Curve

Curve is a unique software synthesizer with editable waveforms and preset sharing.
For Mac and Windows, as VST, AU or RTAS plugin.

Creating sounds with Curve is intuitive and immediate. The waveform editor is irresistible, and provides completely new possibilities for experimentation and detailed tweaking. Three powerful oscillators, three envelope generators, two filters and four LFOs work together in a sophisticated modulations matrix, all set out in a clear, uncomplicated user interface.

We also invite the Curve community to steer the future development of the synthesizer. Our bug reports and feature request list will be completely public at all times. We believe this is an essential aspect of Curve, and we're excited about where you're going to take us.

Editing waveforms

Curve features completely editable waveforms for the oscillators and LFOs.

The waveforms are interpolated according to the points you draw. You can use soft points, which create smooth curves, or hard points, which create spikes—it's a lot like drawing in a simple graphics tool. This intuitive, visual approach to sound design encourages experimentation and has a direct effect on the character of the sounds you create.

Custom waveforms are especially useful for creating melodic and rhythmic patterns. Synced to your host sequencer, you define the length of the waveform—from a buzzy 1/128 to an expansive 32 bars. Unsynced, the waveform's range runs from 0.02 Hz up to 5 kHz. Note grid, one of 21 function buttons, is a useful tool for setting pitch accurately. Other function buttons let you incrementally alter the shape of the waveform, randomize the curve or create classic shapes like pulse, square and saw.

Generating and modulating sound

Curve's sounds emerge from three aliasing-free oscillators. Each oscillator can be assigned a custom waveform, or set to noise. Curve's FM options can create sounds from tight e-pianos and bells to shrill, aggressive snarls. We've been extremely careful with the sound quality—in technical terms, Curve computes the audio output per-sample. This applies to all modulations, so you get rich, vibrant sound even at very high modulation rates. The OSCs and LFOs are interpolated with linear or, for the audiophile, cubic interpolation. A 'Quality' selector lets you turn off the cubic interpolation and even apply aliasing for more old-school sounds.

The sound from the oscillators then passes through three envelope generators and two serial filters. Curve uses the same filters as FilterShaper, which received praise from Computer Music and the German Professional Audio Magazine for their precise sound and performance, even at fast modulation speeds.

After the filters, there are four independent LFOs—2 retriggered and 2 global. We've often felt other LFOs were too short, so we've given our LFOs range—from glitchy 1/128 note modulation to an expansive 32 bars for long evolving patterns. The two retriggered LFOs can also be set to the frequency of the note being played and we've made sure that the LFOs stay in perfect sync with your host sequencer, even when you make tempo changes or jump to different parts of your track.

The Modulation Matrix holds everything together. The clear layout lets you see at a glance what's modulating filter resonance, or what's being modulated by LFO 3, for example. Adjustments are simple and produce immediate results—a single mouseclick can create dramatic changes in sound. Try modulating filter cutoff with an LFO. Try a really fast envelope on pitch. Try some FM sounds on OSC 3. And if it sounds awful, just reset to zero with CTRL+click.

One last point here—you can automate ALL of these settings from your host sequencer. You can even record and playback your waveform edits and adjustments in the Modulation Matrix.

Sharing and exploring presets

There are two sides to Curve. One side is about sound creation and editing waveforms, the other side is a shared Preset Library, populated with your presets and those from other Curve users. The button at the top left of the interface switches between these two aspects, or modes, toggling between 'Browse Presets' and 'Edit Preset'.

The idea behind this is to create a living, growing collection of sounds which truly reflect what people are doing with Curve and the kind of sounds they make. Syncing and uploading is easy—just one click. Syncing is quick, too, because the presets themselves are tiny, and Curve can sync in the background while you carry on making music.

The presets can be tagged and rated. You can filter the library to show only top-rated sounds, sound types (bass sounds, pads, drums, etc.) or organize the library by author. There's also a search box if you're looking for something specific.

Curve ships with an excerpt of the database, so even if your computer for making music is offline, your Preset Library will still be full.

Learning Curve

We hope we've created a synthesizer that's intuitive to use for experts and beginners alike. We've put some additional hints and tips in the Info Box in the bottom right corner—just hover over the different elements of the interface with your cursor to get specific information.

So make some sounds. Learn from what other Curve users have created, play around and experiment. We're all looking forward to hearing where Curve takes you.

Help set the course for Curve

Community is a big part of Curve, and we want you to steer the future development of the synthesizer with your feature requests, comments and bug reports. We'll also be sharing—our bug reports and feature request list are completely public at all times so you can always see what's going on. We can't promise to implement all your ideas, but we'll certainly make sure that the most requested features help steer a strong course for the shape of Curve to come.

System requirements