2RuleSynth is a free patchable Synthesizer plugin: version 3.3 is major upgrade with Linux support, patchable FXs, and more.
Developer tugrulakyuz has released many exciting, free plugins over the past few years, all with an experimental approach. His latest was the ingenious TugPhonon, a Phonogène-inspired tape delay.
One of his first projects was the 2RuleSynth in 2021. The 2RuleSynth is still around and has become increasingly powerful with each new version. The latest update has recently dropped with major changes.
Version 3.3
The last time I reported on 2RuleSynth was in 2021, when it was first released. I also published a demo. The plugin has grown considerably in the last five years, but still is a virtual analog Synthesizer with two oscillators and deep shaping options.
Among other things, it got a patchable multi-FX engine, sync waveform for both oscillators, and more. Version 3.3 is now available, the biggest update yet, and it remains free of charge.
The update introduces a redesigned UI with a new color palette, wordmark header, master volume in the header, and a spectrum drawn as bars. You can customize it with five oscillator colour schemes, selectable on the top of the UI.
The UI also brings the ability to assign modulation to parameters by simply patching cables like in a modular synth. The UI looks much better than the first versions.
The core synth engine remains largely unchanged, but now features 16 voice polyphony instead of 6. Then, it adds unison detune and stereo spread in the voice settings. On the modulation side, there is a new sample & hold (random) LFO wave.
Version 3.3 also introduces four macro controls with a MAP mode. You can assign them by drawing a cable from a macro to any knob. Then set the depth by dragging the connection. They are also available in the effects engine.
New Effects Engine
Talking of the multi-FX engine. The routing of the effects has been upgraded with a new live graph system in 2RuleSynth 3.3. It now uses a nodes system where you drag nodes around, and draw cables by hand.
Click on a node to get access to the parameters of the selected effect. This makes the FX engine very flexible. Update 3.3 also adds two new effects: a multimode resonator and modal FX.
The latter is polyphonic and tracks the keyboard. This brings a bit of physical modeling into the synth. In the effects engine, you now also have four assignable multimode LFOs, allowing you to modulate FX parameters.
That’s handy so you don’t need to use the LFOs from the synth engine. And don’t forget, the macros are also available here.
Further, it comes with MTS-ESP microuning support, aftertouch to cutoff, and mod-wheel vibrato. Plus, there many other smaller changes and fixes, including rewritten presets as individual files with categories.
A big news also for the plugin compatibility. 2RuleSynth 3.3 is also now compatible with Linux systems.
At first glance, this is a great update that tugrulakyuz has released for his synthesizer. It’s especially nice that there’s now Linux support.
The new 2RuleSynth 3.3 is available now as a free update. The plugin is also a free download. It runs as a VST3, and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux and Windows.
More info here: GumRoad
Article from November 13, 2021
There are now tons of free Synthesizer plugins for macOS and Windows. I have put them together in a list that is updated regularly. Today, we welcome another one, but one of the more special and weird free synths I’ve tested so far.
The developer of 2RuleSynth is 2Rule, who recently released very unique free plugins such as the TwoRuleFilter. It’s a filter plugin that is capable of producing unusual filter effects, including glitching. His new Synthesizer looks very classic subtractive but has a structure and sound that are worth exploring.
2RuleSynth
2RuleSynth is a new free 8-voice poly Synthesizer plugin that offers classic virtual analog synthesis in combination with FM and ring modulation. Sounds classic but the structure is different.
Each oscillator has its own filter, amp, envelopes, and LFOs. In classic synths, these parts work on the entire engine. Here, every oscillator can be seen as its own voice. Thus, you can achieve more complex sounds here even if it’s “just classic subtractive synthesis”. I like it as it’s a refreshing approach to it.
Each oscillator has classic waveforms including sine, saw, square and white noise. You can adjust them with four controls: waveform, mode, fine-tune, and octave. PWM is currently missing, hopefully, the developer will add it in the future.
More complex, no problem. You can activate up to three different oscillator modulations simultaneously. Available are ring modulation (RM), frequency modulation (FM), and waveshape distortion, giving timbres with more harmonics and character.
Each oscillator then has a filter, two envelopes (filter, amp), and three LFOs with sync (amp, filter, pitch). The filter is a resonating Moog type filter with LP, HP, and BP.
2RuleSynth has 4 envelopes and 6 LFOs to set your parameters in motion. A little downer: tons of modulation but little flexibility. The modulators are fixed and cannot be routed differently. And there is also no mod matrix.
At the end of the signal, it offers an advanced chorus, a simple syncable delay, and reverb processors. Handy, the developed added a spectrum analyzer, a wave window as well a preset randomizer. With one push you can design new sounds. Often crazy sounds are the result but it’s a nice addition for it.
Sound Demo
At first glance a very special free Synthesizer plugin. It’s certainly not a premium synth like U-he Diva, Xfer Serum, Massive 2… but a fun synth. Its sound is very peculiar and weird. Also very experimental as it sounds very crazy and harsh in many places. Definitely a free synth tip.
According to the developer, it’s a beta version made in the Juce Framework and it was developed to gain experience in this environment. Updates with new features are planned which is a very welcomed news. And thanks 2Rule for this free release.
2Rule 2RuleSynth is available now as a free download for macOS and Windows. It runs as a 64-bit only VST3 plugin.
More information here: GumRoad
Thanks, Tom. I tend to miss plug-in updates, unless there‘s a hub.