Analog Heritage Collides for Infinite Virtual Bass-crafting
When bass synthesizers come to mind, Moog has led the vanguard of low-end synth innovation, delivering countless classics, new and old, from the Taurus and Minimoog Model D to the Minitaur and Subsequent 25. Now, with the aptly named Mariana, the company has distilled this lauded expertise into a multifaceted virtual instrument that plunges the furthest depths of booming basses and superlative sound shaping. This virtual instrument/s dual-layer architecture, two-oscillator design, and extensive filtering and blending capabilities open a vast, dynamic world of low-end bass-crafting. Per-layer LFOs, envelopes, and randomizers are complemented by extensive virtual CV capabilities alongside a suite of onboard effects and dynamics tools that allow you to sculpt detailed, monophonic bass tones across two distinct patches or with duophonic playback, much to the delight of Sweetwater’s plug-in pros. Furthermore, Mariana’s virtual CV can be used with Moogerfooger Effects plug-ins (not included) to build a completely virtual Moog ecosystem while deep internal modulation extends to both MIDI and MPE, ensuring adaptable expressivity is available in spades.
Note: Usage with iOS is exclusively for iPad, capable of standalone operation and use as an AUv3 plug-in. For Windows 10 usage, this virtual instrument is 64-bit only. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions or concerns regarding compatibility with your system.
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Versatile voicing and full-spectrum control
Mariana’s dual-layer design lets you craft patches for each oscillator independently, allowing complex stacking and powerful duophonic performances. At the same time, a sub-oscillator supplements your sounds with booming depth. For further texturization, a Noise Generator boasts five colors to add to your tool kit: Red, Pink, White, Blue, and Purple. Nuanced sound shaping lets you manually adjust or modulate virtually every parameter within Mariana, and the Dual Oscillator section includes Detune, Glide, Duty Cycle, and even Osc 2 Phase modification. Plus, the Waveshaping control includes waveform choices for the two-oscillator suite and three waveform choices for the sub-oscillator controls, where you can further refine its Phase value, as well as its frequency offset in both octave-sized intervals, or as a linked value. When the fattest tones around are what’s needed, just activate the Hard Sync and you’ll lock in immense low-end thunder.
Formidable, flexible filtering to hone your tones
Detailed filtering options include a dedicated state-variable filter for the sub-oscillator, boasting highpass bandpass, and lowpass modes. In addition, highpass and lowpass filters for the primary VCOs feature an impressive 16Hz to 20kHz range, as well as an individual, invertible envelope generator with each filter. A global multimode filter offers Serial, Parallel, and HPF Noise options, with an oscillator crossover parameter to blend between VCO and sub-oscillator output. Moreover, an intuitive Mixer section gives you granular adjustment of each oscillator, as well as the sub-oscillator and noise generator to carefully refine your output. If starting from scratch isn’t your thing, then you’re in luck: Mariana comes preloaded with over 200 presets meticulously designed by an array of industry pros to ensure you’ll always have a solid foundation for your sound.
A limitless menagerie of modulation possibilities
If three LFOs, two randomizers, a filter envelope, an amplifier envelope, a modulation envelope, and two multimode randomizers seem like an extensive array of sonic sculpting tools, you’d be correct, but with one caveat: Mariana offers all these modulation tools for each layer. Phase values for every LFO can be independently adjusted alongside five waveshaping options, LFO rate, and togglable Sync and keyboard reset functions. Amp and filter envelopes comprise complete ADSR control, while the modulation envelope goes a step further, with DAHDSR: Delay, Attack, Hold, Decay, Sustain, and Release. Both randomizers offer Sync and Slew options, as well as adjustable, syncable rates, and three operational modes: Sample 7 Hold, Noise, and Perlin. With nearly every parameter capable of being modulated via MIDI, MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), and virtual CV, opportunities for dynamic patches and complex sound design are virtually limitless.
Detailed onboard sound shaping and FX
For all Mariana’s synthesis capabilities, you’ll be delighted to learn that sound-shaping extends to a comprehensive suite of onboard effects and dynamics. Real-time metering includes per-synth Level and Panning control, as well as a thorough compressor with an alternative FET mode. Rich, expandable chorus and massive, flexible delay effects can be applied to one or both synth layers, each of which features highpass filter attenuators alongside three modes of per-layer saturation: Tube, Tape, and Drive. Further tone crafting and modulation are available via the streamlined and intuitive Output controls, making for straightforward mapping and deeper adjustments to nearly every parameter.
Moog Mariana Bass Synthesizer Virtual Instrument Features:
- Decades of iconic bass synths refined for a high-power, versatile plug-in
- Dual-layer architecture allows for flexible output and control, whether it’s two distinct patches of menacing monophonic bass or a deliverance of duophonic design
- Extensive modulation of nearly every parameter via MIDI, MPE, virtual CV, and automation makes for undulating, dynamic, and reactive synth patches
- Onboard effects, compression, and metering show real-time feedback with studio-grade sound-shaping tools
- 200+ built-in presets were meticulously crafted by industry pros to provide a diverse array of patch-building foundations and radio-ready sonics
- 3 LFOs, 2 randomizers, an ADSR filter envelope, ADSR amp envelope, and a DAHDSR modulation envelope are available for each layer to guarantee extensive sound design and modulation
- Noise generator features five colors with a dedicated highpass filter and level attenuator to add depth and presence to your sound
- Sub-oscillator includes individual waveshaping, phase adjustment, and frequency offset to further carve out your low end
- Sub filter, lowpass filter, and highpass filter each allows for manual or modulated adjustments of cutoff, resonance, and envelop generator amount values
- Detailed voicing control includes Re-trig, Legato, and Add modes, as well as an adjustable spread for the dual-oscillator structure