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Technical Specifications

Retroscillator PRO

A versatile, feature-rich synthesizer plugin combining vintage-inspired aesthetics with modern synthesis techniques to deliver a powerful music production tool.

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Core Features

Multiple Oscillator Types

Choose between Sine, Saw, Square, and Triangle waveforms for diverse sound creation.

FM Synthesis

Frequency modulation capabilities for creating complex and rich timbres.

Responsive Filter

State-variable filter with cutoff and resonance controls for sound shaping.

ADSR Envelope

Shape your sounds with detailed Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release controls.

LFO System

Two independent low-frequency oscillators for dynamic sound modulation.

Modulation Matrix

Route LFO2 to multiple destinations: filter cutoff, pitch, amplitude, and more.

Effects Processing

Reverb

Create spatial depth with room size, width, and damping controls.

Chorus

Add richness and movement with adjustable rate, depth, and mix.

Delay

Tempo-based delay with feedback control for echo effects.

Arpeggiator

Transform held notes into rhythmic patterns with multiple modes.

Performance Features

Virtual Keyboard

Built-in interface for note input and testing sounds without external controllers.

MIDI Channel Selection

Route MIDI input with specific channel control for flexible integration.

Preset System

Factory presets across multiple categories plus user preset saving.

User Interface Overview

The Retroscillator PRO interface is divided into logical sections for intuitive workflow:

Top Section

  • Display: Shows parameter values, preset information, and visual feedback
  • Oscillator Type Selection: Quick access buttons for switching waveforms
  • Reset Button: Returns all parameters to default state
  • Master Volume: Controls the overall output level
  • MIDI Channel Selection: Choose which MIDI channel the synth responds to

Main Sections

  • FM Synthesis: Controls for modulator index and ratio with enable/disable toggle
  • Filter Controls: Cutoff, resonance, and gain parameters
  • Envelope Controls: ADSR parameters for amplitude shaping
  • LFO2 Controls: Secondary LFO controls with modulation routing options
  • Delay Controls: Time, feedback, and mix parameters
  • Reverb Section: Size, width, damping, dry, and wet controls
  • Chorus: Rate, depth, delay, feedback, and mix parameters
  • Arpeggiator: Mode selection, tempo, gate, octave range, and swing controls

Bottom Section

  • Preset Management: Category and preset selection with save/load options
  • Virtual Keyboard: Note input interface with velocity sensitivity
Retroscillator PRO Interface

Retroscillator PRO's intuitive interface combines vintage aesthetics with modern functionality

Parameter Guide

Oscillator Section

Waveform Selection

Changes the basic timbre of the sound:

  • Sine: Pure, smooth tone with minimal harmonics
  • Saw: Bright sound rich in harmonics, ideal for leads and basses
  • Square: Hollow, woody tone great for retro sounds
  • Triangle: Softer than square but with more harmonics than sine

FM Synthesis

  • FM Enable: Toggles frequency modulation
  • FM Index: Controls the modulation intensity 0-1000
  • FM Ratio: Sets the ratio between carrier and modulator 0.5-32

Filter Section

  • Cutoff: Controls the frequency threshold where filtering begins 20-20,000 Hz
  • Resonance: Emphasizes frequencies near the cutoff point 0.1-10
  • Gain: Adjusts the output level 0-1

ADSR Envelope

  • Attack: Time taken for the sound to reach maximum level 0.001-3s
  • Decay: Time taken to fall to the sustain level 0.001-3s
  • Sustain: Level maintained while a key is held 0-1
  • Release: Time taken for the sound to fade after key release 0.001-3s

LFO2 Section

  • LFO2 Enable: Activates the secondary LFO
  • Wave Type: Selects the LFO waveform shape
  • Rate: Speed of modulation 0.1-20 Hz
  • Filter Mod: Amount of modulation sent to filter cutoff
  • Pitch Mod: Amount of modulation sent to oscillator pitch
  • Amp Mod: Amount of modulation affecting amplitude

Effects

Reverb

  • Size: Controls the simulated room size
  • Width: Adjusts the stereo spread
  • Damping: Controls high-frequency absorption
  • Dry/Wet: Balance between processed and unprocessed signal

Chorus

  • Enable: Toggles the chorus effect
  • Rate: Speed of the modulation
  • Depth: Intensity of the effect
  • Delay: Center delay time
  • Feedback: Amount of signal fed back into the effect
  • Mix: Balance between dry and processed signal

Delay

  • Time: Sets the delay time in milliseconds
  • Feedback: Controls how much signal is recycled (echo decay)
  • Mix: Balances delayed and direct signal

Arpeggiator

  • Enable: Toggles the arpeggiator function
  • Mode: Determines the pattern of notes played
    • Up: Plays notes from lowest to highest
    • Down: Plays notes from highest to lowest
    • Up/Down: Alternates direction
    • Random: Plays notes in random order
    • As Played: Plays notes in the order they were pressed
    • Chord: Plays all notes simultaneously
  • Time Division: Sets the rhythmic value of arpeggiated notes
  • Tempo: Sets the speed in BPM
  • Gate: Controls the duration of each note 0.1-0.99
  • Octaves: Sets how many octaves the pattern spans 1-4
  • Swing: Toggles rhythmic swing
  • Swing Amount: Controls the intensity of swing 0-1

