B.Serrano has announced the release of Anubis 2, a freeware virtual analogue synthesizer in 32-bit VSTi plugin format for Windows based digital audio workstations.
Anubis 2 is pretty much a standard 2 OSC virtual analog synthesizer with a couple of LFO modules, a simple FX section and a multi-mode filter. What makes it rather interesting though is the fully customizable modulation envelope which supports up to 32 envelope stages. It’s a really versatile modulation source which can be used like a basic ADSR envelope (except on steroids), a complex LFO module, or even a step sequencer or arpeggiator if you patch it to OSC pitch.
Speaking of patching, Anubis 2 comes with a nice 9-slot modulation matrix which can be used to connect various sections of the plugin’s synthesis engine. For example, the aforementioned envelope can be used to control oscillator pitch, pulse-width modulation and frequency modulation amount, oscillator mix, filter cutoff and master volume. It would be great to have more modulation destinations available, but even so there’s quite a bit of fun to be had in the mod matrix section of Anubis 2. For example, if you patch the envelope to filter cutoff and oscillator pitch, you can use it to generate some really complex wobble style movements, or long riser type effects whereas the pitch and filter cutoff increase over time.
It’s also worth nothing that both oscillators and the multi-mode filter module come with dedicated “Drift” knobs which are there to simulate the instability of analogue circuits. Definitely a nice touch for the users (such as myself) who are into that vintage type of sound. The unison mode is also pretty cool, as well as the built-in chorus effect which does a pretty decent job at thickening up the sound.
The times when SynthEdit creations ruled the VST plugin world may well be long gone, but there are still some talented enthusiast out there who manage to create more than decent instrument with it. B.Serrano is certainly one of those types and his latest release is yet another good example of how powerful of a tool SynthEdit can be in the right hands.
Audio Demo
Check out the Anubis 2 audio demo:
Download
Anubis 2 is available for free download via B.Serrano’s website (2.6 MB download size, ZIP archive, 32-bit VSTi plugin format for Windows, made with SynthEdit).
