Sugar Bytes

Further editing of the Wobble section is done
in the multifunctional Center Screen. The ability
to hop back and forth between user-speciied
LFO types and speeds using the main knob is
fantastic and perfectly suited to the fast-mod-
changing nature of modern dance styles.
There’s also an assignable 16-step modulation
sequencer and a gate sequencer that facilitates
so-called trance-gating. When assigned to pitch
modulation, the former can be used with the
latter to create intricate musical rifs.
Each of the main modulation sections
features an automation recorder that enables
you to record your movements and play them
back from the plug-in itself, rather than the host.
This enables spectacular evolving modulation
combinations. Many of the presets feature
prerecorded movements, so it’s always worth
hitting the play button when browsing them to
see what happens.
Desired effects
The efects section is what might happen if Sugar
Bytes’ Turnado and Efectrix plug-ins collided
head-on. It features eight programmable slots
(switched between using the big control knob,
top right), each of which can host up to four
efects, with every one from a diferent type.
The efect types comprise Pitch-Looper
(a tempo-based looper with pitch variations),
Looper (a choice of eight loop lengths), Vinyl FX
(scratch, tape stop, slow-down, speed-up) and
Send FX (phaser, chorus, delay and reverb),
applied in that order. These efects have no
controls, but there are a few sub-types of each
one, and you can also record the movements
of the main control knob in this section. It’s also
worth mentioning the distortion unit in the
master section, which features nine overdrive/
distortion models.
Three sections (Wobble, FX Sequencer and
the preset menu) also have randomise buttons,
which are great for instant variation or calling
up a random preset when you’re stuck for ideas.
Then there’s the option to pre-assign setups and
modulation recordings to the bottom end of
your MIDI keyboard. The speciied keys are
represented in the Center Screen, which also
houses editors for the regular LFOs, envelopes,
modulation sequencers and more.
Everything in the central section primarily
serves to power the main knobs, and it’s these
that form the backbone of Cyclop’s appeal. In
truth, only hardcore synthesists are likely to dive
too deeply into the editing controls – the vast
majority will simply get busy with the knobs,
and it’s a credit to Sugar Bytes that the synth is
so efective when used in this way.
Cyclop is fun and easy to use, and although
it’s not for everybody, those making modern
‘digital’ styles or producing soundtracks – or
indeed, anyone who just likes tinkering with
novel and innovative synths – will ind it powerful
and unique-sounding, adding spice to existing
tracks and inspiring new ones.
It isn’t a particularly analogue-sounding or
versatile synth, although we don’t mean that as
a criticism. If you want an analogue-style synth
sound, get an analogue-modelling synth. If you
want cutting-edge digital madness, however,
Cyclop delivers.
Web www.sugar-bytes.com
Contact [e-mail]
Verdict
For Huge bass!
Great stereo imaging
Distinctive sound
Fantastic and unique modulation matrix
Massive preset list
Suits all ability levels
Against Needs a Favourite button
Quite a speciic range of sounds
Unique, fun and powerful, though not the
most versatile synth in the world
9/10
Alternatively
Rob Papen SubBoomBass
140 » 8/10 » €99
For copious bass tones, this is hard
to beat, but it isn’t as fun or original
Native Instruments Absynth 5
145 » 8/10 » €179
If it’s mad modulations you’re after,
Absynth is a winner
The power of Cyclop really lies in its
sequencing and modulation options,
but without strong core synthesis
methods, it wouldn’t amount to much.
Thankfully, Cyclop is well-equipped.
It’s a three-oscillator synth: two main
oscillators and one sub-oscillator. The
sub is part of the master efects section,
and it can kick out some lovely low-end
oomph. The other two oscillators ofer
a choice of six generators, each with up
to four unison voices.
The irst three – Saw Regiment,
Analog Sync and FM – are quite familiar
but have some interesting features.
Saw Regiment, for example, ofers
seven pitch-ofset saw waves that can
be stacked up to four times using the
Unison mode, with intense results.
Transformer is a wavetable synth
driven by a sample of your choice. It
can be used for formant-shifted vocal
sample playback, or mangling any old
sound or loop you care to throw at it.
Spectromat is a bank of 32
oscillators and is just the thing for
those who like scaring old people and
small pets, while Phase Distressor is a
modulated sine wave with a hypnotic
interface that helps you to cope with
the mental noises it generates.
All of this is blended in a mixer
module before going through a couple
of conventional but well-speciied ilters.
Six of the best
When you tire of programming the synths, click the
robot to open a sound-generating shoot-’em-up game!
“Cyclop is powerful
and unique-sounding,
adding spice to
existing tracks and
inspiring new ones”
Check out the Transformer and Analog Sync oscillators down in the bottom left
September 2012 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 81
sugar bytes cyclop / reviews <
CMU181.rev_cyclop.indd 81 7/2/12 2:45 PM