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Strobe2 - Coming Soon

Strobe2: the return of a modern classic. Expanded possibilities but faster and easier to use than ever.

New features in Strobe2 include an effects section with over 25 unique high-quality effects, an enhanced arpeggiator, 500 inspiring presets and a new vector-driven interface compatible with retina and other high-res displays. Other highlights include preset morphing, oscillator phase reset for precision basslines and even more modulation possibilities with the acclaimed TransMod system including modulation of effects parameters and much more!

Of course, everything that made the original such a cult classic is as easy to access as ever: a stunning modelled oscillator, realistic saturating VCA and a multimode filter with over 20 responses for massive tonal variety.

Strobe2 is scheduled for release in September 2015. An upgrade price will be available to owners of DCAM Synth Squad. DCAM Synth Squad and Strobe2 owners will be eligible for upgrade prices for future Synth Squad v2 releases.


FXpansion Strobe2 - Sound Demos

[media]https://soundcloud.com/fxpansion/strobe-2-fm-saw[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/fxpansion/strobe-2-square-ambience[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/fxpansion/strobe-2-resonant-pad[/media]



Angus FXpansion:

We've been working on this for quite some time, and there's still a little way to go, but we think it's ready enough that it's time to get some feedback from a wider audience.

So what are the big changes?

- Glitch-free, 100% vector scalable UI, available in (at least) two flavours. Currently we have a dark look for people who like to work in the dark (roughly equivalent to the Logic Pro X or Bitwig stock colour schemes) and a bright one for people working in a more daylit environment (more in line with e.g. Live or Pro Tools). It will scale to suit any screen size / pixel density / resolution with no bitmap artifacting (because it's no longer based on bitmaps), including Retina displays.

- Integrated effects, including some really nice brand new algorithms as well as some thing that owners of Etch, Bloom and Maul may recognise, with full TransMod capability on (almost) everything.

- 16 Transmod slots. Because all our sound designers ask for this, and because customers complained that the sound designers filled all 8, leaving no more to add. We will ask the sound designers very nicely not to fill all 16.

- Instant patch switching between 8 active sounds. This is really useful for both keyboard players (extremely fast switching mid-way through a song, mappable to program change or a.n.other MIDI message) and for electronic / EDM people producing complex basses, leads etc. where you want to be able to switch the aspects of a sound, instantly and glitch-free, midway through a sequence or even per-note. It gives you some of the capabilities you'd get from Rounds or Symptohm:Melohman (though we were working on it long before that announcement, I should point out) but on a modern VA subtractive synth.

- Huge CPU optimizations. Synth Squad 2 runs at 2x oversampled and above, only. The audio engine has been completely rebuilt to take full advantage of AVX (on all CPUs since "Sandy Bridge") & next year's AVX-3.2 instruction sets where available. It runs 30-40% more efficiently if you have an AVX capable CPU - I can comfortably play 32 voices at 8x oversampled (352.8KHz) in realtime on a Sandy Bridge machine, requiring as little as a third of one core to do so. (although the merits of going beyond 4x oversampling are questionable). Next year's "Skylake" CPUs (AVX 3.2) will give it a further performance boost.

- Rebuilt arpeggiator, stepsequencer and modulation processor. Effectively this is the Fusor arpeggiator but rendered comprehensible to mortals. Dedicated fixed-function units replace the sometimes hard-to-understand, Eurorack-inspired powerhouse that is the Fusor arp. Plus it gets the same TransMod sources as the rest of the synth, some dedicated modulation processor units, and the ability to keep your arp/sequence in memory while changing presets.

- Ability to unlink the Sub from the Stack/Detune/Sync parameters. This small change makes Strobe's oscillator section massively more powerful, use the sub to create stable bass alongside sweepy stacked harmonics from the main osc, or to underpin a cutting Sync tone with a nice solid low-end foundation. The Sub also gets an extra octave of range, and a modeled drive stage to help make growly monster basses.

- Phase reset on the main oscillator. The single most requested feature!

- Frequency-linked tone controls on each oscillator section. Really useful single-knob control for altering the character of the sound without changing what the VCF is doing. You can use them as a high-cut or low-cut to change how the oscillator sections interact with one another and the filter. Have a sound whose personality is pure VCF, but gets brighter and darker (via velocity, modulation, whatever) without changing the VCF character.

