SynFeX

Name: SynFeX
Price: 46.1 USD
Author: Rob Papen

by Rob Papen · Synth · Riser and drop FX synth

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SynFeX is a synth for tempo-based audio FX such as noise rises and low drops, with a Movement section for shaping them.

It mixes synth noise with built-in and user samples, granular synthesis, several filter types, a ribbon controller and effects, for $49.

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

Keywords: risers & hits, granular, tempo-synced, film & game audio, cinematic, analog-sounding, ensemble, lo-fi, modern, polyphonic, preset-driven, sound design.

What it does

SynFeX is a 16-voice Rob Papen synth dedicated to risers, drops and other tempo-based FX for contemporary music, film and games, so you do "not have to search long" for a transition sound.

Five sources: Noise (pink/white mix with a sine sub-oscillator), Tuned Noise with pitch control, Synced Noise with semi-tuning, a Wave source (sine, saw, square and triangle, analog-modeled) and a Sample source.
Samples and granular: use the built-in samples or load your own WAV/AIFF files, with a sample editor (zoom and loop) and granular synthesis options.
Movement section: the main control, working as a per-voice envelope or LFO with Up/Down, Down/Up, Up and Down shapes, tempo-synced speed and looping, routed to filter, pitch, volume and pan plus two free destinations.
Filters: 32 filter types from 6 to 36 dB slopes, including formant, comb, ring and amplitude modulation filters, with stereo spread and 14 distortion models.
Effects: four FX units: Lo-Fi distortion, a multi-mode modulation unit (chorus, flanger, ensemble, phaser, wah, TalkBox, tremolo, autopan, ring mod, gator), stereo delay and an RP-VERB reverb.
Ribbon controller: for live sweeps, with spring-back and quantize options.
Presets and interface: 300+ presets sorted by category with favourites and star ratings, and GUI scaling from 100% to 200%.

The current version is 1.0. A demo is available from Rob Papen.

Source: Rob Papen product page

When to use it

SynFeX is the faster choice when the job is a riser, drop or sweep that has to land on the beat. Compared with Serum 2 or Phase Plant, which can make the same effects, it starts from noise and sample sources already wired to a tempo-synced Movement control, so you shape a transition instead of building one from scratch. Next to Omnisphere 3, its scope is far narrower but its single job is quicker to dial in. Unlike a folder of riser samples, its movement follows the project tempo and can be pushed live with the ribbon.

Best for: tempo-synced risers, drops, noise sweeps, impacts and transition effects.
Genres: EDM, trailer and cinematic music, game audio and pop.
Look elsewhere if: you want a general-purpose synth for leads, basses and pads; Serum 2 or Phase Plant do far more.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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