KV331 Audio Synthmaster 3

What SynthMaster 3 Is For

KV331 SynthMaster 3 is a virtual instrument designed to cover all sound design and music production needs, from sharp analog leads to moving cinematic pads, including modern basses, fast plucks, granular pads, and hybrid textures based on samples. Thanks to its layer structure and modular architecture, it fits perfectly into EDM, pop, or hip-hop projects as well as film scoring, video games, and ambient music.

Main Features

Multi-layer modular architecture and visual routing

Each instance can host up to 16 layers. You can create a new layer or duplicate an existing one to quickly build variations, unison stacks, or zone-split combinations. Inside each layer, SynthMaster 3 allows up to 16 modules, enabling you to build a truly customized generation and processing chain.

The Routing tab displays the audio flow clearly: adding, deleting, bypassing, activating, replacing modules, and creating connections are done directly in the view. The result is a workflow suited both for busy producers and sound designers who want to control every step of the signal path.

Powerful generators: from granular to VAnalog

SynthMaster 3 combines several oscillator families to create rich and modern timbres. The Granular Oscillator applies granular synthesis to a single sample, multi-sample, or wavetable, with up to 16 voices and up to 32 grains per voice, for a maximum of 512 grains per oscillator. Spread parameters (volume, pan, detune, position, grain length, start) and per-grain randomization facilitate creating organic pads, controlled glitches, or cinematic transitions.

The VAnalog Oscillator generates its waveforms in real time via curve segments to emulate analog circuit behavior. It offers 2 morphable shapes, an independent sub oscillator, and a quality/oversampling setting to balance precision and CPU load. Ideal for expressive leads, solid basses, and vintage-typed polys while remaining highly modulable.

Modulation and animation: envelopes, LFOs, Scaler

Each layer can use up to 32 modulation sources to bring the sound to life. ADSR envelopes, multi-stage envelopes, classic LFOs, Step LFO, and Noise LFO (sample & hold with various noise types, bit reduction, and attack/decay tracking) allow for subtle musical modulation or intentionally chaotic instability.

The Scaler module (evolution of the Keyscaler) goes further: instead of being limited to keytracking, it can take another source as input and act as a modulation waveshaper. A powerful approach to sculpt complex curves, transform an LFO into "hand-played" movement, or make modulation more percussive.

Effects and filters: character, grain, and polyphonic movement

Effect modules include several filter families (digital, VAnalog, state variable, ladder, diode ladder, comb, phaser filter, formant filter, etc.) as well as a modern waveshaper. The Waveshaper offers various distortion algorithms (soft, heavy, fuzz, fold, rectify, clip, bitcrush) and a Custom mode allowing you to draw your own curve, symmetric or asymmetric, to go from soft saturation to controlled aggressive design.

The Phaser Filter acts as a polyphonic phaser (voice-by-voice processing), perfect for wide unisons and rotating pads. The Formant Filter, based on a parallel bank of filters, lets you create vocal timbres by selecting start and end vowels, then morphing between them-a very effective tool for talking leads and organic textures.

Arpeggiator and sequencer per layer, with MIDI outputs

Each layer has its own sequencer and arpeggiator. MIDI signal passes first through the sequencer then the arpeggiator, and each step can receive random values (trigger, hold, slide) to generate natural variations. A strong point for evolving patterns, ostinatos, and electronic grooves, plus a dedicated MIDI output channel per layer to route generated data to other DAW tracks.

Preset browser and backward compatibility

The preset browser includes advanced search by product, author, bank, instrument type, attributes, styles (genres), and name. SynthMaster 3 can display and load SynthMaster One and SynthMaster 2 presets when these products are installed and authorized, importing them as full presets or directly into a layer. Instant preview is available for presets with NKS previews, convenient for quick auditioning without interrupting creative flow.

Integrated editors: waveform, wavetable, multi-sample

SynthMaster 3 includes comprehensive tools to create your raw material. The Waveform Editor allows designing single-cycle waveforms via curve segments or freehand drawing, with spectrum editing. The Wavetable Editor generates wavetables from single-cycle shapes or audio files, then offers several effects (spectral filter, waveshaper, modulator, bender, shifter, loFi, sync) to sculpt them before saving in the internal format or exporting as WAV (2 to 256 frames). Finally, the Multi-Sample Editor simplifies drag-and-drop import, root note reading, and export in SFZ format.

Technical specifications