Superbooth 2026: Elastic OSC brings Elastic Instruments’ moving Mutable Instruments Plaits-based Synthesizer app to the desktop (macOS/Windows).
In my opinion, one of the most fun synthesizers for iOS/Android in recent years is Elastic OSC. It combines the open-source MI Platis macro oscillators with highly flexible modulation. You read the full review here.
At Superbooth 2026, a big step many have been waiting for is being taken: Elastic OSC is now also available as a desktop plugin for macOS and Windows.
Elastic OSC Desktop
Elastic OSC desktop is a direct port of the iOS/Android app. It offers all the features of the original version now for macOS and Windows.
Like the iOS/Android version, the oscillator core is based on the Mutable Instruments Plaits algorithms. There are 24 different ones, covering a wide range of super-accessible synthesis methods.
They range from virtual analog to FM with DX-7 patch support, physical modeling, wavetable synthesis, drum synthesis, and even speech synthesis.
A handful of parameters that are mapped on an X/Y pad give you control over them: timbre, frequency, harmonics, and morph. Plus, you can control the timbre, FM, morphing, and the built-in lowpass gate with color and decay pots.
Additionally, you have a polyphonic ADSR envelope for the amp. Adjustable velocity is also available for the volume and/or lowpass gate modulation.
You can refine the sounds with a built-in multi-FX processor with filter, distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb.
Modulation That Stands Out
A unique and playful feature of the Elastic OSC desktop and app Synthesizer is the built-in modulation, or let’s say sound animation engine.
Elastic Instruments has built a modulation engine into the synth, allowing you to record modulation into the sound. Just press record and play, and also play in your DAW, and you can record automations for almost all parameters with a length of 1, 2, or 4 beats.
It’s possible to capture oscillator parameters, effects, or modulations. Once captured, the engine plays the modulation back. Depending on the extent of the recorded automation, this can give the sound a subtle twist or a massive, evolving character.
Unlike in the app (via an in-app purchase), the desktop version includes the LFO and MPE engines by default. You have four independent LFOs with X/Y morphable waveforms. They can be easily mapped to the frequency amount, timbre, morph, harmonic, filter, and pan amount.
And yes, there is also MPE modulation. Just open the settings menu, and here you have a matrix where you can assign parameters to MPE controls.
Other features include four distinct output modes, pitch and mod wheels, and a fun arpeggiator with various modes, and other goodies like skip notes
Elastic OSC also ships with over 500 presets from various sound designers, including Nerk, Red Sky Lullaby, Nu-Trix, Leonard de Leonard, and others.
First Impression
Congrats, Oliver, and everyone involved in the project. I’m very happy that desktop users can now use this app as well. Okay, not with the same touch experience as on iOS/Android, but still a great synth plugin.
Elastic OSC is available now for an intro price of 39€ instead of 45€. It runs as a VST3 plugin for macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Elastic Instruments
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