


For every sound, you have a page where you adjust your sounds using various parameters including volume, pitch, gain, panning, effects (reverb, delay, distortion, filters…), and waveform position. It’s a lightweight sampler with a sleek 4 x 2 grid that supports up to 8 different sounds simultaneously. The second new plugin is called Beatmaker and has a much simpler structure compared to Astra. And yes a good alternative to Arturia Pigments. Definitely an impressive plugin with lots of deep ideas.

Lastly, you get a note sequencer that follows the same workflow as the macro sequencer with individual lanes for pitch, velocity, and gate. With it, you can modulate a parameter swarm in one fell swoop and thus create very complex sound structures. Each lane can run at its own unique rate, range, and a number of steps. However, these can also be automated within its own 32-step sequencer lane with a variety of modifiers. This is nothing out of the ordinary and exists in any major synth release. Here you can add any number of parameters to macro controllers (4 macros in total). The most exciting thing about Astra is a macro sequencer.
SPLICE BEATMAKER GENERATOR
Plus, you get a sample & hold generator that is fed with signals from LFO 1 and 2. These have up to 27 different rates, either synced to the DAW’s tempo or set to operate independently. The latter has different waveforms but it gives you also the option to load your own waveforms what is very nice. It starts with two classic ADSR envelope generators as well as two LFOs. The interface also did the Sinevibes crew.Īstra’s modulation engine is very advanced and offers a lot of sound design options. It includes different effects like delay, tempo delay, reverb, compressor, chorus, and more. And this comes from none other than the effect specialists of Sinevibes. Then, you get a multimode filter with different flavors as well as a comprehensive effects engine. The two main oscillators are supported by a sub-oscillator with five waveforms and a noise generator. The wavetable oscillator ships with factory single-cycle waveshapes from Sharrooz Raoofi’s own hardware collection or you can use your own waveforms. Not very long but it is enough for most sounds.

The granular and sampler engines give you the option to load your own sample with up to 60 seconds, each. No classic DX-7 algorithm but simplified that you get results quickly. Each one is configurable as a virtual analog, FM, granular, sampler, or wavetable oscillator.įM for example, offers four carrier waveforms, with a user-loadable main modulator waveform and switchable lin/exp FM. Astra is a multi-engine Synthesizer with two main, identical oscillators. The big star of the new Splice subscription model is the Astra Synthesizer plugin developed by Sharooz Raoofi (ex Audiaire) and Artemiy Pavlov (Sinevibes). This includes a new sampler as well as a powerful multi-engine Synthesizer that can take on Arturia Pigments, and others. Splice has today introduced new Creator plans with new content. Personally, I also like the last one better.
SPLICE BEATMAKER SOFTWARE
This new way of getting software is loved by many, others prefer to buy it. Roland Cloud, Splice, Slate Digital, Loopcloud, and many others. Moving away from buying to renting software. The past two years have clearly shown where the music tech software is headed. The new Splice creator plans feature Astra, a new multi-engine Synthesizer plugin by Sharooz Raoofi (ex Audiaire) & Sinevibes, an easy-to-use drum sampler, tutorials, & more.
