Icarus2 is the most powerful synthesizer available on the market. The award-winning audio-engine provides a gigantic sonic range, offers true high-end sound quality and creates sounds impossible with other synths. Icarus2 ships with 1600 hand-picked patches from professional designers.
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Icarus2 is the most powerful synthesizer available on the market. The award-winning audio-engine provides a gigantic sonic range, offers true high-end sound quality and creates sounds impossible with other synths. Icarus2 ships with 1600 hand-picked patches from professional designers.
The most powerful synthesizer available on this planet
Create nearly any style of electronic music, from groundbreaking to nostalgic, with the Tone2 Icarus 3D Wavetable synthesizer! This virtual instrument is loaded with tons of iconic presets to have you making great music in no time: dubstep, hip-hop, trap, modern pop — you name it. But what sets the Icarus apart is its endless sound-shaping options. Build new textures with 3x10 stereo oscillators — which can play hypersaws, unisons, stacks, or chords — morph and filter to your heart's content, then mold to taste with 53 included effects. To create authentic signature sounds, you can even import your waveforms and resynthesize your samples. An arpeggiator, vocoder, and wavetable editor are just icing on the cake with the Tone2 Icarus synth.
The award-winning audio engine offers high-end sound quality and extreme flexibility with low demands on your CPU.
Icarus ships with an inspiring collection of 1600 production-ready sounds created by professional designers. An intelligent patch browser allows you to find the right sound rapidly.
Synthesis
The reviews in various audio magazines prove that Icarus is one of the most versatile, impressive-sounding synths. The potent audio engine can create all-important synthesizer sounds in high-end quality. Get instantly inspired by the massive number of fresh, original sounds and produce tracks with unique and individual characteristics! Icarus can do a tremendous amount of synthesis methods: 3D wavetables, classic wavetables, resynthesis of samples, vocoder, additive, subtractive, analog, FM with up to 6 operators, formant synthesis, waveshaping, PWM, sync, ring mod, AM, noise, physical-modeling, phase-distortion, granular, time-stretching, pitch-shifting, samples, harmonic-morphing, FFT-filtering, lofi, import of custom waveforms and wavetables and many other innovative modes, exclusive to Icarus.
Oscillators & Hypersaw
We've expanded the popular hyper saw concept with stereo-processing, precise phase-control, punch, and the ability to make single oscillators play chords. Icarus offers three oscillator blocks with authentic stereo architecture. Each oscillator block itself again can contain up to 10 detuned hypersaw-oscillators. Thirty-seven different modes are available, including hyper saw, supersaw, stereo hyper saw, unison, stacking, chords and flanging. The hyper saw modes can be combined with any wavetable, waveform, or synthesis method.
The algorithms for this synthesizer were developed and optimized by an experienced DSP-expert. The sound quality of Icarus easily surpasses conventional synths, but you don't need to own a high-end computer to be able to use it. That's why Icarus offers the best possible sound quality and low CPU demands.
Filters
Our synthesizer flagship offers 63 exciting filter types. Icarus2 comes with the most potent filter section available on the market. It's a best-of selection of over 300 filter algorithms developed by Dipl. Inf. Univ. Markus Krause during the last 15 years. Many filter types are exclusive and unavailable from other companies, resulting in a wide range of unique sounds that other synthesizers cannot produce. All filters are musical useful and have different sonic characteristics. We did not include similar-sounding types.
There are two modular filter blocks available. Each one is equipped with proper stereo architecture, flexible routing, and multi-mode filters. Two stereo-distortion sections, each with nine different modes, allow you to shape the sound further.
An animated display shows the frequency response and gives you immediate visual feedback. This makes it very easy to understand and tweak the filter behavior.
Since an experienced DSP expert created all filters, they offer high-end sound quality and low CPU requirements.
Arpeggiator
The included arpeggiator instantly creates inspiring and beautiful melodies. Working with the powerful arpeggiator is simple: Just input your notes into the note-sequencer. The arpeggiator supports advanced features such as glides, swing & shuffle, split, smart note-sorting, and matrix integration and gives you precise control over play direction and velocity. Comfortable playing aids like auto-chord speed up the production process and assists you whenever you need it. Don't feel like programming your patterns? Just load one of the many pattern templates.
