D16 Syntorus 2

Brigade Device (BBD) Emulation mode (see box
out for more info) and next to this are the global
wet/dry mix (FX), Output Volume, and Output
Meter. Rounding things of are options for
realtime and oline processing quality (Normal,
High, Ultra), and you can also assign and learn
MIDI controllers, and load and save MIDI
controller maps.
Sounds
Syntorus 2 comes with a seemingly modest set
of 100 factory presets, and these are
categorised by type (intense, mild, subtle) rather
than by target application. The preset system is
well spec’d and user presets support user-
created tagging and categorisation. Let’s have a
look at what efects are on ofer.
Electric piano is a popular target for chorus,
and there are some great options here. Dreamy
Rhodes adds width and wobble, opening up the
midrange, and Ensemble provides richness and
a slightly wandering stereo image. Meanwhile,
Classic 1 provides a kind of pulsing wash. All
three are categorised as ‘mild’ but the efect is
pretty transformative.
On acoustic guitar Classic 2 delivers a
wonderful rich swirl, while Cramped Space
captures a tight mono langer efect. We also like
Highest Harmonics on acoustic as it rejigs the
tonal balance towards higher frequencies,
adding nice stereo width in the process. On
clean electric guitar Flat Detune and Perfect
Triangle both achieve the classic 80s picked
efect; meanwhile, for something more
distorted, Juicy adds pitchy width.
Syntorus 2 is great for simply thickening pads
(Gentle Expander) and if you want a more
langey or phasey efect, Gentle Smearing and
Aether both do the trick. Meanwhile, for string
machine lovers there are four Solina-inspired
presets, including the super rich Solina on
Anabolic Steroids. For short stabby synths, Light
Dual Chorus adds subtle width, and the three
Synthex presets create width with a bit of
movement. For more intense wobbly efects
both the Prophet and Eminent 1 presets also
sound pretty good. For plucky synth sounds we
particularly like the Choruser preset, and for
stereo enhancement Stereo Separation is great.
Syntorus 2 also uses synced modulation to
create some rather cool sequencer efects.
Trance Gater, Circular and Chord Gater deliver
more traditional sequencer sounds, while
Derivative Sequence, FX Sequence and Tribal 1
produce more unusual rhythmic efects. There
are also some truly oddball efects (Alice in
Particleland, Madness and The Queasemaker
are just three examples) to round things of.
Bigger and better
Classic chorus efects, even plugin versions,
generate an obsessive loyalty and thankfully
Syntorus 2 retains the vibe of the original.
Nevertheless, we were concerned that the 100
factory presets might be limited. Thankfully, on
closer inspection, they cover a lot of ground and
provide a great springboard for more tweaking.
All told, we found Syntorus 2 to be better than
its predecessor – more lexible, easier to use
and, dare we say, better-sounding. One of the
best-sounding chorus plugins about.
Web D16.pl
Verdict
For Three delay lines and three LFOs
Multimode ilter on each delay line
Delay line mixer with pan and metering
Optional bucket brigade emulation
Great price
Against Not much
D16 have achieved the tricky task of taking
an excellent plugin and making it even
better. Syntorus 2 is one of the very best
chorus plugins available
10/10
Alternatively
XILS-lab Chor’X
179 » 8/10 » €59
Four BBD chorus efects with
integrated dynamic spatialiser
screen deliver excellent classic
chorus sounds
Sinevibes Blend
$29
16 chorus layers and three chorus-
type algorithms; a wealth of efects
Bucket Brigade Devices (BBDs) form
the cornerstone of solid state delay
lines and unlike a digital or tape-based
delay, they actually use a chip that’s full
of capacitors to create a delayed
version of the original signal. This can
be used to implement a delay efect or
combined with modulation to create a
chorus. The typical BBD design
includes input and output iltering, and
this, combined with the noisy nature of
the chips themselves, creates a
distinctive sound. The Analog BBD
mode on Syntorus 2 is D16’s attempt to
emulate these solid state chips. With it
switched in there’s a clear diference to
the sound; and, for want of a better
description, with BBD switched out, the
sounds is quite hi-i. With it switched in,
it’s darker and more retro sounding.
Putting the plugin on the analyser and
comparing the signal with and without
the BBD option indicates that although
the whole frequency range is being
afected by this setting, most of the
action is happening in the lower mid
frequencies. Needless to say, having
both options is ideal and in practice
we’d simply choose whichever setting
worked best in context.
Bucket Brigade
Syntorus 2 includes three coniguration options that
afect how the LFOs inluence the delay lines
If you want to add the lavour of a classic bucket brigade device, select the Analog BBD option
“Classic chorus efects
generate an obsessive
loyalty; thankfully
Syntorus 2 retains the
original’s vibe”
October 2020 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 75
d16 syntorus 2 / reviews <
CMU286.rev_Syntorus_2.indd 75 24/07/2020 09:45