PRODUCT
TESTS
IK Multimedia Syntronik Virtual Synthesizer
By Paul Lau
S
yntronik from IK Multimedia is the
holy grail of virtual synth plug-ins,
and the company has recently
updated its breakthrough offer-
ing with some great new features
and expanded compatibility. I should say
now that I may be slightly biased as at one
time or another, I’ve owned a PPG Wave
2.3 as well as Roland, Yamaha, Prophet, and
Moog synths like the 38 classic instruments
sampled for this package. Let me tell you,
this virtual instrument definitely brings back
fond memories from over three decades of
musical instrument history.
Introduction
Now, since the age of software emulations
of hardware instruments, there have always
been the comparisons and arguments of
how realistic the virtual sound or sample
playback is compared to the original; how-
ever, with advancements in the technology
behind programming and sampling, I feel
that, to a certain degree, the immortalization
of these synthesizers via virtual playback
has been accomplished and will continue
to progress to an even higher sonic quality
in the future.
With that, I am tremendously impressed
with the work and time invested to cap-
ture over 70,000 accurate and high-quality
samples to the tune of 50 GB of sounds. Call
it something of a history lesson in some of
the most popular, noteworthy, and unique
synths ever created – and one that will bring
a host of creative possibilities to your work.
Syntronik is made up of a compilation
of over 2,000 preset sounds that have been
derived from 38 classic synths. These synths
have then been divided up into 17 instru-
ment categories. For example, there’s the
aforementioned PPG wave 2.3 with iconic
models from Yamaha, Roland, Moog, Proph-
et, Sequential Circuits, and Oberheim, just
to name a few.
In Use
In regards to the advancements in technol-
ogy that have made way for the current crop
of detailed and realistic virtual instruments,
Syntronik showcases IK Multimedia’s new
DRIFT technology that emulates the realistic
response and sound of analog oscillators by
randomly changing the characteristics of the
multisamples (similar to the characteristics of
the original). This results in very real, natural,
and smooth sounds that, in my experience,
24 PROFESSIONAL SOUND
are remarkably authentic in relation to the
physical keyboards being recreated.
The individual interfaces for each of
the keyboard models being recreated in
the software will look familiar if you’ve ever
owned any of these beauties. What’s more,
the controls are actually all the same as
found on the original hardware versions, yet
laid out differently in knob or slider formats.
There is a filter section that has the
circuit-level filter models of four amazing
keyboards, which are the modeled emula-
tions of the Moog Ladder, Oberheim State
Variable, Curtis CEM3320, and Roland IR3109
resonant filters. Here, we can combine and
mix oscillators with different filters to come
up with some extraordinary sounds.
So when is too much, too much? Or is
that ever the case? For me, Syntronik finds
the perfect balance with true four-part edit-
ability plus multi-stacking and multi-splitting
capabilities. Syntronik allows you to stack
up to four keyboard parts simultaneously
for a really thick combo or a series of differ-
ent sounds that are split on each keyboard
using between one to four keyboards. The
combinations are so open-ended that you’re
really only limited by your MIDI channels
and creativity.
The note and chord arpeggiator allows
you to create and/or use the simplest pat-
terns to set tempos and grooves based on
virtually any style of music. The complexities
of creating sequences whether you’re play-
ing the notes or drawing them in makes it
fast and easy to come up with some pow-
erful melodies and bass lines that punch
through and can enhance anything you’re
working on!
IK Multimedia is also well-known for T-
RackS, its flagship collection of mixing and
mastering processors, and its AmpliTube
guitar and bass tone studio, so when it came
to including additional effects for Syntronik,
the company has included 38 different
effects from the T-RackS and AmpliTube
worlds. The drag-and-drop chain of effects is
fast, effective, and super easy to use, with up
to five effects that can be used at the same
time and inserted on every instrument. The
selection of modulation, dynamics, EQ, filter,
distortion, amp, reverb, and delay effects is
vast and well worth the price of admission.
With so many options for creativity and
customization, the program offers a browser
that searches using key words or categories
to help you find specific features or effects.
The user interface is also resizable, which
is quite convenient. And if you are familiar
with IK’s SampleTank workstation, it can turn
Syntronik into an open-ended expandable
instrument plug-in with tons of potential.
Syntronik sounds amazing, and remarkably
true to its source material. It brings the user
authentic sounds from classic synths while
also providing editable tools that are super
easy and inspiring to use. Whether you are a
seasoned pro or just finding your legs with
in-the-box composition and production, Syn-
tronik brings a wide palette of sonic colours
to explore and the potential to come up with
never-before-heard sounds. This is a valuable
tool that can really open up your creativity.
Paul Lau B.Sc.
Musician/Producer/Film Composer
Managing Director of PowerMusic5Records,
www.PowerMusic5.com
Member of the Cool Christian Pop Band
Scatter17, www.Scatter17.com