Three free spectral synths to try after the new Serum spectral oscillator

Spectral resynthesis is having a moment now that it’s one of the new oscillator types in the mighty Xfer Serum 2. If you’re looking for other ways to get your spectral resynthesis on – or you’re a Serum user who just can’t get enough – here are three free tools to sink your FFTs into.

Go watch this video on Buchla, Spectraphon, and spectral animation

Soundhack creator Tom Erbe joins musician-synthesist Sarah Belle Reid for a fascinating dive into the Make Noise Spectraphon, spectral animation, and Buchla history. IYKYK – but if you don’t know, that’s one Hell of a spectral historical West Coast trip.

Peter Kirn - January 3, 2025

Sumu arrives, with unique semi-modular take on spectral sound design

Madrona Labs’ Sumu, after an extensive development and Early Access period, is now at version 1.0. It’s semi-modular, it’s an additive synth (with the ability to import your own partials), it does FM, it has a powerful fine-grained spatialization tool. It’s simply a spectral sound design and soundscape powerhouse.

Peter Kirn - November 22, 2024

Free SoundHack tools: now plug-ins and Max and Pd, Apple Silicon native

Peter Kirn - August 14, 2024

Leafcutter John takes you deeper into the strange, wonderful tool Forester

Peter Kirn - August 9, 2024

Free, ultra-deep spectral synth from Steinberg: X-Stream

Peter Kirn - July 4, 2024

Draw rectangles on spectrum, animate them: free Sektor for Max for Live

Peter Kirn - September 15, 2023

Make Noise brings Tom Erbe’s soundhack spectral ideas to a dual oscillator: Spectraphon

Peter Kirn - May 12, 2023

IRCAM ASAP plug-in suite transforms and remixes sounds; part of it is free

Peter Kirn - December 19, 2022

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