Review: ROLI Equator 2 VST – King of Synths (Or Not?)

Today, we will review the shiny, souped-up sequel to the original Equator and decide if Equator 2 lives up to its fame.

If you are like me, you love turning knobs and creating sounds that make you feel like a mad scientist. So, let’s talk about synths! You may have heard whispers (or shouts) about ROLI’s Equator 2 if you have been in the synth world for a while.

This is the updated version of the original Equator. With all the enhancements and additions, it immediately got everyone asking: “Is this thing the king of synths, or just another flashy toy?”

First off, I must say that this is more than just a minor update. It’s like they went all-in, tore the thing apart, and built it back better, faster, and more insane.

We’re talking over 1400 presets, some mind-blowing MPE support, and enough wavetables, granular magic, and sample options to make your DAW cry for mercy. Oh, and the modulation options? I can only say that if you think of it, this synth can probably make it real.

But here’s the big question: Does it deserve the crown as the “King of Synths,” or is it just blowing smoke? So grab your MIDI controller and your coffee, and let’s see what this bad boy can do. Spoiler: It’s a lot!

Features

Alright, here’s where things get juicy. The ROLI Equator 2 doesn’t just show up as it makes an entrance. Packed with enough features to make even the most seasoned sound designer take notice, this synth is like the Swiss Army knife of virtual instruments.

• Over 1400 Presets to Explore

If presets were a buffet, Equator 2 would be a five-star all-you-can-eat spread. With 579 MPE presets, 896 built for standard controllers, and 360 classics from the original Equator, there’s something for everyone.

What’s cool is how the presets cater to both MPE and non-MPE users. If you’ve got a ROLI Seaboard or a Lightpad, you’ll love the way this thing responds to your touch.

And if you don’t? No worries as the standard presets are just as dynamic and playable. Think of it as a treasure chest of sounds waiting to be unlocked.

• Next-Level Waveforms

Waveform junkies, rejoice. Equator 2 isn’t holding back with 244 new wavetables, 5 vintage analog waveforms, 44 digital throwbacks from the original Equator, and 42 new multisample instruments with over 220 articulations.

Also, you can drag and drop your own samples into the mix so that if you’ve got that one obscure sound you recorded at 3 a.m., you can make it a star.

The wavetables are especially fun to play with, with smooth, rich effects packed with character. Plus, the symmetry control adds a little extra spice, letting you tweak PWM-style for unique tones.

• 6 Flexible Sound Sources

This synth doesn’t believe in limits. With 6 instances of four source types, you can mix and match wavetable, granular, multi-sample, and noise sources to build sounds as simple or complex as you want.

Granular synthesis is a standout here as it lets you slice and dice samples into tiny grains, creating textures that feel alive. Add in some modulation, and suddenly, you’re crafting sci-fi ambiances or experimental soundscapes that wouldn’t be out of place in a Christopher Nolan movie.

• Modulation on Steroids

If modulation is your jam, you’re going to love this. Equator 2 comes with 5 LFOs, 5 envelopes, 2 multi-step modulators, and even math and random modules for that extra sprinkle of chaos.

Everything’s drag-and-drop, making it intuitive to connect sources and destinations without needing a degree in rocket science.

Want a filter sweep that follows your playing dynamics or need your grain position to respond to a custom curve? Easy. Honestly, the modulation options are like a playground for your inner sound designer.

• A Studio-Grade Effects Suite

Equator 2 includes 12 effect slots and 15 premium effects, from chorus and reverb to a grain delay that’s practically a sound design tool on its own.

The distortion module deserves special mention as it’s gritty, rich, and just the right kind of dirty.

The effects routing is versatile, too. You can go full-on serial, parallel, or mix it up however you like. And with presets for each effect, you’re never starting from scratch.

• Infinite Routing Possibilities

Routing in Equator 2 is like building your dream studio but without cables everywhere. You can route sources into filters, send them through effects, or mix them directly into the output.

It’s all modular, and while it might take a moment to wrap your head around it, once you do, it’s a breeze to create truly unique signal chains.

Interface and Workflow

When it comes to soft synths, the interface can make or break the experience. Thankfully, ROLI Equator 2 knows how to walk the fine line between functionality and aesthetics, although not perfect.

Interface

To summarize in one word, the interface is sleek. Imagine a minimalist Scandinavian design studio made a synth; that’s the vibe.

The muted grey palette with sparse pops of color is easy on the eyes, but it might be too subtle for some. The important stuff, like modulation and routing, could use a bit more visual flair to make everything pop.

The interface is split into two sections: the top half handles your sources, filters, and effects, while the bottom half is all about modulation. It’s a logical layout, but it does take a bit of clicking around to really get comfortable.

The good news? The central oscilloscope and animated waveforms add a layer of clarity, especially when tweaking wavetables or symmetry controls.

The bad news? The lack of visual feedback in some areas, like granular playback or filter shapes, can leave you second-guessing your choices. If you like to see the workflow, this might be a bit of a problem for you.

The grey aesthetic can sometimes make controls blend into the background. A little more contrast or animation would go a long way in making the UI more intuitive.

Workflow

Using Equator 2 feels like driving a high-tech spaceship. At first, the interface with all those buttons and options can feel a bit intimidating, but after working with it for a while and getting used to the workflow, it gets much smoother.

The drag-and-drop modulation system is the MVP here. Just grab a mod source, drop it onto a parameter, and boom, you’re off to the races.

One standout aspect is the sound source flexibility. With 6 sources to play with, you can stack, layer, or go full experimental with FM, granular, and noise.

I love the granular synthesis workflow as it is fun and ideal for creating evolving textures or adding an organic touch to your presets. I recommend modulating the grain position with an LFO, which can lead to some wild, unpredictable results.

What really grabs me about Equator 2 is the routing, as it’s like a “choose your own adventure” for your sound. You can send signals wherever you want: filters, effects, straight to the output. It’s super flexible and gives you full control over how your sound flows.

On the dark side, I think the VU meters and visual indicators are a bit limited. It makes you scratch your head a bit, especially when things get a bit complex, as it gets easier to lose track of what’s going where. I think a little more visual feedback would made a big change in the ease of multi-layer workflow.

For all its strengths, Equator 2 does have a few workflow hiccups. The sample management system feels a bit outdated. No fancy sample editing here, and figuring out which samples are looped or one-shots requires trial and error.

Also, switching between MPE and standard modes can feel clunky, especially when presets are essentially duplicated for each mode.

First Impressions and Sound

In terms of sonic quality and versatility, Equator 2 doesn’t just play; it roars, whispers, and does everything in between.

This synth feels like it has a personality of its own, offering a great combination of warmth, grit, and precision that can beat both analog hardware and digital workhorses. Whether you’re a sucker for fat basslines or intricate textures, Equator 2 has a flavor for every taste.

The wavetables and granular synthesis are the undisputed stars here. With over 240 new wavetables and granular capabilities, the sounds you can craft range from smooth and harmonic to jagged and chaotic.

What stands out for me here is the granular engine, which allows the users to transform even the most mundane sample into a unique and otherworldly sound that you can’t imagine. For instance, I started with a piano note and turned it into a shimmering cloud of sound easily and quickly.

I loved messing around with the FM synthesis on Equator 2, as it’s like diving into a sound design playground. You can keep it chill with clean, crisp tones using just a couple of sine waves or crank things up for something more intense and textured, as it’s quite a versatile unit.

When you feel adventurous, you can throw in some ring modulation to really spice things up. Then, you will see that it works great for crafting those experimental soundscapes or adding chaos to your tracks without losing control.

Plus, the presets are solid; they’re like cheat codes to jumpstart your creativity. The MPE presets, in particular, are some of the most expressive sounds you’ll find in any synth.

Play them on a ROLI Seaboard or another MPE controller, and it feels like the synth is singing back at you. Even with a traditional MIDI keyboard, the presets hold up, giving you lush leads, growling basses, and velvety pads that sound anything but static.

For me, the real standout aspect of Equator 2 is its versatility. It is far from being a one-trick pony, as it can adapt to any genre, style, or workflow you throw at it. It is a real Swiss Army knife of the synth world, ready to face any creative challenge regarding sound design.

• Film and Game Composers: For scoring a dystopian sci-fi film or crafting different game atmospheres, the cinematic soundscapes and atmospheric pads the unit offers are really next-level. I found out that the granular synthesis is super handy, opening up the doors of haunting textures that morph and evolve in ways that’ll leave you mesmerized
• Electronic Producers: For electronic producers, the unit equally impresses. From crisp, punchy leads to deep, growling basses, the unit can deliver anything. Plus, the modulation system gives you endless options to inject life and movement into your sounds, making them feel dynamic and alive.
• Synthwave and Retro Enthusiasts: Equator 2 looks like a synth of the future with its feature-packed design, but its ability to deliver nostalgic, analog-style sounds is great, making it a pretty versatile VST.
• Experimental Sound Designers: For those who are into avant-garde sound design, the granular engine offers a lot and makes the plugin worth the price with that section. It features an extensive modulation system and routing options to create unique sounds no one ever has reached before.

Finally, what I really respect in this unit is its adaptability to any setup. The MPE integration makes it feel like a natural extension of ROLI controllers, but it doesn’t leave standard keyboard users out in the cold, as it also offers seamless integration with most hardware.

As a highly versatile plugin with a good balance between innovative technological approach and traditional usability, this is not solely for niche setups, as it’s for everyone.

Compatibility

ROLI Equator 2 comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats for both macOS and Windows operating systems. It also includes a standalone mode for those who prefer to work outside a DAW environment.

I must say that while the synth delivers impressive sound and features, the CPU load can be demanding, especially when using multiple granular or modulation-heavy presets.

Conclusion

To summarize, Equator 2 is one of my favorite synth plugins with its high versatility and creativity, making it an ideal all-rounder synth for almost all styles and genres. Its intuitive design keeps things user-friendly, while the advanced features like wavetable, granular, and FM synthesis deliver quality and power.

Combine that with deep modulation options and seamless MPE integration, you have a really powerful software instrument that can get the job done brilliantly for almost anything.

Sure, it’s not perfect, as high CPU demands might test older setups, and the lack of real-time displays could slow things down during complex edits.

However, if you have the gear to handle it, Equator 2 is definitely worth the investment for those looking for a synth that challenges and redraws the limits of creativity. Whether you’re crafting cinematic soundscapes, designing intricate textures, or just looking to elevate your tracks, this synth has you covered.

pluginoise