Superbooth 24: Expressive E Noisy 2 is the second generation of its bi-timbral physical modeling Synthesizer plugin with new features.
I’m a big fan of physical modeling synthesizers, both hardware and software PM synths inspire me a lot. Mainly because of its very organic, acoustic or real sound. Very ear candy for me. They inspire me more than classic analog synths.
For Superbooth 24, Expressive E, the developers of the Osmose, have released a new physical modeling Synthesizer plugin. Ok, not new, but a major upgrade.
Expressive E Noisy 2
Noisy 2 is a new bi-timbral physical modeling Synthesizer plugin. It remains the same synth from its core, but Expressive E has souped up the engine with more tweaking options.
On the visual side, Expressive E has entirely revamped the Noisy’s GUI in version 2 with a new color-coded layout. It looks better and more straightforward than the previous one. The core uses physical modeling with subtractive synthesis elements.
The exciter section consists of 21 colorful noise sources that excite the acoustic and analog-style resonators. Noisy 2 now hosts seven distinct resonators, where four of which are new. They range from classic acoustic elements (4 modal resonators) and virtual analog ones, including subtractive oscillators, comb filters, and PWM.
Each offers various parameters to fine-tune it in detail, including tone, modal shift, resonance, damping, and more. Powerful is the ability to combine up to three resonators simultaneously per layer. The linked photo shows this nicely. There is also a resonator mixer with L/R pan option.
Then, you can shape your sound layer with a multimode filter with cutoff and resonance controls and modulation options. According to Expressive E, you can also explore four filter type additions and a new feedback-loaded soft clipper.
Remember: each layer has this block (exciter + resonators + filter) and is independent. This is followed by a common effect section that colorizes the mix of both layers. It bundles two fully customizable FX slots with various algorithms and two fixed slots with a stereo delay and plate reverb.
MPE Modulation
A special feature of the Noisy 2 synth is the built-in modulation engine based on MPE expressivity. The developers incorporated much of the know-how they learned during the development of the Osmose Synth and MIDI controller.
For example, the unique choice of the primary modulation. There are no classic ADSR envelopes; instead, Noisy 2 offers four expression blocks that are AR envelopes on steroids. Yes, traditional note-on/off triggering is available for classic MIDI controllers.
With an MPE controller connected, the plugin unfolds a different image with its Omose-inspired trigger modes specially developed for the synth. Add sound impulses by accelerating your gesture downwards (push), upwards (lift), or alternating up and down (shake) at any point within the key’s travel.
Expressive E promises that with a few clicks on the expression blocks, you can find the perfect balance between pressure, aftertouch, and envelope generator.
On top of deep MPE integration, Noisy 2 offers other ways to alter the sounds, using both classic MIDI and MPE controllers. For example, each of the two FX slots offers an expression control control that shapes your sounds with a simple turn of a knob.
Noisy 2 ships with tons of sounds. In MPE mode, you can explore 500 main and 1000 layer presets specially optimized for expressivity. In non-MPE mode, you get 700 main (400 Noisy 1 and 300 Noisy 2) and 1400 layer presets. Plus, it gives you 700 Lié patches for Touché users.
First Impression
To be honest, the Noisy 1 plugin was never really on my radar. The user interface, in particular, put me off a bit. Noisy 2 looks much nicer and better structured with the color-coded blocks.
The engine is more powerful feature-wise than before. Compared to the AAS Chromaphone 3, this one looks deeper and more fun, especially with various noise/resonator options and expressive possibilities.
Expressive E Noisy 2 is available now for an introductory price of $/€ 89,49 instead of $/€149. Existing customers can upgrade for an intro price of $/€39 for a limited time. It runs as a VST2, VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Expressive E
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