808 Studio 2

The 808 Studio 2 synthesizer and sampler from Initial Audio is an expert for deep (sub-)basses. Stylistically, the plug-in focuses mainly on Hip Hop and Trap. The synthesizer section is equipped with two oscillators and 70 waveforms plus a sub-oscillator with its own distortable filter. With the current Version 2, the sample engine has also been expanded, so that not only can you use the more than 60 included samples, but you can also conveniently import your own sounds by dragging and dropping. The samples are influenced by the 808 character, which are supplemented with hard kicks and partially distorted basses.

The 80 factory presets are also impressive in terms of hardness without effects gimmickry, so that they could sometimes also be considered for dark and hard Techno. The internal effects with Overdrive/Distortion, Compressor, EQ, Chorus and Filter are somewhat rudimentary, but sonically acceptable. In addition, 808 Studio 2 also has a sequencer on board, with which short patterns can be programmed. In addition to the two LFOs, two envelopes with four modulation destinations each are available for modulation. Each parameter can be modulated here. Last but not least, the sound generator can also trigger the samples using the sidechain function, so that only the level of the synth signals is reduced.

Verdict

For crunchy, raw and punchy basses, 808 Studio 2 is a good choice. The combination of synthesizer and sampler increases the flexibility and joy of tweaking new sounds, and the effects let you shape them even further. Hip Hop, Trap and Techno producers should take a closer look at this plug-in.

Developer: Initial Audio

Web: initialaudio.com

Price: $99 US Dollars, Actual: $49 US Dollars Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX