Zyklop
by Dawesome · Synth · Free re-synthesis synth
Not rated yet
Zyklop is a free Dawesome synth that uses the same Re-synthesis V2 engine as MYTH, with a single IRIS oscillator and 8-voice polyphony.
It has a semi-modular layout, filters, resonators and effects, and 125 presets, with no email registration required.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: polyphonic, free, cinematic, modulation matrix, modular, preset-driven, experimental, creative, organic, CPU-light, drag-and-drop routing, drones, leads, perpetual licence, simple, smooth, sound design, textures.
What it does
Zyklop is a free re-synthesis synth from Dawesome and Tracktion, described as MYTH's "fun, free-spirited little sister." It uses the same Re-synthesis V2 engine as MYTH, but with one oscillator and a simpler interface.
- Engine: a single IRIS oscillator that re-synthesises a sample with Re-synthesis V2, either keeping its character or transforming it completely.
- Polyphony: 8 voices.
- Semi-modular layout: a pedalboard-style chain with flexible routing through filters, resonators and creative effects.
- Modulation: a modulation matrix with LFOs, which users say can turn a short sample into a moving soundscape.
- Presets: 125 presets from sound designers including Arovane, CoolWAV and Databroth, covering ambient, cinematic, experimental and electronic sounds.
- Light on CPU: built to load fast and run smoothly on modest computers.
It is free, with no subscription.
When to use it
Zyklop is the pick for trying sample re-synthesis at no cost. Compared with Vital, the other free synth here, it does not do wavetable work or precise oscillator design, but it turns any sample into an organic, unusual instrument in seconds. Against its big sibling MYTH, it has one IRIS oscillator instead of two, 8 voices and a smaller module set, so it is less deep but lighter and quicker to learn. Unlike Pigments 7 or Phase Plant, it is built for exploring sounds rather than programming them step by step. It is a good way to see if Dawesome's approach suits you before buying MYTH.
- Best for: drones, soundscapes, organic textures and quick leads made from your own samples.
- Genres: ambient, cinematic, experimental and electronic.
- Look elsewhere if: you need more voices, two oscillators and a bigger module set (MYTH), or a conventional free synth for basses and leads (Vital).
- Tip: load a short sample and let the LFOs move the re-synthesis to build a whole soundscape from it (KVR users).
What producers say
KVR users are unanimous that it is an unusually strong free synth.
- KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 6 reviews; one called it "best free synth ever made," another said "the sound is huge."
- Praised: the unique sound compared with typical free synths, the usable presets and the clear mod matrix.
- Criticisms: none raised in the KVR reviews.
Where to buy
- Tracktion: Free
Tutorials and reviews
- ZYKLØP - The Amazing New FREE Synth From Dawesome
- ZYKLOP - Walkthrough of Dawesome's free synth
- Stop Using Loops (Turn Them Into Instruments Instead w/ Dawesome Zyklop)
- Dawesome - Zyklop (Free Synth) - Demo by Crazik
- Dawesome ZYKLØP, a FREE VST Synth powered by machine learning for macOS and Windows
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