impOSCar3

Name: impOSCar3
Price: 119 USD
Author: GForce Software

by GForce Software · Synth · OSCar synth emulation

Not rated yet

The third version of GForce's recreation of the 1980s British OSCar synthesizer, which paired digital oscillators with analog filters.

It adds 256-step editable wavetables, nine filter modes, poly-unison and over 1,800 patches, for $119.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic, Pop.

Keywords: wavetable, preset-driven, 80s, analog, basses, digital-sounding, hardware emulation, macro controls, undo/redo, vintage, additive, aggressive, arpeggiator, chord generator, dark, leads, lush, pads, resizable UI, sound design, subtractive.

What it does

impOSCar3 is GForce's recreation of the OSCar, the early-1980s British synth known for joining digital oscillators to analog-style filters. The developer says it "faithfully celebrates" the original while greatly expanding it.

Wavetables: fully editable 256-step wavetables for both oscillators, drawn as shapes or built from partials, with over 150 wavetable presets.
Dual filter: low-pass and high-pass running together, with Drive, Cutoff, Q and Separation, in nine modes: 2- or 4-pole LP, HP or BP, and three parallel pairs (LP+BP, LP+HP, BP+HP).
User LFOs: an LFO editor that morphs between two waveforms, with over 25 LFO presets.
Voice modes: Mono, Poly, Unison with stereo spread, Poly-Unison, plus Note Pan and Unison Voice Pan.
Extras: ring modulator, chord mode, arpeggiator, four programmable macros, velocity and aftertouch control, and undo/redo.
Effects: chorus, delay and the new Matrix Reverb.
Presets: over 1,800, including 450+ new patches and 1,350+ legacy ones; impOSCar2 patches load directly.

The current version is 1.0.2. The UI is fully scalable. A 7-day demo is limited to 150 patches, and registered impOSCar2 owners get an upgrade discount.

Source: GForce Software product page

When to use it

impOSCar3 is the pick for the OSCar's mix of digital waves and gritty, flexible filtering, a vintage-digital character no other major developer models. Compared with Diva it is less of a pure analog warmth machine, but its editable wavetables and parallel filter modes reach brighter, harsher tones. Compared with Serum 2 and Vital it has far simpler wavetable morphing and modulation, yet it is quicker to dial in and carries a recognisable 80s edge. Synth Anatomy noted it has no multi-segment envelopes or envelope-to-LFO cross-modulation, so it is not a deep modulation synth like Phase Plant.

Best for: aggressive leads, growling basses, bells and dark or lush pads with a distinct vintage-digital edge.
Genres: electronic, synth-pop, drum and bass, ambient and film.
Look elsewhere if: you want deep wavetable morphing and modulation (Serum 2 or Vital) or NKS support.
Tip: use the four macros to move several parameters at once while browsing the large preset library (Synth Anatomy).

What producers say

Reviewers see version 3 as a strong update of a long-loved synth, with the wavetable editor the main weak spot.

Synth Anatomy (May 2024) called it "an excellent upgrade", praising the scalable UI, the 1,800 presets, the custom LFO design and the Matrix Reverb.
KVR users rate impOSCar3 4 out of 5 from one review, which praised the audio quality but wanted better patch management.
Criticisms: a wavetable editor that is "not the best", no multi-segment envelopes or cross-modulation, no NKS and a crowded control layout (Synth Anatomy).

Where to buy

Best Service: $119
GForce Software: $119
Plugin Boutique: $119.99
PluginFox: $119.99
AudioDeluxe: $119.99

Tutorials and reviews

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