Synapse Audio Dune 3

Virtual synthesizer (download)

Flexible synthesizer with virtual-analog oscillators, wavetable and FM synthesis
2 parallel tone generators with 32 oscillators each, 8-layer unison
Extensive wavetable editor
16-voice polyphony – for a total of up to 520 oscillators
Dual filter with balance and serial or parallel routing
Playable zero-delay feedback filter
4 graphic envelopes (MSEG)
3 LFOs
Versatile 32-slot modulation matrix
2 master effect buses with 9 effects each
Innovative arpeggiator with MIDI import
Over 1000 presets

System Requirements

Shipping Format: E-Mail
Copy Protection: Online Activation
Simultaneous Activations: 3
Windows: from 7
Mac OS (64 Bit): from 10.11
CPU min.: Quad Core 3 GHz
RAM min.: 8 GB
add. System requirements: Internet Connection

Supported Formats

AAX native 64-Bit
AU 64-Bit
VST2 32-Bit
VST2 64-Bit
NKS

Available since December 2018
Item number 454776
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Single/Bundle article Los artikel
Akustik Keys/Pianos No
Beat production / Drum machines No
Wind Instruments No
Cinematic / Effects No
Chorus / Vocals No
Drums / Percussion No
E-Pianos No
Ethno / Folk No
Guitars/plucked instruments No
Loops/Construction-Kits No
Orchestra Instruments No
Organs No
String Bass No
Sampler No
String Instruments No
Synthesizer Yes
Vintage Instrument No
Hardware Controller No
Download Yes
MPE Yes
NKS Yes

€195

incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Virtual Instruments and Samplers

The gold standard for EDM

Synapse Audio's Dune 3 is a virtual analogue synthesizer plugin that has effectively established itself as the industry standard for Dance, Techno, Trance, and more – because Synapse continues to consistently maintain, upgrade, and evolve their products to keep them at the cutting edge of modern electronic music. Dune's hugely flexible form of sound generation allows musicians of all kinds to create a peerless spectrum of sounds, with a character – perhaps best described as "hardness" – that's often better suited to EDM styles played at dancefloor volume than emulations of a vintage analogue synth. Version 3 of Dune, which has already been further improved and adapted to today's tastes with numerous sub-updates, supports multiple synthesis types and sample import functionality, as well as being capable of generating an extremely high number of oscillators.

Synapse Audio Dune 3 virtual synthesizer

Oscillation galore

Synapse Audio Dune 3 features two main oscillators per voice with VA, wavetable, and FM algorithms, which can be multiplied up to eight times and further scattered via detune and spread. In addition, the package includes a third, auxiliary oscillator and a noise generator. If all these options are activated, fully utilising all eight layers and the unison function, an incredible 520 oscillators can be combined in a single voice. On top of all that, DJs can also add to the vast selection of preset wavetables with their own custom waves and wavetables, with the third oscillator even capable of importing and looping .wav files. The filter section consists of two multimode filters with over 30 modes and an extra effect, all of which can be arranged in multiple routings. To round things off, Dune 3 offers two FX buses, multistep envelopes, LFOs and ADSR envelopes, a mod matrix, and two arpeggiators/sequencers per patch.

An electro El Dorado

Synapse Audio Dune 3 comes equipped with a catalogue of over 1,000 presets: Even if producers were to simply make use of and slightly modify this library, they could create literally countless tracks. However, this treasure trove is mere fool's gold compared to the potential inherent in Dune 3's sound generation capabilities: The possibilities offered by the wavetable editor alone provide an endless supply of source material for percussive basses, spectral pads, and unmistakeable lead sounds, which can be optimally combined both with the VA and FM algorithms and users' own samples. Together with the comprehensive (not to say complex) filter section and extensive modulation options, ambitious sound designers have an enormous palette at their disposal. Admittedly, charting and navigating this veritable El Dorado does require users to get more than just a feel for the material, but thankfully the video tutorials provided by Synapse Audio are an excellent starting point.

