The French UVI, thanks to its own "UVI Engine" (which also gave birth to MOTU MachFive), for some years has thrown itself headlong into the field of software and sampling libraries, with a proprietary format that can be read only by the Falcon Software Sampler and the player Free Workstations, which do not fear audio rivalry even against the most popular Kontakt and Halion.
Starting, therefore, from its own Host software, while the UVI showed its muscles in particular in the replica of glorious synths of the past, from which also theUVX670, subject of the test, third parties have dedicated themselves to more thematic libraries with reference to acoustic / electric instruments, rather than orchestral / vocal.
Last but not least, from 2019 about 2.6GB of sounds accompany the most recent versions of ProTools.
The installation procedure of the current software of the French brand takes place through the proprietary application "UVI Portal"And have the USB drive system of theiLok.
UVI UVX670
For those who know the brand akai only through the successful series MPC, and is relatively young, he must know that in the '80s he tried to have his say even in the sector of analogue synthesizers with digital control. The two models were produced VX90, rack, e VX600 two octaves and the most performing series AX With the models AX60 e AX80, 5 octaves, and the model AX73, with 73 keys and functions of MasterKey.
A quick search on YouTube will return dozens of videos of the aforementioned tools.
The UVX670 it is based on the samples of the VX600 and AX73 which, in fact, form the beating heart of the two software Oscillators. The format used by UVI is proprietary, has the extension “.ufs”And files can be placed in any internal / external HD. The directory can be decided during the installation or, even later, via the Preferences page.
The weight of the UVX670 library is approximately 6,36GB. The sounds were recorded in linear PCM format at 88,2KHz, but are provided in FLAC format with Lossless compression (therefore without loss of quality), in a single file.ufs. UVI declares 306 Factory Presets, which draw on beyond 20.000 samples.
General GUI
The UVX670 was said to draw heavily on AKAI's VX600 and AX73 models. Like all the UVI Synths, the latter also recalls the colors of the original Synths with a gray background on which the different screens for programming and changing the sounds change. For many parameters, clicking with the “Alt” key on the PC keyboard allows the values to be reset. With a double click, a precise numerical value can be entered.
On the left there is the potentiometer for the general volume and the 5 buttons with which to call up the relative windows: Main, Edit, Mod, FX, Arp.
The synthesis structure is canonical and includes 2 OSCs, Filter, Modulations through LFO / Step Modulator, FX derived from the algorithms developed by UVI itself. But let's go in order ...
MAIN
This is the main window that is shown when opening the plug-in. Here are the two Osc (Oscillators) which refer to specific samples of the two Synths contemplated, cataloged in well 9 Categories (Bass, Brass, FX, Keys, Lead, Pads, Pluck Bell, Poly, Waveforms), which can be recalled by clicking on the name of the waveform. In total there are over 100 sounds for each of the 2 Osc.
It should be noted that these sounds, to be considered real basic waveforms, can be selected selectively with the Prev / Next buttons or by clicking on the name itself: they must not be confused with the Presets which are recalled, instead, in a table at part on the Falcon or in the upper Tool Bar if you are using WorkStation (see Preset Management).
Curiosity and surprise: in the waveforms of the AX73 there are also some, with suffix VX, sampled from the VX90 (rack version of the AX73. ed), as well as in the Presets there is evidence of the use of both instruments since one category is called AX73_VX90. To make everything even more mysterious, not even in the user manual it is confirmed.
Both Osc can be activated individually and, for each of them, it is possible to control Volume and Pan: the modification of the latter occurs with vertical movement of the mouse.
In the same screen there are then:
- the ADSR envelope for the Amplifier, whose Attack can be influenced by the keyboard Velocity through the two buttons below;
- the multifid filter (LPF, BPF, HPF), complete with Cutoff / Resonance, dedicated ADSR envelope, depth of action (Depth parameter) and the possibility of influencing the same via keyboard Velocity, which can be measured with the dedicated potentiometer.
Amplitude and Filter action can be programmed using selectively the dedicated buttons located under the first Osc: VX6, AX7 to control them individually, BOTH to act on both.
A specific button for the Chorus emulation present in the original hardware is dedicated only to the Osc AX7.
Still below, the presence of a potentiometer "BALANCEWhich, unlike what one might imagine, does not mix the two Osc, but allows the rebalancing of the keyboard High / Low volume. In other words, at negative values, the bass undergoes a volume boost; vice versa, it acts with the volume on the high, if the values are positive. The zero point, where there are no substantial changes, seems to be the central F key (F3, MIDI note 65): the manual does not contain precise information on this.
It should be noted that if changes are made to individual Osc and then, by necessity, act in "Both Mode", these latest changes will also affect the previous ones, resetting or canceling them. For this reason, and to avoid programming distractions, it would be useful for the selection to be positioned on Both, rather than on the Osc VX6, when a Preset is recalled.
EDIT
It should be noted that also on this page, we find the possibility of being able to intervene both on the individual Osc and on both at the same time (Both button). In the same way, the same clarification mentioned above applies, in case you want to modify the single Osc first, and then act in Both Mode.
