Aly James Lab SY-4X is an advanced Pearl Syncussion SY-1 Synthesizer emulation, offering four different versions in one new plugin for macOS and Windows.
With the Behringer Syncussion SY-1, an affordable hardware replica of the Pearl Syncussion SY-1 will soon be available. According to Thomann, the first batch should be available in September.
Aly James Lab has just published a software emulation of the SY-1 Synthesizer. He has also created emulations of the Simmons SDSV, ClapTrap, and more.
Aly James Lab SY-4X
The SY-4X is a new drum plugin that emulates the iconic Pearl Syncussion SY-1 drum Synthesizer from 1979. However, it is not just a simple software clone. It goes beyond that and offers the user new possibilities. That is why we are talking about an advanced emulation.
According to Aly James Lab, it replicates the original’s analog circuitry, including the rare CMOS-based oscillators, 2-pole “spreading” low-pass filter, and more. To offer the maximum authenticity, it supports up to 16x oversampling.
Part of this emulation engine is the CMOS parameter, which simulates the slight waveform deviations of the original. This allows you to archive the unique overtone structures of the original Sync unit.
Of course, the SY-4X offers all six oscillator configurations of the original from A to F, featuring a single oscillator, dual oscillator mix, dynamic oscillator mix, FM/noise mix, and pure noise. In addition, Aly James Lab added two more algorithms for cross/ring modulation and oscillator sync.
Like in the original hardware, you can shape the sounds with various hands-on parameters: tune, decay, width, sweep, and LFO. This also includes accurate emulations of the unusual filter behavior and envelope response. Another addition is a hold parameter to envelope 2.
4-IN-1 Plugin
A highlight is that Aly James Lab SY-4X gives you not only one module but four in total. So you have up to 8 voices/channels in one plugin. To make it more flexible, there are voice differences. Some modules feature additional modifications like noise direct injection.
The plugin’s routing is very flexible. You can use it as a classic Pearl Syncussion SY-1 drum synth, a multi-channel drum voice, four mono synths, or even a polysynth with four voices. Plus, modes can also be mixed to create a very personalized setup.
That’s not all. Further, it offers two “Bezerk” modes that offer two distortions for extreme sonic manipulations: an asymmetrical clipping stage before the filter or a post-filter crusher stage.
All this modeled Pearl Syncussion SY-1 fun is fully MIDI controllable, with drum kit and keyboard modes, adjustable pitch tracking, and more. A unique trigger-to-mode feature also switches between modes with every new trigger.
Lastly, you can also save your sounds in the Aly James Lab SY-4X plugin a dedicated preset browser.
First Impression
This looks like an exciting Pearl Syncussion SY-1 emulation for macOS and Windows. Unfortunately, there is currently no sound demo, so it is difficult to check the plugin’s sound quality. Since Aly James Lab is not unknown in the plugin business, I think it will have high quality.
Aly James Lab SY-4X is available now for 51€. It runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Aly James Lab
Paypal only? I think I´ll spend a hundred more and get the Behringer clone 😀
Sound example on their soundcloud page-
https://on.soundcloud.com/cL5DfHbnVCatQc1i8