Six oscillators, 12-voice polyphony, MPE and a 914-style fixed filter bank bolster Synapse Audio The Legend HZ, an upgraded Minimoog emulation.
Synapse Audio The Legend HZ
The Moog Minimoog must be the most-modelled synthesizer in the soft synth universe. Many go for authenticity in their emulation. Others add extras like polyphony and additional modulation. Synapse Audio has done both with The Legend HZ, an upgrade to its 2016 virtual analogue original. And yes, the HZ in the name stands for Hans Zimmer.
Six Oscillators? Oh My
The first thing you’ll notice on The Legend HZ is the addition of extra oscillators, upping the count from the original three to a swarmtastic six. Given that they’re Minimoog oscillators, they can also act as LFOs, meaning you won’t have to steal any sound sources for advanced synthesis.
With those additional oscillators come more voices. The Legend HZ ups the polyphony count from the original soft synth’s four to a very pleasing 12. Of course, it can do mono (it’s a Minimoog after all) but there’s also a Unison mode complete with detune and spread.
What Else Is New?
While the original 2016 The Legend took things further than the physical version (as Robin talked about in the original news story), 2024’s version now comes with a modulation matrix, a 32-step sequencer, an MSEG (that’s Multi-Segment Envelope Generator, as on synths like Massive and Pigments), and an expanded effects section.
Speaking of effects, while the new section is pretty comprehensive-looking with all the usual suspects like chorus, reverb, delay and compression, I’m most intrigued by the fixed filter bank. Based on Hans Zimmer’s personal module, it’s an emulation of a Moog 914 Fixed Filter Bank. Essentially a bank of 12 bandpass filters, you can create formant filter-like effects with it and much more.
Finally, The Legend HZ features MPE.
Not That Dune
Synapse Audio have a soft synth called Dune. Hans Zimmer did the soundtrack for a movie called Dune. Clearly, the two were meant to work together. Zimmer has lent not only his support and some presets to the The Legend HZ but also his initials.
You can see him in the promotional videos below.
Price and Availability
Synapse Audio The Legend HZ is now available in VST, AU and AAX formats for $179. Owners of the original The Legend can upgrade for $79.
More Information
Image Sources:
- Hans Zimmer demonstrates Synapse Audio The Legend HZ: Synapse Audio
- Synapse Audio The Legend HZ effects section: Synapse Audio
