Ichi – Virtual Analog Synthesizer by Saltline
In the ever-evolving world of digital music, the quest for the warm, vibrant sound of analog synthesizers remains constant. The Ichi plugin by Saltline offers an immersion into this sound palette, providing access to classic analog character directly within your DAW. This virtual instrument is designed for musicians and producers seeking a flexible and expressive synthesizer for creating unique textures, leads, basses, and atmospheric soundscapes.
Two Powerful Sound Generators
Ichi is equipped with two identical sound generators, which are the foundation for creating rich and complex timbres. Each generator offers a wide selection of classic oscillator waveforms:
- Sine
- Saw
- Ramp
- Triangle
- Pulse
- White Noise
- Pink Noise
Additionally, octave up/down functions and fine pitch tuning are available for each oscillator, allowing for detailed control over the harmonic structure of the sound.
Flexible Filtering
The heart of timbre shaping in Ichi is the state variable filter. This type of filter is known for its versatility and musical character. You can choose the filter mode (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass) and control the cutoff frequency. A special feature is the ability to synchronize the cutoff frequency with the note being played or set it manually, opening up broad possibilities for dynamic timbre changes.
Three ADSR Envelopes
To give the sound life and dynamics, Ichi offers three independent ADSR envelopes (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release). These envelopes can be assigned to control various parameters:
- The first envelope controls the pitch of the oscillator.
- The second envelope affects the cutoff frequency of the filter.
- The third envelope adjusts the VCR.
This flexibility allows you to create sounds with different attacks, decays, and sustains, from sharp percussive sounds to smooth, slowly developing pads.
Modulation and Effects
Ichi includes a multi-controlled LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator), which can be synchronized with the tempo of your project in the DAW or set to an arbitrary speed. The LFO can modulate various parameters, adding movement and dynamics to your sound:
- Filter cutoff frequency
- Filter resonance
- Oscillator pitch
- VCR
- Delay speed
In addition, the plugin has a simple built-in delay effect. The delay speed can also be synchronized with the host or set manually, allowing you to add spatial effects and loops.
Completing the sound processing chain are basic but essential controls – panning and overall gain level, allowing you to precisely position the sound in the stereo field and adjust its volume in the mix.
Saltline Ichi is a compact but functional virtual analog synthesizer that provides wide possibilities for sound design. Its intuitive interface and flexible routing options make it an excellent choice for both newcomers to the world of synthesis and experienced musicians looking for a reliable instrument with a classic analog character. Whether you’re creating electronic music, writing soundtracks, or experimenting with sound, Ichi is ready to become your creative partner.
