Aalto
Aalto is a semi-modular software synthesizer with an innovative, patchable UI, distinctive sounds, and a charming personality.
Download the plugin
When you first install the plugin, it will run in demo mode. This means that a gentle reminder sound plays every minute or so, and saving patches is disabled. When you register the plugin, these restrictions are removed.
To update your plugin, just download and run the latest installer above. The latest version will always be right here and updating won't affect your registration.
Buy a license: $99.00
The purchase price includes a license for both Mac OS and Windows.
Your purchase will create a license key that you can get from the "My licenses" page after logging in. To register your plugin, just copy the key and then click in the plugin’s registration area.
I love Aalto; it feels like a software version of a Buchla. Very intuitive to work with. Inspiring interface. – Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Just wanted to say I LOVE the Aalto synth, it gets used a lot in my studio 👍 – mark broom
What a fun synth to program! – Martin Møller Jensen
Aalto has proper Buchla vibes, it’s on so many of my tracks :) – Rrose
I don't consider myself an expert at synthesizing sounds and yet somehow, Aalto has managed to stay out of the way and yet come up with really good sounds - I daresay, intuitively. It's been an excellent experience. – simplymuzic
Having used both software and hardware synths, I can tell you that this is one that I don't judge based on whether it's hardware or software. It's simply a great synth. – Eric Haltmeier
I’ve been using Aalto in a bunch of my film/TV scoring; it’s just got sonic intrigue and integrity. – Dave Lebolt
I get sounds out of Aalto that just aren't possible to make in ******* or *******, for example (I actually tried it haha). It's also a _very_ good educational tool for learning more advanced sound design techniques, as the routings are so easily and quickly visualized. – Xenos Soundworks
…the ratio of killer sounds to time spent patching is oddly high… – David Pape
Aalto - my go to plug in synth. I usually hate VST synths, mostly because of their hollow blown up sound and boring interfaces, but this is the exception to the rule. Great sound, beautiful interface design. – hainbach
I've not enjoyed any synth as much since getting my kyma system. it is stunning. – Alex Smoke
Aalto is the best virtual synth I've used ... The first time I got to spend time with a real Buchla, I thought, wow this sounds like Aalto... – John Tejada
I bought Aalto last year and feel the need for a voyage on it at least twice a week... it's also heavily featured on the new Pink Dots' vinyl album (10/9). Such imagination, deep thought and care in your creations- honestly I can't praise them enough... Please feel free to quote me... – Edward Ka-Spel (Legendary Pink Dots)
About the sound
Aalto’s sound engine lets you create sounds that have been difficult or impossible to make with softsynths before now. The heart of Aalto is a complex oscillator inspired by Don Buchla's designs, with FM, timbre and waveshape controls that enable a wide range of expressive sounds. These sounds are uniquely malleable and alive, in part because they are made with dynamic calculation, not static wavetables.
Aalto is designed as much for sequencing patterns as for playing individual notes. Each voice has a separate, built-in sequencer with a patchable, independently controllable rate and offset. This topology makes it easy to build complex, evolving textures.
Each voice also includes a lowpass gate module with a vactrol emulation in the control path. The vactrol equation slows down the response to incoming control signals through a complex nonlinear filter. You can turn the vactrol response down to instantaneous, or up to a pronounced ring.
Following the lowpass gate is a patchable waveguide / delay module with a waveshaper and a peaking EQ built into the feedback loop. Because it has such short and controllable delay times, unlike a typical analog delay, it can be used as an additional oscillator.
Aalto’s filter is a state-variable topology with mixable simultaneous outputs, a more resonant take on the Oberheim SEM filter.
Subjectively speaking, Aalto can make a wide range of sounds, from lush to edgy, including some very complicated ones, without sounding too thick in a mix. Aalto’s sounds are not hyped or compressed, they are wide-range, open and natural. We hope our approach will appeal to experienced sound designers who have their own favorite EQs and limiters. And for those just getting into synthesis, Aalto is an accurate and honest tool for learning. We have tried to make Aalto a deep instrument that will reward lasting engagement.
Have a listen
Read the friendly manual
Aalto’s manual has over 50 pages full of Aalto lore, tips and tricks, and a complete introduction to patching synthesis! Click to download: AaltoManual.pdf
System requirements
Mac versions require OS 10.9 or higher and a 64-bit VST or AU host application. Windows versions require Windows 7, 8 or 10. If you have any concerns about compatibility, please try the demo on your system.
More info
For info on fulfillment, licensing, transfers, and returns, please visit our policies page.