UVI has published Falcon 3, a major free update that boosts the multi-engine synth with physical modeling, vocal synthesis, sequencing, and more.
If you want to have as much synthesis as possible in a Synthesizer plugin, you can’t ignore multi-engine synthesizers. The amount of features can be intimidating, but there you get almost everything. I like to describe them as synthesis workstations because they squeeze tons of stuff into a single plugin.
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, Steinberg HALion, and UVI Falcon are the top dogs here. The latter just got a massive version 3 update. Unlike the others, another free update for existing users.
UVI Falcon 3
Falcon 3 is a free update for existing customers. It once again significantly expands the feature set of the French multi-engine synth.
New flexible oscillators, sound-mangling effects, and inspiring MIDI tools await you after the update.
New Oscillators
The depth of synthesis that previous versions possessed was impressive. Additive, granular samples, FM, physical modeling, noise… a paradise for synthesis fans. Falcon 3 takes this further and expands it again with three new oscillator types.
Bowed is a new bow and string simulator oscillator, and Harmonic Resonator is a multi-layer exciting feeding six tunable resonators. These new types give F3 a physical modeling boost and are great for very natural and organic sounds reminiscent of acoustic sounds.
Another addition is VOSIM, an oscillator block that pays tribute to vintage vocal synthesis. Various vocal sounds can be created here, for example, robotic voices.
A promising update for the oscillator block that nicely expands the sound spectrum into organic regions.
New Effects
A lot has also changed regarding the effects of the new 3.0 update. The previous versions offered more than 90 different effects. That’s quite a bit here, and they ranged from reverbs, delays, a granulator, distortions, and more. Some are also available as a separate standalone plugin.
Falcon 3.0 adds four additional creative processors to this effects tower. One of the biggest new built-in FX is the “falconized” version of its Opal plugin, a flexible optical compressor with various physical-modeled modes. From vintage classics to modern compressions, there is a lot to try out here.
Then, you get a classic east-coast flavored filter that models the iconic Moog Minimoog ladder filter. One of the less exciting innovations in the effects in my opinion. Dispersor is a unique transient shaper great in combination with drum sounds.
The fourth and last new effect is the Harmonic Resonator, a tunable resonator bank. With this, you can infuse in every sound, whether synthesis or samples, a very metallic and organic timbre. A resonator is often an underestimated effect but produces very beautiful, bizarre results which you definitely have to try to out.
Advanced MIDI Processing
Falcon 3 is not only a super powerful synthesis workstation on its own, it is also an awesome MIDI processor. Deep at its core, Falcon has a variety of MIDI scripts that host complex sequencers, arpeggiators, and more.
Now, you can benefit from this wealth of scripts even more. With update 3.0, UVI opens its plugin to the outside world thanks to all-new MIDI output support. This means you can use these musical sequencers with other virtual instruments or hardware in your DAW . A feature that was one of the biggest feature requests from the music production community.
MIDI out is just a tiny part of this update. Falcon 3 ships with new MIDI scripts that include unique takes on sequencing MIDI data. Motion Grid is a logic-based grid sequencer driven by four independent note events. These follow arrows on the grid and create complex sequences. With one or all four events for huge sequences.
Node ARP is again a logic-based grid sequencer but this time one that generates arpeggios. The motor of this is active/passive nodes. In simple, each time the sequencer reaches a point on the grid, it plays back the note.
Another fascinating, unusual MIDI script is snowflakes. It’s a 12-note-based sequencer modifier that turns sustained notes into fluttery staccato. With every note pressed, the script generates note melodies in the mood of falling snowflakes. Add some reverb, and you become the scorer for the next winter fairy tale movie.
Other New Features & Improvements
Further, Falcon 3.0 improves MPE support and adds new templates with numerous starting points improving your first steps in the plugin. There is also a new startup screen that helps you quickly launch recent projects and program templates.
Lastly, UVI ships the synth with a completely refactored factory library with over 1500 presets with improved macros and all-new UIs.
First Impression
UVI’s flagship synth is a huge Synthesizer. Beginners will be a little overwhelmed by the number of options. This is also one of the weaknesses that Falcon has had so far. Lots of features but not totally accessible, especially for non-sound design professionals. Hope the developers improved this in Falcon 3.
The new features are exciting. Especially as a fan of physical modeling, I’m looking forward to testing them out. A big thanks goes to UVI for making this update free of charge for existing users.
UVI Falcon 3 is available now for an introductory price of 199€ instead of 349€. New Falcon licenses also include a $100 | 100€ voucher good towards any soundware purchase. And UVI launched a sale on the Falcon expansion where you get two for the price of one.
This deal is valid through November 5, 2023. For existing Falcon users, this update is free of charge. It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin and a standalone application on macOS (Intel + native Apple Silicon) and Windows.
More information here: UVI
“This means it is not possible to use these musical sequencers with other virtual instruments or hardware.”
DUDE, proof read.
DUDE, i’m human and human makes mistakes. Thanks I will rectify it
Falcon and Kontakt both have some sort of 90s UI feel to them that seems especially awkward.
Kontakt is far more awkward to work with. Falcon looks a bit more modern but still better have a diplom in sciences to work with 😉