Waves Audio has introduced Element, the company’s first-ever synthesizer. Powered by Virtual Voltage technology, Element is an analog-style polyphonic instrument engineered to deliver the fat, gritty sound of the classics, with the advantages of contemporary digital synths.
Element includes an array of convenient features and functions, including integrated effects, a 16-step arpeggiator/sequencer, MIDI Learn for all controls and an extensive preset library, with total tweakability.
All parameters are laid out right in front of the user so there’s no need to scroll through page after page to customize sounds.
London-based Yoad Nevo, who has enjoyed a successful career as a producer/engineer for such artists as Air, Goldfrapp and Pet Shop Boys, in addition to being a long-time Waves developer, was instrumental in Element.
“In my work, I use synthesizers quite a bit,” states Nevo. “Even though I have a large collection of analog synths, I’m always on the lookout for cool new virtual instruments. So when Waves decided to build a synth from the ground up, there were certain things I made sure it had.
“We knew we wanted to create a synth that would be straightforward and easy to use, so we started with a basic subtractive synthesis engine. We then developed the engine further, adding features and functions along the way, until it grew into a mature synth.”
Nevo continues, “Element provides fat sound right off the bat, but also has very comprehensive editing capabilities, which I used to create most of its presets. We made sure to include all its features on a single page: the step sequencer, modulation matrix and effects section, everything.
“Whether scrolling through presets of creating completely new sounds from scratch, we saw to it that Element would provide users with instant sonic gratification.”
Waves Element is now available at a U.S. MSRP of $200, with a special introductory price of $99.
