Next-generation Powerhouse Additive Synth
When Rob Papen’s original Blade synthesizer plug-in was released in 2012, it was everything synth fanatics at Sweetwater — and indeed, the world over — had been waiting for: a joyous, easy-to-use 16-voice additive synth with a programmable XY pad that lets you manipulate parameters in real time. Now, Blade 2 ups the ante with an expanded feature set that includes an exciting new Additive mode, Analyzer section, additional analog-style oscillators, an enhanced Arpeggiator, and more. With a powerful arsenal of insanely great sounds on tap — not to mention an irresistible price tag — Rob Papen Blade 2 is a no-brainer for serious synthesists; sound designers; film, TV, and game composers; and adventurous musicians who take delight in thinking outside the box.
Related Videos: Blade 2 Virtual Additive Synthesizer with XY Control
Additive synthesis made easy
One of the new features in Rob Papen Blade 2 is its Additive mode, which takes its place alongside Blade’s much-lauded Harmolator oscillator, giving you even more flexibility in creating out-of-this-world sounds in a matter of minutes — all by just tweaking a few simple controls. Blade’s highly programmable XY pad lets you manipulate 12 of Blade’s parameters in real time, and you can even record and loop its pad motion. Top it off with filters, envelopes, modulation sources, plus a killer Arpeggiator, and there’s really nothing quite like Rob Papen’s Blade 2 virtual instrument.
The Harmolator additive synthesis engine
Chances are, you’ve never seen anything like Blade 2’s Harmolator additive synthesis oscillator before. That’s because Rob Papen designed Blade with a fresh, user-friendly approach to additive synthesis. A visual display gives you a graphic representation of your oscillator as you tweak the Harmolator’s controls. Each of the Harmolator’s nine controls lets you shape a critical element within your sound, allowing you to create complex waveforms without having to master advanced math. What’s more, the Harmolator also lets you add unison voicings and a sub-oscillator to your sound, giving you even greater sound design possibilities.
New Additive mode and Analyzer
Blade 2’s new Additive mode lets you morph or mix between four additive waveforms using the XY pad. In addition to using these additive waveforms, you can also generate and edit your own. Another new enhancement is a dedicated Analyzer section that makes quick work of transforming sample data into a waveform that can then be deployed in the Harmolator or Additive section.
New Oscillators and enhanced Arpeggiator
To expand your sonic options even further, Blade 2 also includes an additional analog-style oscillator plus a noise oscillator. But wait, there’s more! Blade 2 now has 32 different Filter types to help you sculpt your sound to perfection. The Arpeggiator section has also undergone a huge overhaul and has some seriously cool new features, including two additional rows for controlling the X and Y position of the XY pad. There’s also a new Ratcheting feature with different modes. Lastly, Blade 2 has three powerhouse Multi-FX processors packed with high-quality, studio-grade effects.
Rob Papen Blade 2 Virtual Additive Synthesizer with XY Control Features:
- Powerful 16-voice virtual additive synthesizer lets you easily create complex original sounds
- User-friendly controls and logically laid out user interface makes sound creation fun and intuitive
- Unique Harmolator additive synthesis oscillator lets you quickly construct waveforms
- NEW Additive mode lets you morph or mix between 4 additive waveforms using the XY pad
- NEW Additional analog-style oscillator, plus a noise oscillator
- NEW 32 different Filter types to help you sculpt your sound
- NEW Enhanced Arpeggiator section with 2 additional rows and Ratcheting feature
- NEW Blade 2 now features 3 powerful Multi-FX processors with studio-grade effects
- Graphic waveform display provides visual feedback for sound design
- Flexible XY pad allows you to manipulate up to 12 parameters freely in real time, including all 9 Harmolator controls
- Record, playback, loop, and bi-directionally loop Blade’s XY pad motion for advanced sound design
- Further manipulate your sounds with 12 filter types and 21 distortion models
- Create and apply velocity modulation and envelope modulation settings for most major parameters