Drums
Icarus2 has been extended with a drum sequencer. It is an easy-to-use but powerful X0X-style sequencer module. It comes with a wide variety of drum sounds, noises, and waveforms. You can also import your samples and save your templates. An extensive collection of 100 drum patterns created by professional designers is included. The drum-sequencer supports swing, shuffle, loop-length, effect-send, key-split, roll, mono-samples, stereo-samples, looped samples, and looped waveforms. Your sounds can be passed through punchy, BPM-synced envelopes, which allow you to create impressive 'gated-drum-sounds' easily. You can stretch WAV Files with drum loops or any other rhythmic content so that they automatically sync to BPM.
Furthermore, the drum-sequencer is not only limited to playing drum sounds. It is also a tiny multi-timbral synthesizer that can play looped samples or waveforms with or without pitch-tracking. It also comes with an intelligent auto-accompaniment that automatically resolves the chord you are currently playing and plays a bass line that 'fits'.
Effects
Icarus comes with an imaginative and flexible effects section. Fifty-four different effects, feedback, and a limiter can be combined in modular slots to build new and exciting results. You can create your custom effects which can be saved and loaded separately.
The innovative ducking module can make the mix sound more transparent and lush. It dynamically adjusts the volume of the effect mix and prevents delays from clashing with the original signal.
Microtuning
Icarus offers 21 different micro tuning modes. The engine can slightly detune certain voices to make your chords sound fatter, harmonically rich, and warm. We also developed several innovative algorithms that are no longer limited to the usage of a specific tonality. Icarus can analyze what you are playing in real-time and can enhance your chords automatically.
Glitch-sequencer / Trancegate
Icarus2 has been extended with a grid-based glitch-sequencer. You can chop your sounds and create modern glitchy pitch stop, trance gate, or stuttering effects. 'The Glitch' works similar to a multi-effect sequencer. The incoming audio is passed through 10 different effect modules. Up to 16 segments control each effect to adjust the effect's parameter.
Furthermore, adjusting the speed, groove, routing, mix, smoothness, and loop length are possible. Random buttons allow you to create new sequences quickly. It is also possible to load and save your templates.
Equalizer
Optionally an innovative equalizer with dynamic bass boost and psychoacoustic processing is provided to make your sound sit right in the mix. The EQ is easy to tweak since a display visualizes the frequency response in real-time.
Interface
Icarus offers a huge sonic range, is highly versatile, but remains easy to use. Animated displays give you visual feedback. You can instantly see and hear the results of your actions.
Context-sensitive tool-tips explain the function of the control that you're currently tweaking. The user-friendly and accessible interface makes tweaking easy for anyone, regardless of skill level or experience.
The GUI can be displayed in 12 different sizes and three scales: Small, average, or giant. It is also possible to hide parts of the interface, like the keyboard, when you don't need it.
The customize-able interface allows you to select your favorite color from 26 schemes.
Patch-browser
The patch browser gives you instant access to a massive and inspiring library with production-ready sounds. Icarus2 comes with an astounding collection of 1600 (!) hand-picked patches. Each sound has been carefully built by a professional sound designer and crafted with a lot of love and great attention to detail. The patches are very easy-to-mix because they've been carefully EQed, pre-mastered, and perfectly synced with your track tempo.
Since all patches have been sorted into categories, you can quickly find what you need. You can tag your favorites with a ranking system.
An on-screen keyboard allows you to audition to the sounds.
Modulation
Spice up your tracks with exciting movement! Do you want to use the LFO to wobble your sound? Simply drop it onto a knob, and you've got it. Modulation can be as simple or complex as you want. Use drag & drop or the modulation matrix to connect dozens of sources to all-important sound parameters. Modulate almost any parameter with audio-rate speed from internal modulation sources like LFOs, punchy envelopes, step sequencers, and many MIDI signals.
MIDI
Icarus2 supports MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expression), which can add several additional dimensions of dynamic expression to the sounds.
