Nemesis 3
by Tone2 · Synth · FM and digital synth
Not rated yet
Nemesis 3 is Tone2's FM and digital synth, built around NeoFM, its own heavily oversampled take on FM that works with any waveform.
Classic FM, additive, phase distortion, formant and other methods sit alongside 48 effects and 1,165 patches, for $99 (listed down from $199).
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap, Pop.
Keywords: FM, additive, classic, oversampling, basses, arpeggiator, simple, drag-and-drop routing, heavy, metallic, monophonic, plucks, polyphonic, preset-driven, sequencer, sound design.
What it does
Nemesis 3 is Tone2's digital synth built around NeoFM, which the developer calls "more powerful and easier to program than traditional FM". It uses a simple carrier-and-modulator layout rather than an operator grid, with very high oversampling to keep FM tones free of aliasing.
- Synthesis types: NeoFM, classic FM/phase modulation, true FM, waveshaping, additive, phase distortion, formant synthesis, waveform crossblending, PWM on any waveform, ring modulation, resynthesis and Tone2's Resonance mode.
- Oscillators: carrier and modulator oscillators with phase control, hundreds of included waveforms and WAV import; 2x and 4x stereo unison with spread.
- Filters: zero-phase filters that work directly on the waveforms, with slopes up to 90 dB per octave.
- Effects: 48 effects with flexible routing, a ducking module, a psychoacoustic module and a gate with contour, swing and shuffle.
- Modulation: two main LFOs with six waveforms, 16 extra sine LFOs, a step sequencer, two auxiliary envelopes plus the amp ADSR, and a drag-and-drop matrix running at audio rate, with MIDI Learn.
- Arpeggiator and play modes: a pattern arpeggiator with glides, swing, shuffle, split and auto-chord; polyphonic, mono, two legato modes and multi mono.
- Wave editor and presets: an additive spectrum editor for making or changing waveforms, and 1,165 searchable, tagged patches.
Version 3.1's interface comes in 22 sizes up to 8K. Owners of versions 1 and 2 can upgrade at a reduced price; the product page does not mention a demo.
When to use it
Nemesis 3 is the better pick when you want modern FM sounds without learning operator algorithms. Its single carrier/modulator design is far simpler than Native Instruments FM8 or Arturia DX7 V, and its alias-free engine suits hard basses and bright bells. Compared with Serum 2 or Vital, it lacks a wavetable editor but goes deeper on FM, formant and phase distortion tones. It is also cheap next to Phase Plant, which can do FM inside a modular layout but takes more setup.
- Best for: FM basses, bells, metallic plucks, growls and chip-style sounds.
- Genres: EDM, dubstep, trap, pop and electronic.
- Look elsewhere if: you want authentic DX7 patches and SysEx support (DX7 V or Plogue's chipsynth OPS7) or a wavetable workhorse (Serum 2).
- Tip: a KVR reviewer suggests modulating the NeoFM knob with an LFO for evolving tones, and using the second envelope on volume for punchy basses.
What producers say
Reviews of the first version were enthusiastic about the sound and easy FM, with CPU use and browsing the main complaints.
- MusicRadar (Computer Music) (2014) said producers of high-impact electronic music will be "blown away", praising the easy FM, big preset library and filters, but noted no browser search and heavy CPU on many patches.
- KVR user (5 out of 5, version 1.0, 2013) compared the sound to some of the best hardware synths and enjoyed the spectral editor, but wished for an extra LFO and a third envelope.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $99
- Tone2: $99 (regular $199)
- PluginFox: $99
- AudioDeluxe: $99
Tutorials and reviews
- 🔥🔥Tone2 Nemesis 3 VST for PC, MAC (Powerful NeoFM Syntheziser) Tutorial 1: Getting Started
- Tone2 Audio releases Nemesis 3
- Tone2 Nemesis NeoFM Synth Plugin review
- Tone2 Nemesis: NeoFM Synthesis Explained (Warmer, Easier ...
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