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Tag: Rob Papen

Review: Summon That Vintage Synth Sound With Rob Papen BIT
Rob Papen boasts one of the top lines of synth plugins in the music production world. We regularly use Predator 2 on our own projects. It provides an excellent, state of the art sound while also being easy to use.

Recently, Rob’s team released BIT, a soft synth focused on those classic vintage sounds of yore. Again, ease of use and a clear interface are also hallmarks of his latest product. His team managed to fit the entire synth architecture on essentially a single screen.

Rob Papen BIT Features
- 16-Voice Synth Architecture Focusing on Analog Modeled Synthesis
- Two Oscillators With Classic Waveforms and Dedicated LFO and Envelope
- Oscillator Modulation Supports FM, Ring Modulation, Phase Modulation
- Sub-Oscillator Attached to Oscillator 2
- Noise Oscillator With White and Pink
- Two Filters With 11 Different Filter Types
- Dedicated Filter Envelopes With Routing Options
- LFO With Three Waveforms
- AMP with Velocity and Dedicated Envelope
- 16-Step Arpeggiator Supports Weirdo Time Signatures
- Modulation Matrix
- Effects Include Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Delay, and Reverb
- Single Screen Interface
- Nearly 1,000 Presets
- Available for $99 or as Part of the Explorer 5 Bundle
In short, Rob Papen BIT is a no-brainer for musicians looking for a vintage virtual analog sound. It’s a joy to use and sounds great. Let’s dive into the details to see if BIT makes sense as part of your plugin arsenal.

BIT Provides a Clean Synthesizer Interface

Other than the patch library, BIT fits perfectly on a single screen. The two oscillators reside at the top left, with knobs and switches clearly laid out. Virtual oscilloscopes offer a real-time view of each oscillator waveform and the effects of modulation, providing useful insights for someone new to synthesis.

Rob Papen’s BIT is a top notch virtual analog synth plugin. Image copyright Rob Papen.

The two filters, AMP, envelopes, and LFO all sit beneath the oscillators. Once again, the clear layout of all knobs, switches, and drop-downs makes parameter tweaking a breeze. It’s also possible to sync the envelopes to the tempo of your DAW.

A full-fledged 16-step arpeggiator resides at the bottom of the screen. Thankfully, the number of steps is variable, putting the wonder of those weirdo time signatures at your fingertips. Expect a full array of arpeggiator functionality, including swing, slide, a variety of different directional modes, and access to a convenient key entry feature.

The right side of the interface includes the Play Mode, a pitch LFO, as well as a switchable output waveform oscilloscope and simple modulation matrix. Below that is an effects section, including a flanger, phaser, delay, reverb, and chorus. Once again, BIT’s user interface makes it easy to create your own patches and tweak the copious number of presets.

Rob Papen BIT Features a Powerful Virtual Analog Sound

Since BIT features those nearly 1000 presets, with many of them designed by Rob Papen himself, some patch surfing provides insight into the synth’s sonic depth. As noted above, the well-designed interface facilitates the tweaking of presets, ultimately making something usable for your own projects. Even writing a few cool arpeggios – preferably in an odd time signature – helps to put the patches through their paces.

Sonically, BIT ranks with other excellent virtual analog soft synths. Not surprisingly, it reminds me of Rob Papen Predator 2. The simpler interface compared to that Papen beast makes it easier to conjure up a suitable synth patch for nearly all electronic music, spacerock, and cool prog rock needs.

Both oscillators sound realistic, and you are also able to simulate actual synth hardware by modulating the two, using FM, phase modulation, or the bite of the ring modulation. The simple modulation matrix lets you easily add a sense of motion to your own patches. BIT uses 16-voices, so the classic polysynth tones of the late 70s and early 80s are well within reach.

In the end, if you want a virtual analog synth plugin that sounds great and features an easy to tweak interface, BIT belongs on your shortlist. Rob Papen continues to be one of the most trusted names in the software synthesizer world, and this release carries on that tradition. Get it as part of his Explorer 5 bundle to add some breadth to your plugin collection.
October 21, 2019
XILS-lab Updates PolyM Polymoog Emulator Plugin – Synth News Digest 24

Welcome to a new edition of the TabMuse Synth News Digest, where we cover the latest music technology news and product announcements recently catching our eye. If you want to check out the previous digest, simply click on the following link. We appreciate your support of TabMuse; thanks for reading!

