Invader 2 Subtractive Synthesizer Manual

AI-generated from an image of the synthesizer’s user interface

Introduction

Invader 2 is an 8-voice polyphonic subtractive synthesizer developed by E-Phonic. Designed for ease of use with a knob-per-function interface, it excels at producing bass, lead, and pad sounds through classic subtractive synthesis techniques.

The plugin features two main oscillators, a sub-oscillator, dual filters (with LP2 now selectable between LP1 and LP2 types), modulation options, effects, and an arpeggiator/sequencer. It supports polyphonic stereo unison (up to 48 voices in low-CPU mode) and is available as a VST/AU/AAX plugin for Windows and macOS.

This manual describes all visible controls in the Bass/Drive Bass preset view (version 1.09, registered). Controls are grouped by section for clarity. All dials are rotary knobs (unless noted as switches or sliders), and sliders are linear faders. Default values are approximate based on the provided screenshot.

Key Features:
	•	2 Oscillators (OSC1/OSC2) + Sub Oscillator
	•	Dual Low-Pass Filters (LP1 or LP2 selectable) + LFOs
	•	Envelope Generators (Filter, Amplitude)
	•	Mixer, Unison, Delay, Voice Controls
	•	Modulation (Bend, Mod Wheel, Aftertouch)
	•	Arpeggiator/Sequencer
	•	Built-in Keyboard for auditioning

Getting Started:

	1	Load Invader 2 in your DAW.
	2	Use the preset browser (top-left dropdown) to select sounds.
	3	Play notes via MIDI or the on-screen keyboard.
	4	Adjust knobs for real-time tweaks—changes are immediate.

Demo Mode Note: The demo version outputs noise every 30 seconds; register to unlock full functionality.
Global Controls (Top Bar)

These controls affect the overall patch tuning and behavior.
	•	Scale (Dropdown): Selects the temperament or scale (e.g., Equal Tempered). Default: Not visible (standard).
	•	Main (Dropdown, left) / Filter (Dropdown, right): Preset or mode selectors for main engine and filter section. “Main” likely switches oscillator modes; “Filter” toggles filter types. Default: OSC / LP2.
	•	Assign (Button): Opens modulation assignment menu for routing sources to destinations.
	•	Reuse (Button): Enables preset reuse or morphing (loads variations).
	•	Transp (Slider): Transpose pitch in semitones. Range: ±24 (or more). Default: 0.
	•	Drift (Slider): Adds analog-style pitch drift/variation. Range: 0.0–1.0. Default: 0.0.
	•	Poly (Slider): Polyphony mode. Range: 1–8 voices (or mono). Default: 1 (monophonic in Bass preset).
	•	HQ (Button): Toggles high-quality oversampling mode (increases CPU usage for smoother waveforms). Default: Off.

Oscillators Section

The heart of subtractive synthesis: Generate raw waveforms, then shape with filters.

OSC1 (Left Oscillator)
	•	Type (Dropdown/Switch): Waveform shape. Options: Saw, Square (Pulse Width), Triangle, etc. Default: Saw (inferred).
	•	Freq (Dial): Coarse frequency tuning. Range: 16 Hz–16 kHz (log scale). Default: ~110 Hz (A1).
	•	N/A (Label): No fine tune here; use Drift for variation.
	•	Scale (3-Position Switch): Octave multiplier. Positions: 4’, 8’, 16’ (divides frequency by 2 per step). Default: 8’.
	•	Vol (Slider, bottom): Output level. Range: 0–100%. Default: 100% (full up).

OSC2 (Right Oscillator)
	•	Type (Dropdown/Switch): Waveform shape (sync options available, e.g., Sync Saw). Default: Saw.
	•	Freq (Dial): Coarse frequency. Range: 16 Hz–16 kHz. Default: ~110 Hz.
	•	N/A (Label): Sync or ratio mode indicator.
	•	Scale (3-Position Switch): Octave: 4’, 8’, 16’. Default: 8’.
	•	Vol (Slider, bottom): Output level. Range: 0–100%. Default: 100%.

Sub Oscillator (In Mixer)
	•	Generates a low-frequency waveform (e.g., Triangle/Saw/Pulse) derived from OSC1. Controlled via Mixer Sub level.

Filter Section

Dual low-pass filters (LP1 or LP2 selectable) for subtracting harmonics. The LP2 section now offers a choice between LP1 and LP2 filter types.

Filter LP1
	•	Cut (Dial): Cutoff frequency. Range: 20 Hz–20 kHz. Default: Mid-range (~500 Hz).
	•	Res (Dial): Resonance (boosts cutoff). Range: 0–100% (self-oscillation possible). Default: Low.
	•	F Env (Dial): Amount of Filter Envelope modulation on cutoff. Range: 0–100%. Default: Mid.
	•	Drive (Dial): Overdrive/distortion on filter input. Range: 0–100%. Default: Low.
	•	Key (Dial): Key tracking (cutoff follows note pitch). Range: 0–200%. Default: 100% (full tracking).
	•	On (Switch): Bypasses/enables filter. Default: On.

