Cognitone Releases Free Sprike Synthesizer VST/AU Plugin

Cognitone has introduced Sprike, an open-source (based on the Tunefish4 source code) virtual synthesizer in VST and AU plugin formats for PC and Mac.

Sprike is essentially an upgraded version of the Tunefish4 synthesizer by Brain Control. The Tunefish Synth project started as a virtual instrument for software demos and later evolved into a stand-alone synthesizer. Sprike is a slightly improved version of Tunefish4, with several interface tweaks and additional features that increase compatibility with modern DAWs.

Compared to Tunefish4, Sprike adds four modulation sources, a reorganized preset system which is now in accordance with MIDI standards, and a slightly changed GUI design with the addition of a virtual keyboard at the bottom. Under the hood, the source code was tweaked to ensure better compatibility and performance within modern sequencer-oriented digital audio workstations. Unlike Tunefish4, Sprike isn’t compatible with Linux.

For those unfamiliar with Tunefish4, it’s a decent sounding virtual synthesizer with a surprisingly versatile synthesis engine, especially for a freely downloadable plugin. Its most powerful feature is the OSC section which is capable of generating some rather unique timbres. Pair that four filters, a modulation matrix, and a set of built-in effects, and you have a pretty decent synth. You can expect the same from Sprike, with the addition of the previously mentioned improvements.

Unfortunately, I ran into a few performance issues in MuLab 7, but this could be limited to my DAW. Most notably, I’m getting audible clicks and pops while playing the synth via MIDI. Let us know in the comments section below if you encounter similar problems.

Sprike can be downloaded free of charge from the product page linked below. You’ll be asked to enter your email address before downloading the installer, although an anonymous download is also available who don’t need email support.

Sprike is available for free download via Cognitone (3.53 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU plugin formats for Windows & Mac OS).