Sonicbits has released the Exakt FM synth plugin and updated the FREE Exakt Lite to v2.0.
If you read the opening statement and thought, hang on, Exakt has been around for years; you’re probably not alone.
However, despite Exakt Lite being around since 2020, the full version remained in development until now.
Now, we finally get to see the full potential of Exakt, and it’s relatively cheap at $29.
The sixteen-voice Exakt features four operators and sixteen FM algorithms, with each operator offering multiple waveshapes.
Sonicbits leaned heavily into the sound of the Yamaha TX81Z rackmount synth by including eight classic TX81Z waveforms and four enhanced TX waveforms.
The TX nostalgia continues with a five-point amp envelope generator per operator. I like the TX flavour; the LatelyBass preset from Yamaha’s TX81Z (1987) is a defining bass sound of the era.
Other notable features include a multi-mode filter (with formant filter mode), two multi-wave LFOs, two loopable modulation envelopes supporting up to sixteen points, a creamy chorus, and a modulation matrix with eight source and destination slots.
One of the things that Exakt does best is that it makes FM synthesis more approachable using features like colour-coded operators to clarify the function of each quickly.
Even those who don’t have any hands-on experience with the awkward programming of something like a Yamaha DX7 are probably familiar with the much-loved Dexed plugin and its rather headache-inducing interface.
Exakt provides a powerful but easy route into the wonderful sound of FM synthesis.
Waves also had a go at making FM synthesis more fun and easy with the Flow Motion synth; I hope some of you picked it up for free earlier this year, thanks to Sonic State.
In addition to launching the premium version, Sonicbits has completely rewritten Exakt Lite, which is now in v2.0 and free to download.
Tomislav had good things to say about the original Exakt Lite back in 2020, and this new version comes with some evident upgrades, like an enhanced interface and workflow.
The Lite version offers twelve-voice polyphony, rather than sixteen, and a trimmed feature set. It provides reduced versions of most premium features:
- Four mod matrix slots rather than eight.
- One modulation envelope rather than two (and it’s non-loopable).
- Multi-model filter without the formant filter mode.
- 60 presets rather than 100.
I’m pleased to see the Chorus effect included in Exakt Lite, albeit without additional settings.
Sonicbits is making $29 stretch a long way with Exakt, and Exakt Lite is a no-brainer for free.
Exakt and Exakt Lite are available in 64-bit AU, VST2, and VST3 formats for macOS and Windows.
Check out the deal: Exakt & Exakt Lite 2.0 (Full version – $29 / Exakt Lite 2.0 – FREE)
More:
