In this video for Production Expert, Brent March takes a look at Slate Digital's ANA 2 Ultra Bundle, the most recent update to the multi-oscillator synthesizer plugin ANA 2, with over 400 new sounds, wavetables, samples, and 6 colourful new skins.
ANA 2 is a wavetable synthesizer, making it capable of producing harmonically rich waveforms from its feature-rich oscillators. It also features a sample engine, which allows users to import their own recordings. Combining both oscillators make ANA 2 incredibly versatile and the driving force behind all of the new sound banks
All of the usual features we’d expect to see from a VST wavetable synth are clear to see in ANA 2. The filter section has 46 different filter types which can be routed In either series or parallel. To the right of the filter, we have Filter, Amp and Mod envelopes which allow us to shape the overall sound over time. To the right of the envelopes, we have a unique feature that enables users to draw custom modulation curves, the G-envelope. Below this, we have 3 independent LFOs, an FX section and lastly Macros and player functions.
ANA 2 Ultra Upgrade
The Slate Digital ANA 2 Ultra Bundle comes packed with 400+ new sounds and 6 soundbanks, a significant preset upgrade. With tons of new wavetables and samples on top. There is a GUI makeover with 6 unique skins to inspire you depending on the soundbank and preset you're using. The new skins include Ultra Factory, Eurorack, Sad Trap, Cinematic, Detroit, and SD-1.
Ultra Factory - The core new bank is packed with basses, pads, plucks, and leads, giving you lots of inspiration.
Eurorack - Modular synth bank, with new wavetables captured from classic euro and modular synths, bleeps, chiptune and analog leads.
Sad Trap - For modern Hip-Hop and R&B, this bank captures the melodic era with plenty of presets and hard-hitting 808s.
Cinematic - This bank has impacts, textured pads, and dramatic FX built by composers behind today's Hollywood trailers.
Detroit - Motown and soul, this bank has pitch-shifted keys, e-basses, resampled orchestras and strings.
SD-1 - A bank with dark basses, dynamic pads, and hypnotic keys, the perfect collection for lo-fi Hip-Hop tracks.
Pros
A real workhorse synth, capable of producing any sound you can think of.
The new monthly presets are a great way to stay inspired but also cut the additional costs of third-party sample/preset marketplaces.
Learning this synth is very easy given its user-friendly and functional layout.
Cons
More macros would be an added bonus.
Adding a granular engine to the sampler would be something I’d love to see in a future update.
Features such as phase distortion, frequency modulation and wave folding would make this synth even better.
Final Thoughts
Initially released in 2017 by Sonic Academy, ANA 2 is not new. Since its inclusion in the Slate Digital All-Access Pass, ANA 2 has become better known as a go-to software synth for all manner of productions and sound design.
Having used the ANA 2 Ultra Bundle for the past few weeks, I really like it. This versatile and great sounding virtual synth with an intuitive design, comprehensive feature set, and lots of banks and presets to get your creative juices going.
ANA 2 Ultra Bundle is available now as part of the Slate Digital All Access which starts at $9,99 per month, later $14,99 or $149 yearly - and includes over 60 professional plugins, thousands of royalty-free samples, over 100 video tutorials, and more.
Head to Slate Digital’s website for full details.