King of VHS: VCR Synth is the latest AUv3 instrument App from AudioKit Pro and it might just be their best yet!
Last year AudioKit sold off a bunch of their older apps to Audiobus, including the fantastic VHS Synth. Despite assurances to the contrary, Audiobus’ parent company Space Mushrooms wasted no time in locking AUv3 functionality for these apps behind a subscription. They also added in weird information tracking requirements that didn’t sit well with me or pretty much any other user either.
Most folks just washed their hands with the app completely after that.
And it was a real shame, as VHS Synth was one of the very best Lo-Fi synth apps out there and one of my personal favourite apps full stop.
AudioKit developer Matthew Fecher has made the excellent decision to release an all new and original Lo-Fi synth app. It not only restores the incredible sampled sounds found in the VHS Synth app, but also brings it bang up to date with a whole host of new features and improvements.
Sound demos shared, new features explored and the drama surrounding this app explained in the video below 👇
Stellar Sounds
The result of a collaboration with musician and producer Brian Funk, the sampled sounds here are still fantastic. Originally created as Ableton live instruments, all sounds from his 80’s VHS synths and VCR wave packs can be found in King of VHS.
They were created by recording samples from various analog synths like the Prophet 6, Novation Bass Station, and Korg Volca FM onto VHS tapes and then exporting them.
So what separates this all new King of VHS app from the old app then?
Well, as well as a noticeable lack of subscription and ad tracking nonsense, AudioKit have added:
There are also hundreds of included presets including an OP-1 themed bank and a selection of VapourPunk presets from iOS music legend Jakob Haq.
Other presets found in the old VHS Synth app are also present and correct, including the ten presets I had the pleasure of contributing.
If you’re familiar with the Matthew Fetcher made batch of AudioKit apps (King of Digital, King of Bass etc) then you’ll feel right at home with King of VHS. There’s even a wee animated mascot that reacts to the sounds you’re making in real time.
Like the other ‘King Of’ apps before it, AudioKit are launching this at a stupidly low intro price of $3.99/£3.99, but even at full price King of VHS is an easy recommendation.
It preserves all of the excellent sounds and Lo-Fi nostalgic appeal of the old and now somewhat obsolete app, while incorporating enough new content to make it an essential for anyone who appreciates adding a touch of genuine retro charm to their music.
King of VHS: VCR Synth is available from the iOS App Store here.
Audiokit Pro supplied me with a pre-release version of King of VHS: VCR Synth to try before release. I paid for the full app with my own money on the day of release.
