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JeffTadashi « Lightweight synth, but sounds very full! »
Published on 05/30/12 at 12:41Cakewalk's Rapture is similar to design and look to their other main synthesizer, the Dimension Pro, but there is less sampling here, and more routing and effects features. With a non-aliasing sampling engine, over 500 presets, 6 individually programmable elements per preset, tons of filters, step generators, and LFO's, Rapture can do it all. It especially functions well with arpeggiating and step-generated synth sounds.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Each of the six sound elements starts with the basic waveform, and there are many to choose from that Rapture offers. You can even use your own waveforms and base sounds. There are no lengthy samples, such as pianos, organs, or strings, present here, which helps keep the synth lightweight, and it never sounds like a cheap sampler either. There is a DSP-routing section first, which sets the filters and effects (including distortion), and whatever routing option you want for those sections.
The main modulating envelope generator is probably the best feature is (and it is similar to the one found in Dimension Pro), the envelopes are extremely visual, and can be shaped and modified to very precise levels, without being hard to modify either. There are a few keyboard commands that need to be memorized (one key changes the envelope from regular to exponential, for example), but once you figure out the basics, the possibilities with this envelope generator are endless. Plus, you can use an envelope for seven different parameters, including filter cutoff, volume, pitch, and panning. If you've even been fed up with the lack of envelope control with other synths, that simply give you Attack, Decay, and Sustain knobs, then then synth is the synth for you.
Cakewalk Rapture comes with hundreds of great sounding presets, which show off the ability and versatility of the synth very well. The presets contain no funny business, as they are easy to load up, view, and recreate. With this synth, it is very easy to recreate any of the preset sounds, which can't always be said with some synthesizers, as some synths tend to have hidden or hard-to-edit settings.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, Cakewalk's Rapture is a solid synth that specializes in arpeggiated and step-sequences synth sounds. Be sure to check it out if you own a PC-based workstation!
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
Each of the six sound elements starts with the basic waveform, and there are many to choose from that Rapture offers. You can even use your own waveforms and base sounds. There are no lengthy samples, such as pianos, organs, or strings, present here, which helps keep the synth lightweight, and it never sounds like a cheap sampler either. There is a DSP-routing section first, which sets the filters and effects (including distortion), and whatever routing option you want for those sections.
The main modulating envelope generator is probably the best feature is (and it is similar to the one found in Dimension Pro), the envelopes are extremely visual, and can be shaped and modified to very precise levels, without being hard to modify either. There are a few keyboard commands that need to be memorized (one key changes the envelope from regular to exponential, for example), but once you figure out the basics, the possibilities with this envelope generator are endless. Plus, you can use an envelope for seven different parameters, including filter cutoff, volume, pitch, and panning. If you've even been fed up with the lack of envelope control with other synths, that simply give you Attack, Decay, and Sustain knobs, then then synth is the synth for you.
Cakewalk Rapture comes with hundreds of great sounding presets, which show off the ability and versatility of the synth very well. The presets contain no funny business, as they are easy to load up, view, and recreate. With this synth, it is very easy to recreate any of the preset sounds, which can't always be said with some synthesizers, as some synths tend to have hidden or hard-to-edit settings.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, Cakewalk's Rapture is a solid synth that specializes in arpeggiated and step-sequences synth sounds. Be sure to check it out if you own a PC-based workstation!