The instruments and effects that appear on this page will all have been created using Synthedit. Synthedit is a tremendously powerful tool for creating software synthesizers, samplers and effects. The quality of software it can be used to create is sometimes astounding. The package itself is very versatile, capable of recreating a number of different synthesis techniques from simple sample playback and analog modelling right through to FM and physical modelling.

We hope you will enjoy using the software on this page. Much of the software found here will be free, but on occasion we will release synths that can be purchased for a small amount of money, this is to ensure that we can continue to develop the site.

The following vst instruments/effects are currently available:

Spook Keys - Virtual 'Theramin'
Super Spook Keys - Virtual 'Theramin' +
String Thing - Plucked String
Super String Thing - Physical Modelling Synth
String Thing 2 - Enhanced Plucked String Synth
Bowin - Physically Modelled Strings
The Shepherd - Whistling Synth
Clavia Lab - Electric Piano
Voc-one - Analogue Choir
Silkworm - Supersaw Style Analogue Synth
Retro-gs01 - Retro Gamer's Synth

We hope to have more synths available soon so please keep checking the site.

Please note all instruments and effects are currently PC(Windows) only. This is due to the fact that Synthedit currently only exports VST dll files for Windows. Instructions for the synths will be included with the full sized images, but please be patient as this may take a little while to complete.

Please, if you like our vst instruments and effects, then let us know about it by contacting us via e-mail. Also if you encounter any bugs or problems with the software please let us know as soon as possible giving details of the nature of the problem and the circumstances.

Thanks in advance for any comments received.

Designed to re-create the sound of a 'Theramin' and offering control either using a MIDI keyboard or using the mouse to drag the glowing spot across the 'chart' for more authentic 'Theramin' style play. Spook Keys also includes the following features:

• sine, sawtooth, triangle and pulse waves
• variable key in and out response
• variable LFO for vibrato and tremolo
• pan, chorus (detuning), stereo spread and glide controls
• filtered, ping-pong, stereo delay.

audio demos

download spring

download no spring version

Designed to re-create the sound of a 'Theramin' and offering control either using a MIDI keyboard or using the mouse to drag the glowing spot across the 'chart' for more authentic 'Theramin' style play. ‘Super Spook Keys’ goes much further than the original ‘Spook Keys’ and includes the following features:

• sine, sawtooth, triangle and pulse waves, plus simple wave shaping
• variable key in and out response
• humanising ‘vary’ control
• variable LFO for vibrato and tremolo
• pan, chorus (detuning), stereo spread and glide controls
• addition of filtered noise to add a bit of grime
• adjustable frequency range on main control
• midi CC60 and CC61 for x and y on main control respectively
• spring on or off function
• new ‘gourmet’ interface design
• filtered, ping-pong, stereo delay.

download file

Plucked string based on 'Karplus Strong' algorithm with advanced controls and filtering to create a more natural tone. Features include:

• controls over plucking
• variable bandwidth filter
• modulation (MIDI CC)
• various controls for tonal quality
• reasonable CPU load.

audio demos

download file

Plucked string based on new comb filter design with advanced controls and filtering to create a more natural tone. String Thing 2 uses an impulse, Resonator and Resonant Body model similar to ‘Super String Thing’ but specifically tailored to recreating the sounds of acoustic plucked strings. Features include:

• basic ‘plucking’ control
• string damping
• various impulse filter modes
• variable bandwidth filter
• new 2D control for impulse
• full control over resonant body dimensions and resonance
• LFO for vibrato, tremolo and chorus
• modulation (MIDI CC)
• can recreate a more natural range of acoustic plucked string timbres
• shiny new interface design

reasonable CPU load.

download file

Multi-purpose physical modelling synth for producing a wide range of natural and un-natural acoustic sounds. Anything from guitars, through bowed strings, flutes and bells to atmospheric textures can be produced using the unique synth engine of Super String Thing. Features include:

• control over impulse
• control over resonator (string)
• control over resonant body
• variable bandwidth pre-filter
• various modulation controls
• various controls for tonal quality
• repeating note control
• advanced play and dynamics
• infinite range of possibilities.

It should be noted that CPU usage is quite high with this one and a minimum 1.2GHz processor is recommended. CPU spikes may be noted in some hosts - this will be the first issue addressed in any point update release.

Check out these wonderful demos by David "skOre" Deutsch - here

audio demos

purchase

download Demo A
download Demo B

Bowin uses a mix of analogue synthesis and physical modelling to recreate the sound of bowed strings. Covering a range of instruments and playing styles Bowin offers a level of control that is not possible with sample based instruments, is easy to use and has a warm natural character that makes it ideal for a wide range of musical genres. It can recreate both solo and ensemble instruments and has a number of controls to alter the tonal quality and playing style. Features include:

• control over bows and strings
• control over body size
• various controls for playing style
• responds to mod wheel, velocity, pitchbend and aftertouch to provide play dynamics
• easy to use
• natural and expressive sound
• demo version is two note polyphonic and sound drops every 45 seconds or so
• full version available for purchase with six note polyphony and no sound dropouts.

