BLEASS Omega, a new 4-operator FM Synthesizer plugin (macOS, windows, iOS) with filtering, waveshaping and all user-friendly thanks to a clever color coded interface.
FM synthesis is feared. Made famous by the Yamaha DX-7, it is one of the most difficult synthesis forms to understand for many musicians. It is always associated with difficult, cryptic and not hands-on. But that has improved in recent years.
Releases like the Korg opsix, Reason Algoritm… brought a breath of fresh air to the concept. This is mainly due to clever interface designs with which you can experience FM synthesis simpler and more logically. No comparison to DX-7 etc. A new generation has made its way onto the market. Instruments that make FM synthesis great again.
BLEASS now shows Omega with a similar approach. An FM Synthesizer that comes with a user-friendly interface.
BLEASS Omega
According to the developer, Omega places all of the sparkle, character, nuance and dynamic expressiveness of FM synthesis at your fingertips, and does away with the arcane programming interfaces so often associated with FM. You can already see that from the interface, which is clearly and logically structured.
The core consists of 4 operators with 11 available FM algorithms, each with a feedback loop on the fourth operator with a dedicated feedback amount control. The operators and algorithms are color-coded making it easier to program them. Feature set of the operators is classic: there is the obligatory ADSR envelope, fine & coarse tune, velocity, and more.
In the second stage we leave the classic FM synthesis rapidly. Here you can find a powerful waveshaper with nine different shaping algorithms. They capable to add warmth and more distinct harmonics to your sounds. Then, you have an onboard multimode filter with lowpass, high pass, band pass and notch modes. It also includes a dedicated ADSR filter envelope.
Modulation
There is also solid set of modulations: besides the operator & filter envelopes, you get an assignable envelope as well as two multi-wave LFOs. You can assign each source to up-to two destinations. That’s not all. Hidden behind another menu page is the Motion Engine, which can give your sounds even more life.
The motion engine is powered by a sequencer that generates modulation patterns that can be assigned to any two modulation destinations. Great for rhythmic movements of the filter or waveshapers. To finalize your sounds, you can apply a range of different effects to your sound. Omega contains four effects processors including chorus, tremolo, delay, and reverb. Anyone who knows the BLEASS effects knows what quality you get here on top.
Further, BLEASS also added an arpeggiator, full MPE support and more.
Omega can do everything you would expect from a good FM synth: classic bass, e-piano, bells, pads… The waveshaper and motion sequencer add a new touch to the whole thing. This also makes unusual and experimental sounds possible. BLEASS’ new synth looks very appealing. The color-coded interface looks neat and definitely simplifies working with FM synthesis. Well done.
BLEASS Omega is available now for an introductory price of 49€ instead of 69€. There is also a bundle with 200 additional presets for 59€ instead of 85€. It runs as a VST3, AU on macOS (Intel, M1) and Windows. A demo version is available on the website.
The iOS version with AUv3 support is available now for 9,99€ in the Apple AppStore.
More information here: BLEASS
Never buying anything apple again, but this does look tempting.
It’s also available for Windows.