Rob Papen Soundware has released Go2, a new soft-synth for Mac and PC. It’s hard to understand exactly what’s going on from their press release and website information, but Rob narrates a video, which you can watch below. However, the basic idea for Go2 is that every parameter is accessible from the single screen interface.
At the heart of Go2 is the OSC/XY section. This single oscillator offers a choice of two waveforms, and you can Morph in various ways between WAVE A and WAVE B. The oscillator also has a SUB oscillator that offers two waveforms, and by using SPREAD the single oscillator turns into two oscillators, which detune from each other. The XY has many additional features, and next to the oscillator Morph you can also address it to the other parameters contained in Go2.
There is a FILTER section with different filter types available; high-pass [HP] FILTER; AMP section with distortion that works at voice level; LFO [low frequency oscillator]; envelope [ENV]; and a modulation [MOD] matrix. The eight-way modulation matrix allows users to dynamically alter Go2’s parameters using both internal modules, such as envelopes and LFOs, and external MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controllers, such as pitch bend, aftertouch, and other control messages defined in the MIDI standard. The envelopes inside the filter and amp section can be displayed graphically or as dials. You can also set them to exponential, which is the default setting, or linear, which is a great setting for pad sounds.
The PLAY MODE arranges how Go2 plays — either in 16-voice polyphonic [Poly] mode, Mono [monophonic] mode, Legato mode, or by using the arpeggiator [Arp]. In this section you can also find the UNISON MODE, which can be used in all the play modes. And next to this we have included special unison modes, featuring, for instance, 16 different chord types. Of course, Go2 has a creative arpeggiator [ARP] onboard, which can also work in Sequencer MODE. But what makes this arpeggiator unique is a new row, which is called chord [CHRD]. This means that now each step can have a different unison setting or a chord.
Go2 also includes Papen’s effects. These are in series, with a CHORUS, followed by a FLANGER or a PHASER, and, last in the chain, a stereo DELAY or a top-notch REVERB. Go2 has all of its controls displayed visually, which makes it fast to work with while offering some very cool and unique features. Go2 has a BANK MANAGER with some unique features. For instance, if you like a preset, you can give it a star, highlighting your favorite presets. With over 600 programmed presets sorted into BANK MANAGER folders, there’s sure to be a suitable sound or two already in there to start as your foundation for creating your own sounds.
Rob Papen’s Go2 comes in the AAX (32-/64-bit), AU (32-/64-bit), VST (32-/64-bit) flavors for Mac OS X (10.6 or higher) and Windows (Vista, 7, 8, and 10) and costs €49 / $49.
Rob Papen