Filter LP2 (Selectable Filter)
	•	Type (Dropdown): Selects between LP1 and LP2 filter types. LP1 mimics the primary filter’s characteristics; LP2 offers an alternative filter design (e.g., steeper slope or different resonance behavior). Default: LP.
	•	Freq (Dial): Cutoff frequency. Range: 20 Hz–20 kHz. Default: Mid.
	•	Delay (Dial): Envelope delay time. Range: 0–100% (ms to seconds). Default: 0.

LFO1 (Modulation for Filter)
	•	Type (Dropdown): LFO waveform (Sine, Triangle, etc.). Default: Not shown (Sine?).
	•	Freq (Dial): LFO rate. Range: 0.01 Hz–20 Hz. Default: Slow.
	•	Delay (Dial): LFO fade-in time. Range: 0–100%. Default: 0.

LFO2 (Secondary)
	•	Type (Dropdown): Waveform. Default: Not shown.
	•	Freq (Dial): Rate. Default: Slow.
	•	Delay (Dial): Fade-in. Default: 0.
	•	n (Icon): Triangle wave indicator.

Mixer Section

Blends oscillator levels before filters.
	•	Sub (Slider): Sub-oscillator level. Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: -∞ dB (off).
	•	OSC1 (Slider): OSC1 level. Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: 0 dB.
	•	OSC2 (Slider): OSC2 level. Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: 0 dB.
	•	Ring (Slider): Ring modulation between OSC1/OSC2. Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: -∞ dB.
	•	Noise (Slider): Noise generator level (white/pink). Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: -∞ dB.
	•	Main (Slider): Master output level post-mixer. Range: -∞ to 0 dB. Default: 0 dB.

Unison Section

Adds thickness via detuned voices.
	•	Voices (Dial): Number of unison voices. Range: 1–8 (up to 48 in low-CPU mode). Default: 1.
	•	Detune (Dial): Unison spread (cents). Range: 0–100. Default: 0.
	•	Stereo (Dial): Stereo width. Range: 0–100%. Default: 50%.

Diff Delay Section

Stereo delay effect with diffusion.
	•	Time (Dial): Delay time (left/right). Range: 1 ms–2 s. Default: Short.
	•	Feed (Dial): Feedback amount. Range: 0–100%. Default: Low.
	•	Mod (Dial): Modulation depth (pitch wobble). Range: 0–100%. Default: 0.
	•	LP (Dial): Low-pass filter on feedback. Range: 20 Hz–20 kHz. Default: Full.
	•	Mix (Dial): Wet/dry mix. Range: 0–100%. Default: 0% (dry).
	•	▲ (Button): Likely tempo sync toggle. Default: Off.

Voice Section

Per-voice behaviors.
	•	Tune (Dial): Global fine-tune. Range: ±50 cents. Default: A440 Hz.
	•	Glide (Dial): Portamento time. Range: 0–100% (off to legato slide). Default: 0.
	•	Off (Switch): Voice unison bypass. Default: On.

ARP/SEQ Section

Arpeggiator and step sequencer.
	•	Mode (Dropdown): Arp up/down/random or SEQ mode. Default: Off.
	•	Tempo (Dial): Rate (BPM). Range: 30–300. Default: Mid.
	•	Range (Dial): Octave span. Range: 1–4 octaves. Default: 1.
	•	▲ (Button): Play/stop. Default: Off.
	•	3 (Display): Step count or pattern selector. Default: 3 steps.

Modulation Section (Bottom Strip)

	•	Bend (Slider): Pitch bend range. Range: ±12 semitones. Default: ±12.
	•	Mod (Slider): Modulation wheel depth (routable to pitch/filter/etc.). Range: 0–100%. Default: 0.
	•	After (Slider): Aftertouch sensitivity. Range: 0–100%. Default: 0.

Keyboard
	•	On-screen 4-octave keyboard for playing notes without MIDI. Velocity-sensitive.

Additional Notes

	•	Routing: Use the Assign button to create mod routings (e.g., LFO to cutoff).
	•	Presets: Save/load via menu (top-right). The shown preset is “Bass/Drive Bass.”
	•	CPU Optimization: Enable low-CPU unison for more voices.
	•	Waveforms: OSC types include Tri, Saw, PW, Sync Pulse, Sync Saw, Saw-to-Pulse.
	•	Troubleshooting: If no sound, check Mixer levels and filter Cutoff. Ensure Poly is set appropriately for chords.
For advanced tips, experiment with unison on bass patches for fat lows or arp on leads. Visit e-phonic.com for updates and demos. Enjoy synthesizing!