Expressive E Noisy 2: version 2.6 is a free update for existing users that supercharges the MPE physical modeling synth with new synthesis options.
Physical modeling synths traditionally use various exciters to trigger resonators. Noisy 2, the MPE synth presented by Expressive E at Superbooth 2024, takes a different approach. It purely relies on different noise types as an exciter source.
On top of that, instead of classic envelopes, it translates MIDI and MPE motion into envelope data that gives you way more expressive ways to shape and play your sounds. Version 2.6 of Noisy 2 is now available and is a big free update for existing customers
Expressive E Noisy 2 Update 2.6
You read it right. Version 2.6 is a free update for existing Noisy 2 users. The scope of this could almost fit into a Noisy 3. However, Expressive E decided otherwise and is offering it as a free update.
Let’s start at the very beginning. The various noises continue to dominate the exciter section. The new update adds five new noise types, giving you options to excite the resonators. Talking of resonators.
Update 2.6 supercharges the resonators with new synthesis options. The number of resonator types has increased from 5 to 11. You can now work with five all-new models.
Five New Resonators
The analog section now features a new unison resonator that is designed to create big, fat unison sounds. One step further is a new FM section.
Noisy 2.6 introduces FM synthesis into the resonators with two distinct types: FM and FM Feedback. The first is for crystal clear sounds like bells and glassy sounds, while the second is more for exploring raw sonic territories.
Then, there is a new harmonic synthesis section with two new models: Harmonics and Wave Map. The harmonics resonators let you explore the world of additive synthesis and its wide harmonic spectra.
Fifth and last addition is the 2D wavetable resonator called Wave Map. With the X/Y pad, you can morph through the wavetable. It’s not possible to load custom wavetables at the moment, but I hope this will be added in an update.
And don’t forget: Noisy 2 is a bi-timbral synth, so you have a total of 6 resonators, three on each layer that you can use simultaneously. With the extended synthesis, even more multifaceted physical modeling sounds can be achieved.
On the modulation side, the engine didn’t receive a major boost, but it does get a new LFO shape to work with. However, there is a significant boost in the effects.
More Advanced Multi-FX
Like the previous version, the new Expressive E Noisy 2 update 2.6 comes with two fully customizable FX slots with various algorithms and two fixed slots with a stereo delay and plate reverb.
New in update 2.6 is the extended range of effects in the FX slots. It now ships with nine new expressive fluid effects processors that are designed to be used heavily with modulation without glitches. Onboard are the new Galactic Vibe, amp simulation 2, tube distortion, and many more.
To showcase the new possibilities in Noisy 2.6, the plugin ships with 150 new presets, bringing the total number of available presets to 1400 (650 MPE and 750 MIDI).
First Impression
I’ve already had a chance to take a closer look at update 2.6. First, it’s always very positive and welcome when a plugin receives such a large free update after two years.
The new resonators bring many new colors to the synth. Especially in bi-timbral mode, you can really experiment with them and go deep by combining them. My favorite addition is the harmonic,onic which unlocks some bizarre tones.
The Unison brings that classic analog vibe to the sound, which is unusual for a physical modeling synth. New effects are always welcome and may seem like a little addition at first. Yes, at first.
However, their full integration into the MPE modulation allows them to be incorporated into the sound movements in a very interesting way, which is difficult to achieve with an extra FX plugin. This makes them a much more important addition than you might think at first.
All in all, an impressive free update that makes Noisy 2 even more powerful and versatile. Even though I’m still not a complete fan of the UI.
The new Expressive E Noisy 2 version 2.6 is available now as a free update for existing users. To celebrate this release, you can get Noisy 2 for $89/89,40€ instead of $149/149€ for a limited time. Noisy 2 upgrades from 1 are also 40% OFF.
It runs as a VST, VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. It requires an iLok account for registration.
More information here: Expressive E
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Article from May 8, 2024
Superbooth 24: Expressive E Noisy 2 is the second generation of its bi-timbral physical modeling Synthesizer plugin with new features.
I’m a big fan of physical modeling synthesizers; both hardware and software PM synths inspire me a lot. Mainly because of their very organic, acoustic, or real sound. Very ear candy for me. They inspire me more than classic analog synths.
For Superbooth 24, Expressive E, the developers of the Osmose, have released a new physical modeling Synthesizer plugin. Ok, not new, but a major upgrade.
Expressive E Noisy 2
Noisy 2 is a new bi-timbral physical modeling Synthesizer plugin. It remains the same synth from its core, but Expressive E has souped up the engine with more tweaking options.
On the visual side, Expressive E has entirely revamped the Noisy’s GUI in version 2 with a new color-coded layout. It looks better and more straightforward than the previous one. The core uses physical modeling with subtractive synthesis elements.
The exciter section consists of 21 colorful noise sources that excite the acoustic and analog-style resonators. Noisy 2 now hosts seven distinct resonators, where four of which are new. They range from classic acoustic elements (4 modal resonators) and virtual analog ones, including subtractive oscillators, comb filters, and PWM.
Each offers various parameters to fine-tune it in detail, including tone, modal shift, resonance, damping, and more. Powerful is the ability to combine up to three resonators simultaneously per layer. The linked photo shows this nicely. There is also a resonator mixer with L/R pan option.
Then, you can shape your sound layer with a multimode filter with cutoff and resonance controls and modulation options. According to Expressive E, you can also explore four filter type additions and a new feedback-loaded soft clipper.
Remember: each layer has this block (exciter + resonators + filter) and is independent. This is followed by a common effect section that colorizes the mix of both layers. It bundles two fully customizable FX slots with various algorithms and two fixed slots with a stereo delay and plate reverb.
MPE Modulation
A special feature of the Noisy 2 synth is the built-in modulation engine based on MPE expressivity. The developers incorporated much of the know-how they learned during the development of the Osmose Synth and MIDI controller.
For example, the unique choice of the primary modulation. There are no classic ADSR envelopes; instead, Noisy 2 offers four expression blocks that are AR envelopes on steroids. Yes, traditional note-on/off triggering is available for classic MIDI controllers.
With an MPE controller connected, the plugin unfolds a different image with its Omose-inspired trigger modes specially developed for the synth. Add sound impulses by accelerating your gesture downwards (push), upwards (lift), or alternating up and down (shake) at any point within the key’s travel.
Expressive E promises that with a few clicks on the expression blocks, you can find the perfect balance between pressure, aftertouch, and envelope generator.
On top of deep MPE integration, Noisy 2 offers other ways to alter the sounds, using both classic MIDI and MPE controllers. For example, each of the two FX slots offers an expression control control that shapes your sounds with a simple turn of a knob.
Noisy 2 ships with tons of sounds. In MPE mode, you can explore 500 main and 1000 layer presets specially optimized for expressivity. In non-MPE mode, you get 700 main (400 Noisy 1 and 300 Noisy 2) and 1400 layer presets. Plus, it gives you 700 Lié patches for Touché users.
First Impression
To be honest, the Noisy 1 plugin was never really on my radar. The user interface, in particular, put me off a bit. Noisy 2 looks much nicer and better structured with the color-coded blocks.
The engine is more powerful feature-wise than before. Compared to the AAS Chromaphone 3, this one looks deeper and more fun, especially with various noise/resonator options and expressive possibilities.
Expressive E Noisy 2 is available now for an introductory price of $/€ 89,49 instead of $/€149. Existing customers can upgrade for an intro price of $/€39 for a limited time. It runs as a VST2, VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
More information here: Expressive E
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