A Fresh Update for the Best Polymoog Plugin

PolyM, from XILS-lab, ranks near the top of my favorite desktop synth plugins. It provides that unique spacey feel of the Polymoog, and added many atmospherics to Church of Hed’s newest album, Sandstoned. We reviewed PolyM last year and it also made our list of the Top Audio Plugins of 2017.

The PolyM in virtual action. Screenshot by Author.

The folks at XILS-lab recently released the version 1.1 update for PolyM. New features abound, including support for Native Instruments NKS keyboard controller standard. PolyM’s effects are now accessible as a separate VST effect, and an improved Preset Manager makes accessing and managing your PolyM patch library an easier process.

If those haunting space synth sounds are your domain, PolyM is available for 149 Euros. We recommend it highly.

eDNA Earth – An Orchestral Synthesizer from Spitfire Audio

Spitfire Audio continues to release unique and intriguing sample libraries suitable for “neu” classical and soundtrack work. We regularly use their products in our studio and write about them at TabMuse. eDNA Earth – a synthesizer made up of orchestras according to Spitfire – is their latest product.

Spitfire leveraged their massive collection of orchestral samples; transforming them into a synth-esque interface suitable for cutting-edge electronica and other forward-looking musical forms. Synth tweakers will fawn over the filters, envelopes, and other controls typically found in a synthesizer – hardware or soft. A built-in gate sequencer adds to the fun.

Nearly 2000 samples and 1000 presets covering everything from beats to drones help get you started. If eDNA Earth sounds right up your alley, it’s priced at $149. You need around 60GB of hard drive for installation, and half that amount afterwards.

Rob Papen Introduces New Explorer 5 Synth Bundle

Rob Papen remains one of the leading lights of software synthesis. The sequencer on their Predator 2 is the star of the show on the Church of Hed track, 2AM at Crownhill Cemetery. The recent release of the Explorer 5 bundle needs to be on the radar of anyone in the market for a software synthesizer.

Explorer 5 includes 20 separate Rob Papen products; everything from the aforementioned Predator 2 to SubBoomBass 2 is included. This bundle includes synths, kick drums, and a variety of effect plugins as well.

The entire package is available for $499, but update options exist for owners of other Rob Papen products or even earlier versions of the Explorer bundle. If you are new to desktop-based synth plugins, Explorer 5 offers a great way to build your collection. Check it out!

November 16, 2018
Review: Hitting the Deep End with Rob Papen SubBoomBass 2
A proper low-end remains the key to any quality track, no matter the genre. Boosting the bass is especially essential in electronica and dance music. Well, let Rob Papen come to the rescue with a new version of his SubBoomBass plugin.

SubBoomBass 2 Features
- Excellent and Versatile Bass Sound
- Synth Architecture with 2 Oscillators, 2 Filters, 2 Effect Units and Amp
- 128 Waveforms, including Percussion and a String Model
- Easy to Follow User Interface
- Powerful Sequencer
- Effects, X-Y Pad, LFO, and Envelopes Oh My!
- Includes Presets from the Original SubBoomBass and More
- Supports Most Popular Plugin Formats
- Available at a Street Price of $99
If your electronica mixes lack enough bass response, consider picking up SubBoomBass 2. Its sound quality, ease of use, and host of features make it a worthy addition to the Rob Papen stable as well as your library.

A Familiar Rob Papen User Interface

The SubBoomBass 2 interface makes any veteran Rob Papen product user feel right at home. We previously reviewed Predator 2 and found no problem getting around in the new synth. There is even an “easy mode” which pares down the number of controls to a manageable amount. This is likely useful for live situations.

SubBoomBass 2 in action. Photo by author.

You manage presets and global settings at the top of the interface. The meat of the SubBoomBass2 interface lets you tweak the two oscillators, two filters (with 20 filter types), LFO, and amp. All controls are self-explanatory to anyone familiar with subtractive synthesis.

An X-Y pad adds to the real-time sound mangling functionality. This is especially fun to play around with on a laptop with a touchscreen.

