Schwa Olga

No problem with the installation.
The principle of authorization Olga is very "user friendly". To know that you can test the instrument for free as long as you want. The purchase of the license is subject to the conscience of everyone.
It is an instrument very simple subtractive synthesis. But the situation is slightly complicated by the fact that all serigraphs are in Russian. Fortunately, clicking a small logo on the left, it shows pieces of tape on which are scrawled in English the functions of each button. In any case, it costs nothing to read after the 15-page manual is very clear (but English.)
Olga principle is based on two key algorithms: "BADASS" (Bezier antialiased Dynamic Analog Synthesis System) that emulates the small defects and instabilities analog instruments, and "GROOVE" (Gaussian Reactive Oscillator Overdrive Virtual Engine) which is roughly that it sends more power, the output is more "wild" ..
Otherwise, it's a small synth with two oscillators, two filters, two LFOs, two envelopes (one for the first filter HADSR) module and two overdrive effects (chorus and phaser.) An original point: The " Sync Retrig ", which restarts the envelope either or both, at regular intervals according to the tempo.
It is good to know that Olga can operate in mono, duo, 8 or 16 and poly unison 2, 4 and 8.
Finally, the instrument comes with 85 presets nice but can often be improved.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Perfect stability. No particular problem with the use of Mac Pro / Mac OS 10.6.8 / Digital Performer. CPU usage is low in mono, but becomes significant in "unison 8" or polyphonic mode with large agreements over eight notes. Nothing frightening, but say it is not insignificant ..

OVERALL OPINION

I use this synth for several years and, in a nutshell: I really like it.
Already, it is very pretty with its Soviet design ..
But of course, especially because it has a sound of its own. Very punchy, but also ideal for the dirty, dilapidated. Everything that I love. And even if in principle it is amply sufficient to itself with its own saturation, I often take him to add a fun extra overdrive as "Ohmicide" Ohm Force, or "Bad Buss Mojo" of Stillwell Audio. And it sends the woods!
The main filter has an amazing sound. And using the "Hold" envelope HADSR device and "Sync Retrig" can be moving sounds quite interesting.
On the other hand, for thicker sound, with its unison with 8 channels, Olga fears no one.
Finally, it is a very simple synth and fun to use, with which it happens very quickly what you want.
In total, he and I should stay friends for much longer!