Roli Equator 2 is a synth VST used to create modern and analog sounds. Its sound engine can blend old analog sounds with modern synthesis techniques.
This plugin has many sounds, such as keys, pianos, strings, pads, drums, leads, soundscapes, etc. It is also good for sound design.
So, in this article, I will discuss the following topics about this plugin in detail.
- Key Features.
- Overview.
- Uses and Applications.
- Comparison with the Reveal Sound Spire VST.
- Technical information and system requirements.
- FAQs.
- Review.
- Conclusion.
Key Features:
- Roli Equator 2 synth is based on the roli expressive hyper synth engine. In this way, it is a hybrid synth. It means that it is accomplished over different types of synthesis techniques such as wavetable synthesis (the technique in which waveforms are used to produce sounds), granular synthesis(the technique in which breaking sounds into tiny pieces and rearranging and applying different effects is involved), sample-based synthesis(designing the sounds from the pre-recorded sounds), virtual analog synthesis (emulating classic analog synths) and FM technique ( the technique in which the frequency modulation is used to design sound).
- This synth is compatible with the MPE(MIDI Polyphonic Expression) and standard MIDI controllers.
- This synth VST has 1400 presets.
- Some presents of this plugin are also optimized for MPE.
- This plugin has 6 different engines (wavetable, granular, sampler, virtual analog, and FM), so the user can blend the sounds generated from all these engines to make complex sounds.
- It also involves inbuilt effects such as delay, reverb, flanger, chorus, distortion, etc., to polish the sound.
- This plugin has a user-friendly interface but with a wide range of customizations.
- This VST is less CPU-friendly.
Detailed Overview:
Synth Patch:
This VST plugin has three main tabs. In the first tab, the user performs the actual sound design. The plugin provides the user with 6 different oscillators to design the sound. This tab is named Synth Patch.
Here is the visual representation of the plugin’s synth tab.
Routing Patch:
The second tab is the routing tab, where the user decides the routing of each oscillator and filters to each other. This tab also plays an important role in the sound shaping.
Here is the visual representation of this routing tab.
Effects Tab:
The third and last tab is called the effects tab. In this tab, a user can apply different effects to the sound to polish it. This tab offers 16 effects slots, each capable of opening one effect. The sequence of the effects slots is also changeable by dragging and dropping. Once you have opened an effect in the slot, further confirmation will appear on the left screen. Here is a picture of this tab.
Preset Browser:
The preset manager is located in the top middle of the plugin. When the user clicks on that option, a window opens. At the center of that window, there will be a list of all the presents.
All these presets are categorized using tags. These tags are present on the right side of the window. There are different tags, such as guitar, piano, etc. When the user clicks these tags, the preset browser arranges the presets selected separately in the preset section.
This saves the user time by allowing them to scroll through each preset and find the desired one.
This section also includes tags that let the user choose the type of sound, such as analog or digital. Electric hybrid, etc.
Users can also choose the location of preset browsing, such as user can tell the plugin to search for specific types of sound from the sound bank, factory sounds, or user-designed presets
This window also has a search bar if someone wants to find a specific preset. After selecting a preset, the user can add it to the favorites by clicking the heart icon next to the preset name.
For each preset, there is also a short description that tells the user about that preset.
Oscillators:
This plugin provides 6 oscillators. Synthesis engines help design different types of sounds. Each oscillator has four synthesis types.
Filters:
This plugin includes two multimode filters. The routing tab allows you to set different configurations for these filters to shape the sound.
Uses and Applications:
Sound designing:
This plugin offers extensive customization. It provides five sound engines, a complex modulation system, and six oscillators. This can be a good source of sound design, as it meets every condition required.
Film Scoring and Game Scoring:
This synth VST is also good for the design of pads, soundscapes, etc. This plugin is also good for film scoring and game scoring.
Education Purpose:
This VST is also a good source for students who want to learn sound design. It consists of all the essential parameters, such as modulation options, oscillators, etc., which the student learning sound design must have a concept of.
