Glitchmachines Skein is a new FM Synthesizer plugin that takes four operators on a wild modulation rollercoaster with a 4-slot multi-FX finalization.
FM synthesis has made a big comeback in the last 3-4 years, mainly due to new, simplified concepts that make it more accessible. In my opinion, the best example is the Korg opsix (hard-/software), which has made FM much more accessible and stands out from the classic FM world with new sound design options.
Glitchmachines, known for their experimental synths and FX plugins, now also do FM synthesis. With Skein, the company has just dropped a new FM Synthesizer with a wilder sonic behavior.
Glitchmachines Skein
Skein is a new experimental 12-voice FM Synthesizer plugin. The engine consists of four operator modules, each with ratio, fine, skew, noise, detune, and amp controls. The skew and noise parameters allow for more wild sounds possible.
The operators are summarized in an FM matrix, from which the algorithms are created. Glitchmachines added eight fully customizable factory FM algorithms to Skein, allowing you to make your algorithms using the FM matrix.
Then, you can shape your sounds with two versatile multimode filters with cutoff and resonance controls. From here, it goes into a multi-FX processor with four re-routable slots and seven effects: glitch (buffer FX), distortion, crusher, chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb.
The strength of the Skein plugin is the deep modulation. Every aspect of the engine is modulatable, even the individual operator relation or the effects parameters. To make it as versatile as possible, Glitchmachines has built in a colorful bouquet of modulators.
Glitchmachines Skein offers four LFOs with 15 wave shapes and scopes, four multi-mode amplitude envelopes, and four customizable modulation sequencers with up to 32 steps and built-in utilities. Some of the parameters of the LFOs and the sequencers are also modulatable, which allows very complex modulation chains.
In addition, you can work with four randomizers, key track, and velocity. The modulation assignments are handled via four dots below the respective parameters. The marking also tells you whether a parameter is modulable. Press on it, and a pop-up screen appears where you can easily assign modulators to the parameter.
Further, Skein has a mono mode with a glide option and various randomizers for the parameters. Of course, it also ships with factory presets. According to Glitchmachines, it includes 160 presets across four preset banks plus the option to create new ones.
First Impression
Currently, there is no demo version of the plugin, so my first impression will have to be based on the information I have from the official Glitchmachines website. In terms of synthesis, Glitchmachines Skein looks more or less like a classic FM synth. However, the rich modulator, mod routing variety, and the effects (glitch…) mix up the FM engine, making glitchy, noisy sounds possible.
Glitchmachines Skein is available now for $89. It runs as a 64-bit VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Glitchmachines
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