VIER emulates four units of the Doepfer MS-404, a famous German monophonic analogue synthesizer from the nineties. Even today the MS-404 has a large fan base and is not only known to insiders. Since the original MS-404 was monophonic, being able to play four units polyphonic at the same time, VIER fulfills a childhood dream for many musicians. The software uses up-to-date technologies for its synthesis engine like anti-aliasing oscillators which are capable of audio range modulation and zero delay feedback filters best known from synthesizers like LuSH, Monark or Diva.
PARAMETER LINKING & VOICE MANAGEMENT
VIER offers a wide range of options for parameter linking and cross modulation. All parameters may freely be grouped and linked with each other. An intelligent voice management dynamically assigns pressed keys and played notes to the different units. Both features enable sound opportunities that go far beyond the plain emulation of a vintage synthesizer or just the sum of four parts.
The parameter linking allows building groups which can be manipulated and modulated by macro parameters together. This offers a fast access to the most important sound properties and allows operating the four units as one monolithic piece. The intelligent voice management offers different creative play modes which especially allow an automatic assignment of each note in a chord to the four different units. Each of the units themselves can of course be operated with unlimited polyphony.
PRESET CONTROL AND FAVORITES
VIER contains a broad variety of factory presets that may be loaded, adjusted and saved or marked as favorites. Furthermore, the user may create, save and load own presets.
VIER runs stand-alone on Windows and Mac OS X or as plugin via VST, AU, RTAS and AAX.
VIER is available for purchase now. The regular price is 99€ / $99.
INTRO
Vier by Eisenberg is a fascinating virtual instrument! It is based on the Doepfer MS-404, a monophonic rack mount synth from the 90s that still has a strong industrial music cult following. I have owned countless synths since 1985, but never an MS-404. I'm not able to compare this soft offering to the hardware; however, I am certain of one thing — this synth is smaller than Doepfers and does not require a warm-up period for stabilization! Vier delivers an uncanny polyphonic combination of clean, yet analogue tones. And, it's not only polyphonic; it's polyphonic times four — hence the name "Vier." The saw-tooth wave is buzzy, bright, and thick. The pulse wave is wispy and hollow. The white noise generator is clean. It's a sweet synth with a fast envelope that is perfect for percussive sounds, especially arps and leads. It's no surprise that it has a nice peaky, resonant type bass for sequences. I discovered a nice musical quality in the mid frequencies, clarity in the upper regions, and a decent boom in the lows. The original MS-404 is known as an emulation of Roland's TB-303 Bassline Synth. It's hard to say whether or not Doepfer intentionally or accidentally decided on the name similarity with the 303. Vier utilizes a transistor ladder design like the Moog synths and Roland TB-303 uses a diode-ladder — this makes Vier/303 comparisons a bit dubious. In my opinion Vier is sonically more like Roland's SH101, but richer and more versatile. Regardless, Vier is authentically Vier.
FAVORITE FEATURES:
OTHER THOUGHTS:
SUMMARY
Vier is organic, inspiring, and like Eisenberg's Einklang — innovative and intelligent. This is an ultra-potent plugin with a genuine sound. I highly recommend Vier to any e-musician, producer, film and game scorer, sound designer, DJ, etc., who is looking to add something unusual, but addictively usable to their arsenal of virtual instruments. I grabbed it as soon as it was released, and I have no regrets! Tommy Zai gives Vier four big thumbs up. Thank you, Eisenberg, for developing another unique soft synth.
Note: I wanted to give Vier a 9.5 rating, but I had to choose 9 or 10, so I went with 10. I'm sure it will deserve a 10 after a few updates. ;-)
Read Review
Didn't like the sound and the GUI. Very thin poor sound just as thin as Einklang. I really dont get why i should pay for something that i can get better for free. This is my opinion, if you love it have fun with it. Good there's a demo so everybody can check before paying.
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I dig the GUI and the routing possibilities enable a wide range of sound from crystal clear to fat and juicy. I was inspired enough to write a little user review. Eisenberg is innovative.
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