Melatonin has officially launched Sine Machine, an innovative additive synthesizer that has emerged from over six years of dedicated research and development. Now out of early access, this powerful software instrument is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms. Designed to demystify additive synthesis, Sine Machine offers a unique blend of user-friendliness and profound sonic capabilities, making it accessible for newcomers while providing depth for experienced sound designers. Furthermore, a free 14-day demo allows users to explore its features without any limitations.

A Fresh Approach to Additive Synthesis

Additive synthesis often carries a reputation for being technically complex and challenging to master. However, Sine Machine aims to redefine this perception. Its interface is built around colorful, real-time visualizers that intuitively display the sonic processes, thereby helping users understand the intricate mechanics of additive sound generation. Sudara Williams, the founder of Melatonin, emphasized a return to first principles, aspiring to create an instrument that feels tactile and inspiring rather than a mere laboratory tool. Consequently, Sine Machine encourages experimentation and creative sound shaping.

Creative Sound Design Features

Sine Machine excels at crafting a diverse range of sounds, from evolving pads and shimmering textures to detailed leads and intricate effects. Its core strength lies in its per-harmonic controls, which enable the creation of timbres often unattainable with traditional subtractive or wavetable synthesizers. For instance, users can design lush, shifting drones or glitchy, animated patterns with precision. The synth employs an unusually direct approach to additive synthesis, utilizing up to 10,000 time-domain oscillators and 20,000 LFOs playable in real-time, rather than relying on resynthesis or FFT analysis.

Features

• 20 voices of polyphony, each with 511 time-domain oscillators.
• Bulk-editing of per-harmonic ADSR, volume, and pitch LFO.
• Additive “reverb” crafted from 1000 sine waves.
• Additive “filters” including brickwall and Gaussian band-pass shapes.
• Per-harmonic Gaussian pitch noise for organic and lo-fi textures.
• Harmonic arpeggiation for animated, cascading patterns.
• 140+ factory presets.
• Hackable plaintext JSON presets for deep engine experimentation.
• MTS-ESP microtonal support and MPE compatibility.
• Keyboard and screen reader accessibility.

Technical Specifications and Availability

Compatibility is a key aspect of Sine Machine, supporting VST3, AU, and CLAP plugin formats across macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (10 and later), and Linux (64-bit distributions). It also functions as a standalone application on all three operating systems. Installation includes up to three activations per license, with online and offline licensing options available. While the synth is generally CPU-efficient, older Intel machines might experience higher CPU usage when playing bass notes with numerous unison voices. Currently, AAX format is not natively supported, though a wrapper like PluginBuddy can be used for ProTools users.

Price
Starting at: 60.00 USD

Melatonin maintains a straightforward pricing model for Sine Machine, beginning at $60 USD. There are no traditional sales or Black Friday deals, reflecting a commitment to consistent value. The product’s development journey, spearheaded by Sudara Williams, spanned over six years, emphasizing thoroughness and a focus on creating a truly enjoyable user experience.

More info: Melatonin | Sine Machine