Factory

Modular synthesizers are probably the most complex electronic music instruments out there. By connecting different sections or modules (such as oscillators, filters, amplifiers, effects etc.), you get to choose exactly which of the modules alter the sound and in what order. Thus, you are basically able to create your own instrument, something you can’t really do with non-modular synths, through which sounds can travel only on a predetermined path to their output destination.

Of course, playing with modular synths is not only a challenging pastime activity, but also an expensive one. It’s safe to say one should only undertake it once they have enough musical knowledge and confidence to know exactly what they’re getting themselves into. I, for example, don’t have any of that, but I’ll still do my best to review Factory, the liquid modular synthesizer.

Factory doesn’t necessarily aim to emulate the complexity of working with modular synths in real life; you don’t actually get to connect different modules with patch cables. That being said, Factory can look disarmingly intricate to the uninitiated.

In the program’s interface you will find: two oscillators, a mixer, a multimode filter, various modulators, sequencers and effects. You can play notes directly from the program’s keyboard and even morph one sound into another by using a crossfader. However, its main (and most colorful) feature is the Modulation Matrix, which actually allows you to connect the different modules of the synthesizer.

You can use Factory both as a plugin for your DAW or as a stand-alone tool. How much time you spend learning what to do with it depends only on your previous experience of working with synths, both physical and virtual. But even if you don’t understand what all those knobs and faders do, Factory’s interface is still fairly intuitive and, with hundreds of presets readily available, there’s a small chance that you’ll get bored of experimenting with all its sounds.