MiniDust

Name: MiniDust
Price: 66 USD
Author: Sound Particles

by Sound Particles · Synth · Compact spatial synth

Not rated yet

MiniDust is the lightweight version of Sound Particles' SkyDust 3D: a two-oscillator synth with spatial sequencing for binaural, surround and Ambisonics output.

It has 190+ waveforms, 6 filter types, 9 effects, a 128-step polyphonic sequencer, MPE support and 250+ presets, for $89.

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

Keywords: preset-driven, sequencer, MPE support, arpeggiator, macro controls, polyphonic, cinematic, CPU-light, freemium, heavy, modulation matrix, pads, randomize, sound design, textures.

What it does

MiniDust is the developer's "lite version of SkyDust 3D": a two-oscillator synth that keeps SkyDust's spatial engine, so every note can move around the listener in stereo, binaural or immersive formats.

Oscillators: 2 oscillators with 190 waveforms, 4 noise types (white, brown, binary and pink) and more than 70 waveform modifiers.
Filters: 6 types (low pass, high pass, band pass, peak, low shelf and high shelf) with keyboard and velocity mapping.
Modulation: envelope generators plus 2 extra EGs, a pitch LFO plus 2 extra LFOs, and macros for controlling several parameters at once.
Sequencing: an arpeggiator with 7 modes and snap to scale, a polyphonic sequencer of up to 128 steps, and parameter sequences.
Spatial movement: a spatial sequencer, spatial envelopes and LFOs and movement modifiers place and move notes in 3D, with a 3D view and SOFA support for custom binaural.
Effects: 9 effects (delay, bit crush, distortion, EQ, reverb, flanger, vibrato, chorus and phaser) with a mixer and dry/wet control.
Presets: 250 presets and sub-presets, including MPE-ready ones, plus randomisation.

Version 1.0.0. Outputs range from mono and stereo to binaural, Ambisonics up to 6th order and multichannel up to 11.1.8. It is MPE compatible.

Source: Sound Particles product page

When to use it

MiniDust is the cheapest way into spatial synthesis: it keeps per-note 3D movement, which ordinary synths like Vital, Serum 2 or Diva don't offer. Compared with SkyDust 3D, it has two oscillators instead of more, no FM, no sample import and fewer effect slots, but it costs much less. As a plain stereo synth it is less deep than Vital or Pigments 7, so its real value is moving binaural or Atmos layers rather than raw sound-design range.

Best for: binaural headphone mixes, moving arpeggios and pads, noise textures and immersive cues for Dolby Atmos.
Genres: electronic, ambient, cinematic and game audio.
Look elsewhere if: you need FM, sample import or a deep stereo engine; SkyDust 3D, Pigments 7 or Vital go further.
Tip: switch to binaural output and listen on headphones while working through the presets to hear what the spatial engine can do (Production Expert).

What producers say

Reviewed as an impressive, good-value entry into spatial synthesis, held back mainly by what it leaves out of SkyDust 3D.

Production Expert gave it a Gold Award, with all three reviewers rating it a hit; they praised instant 3D sound in "any immersive format", the clear interface, macros and the 250+ presets.
Criticisms: Production Expert noted no FM, no sample import, only 2 effect slots versus SkyDust 3D's 4, and no upgrade path to SkyDust 3D.

Production Expert review

Where to buy

Best Service: $66
Sound Particles: $89 (Price as listed on KVR Audio; soundparticles.com could not be read.)
Plugin Boutique: $89
PluginFox: $89
AudioDeluxe: $89

Tutorials and reviews

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