- Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Reviews
- Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Interface
- Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Software
The original Circle synth, created by a small studio – Future Audio Workshop, has garnered somewhat of a cult following by some of the forefront of the current generation of electronic musicians (think Guetta, Maus, Tejada).
Based on research conducted between FAW and the audio research group at Maynooth University, Circle² brings you a new type of synthesis: Vector Phase Shaping. Completely unique to Circle². Fully Re-written Audio Engine Circle² comes with a fully re-written audio engine. Better tone with improved low-end depth and increased high frequency. Installation for Windows 2.1 Installing the iAXE To install the USB AUDIO driver, proceed as follows: 1) Power on your computer. 2) Insert the CD into your CDROM drive. 3) Locate the folder 'ASIOdriver' on the CD and open it. 4) Double-click on 'Setup.exe' to install the driver. 5) Follow the on-screen instructions. Future Audio Workshop's original Circle synth introduced a fresh take on synth sounds and a futuristic interface. Noah Pred finds out how version 2 is an improvement, both for sound and usability. In just a few short years, Future Audio Workshop's relatively small Berlin operation has vaulted itself to the forefront of music technology. Next story Circle 2.1.2 – Uniquely intuitive audio synthesizer. Previous story SQLPro for MSSQL 1.0.204 – Database management studio for Microsoft SQL Server (was SQL Client). You may also like. Certified Ableton clinician and Producer tech founder Rob Jones gives us a look at some of his favourite features of the Circle2 (s.
The original Circle synth, created by a small studio – Future Audio Workshop, has garnered somewhat of a cult following by some of the forefront of the current generation of electronic musicians (think Guetta, Maus, Tejada).
The new release has been awaited with much anticipation, and it's finally here. Circle2, everyone.
For those who don't know it yet
Circle2 is a straightforward synth: The GUI is a very pleasing single window on black background with primary color minimal module information. Think iOS 8 in reverse. Beautiful, and contemporary. The left third of the single window GUI is the oscillator section – 4 oscillators, noise gen and feedback. Each oscillator gives you three wave type options: analog type (saw, sine, etc) wavetable (more on that in a bit) and a new type of synthesis called Vector Phase shaping. Not entirely sure what this type of synthesis is. On their website, they mention that it's the result of collaboration with the audio research group at Maynooth University in Ireland. The synthesis technique seems to have been designed with modulation in mind – as you move the horizontal phase and vertical phase knobs the timbre and tone of the wave changes in a smooth and predictable manner, kind of like a phasey sounding filter cutoff and resonance.
The middle third is a mixer, a couple of effect modules, filter and vca, and on the right third, 5 modulation windows, where you can select from envelopes, LFOs and step sequencers. You can also use the oscillators as modulators, whether they're engaged for audio or not. The LFO's have 16 fixed shapes, but there are 2 per LFO, and you can blend between them (and modulate that blend!) I really liked that the sequencer has a smoothing function, that ultimately affects the sound quite dramatically, whether it's being used directly on the sound, or to modulate another source. It changes the movement from the stepped clipped sound to a smoother glide.
At the bottom of the window is a bounce-up menu that contains three more effect modules, keyboard settings (arpeggiator, keyboard tracking), overall settings, midi and wifi control, and the preset window.
The preset window has the shape of most modern synths, in that it contains a characteristics menu to help filter the types of sound. You want a hard, moving, lead from the 90's? Click the necessary filter buttons on the grid, and your choices narrow. It makes sense.
The effects are all solid – between the 5 modules, there's a choice of 17 different High-quality effects. Standout to me were the reverb and bucket delay, that really gave a juicy and thick analog lushness to the sound, if you were looking for it.
Workflow
This is the easiest and most intuitive synth I've worked with in terms of creating sounds: a sound designers dream. The instant audio and visual feedback on the tweaks you make is very inspiring. I particularly liked the preview effect when it comes to modulation – Wherever there's a colored dot from a modulation source you can pick it up with a mouse, and move it to an empty dot, at a modulation destination. As you hover your colored dot over the destination, you get an audio preview of what the modulation will sound like. If you like it, let go, and it becomes permanent. If not, move on to another empty dot, until you hear something you like. To undo a modulation, grab the colored dot, and drag it off the destination dot you just placed it on. Simple!
As more of a trial and error sound designer than mathematical whiz, I love this approach. The wavetable oscillator section is a large window of 110 wavetables. While you can't tell exactly what sound each oscillator will make, it gives you a general idea. All the modulators (The LFO's envelopes and step sequencers) trace an outline of where they're at in the cycle, envelope or sequence respectively. This gives you a visual guide to where the sound is in its modulation. You can see for example if the LFO is running fast or slow, or whether the envelope is in the attack, decay or release stage. This is especially helpful considering you can have up to 5 LFOs, envelopes or sequencers at a time.
Little thoughtful bits
In the preset manager menu, there's a characteristic called ‘my sounds'. Clicking that removes all factory presets from the list, leaving just the sounds you've created. Brilliant.
Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Reviews
The upgrade is free for current users! Very generous.
