A Powerful Analog-Modeled Synth Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Based On An 80s Classic
“BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin” is a gritty, dark, twisted and charming recreation of a cult classic synth, packed with features that are fast to program and dripping with color.
Features
- The first proper analog-modeled emulation of the CS01, a beloved and cultish 1982 monosynth
- Vastly expands the sonic palette of the original – thanks to careful upgrades and new features
- Includes a colorful FX section inspired by budget 1980s hardware
- Fun and easy to program, yet surprisingly versatile
- 500+ high quality presets and a Re-Gen function for instantly generating new patches
- If you want authentic, lofi-leaning, synth textures in a plugin, this is it!
30% off “BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin” by Baby Audio
A Synth With A Soul
The Legacy
BA-1 is based on a portable 1980s synth with a toy-like appearance and a gritty sound. Despite its small size, it left a big mark on music history, while still flying somewhat under the hype radar.
The original has been used as a secret weapon for bubbly synth textures by some of Sweden’s most successful pop producers of the past two decades. It was also a staple of 1990s digital dancehall and beloved by the indietronica scene for its raw lo-fi quality.
The ‘CS01’ – as the original is called – has never been properly captured in software form. So for their first ever synth, Baby Audio started there.
The Sound
In keeping with Baby Audio’s motto ”it’s an evolution, not an emulation”, they modeled the hardware with the greatest possible accuracy, before carefully upgrading it with new and useful features.
A second analog-modeled oscillator, FM, polyphony, and more, help to vastly expand the sonic palette of the original. All while keeping its signature sound unspoiled.
Additionally, BA-1 lets you drain the battery, bend the circuits, and use the built-in speaker – for an authentic lo-fi aesthetic that you could normally only get with hardware.
The Effects
If you know Baby Audio, you’ll know that effects are their specialty. So they’ve treated BA-1 with an FX section worthy of its own plugin.
The effects chain is inspired by budget 1980s rack hardware and captures the lo-fi charm of the home studio scene of the era. The overdrive is modeled after a guitar pedal, while the delay, reverb and chorus effects are based on cheap, but amazing, digital rack units.
In BA-1, the effects are not an afterthought but an ingrained part of the sonic signature. So tweak, use, and abuse them.
The Simplicity
BA-1 is simple, but surprisingly tweakable. Baby Audio have put great effort into tuning all parameters to be in the perfect sweet spot. This results in a rewarding programming workflow where tweaking BA-1 is a lot of fun and you’ll create new patches on repeat.
And if a simple interface is not fast enough, you can always use the smart ‘Re-Gen’ feature. Hit Re-Gen and BA-1 will automatically create new and musically tuned patches with every click.
Included Preset Packs
BA-1 comes loaded with 500+ presets, including specialty packs created by some of the top sound designers in the industry.
- BA-1 Factory Presets
- Sami Rabia 90s Nostalgia Pack
- Michael Oakley Synthwave Pack
- Pegboard Nerds Bass Music Pack
The BA-1 Features In Depth
Oscillator Section
Meticulously modeled to offer the raw grit and drift that made the original hardware so beloved. The triangle and PWM waveforms are particular highlights if you want a classic 80s dub sound.
A second oscillator has been added in BA-1 – compared to the original – for more flexible sound design options.
FM
FM adds complexity and depth to the classic analog subtractive architecture, giving you more sound design options. Dial-in the FM-oscillator either an octave above or below Oscillator 1 to add some plasticky 80s texture.
Filter Section
Analog-modeled and nicely rounded 24dB low-pass filter. The resonance offers a gritty bite and will start to self-oscillate when pushed towards the 95-100% range – just like the real hardware.
Envelope Section
Lets you shape the sound with the same quirky side effects as in the original hardware. Additionally, Baby Audio have added the option to host-sync the attack time to your DAW’s BPM. This allows for sweeping sounds that rise in perfect sync with your music.
LFO Section
A simple and intuitive LFO section that is easy to master and hard to mess up – like the original synth. Baby Audio have added the possibility to sync the LFO to the host BPM for more modern applications.
Tone + Drive Effects
BA-1’s FX section would probably be worthy of its own retro-color plugin. It is inspired by cheap 1980s rack effects and guitar pedals. ‘Tone’ offers two shelving filters to easily make BA-1’s character darker or brighter.
‘Drive’ adds gritty analog-modeled distortion and has two modes: ‘Circuit’ models the effect of circuit bending the original hardware, while ‘OD’ models an 80s overdrive pedal.