We've also included midi-learn, so assigning CCs is as simple as a right mouse click.
Multistage-envelope-generators
Two MSEGs are available as additional modulation sources. The MSEGs can be operated as LFO or envelope and allow you to create any shape you can imagine. The MSEGs offer the highest precision, support frequencies up into the audio range, and have been designed with the aspect of musical usefulness.
Anything is possible: The MSEGs can be synced to BPM, sync with the arpeggiator, or run freely. Triads or dotted rhythms are also supported. You can define loop points and start points. You can delay or fade the MSEGs. You can move, add or delete points with your mouse. You can bend lines upwards or downwards to change their shape or create precise rectangular curves. The MSEGs can be edited entirely freely, or you can snap points to a grid of selectable size. It is also possible to draw triangles, bars, or ramps.
3D Wavetables
The award-winning '3D Wavetable Synthesis' creates sounds impossible with other synths and reveals a new level of dynamic expression. We have extended the classic wavetable synthesis, which can cross-blend waveforms with an additional morph-dimension. You can use 54 morph-modes to further shape and modulate the sound. The morph modes are not limited to traditional waveshaping methods. We also included a vast range of innovative and exclusive synthesis methods, which are not available from other companies. This results in a wide range of unique sounds that other synthesizers cannot produce. Get inspired by unheard signature sounds and give your productions a special character!
Wavetable-editor
Icarus comes with the most potent wavetable editor available on the market. You can use it to create your waveforms and wavetables or edit the ones included in Icarus. A random generator allows you to create an infinite number of new and musically useful wavetables with a single mouse click. The spectral editor turns Icarus into an additive synthesizer, giving you precise control over the partials and phase. You can also draw your waveforms using the mouse.
Icarus' flexible, compact and open file format allows sound designers and artists to easily create their sound sets, waveforms, and wavetables. Many common file formats are supported. It is even possible to import and export wavetables or waveforms from-and-to other synthesizers.
In Icarus, all wavetables are automatically stored within your patches and songs, so you don't have to worry about managing any additional files on your hard disc.
The comfortable editor includes over 100 professional tools to tweak wavetables. You get basic features like cutting, mixing, and filtering, as well as advanced tools such as de-noising, enhancing, resynthesis, vocoder, spectral modification, and phase manipulation.
Rebuild any sound with a SINGLE mouse-click
With Icarus, anyone can build fantastic sounds quickly and easily. Traditional resynthesis methods require a deep knowledge of sample editing in order to achieve good results. It needs time-consuming pre-processing with a sample editor and precisely tuned samples.
We have taken care of these problems for you and have developed entirely new algorithms. Icarus' innovative wavetable-resynthesis can rebuild sounds with a single mouse click! It works with nearly any kind of audio material and produces high-quality results. Simply click the button, select a WAV file and Icarus will automatically create a patch which sounds like the original. Optionally, you can further shape your sound with morphing, BPM-synchronization, time-stretching, the filters, the effects, or any other module.
Traditional sample-import, auto-tuning, beat-slicing, pitch-shifting, noise-reduction, and granular playback is also supported.
All waveforms, wavetables, and samples are automatically stored within your patches or songs. This means you don't have to worry about missing files on your hard drive or broken song projects.
Why do you need vocals to create a chart hit?
If you listen to popular songs, you will notice that nearly all of them use a lot of vocals. We are naturally drawn to those sounds, as they reflect the spoken word. However, adding vocals to your tracks is a demanding task: You need a singer, a microphone, a recording studio, a wealth of experience, and patience...
Icarus can take care of your work since it can sing chants for you. Simply pick one of the vocoder patches and play a melody. These sounds are not just a bunch of 'vocal samples' - this is real speech-synthesis. These vocalic chants are never out-of-tune. Magically they can automatically synchronize to your song's BPM-rate!
With the built-in vocoder you can also create your own phrases. The top quality vocoder module has 1024 bands and is very easy to use: Simply click on 'Vocoder' and select a WAV 2 containing speech. Icarus will analyze it and automatically create a patch. Optionally, you can further shape your sound with morphing, the filters, the effects or any other module. Playing the sound forwards, backward, formant shifting, BPM-sync, time-stretching and looping is also possible.