It should be noted that CPU usage is quite high with this one and a minimum 1.2GHz processor is recommended.

purchase

download demo

Kill Bill has a tune in its soundtrack by Ennio Morricone featuring a haunting and evocative whistling. This 'mini-synth' is designed solely to re-create that sound - just add reverb. This shepherd likes to whistle while he works. Features include:

• very little really
• just enough control over sound
• just enough control over play.

audio demos

download file

If you need an electric piano but are looking for something more than the usual Rhodes or Whurlitzer clone, then Clavia Lab is the instrument for you.

This is a hybrid analog/physical model using experimental techniques to create the complex changing harmonic content of an electric piano. Features include:

• source, amplifier and modulation sections give you plenty of control over tone and play dynamics
• precise control over all parameters - knobs have around 120 steps
• VU meter indicates when tone is likely to distort (distortion is actually very pleasant in most cases)
• 8 presets plus room for 8 more
• lots of potential for experimentation.

It should be noted that CPU usage is quite high with this one and a minimum 1.2GHz processor is recommended, although it will work (if the playing is not too busy) on an 800MHz processor.

audio demos

download file

Choirs can give any kind of music a lift, but sampled choirs are not versatile and many vocal synthesize concentrate so hard on trying to sing a lyric that they forget to carry a tune.

Ever wondered how Tomita created such convincing choir sounds...

Voc one is different, using a simple analogue synthesizer to simulate the glottal pulse or pulses and then using a powerful, morphable formant filter bank to give a realistic, warm and flexible vocal quality:

• full control over each stage of the vocal synthesis
• morphable formant filter with 11 recognised phonetic vowel spectra
• morphing between vowels sounds subtle and natural
• control over the register of the formant filter and the emphasis to give a much greater range of possible vocal types
• 8 presets plus room for 8 more
• built in high quality reverb (UDReverb based on freeverb - thanks to Elogoxa and David Haupt for this)
• lots of potential for experimentation.

It should be noted that CPU usage is quite high with this one and a minimum 1.2GHz processor is recommended, although it will work (if the playing is not too complex) on an 800MHz processor.

audio demos

download file

Silkworm is an easy to use "SuperSaw" style virtual analogue synth with built in gate sequencer and delay unit, plus powerful filter, modulation and dynamic controls.

Features:

• Choose from sine, saw, ramp, triangle and pulse waveforms.
• Control over thickness of sound and over spread in stereo image.
• Band limiting filter using two 12db filters in series for a very characteristic sound.
• Ping pong delay with filter built in.
• Separate LFO for vibrato (preset with adjustable aftertouch level).
• Assignable LFO for modulating filter, bandwidth, pulse width, volume and panning.
• Mono and poly modes (mono is not only good for producing great soaring leads but also helps save CPU cycles).
• Various play/dynamic controls.
• Simple but effective sequenced gating effect that can be synced to external (host) clock.
• Very easy to program and capable of more than just trance sounds.

It should be noted that CPU usage is quite high with this one and a minimum 1.2GHz processor is recommended, although it will work (as a mono synth) on an 800MHz processor.

audio demos

download file

Remember the good old days, when all the games were classics and sweet music poured from a million soundchips across the land? We do.

The demo version has only 16 presets and makes a short burst of noise around every 30 seconds. The full version includes, as a bonus, retro-gs02, a fully featured drum synth with a sound designed to compliment retro-gs01 perfectly. Both retro-gs01 and retro-gs02 are now available to buy seperately.

Retro-gs01 is a retro games sound synth with all the power, control and versatility you could ever need.Features include:

• mono or 8 note polyphonic synth
• single voice or dual voice unison play with cross modulation (sync, ring mod and both)
• matches the routing and features of the popular MOS6581 SID chip - but with more polyphony
• 2 LFOs with 4 different waveforms and sample and hold are routed through to 6 different parameters for each voice
• each voice has 2 envelopes and its own 12db filters offering low pass, high pass, band pass and notch filter types
• precise control over all parameters - smart controls show a percentage of the controls range on the top and are highlighted at the centre point for ease of use
• CPU friendly, even in poly mode with complex presets this won't kill your system
• just sounds so damn good, you won't believe your ears.

full package (both synths) £12.50

retro-gs01 only £10.00

retro-gs02 only £7.50

audio demos

download file

purchase full pack

retro-gs01 only

retro-gs02 only