Vogue MK2 Synthesizer for Mac

User Reviews

• Give it a try!

  GuilmacJune 10, 2011

  Pros

  Good sound quality, intuitive user interface. Lots of waveforms allow for easy creation of new sounds.

  Cons

  No virtual keyboard, not multi-timbral, limited polyphony, would be also nice as a plugin.

  Summary

  It does what it says and it does it well: awesome value for the money.

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• Flexible, simple interface, can load scala tuning maps

  sonicraftDecember 24, 2010

  Pros

  Simple, quasi-analog synth interface, 3 oscillators per voice, nice variety of waveforms, clever little mod-matrix, loads tunings/scales, (and ships with a huge library of Scala scales) making this a unique instrument. Currently a FREE license.

  Cons

  Requires a MIDI controller (or MIDIKeys) to audition sounds. No on/off for each oscillator, no plug-in version--requires inter-app like Soundflower or Jack OS X, hover-help doesn't work for all parameters.

  Summary

  Since my review of a previous version, the developer quickly fixed the aliasing issue by incorporating an anti-aliasing filter (see "What's New"). Now it sounds fine in higher ranges. ??The doc/readme does a good job of introducing and explaining the overall setup. The interface is clear enough to help you figure things out on your own, providing you have some basic knowledge of synthesis. I would prefer it if the "hover-help" would provide a little phrase for each control especially the unlabeled ones. Vogue MK2 has its own unique sonic character, AND it loads tuning/scale maps. It is sonically versatile, easy-to-use, and interesting. The docs mention a way to have more than one instance of Vogue MK2 if you need to. If you like a very simple uncluttered interface, gentle learning curve, and if you would enjoy dabbling with literally thousands of new scales and tuning systems, you will enjoy this software. ??BOTTOMLINE: A fun and unique instrument with a painless learning curve, and tons of cool scales/tunings.

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• slipshod attitude to the customer

  john_dysonDecember 17, 2010

  Pros

  nothing, although I can see that for some people a working programme might be a nice toy.

  Cons

  the programme doesn't work on my mac

  Summary

  there is no operation manual, so no instructions on how to set up the programme. I like things to work straight away out of the box. This programme doesn't do that, and I don't have the time to mess about with it.

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• Simple analog interface, can load scala tuning maps!

  sonicraftNovember 2, 2010

  Pros

  Simple, quasi-analog synth interface, 3 oscillators per voice, nice variety of waveforms, clever little mod-matrix, loads tunings/scales, (and ships with a library of Scala maps) making this a unique FREEWARE (currently) instrument.

  Cons

  No way to audition sounds without MIDI controller, heavy aliasing with some waveforms in higher octaves, only way to disable an oscillator is with level slider. Not a plug-in, so it needs a way to connect with other apps (like Soundflower).

  Summary

  Any critique of cheap/free software must first begin with a note of gratitude for the developer and an appreciation of the cleverness, and resourcefulness to make such an impressive piece of software. The documentation (such as it is) does a good job of introducing and explaining the overall setup of the product. The interface is really clear enough to figure things out, providing you have some experience with basic synthesis. If you don't, you can find this info out with a little research. There's no real manual, but as the documentation says, "you probably won't read it anyway." (or words to that affect). It is a cool synth, especially because it will load tuning maps. It is sonically versatile and interesting. The fidelity is perhaps better than you might expect for freeware. I don't know if the aliasing in high notes is the result of my Mac's crappy built-in DAC's-- i.e., it might be improved by using a better audio interface. The software itself is not perfectly glitch-proof, but is certainly stable enough for recording work. If you are interested in learning about synthesizers with a nice selection of waveforms, but you like a very simple uncluttered interface, gentle learning curve, and if you would enjoy dabbling with literally thousands of new scales and tuning systems, you REALLY NEED TO TRY THIS SOFTWARE!!! BOTTOMLINE: It's great to include in your FREEWARE tool set. It's fun and unique.

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• Nice

  patrouilleAugust 30, 2010

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This works fine on my Mac Mini (2.53 GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo). The reverse delay crackles a bit with short delay times.

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• Freezes

  grh-aklAugust 29, 2010

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />What more can I say? Intel iMac, OSX 10.6.4. Vogue will not launch. Freezes and must be force-quit. And no manual so I'm left in the dark.

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