Summary
Icarus2 is a powerful synthesizer-workstation
Icarus2 is also the most advanced wavetable synthesizer on the market, but not limited to wavetable-synthesis
The audio engine can do 54 different synthesis modes and can produce all-important synthesizer sounds.
The 3D-wavetable-synthesis allows a new dimension of dynamic expression
High-end sound quality with low CPU-requirement
Easy-to-use interface with animated displays and context-sensitive help
Huge sonic range
Over 1600 presets by professional designers
GUI with 12 sizes, three zoom levels, and 26 color-schemes
Drag & drop modulation
Drum sequencer with 100 drum-patterns
Powerful arpeggiator with auto chord support, shuffle and swing
3 x 53 effects, vocoder
Glitch-sequencer
10x stereo hyper saw, unison, stacks, chords
Polyphonic, monophonic, several legato modes
The most potent filter section available on the market: Dual multi-mode filters with 62 filter types and eight distortion-types
Customizable user-interface
Expandability, modular
Features
Sound engine with true stereo-architecture
3D-wavetable-synthesis: Waves can be morphed in 3 dimensions
Multicore-processor support
MSEGs with BPM sync (multistage envelope generators)
Very flexible mod-matrix with precise modulation up to the audio-range
Efficient patch-browser
The mpotentrful wavetable editor available on the market
Spectrum-editor for editing single harmonics
The resynthesis allows you to rebuild any sound with a mouse-click
A random button enable you to create new sounds with a mouse-click
Sample-import and automatic tuning
54 different synthesis modes that can be combined
Dual multi-mode filters with 2 x 62 filter types
2 x 8 distortion types
3 x 53 effects, vocoder, trance gate
10x stereo Hypersaw, unison, stacks
Polyphonic, monophonic, legato
Up to 256 waveforms per wavetable
Unlimited number of wavetables and waveforms
Random-generator for wavetables
Midi-learn
MPE-support (Midi polyphonic expression)
Context-sensitive help
Drag & drop modulation
Punchy envelopes and very fast LFOs
Expandability
Customizable user interface
Can import and export samples, waveforms, or wavetables in WAV format
Standalone version for PC
Flexible preset-management
Microtuning for enhanced chords
Equalizer with dynamic bass-boost and psychoacoustic processing.
Physical-modeling resonators: Guitar, Flute, Odd, Even
LoFi: Resampling, Sample & Hold
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Trance & EDM
Trance & EDM
Trance & EDM
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
AUDIO DEMO
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2_Icarus_Detonator
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Trance & EDM
Trance & EDM
Trance & EDM
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Boundless Heavens Showcase for Tone 2 Icarus
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Tone2 Icarus2
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Heavenly Flights Soundset for TONE2 Icarus Showcase
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2 Icarus2 Synthesizer
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
Tone2_Icarus2_TrapNBass
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC: Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 / Vista (32 bit or 64 bit)
PC formats: 32-bit VSTi, 64-bit VSTi, VST3, Standalone
Mac: macOS 10.7 or higher / macOS 11 / macOS 12; Intel CPU or Apple M1
Mac formats: 64-bit VSTi, 64-bit Audio Unit (AU)
1 GB free hard-disc space
An internet-connection is required only for the installation. To be able to run the software it is not necessary that your computer is connected to the internet.
User-friendly copy-protection: No dongle, no cloud, no need to be online
UPDATES
Icarus 2.0.8 (free update for PC)
New feature:
HiDPI support for the VST3 version.
Minor enhancements for the VST3 plugin.
Fixes:
The VST3 plugin did not properly sync the BPM-rate.
Workaround for some DAWs that did not update the GUI properly after re-sizing it.
Icarus 2.0.6 (free update)
The update to v2.0.6 is available for free. It extends the PC version with VST3 support and some enhancements.
Icarus 2.0.6 is downward compatible with all previous versions. All existing song projects and patches can be loaded without any further steps necessary.
New features:
Added a VST3 version.