The randomization settings – in the little popup window at the bottom of the GUI, is perhaps the best control over ‘random' preset creation I've come across yet. It might be pure coincidence as I worked with it, but it seemed that the sounds that emerged were a lot more useable than with other synths that have similar processes. You can choose the percentage of randomization for most elements of the preset, whether you want to keep the modulations as they are, etc.
Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Interface
I loved that when you click the ‘midi learn' button – yellow highlights cover every single option that can be selected, and when you select one, it pulses gently until a midi control is assigned. Simple, but clear and effective.
Conclusion
I love this synth for several reasons. Firstly, I loved the layout and the look. I'm not a fan of skeuomorphism, and I dig this dimensionally flat yet really tasteful colorful design.
Secondly, I love the sound. The VPS oscillator is a fairly fresh sound – which keeps it fairly edgy and contemporary sounding, and combined with the wavetable (which you can add your own waves to) and the more trad analog stuff, you have a huge amount of flexibility when it comes to sound – and at a surprisingly low CPU cost.
Thirdly and mostly, I loved the balance of flexibility of modulation combined with the simplicity of the layout and the instant visual and audio feedback you get, making for very fast workflow and very quick beneficial results. All this combines to make a very nice package that will doubtless sell very well, and be used by many artists the world over.
Preview sounds from the FAW soundcloud:
FAW are also releasing free tutorials on youtube teaching you how to make some classic electro sounds like this:
For further details you can check more about it here. To buy Circle2 and support ANR please click on this link.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
The original Circle synth, created by a small studio – Future Audio Workshop, has garnered somewhat of a cult following by some of the forefront of the current generation of electronic musicians (think Guetta, Maus, Tejada).
The new release has been awaited with much anticipation, and it's finally here. Circle2, everyone.
For those who don't know it yet
Circle2 is a straightforward synth: The GUI is a very pleasing single window on black background with primary color minimal module information. Think iOS 8 in reverse. Beautiful, and contemporary. The left third of the single window GUI is the oscillator section – 4 oscillators, noise gen and feedback. Each oscillator gives you three wave type options: analog type (saw, sine, etc) wavetable (more on that in a bit) and a new type of synthesis called Vector Phase shaping. Not entirely sure what this type of synthesis is. On their website, they mention that it's the result of collaboration with the audio research group at Maynooth University in Ireland. The synthesis technique seems to have been designed with modulation in mind – as you move the horizontal phase and vertical phase knobs the timbre and tone of the wave changes in a smooth and predictable manner, kind of like a phasey sounding filter cutoff and resonance.
The middle third is a mixer, a couple of effect modules, filter and vca, and on the right third, 5 modulation windows, where you can select from envelopes, LFOs and step sequencers. You can also use the oscillators as modulators, whether they're engaged for audio or not. The LFO's have 16 fixed shapes, but there are 2 per LFO, and you can blend between them (and modulate that blend!) I really liked that the sequencer has a smoothing function, that ultimately affects the sound quite dramatically, whether it's being used directly on the sound, or to modulate another source. It changes the movement from the stepped clipped sound to a smoother glide.
At the bottom of the window is a bounce-up menu that contains three more effect modules, keyboard settings (arpeggiator, keyboard tracking), overall settings, midi and wifi control, and the preset window.
The preset window has the shape of most modern synths, in that it contains a characteristics menu to help filter the types of sound. You want a hard, moving, lead from the 90's? Click the necessary filter buttons on the grid, and your choices narrow. It makes sense.
The effects are all solid – between the 5 modules, there's a choice of 17 different High-quality effects. Standout to me were the reverb and bucket delay, that really gave a juicy and thick analog lushness to the sound, if you were looking for it.
Workflow
This is the easiest and most intuitive synth I've worked with in terms of creating sounds: a sound designers dream. The instant audio and visual feedback on the tweaks you make is very inspiring. I particularly liked the preview effect when it comes to modulation – Wherever there's a colored dot from a modulation source you can pick it up with a mouse, and move it to an empty dot, at a modulation destination. As you hover your colored dot over the destination, you get an audio preview of what the modulation will sound like. If you like it, let go, and it becomes permanent. If not, move on to another empty dot, until you hear something you like. To undo a modulation, grab the colored dot, and drag it off the destination dot you just placed it on. Simple!
As more of a trial and error sound designer than mathematical whiz, I love this approach. The wavetable oscillator section is a large window of 110 wavetables. While you can't tell exactly what sound each oscillator will make, it gives you a general idea. All the modulators (The LFO's envelopes and step sequencers) trace an outline of where they're at in the cycle, envelope or sequence respectively. This gives you a visual guide to where the sound is in its modulation. You can see for example if the LFO is running fast or slow, or whether the envelope is in the attack, decay or release stage. This is especially helpful considering you can have up to 5 LFOs, envelopes or sequencers at a time.
Little thoughtful bits
In the preset manager menu, there's a characteristic called ‘my sounds'. Clicking that removes all factory presets from the list, leaving just the sounds you've created. Brilliant.
Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Reviews
The upgrade is free for current users! Very generous.
