Rob Papen BIT-2 is a major update for its analog modeling Synthesizer plugin with new supersaw waves, filters, and more.
Analog modeling or virtual analog synthesizers are probably the most popular synth plugins on the market. Whether vintage or modern, every musician has such a synth in his DAW. So it comes as a surprise that Rob Papen, one of the well-known synthesizer plugin manufacturers, did not have an analog modeling synth in his portfolio.
Well, with BIT he caught up on this in 2019. A great-sounding analog modeling synth with lots of features and an easy-to-use one-layer UI. BIT-2 is now here and it’s the successor.
Rob Papen BIT-2
BIT-2 is a significant update for Rob Papen’s analog modeling Synthesizer plugin. The idea behind BIT 2.0 is that the classic analogue type of synthesis has its own charm and simply has not yet been covered in this form by the Rob Papen brand.
In version 2, you can explore new SuperSaw and SuperSquare waves, which are multiple oscillators generated inside oscillators 1 and/or 2. They give even more flexibility in creating sounds. Like in the first version, you can modulate oscillator 2 by oscillator 1 with phase modulation (PM), frequency modulation (FM), and ring modulation (RM).
Then, BIT-2 also features new modes for the two analog-modeled filters giving you new ways of sound shaping. There are also new features in the BIT-2 arpeggiator/sequencer. You can now dynamically change the start step and end step number, resulting in interesting real-time changing patterns.
Another newly added feature is the ‘Magic’ parameter that allows you to alter the played arpeggiator/sequencer musically. The arpeggiator/sequencer can also work as a modulator and includes an additional free row that you can use to modulate other parts of BIT-2 by using the Modulation Matrix.
The AMP-section in BIT-2 has been expanded with multiple distortion options. They are at per “voice” level, avoiding ugly sounds if you play chords. Rob Papen also added a new ribbon controller on the lowest section of BIT-2’s GUI allowing you to change multiple parameters in a dynamic way. This can be used with your mouse or an external MIDI controller.
Finally, they also expanded and improved the built-in effects processor.
First Impression
At first glance a nice, solid update for the BIT Synthesizer. For me, BIT is a great analog modeling synth that flies under the radar. It offers a simple interface, many features, and sounds at a very good price-performance ratio.
Rob Papen BIT-2 is available now for an introductory price of $74/74€ (reg. $99/99€) and runs as a VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (Intel + native Apple Silicon) and Windows. You can upgrade from BIT for an introductory price of $26/26€ instead of $35/35€.
More information here: Rob Papen
Available at my partner
Be the first to comment