- Gain compensation and leakage control on the filter. We looked at adding different filters (we have an arsenal of great filters to choose from) and decided against, because we feel that the VCF is such an important part of the synth's personality. So we fine tuned the existing model with a gain compensator on the drive stage, and a leakage control because it sounds lovely.

- Adjusted envelope and fader ranges, much better consistency in the internal smoothing algorithms, choice of detuning modes, dozens of other little refinements. Strobe 2 will be available individually, ahead of v2 of Amber / Cypher / Fusor, from FXpansion and selected dealers. We'll of course ensure that existing Synth Squad owners get the best deal, and that people who buy the synths individually before the release of any bundle pay no more to complete the set than a new customer would.

The other synths are being updated to the new engine as well, of course - all three will share the most of the above, with Amber in particular getting some improvements to its audio engine - improved CPU efficiency means we're able to model some elements that got left out in the original (particularly glad we've been able to get Logan-style "diode VCA"s in there - they're absolute junk in fidelity terms but sound amazing). More on that later.

Regards,
Angus.


FAQ:

When is the Strobe2 release expected?

Strobe2 is scheduled for launch in September 2015.

Are DCAM: Synth Squad owners eligible for an upgrade price upon its release?

Yes - all DCAM: Synth Squad owners will be eligible for an upgrade price.

Is there a grace period if I buy DCAM: Synth Squad now?

There is no grace period as DCAM: Synth Squad is currently on sale at a highly reduced price. The full price of Strobe2 for new users will be comparable to the cost of purchasing DCAM: Synth Squad during the sale period and upgrading to Strobe2 upon its release.

What about Cypher2, Amber2 etc?

Cypher2, Amber2 and more are coming in the future - release dates and further information to be determined. Each instrument will be sold individually, with existing owners eligible for upgrade prices. Purchasing individual instruments in this way will be comparable to the cost of any eventual bundle to a new user.


Personal Note:

FXpansion are currently having their Summer Sale which includes the DCAM: Synth Squad reduced by 60%. So definitely doesn't seem like a better time to grab a copy of these great synths which will make you eligible for Synth Squad V2 upgrade prices in the future

 

Nice!

 

True! But here's hoping they set reasonable upgrade prices *yes*

 

dont think so ...wonder if it worths the upgrade ...but from what they are ssaying only retina ready gui and few changes ...i prefer the old bundle

 

The old bundle is great but i'm getting the feeling this will be better..... suppose we'll just have to wait and see what they have in store.

Don't think its just Retina displays & i'm really liking the look of the new GUI & the fact its 100% vector scalable.

 

I'l be upgrading! there's only a few companys out there that make quality products at a reasonable price that i think we should always try and support, and FXpansion are one of them along with ddmf, xfer, d16, Camel audio were another until recently as we know.....

Looking forward to a cleaner looking gui on all their synths

 

Beta testing Strobe 2 now. The osc's are definetly different, but with a wider possibility to manipulate. The sub osc's can now be in pitch with the main osc's!! Lots of bugs to be worked out so far... Also, the analogue grit knob really doesn't do much from what I can hear unless you really overdrive the output amp, but this along with the other bugs might be tweaked to sit right in the final release.

 

Awesome! How are the internal effects sounding ?

 

That's a really nice looking interface.

It's pretty common for me to take one (very quick) look at a synth and say: "there's so much out there, this isn't worth learning." Most of Rob Papen's Synths come to mind. It might be a good synth, but if the interface doesn't direct my attention to what's important, it's very likely there's another synth of similar capability that will be more intuitive.

This one looks really nice. One glance and I know where everything is and what it does.

 

Guess thats why they selling the old bundle off at $99 dollars now. So if u thinking of upgrading to bundle 2 in future consider getting the bundle now while it cheap *yes* Looks nice

 

I have no doubt that's it. Didn't they say prices would be 'comparable'? In other words, you won't spend that much more. But still more.

I never tried Albino. I've seen hoards of producers upset that it was discontinued, but I don't know what I'm missing and prob better off that way. Can't imagine what they were thinking though, I haven't seen another RP since that looks like it's worth trying. Blade would have to sound really good to justify how ugly it is.