Cymbols is a percussion synthesizer specifically designed for electronic cymbal and hihat sounds. The methods it uses to synthesize sounds are derived mostly from old analog drum machines (with a few tweaks), though it is not designed to specifically emulate any one machine or series of machines.

FSA Cymbols demo – VST3i cymbal/percussion synth

Cymbols is a percussion synthesizer specifically designed for electronic cymbal and hihat sounds. The methods it uses to synthesize sounds are derived mostly from old analog drum machines (with a few tweaks), though it is not designed to specifically emulate any one machine or series of machines.

See the dedicated page for another audio demo and more info.

Available now (free/donationware) from the FSA shops at Gumroad and itch.io.

Another fairly simple noisebox synth combining an AM/FM oscillator configuration with an Atari Punk Console-style triggered monostable.

Latcher download page

Video demo:

FSA Latcher demo – VST3i noisebox synth

Latcher is a VST3i noisebox synth in the same vein as NANDroid and XORbot, and contains many of the same features as those previous synths. The sound-generating part is something of a cross between a circuit I built called the Modutronic Messmaker (an AM/FM noisebox), XORbot, and an Atari Punk Console.

Latcher is a noisebox synth in the same vein as NANDroid and XORbot, and contains many of the same features as those previous synths. The sound-generating part is something of a cross between my Modutronic Messmaker circuit and an Atari Punk Console, in that it combines the AM/FM oscillator configuration with the osc-triggered monostable of the APC. In keeping with the logic-based theme of the previous two noiseboxes, it also includes a switchable “mod osc” that is fed into an XOR gate with the APC-like signal on the other input (pre monostable).

Here’s a little audio demo:

NANDroid and XORBot have both been updated to V1.01, with the biggest change being that MIDI note value is now available as a modulation source in any of the assignable slots, including the Combiners. This change is largely thanks to a user request.

Another change is that these and other FSA plugins will now be available from Gumroad. They are still available for free if you like, just enter a price of “$0”.

XORbot is somewhat related to NANDroid, in that it uses logical operations to generate sounds, and features a similar modulation setup and synth engine.  The synth itself is finished, just working on presets and a manual.

Here’s an audio demo, starting from a preset and tweaking knobs:

Spectral Lemuring, a lo-fi spectral processing/pitch-shifting effect, has been released (Windows 64, VST3, free/donationware). You can hear an audio demo and download it at its dedicated page here.

If you remember Spectral Monkeyage, it’s kinda like that, and (as the name implies) is created as a sort of nod in the direction of that “classic” plugin from Shiny FX. It isn’t meant to be a direct remake or anything, but uses some similar concepts, and may fill a similar niche in one’s arsenal. Note that I have no affiliation with Shiny FX (the developer of Spectral Monkeyage), and this is only inspired by the namesake.

VST and VST3 are trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies AG

Spectral Lemuring is, as the name implies, a spectral processing effect which is inspired by a discontinued freeware plugin with a similar name. The feature set isn’t exactly the same, but like the plugin that inspired it, it can process the high-magnitude and low-magnitude parts of the FFT signal separately, and can also “freeze” the signal.

Among the ways it differs from its inspiration are the separate pitch shifting for high and low-magnitude signals, and a resynthesis section (another way of “rebuilding” the FFT signal) which can be mixed with the iFFT output. The split point for the high and low-magnitude signals can also be modulated.

This plugin is mostly finished, though I will probably be adding preset management as present in other recent FSA plugs, fixing some graphical stuff, etc. Patreon supporters get access to a preview version, available from the FSA Patreon page.

NANDroid is a noisebox synth based loosely on the TrigPulser module I built for my hardware Lunetta-style modular. As such, it shares some DNA with the “Loid’s Cousin” Reaktor ensemble as well, which also features a section based on that module. This plugin takes the idea in a slightly different direction though, with stuff like LFO’s and a filter.

You can get the plugin (in VST3i format) and hear audio demos at the VST plugins page.