Corona
by discoDSP · Synth · Virtual analog and wave synth
Not rated yet
Corona is a hybrid synth from discoDSP with three virtual analog and wave oscillators that can be combined in 16 ways, from ring modulation to bitwise operations.
It adds dual zero-delay feedback filters, a 32-step arpeggiator, built-in effects and a waveform library sampled from classic synths, for $149.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: virtual analog, analog, classic, hardware emulation, arpeggiator, hybrid, sound design, subtractive, metallic, basses, CPU-light, digital classic, digital-sounding, modulation matrix, plucks, additive, leads, pads, sample-based.
What it does
Corona is discoDSP's hybrid synth: three virtual analog oscillators that can also play WAV or SoundFont waves, combined with each other through maths operations rather than just mixed. KVR sums it up as virtual analog with "digitally-inspired sound design".
- Oscillators: three VA oscillators that can load WAV, SF2 SoundFont or DWB waves, with a wave expansion of over 300 timbres from classic synths such as the Minimoog, Prophet-5, Moog Prodigy and Korg MS-20.
- Combine modes: 12 modes in Phase mode or 16 in Detune mode, including additive, subtractive, multiplicative, Pythagorean, sync, ring modulation, phase modulation and the bitwise AND, OR and XOR (plus ABS variants).
- Filters: dual zero-delay feedback filters with 14 types, each in 2-pole and 4-pole versions, and 10 saturation shapes such as tanh, asym, hardlimit, wrap and quantize.
- Modulation: 4 LFOs, 4 ADSR envelopes and an 8-slot modulation matrix fed by sources such as velocity, aftertouch, CCs and random values.
- Arpeggiator: 32 steps, with MIDI out.
- Unison and effects: a Super 7 unison mode modelled on the Roland JP-8080, with octave, detune and pan spread, plus distortion, chorus, delay and limiter.
- Interface: a single-page layout that scales from 75% to 200%.
The current version is 7.1 (per KVR), and a demo is available.
When to use it
Corona is the pick for a light, direct synth with a distinctly digital edge. Compared with Serum 2 and Phase Plant, it has no wavetable editor or drag-and-drop modulation, but its bitwise and phase combine modes give metallic, crystalline tones that are quick to reach on one page. Compared with Diva, it is far lighter on CPU and brighter in character rather than a warm analog model. Compared with Vital, it costs money and has a smaller modulation system, but it adds JP-8080-style supersaws and a classic-synth wave library.
- Best for: supersaw leads, metallic and digital basses, plucks and keys, and pads with movement.
- Genres: trance, dubstep, downtempo, EDM and other electronic styles.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a large modern preset library, a wavetable editor or built-in reverb; Serum 2 or Vital cover those.
- Tip: KVR users single out the XOR mode for crystalline keys and plucks, and phase modulation for deep, metallic dubstep basses.
What producers say
Long-time users love its oscillator sound and low CPU use; the interface, presets and small effects section draw most of the criticism.
- KVR users rate it 4.4 out of 5 from 5 reviews; one (2024, version 6.2) called them "the best sounding VA oscillators I have heard" and praised the bitwise textures and low CPU load.
- Character: another KVR reviewer (2014) said it "embraces the digital sound, and does so with finesse", and one (2022) noted its sound is different "on purpose".
- Criticisms: thin documentation of the combine formulas, no multi-stage envelope or comb filter, a dated GUI, mostly EDM factory presets and no reverb in the effects.
Where to buy
- KVR Marketplace: $149
- PluginFox: $149
- AudioDeluxe: $149
- Best Service: $199
Tutorials and reviews
- discoDSP Corona Video Tutorial - Basic Concepts
- Disco DSP Corona Synth 6.0 (No Talking)
- discoDSP Corona 6 for MAC / Windows VST / VST3 / AU - Demo: Creation Pads
- Synthesizer DiscoDSP Corona im Check (Abo-Prämie)
- Corona R4.3 — New Distortion Effect
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