Axxess

Name: Axxess
Price: 79 USD
Author: GForce Software

by GForce Software · Synth · ARP Axxe-inspired poly synth

Not rated yet

An augmented recreation of the 1975 ARP Axxe monosynth, extended into a polyphonic synth.

It adds X-Modifier modulation, a 16-step sequencer, an arpeggiator, distortion, delay and reverb, and 350+ presets, for $79.99.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Rock & Indie, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: arpeggiator, simple, polyphonic, monophonic, sequencer, 70s, analog, drones, pads, preset-driven, randomize, basses, beginner-friendly, classic, deep, fat, hi-fi, leads, minimal controls, musical, single knob, sound design, subtle, subtractive, vintage.

What it does

Axxess is GForce's software version of the 1975 ARP Axxe, a simple single-oscillator monosynth. GForce calls it an "augmented yet faithful" recreation: it keeps the Axxe's signal flow and tone but adds polyphony, a sub-oscillator, deep modulation and effects.

Sources: sawtooth, square and noise as on the original, plus a new sub-oscillator, all feeding a classic ARP-style low-pass filter, VCA and ADSR envelope.
Voice modes: polyphonic, monophonic, mono legato and unison, with pan spread to widen stacked voices.
X-Modifiers: most parameters have their own X-LFO and X-ADSR, so you can modulate a single control without patching a global mod source.
Performance routing: velocity to filter and VCA, and a VCA bypass for endless drones.
Vintage knob: adds the drift and small imperfections of an ageing analog synth, from subtle to clearly wobbly.
Sequencer and arp: a 16-step sequencer with a record function and a randomiser, plus an arpeggiator.
Effects and presets: a distortion stage, an analog-style stereo delay and GForce's Matrix Reverb, with over 350 presets from sound designers such as Zardonic and Plughugger.

The current version is 1.0.1. A downloadable demo runs for 7 days.

Source: GForce Software product page

When to use it

Axxess is the pick when you want the raw, simple ARP sound with modern extras, at a lower price than most analog emulations. Compared with GForce's own ODDITY3, it has a simpler one-oscillator voice and no ring mod, but adds polyphony and a friendlier layout for pads and quick patches. It is far less flexible than Diva, which models several classic synths and filters, but it costs much less. Against Arturia's CS-80 V it is much more focused: a small, characterful synth rather than a big polyphonic flagship.

Best for: fat, gnarly basses and leads, simple analog poly pads, drones and sequenced lines.
Genres: electronic, synthwave, rock and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you want the ARP Odyssey's dual oscillators, sync and ring mod (ODDITY3), or a wider choice of classic synth models (Diva).
Tip: push the LFO to high rates on the filter for vocal-like tones, and try the sequencer's randomiser for new ideas.

What producers say

Reviewers rate Axxess as an excellent, well-designed ARP emulation that goes well beyond the original monosynth.

MusicRadar praised its varied sounds, intuitive interface, X-Modifiers and pads, saying GForce made "one of our favourite pad synths from a mono."
Synth Anatomy liked its "pristine" sound, the spacious reverb and delay, and a filter that "overloads very musically" at high resonance.
Criticisms: both reviews felt it adds little over ODDITY3, and Synth Anatomy suggested it could have been a mode inside that plugin.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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