Psychic Modulation Phonec3 is a major update to its unique retro Lo-Fi-inspired Synthesizer plugin for macOS and Windows, featuring new features.
Many virtual analog/analog modeling synthesizers attempt to imitate the sounds of vintage analog instruments, with varying degrees of success. Psychic Modulation took a different, “vintage” approach from the very beginning with its Phonec Synthesizer. The plugin focuses on retro Lo-Fi synthscapes.
A bit like Boards of Canada, or like running an analog modeling synth through an old VHS tape to get a very lush and wobbly lo-fi sound. Phonec fans can rejoice. Phonec has released Phonec3, a major upgrade of its lo-fi synthscape Synthesizer.
Psychic Modulation Phonec3
Like its predecessors, Phonec3 is a subtractive virtual-analog Synthesizer focused on retro lo-fi sounds. According to Psychic Modulation, they rebuilt Phonec3 from the ground up to make it compatible with newer systems, such as Apple Silicon chips.
Phonec3 incorporates many familiar features from Phonec2, along with new additions. The new GUI is immediately noticeable in the teaser; it appears cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than Phonec2.
For example, the mixer is no longer available, but you can now mix the oscillators right in the OSC section. The core still consists of two oscillators, a sub-oscillator, and a noise source, including sync, PWM, X-wave, and more.
The developer states that the oscillators have been improved and now include, among other features, new waveforms. A unique feature is the logic mix parameter between OSC 1 and OSC2, enabling per-voice distortion and audio-rate interactions.
Then, Phonec3 features a revamped filter section with various modes and built-in overdrive. Phonec2 featured a 2-stage lowpass filter with eight modes, an acid filter, a post-highpass filter, and filter saturation.
More Sound Design Options
Part of the filter also includes three new flavor ingredients: feedback, melt, and clips. Features that allow you to incorporate the lo-fi, dirty character into the filter.
Psychic Modulation also upgraded the modulation system in Phonec3. Three multi-wave LFOs, the beloved HFO (high-frequency oscillator), and three advanced ADSR envelopes form the mod section.
Alongside the built-in arpeggiator and pitch sequencer, Phonec3 also has a 16-step modulation sequencer for the amp and filter cutoff. These also offer more features than the previous versions, including scale locking for instant melodic harmonic.
Choose between chromatic and scaled modes, and the pitch steps will snap into harmony. This scale-locking feature will also be available on the pitch wheel with the quantizer.
Of course, the beloved and key feature of Phonec, the melt feature, is again onboard but in an upgraded form. It’s a unique feature that lets you lo-fi the sound engine with drifting, detuning, and malfunction artifacts.
Phonec3 also features a multi-FX section with an EQ, a lush chorus, and echo with a ping-pong option. Important note: MPE, which is part of P2, will not be available in Phonec3 from version 1.0. This will be added in an update.
First Impression
With the switch from Intel to Apple Silicon, developers had to adapt their plugins. For some, it was a breeze; for others, the entire framework had to be rewritten. The latter was the case with Absynth and also with Phonec2.
It’s great to see that a new version of Phonec is coming soon, and we will be able to use it again on modern computers with added functionality and hopefully even more Lo-Fi goodness.
Psychic Modulation Phonec3 is available now for $89 + VAT. Existing Phonec2 owners should receive an upgrade offer via email. If not, please get in touch with the developer. Phonec3 will run as a VST/AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) + Windows.
More information here: Psychic Modulation
nice, even Looks Like the 90s! 🔥😎
love Lofi!