Minimal Audio is known for its unique approach to audio effects, and the developer has now made an impact as it enters the soft synth market.

Current is a multi-engine synth combining an array of synthesis techniques and powerfully articulate effects within a neat user interface single instrument, offering a revolutionary approach to sound creation.

A powerful entry into the soft synth market

Before we dig in to the the fun stuff, we should discuss what has caused an online stir: Current’s subscription-based model.

While Minimal Audio remains committed to offering standalone, pay-to-own products alongside their subscription-based instruments, the brand has released Current as a subscrption-based product, exclusively.

Minimal Audio initially introduced their subscription model with “Stream,” a boutique sample collection service. Now, they have extended this approach to Current.

Although Current’s subcription isn’t too expensive ($15 per month or $10 per month for annual subscribers), it has already sparked converations online, and many aren’t happy. So if subscriptions aren’t your cup of tea, their other offerings, such as Cluster Delay, Rift distortion, and Fuse multiband compressor, are worth exploring.

Nevertheless, Current is a versatile, eature-rich software instrument boasting a multi-engine architecture. Much like Arturia’s Pigments, the synth offers engines for granular sampling and spectral wavetable synthesis, an additive sub-oscillator, a time-stretching sampler, and morphing filters.

However, in a market already saturated with wavetable and virtual analog hybrids like Serum, Pigments, Massive X, and Hive, it’s Current’s sampling capabilities that set the synth apart. Although Minimal Audio has curated a library of wavetables which inject Current with personality, Current’s granular engine provides control over parameters like layering and spray, offering sound designers a wealth of sonic possibilities.

Furthermore, Current’s effects suite includes Flex chorus, Cluster delay, Rift distortion, Morph EQ, Ripple phaser, Swarm reverb, and Fuse compressor. So… yeah, Minimal Audio has thrown its best effects into Current which is certainly a statement.

You can load up to nine effects simultaneously and arrange them how you like before saving your own presets, and Minimal Audio has stated it’s committed to expanding this suite with more effects in the future.

Moreover, Current’s modulation system is as intuitive as it is flexible, packed with with envelopes, LFOs, macros, and other modulators, all with easy easy drag-and-drop functionality. And when it’s time to construct melodies and rhythms, the synth provides an arpeggiator and even a chord generator.

While some synths provide an integrated cloud-based content platform, Current’s “Stream” takes it a step further by offering royalty free presets, wavetables, and sample. However samples and wavetables sourced from Stream are royalty-free for use within Current only, limiting their versatility compared to other subscription services like Loopcloud.

So, is Current worth it?

For some, the subscription model will be an entry barrier. I know that I prefer pay-to-own models much more than subscription only models. It wasn’t so long ago that angered its customer base by converting all of its products to subscription-only before reverting this s decisision. Will Minimal Audio stick to its guns?

At $15 per month and $10 per month for annual subscribers, Current is nevertheless a compelling and affordable synthesizer for music producers and sound designers. You can cancel the subscription at any time and still use Current for playback within DAW projects importantly, even if the subscription lapses, therefore preventing any potential disruption to existing projects.

Overall, I think Minimal Audio’s Current is a powerfully inspiring and innovative synthesizer, and it’ll no doubt make a statement. Although the subscription-based model might not sit well with everyone, it is worth exploring the free 30-day trial to see if “Current” can add value to your music production toolkit.