Tiagolr Rippler is a new, free physical modeling Synthesizer plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows that takes its predecessor, Ripplerx, many steps further.
A year ago, the developer Tiagolr caused a stir with the open-source physical modeling Synthesizer plugin Ripplerx, which is heavily inspired by the AAS Chromaphone 3. Now, a massive further development has emerged from Tiagolr as well, called Rippler.
According to the developer, it was intended to be a commercial synth, but it’s now a free release. It’s possible that this will change if he finds a company. It’s currently in beta and a free download, but will soon be available as version 1.0.
Tiagolr Rippler
Rippler is a new free 32-voice physical modeling Synthesizer heavily inspired by the Chromaphone 3 Synthesizer concept. Like the AAS plugin, it has two independent layers, each with a powerful synth voice and its own gain and pan controls.
Each voice consists of an exciter and resonator section. The exciter section lets you choose between a sample-based mallet with sample import and a noise generator. Both exciters can be tweaked with various parameters.
Then, the resonator features 12 acoustic resonator models: String, Beam, Squared, Bell, Membrane, Plate, Drumhead, Djembe, Vibraphone, Marimba, Open Tube, Closed Tube, and Manual. With the latter, you can craft your own resonator.
They are all fully tweakable. For example, the String resonator offers controls over the decay, release, material, tone, hit, inharmonics, and lowcut.
In direct comparison, this surpasses the AAS Chromaphone 3’s capabilities in the resonator and exciter sections. And that’s not all. You can also choose between the parallel resonator routing.
There is also an option to transfer energy bi-directionally between resonators, yielding even weirder results.
Modulation & Shaping
Tiagolr also implemented a pretty impressive modulation engine in the Rippler Synthesizer. It houses four ADSR envelopes and four multi-wave LFOs alongside velocity, keytrack, aftertouch with MPE, and randomization.
Modulators can be easily mapped to parameters using drag-and-drop. In a modulation matrix, you easily adjust the map, power, bi-polarity, amount, and the destination.
Micro-tuning and MTS support are also onboard. A manual mode allows you to create user-defined tunings. That’s not all that Rippler features.
The big brother of Ripplerx also includes an impressive per-layer multi-FX section with nine algorithms: vibrato, stereoizer, compressor, distortion, tremolo, chorus, delay, reverb, and EQ.
On top of that, you also have a master multi-FX section with almost the same effects. Lastly, there is a snapshot morphing, allowing you to morph between patches.
First Impression
At first glance, it’s a super-exciting cross-platform physical-modeling Synthesizer – a massive upgrade from the RipplerX plugin.
Strictly speaking, and if you take it very seriously (attention, take it not too seriously), Rippler is almost a clone of AAS Chromaphone 3, just as RipplerX was almost a replica of Chromaphone 1.
Since the developer didn’t steal the AAS code, and neither physical modeling synthesis nor the process/concept is protected, anyone can build a similar synth. The developer clearly stated his inspiration for RipplerX.
However, one must also give credit to the developer for creating a synth that offers more than the feature set of Chromaphone 3. For example, significantly more resonators, more exciter options, etc. I stand by my opinion: an excellent synth, and it’s free!
Tiagolr Rippler is available now as a free download for macOS, Linux, and Windows. It’s currently in beta, and version 1.0 is coming soon.
More information here: Tiagolr (GitHub)
That’s great news, big fan of physical modelling here and super excited (pun intended)! Can’t wait for the final release!
Doesn’t appear to be available yet
On GitHub under releases. It’s in beta 🙂
The developer’s Read Me on the page provides this important caution:
“Under Construction
This synth is still under construction, please wait for 1.0.0 release.
The Beta versions on release page are set to brick themselves after three months from build date (soon).
This synth was designed as a commercial product, last few days decided to release as freeware but there is the possibility of an agreement with a plugin company.
Thanks for your time,
Tilr”
yes 😉