Synapse Audio

waveform operations include DC ofset removal,
normalising, inversion and reversal. There’s also
a Formula ield for generating waveforms via
mathematical function input, and wavetables
can be exported in WAV or Dune 3’s WT format.
Also new for the oscillators is the Swarm
stack type. This is a supersaw with random pitch
modulation of each oscillator in the stack,
yielding a dense, wildly animated signal that
sounds wicked on its own and makes for a viable
alternative to high counts in other stack types
when system resources are running low.
Fresh filter
Another major architectural upgrade has been
implemented in the ilter section, which now
houses two ilters and an insert efect. The ilters
are blended with the Balance knob, and can be
routed in parallel or series, with the efect
inserted before, in between or after them in
serial mode.
There are also a ton of extra ilter modes –
including low-pass emulations of the Roland
JP08 and Alpha Juno, and CEM 3372, as well as
a 36/60dB Brickwall, the 12/24dB Moog ladder
from Dune’s sister synth The Legend, and a
Deep Notch – plus new Formant, ilter, Vowel
ilter, Phaser and Hard Foldback ilter efects.
While we’re on a frequency-shaping tip, Dune
3’s EQ efect expands on the simple three-band
(low/high shelves, parametric mid) design of old
with the addition of a second parametric band,
12/24/36/48dB low- and high-cut ilters, and a
graphical editor for node-dragging adjustment
of the shelving and parametric bands. Other
changes in the efects department are
summarised in Epic efects.
That’s the standout improvements in Dune 3
covered, but a few of the less attention-grabbing
tweaks are worth mentioning, too. For starters,
you can now switch between two independent
arpeggiators, and toggle playback with a
footpedal or other controller via the new Arp
Hold modulation target. Then there’s the
Alternate mod source, for jumping target
parameters between positive and negative
values; a pink noise option for the noise
generator; presets for the MSEGs; four GUI
resolutions, from tiny to enormous; unlimited
undo/redo, even across patch changes; and a
brickwall limiter on the output.
Sand storm
While, as suggested earlier, Dune 3 could never
have been as radical an overhaul of Dune 2 as
Dune 2 was of Dune, this is still a thoroughly
worthy update to one of the inest softsynths
around. The Swarm oscillator, new ilter features
and enhanced efects make front-panel
programming more lexible than ever, and the
Wavetable Editor gives Dune parity with the
likes of Serum and Thorn when it comes to wave
design. The Wavetable Editor is quite laggy and
slow to respond to mouse input (on our test
2018 MacBook Pro, at any rate), however.
Hopefully this will be improved in a patch.
If we had to choose a single instrument to
cover all our synthesis needs without making
compromises in any of them, Dune 3 would be
towards the top of the shortlist. It’s easy and
enjoyable to use, up there with the very best
sonically, and – if you’re buying it for the irst
time, at least – great value for money.
Web synapse-audio.com
Verdict
For Wavetable editing!
Dual ilter with new models and FX
Sweeping efects improvements
Swarm stacking mode
Against $79 upgrade is a little pricey
FM is still very rudimentary
Wavetable Editor is laggy
There’s always room for improvement, it
would seem, as one of the biggest, baddest
synths around hits a new high. Essential
10/10
Alternatively
Xfer Records Serum
213 » 10/10 » $189
Mindblowing wavetable synth with
incredible efects, deep modulation
and so much more
u-he Diva
178 » 10/10 » £138
Semi-modular synth with gorgeous
modelled oscillators and zero-delay
feedback ilters
The EQ may have seen the most
obvious improvement among Dune’s
efects for v3, but every one of the
synth’s seven signal processing
modules has been blessed with new
algorithms and modes.
The Delay gets six further types,
taking the total to 11. Among them,
LCR alternates echoes between left,
right and centre, Filtered incorporates
a ilter, and Swing lets you dial in ofset
for every other echo.
The Reverb module’s new Shimmer
Hall and Shimmer Room algorithms are
able to employ pitchshifting for strange
harmonic ambiences, while Cathedral
and Studio Room provide users with
extreme spatial options at both ends of
the size scale.
The Chorus and Phaser efects are
bolstered by a range of new Roland-
inspired models – speciically, the
Dimension-D and JP8000 (Chorus and
Flanger, with Rate and ilter
parameters), and the Boss PH2 Super
Phaser pedal.
Unusual in a synth, the Opto
Compressor mode is ripe for
experimentation with its languid
attack. And the already well-stocked
Distortion module can now serve up
Fuzz Face and ‘Dirt’ stompbox lavours,
and a tasty alternative to bitcrushing
with the Dynacrush algorithm.
Epic effects
Adjust the volume and phase of partials in your
waveforms with the Wavetable Editor’s Additive mode
The new Shimmer
Hall and Shimmer
Room reverbs use
pitchshifting
“Dune 3 could never
have been as radical
an overhaul as Dune 2
was of Dune, but this is
still a worthy update”
April 2019 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 89
synapse audio dune 3 / reviews <
CMU267.rev_dune3.indd 89 2/5/19 2:36 PM