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About:
Astra is a new Synthesizer plugin from Splice developed by Sharooz Raoofi (ex Audiaire) and Artemiy Pavlov (Sinevibes). Astra is a multi-oscillator engine Synthesizer with two main, identical oscillators. Each one is configurable as a virtual analog, FM, granular, sampler, or wavetable oscillator. The plugin has some similarities of Serum, Pigments and Omnisphere but is a bit more user friendly and fun to work with.
I’ve designed over 200 presets with dedicated macro’s for Splice so I call myself an Astra expert now and like to guide you through some of the plugins features and explain what I use Astra for. I like Astra especially for non standard sounds such as atmos, drones, pads, effects and modular sequences. The power of Astra lays within the modulation matrix and the step based sequencer. The multi oscillator engines are great for sounddesign experiments, combinations really expose the power of Astra.
The engines are, FM, that offers four carrier waveforms, with a user-loadable main modulator waveform and switchable lin/exp. It’s simplified FM so that you get results quickly. The granular and sampler engines give you the option to load your own samples. Then there is a wavetable oscillator too that comes with many waveforms. The two main oscillators are supported by a sub-oscillator with five waveforms and a noise generator. Then there’s a multimode filter with different types as well as a comprehensive effects section that is really flexible. It includes different effects like delay, tempo delay, reverb, compressor, chorus, and a heavy granular processing reverb.
The Video timeline
Intro: (0:00)
Intro, The Synth Engines: (0:53)
Intro, What I like most about Astra: (1:12)
Intro, Ranomise functions: (1:29)
Intro, Preset : (1:42)
Intro, What do I do with Astra? Some presets: (1:54)
Intro, General talk about sections: (2:14)
Intro, Macro’s: (2:45)
Intro, Do we really need a new Granular VST?: (2:55)
Intro, Astra’s best features: (3:24)
Intro, Sound Effects: (3:41)
Intro, The Holy Granular Reverb: (4:05)
Intro, Power of Astra: (4:30)
Intro, Preset: (4:45)
Overview, the Oscillators: (5:03)
Overview, the Filter & Envelopes: (5:32)
Overview, the LFO’s & S&H: (5:52)
Overview, Macros Drag &Drop: (6:08)
Overview, Macros Step Sequencer: (7:21)
Overview, Note Sequencer: (7:59)
Overview, Modulation Matrix: (8:24)
Overview, Effects Section: (9:55)
Overview, Effects Granular Reverb: (10:44)
Patch 01 Creation, Adding Oscillators: (11:42)
Patch 01 Creation, Adding Effects: (12:35)
Patch 01 Creation, Randomising Engines: (13:00)
Patch 02 Creation, Granular Oscillators: (14:35)
Patch 02 Creation, Blending both Oscillators: (15:44)
Patch 02 Creation, Fine tuning the patch: (16:10)
Patch 02 Creation, Changing Effects Order: (16:30)
Patch 02 Creation, Changing Filters & Finalising : (17:14)
Patch 02 Creation, Changing Filters : (17:14)
Final Words: (18:22)
Presets Atmos: (18:41)
Presets Rhythmic: (19:15)
Presets Drone: (19:34)