ImPerfect
by W.A. Production · Synth · Detuned lo-fi synth
Not rated yet
ImPerfect is a synth from W.A. Production built around wavering, detuned oscillators and analog-style imperfections.
Wacky, Cracky and Shaky sliders add modulation effects, saturation and pitch wobble, for $89.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Lo-Fi, Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: lo-fi, arpeggiator, digital-sounding, FM, leads, metering, minimal controls, monophonic, pads, polyphonic, preset-driven, resizable UI, retro, simple, sound design, tempo-synced.
What it does
ImPerfect is W.A. Production's "Special Shifting Synth", built to add analog-style flaws to digital sound. It centres on "wavering detuned oscillators, modulating effects" and three sliders that dial in instability.
- Sound sources: five modules: oscillators 1 and 2 morph between four waveforms each, oscillator 3 loads 260 preset waveforms or your own WAV files, plus a sub-oscillator and a noise source.
- FM and ring mod: frequency and ring modulation between oscillators.
- Wacky, Cracky, Shaky: Wacky raises phaser, chorus and delay, Cracky adds saturation, and Shaky modulates pitch from slight detune to full wobble.
- XY pads: two pads, each assignable to four parameters, with three automatic performance modes.
- Synth section: a filter, two envelopes, two LFOs, glide, an effects section, and mono or poly play with up to 16 voices.
- Arpeggiator: up to four octaves, synced to tempo or free-running, with latch.
- Presets and display: hundreds of presets (90 added in v1.6) with a browser to audition them, and a central waveform scope with output meters.
The current version is 1.6.1 (September 2023); v1.6 (September 2022) added a resizable, Hi-DPI interface. A demo is available.
Source: W.A. Production product page
When to use it
ImPerfect is built for character first, with drift, wobble and grit on three big sliders. Compared with Xfer Serum 2 and Vital it has much less sound-design depth, but it gets to an unstable, lo-fi sound faster. Unlike u-he Diva it does not model real analog circuits; the instability comes from modulation and effects. It costs more than its scope suggests, and it is often discounted heavily.
- Best for: lo-fi keys, wobbly pads and detuned retro leads.
- Genres: lo-fi, hip-hop and electronic music.
- Look elsewhere if: you want clean, precise sound design or accurate analog emulation; Serum 2 or Diva suit that better.
What producers say
Reviewers like the sound and the instability controls but see it as a niche tool.
- Gearnews said it "sounds great, is simple to use" and fun, and found Cracky and Shaky "really quite cool".
- KVR users rate it 4 out of 5 from 1 review (2023), which called it well made but said "I rarely ever grab it".
- Criticisms: Gearnews questioned the marketing, noting the five-oscillator claim is generous and Wacky is really an effects send, not analog behaviour.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $89
- W.A. Production: $89
- AudioDeluxe: $89
Tutorials and reviews
- Checking Out Imperfect and Expansions by WA Production!
- W.A. Production ImPerfect Synth & Expansions - 3 Min…
- W.A. Production Imperfect Synthesizer Sound Demo | SYNTH…
- ImPerfect by WA Productions | Song Demo & Preset Playthrough
- IMPERFECT Synthesizer - Special Shifting Synth (VST / AU / AAX)
Similar plugins
- Usynth DUST by UJAM · Lo-fi synth · $19
- Phonec3 by Psychic Modulation · Analog-style synth with pitch drift · $89
- Triple Cheese by u-he · Free comb-filter synth · Free
- Usynth 2080 by UJAM · Synthwave synth · $9
More from W.A. Production
- PsychoPan by W.A. Production · Imaging · $14.90
- Particle Pie by W.A. Production · Multi-FX · $39.90
- Supra by W.A. Production · Synth · $14.90
- Make Me Scream 2 by W.A. Production · Vocal Tool · $69
- Orchid by W.A. Production · Chorus · $39.90
- Asymo Reverb by W.A. Production · Reverb · $14.90
- ChopBeast 2 by W.A. Production · Multi-FX · $12.90
- Presser by Aiden Kenway by W.A. Production · Compressor · $29.90