FXpansion D-Cam Synth Squad Review
by Paul Dakeyne, in Music Software,
D-Cam Synth Squad from FXpansion is a collection of three modeling virtual synths, and a fourth ’shell’ instrument which stacks the former together adding additional modulation, effects and routing options. Arriving cross-platform in the expected AU, VST and RTAS formats, the ‘discrete component analogue modeling’ (D-CAM) set of sonic tools is easily installed and authorised with no dongle (iLok or e-licencer) required. Comprising of a ’similar throughout’ modulation system, the three synths do however have their individual sonic focus and characteristics, which break down into the following themes…
Strobe: Focused in monophonic operation for lead and bassline generation, Strobe is effectively inspired by such classic synths as the Mini-Moog, Sequential Circuits Pro One (Vince Clarke say ‘woop’!) and the Roland SH-101. This is a subtractive device which allows the mixing of sawtooth, square and noise oscillators and, in addition, blend in minus three octave shift sub-oscillators of sine, triangle, saw and square waves too.
Individual pulse width adjustments affect the main and sub oscillation separately and this, added to the ‘voice stack’ and ‘de-tune’ functions equates to some truly phat, piercing and really useful bass and lead sound designing. Adding further bite, Strobe’s sync knob can be the victim of some serious modulation to get sounds literally cutting through a mix in a ‘Rez’, Underworld stylee.
Amber: Debuting as the first virtual synth to accurately model some of the more infamous string machines, Amber takes its inspiration from the likes of ARP’s Omni and Solina and the Roland Paraphonic 505 keyboards.The main synth section hosts an 8″, 4″ and 2″ oscillator, pumped up with a resonant, eight-type multi-mode filter. Nestled next door on Amber’s GUI is the secondary ‘ensemble section’, adding three divide-down oscillators, a four band highly expressive formant filter and a triple mode, vintage chorus effects circuit - cutely divided into the ‘year’ of the effect (1975, 1981 and 1984 - lush, psychedelic pads and strings anyone?).
Cypher: Nodding some respect in the direction of Korg’s MS-20, Roland’s Jupiter 8 and the ARP 2600, Cypher is the more complex, gritty and attitude laden, moody teenager of the group. Using analogue audio-rate modulation, it incorporates through-zero FM possibilities (waveform reversing), plus options for narrow pulse width oscillation and a variable amount, hard syncing capability.
Cypher is a very capable three oscillator synth, but the fact that these oscillators can modulate each other via FM, ring mod, sync and waveshaping just takes its sound creation potential through the roof. The parallel and serial configured filters add further creative control, as do the (similar to ‘Strobe’) arpeggiator options, glide control and voice unison functionality.
Fusor: This is D-Cam Synth Squad’s host instrument: in effect being a shell that the three other synths above can slot into. Using a system of key mapping, any combination of the three can be spanned across the users keyboard in either layered or split modes.
A unique mix/send routing ability of 27 very cool and varied effects are provided (including an authentic Breverb ‘Overload’ reverb) plus the rather fun and inspiring ‘Animator’ section. This comprises four step sequencer engines, sync locked to the host DAW’s tempo, each of which handles arpeggiation, note and modulation sequencing (see image below). A set of MIDI control assignable and ultra-configurable macro slots place yet more sonic tools at the users fingertips, either self assigned or as a part of the actual Animator presets.
Aimed probably at the more savvy of synth programmers, FXpansion includes the TransMod system on each of the three main D-Cam synths. Each one has eight TransMod buttons representing a user selected modulation source. Active destination parameters associated with the source actually glow to assist programming and thereafter, a series of mouse click ‘n drag’s enable the desired routing combination. Mind bending though it may be, each source can be further modified by an additional source to effectively modulate the modulation!
D-Cam Synth Squad is quite a unique grouped conceptualisation of modular synthesis with literally nothing else out there that compares (unless you break down the individual components). It can be the most awesome, complex, ultimately programmable sonic creation device, further bolstered with an endless modulation matrix that beggars belief. Or you could simply pick any one of the (mostly stunning) presets, twiddle a few ad-hoc knobs or faders and still come out with a monster of a sound to plant bass in your face, a lead to die for or pads to take a trip to ‘la-la land’ with.
Amber really shines with its interpretation of classic string synths, being that the content is modeled, not sampled. Cypher and Strobe more than just ‘deliver’ the goods, which ultimately should please and creatively satisfy any electronic music maker for years to come. With Fusor hitting the home run, novices, intermediate users and professional synth programmers alike should be assured of instant gratification with D-Cam Synth Squad.
