Surge Synthesizer Team released the 1.8.0 version of Surge, an open-source virtual synthesizer for digital audio workstations on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Surge is a digital synthesizer for sound design enthusiasts. It features eight oscillator algorithms (Classic, Sine, Wavetable, Window, FM2, FM3, S&H, and Audio In) with unison. It also offers multiple filter models, a robust modulation workflow, built-in effects, and more.
See also: Best FREE Synthesizer VST PluginsBeing open-source, Surge is an ongoing project that keeps getting better with every update. The latest version (1.8.0) introduces several new features, a new skin, and various minor fixes. Here’s a quick look at what’s new in Surge 1.8.0.
The first notable update is the brand new Royal Surge skin (pictured on the article cover). With its wooden textures and natural accents, the Royal Surge skin boasts a subtle vintage synth visual vibe. More importantly, the new skin uses pastel colors and lower contrast, unlike the old Surge skins.
The previously included Default and Dark skins were also updated with a slight facelift. As before, you can change the GUI size and the skin via the main menu (click the Menu button in the bottom-right corner).
As for the new filters, Surge now comes with two models of vintage ladder filters, one filter model from the OB-Xd virtual synthesizer, the K-35 and diode ladder filters from Odin 2, and a few other modules. The filter type menu is also improved, with new filter categories.
The FX section now integrates 59 Airwindows effects. We mentioned Airwindows in our recent article about free saturation VST plugins. These are some of the best analog-style effects around.
Another major improvement is the inclusion of the multi-segment envelope generator (MSEG) as a modulation source. Surge now implements a fully editable MSEG modulation source, featuring various curve types and editing options
Surge is available in VST3 and AU plugin formats for digital audio workstations on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Both 32-bit and 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
More info: Surge (95.7 MB download size, EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST3/AU plugin formats for Windows, macOS, Linux)
More articles:
