Elastic OSC is the latest application of synthesizer of the developer Oliver Greschke who takes the algorithms of mutable instrument on a wild and modulating journey.
This review begins in 2018 with the publication of the macro macro oscillator, which quickly became one of the most popular Eurorack modules. Then, a movement which speaks volumes on: the DSP code went open source under the MIT licenseallowing third -party developers to use it for other projects.
Among the most famous adopters are Arturia, who implemented certain oscillators in the microfreak without prior agreement and later with. The end of the module and the end of the mutable led to a flood of synthesizer projects using DSP code of treasures.
Oliver Greschke’s elastic OSC project (elastic drum developer, mumuns) is the most recent project to use these legendary algorithms. After the elastic drums, FX and Melody, it is the fourth elastic application of the German developer.
Elastic OSC
It is a polyphonic synthesizer for iOS with a conventional subtractive signal flow, composed of a block of oscillator, a filter, an envelope and a multi-effect section. Of course, you cannot generally convince summary fans with a 1-oscillator synth in 2025, unless it is a Roland SH-101, TB-303 or Juno emulation.
It is different here for two reasons: first, the oscillator has an countless morphable facets, and secondly, he is integrated more deep into the instrument than any other 1-oscillator on the market.
The oscillator nucleus borrows the DSP sound engine from the open source mutable instruments. It should be noted that Oliver explicitly disclosed the MIT license and the copyright of Emilie in the application section. It is positive and all those who use the codes must do so.
Elastic OSC offers everything 24 algorithms of the popular macro oscillator. These include those published with the original equipment of 2018 and those added via updates. They range from virtual analog synthesis, 2-OP style FM and DX-7, modal resonator, drum, and more.
The unusual synthesis of the terrains of the waves and the powerful DX-7 engines of the last massive update of the dishes module are also playable. However, you cannot load personalized field files or DX 6 OP fixes as you can with the firmware of the module. I do not know if Oliver could implement this in the application in the future, but that would be an excellent complement.
Playful Mutable Small Small Instruments
As in the module, each synth engine has four main parameters to modify: Frequency, stamp, harmonic and morph. These parameters are mapped on the PAD X / Y or the left / right cursor in two groups. You can customize these mappings at any time.
The controls are in a size and a dimension where the touch harmonizes perfectly with them. Praise must go to the user interface designer (Gösta Wellmer) which has managed to transfer the configuration of the classic button to the touch environment and resolve it as elegantly as in the module.
The vast sound spectrum of this oscillator should be familiar to a lot after the many buffer code ports (Behringer Grind, Microfreak, Minifreak, etc.). It goes from classic and organic to noisy and experimental.
Remember that the mutable module plated instruments is a colorful macro oscillator and a complete synth voice. The latter is made possible by its integrated modulation source and its low-low-low door, which the developer also incorporated into the elastic OSC application.
The corresponding parameters are under the Porte X / Y Pad: Lowpass with disintegration control and modular stamps of stamp, FM, morph and harmonics (LPG color). They give more depth and roundness sounds. As a bonus, the oscillator engine has various selectable output modes.
The A output is standard, while output B offers a variation in the engine. For example, the chain model algorithm (12) gives you a raw exciting signal in B mode. Alternatively, you can mix the two sets (A + B) or use a mixed L / R Balayage signal (A / B).
Control effects
An envelope of classic ADSR amplifier, also available here as a formatting tool, finally decides if the sound will be bass, lead, pad or other.
Look at the right side; You will find the multi-FX section with six creative effects: five-modes distortion, high / bottom filter, choir / steering wheel, delay and reverberation. They are in five different tabs, each with their own X / Y with parameters mapped for the pleasure of real -time control.
The effects sound of high quality. They are not as good as the bishop or the Strymon, but they can compete with classic effects of bread and butter. One or two other types of filters or even certain more wild types of effect would be desirable.
Do you prefer the less or more affected sound? No problem. The quantity of each effect can be adjusted individually in the mixer with dedicated effect. In addition, there is a good gain control and a limiter if you want to explore the dark and noisy experimental side of the application.
But don’t be fooled. The effects are much more than a simple polishing tool. The next part of this review will discuss it.
Elastic engine
Play sounds with the integrated keyboard or with any other external midi keyboard – note by note, agreement by agreement or with the flexible arpeggio. There are different ARP modes, octave prices and beaches to choose, and for more advanced models, there is a jump note functionality. A sequencer is missing.
Two words: elastic and osc. We all know how elastic macro oscillators have been elastic for a long time. Oliver Greschke of Momenstruments brought this elasticity to a new level by implementing its unique elastic engine of its other applications (elastic drums, etc.) in the nucleus of the synth.
In simple terms, the engine allows you to record almost all the parameters in real time in a sequence with a length of 1, 2 or 4 beats. Unlike other hardware applications or synths, parameters are not connected to a notes sequencer.
In this application of synthesizer, they run freely and can be added at any time. Of course, you can play the synth traditionally and change the parameters on the fly. The second option is much more fun and unique: you play the notes / agreements while automation runs simultaneously.
Press the recording and play to capture settings of the settings. This works by a parameter per parameter or at the same time. As long as the sequencer is armed, you can record new activities. Deleting them is just as easy.
Once captured and activated with the recorded and read buttons, this transforms a simple sound into a very complex sound landscape. Depending on how you program slowly or quickly the parameters, you can introduce subtle fluctuations into a sound, beautiful on the pads, or create radical and noisy transitions and tornadoes.
More elasticity?
The oscillator and FX parameters can be automated to the same extent. When used with the elastic engine, this transforms the effects into impressive sound -shaped tools which are more than finish / polisher.
Until now, modulation is only possible when the internal sequencer at 4 bars runs. I would like to see a mode to a trigger in a future update, where you can trigger automation sequences with a key press.
The modulation lasts depending on the duration of the pressure. Capturing several automation slots, then recalling them at the washer would also be a careful and inspiring functionality.
The elastic elastic engine is very funny and brings new life to the famous mutable algorithms. But you can always build and continue this idea, which, I hope, will happen. I had the opportunity to test the beta version for a while and I always appreciated it. It inspires me every time I open it.
AUV3 support is also available for major more intensive iOS registration sessions. To do this, I use the AUM Mixing / Audio Unit host application, which allows me to read several EOSC instances and immerse myself in a solid parameter modulation flow.
Demo
I recorded some night jams such as solid prints. The demo contains more subtle but also wild and noisier patches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgvwhr8iaf4
Elastic drums examine the conclusion
Oliver Greschke and its contributors have developed an application of fun and charming synthesizer. Many will surely say: “Oh Wow, another synth with the Mi algorithms”. Well, it’s true, and I agree with you.
The key to its special appeal and its entertaining nature lies in the integration of algorithms into the elastic engine. This wild approach allows users to explore dynamically and engaging oscillators. I have never seen the oscillator in sets used in this way outside the modular sphere. It is definitely more than another other polystem powered by Mi.
An almost perfect application. I miss two things: first, I would like a mode of trigger for automation, which makes it even more fun. Second, a version for mac. The latter will soon be available. Mumuns develops a Mac / Windows version with VST support and at which will be available shortly.
Elastic OSC is now available for $ 14.99 / € 17,99 on the Apple App Store. It works as an autonomous universal application and an AUV3 plugin on iPads and iPhones.
More information here: Monistrings/ / Apple App Store
IOS review
