In this video overview Pro Tools Expert Deputy Editor shows you three new features found in SynthMaster 2.8 by KV331 Audio. Watch the video to see the new Layer Effects layout, the four new Filter Types and the all new Drum Arp section. Dan also show you around the GUI of SynthMaster. SynthMaster 2.8 is a free update for current SynthMaster 2.7 users. Visit the KV331 Audio website to get your copy of SynthMaster 2.8.

What Else Is New In SynthMaster 2.8?

SynthMaster 2.8 brings improvements to filters, envelopes, LFOs, modulation matrix workflow, effects layout and multi-dimentional polyphonic expression (MPE). 

Filters

4 new types of filters based on zero delay feedback (ZDF) topology.

1. Ladder (Moog type) filter with 2 pole/4 pole LP/HP/BP/BS variations)

2. Diode Ladder (TB303 type) 4 pole LP filter

3. State variable (SEM type) filter, 2 pole LP/HP/BP/BS/Multimode filter

4. Bite (Korg MS20 type) filter 2 pole LP, 1 pole HP

All the new filters have an “Acid” switch. When turned on the resonance is coupled to the filter cutoff (so that the resonance lowers at low cutoffs and it gets higher at high cutoffs)

Arpeggiator/Sequencer

New “drum kit” mode for the arpeggiator. In this mode it is possible to write drum patterns.

Envelopes

• New “Analog” mode for the ADSR envelopes. In this mode the envelope behaves like an analog envelope (for instance if it’s in sustain stage and you increase/decrease the sustain amount, the level doesn’t increase suddenly, as it is in an analog envelope).The envelope timings and sustain levels are measured from an analog monosynth. In this mode, the attack/decay/release times are between 1 millisecond – 10 seconds. (the lowest value was 3 milliseconds previously for the digital envelopes, so it was taking at least 6 milliseconds to reach the sustain stage)

• New “OneShot” switch for the ADSR envelopes. When it is turned on the envelope skips the sustain stage and enters into the release stage when decay stage completes.

Engine Quality Settings / Multichannel Polyphonic Expression Support

• New smoothing for automated parameters: When automating any continuous parameter in SynthMaster, the parameter will not abruptly change its value to the new automated value. The “smoothing” time is specified under the settings tab:

• New support for “Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression”. SynthMaster supports multichannel MIDI now. Each note SynthMaster receives can have its own MIDI channel and hence it has its separate pitch bend/after touch/CC values! This has been fully tested with ROLI’s new Seaboard Rise keyboard.

• New global setting “Map CC74 to CC1” to make SynthMaster fully compatible with ROLI: ROLI sends CC74 for up down movement of each key, by turning this setting on, we convert CC74 to CC1 (mod wheel) so the existing factory presets which have CC1 assigned already can take advantage of this per note modulation.

• New global setting “Arp Lock to Beat”, which allows the arpeggiator/sequencer to align start positions of steps to beats. This feature is especially important in live environments since the arpeggiator/sequencer should not start immediately when users press a key.

Modulation Matrix

• New workflow improvements for the modulation matrix. Drag and drop modulation assignments are possible now: Click on a modulation source then drag it onto a knob. The modulation matrix entry will be created automatically. When clicking on a modulation source like ADSR 1, ADSR 2, etc, the parameters modulated by that source will have a ring around them showing the modulation range by that source and the mod matrix will be filtered so it only shows slots for that source.

• The modulation sources tab has been redesigned using colour coding to distinguish between sources that have modulation targets and sources that don’t have any targets assigned yet. The sources that have modulation targets are displayed first so their parameters can be easily accessed. Arrows or mouse wheel can be used to scroll between tab pages.

• Added Via Source and Modulation Curve for each mod matrix slot. The Via Source lets user modulate (multiply) the modulation source by another modulation source before the modulation is applied. The entire equation for a modulation slot is:

Parameter = Parameter + Modulation Amount X Modulation Curve (Via X Source)

LFOs

New mode called “Dual” for the LFOs. In this mode two separate waveforms can be mixed to create a more complex LFO waveform, so in a way it is similar to 2 waveform wavetable oscillator. Sample Hold and Bit Depth parameters are also available in this mode.

Effects

• Prior to version 2.8, there were 3 separate tabs to display Layer insert effects. KV331 Audio have reduced that to one tab. Reordering effects is also possible now by clicking on an insert effect and dragging it onto another one.

• New displays for Phaser, Chorus, LoFi and Compressor effects:

Windows Standalone Version

On Windows, KV331 Audio have added the Standalone version of SynthMaster and SynthMaster Player.

New Popup Menu

Users have been having a real hard time switching between skins, so a new global popup menu has been added to simplify some common tasks like:

• Checking for updates

• Accessing user manual

• Accessing our FAQ page

• Contacting us

• Changing global skin

• Changing global scale

• Changing global tune

Review Of SynthMaster 2.7

Watch the review of SynthMaster 2.7 to hear a selection of the presets in a short synth music production example.