RTMS Vapolyfmv2 is an FM synthesizer with 8 modern operators for iOS / MacOS, designed with modularity in mind.
FM synthesizers have been back in vogue for a few years now, thanks to more recent concepts that make FM synthesis more accessible. In November of last year, Ryo Togawa (RTMS) published a hybrid FM synth for iOS / macOS called Vapolyfm.
Less than a year has passed and version 2 is already there. RTMS has now published Vapolyfmv2 and it is not really a successor.
RTMS Vapolyfmv2
Vapolyfmv2 is a new FM synthesizer of modular style inspired by modern FM synthesizers. It works as an autonomous application or an AUV3 plugin on iOS and macOS. A purchase includes both versions.
Unlike V1, RTMS Vapolyfmv2 has eight operators with four spectral wavelems and a pitch envelope per operator. Each operator offers various parameters, allowing you to shape and modify their sound.
In addition to the conventional adjustment parameters, it has spectral controls (width, resonance), in depth FM, in depth AM, etc. In addition, there is a mixer, allowing you to perfectly mix each operator with a dedicated level and coarse controls.
One of the forces of the new version is its modular concept. While Vapolyfmv1 had 32 algorithms to choose, you can send them freely. as in a modular synth. According to Ryo Togawa from RTMS, the synth engine has a polyphony up to 8 votes.
I always find a little low, given the quantity of ipads, iphones and modern mac computers of CPU power. I hope we can include 16 or more voices in a future update.
From the FM block, the signals flow in the low-low filters and the high pass filters for more adjustment. There are also two multiple waves LFOs and two envelopes for modulation tasks.
In addition, you can refine sounds with integrated effects, including choir, delay, theft, reverberation, equation and a compressor.
In order not to be forgotten, it also has an analog style step sequencer, a piano roller sequencer and eight macro commands attributable with global shift parameters.
RTMS VAPOLYFMV2 is shipped with 230 factory presets, 40 preset effects and five macro presets. The other features are:
- Audio export (linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC))
- MIDI 2.0 support with score control messages
- MIDI CUT CC
- Pedal control and by note
- Ableton Link, Bluetooth Midi, Midi in / Out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=522Hjs1okom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jydah6ejbw
First impression
I find it unusual that a new version is published after less than a year, especially since V1 has not received any functionality update since its release.
Compared to V1, there are several major changes, in particular the modularity of the operator and the spectral wave forms, which make V2 a different FM synth. I think that calling it Vapolyfm V2 a little confusing because it makes you think that this is the successor application, which is not the case.
RTMS VAPOLYFMV2 is now available for a launch price of $ 5.99 / € 6.99 instead of $ 14.99 / $ 17.99 until September 30, 2025. It works as an autonomous application and an AUV3 plugin on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and macOS (Apple Silicon Only).
More information here: App Store
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