AT THE HELM

Vital’s creator Matt Tytel was previously responsible for another completely free software synth – Helm. This super-competent instrument went above and beyond in offering the cash-strapped musician something for nothing, wrapping a two-oscillator subtractive synth up with some pretty novel additions.

It was Helm’s effects and processors that really put a shine on it: the filter has an interesting morphing capability to move it between high and low-pass models, and anywhere in between. Effects included Stutter, a Beat Repeat-style processor, an onboard distortion effect, Delay and Reverb, and a Formant filter that could emulate human vowel sounds – quite an addition to a freebie! These effects show their influence in Vital, alluding to some of the great features that were later implemented here in Vital.