Hivetune has announced the free Delta6 FM synth that’s built around a fully open modulation matrix.
This makes it easier (particularly if you’re not a DX7 guru) to see what’s being affected at every stage, and equally easy to modify, experiment and get usable results.
You don’t have to choose from a fixed list of algorithms — you freely route operators and visually see how modulation flows through your patch.
Much of this happens on the left of the display, where the six operators are shown in the modulation matrix. Columns show what an operator is doing, rows show what’s affecting it. Colour coding shows whether each operator is simply carrying sound or modulating another operator.
Five different waveforms are available — sine, triangle, saw, square and noise. The operator section allows for changing ratio, fine tuning, the ADSR envelope and sensitivity.
There’s also built in chorus and reverb, polyphonic and monophonic modes with glide and drift.
For getting instant inspiration, there’s also a randomisation feature via the dice button. This isn’t uncontrolled randomness but instead it selects a specific sound archetype such as pad, pluck, keys or lead, and intelligently builds the ratios, routings and envelopes.
The free version contains 20 presets. An expansion pack for $4.99 offers more.
Features
- Route operators freely through the modulation matrix, letting you create any FM structure and experiment with your own signal paths.
- Build complex sounds with 6 FM operators, each with its own tuning, level, waveform, and ADSR envelope.
- Go beyond traditional FM with five operator waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, and Noise.
- Push Operator 6 further with its feedback control.
- Add subtle analog-style pitch variations with Drift, allowing for a warmer and more organic sound.
- Give your sounds space with the built-in Reverb, with adjustable reverb size and mix.
- Add width and character with the built-in Chorus effect, inspired by classic hardware chorus circuits.
- Use velocity sensitivity to make your patches respond dynamically to how hard you play.
- Play up to 16 voices of polyphony, or switch to Monophonic mode with Legato for expressive basses and leads.
- Use the dice button to instantly generate random presets.
- Use the preset browser to quickly find new sounds, or save and load your own custom presets!
