation make it an excellent choice for electronic music, industrial, techno, drum and bass, and other genres where a “live” and slightly dirty sound is needed.
Thanks to the simplicity of the interface, beginners will quickly master the basics of subtractive synthesis, using Basic as a great learning tool. Experienced musicians will appreciate its ability to quickly adjust the desired sound and the unique timbre, which can add originality to their tracks. This is a plugin that encourages experimentation and finding new sound possibilities.
Compatibility
The Audio Damage Basic plugin is available in the popular VST and AU formats, ensuring wide compatibility with most digital audio workstations (DAWs) on Windows (Win32, Win64) and MacOS (OSX) operating systems.
Overall, Audio Damage Basic is a great example of how you can combine a classic approach to synthesis with modern technologies. It offers a focused set of features that, however, allows you to achieve impressive results in terms of sound design. If you are looking for a mono-synthesizer with a character that is easy to master, but has enough depth for professional use, Basic is definitely worth your attention.
