Sonicbits Exakt is a new Yamaha TX81Z-inspired 4-operator FM Synthesizer plugin and v2 for its free Lite version with new features.
When the Exakt Synthesizer plugin was released, some asked if it also had a DAC emulation. At that time, not. But now, yes.
The developer has released version 1.1.0 with a 12-bit DAC emulation that tries to recreate the artifacts, aliasing, and subtle distortions that gave the hardware its warmth and character. It’s nice that you can add the setting per setting.
Plus, it ships with 50 new presets from sound designer and user Warkauze. Besides this, it contains various bug fixes.
Article From October 20, 2024
In 2020, I reported on Sonicbits’ free FM synthesizer Exakt Lite, which features waveforms from the famous Yamaha TX81Z rack Synthesizer.
The name Lite suggests that a regular version already exists or is coming. This development took four years, and the full version of Exakt is out now. This is also good news for all free version users. Exakt Lite benefits from the release and got a version 2.
Sonicbits Exakt
Exakt is an intuitive and easy-to-use FM Synthesizer plugin for macOS and Windows, designed to make FM synthesis more accessible. This is what the developer Sonicbits promises.
The synth plugin features four operators with 16 FM algorithms. Each operator offers multiple waveforms, including basic sine, saw, square, and triangle. As a highlight, it also includes eight classic waveforms from the Yamaha TX81Z and four enhanced TX waves.
Each Sonicbits Exakt’s operator also has its own 5-point amp envelope generator modeled after the TX characteristics. Then, it hosts a multimode filter with low, high, and bandpass modes and more of an unusual formant filter mode. You can tweak them with classic cutoff, resonance, and velocity controls.
The heart of the modulation engine is a mod matrix with eight source and destination slots. Two multi-wave syncable LFOs with rate and delay controls are part of it. It also has two loopable envelopes with up to 16 points.
Sonicbits Exakt also offers a two-mode chorus, a distortion, and a delay effect with sync to refine your sounds. Nice, there is also an experimental Sysex bank import function for Yamaha 4-operator synths. T
Sonicbits Exakt Lite 2.0
First Impression
After a long time, the Exakt Lite version has a big brother. It’s nice to see that the plugin is now complete with all its features. It’s not an FM revolution, but a nice, easy-to-use 4-operator FM synth. And a big like that, the Exakt Lite version is still free and has been expanded.
Sonicbits Exakt is available now for $29 and runs as a VST2, VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. Exakt Lite 2.0 is a free download and runs also in the same formats on macOS and Windows.
More information here: Sonicbits
Thanks for this nice review!
In case you were getting a trojan warning for the windows download, please try downloading again. I have created another setup with less compression, this should work now. Sorry for any inconvenience.
-Kay (Sonicbits)
Is there already a DAC/bitcrusher, and will there be DAC/aliasing emulation in the future?
FYI the Exakt Lite 2.1.0 download is still reported as including malware by Windows 11 Defender.
not on maccOS. I’m pretty sure it’s the Defender not the plugin