ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: virtual instrument and effect developer Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware is proud to pull out the virtual stops by announcing availability of eXplorer-11 as the latest edition of its inspirational bundle — bursting at the seams with 36 plug-ins (plus an option to add 11 legacy products), augmented with the addition of RAW-Kick 2 as a three-layer powerhouse kick drum synthesizer and FilterField as an exciting new morphing filter effect, as well as new presets for its popular Predator-3 hybrid synthesizer, Punch-2 drum machine, and WirePluck pluck sounds-specialising synthesizer — as of May 7…
As an acclaimed virtual instrument and effect developer that has been at the top of its game for over 20 years with self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen always at its creative helm, is it any wonder that the latest edition of its inspiration bundle has now reached the lofty heights of eXplorer-11? Encompassing no fewer than 36 plug-ins in the process of doing so, its two new additions are worthy inclusions in the ever-expanding Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware pantheon.
Presented to the music-making masses as a three-layer powerhouse kick drum synthesizer, RAW-Kick 2 is the worthy successor to a unique Rob Papen product originally developed in close collaboration with Dutch Hardcore and Hardstyle producers back in 2018. That said, its versatile concept can be applied to all contemporary genres like DnB (Drum and Bass), EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Hip-Hop, and House, to name but a few notables. New to RAW-Kick 2 is its MAIN page, permitting users to creatively combine LAYER 1, LAYER 2, and LAYER 3 using an abundance of layer presets provided by respected producers in various music styles to create their desired kick sound, and apply speedy changes to any sound by allowing access to the most important parameters. It is also possible to select a dedicated kick synthesizer MODEL in each layer or use a SAMPLE-based layer of factory-installed samples (with the option to load samples in WAV or AIFF formats) — where a GRANULAR mode also offers unique modulation options to dynamically change the ‘length’ and ‘size’ of the grains — within the MAIN page. Putting some meat onto the bone, the kick synthesizer MODEL is an oscillator with HARMONICS waveform drawing options; RAW-derived distortion with XY control and recordable movement — regular Rob Papen product users will, without doubt, delight in recognizing the now-included RIBBON CONTROLLER with the unique tempo-based SPRING BACK feature facilitating dynamic changes to the sound; 48 FILTER modes; pre-filter distortion; FX 1 and FX 2 with 25 distortion types and 17 general effects; pre-EQ (placed ahead of FX 1 with four bands, plus HP and LP filters); post-EQ (placed after FX 2 with four bands, plus HP and LP filters); and LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) with various waveforms, to begin to dig deeper. And anyone wishing to dive deeper can activate an ADVANCED page, proffering all manner of in-depth editing features such as MULTI-stage envelopes for pitch (PITCH ENV) and volume (AMP ENV). Final finishing touches are available via the MASTER page — perfect kick creation dreams becoming reality with what is, quite possibly, the most powerful kick drum synthesizer on the planet! Promises Rob Papen: “This kick drum powerhouse is unsurpassed in its features, making it suitable for any music production; whether you’re seeking a standard kick drum or something else entirely, it will deliver.”
Plug-in additions to eXplorer-11 creatively continue with FilterField, forging ahead as an exciting new morphing filter effect encompassing the XY field featured in other Rob Papen products, this time pressed into action to create new and exciting filter effects, working with no fewer than 32 analogue-modelled filters — including all-pass, comb, EQ, and phaser options, as well as a range of more specialised affairs like LP/HP/BP feedback and LP/HP/BP frequency modulated filters, frequency shift, and amplitude and ring modulation. And as if all that was not enough to be getting on with, a dedicated DISTORTION module is also included, with 21 distortion types and an option for pre- or post-filter operation on offer. The top-tier filters can all be combined in the XY Vector FILTER MODE, moving from one filter type to another, with an option to simultaneously Morph a range of parameters. Parallel and serial modes for the FILTER 1, FILTER 2, FILTER 3, and FILTER 4 modules are also available, while the XY movement can be recorded and played back in various tempo-based ways to positively put FilterField in a league of its own. An audio follower can respond to the input or one of the many other options available for creating, for example, side-chain control, with each filter module having its own FOLLOWER amount control. Likewise, LFO control is also available individually to each filter module, as well as two free LFOs with various waveforms and tempo-sync options. Above and beyond that, the modulation matrix has eight slots for additional modulation by FilterField itself or MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sources. Reflects Rob Papen, admittedly economic in the carefully chosen words of an effective endgame: “Enjoy FilterField.”
