The new software synth targets psytrance producers with hardware-inspired filters, morphing oscillators, and algorithms designed for sharp, cutting leads.
Eplex7 DSP has released Psylead SX4, a synth plugin aimed squarely at psytrance and psychedelic music producers looking for sounds that’ll cut through dense mixes. The plugin combines hardware-inspired DSP filters with what the Eplex7 describes as unique oscillator algorithms and a distinctive 4X SSE Unison effect designed to deliver fat sounds whilst conserving CPU resources.
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Oscillators and sound generation
Psylead SX4 offers two categories of sound generators: morphing oscillators with unique algorithms, and classic algorithmic oscillator codes alongside wavetables. The morphing oscillators include options like Matrix osc, Semi Gnomes, Bells of Universe, New Age Saw, Telekinetic, Hyperweird, Basic psysquare, and Psy spikes. Classic options span analogue and digital variations of saws, ramps, squares, PWM pulse, triangle, and noise.
Both oscillator types feature the 4X SSE Unison effect, which includes four separate control parameters (Unison A, B, C, and D), allowing producers to dial in thickness and stereo width. Eplex7 claims the algorithmic code oscillators often produce wider, sharper, and more precise results compared to wavetable alternatives.
Filters and modulation
The plugin’s filter section draws inspiration from hardware DSP chips found in classic synthesizers, offering six filter types: hardware lowpass, hardware bandpass, hardware highpass, plus standard lowpass, bandpass, highpass, notch, and peaking filters. Each includes cutoff, resonance, tracking, and velocity controls.
Modulation options include a morphing LFO (sine, sawtooth, triangle, square, noise) with depth and speed controls, a classic LFO, and an “original psychedelic FM Modulation algorithm” with an amount control knob. Standard amplitude and filter envelopes round out the modulation section.
Effects and features
Psylead SX4’s built-in effects include a psychedelic chorus and 3D delay. Additional controls cover glide, octave and semitone tuning (2X), and standard synth parameters. The plugin ships with 50 presets designed specifically for psytrance production, ranging from full-on and progressive psy to psychedelic chillout, hitech, and goa trance styles.
Eplex7 positions Psylead SX4 as a tool for producers looking to differentiate their sound from many popular tracks.
The plugin is available now for Windows in 32-bit and 64-bit VST and VST3 formats. A demo version is available here.