You can select from 3 different installation types: Minimal (VST2 only), Default (VST2 + Standalone) and Full (VST2 + VST3 + Standalone).
Enhancements:
More smart detection of VST2 path.
Faster closing of projects.
Minor enhancements for the standalone version.
Changes:
Microsoft dropped support for 32-bit Windows. As a result, we will not longer provide updates for it. If you still depend on it you can install v2.0 instead.
Icarus 2.0
The feature-set of Icarus has been extended drastically. Icarus is now not longer just the most advanced wavetable-synthesizer on the market, but also a high-end quality synthesizer-workstation.
The update to v2.0 is 100% downward compatible with all previous versions. All existing song-projects and patches can be loaded without any further steps necessary.
Two MSEGs are available as additional modulation-sources. The MSEGs can be operated as LFO or envelope and allow you to create any shape you can imagine. The MSEGs offer highest precision, support frequencies up into the audio-range and have been designed with the aspect of musical usefulness.
Literally anything is possible: The MSEGs can be synced to BPM, sync with the arpeggiator or run freely. Triads or dotted rhythms are also supported. You can define loop-points and start points. You can delay or fade the MSEGs. You can move, add or delete points with your mouse. You can bend lines upwards or downwards to change their shape or even create precise rectangular curves. The MSEGs can be edited completely freely or you can snap points to a grid of a select-able size. It is also possible to draw triangles, bars or ramps.
Drum-sequencer:
Icarus2 has been extended with a drum-sequencer. It is an easy-to-use, but powerful X0X-style sequencer-module. It comes with a wide variety of drum-sounds, noises and waveforms. You can also import your own samples and save your own templates. A large collection of 100 drum-patterns created by professional designers is included. The drum-sequencer supports swing, shuffle, loop-length, effect send, key-split, roll, mono samples, stereo samples, looped samples and looped waveforms. Your sounds can be passed through punchy, BPM-synced envelopes, which allow you to create impressive 'gated-drum-sounds' easily. You can stretch wav-files with drum-loops or any other rhythmic content so that they automatically sync to BPM. Furthermore, the drum-sequencer is not only limited to playing drum sounds. It is also a small multi-timbral synthesizer that is able to play looped samples or waveforms with or without pitch-tracking. It does also come with a smart auto-accompaniment which automatically resolves the chord that you are currently playing and plays a bass-line that 'fits'.
Glitch-sequencer:
Icarus2 has been extended with a grid-based glitch-sequencer. You can chop your sounds to get modern glitchy, stuttering effects. 'The Glitch' works similar to a multi-effect sequencer. The incoming audio is passed through 10 different effect-modules. Each effect is controlled by up to 16 segments to adjust the parameter of the effect. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the speed, groove, routing, mix, smoothness and loop-length. Random-buttons allow you to create new sounds quicky. It is also possible to load and save your own templates.
New features:
The interface has been re-designed completely. It is now more intuitive and efficient to use.