Preset System

Retroscillator PRO comes with a variety of factory presets organized into categories:

Bass

Deep, powerful bass sounds

Lead

Expressive lead sounds for melodies

Pad

Atmospheric, evolving textures

Keys

Keyboard-like instruments

FX

Special effects and experimental sounds

Arp

Preset sounds optimized for the arpeggiator

Loading Presets

  1. Select a category from the "Category" dropdown
  2. Choose a preset from the "Preset" dropdown
  3. Click "Load" to activate the preset

Saving User Presets

  1. Configure the synthesizer to your liking
  2. Click "Save" to open the save dialog
  3. Enter a name for your preset
  4. Click "OK" to save

Sound Design Tips & Techniques

Creating Fat Bass Sounds

  1. Start with a Saw or Square oscillator
  2. Set a low filter cutoff (300-800 Hz)
  3. Add moderate resonance (3-6)
  4. Use a short attack (0.01-0.05s) and moderate decay (0.3-0.5s)
  5. Set a high sustain (0.7-0.9)
  6. Try adding FM with a low index (10-30) and ratio (0.5-2)

Ethereal Pads

  1. Use Sine or Triangle oscillator
  2. Set medium-high cutoff (2000-5000 Hz)
  3. Use long attack (1-3s) and release (2-3s)
  4. Add reverb with high size and mix values
  5. Use LFO2 to subtly modulate filter (low amount)
  6. Try chorus effect with low rate and medium depth

Sharp Lead Sounds

  1. Select Saw or Square oscillator
  2. Set high cutoff (5000-12000 Hz)
  3. Add moderate resonance (3-7)
  4. Use very short attack (0.001-0.01s)
  5. Set moderate decay (0.2-0.4s) and sustain (0.5-0.7)
  6. Try adding FM with higher index (40-100) and ratio (1-4)
  7. Add delay for spatial effect

Punchy Arpeggios

  1. Enable the arpeggiator
  2. Choose a waveform with rich harmonics (Saw or Square)
  3. Set moderate filter cutoff (1000-3000 Hz)
  4. Use very short attack (0.001s) and short decay (0.1-0.3s)
  5. Set low-to-medium sustain (0.3-0.6)
  6. Try enabling swing (0.3-0.6 amount)
  7. Experiment with different arpeggiator modes

Performance Optimization

CPU Usage

If experiencing performance issues, try:

  • Disabling unused effects (especially reverb and chorus)
  • Using simpler oscillator types (Sine and Triangle use less CPU)
  • Increasing buffer size in your DAW settings
  • Freezing or bouncing Retroscillator PRO tracks when not actively editing

Latency Considerations

  • Retroscillator PRO has a minimum latency of approximately 3ms
  • For live playing, use smaller buffer sizes (128-256 samples)
  • For mixing and production, larger buffer sizes (512-1024) will reduce CPU load

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Plugin Not Showing Up in DAW

  • Verify installation path is correct
  • Ensure your DAW has rescanned the plugin folders
  • Check if your DAW supports the plugin format (VST3/AU/AAX)
  • Verify system requirements are met

No Sound Output

  • Check if the master volume is turned up
  • Ensure MIDI input is correctly configured
  • Verify the correct MIDI channel is selected
  • Check if your DAW is sending MIDI data to the plugin
  • Make sure the filter cutoff isn't set extremely low

CPU Overload/Crackling

  • Increase audio buffer size
  • Close unused applications
  • Disable unused effects in the synthesizer
  • Render/freeze tracks using Retroscillator PRO that aren't being edited

Preset Loading Issues

  • Check if you have write permissions for the user preset directory
  • Restart the plugin/DAW
  • Ensure the preset isn't corrupt

Support Resources

Email Support

[email protected]

System Requirements

Windows

  • Windows 10 or higher (64-bit)
  • Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent processor
  • 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
  • 100MB free disk space
  • VST3 or AAX compatible host

macOS

  • macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or higher
  • Intel Core i5 or Apple Silicon
  • 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
  • 100MB free disk space
  • AU, VST3, or AAX compatible host

Linux

  • Ubuntu 18.04 or higher (or equivalent)
  • Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent processor
  • 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
  • 100MB free disk space
  • VST3 compatible host

Technical Details

Specifications

Formats VST3, AU, AAX
Bit Depth 64-bit processing
Sample Rates 44.1kHz - 192kHz
Channels Stereo
Latency 3ms minimum

Architecture

Retroscillator PRO is built using the JUCE framework and implements a hybrid subtractive/FM synthesis architecture:

  • Audio Engine: Real-time C++ DSP with lock-free processing
  • Voice Management: Up to 8-voice polyphony with per-voice processing
  • Modulation System: Matrix-based system with multiple sources and destinations
  • Parameter Storage: JUCE's AudioProcessorValueTreeState for seamless automation
  • UI Rendering: Hardware-accelerated vector graphics
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