Musikmesse 08: Circle - the easy-to-use semi-modular synth

Future Audio Workshop prepares its first release

The MusicRadar Team, Mon 17 Mar 2008, 4:15 pm UTC

Will Circle be the power synth that anyone can program?

There are lots of great-sounding semi-modular synths around, but some of them are not exactly what you’d call user-friendly. With Circle, software development newcomer Future Audio Workshop (FAW) is aiming to combine superior quality with accessibility.

FAW believes that it’s isolated the most important things that a synth should do and devised simple workflows that enable users to achieve them. The interface appears to be clean and straightforward, with all connections being shown at a glance without the need for virtual patch cables.

Spec wise, Circle has four oscillators per voice. Analogue and contemporary waveforms are included, and modulation is unrestricted (so we assume any parameter can modular another). Lots of effects are also included.

Other feature highlights include a single screen live performance view, compatibility with Apple’s Remote (you can use it to change sounds) and a simple MIDI learn system.

Circle isn’t quite ready for release – and we don’t yet know how much it’ll cost – but it has been announced that it’s Mac- and PC-compatible and supports the VST, Audio Units and RTAS plug-in formats.

Our hunch is that this is one worth keeping an eye on. You can keep track of Circle’s development on the Future Audio Workshop website.