BAF2024 - Wavesequencer Hyperion - Impressive Modular Software Synth

www.tracktion.com/products/hy...
At Buchla & Friends 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to chat to Paul from Wavesequencer about the Hyperion modular synth. The Hyperion is a VST-3 and AU plugin(also standalone) that is optimized for multiprocessing, allowing for up to 32 voices and 16 layers. Each layer acts as an individual modular patch with unlimited nodes, and there is also an arpeggiator and MPE mode for added versatility. The synth offers a wide range of synthesis types and comes with over 150 node types for patch design. It can be used for both complex and simple sounds, with the capability to handle sample playback and act as an effects processor as well. With its robust features and affordable price tag of $129, the Hyperion offers immense value and has been flying under the radar until now.
For more information about the Hyperion synth and to check out demo videos, visit Wavesequencer on Tracktion Market place.
There's also Theia, a patch player product that provides access to Hyperion's patches at half the price. Theia is a curated set of patches with more musical presets. For keyboard players, while still offering the flexibility to edit levels, arpeggiation settings, and more. To learn more about Theia, visit the Traction marketplace.
Overall, the Hyperion synth impressed with its powerful capabilities, clean UI design, and the dedication of its one-man developer. As a synthesizer, effects processor, and patch player, the Hyperion offers a range of possibilities for both keyboard players and those interested in generative ambient patch generation. With wavesequencer.com as a resource for demo videos, users can get a better sense of the synth's potential.
www.tracktion.com/products/hy...
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[@HyperionSynth]

About the CPU load, actually on these modern mixed architecture chips the audio load can appear artificially high when only running one plugin instance as threads initially get allocated to efficiency cores if the synth load is not high, and actually playing heavier patches or more plugin instances can make the CPU audio load go down to begin with as threads will get dynamically promoted to performance cores meaning they run at a faster CPU rate. So what you see here load wise looks a lot higher than it really is (and the au version of the plugin uses the 'Audio-workgroups' API to ensure better thread management). BTW apologies for speaking over Nick a few times - it was a noisy background environment and difficult to hear him sometimes. Thanks to Sonicstate for this chance to share Hyperion to a wider audience!

[@randomaztec2208]

kudos to you

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Incredible work you've done there Paul, much respect!

[@OCTO8R]

Never regretted since I've purchased it. Incredible Synth!!! Thank You for your synth 💜

[@Angelstarscotland]

That looks and sounds absolutely phenomenal what a sound creation tool and all by one man. I am blown away ❤

[@aquaticborealis4877]

It’s an incredible synth. One of my favourites. Unbelievable it’s just one guy doing this.

[@Angelstarscotland]

@@aquaticborealis4877 I think this might be on my purchase list soon

[@sudhanva-bhat]

Amazing person with amazing plugin

[@mmessam]

this looks and sounds revolutionary.

[@vraalten]

Stunning and heavily underrated synth! I bought this and this synth is completely original , a true work of love and a true workhorse for a very fair price! And this very friendly and talented developer keeps updating this already powerful synth! A no brainer!

[@David-nu5cj]

This has a really good sound. Really deep control and I like the interface.

[@RobinParmar]

As an electroacoustic composer who has used Csound, pd, Max, AudioMulch, Reaktor, and more, I can say.... beautiful design and incredible value.

[@bitegoatie]

This has grown enormously since I last checked. It looks very impressive, with very little downside. There are so many huge, do-a-million-things synths now, but this certainly looks like a modular environment worth buying.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Holy cow batman.... that's some monster flying under the radar right there! Kudos and respect to Paul, immense work!

[@Zerosixdna]

Amazing modular synth! Kudos to Paul, great person!

[@simonlegrec]

Amazing tool - fav synth

[@itinerantghost]

Some incredible patches here! This really is fun synth folks. Cool to see Paul demoing it as well 🔥

[@arcticfoxstudios2018]

Great interview guys! Hyperion really is a powerful instrument.

[@guysmiley7289]

It reminds me of the programming interface for the Nord Modular.

TOTALLY IMPRESSED , after seeing this i bought Theia and Hyperion the price is absolute fine for such decent software it opens up possibilities i love to explore let's create with it

[@fburton8]

Wow, just wow!

[@bugglebegger143]

kind of in the same category as Falcon (lol - yeah) and Omnisphere but ultimately just seems better than both of those in many ways. Very curious about this. My main issue with a lot of these VST "megasynths" in that category is that something like say Synplant seems to have just a bit more options in the odd things you can do with modulating various parameters on the oscillators themselves. So it largely does come down to oscillator options and oscillator design. An oscillator with 10 parameters that interact is a lot more interesting than your usual suspects. Sounds amazing. Thanks for showing this!

[@djjuno106]

Love this synth,it sounds massive and i see comments saying its a cpu hog but its fine on my pc. I jusf wish there was tutorials on youtube showing it off more and exploring just how deep it is.

