> Free software PC MAC
Our top-drawer giveaways reach something of a pinnacle this month as we bring a fabulous full-fat freebie from Tone2…
> Icarus from Tone2 is a super flexible and highly editable wavetable synth with a straightforward layout. It’s easy to program, sounds great and comes packed with over 1,000 presets.
The current full release version (v2.5) is normally €199, but rather than bringing you a lite version of this, we’ve actually secured the final build of version 1 (v1.6), and it’s yours absolutely free with this issue. What’s more our giveaway also entitles you to a heavily discounted upgrade path to v2.5.
Icarus 1.6 (VST, AU with M1 support via Rosetta) features three oscillators, two filters, four envelopes, three regular LFOs and one step LFO, with further sound shaping from three effect modules and output EQ. There’s also a decent 18-slot modulation matrix, 32-step arpeggiator and if you like editing, then each oscillator can be modified using the waveform, spectrum or phase editors. The instrument is peppered with module specific presets and sub menus, and can also import .WAV audio for its resynthesis and vocoder options.
In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to get your free copy up and running. We’ll then have a look at the basic layout and take a deeper dive into what’s included. In the focus walkthroughs, we’ll then investigate the presets and templates, and finally dig down into the wavetable, resynthesis and vocoding options.
Icarus has amazing depth and we can only touch on some of the features in this tutorial. For more information on all Tone2 instruments, expansions and effects, and details of how to upgrade to Icarus v2.5, head to www.tone2.com.
> Step by step
1. Installation
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> To get started, head over to our content service and this month’s page at bit.ly/cm329downloads. With the current issue to hand, answer the quiz questions and then follow the instructions to grab your Tone2 Icarus installer and activation keyfile. Save the keyfile somewhere obvious as you need it in step 2. Now run the installer.
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> Launch your DAW and load an instance of Tone2 Icarus. A splash screen will appear with two options. Click on the lower one, which is the activate option. Now follow the dialogue instructions, navigating to the keyfile you have already downloaded. Select the keyfile and reload the plugin to complete the activation.
> Step by step
2. Familiarisation
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> Much like other Tone2 synths, Icarus uses a single-window layout with all features easily accessible and plenty of dropdown menus. This is supplemented by full window screens where required. Try selecting the oscillator Edit button top centre, or the Browser button on the far left and you’ll see what we mean.
2
> Now
