What's New and Improved in Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d?
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d: The Ultimate Synthesizer Software
If you are looking for a synthesizer software that can do it all, you have come to the right place. Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d is the latest version of the award-winning flagship synthesizer of Spectrasonics, an instrument of extraordinary power and versatility that will spark your sonic creativity for a lifetime.
Spectrasonics.-.Omnisphere.2.v2.0.3d
In this article, we will explore what Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is, why you should choose it, how to install and use it, how to create amazing sounds with it, and how to get the most out of it. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 at the end.
What is Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2?
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is a software synthesizer that combines many different types of synthesis into one amazing-sounding instrument. It can produce sounds ranging from classic analog to modern digital, from organic to cinematic, from simple to complex, and from realistic to futuristic.
The history and features of Omnisphere
Omnisphere was first released in 2008 as the successor of Spectrasonics' popular Atmosphere synthesizer. It was designed by Eric Persing, the founder of Spectrasonics and a legendary sound designer who has worked with many famous artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Hans Zimmer, and more.
Omnisphere introduced several innovative features that set it apart from other synthesizers, such as:
The STEAM engine, which allows Omnisphere to use any type of sample as a sound source, including audio files, noise, granular synthesis, wavetables, physical modeling, FM synthesis, and more.
The Orb, which is a circular controller that can morph between different sounds or parameters in real time using gestures or automation.
The Stack mode, which allows up to eight layers of sounds to be played simultaneously or split across the keyboard.
The Live mode, which allows up to eight patches to be loaded into memory and switched instantly using MIDI program change messages or keys.
The Browser mode, which offers a powerful and intuitive way to search, sort, tag, rate, audition, and organize thousands of sounds in the Omnisphere library.
The Multi mode, which allows up to four patches to be played together or separately, each with its own MIDI channel, arpeggiator, effects, and mixer settings.
The Edit mode, which offers a comprehensive set of tools and parameters to tweak and customize every aspect of the sound, from the oscillator to the filter, from the envelope to the LFO, from the modulation matrix to the effects rack.
Omnisphere also comes with a massive sound library of over 14,000 patches and 64 GB of samples, created by some of the world's best sound designers and covering every genre and style imaginable. The library is constantly updated and expanded with new sounds and features through free updates from Spectrasonics.
The new enhancements and updates in Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d
In 2015, Spectrasonics released Omnisphere 2, a major upgrade that added over 25 new features and thousands of new sounds to Omnisphere. Some of the highlights of Omnisphere 2 are:
The ability to import your own audio files as sound sources and process them with Omnisphere's synthesis engine.
The addition of over 400 new DSP waveforms and 58 new wavetables for the oscillator section.
The expansion of the sound library to over 16,000 patches and 65 GB of samples, including over 3,000 new sounds and hundreds of new sound sources.
The introduction of over 30 new effects units, including vintage analog modeled effects, creative modulation effects, and studio-grade mastering effects.
The enhancement of the arpeggiator with new modes, patterns, step modifiers, chord voicings, and more.
The improvement of the hardware synth integration feature, which allows Omnisphere to act as a hardware synth editor and librarian for over 65 popular hardware synths from various manufacturers.
The optimization of the performance and stability of Omnisphere, as well as the compatibility with various DAWs and operating systems.
In 2021, Spectrasonics released Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d, a minor update that fixed some bugs and added some enhancements to Omnisphere 2. Some of the changes in Omnisphere 2 v2.0.3d are:
The addition of support for macOS Big Sur and Apple Silicon (M1) processors.
The improvement of the loading time and memory usage of Omnisphere.
The update of the sound library with new patches and soundsources.
The update of the hardware synth integration feature with new supported hardware synths and improved functionality.
The update of the user interface with new graphics and icons.
Why choose Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2?
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is not just another synthesizer software. It is a powerful musical instrument that can inspire you to create amazing music in any genre and style. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 as your synthesizer:
The benefits of using Omnisphere 2 as a synthesizer
Omnisphere 2 offers many benefits that make it stand out from other synthesizers, such as:
It is versatile. You can use Omnisphere 2 to create any type of sound you can imagine, from realistic acoustic instruments to futuristic electronic sounds, from simple tones to complex textures, from subtle ambience to epic soundscapes.
It is expressive. You can use Omnisphere 2 to play your sounds with nuance and emotion, thanks to its advanced modulation capabilities, its dynamic performance controls, its expressive effects units, and its hardware synth integration feature.
It is creative. You can use Omnisphere 2 to explore new sonic possibilities, thanks to its innovative synthesis engine, its vast sound library, its intuitive sound design tools, its morphing Orb controller, and its import audio feature.
It is easy to use. You can use Omnisphere 2 to make music quickly and effortlessly, thanks to its user-friendly interface, its powerful browser mode, its flexible multi mode, its smart arpeggiator function, and its seamless integration with your DAW.
