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Unity Synthesizer (Universal)
Unity synthesizer can create professional quality synth sounds with on screen or external MIDI keyboard. The base configuration includes two synth engines (Retro AS-1 analog and Unity DS-1 sample playback) and twenty three audio effects, along with seven sound banks including General MIDI, Best of Retro AS-1, Pipe Organ, Rock Pop drum and percussion loops banks. An arpeggiator, sequencer, and scales can be used for real-time MIDI playback.
Additional in-app purchases include sound libraries and banks, synth and effects parameter editors, appearances, arpeggiators, sequences, and scales.
Fourteen synthesis engines along with twenty three audio effects are part of the complete package. All synthesizer, modulation, and effects parameter editing is supported to edit existing sounds, or create your own new ones. User banks can be stored to iCloud, allowing you to access your custom sounds from all of your iOS devices.
Standard MIDI file sequences are supported via the Document folder accessed via iTunes.
MIDI input destination support (aka ‘virtual MIDI’ access from other iOS MIDI applications)
Synthesis engines:
- AS-1 – analog model with three oscillators, ring modulator, two multimode filters, and portamento
- DS-1 – sample playback with two stereo time-stretch oscillators, two multimode filters, and portamento
- SP-1 – sample playback for AIFF or wave files
- BW-1 – bowed string model with bow, position, and string parameters
- CL-1 – clarinet model with breath, reed, mouthpiece, embouchure, and bore parameters
- BR-1 – brass model with breath, mouthpiece, embouchure, and bore parameters
- FL-1 – flute model with breath, embouchure, and bore parameters
- EP-1 – electric piano model with hammer, tine, and pickup parameters
- HS-1 – hammered dual string model with hammer, string, and filter parameters
- GL-1 – glottal model with oscillator and two eight stage vocal tracts
- FM-1 – eight oscillator frequency modulation with variable audio routings
- VS-1 – four oscillator sampled vector synthesis
- WS-1 – eight oscillator sampled wave sequencing
- AS-2 – analog model with five oscillator, ring modulator, three multimode filter, and portamento
All synthesis engines include a complete modulation matrix. Modulation sources include MIDI controllers as well as the envelopes, LFOs, ramps, and random generators. Modulation destinations include volume and pan as well as synthesis engine specific ones such as the AS-1 filter cutoff, or CL-1 breath input. Modulation routings route a source to a destination by an amount with optional tables or smoothing.
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Buyer beware : initial price only for few presets & a look at interface.
Purchase of a synth module/bundle only gets a few (uninspiring)presets …additional purchase for its editor is needed before you have full use of synth .
I was tempted to get this because of developers history with Korg digital synth past , including Oaysys system . So bought the Additional Synth Bundle + All editors ; particularly for Vector Synthesis , WaveSequencing and FM .
Presets are very few and disappointing , not the Prophet Vs or WaveStation territory or calibre .
Indeed , looking at the waves , they dont seem to be VS or Wavestation type textural waves (never mind the originals) ; indeed most of the few of them are GM type instrument sounds , and for me wavesequencing is not about trumpets, dog barks and burps !
This is not to say there isnt a powerful synth engine underneath , and with better waves (and it can use mulitisamples I think), it may do the job well . Its certainly very deep with many parameters squeezed on each page ; though with small fiddly knobs and modulation settings on menu lists ,it feels more mousey than touchscreen friendly.
The FM-1 is the best module of the bunch for me, as it’s the most powerful FM synth I know of in IOS with 8 operators , and a host of parameters ; though again not graphically inspiring .
I should also mention it is a bit buggy and glitchy , and crapped out a few times on an ipad 2 , even with settings ” minimised” to 32Hz, large buffer and reduced voices . Hopefully an update will smooth operation .
Conclusions : well firstly its a large number of synth modules , and those interested in the physical modelling ones will have to look to other reviews.
Of the VS/WS that tempted me to get this , I’m disappointed with the initial implementation , and whilst I may dedicate more time adding my own waves ; with Animoog , Addictive Synth and a 2nd PPG about to drop I have an arsenal of more immediately better sounding and useable “digital moving wave” synthesis .
So FM-1 is what is tempering my slight buyers remorse , if I can delve into its depths of FM .
Its certainly a powerful synth engine , built on the history of digital synthesis , and I imagine many geeky OAYSYS uberprogramers are jubilant about this release . But IOS synthesists may already be spoilt with what they have ; unless you want FM-1 , I couldnt recommend you feel you have to get the Additional Synth bundle over other apps .
Hi Sparkle. Thanks for all the insight into this app!