LinPlug Virtual Instruments

Focussed on the essential modules of a subtractive synthesizer Alpha 3 offers true hands on operation. Everything is where you would expect it, nothing is more complex than it needs to be. Nothing is less powerful than it needs to be. Alpha 3 is the sum of all our experience in synthesizer manufacturing.

Just when you are tired of the over-complex synthesizers of today, and when you want to return to the roots, the beginning of all synthetic sound, the times when a Synthesizer could be fully programmed, then the Alpha 3 is the right synthesizer for you. Get the synth that you can control.

(no flash ? please check mp3's in rightmost tab below)

Specification
News
Downloads
FreeAlpha
Requirements
Purchase
Voices
Sounds
mp3

AU and VST plug-in instrument for Mac and PC
2 Oscillators with numerous waveforms
PWM (symmetry of all waveforms modulatable)
Switchable freerun for both oscillators
Ring Modulation (modulatable Off-AM-RM)
Noise Oscillator (white, pink, brown)
Spread (5 detuned oscillators per voice, adjustable)
Rich sounding multimode filter with saturation
dedicated ADSFR filter envelope
Amplifier section with dedicated ADSFR envelope
11 slot Modulation Matrix, 14 sources, 26 destinations

3 individual LFOs with attack, host-sync, etc..
Portamento / Glide with various modes
adjustable Chorus, no other effects (intentionally)
Adjustable precision ("analog inaccuracy")
Global tuning and Microtonal support
Powerful MIDI Learn for almost all Controllers
sample accurate processing, total recall
allmost all controls automatable
direct access to all banks and presets
32 voice polyphonic (adjustable), true mono mode

Version	Date	Changes
3.3	15.Apr 2014	Major update with the following changes (not all apply to FreeAlpha) new, scale-able User Interface new full window bank/preset browser undo / redo functionality noise now in three colours: white, pink and brown prev/next switch for browsing through waveforms pitch bend range now saved per preset matrix now with 11 slots filter drive/saturation now as destination in the matrix main pan position now as destination in the matrix new random and alternate modulation sources all LFO now with same features controller mapping for modulation wheel and aftertouch/pressure several new setup options FreeAlpha got several features previously only available in the full Alpha
3.2.2	31.Oct 2012	Mac only update: OSX 10.8 certified installers Fixed hangs when switching presets Compatibility enhancements Added MIDI output (parameter feedback) for Audio Units Ended support for PowerPC processors
3.2.1	28.Feb 2012	Mac only update: Fixed detune problem when loading on PowerPC systems (may require removal from rack) Stability improvements Fixed transport sync in RTAS Ended support for PowerPC G3 processors
3.2	1.Nov 2011	Most changes apply to both Alpha and FreeAlpha Additional new 24 db LP Filter type Improved Bank / Preset system now for up to 200 banks 44 new presets of various types (Alpha only!) fixed Release time might be too short in rare cases fixed ECS (MIDI Learn) not being stored permanently on Windows
3.1.5	18.Jul 2011	Mac only update: added support for Mac OSX 10.7 Lion fixed crash when loading aupreset (AU only)
3.1.4	1.Jul 2011	Mac only update: Fixed double click behavior in modulation matrix Stability improvements
3.1.3	2.Jun 2011	Mac only update: 64 bit native Mac version included
3.1.2	6.Dec 2010	fixed crashes in Reaper x64 / Sonar 8.5 x64 fixed MIDI Controller feedback not working in 64 bit version support for asian languages in filenames
3.1.1	24.Feb 2010	fixed audio problem on PowerPC Macs fixed rare sound spikes with certain presets corrected setup GUI (setting default preset on Mac)
3.1	3.Dec 2009	fixed program change issues Mac OSX 10.6 compatibility improved Windows Vista compatibility Windows 7 compatibility improved Digital Performer compatibility native 64 bit version for PC available
3.0.1	5.Apr 2007	Fixed preset restore problem upon song restore in some hosts
3.0	25 Feb 2007	New major release with the following main improvements improved sound quality noise oscillator filter-FM adjustable and modulatable ring modulator increased polyphony (now 32 voices) improved ECS (MIDI learn) now 3 LFO’s larger modulation matrix (now 7 slots) more than 150 new presets

Full and Demo Download

Until a valid serial is entered Alpha works in demo mode, emmiting a "noise sound" once in a while.

Note: The installers also work as an UPDATE-Installer!

User Manual Download

You need a PDF viewer to read it, most likely your computer already has one.

FreeAlpha

This cut down version of our acclaimed Alpha Synthesizer is available for free.

FreeAlpha is the small brother of Alpha, sharing the same engine but having fewer features. Its around since mid 2000 and its being free of charge all time. Thanks to many people upgrading to the full Alpha, we have funds to continue its development. It comes with a couple of prestets to get you started and the manual of the full Alpha which covers FreeAlpha too. Enjoy it !

A Mac or PC computer with at least 750 MHz CPU
An AU or VST capable DAW software like Cubase, Logic, Live, Studio One, Orion, FL Studio etc
Alpha itself requires about 20 Mb memory for the first instance and 10 Mb for all additional instances
a Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or better
Mac OSX 10.6 and newer or Windows XP and newer
Alpha comes as both native 32 bit and 64 bit plugin

The Alpha 3 is exclusively available as download directly from LinPlug.

It comes with a comprehensive 33 page PDF-manual in English

and more than 850 factory preset sounds

The license fee is 79 US$ / 59 Euro

European Union

Japan

International

“Alpha gives you the fuel to ignite that inspiration spark rather than bogging you down with 1001 features that only a lab-coated technician could love.”

Computer Music

Rating 9/10

[ read the full review ]

“It’s a truly premium instrument at a ridiculously low price”

Future Music

[ read the full review ]

Alpha comes with a large number of factory presets, however, there are two additionl sound sets we recommend:

Vivolator Retro Rocket

A set of 160 additional sounds for the Alpha 3, all with a flavour of the 80's and 90's. This carefully crafted set comes with a PDF manual including a list of all sounds and comment for each sound.

[ Download for Mac ]

[ Download for PC ]

23 Arp & Sequences

19 Basses

6 Brass

43 Keys Stabs Grooves

17 Pads

14 Leads

15 Effects

5 Organs

18 Percussions

Demo Song

Arp/Bass Demo

Pads Demo

Keys/Leads Demo

Demo's are Alpha only (plus master limiter), no other instrument. Performed by Vivolator

The License fee is

24.99 US$ / 17.50 Euro

European Union

Japan

International

Ian Boddy Alpha Signature

This set of 200 additional sounds made by Ian Boddy gives you a vast variety of pure and edgy electronica sounds from the mind of one of the UK's most celebrated synthesists.

[ Download for Mac ]

[ Download for PC ]

26 Analogue Fx

20 Atmospheres

20 Bells

20 Drones

30 Pads

20 Percussive Loops

28 Sequences

36 Synth

Travelogue

Alpha Stomp