Rob Papen eXplorer 10, the tenth version of its all-in-one plugin bundle with the new SynFeX FX Synthesizer and RAW 2 dirty synth.
Arturia, U-he, and Xfer Audio are companies that always come up when discussing Synthesizer plugins. However, many more companies develop exciting soft synths for every budget. One who is less talked about is Rob Papen.
The Dutch sound designer, known for its E-mu past, has numerous advanced synth and effects plugins in its ever-growing portfolio. This year, Rob Papen’s all-in-one eXplorer bundle enters its 10th round with two new intruiging synth plugins.
Rob Papen eXplorer 10
The new eXplorer 10 bundle was released today. As in the past, Rob Papen is offering updates and different crossgrades to the new bundle, starting at $49/49€.
Buyers of the new version can look forward to two new Synthesizer plugins: a completely new one and a new version of a popular instrument. Plus, two more plugins will be added at no extra cost.
Rob Papen RAW 2
The first new addition to the Rob eXplorer 10 bundle is the RAW 2. Yes, this is a major further development of the rough, dirty phase distortion synth plugin loved by hardcore and hardstyle music producers.
RAW 2 has all the features you enjoyed in RAW 1. This includes two oscillators, each with an X/Y field that allows you to distort the waveforms using phase distortion synthesis. You can also draw your own waveforms.
Then, it hosts a multimode filter with colorful types, an LFO with custom waves, and multi-FX with classic and dirty effects, including waveshaper and multi-type distortion, and more. Also, onboard is again a flexible arpeggiator and sequencer. But now the new features in version 2.
RAW 2 features a new ribbon controller from the BIT-2 synth, allowing you to change the sound dynamically using the unique tempo-based spring-back feature. Also new is the ability to use the EQ, waveshaper, distortion, and LoFi filters on a per-voice synthesis level.
The plugin also ships with many new and original RAW presets from several well-known DJs and producers for instant user inspiration.
Rob Papen SynFeX
The second addition to the Rob Papen eXplorer 10 bundle is the all-new SynFeX. It’s a new special FX Synthesizer plugin designed to create all kinds of tempo-based audio effects like noise rises.
SynFeX offers a 16-voice synth engine with a single oscillator, hosting various available sound sources: tuned and synced noises, analog-modeled oscillators, and sample-based sounds (WAV/AIFF) with granular and editing options. The latter offers multiple play modes, looping, and waveform editing.
From here, it goes into a colorful multimode filter section with 32 filter types, including all the classics and unique ones like formant, comb, ring mod, and AMP mod. There is also a multi-FX section with Lo-Fi distortion, multi-mode modulation FX, stereo delay, and RP-VERB reverb.
On the modulation side, you get a single multi-wave LFO with mono/poly modes, smoothing, and two modulation destinations. Four extra mod slots are available on the bottom of the GUI for MIDI, internal sources and FX parameters.
The heart of SynFeX is the movement engine/control, which can create all these tempo-synced sound effects. It can act as an envelope or LFO with independent voice control, multiple movement modes, modulation destinations, and speed options.
Like on the Rob Papen RAW 2, SynFeX also features the new ribbon controller with bipolar/unipolar modes and the unique spring-back feature.
Further, the new Explorer 10 bundle features 130 new presets by Rob Papen and Gerald Arend (Klangwelt) for the BLUE 3 Synthesizer. Plus, you get the Albino-3 Legend XPS present collection, which adds over 850 patches with NKS support to the Albino 3 Synthesizer, re-introduced in Explorer 9.
First Impression
eXplorer 10 is another excellent continuation of the well-known synth and effects bundle. I’m pleased that the dirty Synthesizer RAW has a successor. The only thing that bothers me about Rob Papen plugins is the old-fashioned GUIs, which seem to have remained stuck in the early 2000s.
It depends a lot on the plugin, but some remind me of soft synths from 20 years ago. New, more modern GUIs would give the plugins a boost as, technically, they are on a high level.
Rob Papen eXplorer 10 bundle is available now for $499/499€. Existing users of eXplorer 9 can upgrade for $49/49€, eXplorer 6/7/8 for $99/99€, and all other versions for $149/149€. Crossgrades start at $99/99€.
The eXplorer 10 bundle products run as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Rob Papen
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