Delay + Reverb + Chorus Effects
The grainy delay, reverb and chorus combo is THE sound of the 1980s! Baby Audio have recreated this epic FX combo in BA-1 – modeled after budget rack hardware from the era. Engage all three effects at once and you’ll have a hard time programming a dull sounding patch.
Sidechain
Synths sound better when they ‘move with the mix’. That’s what the Sidechain feature is for. It can work in ‘External’ or ‘Internal’ mode. By default, Sidechain is set to ‘Internal’ and will create an automatic 4/4 ducking pattern synced to your host tempo.
This can be dialed-in to taste. Click the ‘Routing’ label to switch to ‘External’ mode and duck BA-1 when a sidechain input is present. Place the sidechain either before or after the FX section by clicking the routing switch.
Battery
The original synth was portable and could be powered by batteries. But they never lasted long – and weird sonic artifacts were introduced as the power deteriorated. Baby Audio have modeled this behavior and exaggerated it slightly for a better effect. Drain the battery to achieve pitch fluctuations, noise and distortion the further down you go.
Speaker
Sometimes a mix needs some ‘moving air’ to come alive. While the original hardware’s speaker was by no means high quality, it had a quirky and pleasant lo-fi vibe. Baby Audio have modeled it in all its rough glory. When using BA-1, you can click the speaker button to switch from line to speaker output.
Re-Gen
Create new and unique patches with every click. Unlike a regular randomizer, Re-Gen hosts a smart algorithm, calibrated to come up with usable and musical patches. When you’re stuck for inspiration, click Re-Gen and let it take you in a new direction.
500+ High Quality Presets
BA-1 comes with a ton of new musical inspiration in the form of 500+ carefully crafted presets. This includes 4 genre-based expansion packs created by top sound designers in the industry. Whether you’re into synthwave, modern pop, lo-fi hip hop or 80s/90s nostalgia, Baby Audio got you covered.
4 Color Options
After long hours in the studio it can be nice to see something new. BA-1 lets you switch between gray, blue, purple and orange color modes to keep things fresh.
Utility Settings
Switch between Mono and Poly mode (the original hardware was mono only). Turn Velocity Sensitivity on or off. Open the Midi Settings. Or reset BA-1 to its initial state.
Resizability
Plugin window fully resizable (click+drag bottom right icon).
For more information read the [User Manual].
Still not convinced? Try the [Free Trial] (email required).
30% off “BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin” by Baby Audio
So What Exactly Can I Do With “BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin”?
The “BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin” has a gritty character that is perfect for bubbly and growling bass in the following music genres:
- Electronic music
- Hip Hop
- Rock
- Techno
- Downtempo
- Synth Pop
Note: Please be aware you will be required to visit an external website in order to create an account, redeem and download your product. We do not host the download at VSTBuzz!
"BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin" by Baby Audio
30% off "BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin" by Baby Audio
Normally €90– get it at 30% off before it’s gone!
- 30% off the normal price (normally €90)!
- The first proper analog-modeled emulation of the CS01, a beloved and cultish 1982 monosynth
- Vastly expands the sonic palette of the original – thanks to careful upgrades and new features
- Includes a colorful FX section inspired by budget 1980s hardware
- Fun and easy to program, yet surprisingly versatile
- 500+ high quality presets and a Re-Gen function for instantly generating new patches
- If you want authentic, lofi-leaning, synth textures in a plugin, this is it!
- Still not convinced? Try the [Free Trial] (email required)
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
- Mac OS 10.7 and up (including Native M1 Compatibility)
- PC Windows 7 and up
- Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
- DAWs supported: All major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper, Reason etc.
- Note: Please be aware you will be required to visit an external website in order to create an account, redeem and download your product. We do not host the download at VSTBuzz!
- Perfect for Electronic music, Hip Hop, Rock, Techno, Downtempo, Synth Pop and more!
What People Think About 30% off “BA-1 Synthesizer Plugin” by Baby Audio
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"If what you’re after is a cheap, straightforward and charming virtual analogue synth that will put a smile on your face and deliver instant gratification, BA‑1 is hard to beat."
Sound On Sound
Music Industry Blog
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"Baby Audio’s first synth might follow in the footsteps of the CS-01 as an under-the-radar classic. Its gritty, dark, twisted and charming, just how we like our synths."
Music Radar
Music Industry Blog
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"By exploiting what was already good about the original and running with it plus considerably expanding the synthesis possibilities, Baby Audio have made an unexpected powerhouse of a synth."
Attack Magazine
Music Industry Blog
