UAD bx_subsynth

Born in the days of disco, subharmonic synthesizers helped overcome the low-end limitations of vinyl, giving DJs, sound designers, and club mixers pounding kick drums and booty-shaking basslines that defined dance music.

Developed by Brainworx, the bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synth plug-in for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces takes its cues from the iconic dbx 120XP Subharmonic Synthesizer, but with a host of modern features:

• Easily add massive low-end punch without affecting the midrange.
• Beef up kick drums, bass synths, or even old vinyl.
• Use the M/S feature to pinpoint where you add bass.
• Harness features like the extra frequency band, the Edge section, and the expanded metering.

Updating a Classic

The bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synthesizer plug-in takes the dbx 120XP's Waveform Modeling engine one step further by adding a third synthesis band. This extends the upper end of the synthesis range from 56 Hz up to 80 Hz — where many crucial instrument fundamentals lie — allowing you to process a wider range of sources, from electronic kick drums to bass synths and more.

Saturate Sources

The bx_subsynth Subharmonic Synthesizer plug-in's Edge section lets you compress and saturate your source — a handy feature for shaping subharmonic content or building explosive transient peaks. And with Smooth or Harsh modes, Squeeze and Drive, as well as Low/High-Cut filters, you're afforded an unprecedented amount of control over subharmonic information.

Full Stereo Spectrum Control

The bx_subsynth's M/S features give you the option to focus the processing only on the mid channel. Sound designers will love being able to pump the center up to blockbuster proportions without affecting the sides. The stereo field can be further tweaked with the Mono Maker and Stereo Width controls, which keep the image in phase and provide you with total control over the perceived signal width.

Say goodbye to thin kicks, toms, and synths. The bx_subsynth generates ultra-low bottom end from sources where little-to-none exists. And its array of innovative tools let you sculpt your newfound bottom end for truly unique sounds.

Richard Chycki (Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater)