Alien Solo VST / DirectX Plug-in

Voice-controlled analogue-style synthesiser

Alien Solo screenshot

Your voice becomes an expressive mono synth
Create fluid, organic leads and basslines
OK, I'll say it: poor man's Kantos / Vokator

Alien Solo is a fully-featured monophonic synth that is controlled by your voice. Sing, hum or doo-wop the lead or bassline and then dial up the synth patch you want. You can also process other monophonic sources, but the pitch tracking function is optimised for the human vocal range.

Features

Stable, accurate pitch and envelope tracking algorithm
Auto-tune feature to keep you right on the note
Dual analogue-stye oscillators with 5-octave transpose range
Mix, FM & ring mod modes
Vocoder-like morphing filter to apply your voice's characteristics to the synth sound
Analogue-stye 2/4/6-pole filters with envelope follow and pitch tracking control

Why "Alien Solo"? Picture those aliens blowing into weird instruments in the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine in Star Wars IV...

Listen

Listen to this MP3 of of Alien Solo in action (162k).
You'll the original vocal phrase, followed by several examples of that same phrase processed through Alien Solo.

Download

Download the DirectX version of Alien Solo now (1213k).

Download the VST (Windows) version of Alien Solo now (1097k).

NB: This is a 32-bit plugin. If you are using a 64-bit host app, you will need a bitbridge. I recommand jBridge.

NB: This plugin may not work at sample rates of 192 KHz. I recommend using sample rates of 96 KHz or below.

(If your host app does not support mono effecst, use this VST Stereo version.)
The freeware versions let you audition the 8 factory presets, with the rest of the controls disabled.

Alternatively, you can download it from download.famouswhy.com, where (we are told) it has received some sort of famous award.
Famous Software Download

Learn more

More info: Alien Solo User Notes.

Need help installing? Check out Installation Notes.
Will it run under your audio host? Check out Compatibility Notes.

Screen-reader friendly version for blind users available here.

NB: STOP!!! Please download, install and test Alien Solo before registering!
*** SERIOUSLY - INSTALL BEFORE PAYING!!! ***

To register your copy of Alien Solo, please send $25 to our PayPal account.
When I recieve notification (mentioning which plugin you want to register), I will generate your unlock code and personally email it to you.

NB: When entering your registration code:
* Use Copy/Paste, don't try to type it
* Please include the "Curly brace" {} characters around the code.

Data Privacy

When you register, I keep a copy of all the details you provide - name, email, address, product purchased, along with the unlock code you are sent.
This data is used for one purpose, and one purpose only: to assist you if lose that unlock code (disk crash, new computer, lost email, mists of time). Every few weeks I get an email requesting this service.
About three times (since 2001) I have sent unsolicited emails (aka spam) informing customers of new or updated products, the last time was in 2005 (I think).
This data is securely stored, and I have not (and will not ever), pass this data on to any third party.

Some unsolicited user testimonials:

I just read about Alien Solo on the kvr-vst forum. I tried it immediately after reading about it -- and bought it !!! I like it *very* much! I hope you will keep putting energy into this one because I think it could be a big hit. :-) James Althoff, songwriter.
I just found out about Alien Solo, and I'm knocked out. Scot Solida, synthesist & sound designer, www.theelectronicgarden.com
I tried your aliensolo plugin, and its pitchtracking is REALLY AMAZING (I think better than Kantos). Andreas Kozmann, producer
Your plugin is just amazing. I recorded this demo (172K) with your demo version. Bulgarian guitar-wiz Dimitar (dimirock.com). Note that Dimitar is using Alien Solo as a guitar synth!
It isn't a poor man's Kantos, Kantos doesn't make as fluid sounds as your VST. Charles Vald, producer of hypnosis & relaxation CDs, www.hypnosishealthcare.com
Here is the tune i made with your synth (the bass leads). A big label actually wanted to sign it, but the contract wasnt up to scratch, so i gave it away for free :) Bad Attitude. Infinity Consciousness, DJ & producer

Change history:
15 September 2010: Version 2.2b - improve registration behaviour in fix face of Windows' increased security features
17 January 2007: Version 2.2a - fix cosmetic problem when displayed on "Large Fonts" (120 DPI) displays
24 April 2006: Version 2.2
    * New skin
    * Bug fix - presets not working in demo mode
    * Bug fix - autotune not restoring settings from user presets
    * Bug fix - stability issue with formant filter (access violation on shutdown)
    * Slightly lower memory useage
13 January 2006: Version 2.1 - fixed bug recalling settings, caused by preset one overwriting recalled values
    * NB: existing users will require a new unlock code - contact me for details
6 March 2005: Version 2.0a - fixed bug accepting registration code on some machines
5 March 2005: Version 2.0:
    * Choice of FFT corellation & zero-crossing pitch-tracking algorithm
    * Mix, FM & Ring mod mode for combining oscillators
    * Gain control to reduce or increase soft-clipping
    * Bug in envelope-follower fixed - smoother envelope tracking
18 December 2004: price dropped to $25
2 March 2004: Version 1.1c - fix potential problem with stereo-only version
5 May 2003: Version 1.1b - streamlined some issues with behaviour when registering
16 March 2003: Version 1.1a - fixed problems with VST versions under WaveLab and Logic
11 March 2003: Version 1.1
    * Fixed problems in VST version with presets not updating display controls
    * Fixed problems in DirectX version under Sound Forge
23 February 2003: Version 1.0 released
8 February 2003: Beta Version (pre-1.0) released

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All content and software Copyright 2010 Trevor Magnusson
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