SubBoomBass-2

Rob Papen

SubBoomBass-2 features two oscillators with 128 waveforms, including the familiar virtual-analog and spectral waveforms as well as samples of acoustic and electric basses, percussion instruments and tuned drums. Physical modeling can be used to create extremely dynamic playable metal sounds or sounds that emulate the tonal behavior of stringed instruments. Oscillator 2 can be coaxed into ring, frequency and filter modulation. No less flexible is the filter section with two modules and a total of 20 filter types. Impressive sound progressions are no problem thanks to the XY pad and the lush modulation section.

What would a Rob Papen synth be without great sounding effects? Thanks to the flexible two effect units with a total of 29 types, the sounds can be impressively refined or completely put through the mangle. The powerful step sequencer, which can store four phrases, also makes it easy to create catchy basslines, riffs and percussion patterns. Practical: On the beginner-friendly „easy page“you always have direct access to the most important sound parameters.

Verdict

At an attractive price you get a powerful synthesizer with a focus on bass sounds. However, thanks to the flexible synthesis architecture, SubBoomBass-2 not only makes bass sounds in all shapes and colors possible, but also lively lead sounds, gripping bass lines, hypnotic sequences or drum and percussion grooves. Features like the physical modeling oscillator model expand the sound palette considerably. The wide range of presets by Rob Papen and other well-known sound designers that can be used extremely well for musical purposes should also be positively emphasized.