[@wavesequencer]

There are quite a few demos and patching example videos on the Hyperionsynth channel.

[@notsure1135]

Been sleeping on Traktion. Just checked the site, chop suey for kicks… This looks good as well…

[@Imperceptible_parachute]

Yum!

[@rattlededge-somemikeratled1630]

interface audiomulchlike...nice

[@r2worksee]

The UI is everything I wanted PD to be. Would be great to export to PD or Max to use with external hardware

[@HyperionSynth]

It's a little bit higher level than Max or PD, so not possible/compatible. For example Oscillators already implement multi-oscillator stereo unison detune, waveshaping, osc sync and bit crush - which would be a more complex patch vs just a single node in Hyperion.

[@3tree]

V v impressive.

[@3tree]

Bought it after watching this, it’s superb. Just one day in the presets alone are v inspiring and it’s v v deep with more customisation than I’ll ever likely bottom out. Amazing work.

[@scottk3292]

I've been wondering how this compares with Reaktor Prime nodes, but I'm getting more convinced that this is going to take better advantage of the newer CPUs. Can you construct algorithms like Karplus-Strong synthesis, or will the sanity-check prevent feedback-loops?

[@wavesequencer]

There's a built in plucked string model (ready made Karplus-Strong model) and a comb filter with in-built feedback (you can push noise (and other tones) into it and get a tone based on the frequency input pin value) - either can be used for Karplus-Strong. Audio feedback loops are possible (you need to be a bit careful with that), but audio rate modulation is catered for directly in nodes such as the ring mod node, and the 4 operator FM node. There's also a flute model and a tube resonator for other kinds of physical sounds.

[@scottk3292]

@@wavesequencer Thanks for the info, I'll definitely be picking this up. I have some ideas on physical modeling, so I'd definitely want to create my own algorithms and experiment with those. If I come up with anything "exciting" (see what I did there?) I'll be sure to pass it on.

[@wavesequencer]

@@scottk3292 This is not the same kind of synth as Max MSP though - you can't really create low level algorithms - you can combine node chains in the effects bus with feedback to create a shimmer reverb for example, and the comb filter node will resonate and function at specific frequencies per voice, but you don't have low level access to defining how nodes operate. This was a conscious decision to avoid heavy CPU load and to make the modular synthesis more approachable. Nodes process audio on a block basis, so there is no audio rate modulation between nodes - the audio rate algorithms (FM/ring mod) are pre-coded and work within already defined nodes. There are math & logic function nodes for modulation (including an expression parser), but again, modulation rate is limited and only just touches low audio rates. (See the '2023 in review' video on the Hyperion YT channel showing comb filter usage around 12:25 mark.)

[@wavesequencer]

@@scottk3292 not sure where my previous reply disappeared to, possibly auto-moderated out due to mentioning another video where you can see the comb filter being used to make a pluck sound. Anyway, just wanted to clarify that you can't define your algorithms at the node level, and audio is processed on a block basis with all audio rate modulation only possible within the code in the pre-defined nodes. Feedback loops could enable you to make a shimmer reverb for example, but this is not as low level as Max MSP for example and modulation nodes/data control process at a block rate (with interpolation) - but only just barely reach audio rate. These limitations are to enable the best performance - it's a conscious design compromise and also to keep the synth high level enough to make it comparatively easy to use.

[@scottk3292]

@@wavesequencer Thanks very much for clarifying. I found Reaktor Core to be pretty unapproachable (and would expect Reaktor Prime to either be lower in sample rate or get a bit choppy when things get complex), and I'm just a Python guy, hardly touched any C++. That's just to say that I can understand your reasoning, and can somewhat imagine how audio-rate data transmission for deep algorithms would shoot CPU usage through the roof. I'm still going to give it a go, as it seems very powerful in the "build-a-synth" category. I'm also looking into building algos in Python to do non-real-time rendering to wav files. Maybe that's a good direction for my explorations. Anyway, thanks very much for your time! I hugely appreciate all the help and info.

[@argumentchannel]

Is this another reworking of pure data or Max MSP?

[@wavesequencer]

It's coded from the ground up - nothing to do with any other products.

[@ZXZ-im5gn]

[@clivemathieu9386]

Sounds like reverb

[@edmontontech2008]

It's Baby Audio. They are scam artists. HARD PASS.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

This is not Baby Audio

[@sonicstate]

What on earth makes you think its Baby Audio?

[@ChoiceFantastic]

@@sonicstate I will say the "brought to you by" splash at the beginning is very short in duration and then goes straight to the Baby Audio & soundtoys bits. I was confused at first too and I already have Hyperion 🙂

[@edmontontech2008]

@@aquaticborealis4877 It literally says "New Synth by Baby Audio" at 0:03.

[@edmontontech2008]

@@sonicstate It literally says "New Synth by Baby Audio" at 0:03.