Comparison with the Reveal Sound Spire VST:
| Features | ROLI Equator 2 | Reveal Sound Spire |
| Type of Synth | It is a hybrid synthesizer. It is based on analog, wavetable, granular, sample-based, virtual analog, and FM synthesis. | It is inspired by the analog and modern synthesis engine inclusion the Roland JP-8000 and Nord Lead series |
| Sound Engine | Expressive Hyper Synth Engine | It is inspired by the analog and modern synthesis engine inclusion of the Roland JP-8000 and Nord Lead series |
| Oscillators | It offers 6 oscillators. | It offers 4 oscillators. |
| Filters | It offers 2 multimode filters. | It offers different types of filters like high cut, low cut etc |
| Preset Library | It offers different types of filters like high cut, low cut, etc | It offers 1000 presets. They are mainly categorized by the sound types. These presets are mainly configured for traditional MIDI controllers |
| Effects | It offers different inbuilt effects like delay, reverb, etc. This plugin has the effects slots on which the different effects can be opened. | It offers 1400 factory presets, mainly designed for traditional MIDI controllers and MPE. The presets are configured by sound types. |
| MPE Compatibility | It is capable of the MPE. | It is capable of the MPE. |
| Themes | It offers multiple themes. | It also offers multiple themes. |
| Complexity | It is complex as it offers a wide range of customizations for sound design. | It is less complex. It offers a wide range of customizations for sound design. But they are limited as compared to the Roli Equator 2 |
| Target Audience | Professional sound designers and also producers who rely on presets | Optimized for professional sound designers, but to a limited extent. It is more optimized for producers who rely on presets |
| CPU Performance | It is more CPU-consuming | It is less CPU consuming |
| Community Support | Its community is also active but less than the Reveal Sound Spire VST. | It also offers inbuilt effects, which are present in sections rather than slots. |
| Size on Disc | 6.58 GB | 473.8 M |
| Compatibility | Windows and mac | Windows and Mac |
Technical Details & System Requirements
- Size: 6.58 GB
- Version: 2.5.1
- Developer: Luminary ROLI Ltd.
- Format: SAL, VST3
- Bit depth: 64bit
- System requirements: Windows 10 (x64) or higher
FAQs
Can I create my own presets in ROLI Equator 2?
Yes, you can create your own preset with this synth VST. In fact, this feature is also present in every new synth VST. In the Equator 2 plugin, you can customize any preset or design the sound from scratch, and then, in the preset browser, there is an option called save as preset.
Click on that option, and the plugin will save your preset. You can also access your present whenever you want.
Can I try this synth VST before buying?
Yes, you can try this plugin on a trial basis before buying it. To do so, visit the official website of this plugin.
Is this VST compatible with my DAW?
If you are using the following DAWs, then this VST is compatible.
- Ableton Live
- Logic Pro
- FL Studio
- Cubase
- Pro Tools
- Studio One
- Bitwig Studio
Other Notable DAWs
- Reason
- GarageBand (with limitations)
Review:
This review reflects my personal opinion and experience with the plugin. I have purchased the plugin myself and have no affiliation with the company. I have not received any compensation or free products for this review. My opinions are entirely my own, and they may differ from yours. The content of this review is intended to provide information and assistance to potential users.
Here is my honest review of this plugin in the form of pros and cons.
I used this synth plugin in several projects and am still using it. I found it helpful in different aspects. It offers a wide range of customizations, such as advanced modulations, filters, and in-built effects, which are good for sound design.
This plugin has complex routing options, which is a plus point. This plugin is quite good for sound design as it uses different sound engines, such as granular, analog, digital, etc., and can design every type of sound.
On the other hand, I found that with this plugin, there is no need to design any sound. It is because I found that this plugin has a lot of pre-made presets for every genre of music. No matter what type of sound I imagined if found in its preset bank.
These were the pros of this synth software. Now, let me discuss the cons I faced while using it in my projects.
The interface of this plugin is user-friendly, but it is a bit confusing for beginners. When you open the plugin, every modulation option is on the home screen. This is right for those with some sound design concepts, but it is confusing for beginners.
The interface is also well-organized and appropriate for the workflow. Because of its wide range of customizations, this plugin requires much time to learn and master, and its learning curve is very steep.
In my opinion, this plugin’s preset browser can also be optimized for better navigation. This plugin’s presets are categorized by tags, while all the other VST presets are categorized by folders.
People adopt that method of categorization, which may lead some people to feel that this plugin’s preset browser is a bit confusing.
This plugin offers a lot of options. In this way, this plugin is less CPU-friendly.
Alternatives:
Here is a list of alternative plugins.
Wavetable Synthesizers
- Serum
- Massive
- Spire
- Razor
- Pigments
- Synthmaster
Hybrid Synthesizers
- Omnisphere
- Komplete 14 Ultimate
- Analog Lab V
- Alchemy
- Diva
Granular Synthesizers
- Granulator 2
- Ableton Live Granulator
- Granular
- SuperCollider (open-source)
Modular Synthesizers
- Reaktor
- VCV Rack
- Modular
- Eurorack (open-source)
Other Notable Options
- FM8
- Sylenth1
- Nexus
- Zebra
- Absynth
Conclusion:
- Roli Equator 2 is an advanced synthesizer designed for beginners and advanced users.
- This plugin uses the roli expressive hyper synth engine.
- This vst can be a granular, digital, analog, sampler, wavetable, and FM synthesizer.
- It is less CPU friendly as it offers wide options for sound design,
- It can be used for game scoring, film scoring, sound design, and learning purposes.
- It offers deep modulation along with the 4 oscillators, 2 filters, and 8 effect slots.
- This plugin has a friendly interface, but it is complex, so its learning curve is very steep.