Icarus2 contains 566 new sounds. I does now come with 1600 hand-picked patches created by professionals
The GUI can be displayed with 12 different sizes
You can select from 3 different scales for the interface: Small, normal or huge
Added a random-button that generates new patches
MPE-support (Midi Polyphonic Expression)
Many additional realtime-animations for the interface
Arrows indicate modulation-sources which support drag-and-drop
Additional knobs for filter-panning
Hi-dpi support for sharper text, graphs and knob-handles
Added an optional keyboard which allows playing sounds without midi-input
The current value of the LFO and Step-LFO is displayed with a small circle
A classic wavetable-view has been added, which can be shown by clicking on the display
A vertical line visualizes the current phase of the LFOs
The effect-section has been reworked and is more easy-to-use
Included a new LFO-type called 'White Noise' that outputs real random values
Included a new LFO-type called 'Band-limited Noise' that outputs tuned noise
Included a new LFO-type called 'S&H Noise' that outputs BPM-synced noise
Included a new LFO-type called 'S&H Noise Ramped' that outputs BPM-synced ramps
Included a new LFO-type called 'S&H Noise Digital' that outputs BPM-synced digital-noise
Added a new patch-browser
50 new shapes for the MSEGs
A massive number of additional waveforms
256 new drum-samples
100 new drum-patterns
21 new effect-templates
Support for 'polyphonic key pressure / aftertouch'
Additional buttons to bypass FX1, FX2, FX3 and the feedback
Additional knobs for filter-volume 1 and 2
'FX3 Duck' changes the dry/wet mix of effect3 dynamically, resulting in a more transparent mix
Small triangles indicate hypersaw-spread and the stereo-spread in the osc-section
A triangle indicates the wavetable-index in the oscillator-scetion
A triangle indicates the morph-value in the oscillator-scetion
An additional dry-wet knob allows to change the effect-mix in the main interface
You can draw shapes by clicking with the right mouse-button onto the step-lfo display
A midi-diode indicates incoming signals
Added a realtime-display for the frequency-response of the equalizer
Many menus have been extended with check-marks, which show the last selected item
Additional on/off buttons for bypassing single effects
Midi-out support for the keyboard and the arpeggiator
Additional button to reset the patch-settings
Global mode for the LFOs when the arpeggiator is used
Pitch-wheel and mod-wheel are displayed on the lower left and can be used as drag&drop modulation-source
Note number and velocity can now also be also assigned with drag&drop
Additional 'Tools-menu' for the arpeggiator
Matrix send values are shown when the mouse is mover over a slider
It is now possible to bypass oscillators from the filter section in parallel mode
The names of the sound-designers are displayed in the patch-browser
The GUI can be resized but does not use OpenGL, which results in sharper graphics. OpenGL is deprecated and will be not longer be supported by Apple
Enhancements:
All oscs, filters, the volume-envelope and the step-lfo are displayed on the main interface and accessible without switching through tabs
Icarus_effects, Icarus_arps, Icarus_mseg, IcarColor.cfg, IcarMidi.cfg and the manuals are now stored in Icarus_data
The color schemes can be changed without restarting the plug-in
The arpeggiator is much larger and more intuitive to use
Many additional tooltips which explain features
Reduced latency
Key-follow for the oscs can be toggled without entering the setup-menu
All matrix parameters are accessible within a single tab
All effects, the feedback, the ducking and the limiter are acessible within a single tab
Unused effect-parameters are hidden automatically
The cutoff-knob is located left from the reso-knob
Polyphonic, legato, mono and glide-mode can be selected from the main screen
After loading a new patch the synth automatically shows the most relevant tab-section
The patch-browser shows more detailed info about the patches
The patch-browser displays the names of the sound-designers in the lower right section
The number of semitones are shown within the arpeggiator
The arpeggiator-presets-menu is now more structured
The installer's automatic detection of the vstplugins directory has been enhanced
The 'Low-CPU morph-mode' does now always play on the entire keyboard-range
Enhanced performance for drag&drop
Higher precision limiter displays
Many small enhancements for the interface
Many small performance-optimisations
Better description of many features and more detailed tooltips
Much higher accuracy for Midi-pitchbend messages (if the hardware supports it)
Sound-enhancements:
Enhanced sound and more linear frequency-response for 'Delay Dual'
The default-parameters for many effects have been fine-tuned for a better sound
The sound of many reverb-types has been enhanced and offers a more linear frequency-response
Higher precision rendering
More accurate timing for the shuffle
Changes:
The 'random-lfo' types have been renamed to 'pseudo-random'
The 'Trancegate' is now a 'Gate'
The 'Low-CPU morph-mode' is now called 'Downsampling'
Icarus_waveforms, Icarus_arps and Icarus_effects are now stored within Icarus_data
'Slit Low/High' in the arp-section has been renamed to 'Bypass High Keys'
Fixes:
Fixed some typos
Workarounds for several host-bugs (FL-Studio, Orion, Ableton, Reaper, Cubase)
Several smaller fixes
Icarus 1.6 (free update)
Icarus 1.6 is a major update, which is available for free. It includes new resynthesis modes, additional effects, a better user interface, enhanced sound and many new features. Icarus 1.6 is downward compatible with all previous versions. All existing song projects and patches can be loaded without any further steps necessary. They will benefit from the enhanced sound quality.
