AX73
by Martinic · Synth · Akai AX73 analog polysynth emulation
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AX73 is Martinic's emulation of the 1980s Akai AX73 analog synthesizer, built with its Advanced Circuitry Emulation (ACE) technology.
It extends the original with two layers, eight envelopes and eight LFOs, per-layer arpeggiators and a routable eight-module effects section, for $149.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: analog, arpeggiator, 80s, hardware emulation, polyphonic, basses, brass, circuit-modelled, pads, preset-driven, sound design, strings, subtractive.
What it does
AX73 is Martinic's plugin version of the Akai AX73, which the developer calls "a powerful 80s analog synth", rebuilt with its ACE circuit modelling. It keeps the hardware's voice design but adds a second layer, more modulation, arpeggiators and an effects rack.
- Oscillators: each layer has VCO1, VCO2 and a square-wave sub oscillator, so a patch runs four oscillators in total; the VCO octave range extends down to 32'.
- Waveshaping: all five waveforms can be shaped, which goes well beyond the fixed waves of the original.
- Filter: low-pass, band-pass and high-pass modes with three cutoff slopes, plus an extra 6 dB/oct low-pass filter.
- Two layers: split the two Parts across the keyboard (say, bass under a pad) or stack them; voices are shared between Parts in fixed ratios.
- Modulation: four invertible envelopes and four LFOs per layer, eight of each in total, with three of the envelopes freely assignable.
- Arpeggiators: one per layer, each with 11 modes including Shuffle and Improv.
- Effects: compressor, phaser, flanger, chorus, delay, reverb, distortion and EQ, which you can drag into any order and sync to MIDI tempo.
- Polyphony and presets: four times the voices of the hardware (24 voices), with 600 presets and tag-based browsing.
The current version is 1.4.4. A trial version is available.
When to use it
AX73 is the pick when you want an 80s analog polysynth that doesn't sound like the usual Roland and Sequential emulations. Compared with Arturia Jup-8 V or TAL-U-NO-LX, it has a darker, less familiar Akai character, and its two layers with separate arpeggiators make split and stacked patches easy. It is far simpler than Diva, with fewer oscillator models and no MPE, but much lighter to program. Against CS-80 V it is cheaper and more direct, though it lacks the CS-80's expressive aftertouch-driven playing.
- Best for: 80s pads, brass, strings, split bass-and-chord patches and layered arpeggios.
- Genres: synthwave, pop, electronic and ambient.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a Jupiter or Juno sound specifically (Jup-8 V or TAL-U-NO-LX), or need MPE and aftertouch control (Diva or CS-80 V).
What producers say
Reviewers found it more capable and characterful than the modest original hardware would suggest; the editor page's look is the main complaint.
- Sound On Sound (Gordon Reid, 2022) called it surprisingly competent, with "a character that's rather different" from mainstream soft synths; he noted no aftertouch or MPE, fixed voice splits between Parts and limited MIDI Learn.
- Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2022) praised the "real depth in the lower mids", the attractive main screen and the 600 well-organised presets.
- Criticisms: both reviews found the grey editor page dull, and Computer Music disliked not being able to step through patches from the main display.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $57
- Martinic: $149 (Price from the KVR Audio product listing)
- PluginFox: $149
- AudioDeluxe: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- AX73 Tutorial: The Basics
- AX73 Tutorial: Advanced Techniques
- Martinic AX73 Synth Plugin Features Demo
- Plugin of the Week - Martinic AX73
- Martinic AX73
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