Unique by Sugar Bytes synth plugin interface

Unique: Analog-Style Synth with Vowel Filter by Sugar Bytes Free Download

Rated 4.4/5 on Plugin Boutique (44 ratings)

Unique is a software synthesizer from Sugar Bytes that emulates analog synths and includes a Vowel Filter for formant-based sounds. It is available as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone on Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

Unique is a synth plugin built around analog-style sounds from the golden age of synthesizers. Sugar Bytes describes it as strong on strings, piano and deep bass sounds. Its signal path includes five filters, each with five modulators, plus two chained effect sections for shaping the final tone. The standout element is the Vowel Filter, which lets you chain two or four vowel formants and play them back in several ways. The plugin runs as a 64-bit instrument on Windows and macOS, and it comes with 300 presets sorted into categories such as Bass, Pads and Leads.

Best for

Analog bass sounds
Vocal-style synth pads
Formant lead sounds
Strings and piano tones
Arpeggiated sequences

Developer: Sugar Bytes
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Six oscillator waveforms, including Triple FM and Sub Sine
Five filters with five modulators each
Vowel Filter with two or four formant chain
Duo-phonic arpeggiator
Two chained effect sections
Recordable x/y pad
MIDI Learn and host automation
300 presets across categories including Bass, Pads and Leads

03In depth

Sound Design: Oscillators, Filters and the Vowel Filter

Unique offers Sawtooth, Triple Saw, Pulse, Triple FM, Noise with a tonal filter, and Sub Sine oscillator waveforms. The filter section combines analog-style high-pass, low-pass and band-pass modes with a comb filter.

The Vowel Filter is the feature the developer highlights most. It lets you string together two or four vowel formants and play them back in a range of ways, which suits vocal-like pads, leads and movement. Five filters with five modulators each give you plenty of routing options for more complex patches.

Modulation, Arpeggiator and the X/Y Pad

The modulators can be triggered by the lowest note played, the first note played, the sequencer clock or the arpeggiator. A duo-phonic arpeggiator is included, along with a recordable x/y pad for performing and automating changes.

MIDI Learn and host automation let you map controls to your hardware or DAW. Sugar Bytes also notes internal LFOs with fade algorithms for rate and intensity, and a polyphonic portamento.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Sugar Bytes
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Unique support?

Unique is available as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone.

Which operating systems does Unique run on?

Unique runs on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher, including Apple Silicon M1. It is 64-bit only and will not run on 32-bit systems.

What do I need to use Unique?

Unique runs as a plugin in a compatible host, such as a DAW supporting VST3, VST2, AU or AAX, or as a Standalone application.

Does Unique come with presets?

Yes. It includes more than 300 presets sorted into categories such as Bass, Pads and Leads, and an update adds 40 sounds from Christian C. Thompson (XianSound).