On Wednesday, Cradle launched State Machine Playtime, a free synth that makes toy and playful sounds. The instrument requires the free Cradle Hub app.
State Machine Playtime is a macOS (AU, VST3, AAX) and Windows (VST3, AAX) release.
Cradle requires creating an account on its website to download Playtime and installing its free Cradle Hub app to authenticate the plugin.
I’m guessing that requiring online app authentication for a free product will be a deal-breaker for quite a few producers who look at this release.
When I signed up for an account, the website made me solve the anti-bot “select the image” tests first.
Once I completed the tests, the site said I would get an email with instructions on completing the account creation process, but half an hour later, I still haven’t received the email.
It’s not a great way to start things off, Cradle. Your team could definitely do some work here to make the download process more user-friendly.
However, this could also be a temporary server hiccup, so I’m hoping BPB readers will have a better experience with the download.
Moving along, the dev describes State Machine Playtime as a new take on nostalgic sounds.
There are 40 presets, and 20 sound sources included, as well as audio and MIDI effects to complement the sounds.
These effects have minimalist control schemes and include a bad speaker effect, delay, verb, and an EQ section.
Cradle states Playtime was made to inspire “child-like creative freedom” and to provide a whimsical touch to productions or allow creativity with sound design.
I can see how the synth would be really handy to have for creating soundtracks, sound effects and any musical piece that calls for a bit of whimsy.
There are 10 audio demos embedded on the product page for the plugin, and the preset titles like Pirate Orchestra, Bubbly Sines, Heavenly Dracula, and Camelot Quest give a pretty good indication of the type of sounds that are available.
To my ears, many of the presets sound like retro game soundtracks from the likes of Nintendo or JRPG developers.
Users have also created several YouTube demos that showcase the sounds that Playtime can produce.
Playtime is the latest release in Cradle’s series of State Machine drops, which includes the free BitFlip synth and the $59 releases Weird Strings, Faded Keys, Low End, and Slow Drift.
Download: State Machine Playtime (FREE – Cradle account & Cradle Hub app required)
More:
