Developer DAWJunkie has released Padness 2 Jr, a free lush pad synth for macOS and Windows.
We checked out DAWJunkie’s Padness Jr in September 2025, and by all accounts, it’s a simple freebie that packs a bigger punch than expected, which is the DAWJunkie way.
Now, the developer is back with a bigger and better sequel, Padness 2 Jr.
Padness 2 Jr features two synths: Synth 1 with standard waveforms, and Synth 2, a newly-added wavetable synth.
In addition to the two synths, you have three samples you can layer with the synths to alter the character, particularly the initial impact.
I remember Padness Jr was an instant source of lush and retro pads, but it also had enough bite on some patches to be a melodic instrument.
With the second synth and samples, I think Padness 2 Jr is even better at punchy melodic playing with the right articulation.
Think cheesy but amazing 80s synth hooks; holding down the harmony with one hand, and single notes and broken chords with the other.
With that in mind, pads are still this synth’s bread and butter, and as such, DAWJunkie has added extra-long Attack and Release sliders.
You then have two multi-mode filters, one dedicated to the Attack and one for the overall patch.
Between the filters, you have Unison and Shimmer controls.
Padness 2 Jr builds on the much-liked original by adding enough new features to make an impact without complicating the simple workflow.
It’s what we always get from DAWJunkie: an immediately usable instrument that overdelivers.
And, as always, if you want more, you have the chance to upgrade to the full version of Padness 2 for $1.
The full version of Padness 2 offers additional features, including more sample types and built-in effects.
If you’re new to DAWJunkie, unlikely as that is at this point, check out some previous releases like LeadOff Jr, Craze, and DSS-130E (Yamaha PSS-130 tribute).
Lastly, our exclusive Temecula DSP giveaway has one week to go, so don’t miss out. Enter now for your chance to win a copy of the SST-206 Space Station Reverb plugin.
Good luck!
Download: Padness 2 Jr (FREE – upgrade to full version for only $1)
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