Phase Plant

Name: Phase Plant
Price: 199 USD
Author: Kilohearts

by Kilohearts · Synth · Semi-modular

vst3s Score 8.9/10 · rated #5 of 10 synths

A semi-modular synth where you add oscillators, samples, noise and granular generators, then route modulators and Kilohearts effect snapins freely.

It supports wavetable editing, FM between generators and MPE, and purchases include lifetime free updates.

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

Keywords: modular, wavetable, granular, FM, MPE support, basses, sound design, steep learning curve, subscription.

What it does

Phase Plant is Kilohearts' modular synth. You start from an empty patch and add only the generators, modulators and effects you need.

Generators: basic waveforms, wavetables (with a wavetable editor), samples, noise and granular.
FM: cross- and self-modulation of volume, frequency and phase between generators.
Modulation: envelopes, LFOs, randomisers and utilities that can be combined freely.
Effects: three effect lanes using Kilohearts snapins. Kilohearts Essentials (30 effects) is included; premium snapins are sold separately.
MPE: pitch, pressure and timbre per note.

Available to buy or as part of a subscription, with lifetime free updates. Version 2.4.6 at the time of writing.

Source: Kilohearts product page

When to use it

Phase Plant is the most open-ended synth in the rated list: nothing is fixed, so you build exactly the signal flow you want. Serum 2 and Pigments 7 give you a set layout to fill; Phase Plant gives you a blank canvas, which is powerful but slower for beginners. Kilohearts has kept adding major features, such as granular and new modulators and effects, as free updates.

Best for: sound designers, complex basses and FX, layered patches with their own effect chains, and anyone already using Kilohearts snapins.
Genres: dubstep and bass music, experimental electronic, trailer and game sound design.
Look elsewhere if: you want to pick presets and go (Omnisphere 3, Hive 2), or you're new to synthesis.

What producers say

Highly regarded by sound designers, with the learning curve as the main caveat.

MusicRadar (Computer Music, 2019) called it a "modular sandbox" and one of the most impressive instruments it had reviewed, while noting complex patches can get cluttered.
Producer Hive (Alex Joyce, 2021) scored it 8.9/10 as "a sound designer's dream", though felt Serum still has the better wavetable editing.
KVR users point to its frequent, substantial free updates.
Gripes: heavy CPU on complex patches, a steep learning curve, and the full effects range costs extra.

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $199
Kilohearts: $199

Tutorials and reviews

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