Looks like spring has truly sprung over at Rob Papen, then, thanks, in no small part, to the availability of eXplorer-11 as the latest edition of its inspirational bundle, bringing with it a welcomed wellspring of plug-ins — both new and established entries alike — and, quite literally, tens of thousands of sounds set to enhance the enjoyment of even the most seasoned of music-makers wishing to do best by their creations.
eXplorer-11 is available — as an all-encompassing 36-product inspirational bundle of 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for Mac (macOS 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — at a consumer price of €499.00 EUR/$499.00 USD from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also includes more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/explorer-11.html
Owners of eXplorer-10 can upgrade to eXplorer-11 for €74.00 EUR/$74.00 USD, owners of eXplorer-6 through to eXplorer-9 can upgrade to eXplorer-10 for €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD, and owners of eXplorer-1 through to eXplorer-5 can upgrade to eXplorer-11 for €149.00 EUR/$149.00 USD, while the powerful PRISMA plug-in — allowing users to combine and layer up to four virtual instruments in various creative ways — is available to owners of any Rob Papen product for free from here: https://www.robpapen.com/prisma.html (Owners of one or more Rob Papen products are also entitled to discounted eXplorer-11 upgrade pricing, ranging from €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD through to €299.00 EUR/$299.00 USD.)
RAW-Kick 2 is available — as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for Mac (macOS 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and as a 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — for individual purchase at a consumer price of €79.00 EUR/$79.00 USD from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also includes more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/raw-kick-2.html (Owners of RAW-Kick can upgrade to RAW-Kick 2 for €39.00 EUR/$39.00 USD.)
Watch Rob Papen’s inspirational introductory RAW-Kick 2 video — featuring a voice-over from Rob Papen himself — here:
FilterField is available — as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual effect plug-in for Mac (macOS 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and as a 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual effect plug-in for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — for individual purchase at a consumer price of €49.00 EUR/$49.00 USD from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also includes more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/filterfield.html
Watch Rob Papen’s informative introductory FilterField video — also featuring a voice-over from Rob Papen himself — here:
About Rob Papen (www.robpapen.com)
Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen started working with synthesizers at the tender age of 15 when purchasing an analogue Korg MS-20 semi-modular monosynth and accompanying analogue SQ-10 sequencer. Suitably inspired, he subsequently released several albums as part of Dutch electronic music groups Peru and Nova — the latter featuring the same members as Peru, but with a more commercial slant — with whom he enjoyed number one hit singles in The Netherlands (Nova) in 1982 and Austria (Peru) in 1988. Though Peru disbanded in 1993, Rob Papen had already established himself as a sought-after sound designer, creating presets for the likes of Access, E-mu, Ensoniq, and Waldorf, subsequently founding his namesake company in pursuit of creating a sound designer’s dream synth. Since that software dream became reality — starting in 2005 with BLUE as an exciting-sounding, self-styled ‘Crossfusion Synthesis’ affair (combining FM, Phase Distortion, Wave Shaping, and Subtractive synthesis into one powerful dream synth) upon forming the RPCX (Rob Papen ConcreteFX) partnership with music software developer Jon Ayres to develop new Rob Papen-branded virtual instrument and effect plug-ins, today Rob Papen’s products define cutting-edge contemporary music production: powerful virtual instrument and effect plug-ins that intermix innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical-plus-production-grade presets to make tracks truly shine, whatever the genre… Inspiration Soundware, indeed!
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