The Play Mode and the two independent effect sections (with 28 different effect types) lie on both sides of the Multipage. Just like Predator 2, the Multipage lets you manage the sequencer, as well as the settings for the envelopes, LFO, modulation matrix, and string physical model. The latter being one of the major updates to SubBoomBass 2 compared to the original.

A Boombastic Sound

Simply dive into the hoard of presets to get a feel for the sonic range of SubBoomBass 2. Of course, bass sounds with a deep low-end are the focus, but other classic synth timbres lurk within. As per other Rob Papen products, the sound quality and preset design are both exceptional.

A special shout out to the versatile sequencer is warranted. In addition to playing the current patch, you are also able to trigger some of the oscillator waveforms on the fly. These include a host of samples suitable for percussion as well as leveraging the new string physical model. In short, this allows you to compose some pretty badass drum ‘n’ bass rhythms.

The same programmable X-Y pad we loved in Predator 2 is part of the SubBoomBass 2 package. Once again, this is perfect for real-time sonic manipulation – even using a finger on a touchscreen! A deep modulation matrix also serves to add a sense of motion to synth patches.

SubBoomBass 2 is available in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats. At a street price of $99, it belongs in the collection of anyone producing electronica, cinematic, or dance music who needs some low-end. Boom!

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January 22, 2018
Aftertouch adds 3D Touch Control to your iOS Synths – Synth News Digest 9
The capacitive touchscreen ushered in a new era of mobile device interfaces, as illustrated by the smartphone and tablet. Recently, Apple upped the game with 3D Touch, which enhances the touchscreen by adding support for velocity and pressure sensitivity. I’ve always felt that these were the two missing links in iOS becoming a truly professional platform for musical applications, but my new iPad doesn’t support 3D Touch. Sigh.

In fact, some industry pundits question whether Apple will ever bring 3D Touch to the iPad. Cost is likely a big factor in their hesitation. Until that time, companies like Roli and others remain the true interface innovators in music technology.

Controlling Arturia’s iSEM with Aftertouch. Screenshot by author.

Aftertouch is an interesting MIDI controller app for iOS which supports these new 3D Touch features. It features a unique grid-based interface with a host of configuration options, including key, interval, and more. The 3D interface uses X, Y, and Z axes configured to control the parameter of your choice, with the Z axis only working on Apple devices with 3D Touch support. So you are still able to get some value out of Aftertouch on older iPhones and iPads running iOS 9.0 and newer.

Robust MIDI support lets you use Aftertouch to control any iOS synth app that supports Core MIDI. There are also two built-in basic synth sounds useful for experimenting with configurations. I would’ve really loved to give Aftertouch a full review on a device with 3D Touch, but it just wasn’t in the cards at this time. If you have a newer iPhone, Aftertouch is surely worthy of further exploration. Check it out!

Rob Papen introduces RP-Verb 2

Rob Papen remains a legend in the world of software-based music technology. We previously covered his excellent soft synth Predator 2, which I used on the next Church of Hed album to be released in early 2018. Recently, Papen revealed RP-Verb 2, an updated version of his classic reverb and effects plugin. It is available in most popular plugin formats for $149.

Some of the new features of RP-Verb 2 include the “Reverser,” a reverse reverb algorithm, as well as some synth-related functionality, including envelopes and LFOs. There’s even a modulation matrix to supercharge real-time parameter control. RP-Verb definitely is worth checking out.

Getting your Old School Computer Sound On with Impact Soundworks

I had an Atari 800 in the early 80s. Actually, I still do; buried in a closet somewhere. I loved playing around by writing small BASIC programs to create sirens, explosions, wind, and other freaky sound effects. Well, Impact Soundworks makes it easy to return to those halcyon days of yore, without having to type in one CLOAD statement.

Super Audio Cart PC features samples from a host of computers from the 80s and 90s, including Atari’s famous POKEY chip, the Commodore Amiga, the AdLib soundcard and more. This package is a companion to Impact’s Super Audio Cart which focuses on video game systems from the same era. It is compatible with the Kontakt Free Player and NI’s NKS control standard.

This package is available for $99, but if you already own Super Audio Cart, a crossgrade is available. Thousands of samples are available, as well as a 4-voice synth engine using those classic tones. Get your chiptune on!

