Attack 3 by Waldorf percussion synth plugin interface

Attack 3: Percussion Synthesizer by Waldorf

Attack 3 is a percussion synthesizer plugin from Waldorf, built around virtual analogue synthesis with optional samples for drum sounds. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

Attack 3 is Waldorf's successor to Attack, a percussion instrument first released in 2001. The developer positions it as a synth for building drum sounds, from punchy kicks to melodic percussion. Its core is pure synthesis, so you can design percussion from scratch, with sample playback available as an option. Every parameter can be adjusted in real time and automated in your DAW.

Best for

Punchy kick design
Electronic drum kits
Melodic percussion
Techno and club percussion
Retro drum machine sounds

Developer: Waldorf
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Redesigned, scalable UI with a vastly expanded synthesis engine
Enhanced MIDI Learn and dedicated browsers for kits and samples
Refined oscillators with accurate phase control
24 dB filters, comb filters and sample-rate reduction
Six drive types from Clip to Overdrive
Two multi-stage envelopes and two LFOs per sound
24 sounds per kit, 12 playable polyphonically
Six output busses, each with compressor, EQ and effects

03In depth

Sound Design and Synthesis Engine

Attack 3 uses a redesigned synthesis engine with refined oscillators that offer accurate phase control for synthetic waveforms. Sample playback is also available, with options for user samples, velocity mapping, round-robin and flexible start positions.

For shaping timbre, the plugin includes new 24 dB filters, positive and negative comb filters, sample-rate reduction and several drive types: Clip, Transistor, Diode, Crunch, Pickup and Overdrive. Each sound has two envelopes with a multi-stage ADBDSR mode and adjustable curves, and two LFOs with classic waveforms, sample-and-hold, noise and tempo sync.

Kits, Routing and Effects

A kit holds 24 sounds, 12 of which can play polyphonically. Each sound has a dedicated compressor and EQ, plus a selectable insert effect from Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Drive, Phaser or Flanger.

There are six output busses, and each adds its own compressor, EQ and three additional effects. Modulation routing has been expanded, and the MIDI Learn system and browsers for kits, sounds, samples and MIDI mappings help with organizing and controlling a kit.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Waldorf
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

Option	Store link
Attack 3 - Update from Waldorf Edition 2	Plugin Boutique ↗

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Attack 3 support?

Attack 3 is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It is a 64-bit plugin.

Which operating systems does Attack 3 run on?

Attack 3 supports Windows and macOS. The listed requirements are Windows 10 or 11 on Intel or AMD processors (64-bit only), and macOS 10.14 or higher on Intel or Apple Silicon.