About Synapse Audio

Synapse Audio is a software developer specialising in EDM-focused synthesizers. Initially known as Sonic Syndicate, the company rebranded in 2002 following the launch of the Orion mini-DAW. Orion integrated multiple synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers into a standalone production environment. Synapse Audio later released the versatile and powerful Dune synthesizer, which remains a favourite among EDM producers, consistently updated to meet evolving needs. Additional plugins, such as Obsession and The Legend, are praised for their authentic emulation of vintage analogue synthesizers, while maintaining unique, modern identities that set them apart in the digital music production landscape.

Awesome waves

The wavetable editor offers producers a variety of tools for creating custom wavetables and waveforms: They can draw each new waveform freehand or precisely with a ruler, set multiple points that the software then connects automatically, or define a new wavetable using Dune's harmonic editor, which allows the musically-inclined to specify overtones in immense detail, with exact control over level and phase. Although the custom wavetables each consist of only three waveforms, the powerful morph function can interpolate a number of intermediate stages. Similarly, the wavetables and filters are all ideal raw material for the plugin's complex modulation curves. Like the wavetables themselves, users can also define multiple points for the multistep envelopes, including the application of exponential curves. Finally, the loop function makes it possible to create rhythmic, synchronisable patterns that producers can then save for later use.

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4.9 / 5

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50 Reviews

My favorite Synthesizer as of November 29th, 2020

quakemazer 30.11.2020

This is absolutely the best sounding vst synth I've ever owned.

I own Komplete 12 (Reaktor, Massive and X, Absynth 5, Form, etc...), Synthmaster 2.9 and One, Vital, Thorn, Diva, and less popular synth vstis.

I reach for Dune 3 first because to my ear, the results are just incredibly inspiring. Watch a few youtube videos by Kevin Schroeder to get an idea of this beast.

Read the manual and check out Venus Theory's Dune 3 videos and you'll be designing gorgeous pads and leads in no time.

The onboard FX are premium, better than many specialized vst FX plugins. There are 1000 presets and they're fantastic.

The filters are widely regarded as the best available and sound amazing to me.

The only drawbacks are:
1. The preset browsing is outdated. I just save a copy of my favorites presets in my own folder.
2. Can be heavy on CPU with extremely complex patches. Worth it!

If I could only own one synth it would be Dune 3 because it sounds beautiful with very little effort, and can be made to sound otherworldly once you start to understand how to design sounds with it.

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Best buy of the year

Rafaaaaa 09.12.2020

The sound quality of this synth brutal, many times compared to hardware. I agree with those who do. It is definitely a workhorse.

The FX section is very good to. I'd wish it had a FX version, as all FX are automatable and can be modulated from the matrix.

The only "if" is that it has too much happening on the LCD section, but it's nothing that makes the synth cumbersome to program, as you can use the right mouse button menu to add modulation sources, it saves some clicking, as it adds both modulation sides and opens the modulation matrix in one go.

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Fantastic!

pauldt 10.09.2022

Dune 3 is a really fantastic virtual synth. The variety of sounds that can be programmed is pretty much unlimited, due to the wide selection of oscillator and filter types, combined with the ability to created multiple layers per patch.

The quality of the sound is superb. Comparing the sound of this synth to some free offerings as well as stock DAW instruments is night and day, really high quality.

Don't be fooled or put off by the basic looking user interface - there is not much in the way of flashy animations or other gimmicks, but the UI is functional and allows you to program and modify sounds easily and intuitively.

Oh, and all of the above is achieved with exceptionally low CPU utilisation even on complex patches using multiple layers.

Demo it, then buy it (or just buy it!). You won't regret it! :)

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Amazing

Rich\'ard 26.08.2021

Richard, London. Very versatile and great to use for Trance/dance music. Amazing sounds at a very high quality.

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Synapse Audio Dune 3

Virtual synthesizer (download)