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October 6, 2017
Review: Predator 2 continues the Rob Papen Synth Tradition
Rob Papen Predator has been a leading software synthesizer for years, known for its excellent virtual analog sound and an intuitive user interface. Needless to say, the recent release of its successor was highly anticipated throughout the synth plugin world. Predator 2 does not disappoint, with a host of new features to go along with that timeless Rob Papen sound.

Rob Papen Predator 2 Features
- Three Dual Oscillators – in Stereo
- 128 Waveforms – Including Eight User-Defined
- Three Filters – also in Stereo (Two Multimode, One High-Pass)
- Four Envelopes and LFOs with Modulation Matrix
- X-Y Pad for Control Modulation
- Dual 16-step Arpeggiators
- Three-Band EQ
- Three Independent Virtual Effects Units
- Nearly 6000 Presets
- Supports Most Popular Plugin Formats
- Street Price of $149 — $49 Upgrade from Predator
A supercharged update of the original, Rob Papen Predator 2 offers enough to attract both new users and current Predator owners looking to upgrade. Let’s dive into the details.

An Intuitive Virtual Synth Interface

Predator 2 fits the entire interface on one screen, with a separate multi-page section in the middle to manage the arpeggiators, modulation matrix, LFOs/envelopes and more. In that regard, the UI design is similar to that of SynthMaster One. Predator 2 also offers an Easy Mode – a streamlined view displaying only the most important controls.

Predator 2 in action in the studio. Photo by author.

A separate browser and management page serves as a librarian for user and preset patches – there are nearly 6000 of the latter! This synth layout should feel comfortable to anyone familiar with subtractive synthesis. While some might complain about Predator 2’s dark color scheme, it works for me.

Powerful Oscillations Abound

Like many other virtual synths, Predator 2’s oscillator section is very powerful, featuring three dual oscillators in stereo. You are able to choose between 128 different waveforms for each oscillator, including eight user-defined waveforms. Of course, combining each oscillator’s two waveforms in a myriad of ways is possible; going beyond mere oscillator sync.

In short, when combined with the user waveform feature, the sonic possibilities of Predator 2 are essentially limitless. Expect to spend some time exploring the thousands of presets to get a feel for its depth.

Filter Flexibility

Predator 2 sports two multimode filters, with a third high-pass filter adding a measure of flexibility. For the multimode filters, expect the standard array of options: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, as well as more esoteric modes, like formant, comb, vox, and ring. You are able to run the two filters in series or in parallel.

A pre-filter distortion circuit adds a measure of grit or bite to the proceedings. The filter section also includes its own envelope and LFO.

Other Predator 2 Features

Predator 2’s amp section handles the synth’s volume and panning, with its own dedicated envelope as well. You are also able to control the volume based on the note velocity. A distortion circuit and an EQ preset setting round out the amp’s functionality.

Play Mode lets you switch between arpeggiator, polyphonic, monophonic or legato styles. This section also includes portamento settings in addition to a one-finger chord mode and a strum mode usable when playing chords – obviously useful for guitar patches.

The synth boasts two separate 16-step arpeggiators which can be joined together to create a 32-step option. Thankfully, odd time signatures are supported. This arpeggiator is flexible and easy to use.

As noted earlier, management of the arp is handled in the Multi-page section at the center of the interface; you can also access settings pages for the modulation matrix, X-Y pad, user-defined waveforms, the three different effects, and chord mode. It is a useful interface feature, allowing access to the Predator 2 architecture from one master page.

Speaking of the X-Y pad – it is one of Predator 2’s coolest features. You are able to record, play, and loop movements on the pad, allowing for robust real-time modulation of synth parameters. Even visually attractive and musically useful spiral patterns are possible.

A Must-Have Software Synthesizer

Given the legendary status the original Predator holds among software synthesizers, the anticipation for its sequel was naturally quite high. Rob Papen Predator 2 succeeds at upholding that legacy. It provides power, flexibility, an interesting feature set, and most importantly – great sound.

If you are looking to either upgrade a copy of the original or embark on your first exploration of the Rob Papen sonic universe, Predator 2 definitely belongs in your synth plugin library. I’ve already used its warm sound on an upcoming Church of Hed project.

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July 10, 2017