ACE
by u-he · Synth · Semi-modular analog-style synth
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Analog-style semi-modular synthesizer with patchable routing, known for being light on CPU.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass. Genres: Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: modular, analog, CPU-light, polyphonic, basses, FM, leads, MPE support, preset-driven, sequencer, sound design, subtractive.
What it does
ACE ("Any Cable Everywhere") is u-he's semi-modular synth, which the developer pitches as a gateway into modular sound design: any output can be patched to any input with cables.
- Sound engine: two VCOs with sync, PWM and FM, two self-oscillating multimode filters, two ADSR envelopes and two LFOs that run up to audio rate.
- Voices: polyphonic (up to 16 voices), duophonic or mono, with up to 8-voice unison and detune.
- Extras: a Mapping Generator for custom modulation shapes, plus chorus/phaser, delay and tone effects.
- Presets and support: over 920 factory presets, MPE and MTS-ESP microtuning.
The current version is 1.4.3. A demo is available.
When to use it
ACE is the smaller, cheaper way into patch-cable synthesis in u-he's range. Compared with Bazille, the bigger modular with digital oscillators, ACE keeps a classic two-oscillator, two-filter layout that is easy to follow and, as the developer notes, light on CPU.
- Best for: learning patching, analog-style basses, leads and sequences, and modulation experiments without a huge module list.
- Genres: electronic, synthwave, ambient and experimental.
Where to buy
- Plugin Boutique: $69
- PluginFox: $69
- AudioDeluxe: $69
- u-he: $78.35 (Listed at €69; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
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