Forbidden Planet at Gear Expo Summer 2022: a hybrid synth odyssey to the outer reaches of the sonic universe

EastWest Sounds Forbidden Planet
(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

SYNTH WEEK 2022: Forbidden Planet features over 600 expertly crafted morphing synths across categories such as Arpeggiator, Bass, Drones, FX, Leads, and Poly Synth. 

Freely morph between electronic layers, acoustic instruments, and futuristic sounds - perfect for soundtracks, EDM, hip hop and more. Featuring a brand-new suite of post-processing and mixing tools, insane filter modulation, and an extensive rack of effects, you now have the ability to break away from everything that has come before with new controls, powered by the critically-acclaimed OPUS engine, that offer unprecedented sonic shaping power with presets completely customizable by the user.

The idea for Forbidden Planet started when producers DOUG ROGERS and NICK PHOENIX set out to create EASTWEST's first fully featured synth collection, not based on traditional oscillators, but combining electronic synth layers with orchestral, world instruments, choral samples, sound effects and more into one enormous collection — creating a new sound palette designed for the future, not the past.

Forbidden Planet

(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

Crossfade between sound sources and filter settings with the central XY pad, allowing you to capture morphing hybrid sounds in moments. By moving the Orbital Control, you can dynamically capture broad but smooth shifts in both timbre and frequency content. 

Moving left and right changes the blend amount between two contrasting sources, chosen from analog, acoustic, synthetic, and large-scale cinematic sounds. The vertical position controls filter frequency and is perfect for creating sweeping gestures, manipulating the output however you see fit.

Forbidden Planet

(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

The XY Pad isn’t the only way to control the filter — simply pull up the filter section of the UI and you can pop open the hood, controlling the modulation depth. 

The Mod Envelope allows you to add an ADSR-style envelope onto the filter cutoff, automating its movement with each note, while the Step LFO section produces a gated rhythm as the sequencer modulates the filter cutoff frequency. 

This leaves you free to play with the XY Pad, creating progressive textures and drones to set the tone of the atmosphere you want to build.

Forbidden Planet

(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

The arpeggiators allow you to create staccato and legato patterns, even with portamento or glide as you like. Not only does this make it easy to create highly dynamic and choppy ostinatos, but each of the 2 sound sources gets its own sequencer with the option to desynchronize their speeds. 

The two are adjacent to each other in the UI, giving you unprecedented automation capabilities without digging through multiple different submenus. Copy settings between both and you can produce slight variations that support more depth, creativity, and shimmer than you’ll find anywhere else.

EastWest Sounds Forbidden Planet

(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

You don’t have to design synth patches from the ground up or settle for outdated analog-modeled hardware sounds. 

Forbidden Planet was designed to give you unfettered access to cinematic sounds rooted in classic film literature, now with the ability to manipulate, process, and combine them with hundreds of electronic and hybrid instruments out of the box. 

You’re up and running in moments, with the option to make modifications to your heart’s content. Every preset combines contrasting dramatic sources, making it a perfect source of inspiration on demand.

EDM, sci fi, horror, world, hybrid music and more — Forbidden Planet gives you the tools to bring them all to life without limitation.

EastWest Sounds Forbidden Planet

(Image credit: EastWest Sounds)

Forbidden Planet is now available in all ComposerCloud plans and will be available for purchase on June 12. Haven't yet tried ComposerCloud+ and the new OPUS engine? You can now sign up for a free 30 day trial to test drive Forbidden Planet and all 70 of EastWest’s award-winning collections.

Find out more about Forbidden Planet here: www.soundsonline.com/forbidden-planet 

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