MAP
by GForce Software · Synth · West Coast-inspired modular synth
Not rated yet
MAP is a West Coast-inspired modular-style synth from GForce, built around waveshaping, FM and heavy modulation.
It has three oscillators, a multimode filter plus a five-band resonant EQ, a generative polyphonic arpeggiator and 300+ presets, for $119.
Best for: Sound Design, Keys & Synths. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: modular, arpeggiator, FM, preset-driven, polyphonic, sound design, analog, evolving, experimental, hardware emulation, macro controls, MPE support, 70s, cinematic, heavy, inspired by, modulation matrix, plucks, resizable UI, subtractive, granular, textures.
What it does
MAP is an original GForce synth inspired by "West Coast Experimentalism of the 1970s", drawing on Serge, Buchla and modular ideas without patch cables. It is aimed at exploratory sound design; GForce's tagline is "Navigate the unknown."
- Sound sources: three oscillators with waveshaping and FM, a dedicated modulation oscillator, and a noise source with nine types.
- Filtering: a multimode filter and a five-band resonant EQ, routable in series or parallel, with filter presets.
- Modulation: three looping envelopes, three drawable LFOs, a noise-driven random LFO and a modulation matrix; LFO presets are included.
- Expression: MPE support for per-note control.
- Arp and macros: a polyphonic generative arpeggiator and XY pad macros for the oscillator and filter sections.
- Effects: a quad delay, a reverb with grain processing, and character effects for frequency sculpting and rhythmic reshaping, grouped as Colour, Time and Space.
- Interface and presets: a fully scalable UI with dark and light themes, and 300+ factory presets plus oscillator, filter, LFO and effects presets.
The current version is 1.1 (July 2025). A 7-day demo includes 100+ of the 300+ patches.
Source: GForce Software product page
When to use it
MAP is the pick for West Coast-style tones (waveshaping, FM and resonant EQ colour) in a fixed, cable-free layout with a generative arp built in. Compared with Arturia Buchla Easel V it is not tied to one hardware unit, so it trades historical accuracy for more oscillators, MPE and a modern effects section. Next to Pigments 7 or Phase Plant it is narrower in scope, with no wavetable or sample engines, but quicker to steer toward evolving, organic patches. Unlike GForce's own OB-1 or MINIMONSTA2, it is an original design rather than an emulation.
- Best for: evolving textures, plucks, generative patterns and experimental tones.
- Genres: ambient, film scoring, experimental and electronic.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a faithful vintage emulation (Buchla Easel V) or a patch-cable modular environment (VCV Rack).
Where to buy
- GForce Software: $119
- Plugin Boutique: $119.99
- PluginFox: $119.99
- AudioDeluxe: $119.99
Tutorials and reviews
- Introducing GForce MAP
- Gforce MAP Review: Deep Dive, Best Features + Sound Demos
- GForce MAP Walkthrough
- MAP Synth by Gforce Software - Serge, Buchla & modular synthesis lineage
- GForce MAP Sound Snacks - West Coast Synthesizer Plugin (Oscillators & Filters Exploration)
Similar plugins
- Buchla Easel V by Arturia · West Coast semi-modular synth · $149
- Aalto by Madrona Labs · Semi-modular patchable synth · $99
- PM-202 by Puremagnetik · Hybrid complex oscillator synth · $20
- Wade by Puremagnetik · West coast tape synth · $20
- Sines by Cherry Audio · Sine-based waveshaping synth · $49
- Aparillo by Sugar Bytes · FM synthesizer · $99
- KaoX by XILS-lab · FM and analog hybrid synth · $59
- Modular by Softube · Virtual modular synth · $49
- Yair Elazar Glotman — Speculative Memories by Spitfire Audio · Drone and texture library · $29
More from GForce Software
- Sequential Prophet~5 by GForce Software · Synth · $89.99
- Oberheim OB-X by GForce Software · Synth · $119
- impOSCar3 by GForce Software · Synth · $119
- Oberheim TVS Pro by GForce Software · Synth · $59
- Oberheim OB-1 by GForce Software · Synth · $119
- MINIMONSTA2 by GForce Software · Synth · $119
- ODDITY3 by GForce Software · Synth · $119
- Oberheim DMX by GForce Software · Drum Instrument · $79