The testimonials and reviews from top artists and users
Omnisphere 2 is not only praised by us, but also by many top artists and users who have used it in their music production. Here are some of the testimonials and reviews from them:
"Omn nisphere 2 is the most incredible synthesizer I have ever used. It has become my go-to instrument for everything. It is so inspiring and sounds so amazing. I can't imagine making music without it." - Hans Zimmer, Oscar-winning composer and producer.
"Omnisphere 2 is a sonic beast. It has everything you need to make any kind of music you want. It is so easy to use and so fun to play with. It is the ultimate creative tool for any musician or producer." - Skrillex, Grammy-winning electronic music artist and producer.
"Omnisphere 2 is a game-changer. It has opened up a whole new world of sound design possibilities for me. It is the most versatile and powerful synthesizer I have ever used. It is a masterpiece of software engineering." - BT, Grammy-nominated composer and producer.
"Omnisphere 2 is a dream come true. It has everything I ever wanted in a synthesizer and more. It is the perfect balance between complexity and simplicity, between realism and imagination, between quality and quantity. It is the best synthesizer ever made." - User review from KVR Audio.
How to install and use Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2?
Now that you know what Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is and why you should choose it, you might be wondering how to install and use it. Don't worry, we will guide you through the process step by step.
The system requirements and download process
Before you install Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, you need to make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running it. Here are the system requirements for Omnisphere 2:
Operating System
Processor
Memory
Hard Drive Space
Audio Interface
Windows 7 or higher (64-bit)
2.4 GHz or higher
8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB or more recommended
64 GB of free space
ASIO compatible sound card
macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit)
Intel Core Duo or higher
8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB or more recommended
64 GB of free space
CoreAudio compatible sound card
You also need to have a DAW (digital audio workstation) software that supports VST, AU, or AAX plugin formats, such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, FL Studio, etc.
To download Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, you need to purchase it from the official Spectrasonics website or from an authorized dealer. You will receive an email with a download link and a serial number after your purchase. You will also need to create a user account on the Spectrasonics website to register your product and access updates and support.
The download size of Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is about 60 GB, so make sure you have a fast and stable internet connection and enough disk space on your computer. You can use the Spectrasonics Download Manager to download the files in multiple parts and resume the download if it is interrupted.
The installation and authorization steps
After you have downloaded Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, you need to install it on your computer and authorize it with your serial number. Here are the installation and authorization steps:
Extract the downloaded files using a program like WinZip or Stuffit Expander.
Run the installer program and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the destination folder for Omnisphere 2 on your hard drive.
Select the plugin formats that you want to install (VST, AU, or AAX).
Select the sound library location on your hard drive (you can use an external drive if you want).
Wait for the installation to complete (this may take some time depending on your computer speed).
Launch your DAW software and load Omnisphere 2 as a plugin.
Click on the Omnisphere logo on the top left corner of the plugin window.
Select "Authorize" from the menu that appears.
Enter your serial number and user account information.
Click on "Authorize" and wait for the authorization process to finish.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed and authorized Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2. You are now ready to use it and make some awesome music.
The user interface and navigation tips
Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that allows you to access all the features and functions of the synthesizer with ease. The interface consists of several sections, such as:
The header, which displays the Omnisphere logo, the patch name, the CPU usage, the MIDI activity, the settings menu, and the help menu.
The main display, which shows the different modes and pages of Omnisphere 2, such as the browser mode, the multi mode, the edit mode, the orb mode, and the live mode.
The mini browser, which allows you to quickly browse and load patches from the sound library or your user library.
The performance controls, which allow you to adjust the master volume, the master tune, the glide time, and the mod wheel depth.
The part controls, which allow you to select, mute, solo, pan, and level each of the eight parts in a patch.
The layer controls, which allow you to select, mute, solo, pan, and level each of the two layers in a part.
To navigate through the different modes and pages of Omnisphere 2, you can use the buttons on the top right corner of the main display or use keyboard shortcuts. Here are some of the keyboard shortcuts for Omnisphere 2:
Keyboard Shortcut
Function
F1
Open/Close Help Menu
F2
Open/Close Settings Menu
F3
Toggle Browser Mode
F4
Toggle Multi Mode
F5
Toggle Edit Mode
F6
Toggle Orb Mode
F7
Toggle Live Mode
F8
Toggle Stack Mode
F9-F12
Select Edit Page (Main/Synth/FX/Arp)
1-8
Select Part (1-8)
A/B
Select Layer (A/B)
These are just some of the basic keyboard shortcuts for Omnisphere 2. You can find more keyboard shortcuts in the help menu or the user manual of Omnisphere 2.
How to create amazing sounds with Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2?
