Rob Papen has released the eXplorer 9 bundle with 30 plugins, including the new Go2X and the comeback of the Albino-3 Synthesizer in a Legend version.
In October, I surprised you with the good news that the popular Albino 3 Synthesizer, released in 2006 by LinPlug and Rob Papen, is returning. That’s because Rob Papen bought the code and rights to the synth.
Today is the day. With the release of the new eXplorer 9 bundle, the Albino-3 Synthesizer is back as a Legend version. Plus, it includes GO2X an update for the straightforward GO2 synth.
Rob Papen eXplorer 9
The eXplorer bundle is already in its ninth round. The next one is an anniversary. In the ninth version, you can expect 30 plugins ranging from synthesizers, drum machines, and effect plugins.
It includes classic Rob Papen synths like Predator 3, or BLUE-III, wilder synths like BLADE-2 or RAW, and tons of effects plugins. The eXplorer 9 bundle has grown with 2 new plugins: GO2X and Albino-3 Legend. Two more plugins will be added as a free update in 2024.
Don’t worry: GO2X and Albino-3 Legend are not exclusive to the bundle. There are upgrades available for both users.
Rob Papen GO2X
GO2X is the successor to the GO2 plugin. It’s a very easy-to-use Synthesizer plugin suitable for beginners and for musicians who want to create sounds quickly without going super deep.
GO2 already had an impressive virtual analog-style engine. Rob Papen’s team took this over and expanded it with many new features.
The changes range from improved sound quality, new oscillator and filter options, new effects, and much more. Here a little summary:
- new play modes, including Poly-MPE
- 8 new oscillator modes with 55 new spectral waves and two drawable user waves (+ user short sample import)
- new morphing warping and free-running on/off for the oscillator plus new mod matrix options (feedback, wrapping…)
- 13 new filter types, including new zero-delay filters
- deeper modulation for the effects via the mod matrix
- delay and reverb can be used at the same time
- distortion now with 12 different modes
- second LFO, higher LFO speeds, and support for user waves
- a second envelope
- more modulation slots, sources, and destinations (116 to 222)
- the arpeggiator has more play modes, ratcheting, and more
- new graphics with new screen sizes
- …
These are a lot of new features that significantly improve the synth.
Rob Papen Albino-3 Legend
There is less new to explore in the Albino-3 Legend. Here is the big news the plugin is back. In its original version with the same sounds, compatibility for Albino-3 patches, and more.
According to Rob Papen, it features the same multi-layer virtual analog engine many music producers love. Including four layers and per layer two multi-wave oscillators, two multimode filters, advanced envelopes and LFOs, four effects, and more.
However, Rob Papen’s developers have updated the code with some features that are seen as necessary these days.
Albino-3 Legend features full VST3 support, different GUI sizes, and compatibility with the latest macOS so native Apple Silicon support and Windows computers.
Further, it also ships with new sounds.
First Impression
I’m very happy to see that Albino-3 is back. Along with the LinPlug Spectral (RIP), the Albino-3 was one of my favorite “vintage” plugins. I think it’s good that the plugin has been revived as it was. Without any major new features, with the same sounds, etc. Big like for this.
GO2X, on the other side, is a big upgrade making it a much more powerful plugin.
Availability
Rob Papen eXplorer 9 is available now for $499/499€ (incl. VAT) from the official website and retailers. Upgrade from eXplorer 1-8 to 9 for $74/99€ (incl. VAT).
GO2X is available for $49/49€, and upgrade from GO2 to GO2X for $25/25€. Finally, Albino-3 Legend is available for $99/99€ and upgrade from Albino 3 to Legend for $49/49€. They run as a VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon) and Windows.
More information here: Rob Papen
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