Check out the next-generation version of the impOSCar software synthesizer. GForce Software released impOSCar2, the original soft synth's totally revamped successor.

The original impOSCar was a component emulation of the rare and classic OSCar synthesizer with some nice extras, such as polyphony and onboard effects. The impOSCar2 adds even more features and enhancements -- more character, more playability, more expression, and more detailed sound sculpting opportunities -- each designed around the wishes of those musicians, programmers, and producers who loved the original.

ImpOSCar 2 features:

• Two oscillators and 13 waveforms
• New Mono Unison and Poly Unison modes
• New Aux Mod Section with comprehensive routing
• Programmable Additive Wave Matrix Grid
• Nine Filter types with Drive, Cutoff, Q, and Separation
• New Chord Memory and single note retrigger
• 6 Portamento modes with new Unison glide voice spread
• New Unison Voice Pan
• New Note Pan modes
• Programmable Velocity responses and new Aftertouch
• Improved Arpeggiator
• New Instrument and Effects versions
• Small, regular, or large interface sizes
• New Ring Modulator
• New Chorus modes
• Library of over 1,000 patches featuring sounds created by original OSCar users

Along with the instrument version, the impOSCar2 presents an Effects version. You can use it to process drums, vocals, or any other audio source through the filters, envelopes, ring modulator, and more. For certain hosts, including Apple Logic, there is also a side-chained MIDI Controlled Effect available enabling you to route audio through the arpeggiator.

The impOSCar2 also contains an improved Arpeggiator, which includes a Pitch / Play mode for pitch or note orders, together with -1, +1, and +2 Octave Shift selection, as well as the usual Up, Down, Up & Down, and Random note and Octave modes. The new soft synth also features multiple Unision modes.

According to GForce, the various Mono and Poly Unison modes allow you to create anything from screaming-bastard Unison Leads right up to mammoth 8-Voice Poly Unison stacks with 16-note polyphony. What's more, the Unison Detune knob takes unison voice tuning from subtle to insane for the fattest sound ever to come out of a virtual synth, GForce says.

With the Chord Memory button, you can play a chord, memorize it, and then transpose that chord across the keys. An additional feature of this mode is the ability to play extra individual notes to supplement the notes within the triggered chord. ImpOSCar2 receives both polyphonic and channel aftertouch and this, combined with the existing Velocity Response Controls, means that impOSCar2 is a way more expressive instrument than before.

The virtual synth's mega patch library includes a number of exclusive patches created by OSCar and impOSCar luminaries, including Darren Price and Rick Smith (Underworld), I Monster, Paul Hartnol (Orbital), Billy Currie (Ultravox), and many others. The original impOSCar patch library is also included together with the Billy Currie Signature Sounds. Both libraries have been enhanced to take advantage of the additional features such as Aftertouch and extra LFO routing.

Other notable new features include an all-new impOSCar2 Patch Management system, a dedicated Program Change window, three user interface sizes, new synthesis features, a two-mode ring modulator, additional LFO modes, and new Sync options.

You can purchase the Mac version of ImpOSCar 2 from GForce for €139 (approximately $199). A PC version will follow at a later time. For more information, visit gforcesoftware.com.

According to Music Radar (musicradar.com), a physical impOSCar controller is on its way too. "Designed specifically for use with ImpOSCar 2, it comes from a new company called Touch Digital Controllers and features 83 knobs, seven LED-lit buttons, two punch in / out switches and nine momentary buttons (that's 101 controllers in total). All controllers are voltage-controller components, and the knobs are custom-made aluminium affairs. The vintage look is completed by thick oak and mahogany wood end-cheeks and inserts.

"Because the controller supports MIDI Learn, you can use it with any other software instrument too, but this hand-crafted piece of hardware has been designed to mirror ImpOSCar 2's interface as closely as possible. It's not cheap -- £749 plus tax and shipping -- but we can already imagine that the experience of using it in combination with GForce's software is going to be pretty special."