Blade 2 Upgrade from Blade: XY Pad Wavetable Synth by Rob Papen Free Download

The original Blade controls waveform harmonics through its Harmolator mode, and the XY pad movement can be recorded, edited and played back tempo-based. Blade 2 keeps that approach and adds an Additive mode. This mode lets you morph or mix between four additive waveforms with the XY pad, and you can create and edit your own additive waves.

A wave-analyze section turns sample data into a waveform, which can then be used in either the Harmolator or Additive section. An extra analogue-type oscillator and a noise oscillator widen the sound palette, and 32 filter types help shape the result.

The Arpeggiator has also been expanded, with two additional rows for controlling the X and Y position of the XY pad and a new ratcheting feature with several ratcheting modes. Three Multi-FX processors using Rob Papen FX complete the signal chain.

Blade 2 Upgrade runs as a 64-bit plugin in VST2, AU and AAX formats. Supported systems are Windows 7 or higher (32 and 64 bit) and macOS 10.9 to 10.15, which is 64-bit only. On Windows, AAX is listed for Pro Tools 12 or higher.

The synth uses a 16-voice polyphony and offers GUI sizes of 100%, 125%, 150% and 200%. Different tunings can be loaded with .tun files, and the plugin responds to MIDI Program Change and MIDI Bank Select messages.

Licensing uses a serial number with activation during registration. A second serial is available for a secondary computer or laptop after the original serial has been registered. A trial version is available.