Blade 2 by Rob Papen synth plugin interface with XY pad

Blade 2: XY Pad Wavetable and Additive Synth by Rob Papen Free Download

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (13 ratings)

Blade 2 is a software synthesizer plugin by Rob Papen that shapes waveform harmonics with an XY pad, offering Harmolator and Additive modes. It is sold as a full version and runs as VST2, AU and AAX on Windows and macOS.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

Blade 2 is the successor to Rob Papen's original Blade, a synth built around controlling harmonic content from an XY pad. Rob Papen describes it as a synth for producers who like to experiment and think outside the box. Its core idea is to create tones that differ from conventional subtractive and additive synthesis, with the XY pad movement also recordable, editable and playable tempo-based. The plugin is offered as a full version with a trial available.

Best for

Experimental synth sounds
Tempo-based XY pad automation
Additive wave morphing
Sample-to-waveform sound design
Custom tuning experiments

Developer: Rob Papen
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

16 voice virtual synthesizer
Harmolator mode controlled by an XY pad
Additive mode morphing between four additive waveforms
Create and edit your own additive waves
Wave-analyze section converts sample data into waveforms
Additional analogue-type oscillator and noise oscillator
32 filter types for shaping sound
Arpeggiator with XY position rows and ratcheting modes
Three Multi-FX processors
GUI sizes of 100%, 125%, 150% and 200%
Custom tunings via .tun files
Responds to MIDI Program Change and Bank Select

03In depth

Harmolator, Additive Modes and Sound Design

The Harmolator mode, carried over from the original Blade, uses the XY pad to control waveform harmonics. Blade 2 adds an Additive mode, which lets you morph or mix between four additive waveforms with the XY pad. You can also create and edit your own additive waves.

A wave-analyze section converts sample data into a waveform, and that waveform can then be used in either the Harmolator or Additive section. Alongside these, the synth includes an analogue-type oscillator, a noise oscillator and 32 filter types for shaping the sound.

The synth runs 16 voices and includes three Multi-FX processors using Rob Papen's FX.

Arpeggiator and Workflow Options

Rob Papen describes a substantial update to the arpeggiator. Blade 2 adds two rows for controlling the X and Y position of the XY pad over time, so pad movement can be sequenced rhythmically. A new ratcheting feature offers several ratcheting modes.

For workflow, the interface GUI can be set to 100%, 125%, 150% or 200% size, and you can load alternative tunings through .tun files. The synth also responds to MIDI Program Change and MIDI Bank Select messages for switching sounds.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Rob Papen
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

Option	Store link
Blade 2 Upgrade from Blade	Plugin Boutique ↗

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does Blade 2 support?

Blade 2 runs as VST2, AU and AAX. It supports Windows and macOS, with 64-bit operation on both platforms.

What do I need to run Blade 2?

On Windows, a PC running Windows 7 or higher in 32 or 64-bit is listed, with VST and AAX formats (AAX for Pro Tools 12 or higher). On macOS, OS X 10.9 to 10.15 in 64-bit is listed, with AU, VST and AAX formats.

Is there a trial version of Blade 2?

Yes, a trial is available. The licence is activated during registration, and a second serial can be used for a secondary computer after the original serial is registered.

How is Blade 2 different from the original Blade?

Rob Papen says Blade 2 expands the original with an Additive mode, a wave-analyze section, an extra analogue-type and noise oscillator, 32 filter types, an updated arpeggiator and three Multi-FX processors.