Get with the programmers
Tone2 have supplied this month’s free software. Time to talk tech with developer and director Markus Krause
How did you get into music software? MK “I started programming audio software in the early 90s. There was not much available on the market in those days, so we had to develop our own. We used ‘trackers’, which were able to play back samples and you’d arrange them to create songs.”
Tell us a little about your company and which products became successful?
MK “In the 90s I created various audio tools as well as several trackers for SoundBlaster cards. In the early 2000s I started with creating freeware VSTs. reFX licensed my audio engines for several products: JunoX, Vanguard, Slayer, PlastiCZ. In 2005 I decided to go my own way and founded Tone2. Gladiator and Electra2 became very popular and were used by a massive number of producers.”
What makes your software stand out?
MK “I am a full-time developer and have now got 30 years of experience creating audio software. I pay big attention to the small details. The sum of all these little details makes a big difference. I also do not clone features from other synths like many other devs. I go my own ways, create my own algorithms and do things differently. That’s why the synths stand out from the crowd and sound different.”
What are your three most important plugins?
MK “Electra2 is equipped with a high-end quality sound engine with multi-layer support and a wide range of music production features. Its friendly, easy-to-use interface allows first-timers to easily create sounds or experts to delve into sound design as deeply as they want. Icarus2 is one of the most versatile and mightiest of synths ever. It offers 54 different synthesis methods and provides a gigantic sonic range. Gladiator is a popular synth which is used for a large number of pro productions. It provides a groundbreaking approach to sound generation. Its exclusive HCM-synthesis covers a new and unique aural territory.”
“Icarus2 is one of the most versatile and mightiest of synths”
How do they change the way we make music?.
MK “The process of music production moves more with developers and the sound designers. With these you can create impressive tracks with a few clicks – simply select a complex sound or sequence and hit some keys. Everything has become very easy and you quickly get great results. As a result, creating electronic music is simply a lot more fun.”
What would you like to see developed in terms of plugins? MK “Most developers would like to see VST3 disappear from the market. It has major design flaws and does not fulfill the user’s and developer’s needs (no proper MIDI support, etc). Sadly Steinberg ignores this persistently. We need a VST4 standard. It must be simple and closer to VST 2.4. And it must come with fair licensing conditions.”
What have you guys got planned for the future?
MK “I currently do not have plans to release new products. Instead I want to release free updates with new features for the existing products.” tone2.net