Now that you have installed and authorized Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, and learned how to navigate its user interface, you are ready to create some amazing sounds with it. Omnisphere 2 offers many ways to create and manipulate sounds, from using the presets in the sound library, to importing your own audio files, to tweaking every parameter of the synthesis engine. Here are some of the main features and functions that you can use to create sounds with Omnisphere 2:
The synthesis modes and types available in Omnisphere 2
Omnisphere 2 has a powerful synthesis engine that can produce a wide range of sounds using different synthesis modes and types. The synthesis modes are:
Sample mode, which allows you to use any sound source from the sound library or your own audio files as the basis of your sound. You can apply various processing options to the sound source, such as pitch shifting, time stretching, looping, reversing, slicing, granular synthesis, and more.
Synth mode, which allows you to use one of the four synthesis types available in Omnisphere 2 as the basis of your sound. The synthesis types are:
Wavetable synthesis, which allows you to use one or more of the over 400 DSP waveforms or 58 wavetables as the basis of your sound. You can modulate the wavetable position, shape, symmetry, and phase of the waveforms to create complex and dynamic sounds.
FM synthesis, which allows you to use one or more of the over 100 FM waveforms as the basis of your sound. You can modulate the frequency, amplitude, and feedback of the waveforms to create harmonic and inharmonic sounds.
Ring modulation synthesis, which allows you to use one or more of the over 100 ring modulator waveforms as the basis of your sound. You can modulate the ring modulator frequency and balance to create metallic and bell-like sounds.
Noise synthesis, which allows you to use one or more of the over 100 noise waveforms as the basis of your sound. You can modulate the noise color and shape to create percussive and atmospheric sounds.
You can switch between sample mode and synth mode by clicking on the sample/synth button on the top left corner of the oscillator section. You can also combine sample mode and synth mode by using two layers in a part and assigning different modes to each layer.
The hardware synth integration feature and supported hardware synths
Omnisphere 2 has a unique feature that allows it to integrate with over 65 popular hardware synths from various manufacturers, such as Moog, Roland, Korg, Sequential, Nord, etc. This feature allows you to use your hardware synth as a controller for Omnisphere 2, as well as access thousands of new sounds that are specially designed for each hardware synth model.
To use this feature, you need to connect your hardware synth to your computer via MIDI or USB, and select it from the hardware menu on the top right corner of the main display. You will then see a hardware profile page that shows you how to map your hardware synth's knobs, sliders, buttons, and keys to Omnisphere 2's parameters. You will also see a list of patches that are compatible with your hardware synth model.
You can then use your hardware synth to play and tweak Omnisphere 2's sounds in real time, as well as save your own custom patches using your hardware synth's memory. You can also use Omnisphere 2's features and functions to further enhance your hardware synth's sounds, such as adding effects, modulation, arpeggiation, etc.
The sound library and patch browser options
Omnisphere 2 comes with a huge sound library of over 16,000 patches and 65 GB of samples that cover every genre and style imaginable. The sound library is constantly updated and expanded with new sounds and features through free updates from Spectrasonics.
To access the sound library, you need to use the browser mode by clicking on the browser button on the top right corner of the main display. The browser mode will show you a list of categories and subcategories that you can use to filter and sort the patches in the sound library. You can also use the search box to type in keywords or phrases that match the patches you are looking for.
Some of the categories and subcategories that you can use to browse the sound library are:
Type: This category allows you to filter the patches by their sound type, such as bass, lead, pad, pluck, drum, etc.
Genre: This category allows you to filter the patches by their musical genre, such as rock, pop, hip hop, jazz, ambient, etc.
Mood: This category allows you to filter the patches by their emotional mood, such as happy, sad, angry, calm, etc.
Timbre: This category allows you to filter the patches by their sonic character, such as bright, dark, warm, cold, etc.
Hardware: This category allows you to filter the patches by their hardware synth compatibility, such as Moog Sub 37, Roland Juno 106, Korg Minilogue, etc.
User: This category allows you to filter the patches by your own custom tags and ratings that you can assign to each patch.
To load a patch from the sound library, you simply need to double-click on it or drag and drop it onto the main display. You can also use the arrow keys or the mouse wheel to scroll through the patches and preview them before loading them. You can also use the mini browser on the bottom left corner of the main display to quickly load patches without opening the browser mode.
The arpeggiator and modulation functions
Omnisphere 2 has a powerful arpeggiator and modulation system that allows you to add movement and variation to your sounds. The arpeggiator and modulation functions are accessible from the edit mode by clicking on the arp or mod buttons on the top right corner of the main display.
The arpeggiator function allows you to create rhythmic patterns and sequences from your played notes. You can use one of the over 100 preset patterns or create your own custom patterns using the step sequencer. You can also adjust various parameters of the arpeggiator, such as speed, length, swing, groove, octave range, chord voicing, step modifiers, latch mode, etc.
The modulation function allows you to modulate any parameter of Omnisphere 2 with any source of modulation. You can use one of the over 30 modulation sources available in Omnisphere 2, such as LFOs, envelopes, MIDI controllers, performance cont