Here are the general parameters of the instrument. From above:
- Section "Modulation Wheel". Three sub areas that refer to the possibility of assigning a lot to the MW vibrato, how much a tremolo or, again, the modulation of Filter. For each area / effect, we have a On / Off and the rotation frequency of the sinusoid for Vibrato and Tremolo, or the bipolar depth of intervention for the Filter. Simple and effective!
- Section "Amplitude”: Collects buttons for Poly / Mono modes. For both modes, we can activate the Portamento with in addition, in favor of the Poly mode, the possibility to decide with the Depth if we want the excursion to occur from the lowest notes (negative values) or higher (positive values);
- Section "Pitch”: Here we intervene on the pitch of the oscillators within a range of +/- 2 octaves, rather than +/- 24 semitones or hundredths thereof, with the dedicated potentiometer;
- Section "stereo”: The parameters present act in different ways according to how the Oscillators are set on the stereo front. Also for this area the manual is very stingy with information, so we risk operating considerations on the basis of empirical tests of the parameters. It should be noted that the area has 3 operating modes (OFF, OTHER e UNI) and 3 related parameters: spread, Detune, Color. The latter is the only one that returns sound variations in any of the 3 modes used; it gives the impression of operating on a sort of Round Robin of the samples, according to the set value (+/- 10), rather than acting on a frequency basis, as one would normally expect.
Let's take a closer look at the 3 operating modes:
- OFF: in this mode only the parameter works Color, as specified above;
- OTHER: spread from stereo liveliness to depending on whether one or both Oscillators are used; Color like above; Detune is disabled.
- UNI (Unison): ability the ability to use the Detune to forget the two Oscillators in a +/- aggressive way. Color like above; spread is disabled.
MOD
This screen contains the single LFO and STEP MODULATOR.
LFO: presents the usual 4 waveforms Sine, Square, Triangular and Sample & Hold. The frequency, Speed parameter, has a range of 100 steps if free, but can be synced to the internal or Host Bpm with musical values ranging from 1/1 to 1/32, including dotted and triplet values. The LFO activation modes include:
- Retrig: each time the key is pressed, the LFO cycle restarts from zero;
- No Retrig: makes the notes following the first one follow the oscillation of the LFO;
- Legato: similar to the previous one, it acts on the tied execution.
The area below allows you to quickly associate the action of the LFO with the Volume, Filter and Pitch of each individual oscillator independently. The depth of action, on the other hand, is common to both.
STEP MODULATOR: as you can guess, it is a programmable modulator up to 16 steps, with Speed sync to Bpm and values similar to the LFO. It is possible to decide a delay of action (Delay) and a progressive increase of the depth of action (Rise). With Smooth you establish the action curve which, at minimum values, takes the form of the Gate of the steps. The Step Modulator, like the LFO, can be associated with the Volume and Filter of each of the oscillators. In my opinion, the possibility of being able to direct it to the Pitch is missing, in order to obtain a particularly effective Step Sequencer.
FX
Individually activated, each FX is inspired by the various proprietary UVI algorithms, which are associated with the essential parameters for a quick modification of the effect.
- EQ: 3 graphic bands, and the possibility of choosing 2 Frequencies that act as High / Mid and Mid / Low Crossover;
- Thorus: classic Chorus with Frequency parameters (Speed) and depth of action (Depth);
- Phasor: here too a usual Phaser with Frequency controls (Speed), depth of action (Depth) and reiteration of the effect (Feedback) which, at extreme values, reaches a sort of self-oscillation;
- Drive: Essential and soft saturation circuit.
- Together: 3 ways to give Juno 106 style roundness. Tone gives color to the frequencies, Mix doses the Wet / Dry effect;
- Delay: usual parameters to specify the frequency (Speed, with musical values only), Low / High Cut filters, Feedback for the number of repetitions, Mix for Wet / Dry;
- Spark verb: here too usual parameters such as the size of the room (Size), the choice of the RT60 (Decay), simple High / Low filters for the tail, Mix for the Wet / Dry.
Even if, taken individually, they do not make you jump from the chair, in combination with each other and the possibility of being able to manage them through MIDI Learn, they allow you to enrich the basic sounds with effectiveness and simplicity.
Arpeggiator
They are independent and can be activated individually for each of the two Oscillators. The Steps there are a maximum of 16 and it is possible to activate a legate between the notes under each single step. The speed, Speed, can be set to musical figures from 1/1 to 1/32, including dotted and triplet values. The eighth manageable are +/- 3 and a Gate of events. Few modes, which only provide Up, Down and Up / Down.
With Linkfinally, it is ensured that what is programmed on the VX6 also affects the other Oscillator.
Preset Management
Once the SoundBank is recalled from Falcon, the entire set of Factory Presets appears on the right of the general screen. Obviously, all the traditional categories relating to analog synthesis are covered, as well as specific sounds have been collected for both the VX600 and the AX73. In this last folder, a little surprisingly as indicated in the name itself, there are also some sounds of the VX90 module: not having the original machines for a comparison, it is not easy to understand which are the specific Presets that refer to the two machines . The fact is that the VX90 has the same sound engine as the AX73, so even the basic tones are the same. Among other things, to confirm the fact that it is probably just a wish of nomenclature rather than substance, none of the Presets on this list recall a sound of the Osc AX7 that also contains samples with the suffix VX!
