Hello, sound creators! Today, we’re diving into the world of virtual analog synthesizers and getting acquainted with an intriguing representative – the MC44 plugin from Samsara Cycle Audio. If you’re looking for an instrument capable of producing rich, warm, and sometimes unexpected sounds, this VST could be a great addition to your virtual studio. Designed for the Windows operating system (32-bit), MC44 offers not just a standard set of features, but something more that sets it apart from many others. It’s ideal for creating dense basses, atmospheric pads, leads that cut through the mix, and experimental sound textures. This is an instrument that invites experimentation and the search for your own unique sound.
The Heart of the Synthesizer: Four Oscillators
At the core of MC44 are four digital oscillators, which emulate the behavior of analog circuits. This makes it possible to create complex timbres by layering and interacting different waveforms.
Variety of Waveforms
The first three oscillators offer a standard, but necessary, set of five classic waveforms, allowing you to cover a wide range of sounds – from pure sine waves to rich sawtooth waves and square pulses:
- Sine: Ideal for soft, clean timbres and sub-basses.
- Triangle: Gives a more harmonically rich, but still smooth sound.
- Saw: A classic shape for creating bright, harmonically rich sounds – from basses to leads.
- Square: Perfect for creating “woody” timbres, imitating brass instruments, or creating characteristic “pulsating” sounds.
- Pulse: Similar to square, but with adjustable pulse width, which allows you to create a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) effect to add movement and richness to the sound.
The fourth oscillator is the real highlight of MC44. It has not five, but as many as 28 types of waveforms! This opens up limitless possibilities for sound design, allowing you to create unusual, complex, and unique timbres that you won’t find in other synthesizers. Experimenting with this oscillator, you can get both imitation of acoustic instruments and absolutely futuristic sounds. This feature significantly expands the MC44’s sound palette, making it a versatile tool for various genres.
Noise Generators
In addition to the classic oscillators, MC44 also features a noise source. Two types are available – pink noise and white noise. Noise can be used to create percussive sounds, add “grit” or “air” to the timbre, imitate analog drift, or as a source of modulation. The presence of both types of noise gives more flexibility in shaping the sound.
Modulation and Filtering for Live Sound
To give the sound movement, dynamics, and expressiveness, MC44 offers advanced modulation and filtering capabilities.
Multi-LFO Matrix
The plugin includes a multi-LFO matrix. This means that you can assign several low-frequency oscillators (LFOs) to different parameters of the synthesizer at the same time. LFOs are used to automatically change parameters at a certain rate. The ability to have multiple LFOs and flexibly route them opens the way to creating complex, evolving, and rhythmic timbres.
Filters: Shaping the Timbre
MC44 is equipped with two main types of filters – low-pass (LP – Low Pass) and high-pass (HP – High Pass). Filters are an integral part of any synthesizer, allowing you to cut off unwanted frequencies or emphasize the desired ones, radically changing the character of the sound. Combining and modulating these filters allows you to create classic synthesizer effects.
Unique Features and Performance Control
In addition to the standard functions, MC44 has several interesting features that make its use more flexible and expressive.
Autobend and Bend Wheel Range
The plugin offers an autobend function for each oscillator separately. This allows you to automatically add the effect of pitch change at the beginning of the note. In addition, you can set an individual bend wheel range for each of the four oscillators. This gives you incredible flexibility during performance, allowing you to create interesting transitions.
Mono/Poly Mode and Glide
MC44 supports both monophonic and polyphonic modes of operation. Monophonic mode is ideal for creating lead parts or basses with a glide effect. Glide smoothly transitions the pitch between adjacent notes, creating a characteristic “sliding” sound. Polyphonic mode allows you to play chords.
Built-in Effect: Delay
To complete the sound and add space to it, MC44 has a built-in delay effect. Delay creates repeating sounds that gradually fade. This is a simple but extremely effective effect for adding depth, rhythm, and atmosphere. The presence of delay right in the synthesizer allows you to quickly shape a ready-to-use sound.
Conclusion
MC44 from Samsara Cycle Audio is an interesting and functional virtual analog synthesizer, especially attractive thanks to its fourth oscillator with a multitude of waveforms and flexible bend settings for each oscillator. It offers a classic analog character combined with unique digital capabilities. If you work in Windows (32-bit) and are looking for a VST instrument to expand your sound palette, be sure to try MC44. Its intuitive interface and rich modulation capabilities make it a great tool for both beginners and experienced sound designers. Download it, experiment with oscillators, LFOs, and filters, and find your unique sound!
