Silica
An 80s polysynth on faders, with an FM engine: 16 voices, two layers and 229 presets.
For any DAW that loads VST3 on Windows. Mac follows in 2027.
| Presets | 229 |
| Voices | 16 |
| Engines | Analog + FM |
| Sequencer | 32 steps |
| Formats | VST3 · Windows |
| Version | 0.4.0 |
| Download | 2 MB |
Hear it
About
Silica brings back the sound of the classic 80s polysynths, played on faders the way those machines were. Each tone has two oscillators, and two tones (A and B) can be layered, split across the keyboard or switched by how hard you play, with 16 voices in all.
Switch a tone's engine to FM and four operators take the oscillators' place, in eight algorithms drawn on the panel: the glassy electric pianos, bells, slap basses and brass of 80s FM, still through Silica's filter and effects.
Around the voice sit the performance tools of the era: an arpeggiator, chord memory that plays a whole chord from one key, a 32-step sequencer, and an effects chain with chorus, delay, reverb, drive and EQ.
Browse its 229 presets two ways: by the family of machines they recall (the FM sounds are machine F), or by genre, so you can go straight to sounds for synthwave, house or pop.
What's inside
- Two tones of two oscillators each: layer, split or switch by velocity
- An FM engine per tone: four operators, eight algorithms, feedback
- 16 voices, played on vertical faders
- Arpeggiator, chord memory and a 32-step sequencer
- Chorus, delay, reverb, drive and EQ
- 229 presets, by machine family or by genre
- A preset browser with search, favourites and your own presets
What's new
- An FM engine: four operators in eight algorithms, chosen per tone at the end of the page tabs
- 19 FM presets under machine F: tine and glass pianos, clav, bells, slap and metal basses, brass, organ, pads and a lead
- Faders are one height across each tone page
More synths
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Drachma$39
Drachma Pro$79
Quark$49Hear when Silica is out.
One email on release day, with audio first. No spam.
