Ultra Analog VA-3 synth plugin interface by Applied Acoustics Systems

Ultra Analog VA-3: Analog-Style Virtual Synth by Applied Acoustics Systems

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (10 ratings)

Ultra Analog VA-3 is a virtual analog synthesizer plugin from Applied Acoustics Systems. It offers two-voice multitimbral sound design, a multi-effects module and a library of 1200+ presets, available as VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS and standalone on Windows and macOS.

VST2AUAAXRTASStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Ultra Analog VA-3 is a synth plugin built around a two-oscillator-plus-filter architecture, with advanced editing options for shaping sounds. Its Home view maps macros to modulation, timbre, envelope and effect controls for quick browsing and tweaking. Each layer adds four performance macros that respond to user-defined MIDI controls, so sounds can be morphed in real time. The factory library covers 32 synthesizer sound categories.

Best for

Layered pad textures
Split keyboard performance
Real-time MIDI morphing
Microtonal music making
Classic low-pass basses
Preset library browsing

Developer: Applied Acoustics Systems
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Two-voice multitimbral engine with stacked or split timbres
Home view with macros for modulation, timbre, envelope and effects
Four performance macros per layer mapped to MIDI controls
Two-oscillator-plus-filter architecture with advanced editing
New ladder-type low-pass filter in the multi-mode module
Microtonal support via Scala scale files and reference tuning
Multi-effects module with reverb, EQ, compressor and guitar amp
Browser with Packs, Sounds, Categories and Creators views

03In depth

Sound Design, Layers and Macros

Ultra Analog VA-3 combines two independent timbres, either stacked or split, to build layered and spacious sounds. The Home view presents key sound characteristics as macros, so modulation, timbre, envelope and effect parameters can be adjusted from a single screen.

Each layer provides four performance macros that can be assigned to user-defined MIDI controls. Every sound includes modulation, timbre, envelope and effect morphing assignments that can be played live. The filters are designed to stay musical under extreme modulation, and a new ladder-type low-pass filter has been added to the multi-mode module.

The synth also supports microtonal tunings through Scala scale files and reference note frequency tuning.

Effects and Preset Library

The multi-effects module includes reverb, equalizer, compressor, tremolo and guitar amplifier processors, with delay, distortion, phaser, chorus and flanger covered across three independent effect racks. The five effect slots can be reordered in any sequence.

The factory library includes 560 new presets created by a group of sound designers, plus 648 revised sounds from the Ultra Analog VA-2 library. Existing VA-2 banks can be used by copying them into the VA-3 packs folder. The developer states the library totals 1200+ presets across all synthesizer sound categories.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Applied Acoustics Systems
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

Option	Store link
Ultra Analog VA-3 Upgrade from VA-2 or VA-1	Plugin Boutique ↗
Ultra Analog VA-3 Upgrade from Session	Plugin Boutique ↗

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does Ultra Analog VA-3 support?

Ultra Analog VA-3 is available as VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS and standalone. It runs on Windows and macOS, and the system requirements list a 64-bit host DAW.

What do I need to use Ultra Analog VA-3?

Standalone use requires Windows 10 64-bit or later, or macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later, with an Intel Core i5 (circa 2015) or Apple M1 processor. For plugin use, check the requirements of your DAW.