MTM34.

Review cube2 11/29/05 11:21 AM Page 1

review VIRSYN CUBE 2

are analysed and saved into its Data

folder. As you’d expect given both the
maths and files sizes involved, the
analysis side of the resynthesis isn’t
amazingly fast (although we’re talking
minutes, not hours), so it’s best to
stick with short files if possible.
Once the audio files have been
analysed, there are plenty of
techniques that govern how Cube
resynthesises the results. The Time
Warp envelope, for example, enables
you to modify how the spectral data is
scanned – moving backwards and
forwards over the smallest details of a
sound’s spectral plot. The spectral plot
can also be drawn onto directly,
thereby applying filter resonances,
adjusting frequency contrasts or
FOR PC creating comb sweeps through the
& MAC spectrum. Even with our limited
VirSyn expertise of additive synthesis, we

cube 2
were able to create interesting
ambiences by resynthesising pads from
Spectrasonics’ Atmosphere, adjusting
partial ratios (via the Spread control)
and applying Cube 2’s internal reverb.

Cubism
Can additive synthesis ever be a truly intuitive and rewarding Cube 2 will delight those interested in
digital synthesis, especially given its
experience? Mark Cousins gets to the root of Cube 2. precise control over each tiny partial of
sound. For some users, however, Cube
on the success of the original Cube, 2 could be perplexing and slightly cold
KEY FEATURES CUBE 2
with the significant addition of a fully in comparison to non-additive synths.
■ Eight Manufacturer VirSyn
independent fledged Spectral Resynthesis section in There’s no denying, though, that Cube
additive synths Price €279 much the same vein as Camel Audio’s is far more complex than you could
■ Four Contact VirSyn +49 7240 202956 Cameleon 5000. As well as being able ever imagine on first listening. With
morphable to build your own partial structures several hundred presets, you’ll certainly
sound sources Web www.virsyn.de
from scratch, the process of get an inkling of where Cube 2 can go,
■ 512 partials Minimum system requirements resynthesis enables sounds to be but nothing beats the sheer fun of
per voice
■ Three PC Pentium III 600MHz or Athlon XP/MP sampled and reconstructed using up to getting under the bonnet and starting
envelopes with (SSE required), Windows XP, 256MB RAM 512 harmonics – in effect, blurring the to resynthesise your own sounds. So,
tempo sync Mac G4 400MHz, Mac OSX 10.2, line between sampling and synthesis. in some ways Cube doesn’t make
■ 64 time/level 256MB RAM If you’re a fan of conventional additive synthesis easier, but it certainly
segments per synthesizer controls like filter cutoff and makes it more fun! MTM
envelope
■ Two LFOs resonance, then your first look at Cube
lthough nowhere near as 2 could bring you a big shock. Even so,
SUMMARY

A
■ AIFF/.WAV
sample import complicated as the interface is clearly laid out and
■ Time Warp astrophysics, additive invites tweaking – a refreshing change WHY BUY
envelope with synthesis has never been from many other additive offerings. ■ A unique and versatile synth
64 breakpoints ■ Spectral resynthesis has never
the easiest way of creating Central to the Cube concept is that
■ Eight been easier
effect racks sound. Theoretically, the process is sounds are constructed from four
■ Great for ambient treatments
■ Arpeggiator simple and elegant – building sound sources (oscillators) labelled A, B, C and
■ Wide range of inspiring presets to
from the ground up by shaping the D. The sources can be morphed using a get you going
amplitude characteristic of each simple vector control, much like the ■ Vector envelope and time-warping
MEASURING UP harmonic partial – but in reality, the joystick found on the Korg Wavestation really adds movement
Camel Audio’s task of dealing with hundreds of and Prophet VS. By providing vector
Cameleon 5000 (£109)
individual sine waves has proved too controls, Cube 2’s sounds gain WALK ON BY
is Cube 2’s only ■ Using all 512 partials eats up
significant competitor much for many to handle. Following on immediate movement to them (a rare
CPU resources
in the additive from where hardware synths like quality in additive synths), which can be ■ Slightly clinical sound
synthesis/resynthesis Kawai’s K5000 failed is VirSyn’s Cube mapped onto associated envelopes. ■ Steep learning curve
market. Cameleon’s
2 – a plug-in synth facing the tough ■ It might not be everybody’s
focus is centred on
the process of challenge of making additive synthesis Resynthesis cup of tea
resynthesis rather
than offering
resynthesis as an
an achievable and musically useful
exercise. Has the time finally come for
Editing each of the four sources offers
access to both the partial parameters VERDICT
the rise of the additive resynthesizer? and the all-new wave analyser. You can A Cubist masterpiece! VirSyn sets
extension of additive
synthesis. Both excel achieve interesting results simply by the standard for additive spectral
at producing cold, Additive addiction drawing your own partial structures, morphing resynthesis: beautiful and
ambient textures, Along with Cantor, Tera 2 and now but some of the most intriguing perplexing, but ultimately a real joy
although at a push, to attempt to understand...
Cube 2, VirSyn has assembled a strong possibilities come about through Cube
★★★★★★★★★★
Cube 2 felt slightly
better reproducing its portfolio of synthesizers with a 2’s resynthesis engine. Cube 2 will
analogue sounds. distinctly additive bent. Cube 2 builds import either .WAV or AIFF files, which

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84 January 2006 MusicTech MAGAZINE