MIDI and External Management
Waiting for the most performing encodings to be released and used MIDI 2.0, which should allow a greater and, probably, automatic dialogue between external hardware and plug-in software, the UVX670 draws heavily on the "old" protocols to manage both MIDI Learn parameters, as well as the possibility of developing an ad hoc interface throughCSO (Acronym for Open Sound Control. At this link an exhaustive article from some time ago HTTP / ).
Having said that, however, it must be said that both on the Falcon and on the free Workstation, MIDI Learn only affects the Preset present at the moment: if you change it, it skips the entire assignment. Strange but true!!!
We asked UVI for feedback and they replied that the only way around the problem is to re-save the Preset with the assignments made.
Let's add a small personal request: the Prev / Next of the sounds on the individual Oscillators, in the tested version, cannot be “midized”. In personal opinion, such features would be in the hands of the user a must not to be underestimated.
Manual
Quite poorly, in most cases, gives summary indications of the buttons / knobs rather than indicating the use of one or the other function. To appreciate, at least the list both of the Presets and of the individual sounds sampled for each of the Oscillators.
Probably, the designers of the UVX670, considering a canonical analogue synthesis chain, have taken for granted a previous knowledge of the parameters and, therefore, not necessary to deepen them. Another key to reading such a choice makes me think that modern producers, rather than waste time reading the manuals, prefer a more "tactile" empirical approach, waiting for something interesting to happen: this approach is also to be considered. a reality of our times.
Conclusions
Almost all synths from UVI, which are based on sampled sounds, usually offer one Simple GUI, with parameters that draw heavily on the modules of the analog synthesis. The UVX670 also follows this trail and, therefore, becomes easy to use from its first opening. In the same way, considering also its accessible cost, it can also be thought of to take the first steps in this world. The library of over 200 multi samples, allows you to widely overcome the harmonic spectrum normally offered by the canonical analog waveforms (Sinusoid, Triangular, Square, Sawtooth): this too is to be considered a plus value, especially if coming from Synth not readily available.
To tell the truth, few things are missing, which should be framed more in a subjective evaluation, based on many comparisons with other brands / products, than objective for the possibilities of changes offered. Specifically, I refer to the Step Modulator which lacks the possibility of being directed to the Pitch to obtain, in a relatively simple way, a performing Step Sequencer.
If you really want to nitpick, to be noted probably to a distraction in the processing phase script, it should be noted that any changes in Both mode, present in the Main and Edit pages, cancel any changes to similar parameters made on the individual Oscillators. Rather, I would have liked a proportional variation of the values already set. This obliges, but you get used to it immediately, to first roughly intervene on both OSCs, and then act fine on one of the two, if necessary.
Last but not least, wishful thinking. With the free player "WorkStation", the UVI allows the simultaneous download of a "mini" free bookcase to allow the user some field tests. Well: I wonder why at this point not to release Demo versions of all the available models, perhaps reducing both the number of usable parameters and the Presets? We look forward to ...
Good music!!!
Plus
- Polyphony;
- Simplicity and ease of use;
- Stereo options in the Edit section;
- Step Modulator;
minus
- Poor manual and lacking several clarifications;
- The MIDI Learn setting is not remembered when changing Preset;
- The changes in Both Mode cancel the changes made previously on the single Oscillators.
UVX670 is available for all professional formats (AAX Native, AU, VST2, VST3), at a cost of $ 79,00.
Last hour
UVI has released the version a few days ago 2 di Falcon, the soft Sampler whose test you can read here, and the new Expansion "Titanium”That takes full advantage of the new features of F.
F, over the years it has been progressively enhanced, in addition to the correction of many Bug Fixes. On the dedicated page, in addition to the specific indications of the new features, you will find the instruction manual in which, among other things, there is a complete Change Log which records everything that has been added to the Sampler since its release in 2016. The improvements and the additions you find in Falcone 2, in summary, concern:
- New Additive Synthesis Oscillator;
- New FX Tape Echo;
- New FX Sallen Key Filter;
- Redux FX algorithm for Analog Bit-crushing completely revised;
- New FX Formant Crusher;
- New FX Track Delay;
- New Parametric LFO Module;
- New Modulation Quick View;
- New User Templates;
- New Scripts: Step Sequencer, Euclidean Drum, Tonal Sequencers; Chord Bank, Range Limiting;
- Improved the 3 Band Compressor;
- New Presets (150) and new Wavetables (150).
The upgrade to Falcon v2 is free for already registered users. However, in this promotional period (expires October 27th) F is offered with a 30% discount, with 2 free Expansions and a 100 € Voucher for the purchase of any other UVI product.
Insights
Falcon review: fabiop139.sg-host.com/uvi-falcon
Workstation www.uvi.net/uvi-workstation
UV Engine www.uvi.net/licensing-third-parties
CSO fabiop139.sg-host.com/osc-open-sound-control
F www.uvi.net/falcon#tech-specs
Expansion Titanium vi.net / titanium
