Available as freeware for years, KarmaFX's modular synth has finally been released commercially. We find out if it's been worth the waitRegular readers of cm will no doubt recognise KarmaFX Synth Modular, as the instrument has made countless appearances in various cm tutorials thanks to its flexible modular nature and the fact that, until recently, the beta version was given away free on the company's website. Now, creators KarmaFX have brought their magnum opus up to v1 with this fully fledged commercial product. Notably, it's still more affordable than most of its contemporaries, such as Helix, Sylenthi and Massive, and, unlike those instruments, it's truly modular, too.
Routin'tootin'
Using the supplied synth building blocks, you can create your own unique virtual synth setups, free from the limitations of a fixed architecture. Want to use another filter? Fancy adding a few more oscillators? With Synth Modular, it's all possible with a few mouse clicks. If you're a preset-lover, there are plenty of supplied patches to get your teeth into, which make fine starting points for your own creations, though we imagine that most synth heads will want to create their own setups from scratch.
Making a new instrument is easy - simply right-click the synth's interface and select the New Patch menu. You'll be given the choice of a completely initialised patch or several basic setups that save you the trouble of putting together the first few fundamental modules. The simplest functional synth can be created with three modules: a Generator, an Amplifier, and a Controller. Each basic type of module can be set to various modes that change how it works, and Filter, Effect and Modulator modules are also available, for creating more advanced and functional patches.
Generator modules create the raw sounds in KarmaFX Synth Modular, and seven modes are on hand: Osc1, Osc2, Sampler, Additive, Pad, Noise and Input. Osci is a simple analogue-style oscillator with a choice of sine, square, triangle, saw and ramp (ie, inverse saw) wave shapes. Pulse Width, Phase, Detune and Freq (aka coarse-tuning) controls are available, and like most of the instrument's knobs, these parameters can be modulated using modules
"There are plenty of supplied patches to get your teeth into, which make fine starting points"
such as LFOs and envelopes. It's also possible to reset the phase during note-on events.
Osc2 is more comprehensive, with the ability to mix between two waveforms, each of which can be detuned separately, and it also boasts hard sync and ring modulation features. The Sampler mode enables the user to load up multiple samples, and both the sample selection and position parameters can be modulated - a neat touch. It can sync audio to the host's tempo and also has a Delta knob for controlling the pitch and tempo of the audio simultaneously, a little like scratching a record.
Good additives
The Additive mode enables the user to draw their own sounds using three modes: waveform, magnitude and phase. This is potentially extremely powerful, as it gives you a great degree of control over the frequencies created by the generator. Pad mode works much like Additive mode but includes the ability to edit a so-called harmonic profile that applies a random factor to the phase of frequencies, creating a slowly evolving waveform.
The Noise mode offers white, pink and even brown noise generators, all of which have low- and high-pass filtering built in.
Finally, the Generator module's Input mode facilitates the processing of audio from an external source and is ideal for using the plug-in as an effect rather than an instrument.
Of course, these various sound generators wouldn't be much fun without ways to sculpt their output, and that's where the Filter, Controller, Effect and Modulator modules come into play. There are too many of these modes for us to cover them all, but with eleven filter types, FM abilities, unison detune and sophisticated envelopes and sequencers, there's plenty for even the most devious of sound designers to explore.
The main problem we encountered with KarmaFX Synth Modular is the CPU time demanded when playing some of the more complex patches such as pads - turning up the polyphony on some of the presets and playing big chords was simply too much for our Intel Core 2 Duo 6400-based test machine. Tellingly, many of the pads have their default number of voices set to 2 or 3. Hopefully the situation will improve with future versions, because being able to run multiple instances of Synth Modular with decent amounts of polyphony would be quite something. Still, some compromise is always expected when dealing with modular beasts like this, and fixed-architecture synths and effects will always have the edge since they're inherently easier to optimise.
However, as long as you're willing to be sensible and keep an eye on CPU consumption, Synth Modular is a highly useful instrument, not to mention a rather stonking sound-design tool. The large number of available module modes gives it a great deal of flexibility, combining the best of virtual synths and samplers into a package that remains fun and easy to use. It sounds great, too, and with such a reasonable price tag, we suggest you check out the demo as soon as possible.
Contact: karmafx@karmafx.net
Web: www.karmafx.net
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There are sound design options galore in Synth Modular, with numerous modulation and filtering modes≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌
Synth Modular may look complicated, but it's actually fantastically easy to learnModule in the crown
So, how does KarmaFX Synth Modular fit into the hierarchy of modular sound design environments? Well, it's certainly more flexible than Moog Modular V, which has a fixed architecture. And, despite not bearing the official name, it can deliver decent Minimoog-style leads, as amply demonstrated by many of the presets. It's also significantly cheaper than Moog Modular V (£170).
Compared to the ridiculously comprehensive Reaktor 5 (£340), Synth Modular seems shallow. However, when you consider Reaktor's stupendous level of depth, a little more simplicity isn't necessarily going to be a bad thing for a lot of users. KarmaFX Synth Modular's straightforward interface makes it quicker to get to grips with, and the system of switchable modes makes it suited to swift experimentation.
It's worth noting that Synth Modular can also be used as an effect plug-in. There's no standalone mode, but if you desire this kind of functionality then you can, of course, use something likeMiniHost.
If you're looking for a modular synth that works well in a sequencer environment, then we have no hesitation in recommending this one, especially as it's so reasonably priced.
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System requirements
(PC) 1GHz CPU, 256MB RAM, Windows 98 or later, VST host
Test system
(PC) Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, Windows Vista, Cubase 4
Alternatively
Native Instruments Reaktor 5 cm88» 9/10 » £340
Incredibly deep graphical sound design environment that works in standalone mode and as a plug-in
Arturia Moog Modular V2 cm79» 8/10 » £170
This blast-from-the-past will certainly excite Moog-maniacs
Verdict
FOR
- Easy to learn
- Great modulation capabilities
- Plenty of module modes
- Superb sound
- Loads of presets
- Very reasonably priced
AGAINST
- Can tax your CPU heavily
KarmaFX Synth Modular is a great buy, especially for synth fiends in danger of outgrowing their current instruments
MARK: 9/10
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