The randomization settings – in the little popup window at the bottom of the GUI, is perhaps the best control over ‘random' preset creation I've come across yet. It might be pure coincidence as I worked with it, but it seemed that the sounds that emerged were a lot more useable than with other synths that have similar processes. You can choose the percentage of randomization for most elements of the preset, whether you want to keep the modulations as they are, etc.
Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Interface
I loved that when you click the ‘midi learn' button – yellow highlights cover every single option that can be selected, and when you select one, it pulses gently until a midi control is assigned. Simple, but clear and effective.
Conclusion
I love this synth for several reasons. Firstly, I loved the layout and the look. I'm not a fan of skeuomorphism, and I dig this dimensionally flat yet really tasteful colorful design.
Secondly, I love the sound. The VPS oscillator is a fairly fresh sound – which keeps it fairly edgy and contemporary sounding, and combined with the wavetable (which you can add your own waves to) and the more trad analog stuff, you have a huge amount of flexibility when it comes to sound – and at a surprisingly low CPU cost.
Thirdly and mostly, I loved the balance of flexibility of modulation combined with the simplicity of the layout and the instant visual and audio feedback you get, making for very fast workflow and very quick beneficial results. All this combines to make a very nice package that will doubtless sell very well, and be used by many artists the world over.
Preview sounds from the FAW soundcloud:
FAW are also releasing free tutorials on youtube teaching you how to make some classic electro sounds like this:
For further details you can check more about it here. To buy Circle2 and support ANR please click on this link.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
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Okay guys, this is a first. I've been thinking about writing reviews for a little while now, mainly because I get asked sometimes what I use to make my sounds. So I thought I'd share some feedback about the tools I appreciate most and why.
Here's the important thing for me though: I usually hate reading reviews. So this is my chance to find a way to talk about my experience as a user without focusing necessarily on the overly technical aspects, which are all covered in the product description anyway.
First up: the Circle 2 VSTi plugin.
Opening Circle 2: First impressions
I got a good feeling the minute I opened this plugin for the first time, which is a rare pleasure for me. With all my years of experience, I've grown pretty grumpy about the interface of synths. I often find them counter-intuitive and frustrating to learn, which frequently results in me never using them. With all the options available, it's clear that you need your VST synth to be giving you what you want as quickly as possible.
Circle 2 delivers right away by getting you excited to play with it fresh out of the box.
Layout
The synth has 3 columns, each with its own functionality. From left to right, you have the oscillators, then the effects/mixer, and finally the modulation. Personally, I'd swap the columns, since I figure that it's the modulation that goes through effects and mixing on the way to affecting the oscillators, rather than it the other way around. But that's just my own preference, and it was not in any way a problem to work with once I got into the logic of the synth.
Circle 2 1 2 – Uniquely Intuitive Audio Synthesizer Tuner Software
Presets
Although I avoid using presets, I still give them a quick listen when I first get a new plugin. This allows me to get a scope of the sound potential and to learn how to use the knobs/gizmos by getting a feel for how they move. Circle 2's presets are named Sounds, and the presentation is simply outstanding. By using Class/Type/Style, you can apply filters that will help you see all the options available. It reminds me a bit of Omnisphere's classification, but way more slick. This will really be useful later when I save my own sounds.
The sound
Whenever I test a new synth, I'll immediately check how it manages bass and low-end sounds, as well as extremely high-pitched ones, mainly by using a sine oscillator. For Circle 2, I used a preset named 'Deep Bass' and heard right away that the low end was very warm and heavy. My kind of sound! The slight modulation for a high pitched sound gave the impression of a modular rack that you paid tons of money for.
You see, the first 2 things that make Circle 2 stand out as a wonderful sound design tool are its wavetable oscillator design and its modular approach for shaping sounds. You'll notice that the modulators have a little circle that you can drag to what you want to modulate. Think of Reason, but minus the graphical cables.
The sound is eloquent and beautiful. And one practical thing about the interface is that it lets you see the envelope and LFO being animated. It's nothing too fancy, but just enough to orient you.
The wavetable oscillator is mind-blowing. You can select from a vast amount of shapes, combine it with another one, and then decide the amount of mutation between the two to produce something completely new. Very well done.
To finish off
Now that you're getting excited about the sounds you can make, the last thing you'll want to try is to play a bit with the randomization options. You'll find these in the lower menu. You can control the amount applied too, so this is a great way to take a chance on unexpected discoveries. In a few clicks, I went from a nice bass to something abrasive, while still keeping it under control. You could use this feature as a way to create a sound that's complementary to your previous one.
Overall appreciation
I'd say that this plugin is certain to remain a favourite in my production routine. I've been using it for 2 weeks now and have already become addicted to its powers of sound design. Its sounds are thick and solid.
The only downside I found was the lack of GUI control over the filters. I had to use knobs to control the frequency or resonance. That is an irritant to me because I like to make quick changes, and so I prefer to use my mouse. Oddly enough, the envelope can be controlled in this way, so I don't know why the feature wasn't included for the filters as well.
You can get your copy of the Circle 2 VSTi plugin here.
