Synthipop by Whitebox – your ticket to the world of audacious FM sounds! This VST synthesizer, developed by the Whitebox team, is designed for those seeking something special, something to add “gin to your tonic,” as the developers themselves say. Forget about boring, standard sounds – Synthipop offers 8 presets that can be described as “fluffy,” “rough,” and even “mad.”
What is frequency modulation (FM)? It is a synthesis method where the timbre of a sound is created by changing the frequency of one wave (carrier) using another (modulator). This allows for rich, complex timbres, from metallic bells to cosmic soundscapes and, of course, the same “fluffy and rough” textures that Synthipop is known for. This plugin makes the powerful FM synthesis method accessible and intuitive, even for beginners.
Key Features of Synthipop
Synthipop is not overloaded with unnecessary features, focusing on the quality and character of FM synthesis. It offers everything you need to create interesting and unique sounds. Here’s more about its capabilities:
Two Oscillators
- Carrier oscillator: The basis of your sound, whose frequency will be modulated.
- Modulator oscillator: Used to change the frequency of the carrier oscillator, creating harmonically rich timbres.
Each of these oscillators offers a choice of 7 different waveforms, giving you ample opportunities to experiment and shape a unique sound foundation.
VCA Envelopes
- Two independent VCA envelopes: Allow flexible control over the dynamics, attack, decay, sustain, and release of the sound, shaping it over time.
The presence of two envelopes expands the possibilities of sound design.
Moog-Type Filter
- Characteristic filter: A filter modeled after the legendary Moog synthesizers, adding warmth, saturation, and an analog flavor to your FM sounds, allowing you to cut off or emphasize certain frequencies.
This filter is an important element for giving sounds the desired character.
Additional Controls
- Carrier wave adjustment: Allows for additional influence on the base wave.
- Fine Tune: For fine-tuning the pitch.
- Keyboard tracking: Allows the filter or other parameters to follow the pitch of the played note.
- Modulation depth: Controls the intensity of the modulator oscillator’s impact on the carrier.
- Portamento: Creates a smooth transition between notes, ideal for lyrical leads or basses.
- Real-time waveform display: A unique visual feature that allows you to see how the waveform changes during the synthesis process.
These additional parameters make it possible to finely adjust every aspect of the sound.
Presets
- 8 unique presets: Ready-to-use sounds that demonstrate the “fluffy, rough, mad” character of Synthipop. They can serve as an excellent starting point for your own sound design or be used directly in your tracks.
Synthipop by Whitebox is a compact but powerful tool that will add fresh, non-standard FM sounds to your music palette. It is ideal for creating basses, leads, effects, and atmospheres where a pronounced character is needed. If you are working in Windows and looking for a free VST synthesizer that goes beyond the usual, be sure to try Synthipop – it may become your secret weapon for creating a unique sound!
