Strum Plate is a free Omnichord-inspired MIDI impact plugin from Gulf Coast Synthesis, accessible in AU, VST3, and AAX codecs for macOS and Home windows.
Should you’re questioning what on earth an Omnichord is, you’re probably not alone. Should you already know, you then’re one of many fortunate ones!
Effectively, maybe saying one of many fortunate ones is a little bit of a stretch; the Omnichord is extra of an Nineteen Eighties oddity than a traditional.
Suzuki launched the Omnichord in 1981 and, after releasing varied fashions, discontinued the product in 1996. The producer lately launched a brand new mannequin, a long time after discontinuing the unique.
The Omnichord is a strange-looking digital instrument with two core options: main/minor chord buttons and a strum plate, which varieties the muse of this free plugin.
The strum plate enables you to flip primary triads into spectacular runs and flurries by working a finger over it (or a mouse, within the case of the Strum Plate plugin).
Being an oddity isn’t essentially dangerous; it typically results in two nice issues: very uncommon sounds or sounds so horrible they’re really superb (an idea that’s by no means misplaced within the 80s realm).
Some individuals name the Omnichord a cult traditional, however I’m not fairly there, and the present worth appears means off to me. The excellent news is that if you would like a few of its ’80s allure, Strum Plate delivers it at no cost.
With the Strum Plate loaded, you possibly can play any chord held in a buffer till you swipe throughout the plate, turning it into an prolonged run in both course.
You can even set off notes utilizing the pitch wheel and modify the notice size utilizing the mod wheel.
The kind of run you create, whether or not it’s brief and melodic or lengthy and grandiose, is dependent upon the notice size and octave vary that you simply set.
After all, with the advantage of a MIDI keyboard, you could have a much wider harmonic alternative than you’ll have with the Omnichord’s buttons.
The setup of Strum Plate varies from one DAW to a different, and the developer has posted brief step-by-step directions for Professional Instruments, Logic Professional, and Ableton on the product web page. There are additionally directions for a Mac-only standalone model.
I discussed yesterday that Plugin Boutique’s MoogerFooger MF-103S promo was ending on December 8, however there’s excellent news for anybody who missed it. The MoogerFooger plugin has been included within the subsequent spherical of free (with any buy) items, and it’s accessible till January 4, 2025.
Don’t overlook to keep watch over the 12 Days of Soundtoys promotion, too!
Obtain: Strum Plate (FREE)
Deal of the day 🔥: Get 87% OFF SSL Native Channel Strip 2 (solely $19)!
Extra:
Final Up to date on December 9, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