New features:
IMPORT SAMPLE->'Resynthesis smart pitch snap' drastically enhances the sound quality of the resynthesis function. You can select a WAV file and it automatically creates a synthesizer patch which syncs to BPM.
IMPORT SAMPLE->'Resynthesis of melody' is a new feature. It can import complete phrases or melodies in WAV format. It automatically programs a patch that sounds very similar to the original. It reprograms the melody in the arpeggiator. Furthermore, it creates a wavetable with the harmonic content of the patch. The patches can further be tweaked, time stretched or modified.
IMPORT SAMPLE->'Resynthesis with dynamic pitch' can import a wave. It automatically creates a patch which sounds similar to the original one. This mode does analyze the pitch information of the patch and programs the STEP LFO with a pitch envelope.
IMPORT SAMPLE->'Beat slice drumloop' cuts a sample into 16 or 32 waveforms and creates a patch with plays a BPM synced loop.
New effect: 'Reverb Gated' which syncs to the BPM rate. It works best for drum sounds or arpeggiators.
New effect: 'Reverb Gated Echo' is Gated Reverb with a delay which syncs to BPM.
New effect: 'Reverb Reverse' which syncs to the BPM rate.
New effect: 'Reverb Decay' which syncs to the BPM rate.
The patch browser shows a scrollbar if more than 26 categories exist.
'Shift notes up' shifts the notes in the arpeggiator one halftone up.
'Shift notes down' shifts the notes in the arpeggiator one halftone down.
'Rotate 1 slot left' rotates the notes in the arpeggiator.
'Rotate 1 slot right' rotates the notes in the arpeggiator.
The morph knob now shows the number of quantized steps.
The wavetable editor shows a large slider with a grid if modifiers with 'value' are edited.
Osc->Tool 'Resynthesis smart snap'.
Wavetable editor->Spectrum->'Sort by brightness' sorts waveforms by their harmonic content. It can be used to create wobbles.
Modulation depth of knobs could have been incorrect if matrix target was switched.
Removed wrong up/down arrows in the STEP LFO.
Fixed a compatibility problem with recording automation in some hosts.
Icarus 1.5 (free update)
The update to v1.5 is a major update, which is available for free. It includes a better user interface, many new synthesis modes, enhanced sound and many new features. Icarus 1.5 is downward compatible with all previous versions. All existing song projects and patches can be loaded without any further steps necessary. They will benefit from the enhanced sound quality.
New features:
The engine is now able to do FM synthesis (PM) between oscillators. Select 'FM<-Osc1' as synthesis/morph mode to modulate Osc2 with Osc1
The synth does now offer classic sample playback. Set the OSC synthesis/morph mode to 'Sample' or 'Sample Loop'. The usual wavetable controls do have no effect in this mode.
Classic samples can now also easily be imported with IMPORT SAMPLE->'Load a wav sample...'. The sample can be automatically tuned on import.
