MNTRA Instruments Vespera Pro is a hybrid electro-acoustic synthesizer plugin that explores the realm of physical re-synthesis. This innovative instrument combines heavily driven tube modular synth oscillations with resonances from various physical objects, creating a unique sonic palette. Vespera Pro transforms these sources into a deeply expressive polyphonic instrument, offering an unprecedented level of responsiveness to the player’s touch. With its SSM™ (Sample Start Modulation) technology, Vespera Pro provides over 128 velocity layers, surpassing the capabilities of traditional hardware and virtual synths. The Pro edition features an extended 6-octave keyboard range (C0-C6) and up to 13 round robins, capturing the natural variations that occur when retriggering the same key. This version is designed for professionals and live performers who demand the full expressive capabilities of the instrument without compromise.
Pros:
• Unique hybrid electro-acoustic synthesis approach
• Highly responsive to touch with 128+ velocity layers
• Extensive sound library with 140 presets and 83 sound sources
• 6-octave range and up to 13 round robins for enhanced realism
• Intuitive 3-axis universal controls for easy mapping
Cons:
• Requires a powerful system with at least 32 GB of RAM recommended
• Large file size (19.3 GB installed) may be challenging for some users
Vespera Pro is the result of extensive sonic experimentation focused on acoustic synthesis. It merges the raw distortion of tube-driven circuits with the innate resonance of physical objects. The synthesis process involves re-amping each oscillation through a vibrational speaker transducer, resonating through diverse mediums such as drums with various skins, metal springs, and sympathetic vibrations of resonant instruments like a rare giant Indian Ezraj and a Swedish Nyckelharpa.
The sound capture process utilizes a pair of custom Oaka Instruments Tellus pickups with an extended range signal path, employing custom preamps and mastering-grade AD conversion. This meticulous approach results in a diverse array of organic textures and tones that transform the grit of the original distorted modular synth signals into entirely new sounds.
Powered by MNDALA 2’s Animistic Synthesis capabilities, Vespera Pro becomes an extension of the musician’s expression. Its nonlinear features allow each multi-dimensional patch to resonate spontaneously, responding intuitively to the subtlest nuances of touch. The SSM™ powered polyphonic velocity possibilities offer unprecedented subtle articulation, making Vespera Pro exceptionally responsive to playing dynamics.
The plugin includes 140 deeply designed presets that explore a vast sound-texture universe. These patches cover a wide range of sonic territories, from dark and gritty to hauntingly beautiful. Vespera Pro’s expansive sonic palette offers a multitude of unusual reactive variations, pushing the boundaries of traditional modular synthesis. Users can create pulsating rhythms, ethereal atmospheres, gritty textures, and haunting drones, making it a limitless playground for sonic exploration.
Vespera Pro boasts high-quality audio specifications, with samples recorded at 32-bit, 192 kHz using mastering-grade AD conversion. The playback resolution is set at 24-bit, 48 kHz, ensuring excellent sound quality while maintaining reasonable system requirements.
The plugin comes with its proprietary engine, requiring no additional software. It features an intuitive performance GUI with custom animation-driven interface and mouse hover interactions. The 3-axis universal controls allow users to map their favorite controller once for all plugin instances, streamlining the workflow across different projects.
Vespera Pro includes 83 SSM™ powered sample maps, providing a rich foundation for sound design. With 25,174 total samples included, users have access to an extensive library of source material. The large sample pool and multiple round robins contribute to the instrument’s organic feel and reduce the likelihood of repetitive-sounding performances.
Vespera Pro stands out in the crowded field of synthesizer plugins due to its unique approach to sound generation. While many virtual synths focus on emulating classic analog or digital hardware, Vespera Pro carves its own path by combining tube-driven modular synthesis with physical re-synthesis techniques. Compared to traditional virtual analog synths, Vespera Pro offers a more organic and unpredictable sound character. Its use of physical resonance and re-amping techniques results in textures that are difficult to achieve with purely digital synthesis methods. The extensive use of velocity layers and round robins also sets it apart from many other synth plugins, offering a level of expressiveness typically associated with sampled instruments rather than synthesizers. In terms of complexity and depth, Vespera Pro can be likened to high-end modular synth emulations. However, its focus on acoustic resonance and physical modeling puts it in a category of its own. While some plugins like Physical Audio’s Derailer or Audio Damage’s Quanta explore similar territory in terms of combining synthesis with physical modeling, Vespera Pro’s extensive sampling and unique re-synthesis approach make it a distinct offering in the market.
This plugin is best for:
• Sound designers seeking unique, organic textures
• Film and game composers requiring expressive, evolving soundscapes
• Electronic music producers looking to incorporate unusual, responsive synth sounds
• Experimental musicians exploring the boundaries of synthesis and sampling
• Live performers who need a highly expressive and dynamic synthesizer
Vespera Pro represents a bold step in the evolution of virtual instruments, blending the worlds of modular synthesis, physical modeling, and sampling. Its innovative approach to sound generation results in a plugin that is both sonically unique and highly expressive. The combination of tube-driven modular synth oscillations with physical re-synthesis techniques creates a rich, organic sound palette that stands out in a crowded market. Its vast sonic possibilities, from gritty textures to ethereal atmospheres, provide ample room for exploration and creativity. The plugin’s strengths lie in its ability to produce complex, evolving textures and its exceptional responsiveness to player input. With over 128 velocity layers and up to 13 round robins, Vespera Pro offers a level of expressiveness rarely seen in synthesizer plugins. This makes it particularly well-suited for composers and producers who prioritize nuanced, dynamic performances in their work. For those willing to invest the time and resources, Vespera Pro promises to be a deep and rewarding instrument, capable of producing sounds that are truly out of the ordinary.