ebbandflow has released deCADE, a sample-based virtual instrument built from recordings of vintage synthesizers from the 1980s. Its third instrument brings together 127 individually captured synth patches in 100 layered sound sources, each combining recordings from two different synthesizers.
The library draws on a dozen vintage instruments, including the Roland Jupiter-6, Prophet-5, Juno-106, Korg MS-20, Oberheim OB series and Yamaha DX7. The developer has deliberately kept the combinations behind each sound undisclosed, leaving users to explore the presets by ear rather than identify their hardware origins.
Dual-Synth Architecture and Sound Design
Based on the same framework as deFORM, ebbandflow’s debut instrument, deCADE offers several ways to shape its layered sounds. Unison adds up to five additional voices per note, while the Layers function introduces a second independent synth engine for further sound combinations.
The filter section offers models based on those found in the original hardware, with additional saturation and resonance controls. The Variance parameter introduces subtle variations in tuning and other settings to recreate some of the inconsistencies associated with vintage analog synthesizers.
Sound-shaping options also include an amp envelope and a tempo-synchronized LFO for filter modulation. Built-in effects include two Juno-style chorus modes, a tape-modeled stereo delay and a spatial effect for adding ambience.
Rather than using circuit modeling to recreate the original synthesizers, deCADE relies on recorded hardware sounds combined with additional processing and sound-shaping controls. This sample-based approach gives producers access to vintage synth textures without needing to source or maintain the original instruments.
Compatibility and System Requirements
deCADE runs on macOS 12 and later and Windows 10 or 11. It is available in VST, VST3, AU and AAX formats. The minimum system requirements include 8 GB of RAM and 14 GB of storage space. An SSD is recommended for sample streaming.
Tested DAWs include Logic Pro, Cubase, REAPER, Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Studio One.
Pricing and Availability
ebbandflow deCADE is available now as a direct download. The introductory price is $49, down from the regular $69. In Europe, it costs €49 instead of €69, while the UK price is £39 instead of £59, including VAT.
With 100 layered sound sources built from recordings of vintage synthesizers, deCADE offers an alternative to sourcing the original hardware. Its dual-source architecture and sound-shaping tools make it worth considering for electronic music producers, synthwave artists and sound designers working with retro-inspired synthesizer textures.