The engine is now able to do amplitude modulation between oscillators. Select 'AM<-Osc1' as morph mode to modulate Osc2 with Osc1
The engine is now able to do Waveshaping between oscillators. Select 'Shape<-Osc1' as synthesis/morph mode to shape Osc1 with the wavform of Osc2
New effect: 'Delay Wide' is a broad sounding delay with Hi Damp and Low Damp filters
New effect: 'Stereo Width' allows to spread the panorama from mono to surround
New exclusive effect: 'Laser Punch' adds additional punch. Use it with a sawtooth to gereate a zzapping 'Rubber Bass' sound
Icarus_wavetables now contains subdirectories for categories which contain the wavetables
Submenus provide a more logic structure and better overview
Tooltips with info are shown when the mouse is hovered over a button or control
Additional buttons: Previous and next Lfo waveform
Pitchwheel and Modwheel in the patchbrowser is now animated
Wavetable position in the wavetable editor is animated if you click on the left keyboard
The patch browser list shows a checkmark for the currently loaded patch
In the waveform display the mousewheel can be used to pick a wave
Mousewheel support for the filter frequency display
Mousewheel support for the patch selector
A double click to a knob or slider resets it to the default value
'Natural scrolling' support for mousewheel on 64 bit Mac
Added an undo-button which restores the recent parameter changes
43 additional wavetables with over 1000 new waveforms
Enhancements:
Enhanced sound of Reverb Medium, Reverb Big, Reverb Plate, Reverb Glass, Reverb Infinite, Reverb Trance: Less detuned sound, smoother tail and more punchy early reflections
Enhanced GUI skin
Larger text for the menus on PC
FILE->'Create random patch' gives better results
Fixes:
The 32bit Mac version did not show a line when drag & drop modulation was used
Fixed a possible crash, when the down arrow is pressed within the patch browser
The text label for 'HP Analog 12/24 dB' was swapped
Fixed a crash that could happen if the synth was flooded with midi program change messages
Fixed a possible crash on opening the GUI
Knobs did jump if circular mode was forced by the host
Fixed a crash that happened if 'Create random wavtetable/patch' was pressed when no wavetables were installed
If OSC volume was set to 0 there was still a very low volume sound emitted
Fixed a crash of the previous beta where pressing the arrow keys could crash the plugin
Changes:
Category is now placed above patch selector
More aggressive focus for the mousewheel
'One Shot' has been renamed to 'One Shot Wave'
Initializing a new patch sets the LFOs to 'classic trigger mode'
Reso knob is grey, lfo shape knob is blue
Resynthesis menu is now called 'import sample'
Icarus 1.1 (free update)
This huge update includes a reworked user interface, a large number of new features and many enhancements. The update is free and 100% downward compatible with v1.0.
New features:
Drag&Drop support: Drag LFO/ENV and drop it to a knob to create a matrix entry for modulation
Right-click on a knob opens a menu where you can assign modulation sources
Modulation depth control on top left of a knob if a source is assigned
Sectors on knobs show the modulation amount. Clipping is shown in red.
Hovering the mouse over a knob shows the current parameter value and modulation source
The buttons of OSCs, Filters, LFOs, ENVs, which are inactive are grayed out
Responsive GUI with Tooltips
New waveform display mode 'Hypersaw', which shows the detuning of the oscillators
help->Show version info
Mouse cursor changes on editing halftones in arp
Right click on a knob->reset initializes to the default value
Visual feedback if a button in the wavetable editor is pressed
TRIG button for the LFO section
New sync mode for LFOs 'Arp/Lfo soft trig' which re-triggers monophonic LFOs after 1 second of silence
New sync mode for LFOs 'Arp/Lfo classic trig', which allows the setting of free mode for every LFO individually
SEMI knob for the OSC section
New matrix target 'Filter Balance'. It's useful to control the relationship of the filter volumes when two filters are routed in parallel.
Enhancements:
Drawing custom shapes with the STEP Lfo is more comfortable
Better workflow
Enhanced performance of the knobs
Parameters are more easy to adjust
Patch rankings are only stored when the user clicks on the stars
Display mode is now 'smart' and tries to auto-detect the right one
Polished some graphics
Reduced RAM requirement. More instances can be loaded in 32 bit.
Many other small enhancements for the user interface
Quick save is more smart
Category is rotating for a more comfortable patch browsing
Workaround for buggy hosts which submit duplicate noteOn commands. The Arp does not longer produce hanging note
Legato is more easy to setup
Drag&Drop of a wav sample to the OSC display can now create a new resynthesized patch
LFOs are more smart
Mousewheel on Arp notes now selects octaves
Changes:
MONO in the LFO section has been replaced with TRIG
Enhanced automation parameter naming
On initializing a new patch the default mode is set to 'Arp/Lfo soft trig'
OSC Punch and OSC Keyfollow button have been moved to SETUP
Fixes:
Matrix source 'Filter Env' sometimes didn't work
Removed a glitch from 'Alien Spaceship Mac.fxp'
The browser of the Mac 64 bit version sometimes did display the stars of the first patch incorrectly
In the previous beta quicksave was broken
In the previous beta the vocoder's LFO did not trigger as expected
Clicking below Vocoder in the wavetable editor did open an abandoned menu
