Xhun Audio RawPrime, a new original Synthesizer plugin that uses modeled vintage NCOs and DAC components with the aim of generating new sounds.
There are countless Synthesizer plugins on the market. Free and commercial. Many follow classic concepts such as analog synth modeling, FM synthesis, wavetable, etc. Innovative synth plugins are relatively rare on the market. Now and then, new plugins take wilder, more innovative paths.
Why is there always so much repetition? Who knows, maybe developers have already explored all the synthesis options. As someone recently said in my Anyma Phi video comments, wait for AI. I’m not sure about that. But there are attempts to do something new.
Xhun Audio, the maker of the LittleOne or mechanical synth Resonheart, has launched Rawprime, a new Synthesizer plugin that tries a new concept.
Xhun Audio RawPrime
Visually, RawPrime appears a bit old-fashioned. It almost reminds me of Synth Edit releases from the past or UIs more than ten years ago. It’s definitely not the most glossy, fancy GUI for the synth. Maybe it’s also part of the concept of the synth. More important, however, is what’s inside a synth, what it can do, and what the result sounds like.
Xhun Audio’s new plugin is a 4-voice polysynth with a classic architecture with oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, and effects. The core is, however, fresh. It’s based on emulations of the late 70s/early 80s telecommunications-class numerically controlled oscillators (NCOs) and DACs components.
The reason why these were chosen as sound sources is because of their characteristics. They generate considerable aliasing/overtones from their error-prone circuits, etc. The result is an original sound oscillator modeled on this with controls for overtone generation, morphing, and blending.
Two of them are available + noise. Then, they flow into analog modeled zero-delay feedback diode lowpass and non-resonant high-pass filters. They offer cutoff and resonance controls with filter key tracking.
On the modulation side, it offers three Curtis CEM33100 analog-modeled envelope generators with a steep attack curve (0.3ms). Plus, you get two sinusoidal LFOs with up to 30 Hz rates. A knob-based modulation matrix manages the modulation.
To refine your sounds, RawPrime hosts insert and master effect slots, each with different algorithms. The insert slot offers a selectable chorus, flanger, three distortion types (tube, transistor, digital foldback), and bit-crusher, while the master offers tempo-synced delay or a resonator-based reverb.
Further, it hosts a creative multi-mode polyphonic arpeggiator and supports full MIDI automation. Xhun Audio ships the synth with 150+ factory presets.
First Impression
I’m always happy when developers try new ideas. After listening to the Soundcloud demos, I’m unsure if these original oscillators lead to groundbreaking new sounds. I didn’t hear many new things in the sense of “these are unheard sonic timbres”. RawPrime has its own grainy character, but it leans heavily towards analog modeling.
More demos will show how much potential there is. It is a big shame for 2024 that a plugin does not have native Apple Silicon support but is instead referred to as Rosetta 2. This should be every developer’s homework to ensure that this work is done. I no longer install anything with Rosetta 2-only support because my DAW runs natively.
Availability
Xhun Audio RawPrime is available now for an introductory price of 49,90€ instead of 89€ for a limited time. It runs as a VST, VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (not native Apple Silicon, only with Rosetta 2 and Intel)
More information here: Xhun Audio
Made a comment on KVR AUDIO about AS support but instead of replying I was banned….
Purchased his BassLine app previously and when asked when it will be updated to AS native I got nothing but link to purchase his newest app listed above that is also as you said not AS native.
Great customer service….
You have been banned by KVRAudio because of your derailed stalking
Same train here, after 10 years of KVR I’ve been banned for having asked what was the refund policy made by the dev since ther eis zero information about compaby on the website. (moderated)