DUNE 2 is finally available!
Listen to the Audio Demos here:
http://www.synapse-audio.com/dune2.html
Grab the free demo version here:
http://www.synapse-audio.com/download.html
Overview
The design goal of DUNE 2 was to increase both the sound quality and the versatility of the synthesizer as much as possible, compared to its predecessor. We're very happy with the result and hope you will be, too!
Oscillator concept
Dune 2 comes with two stereo oscillator stacks, each stack can emit up to 32 oscillators with adjustable Detune, Pan Spread and a variety of tuning modes. Each stack can be toggled between virtual-analog (VA), Wavetable (WT) and FM Synthesis. A third oscillator can be used as a sub-oscillator.
Overall up to 65 oscillators are available per voice. Since Dune 2 also features 8x unison, up to 520 oscillators can be synthesized per note. Since Dune 2 is furthermore a polyphonic synthesizer with 16 voices, the overall maximum is 8320 oscillators playing simultaneously.
A stereo noise generator complements the oscillator section.
Filter
Dune 2 introduces zero-delay feedback filters, which more closely mimic the behavior of analog hardware. A drive parameter allows to adjust the saturation characteristic (important when using strong resonance). Most filters can reach self-oscillation and have proper resonant tuning.
A separate filter effect section offers special effects like Bitcrush, Ratecrush, Distortion, etc and can be used pre- or post-filter.
Graphical Envelopes
Dune 2 introduces four multiple segment envelope generators (MSEG). MSEGs can be used to draw precise custom envelopes, or they can be used in loop mode tempo sync'ed to the host, which allows to create rhythmic effects such as the well-known "trance gate" effect.
Unison
One of the most important changes in Dune 2 is the ability to edit all 8 unison voices directly, essentially turning Dune 2 into a multi-part synthesizer. This allows to stack completely different sounds, using different synthesis models (VA, FM, Wavetable), a different filter, etc.
Arpeggiator
The arpeggiator now offers the classic up/down/random etc modes in addition to its sequencer. The sequencer adds a slide feature and allows to import MIDI files. Polyphonic MIDI sequences can be played back as well.
Master Effects
Dune 2 features two master effect chains, each containing 9 effects. The new effects offer higher quality and more parameters than previously. Effect parameters can be modulated via the modulation matrix.
Patch Management
The patch management in Dune 2 is now based on files and folders, to simplify patch management. When launching Dune 2, all available banks will be scanned automatically. This greatly simplifies using third party content, as it is no longer necessary to explicitly load banks. Sound design becomes easier, as the file-based system allows to duplicate, remove, and rename patches, and to sort them in arbitrary categories. Additional standard functions like Initialize and Revert Patch speed up the workflow.
Audio-Rate Modulation
The new engine can be set to audio-rate modulation mode, allowing all synthesizer parameters (except the master effects) to be modulated at audio-rate. Audio-rate modulation is very CPU-intensive, but allows to develop new sounds with rapid modulations previously not possible. Furthermore it is useful for percussive sounds such as kick drums.
Multi-threaded processing
In order to achieve a higher sound quality, most DSP algorithms employed in Dune 2 are much more complex than in Dune 1. This also means a higher CPU load, at least in theory. In practice the optimized SSE vector code, as well as the multi-threaded engine lower the processor load substantially. A modern PC or Mac with an i5 quad core or better is required, however.
Final Note:
DUNE 2 is structurally different from DUNE 1 in many areas, and thus not compatible with it. Both run just fine in parallel, however. There is no need to uninstall DUNE 1 prior to installing DUNE 2.
