WirePluck

Name: WirePluck
Price: 46.07 USD
Author: Rob Papen

by Rob Papen · Synth · Pluck synth

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WirePluck is a three-layer pluck synth where each layer uses Wire, Karplus string, 3-operator FM or one-oscillator subtractive synthesis.

It has distortion, modulation FX, delay and reverb, an arpeggiator, chord memory and a ribbon controller, for $49.

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

Keywords: plucks, arpeggiator, FM, subtractive, chord generator, mallets, metallic, ensemble, modulation matrix, monophonic, MPE support, polyphonic, resizable UI, sequencer, sound design, physical modelling, tempo-synced, virtual analog.

What it does

WirePluck is a 16-voice synth from Rob Papen built only for plucked sounds. The idea is not to copy acoustic instruments but to create "new inspirational sounds", by layering physical modeling, FM and subtractive sources.

Three layers: each layer picks one of four sources and has its own pitch envelope, high-pass filter, decay controls and output routing.
Wire: a newly developed source that sounds a bit like hitting a wire, with Q control and stereo separation.
String: custom Karplus-Strong string modeling with impulse and drift controls.
FM and Wave: a 3-operator FM (phase modulation) source with a pitch envelope decay per operator, and a one-oscillator virtual analog source (sine, saw, square, triangle) with 26+ filter types.
Modulation: two LFOs with nine waveforms, an 8-slot modulation matrix and a ribbon controller with tempo-synced spring-back.
Performance: a 16-step arpeggiator with sequencer mode and ratcheting, chord memory (four chords of up to six notes), velocity split, and Poly, Poly MPE, Mono and Legato modes.
Effects: distortion with 14 types, a modulation unit (chorus, flanger, ensemble, phaser, wah, talkbox, tremolo, ring mod), stereo delay and RP-Verb reverb, in a changeable order.

The current versions are 1.0.0 and 1.0.1, with a scalable interface. A demo is available.

Source: Rob Papen product page

When to use it

WirePluck is the better pick when you want a fast source of unusual plucks, mallets and metallic tones rather than a general-purpose synth. Compared with Vital or Pigments 7, it does far less overall, but its Wire and Karplus string sources give a physical, struck quality that wavetable plucks lack. Against Serum 2 or Phase Plant it is much cheaper and quicker to work with, since every layer is set up for short, decaying sounds. Layering three sources (say, a string with an FM bell and a wire attack) is where it differs most from single-engine synths.

Best for: plucks, mallets, bells and metallic hits, and arpeggiated patterns built from layered sources.
Genres: electronic, pop, ambient and soundtrack work.
Look elsewhere if: you want one synth for pads, basses and leads too; Vital (free) or Pigments 7 are broader.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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