Rob Papen eXplorer-8, BLUE-III and RevSane

Virtual instrument and effect plug-in developer Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware announces the availability of eXplorer-8 - effectively released as the eighth edition of its all-singing, all- dancing bundle, bolstered by the simultaneously-shipping BLUE-III virtual synthesizer and RevSane virtual effect plug-ins to comprehensively include all 30 Rob Papen products presently available (if including its PRISMA plug-in permitting users to creatively combine up to four of virtual instruments into a single so-called ‘prismatic’ sound source, and available for free to owners of eXplorer-8 after registering their bundle) - as of November 18…

All-singing, all-dancing in the truest sense of the phrase, Rob Papen’s enhanced eXplorer-8 bundle will soon be bolstered still further with a major overhaul of B.I.T. (Back In Time) - truly an apt acronym for the virtual instrument and effect plug-in developer’s virtual synthesizer fit for modern-day DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) workflow with its inspirational sights set solely on analogue-modelled synthesis, rather than combining the best of analogue modelling with hybrid synthesis techniques that have hitherto formed the much-admired musical backbone of the company’s classy creations - that is scheduled for release in early 2023; until then, those exploring eXplorer-8 will, without doubt, delight in its inclusion of the simultaneously-shipping BLUE-III virtual synthesizer and RevSane virtual effect plug-ins as the latest Rob Papen products to swell the creative ranks of this must-have production package, now numbering all 30 available Rob Papen products.

Put it this way: when released in its first incarnation as BLUE back in 2005, this virtual synthesizer already reflected Rob Papen’s cutting-edge, creative, and - most importantly - musical approach towards developing virtual synthesizers, with Rob Papen himself calling it ‘cross-fusion synthesis’ since it combined the best aspects of subtractive and FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis into one creative concept, one which was expanded still further in its BLUE-II successor to include a creative range of samples and a highly-versatile XY pad. Pushing onwards and upwards, the concept for BLUE-III remains true to that ethos, expanded to include more sound dimensions and features in perfect step with its extended name - namely, String Model, the virtual instrument and effect plug-in developer’s take on the Karplus–Strong string synthesis method of physical modelling synthesis (that loops a short waveform through a filtered delay line to simulate the sound of a hammered or plucked string or some types of percussion), and a new range of spectral waveforms and samples that can also be altered at GRN (granular synthesis) level; indeed, it is now possible to load up to six samples into a BLUE-III preset, then layer them with KEY SPLIT and VEL (velocity) SPLIT points. And as if that was not enough for adventurous users to be getting on with, BLUE-III’s FILTER section has been expanded to total almost 40 filter types! But beyond the realms of synthesis, BLUE-III also benefits from a GUI (Graphical User Interface) makeover, making many different sizes available, where the XY pad is available at all times. The audio engine inherits DNA drawn from the B.I.T. virtual analogue synthesizer, resulting in an audio quality that is unsurpassed. Ultimately, BLUE-III comes complete with 5,000-plus presets, professionally crafted by well-known sound designers as well as Rob Papen himself, honing what was already a phenomenally powerful virtual instrument into a continuing ‘cross-fusion synthesis’ journey that is guaranteed to amaze and excite in equal measure.

Meanwhile, new to the Rob Papen product lineup - and the enhanced eXplorer-8 bundle itself - is the intriguingly-named RevSane. Regular Rob Papen product users may already know that ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ influenced its DelSane effect plug-in by behaviourally swinging between an easy-to-use, lovely-sounding ‘sane’ stereo tape delay and dynamically-changing disruptive ‘insane’ delay types. This was released to widespread critical acclaim and subsequent inclusion in eXplorer-7. Indeed, it was only a matter of time before those contrasting characteristics would make their presence felt in another ‘insane’ battle of audio wits. Welcome, then, to the strange case of RevSane, a plug-in producing beautifully dense reverb sounds fit for working with any track, in the first instance, though that is only one side of this particular production story. Ultimately, users can control the flow of the reverb parameters using the so-called DISRUPT ‘sphere’ to turn RevSane into a dynamically fresh-sounding special effect plug-in, permitting users to think outside of the fourth dimension by using reverb in creative ways. It is, for instance, perfectly possible to dynamically change spaces - without recording endless parameter movements - by simply moving the DISRUPT ‘sphere’ slider! Saying that, RevSane has an audio follower that includes side-chain control of parameters, including the DISRUPT ‘sphere’ itself. It is fair to say, therefore, that RevSane is not only aimed at creative producers who will get a kick out of experimenting with the DISRUPT ‘sphere’ but also anyone simply seeking a top-tier, dense- sounding reverb with which to take their productions to the next level.

And anyone who has yet to buy into the Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware spirit surely owes it to themselves to enter the now-widened wonderful world of virtual instrument and effect plug-ins packed into the enhanced eXplorer-8 bundle; strange inclusions or otherwise, it is bound to inspire.

If including PRISMA (available for free after registering), eXplorer-8 is available - as an all-encompassing 30-product inspirational bundle of 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for Mac (OS X 10.13 or higher) and as 32- and 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for PC (Windows 7/8/10/11) with 64-bit AAX-compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) - at a time-limited promo price of €374.00 EUR/$374.00 USD throughout November 2022, rising thereafter to its regular 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. (Owners of earlier eXplorer editions can upgrade to eXplorer-8 at a time-limited promo price of €74.00 EUR/$74.00 USD throughout November 2022, rising thereafter to its regular price of €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD, while other options for upgrading to eXplorer-8 are also available to owners of other Rob Papen products.)

BLUE-III is available - as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.13 or higher) and as a 32- and 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for PC (Windows 7/8/10/11) with 64-bit AAX-compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC)  at a time-limited promo price of €111.00 EUR/$111.00 USD throughout November 2022, rising thereafter to its regular price of €149.00 EUR/$149.00 USD, from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage.

RevSane is available - as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST- and VST3-compatible virtual effect plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.13 or higher) and as a 32- and 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual effect plug-in for PC (Windows 7/8/10/11) with 64-bit AAX-compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) - at a time-limited promo price of €36.00 EUR/$36.00 USD throughout November 2022, rising thereafter to its regular 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.

www.robpapen.com