The oscillators have a switch for sine versus triangle wave, but otherwise the shape is on a selectable continuum from sine or triangle through to pulse, with an approximate square wave part‑way along. Some visual assistance for Cypher2's fiendishly powerful oscillator modulation.Enough of appearances: what about audio? The signal flow is roughly top-left to bottom-right, starting at the three oscillators and ending at the amplitude envelope into the effects. It can also display envelope shapes, filter cutoffs and signal routings. The scope displays audio signals in some situations, while in others it shows preset wave shapes (such as for the LFOs). (The browser can be hidden, shrinking the window width considerably.) Buttons in the menu bar bring up the separate pages for sequencers or effects, while the preset browser and TransMod area stay in place. Above it is the TransMod system and edit buffers, while below are the synthesizer panels, a preset browser (with keyboard), and a central multi‑mode visual display (the 'scope/visualiser'). The window layout has a green 'menu bar' positioned part-way down. Although the panel layout has a modular appearance, all modules are fixed: Cypher2 is all about modulation, not modularity. I found these a little distracting - they make the interface look busy - and usability is not helped by the rather skinny font used for the controls and menus.

The visual design is mostly flat, apart from some slight skeuomorphisms (a knurled finish on the knobs and slight shadowing on the faders). There's a subsidiary page for the step sequencers, and one for the effects, but everything else is on the main page and easily accessible. AppearanceĬypher2 is almost, but not quite, a single-page synth. There's a built-in arpeggiator, and four step sequencers (three dedicated to modulation). It can also randomise and 'morph' presets. The synth is analogue-modelled, with three oscillators and two filters per voice, plus a raft of modulation features including mathematical operators and a distinctive mod matrix feature called TransMod.

Without MPE, you lose some expression options. Perhaps predictably then, Cypher2 has first-class support for MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), though it works fine whether or not you have an MPE-capable controller (or an MPE-capable DAW).

FXpansion's new soft synth boasts sensational sound and an almost unhealthy level of modulation.Ĭypher2 is a new flagship synth from FXpansion, the software company acquired by ROLI a couple of years ago.

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