To be clear at the outset, your lead singer is in no danger of being replaced by Cantor, VirSyn's new voice-synthesis software. Desktop speech synthesis...
Native Instruments Elektrik Piano ($229) is a sample-based virtual instrument that focuses on four classic '70s-era electro-mechanical keyboards: the...
The Galaxy Steinway 5.1 virtual instrument ($299.95) from Best Service is a stereo-compatible 5.1-surround sampled-piano library. Best Service recorded...
As the name implies, Camel Audio's Cameleon synthesizer plug-in is able to change color at will to suit its surroundings. It manifests its chameleon-like...
Vanguard ($89.99) is the latest creation from reFX software-instrument wizard Michael Kleps, author of the classic plug-ins Slayer2, Beast, PlastiCZ,...
Some very convincing analog-synth emulations have been created, but until recently nobody had attempted to capture the sonic territory of the Oxford Synthesizer...
Zero-G’s Leon and Lola are the first two commercial programs to use Yamaha’s Vocaloid “singing-synthesis” technology. Each package consists of several components, including the Vocaloid Editor, a sequencer-like interface for entering and editing data; a Vocaloid voice database, which contains the phonemes (speech building blocks) that are used for the synthesis; and a library of expression elements that can be applied to the singing voice. There’s also a VSTi plug-in for running the virtual singers under a VST host. ...
VirSyn’s Cube allows you to define the parameters of many dozens of partials and then manipulate those parameters using a variety of time-varying effects. The results can be fairly straightforward or like nothing you’ve heard before....
MOTU’s entry into the ever-growing field of sampler plug-ins strikes a welcome balance between simplicity and functionality. Although it boasts a long list of high-end features, MachFive never sacrifices its straightforward architecture and easy-to-use interface....
Steinberg’s D’cota is a VST synthesizer plug-in that offers three types of synthesis. The instrument offers rich, complex sounds. However, it is derived from the VirSyn TERA and has a somewhat reduced feature set....
There's been so much buzz about Arturia's software emulation of the classic Moog Modular synthesizer that I'll get straight to the big question: is it the real deal? The answer, as you might expect, is yes and no....
Sometimes the third time is the charm. That's certainly true with Applied Acoustics' Tassman 3.02, the third incarnation of the award-winning modular physical-modeling synthesizer. Though the previous two versions were more than adequate for live performance, Applied Acoustics has addressed many of these issues and enhanced other aspects of the program as well....
If you're not a drummer but you need to lay down realistic drum tracks, Steinberg Groove Agent (Mac/Win, $249.99) might be exactly what you need. Groove Agent is a VST instrument that combines two essential elements — stylish beats and crisply recorded drum samples — and gives you plenty of creative control over both....
Native Instruments' Vokator is a virtual vocoder and a bit more. It does traditional modulator-carrier vocoding, but it also offers alternative vocoding...
