Oatmeal: A Deep Dive into Subtractive Synthesis
Looking for a versatile and flexible software synthesizer for your music projects? Meet Oatmeal by Fuzzpilz – a powerful subtractive VST instrument that opens up vast horizons for creating unique sounds. This virtual synthesizer is designed for musicians and sound engineers who appreciate detailed control over every aspect of the sound.
Oatmeal is based on the classic subtractive synthesis architecture, but offers a multitude of modern capabilities and advanced functions that go beyond the ordinary. It is ideal for creating a variety of sounds – from rich basses and impressive leads to atmospheric pads and experimental textures.
Key Features of the Oatmeal Synthesizer:
- Two Oscillators: The heart of the synthesizer consists of two full-fledged oscillators. Each has waveform settings, amplitude, pitch control via aftertouch, pulsewidth, and PWM parameters (PWM rate, PWM depth). Also available are transposition (Trans) and detuning (Detune), as well as oscillator amplitude control via aftertouch (Touch).
- Noise Section: Add character to your sound with a separate noise section. Choose between white noise or band-limited noise, control its amplitude (Amp), aftertouch sensitivity (Touch), resonance (Resonance), and transposition (Transpose).
- Powerful Filter: A flexible filter is critical in subtractive synthesis. The Oatmeal filter offers a choice of types, a double filter function (Double), cutoff frequency control (Cutoff), keyboard tracking (Track), resonance (Reso), split, and mix. Also available is cutoff frequency control via aftertouch (Touch), modulation from the envelope (Mod), velocity sensitivity (Velocity), and a special filter envelope with speed setting (Speed ratio).
Effects and Modulation:
Oatmeal is equipped with built-in studio-quality effects that will help give your sounds depth, space, and character without the need for additional plugins.
- Distortion: A variety of distortion types, operating modes, oversampling (Oversample), as well as control over input (Pregain), output (Postgain) levels, and limiter (Limit) allow you to get everything from light enhancement to saturated overdrive.
- Chorus: Give your sound width and movement with the chorus section. Adjust the mode, rate, delay, range, feedback, and mix of dry/processed signals (Mix: Dry/wet mix). The number of chorus voices (Voices) adds extra flexibility.
- Delay: An advanced delay section with the ability to synchronize (Unit, Quantize), input panning (Input pan), rotation, control of dry and processed signals (Dry, Wet). Adjust the length (Length), feedback separately for the left and right channels, use reverse, and low/high-pass filters (Lowpass, Highpass).
- Reverb: Create realistic or atmospheric space with the built-in reverb. Adjust the room size, length, pre-delay, early reflections, brightness/dullness. Different modes are available (1/2/3), rotation, and control of the level of dry/processed signals (Dry and wet output gain).
- 5-band Parametric Equalizer: Accurately shape the tonal balance of your sound with the equalizer. Select the type (Type switch), adjust the frequency, amplitude, and slope for each band.
Additional Features:
- Pitch Envelope: Control the pitch change over time with a detailed envelope (Start, Attack, Peak, Decay, Sustain, Release), sensitive to velocity.
- Mod Envelope: A flexible envelope with classic parameters (Attack, Hold, etc.) for modulating different targets (Mod target) with depth settings (Mod depth) and velocity sensitivity (Velocity).
- Two LFOs: Two low-frequency oscillators to add movement and dynamics. Adjust the waveform (Shape), mode, sync (Unit, Quantize), control the cutoff frequency (Cut 1, Cut 2), resonance (Resonance), pitch, pan.
- XY Pad: An interactive XY Pad for simultaneous modulation of two parameters. Adjust the depth (Mod depth), modulation targets (Mod target), assign MIDI CC controllers (CC selectors), and add an element of randomness (Vr – XY random radius, vs – XY random rate).
- Arpeggiator: Create complex melodic and rhythmic patterns with the built-in arpeggiator. Choose the pattern, length, mode, sync (Unit, Quantize), step, and number of notes in the arpeggio (Arp notes).
- Skin Support: Personalize the look of the synthesizer with skin support. A larger skin from Flavours Of Lime is available in the package.
- Additional Content: Get 42 soundbanks for Oatmeal, which will instantly expand your sound palette, as well as installation instructions.
Oatmeal by Fuzzpilz is more than just a synthesizer. It is a tool for experimentation and creativity, offering deep control over sound and inspiration for your musical ideas. With its wide range of functions, effects, and modulation capabilities, it will be a valuable addition to your VST instrument collection.
