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Does the world need yet another Minimoog emulation?

Review: Softube Model 72

Published 8:57 am on Thursday 4th February 2021 by Beat Magazine

Saturation Effects and FM

The sound synthesis is strictly based on the original. Three oscillators with triangle, sawtooth and rectangle waveforms and pulse width form the basis. Oscillator 3 can be decoupled from the pitch and set to a very slow mode to serve as LFO for pitch and filter modulation. Oscillator 3 can also be used for frequency modulation of the other oscillators at frequencies in the audio range, and then you can already hear the first differences to the other virtual Minimoogs. The FM sounds sound as convincingly organic and free of digital artifacts as you hardly know from any other virtual analog synthesizer. The mixer also features a noise generator that can be switched between pink and white noise.

The infamous feedback loop, which taps the filtered audio signal and sends it through the filter again, is also present. And here, too, the Softube technology shows its strengths, which have already been proven in numerous saturation effects like harmonics or tape. Here, it doesn‘t simply sound wickedly and digitally distorted or like the infamous razor, but warm, round, harmonic and fat. Even the classic 24dB low pass filter was hit very well, filter sweeps and leads sound wonderfully creamy and basses nice and rich. Higher resonance values thin out the bass range audibly like the original, but never sound unpleasant.

Exciting Extras

For wide sounds, Model 72 offers another goodie with Doubling. This option doubles the sound, the Spread parameter allows you to widen the stereo image. A polyphonic performance like in The Legend or at least a paraphonic control of the single oscillators like in Behringer‘s Poly D is unfortunately not possible.

In a hidden menu, Model 72 has additional setting options. For example, tuning fluctuations can be adjusted for a more realistic analog sound, and the octave spread can also be made less clean. In addition, the volume, filter frequency and filter envelope can be modulated in infinitely variable intensity via velocity, making the Minimoog clone much more dynamic than the original.

Also Available as Modules

In Softube‘s Amp Room, the Model 72 filter is available as a module, supplemented by a drive parameter and an envelope follower. This means you can also run guitars, basses or other instruments through the legendary ladder filter. And if you own Softube Modular, you get seven new virtual rack modules when you purchase the Model 72: Oscillator, Noise/ Glide, Preamp, Filter, VCA, Envelope and Doubling Effect. What about routing the signal of the Buchla Waveform Generator or Braids through the Preamp and Moog Filter or sending the Moog Oscillator signal through the Korgasmatron? With its outstanding Moog emulation, Model 72 significantly expands the already impressive possibilities of Modular.



Verdict

Does the world need another Minimoog emulation? We say yes for two reasons: Model 72 sets new standards in terms of frequency modulation and harmonic saturation/distortion to our ears, and the other components such as filters and oscillators also impress with their pleasantly classy analog sound and clean bass. And by integrating separate modules into Amp Room and Softube Modular, Model 72 is much more flexible than the competition. Only NI Monark with its modules for Reaktor Blocks and u-he Diva can keep up with this to a limited extent.

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