Spike

MEET SPIKE

Sound design in depth

Spike is a synthesiser plugin combining classic and Plaits-derived macro synthesis with FM, extensive modulation and generative music capabilities. Its architecture draws on the modular synth world, bringing these approaches together in a single instrument for composition and sound design.

The filter section includes Liquid filters with two distinct responses: a softly nonlinear 12 dB/octave state-variable filter and a 24 dB/octave four-stage cascade with nonlinear feedback. The latter combines coloration within the filter stages with partial resonance compensation to retain bass and body as resonance increases. Drive and optional self-oscillation provide further control over its character.

There is also a formant filter that uses three parallel resonances, with continuous movement through A/E/I/O/U vowels and an independent formant shift of ±12 semitones. An upstream low-pass stage provides additional tone control. Modulating vowel position produces changing vocal-like textures.

Two LFOs support free-running and tempo-synchronised operation, alongside separate filter, amplifier and modulation envelopes. A six-slot modulation matrix adds routing from these sources, velocity, mod wheel, aftertouch and keyboard tracking to destinations including cutoff, resonance, vowel position and FM feedback.

Classic waveforms, phase distortion, unison and inter-oscillator FM sit alongside the macro engines, with separate sub and noise sources. Generative sequencing extends the modular approach into pattern creation, while stereo effects—including Ambient/shimmer reverb—provide further processing within the sound design workflow.