Acustica intros ALICE-9: Redefining Sample-Based Synthesis

Alice-9 (AL9) is a next-generation sample-based synthesizer in the digital domain, part of the Marea virtual instrument series, and powered by the innovative MUST (Modular Unified Synthesis Technology). Early testers have described it as an instrument with a deeply organic and varied sound palette — evocative of iconic synthesizers from the 1990s and early 2000s. AL9 redefines what a sample-based synth can be, merging analog realism, playable feel, and modern digital power into a single instrument. Available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats, ensuring integration with all major DAWs.

The first users compared AL9 to walking into a music store in the 1990s, hearing a synth that delivers something new and inspiring with each preset. That rare sensation of immediacy, depth, and musicality — the feeling of a “real instrument” — is the essence of AL9.

Made to Inspire

The architecture of AL9 goes far beyond sample playback or wavetable synthesis. Its sound engine is built around SCO (Sample-Controlled Oscillator), a high-resolution resampling system capable of reproducing natural analog behaviors such as frequency drift and evolving dynamics. Unlike typical static samplers or rigid waveforms, AL9’s oscillators breathe and shift like their analog ancestors.

This realism is further enhanced by the proprietary Superstereo system for natural stereo placement, the Age control that adds subtle imperfections to emulate the warmth of aged hardware, an integrated multiband dynamics processor inspired by the popular OTT compression paradigm—delivering musical glue and energetic punch—and new MultiDrive modes, which introduce rich harmonics and a powerful, analog-style response reminiscent of classic ladder circuits.

Whether you're chasing nostalgia or forging new paths in sound design, AL9 provides an inspiring playground that rewards musicianship and creativity.

Beyond Emulation

The idea for THING originated during the development of Thing (TH8 – TH5) — an emulation of a classic 1980s DCO synth. During that process, a question arose: what if, instead of replicating digital waveforms, we could capture and reproduce the actual behavior of an analog VCO? What if we could push timbral diversity beyond the limitations of traditional synthesis methods?

Many synths claim to do something similar, through wavetable synthesis, sampling, or vector reconstruction. But we believe the issue isn’t the method — it’s the execution.

Wavetable and traditional sampling methods are often too static. Developers try to hide this with tricks like round-robin cycling or randomization. AL9 took a different route — building a synthesis core that is organic, reactive, and truly dynamic.

ALICE9 GUI

Key Features

Alice-9 (AL9) sets a new benchmark in sample-based synthesis, combining analog authenticity with modern digital power. Below are its defining strengths:

• Next-Generation SCO Oscillators: AL9’s Sample-Controlled Oscillators go beyond traditional sampling and wavetables, delivering dynamic, time-evolving waveforms with natural drift, modulation, and analog-like behavior.

• Enhanced MUST Engine: Powered by a refined Modular Unified Synthesis Technology (MUST), AL9 blends analog circuit modeling with convolution-based processing for exceptional realism and responsiveness.refully, as high values can produce an extreme spatial effect that may overpower the mix.

• Hybrid Sound Architecture: Combines high-resolution sampling, analog-modeled filters, and dynamic modulation into a unified engine — bridging the gap between VCO, DCO, and sampler.

• Extensive Waveform Library: Hundreds of carefully curated sounds, from vintage analog tones to orchestral textures, including rare instruments and hybrid timbres.

• Superstereo Imaging & Aging Control: Create wide, immersive stereo fields with natural decorrelation, and add analog imperfection through adjustable aging for a vintage character.

• Advanced Modulation & Envelopes: Flexible but focused tools: intuitive LFOs, fast envelopes, key tracking, velocity sensitivity, and creative modulation paths without unnecessary complexity.

• Integrated Studio-Quality Effects: Includes Acustica-grade Chorus, Delay, Reverb, and EQ, plus a Saturator with a powerful OTT-style multiband dynamics processor for impactful, polished sound.

• Complete Performance Toolkit: Features like real-time MIDI Learn (local/global), arpeggiator, portamento, MPE functionality, modulation sliders, and visual feedback make AL9 a true instrument — not just a sound source.

• Professional Sound Design: Over 500 presets created by top-tier musicians and engineers demonstrate AL9’s full sonic palette and versatility across genres.

A Real Instrument Experience

From the start, AL9 was developed with the intention of being played. Every decision — from the minimal menu design to the direct access layout — reinforces immediacy and clarity. Every parameter is visible and intuitive, eliminating the typical clutter and hidden logic that plagues many virtual synthesizers.

Modulation tools are practical and focused: just the right LFOs, just the right envelopes, and modulation routes that make musical sense. Effects are not just add-ons; they are part of AL9’s sonic identity — including reverbs, delays, a legendary chorus and an EQs derived from an iconic standalone processors.

Visuals matter too. AL9’s design is tactile and emotionally resonant. You feel like you're using a real instrument — not scrolling through a database.

About the technology

AL9 is powered by a revolutionary technology known as Modular Unified Synthesis Technology (MUST).

MUST is a hybrid synthesis technology that integrates the precision of analog circuit behavior modeling with Acustica Audio’s signature convolution- based approach. It incorporates advanced features such as nonlinear convolution, dynamic Volterra series, and time-varying models to faithfully reproduce the complexities and nuances of analog hardware.

With AL9, MUST reaches a new level of technological maturity.

For the first time, it is fully integrated with a dedicated sample-based sound engine — built on the proprietary SCO (Sample-Controlled Oscillator) system. This system allows AL9 to reproduce not just the tonal character of analog instruments, but also their temporal evolution, natural drift, and organic imperfections, captured through high-resolution, dynamic sampling.

Where previous implementations of MUST focused primarily on filter behavior and signal processing, AL9 extends the technology to the core of the sound generation process.

Marea: Acustica's virtual instrument series

The Marea line by Acustica Audio heralds a transformative era in virtual instruments, embodying the fluidity and dynamism of the ocean's currents. Just as the tide—"marea" in Italian—moves with natural elegance and power, this series is designed to seamlessly connect creativity and innovation in music production.

This innovative combination delivers exceptional sound quality and unmatched realism, providing cutting-edge functionality and dynamic responsiveness. With its state-of-the-art design, MUST establishes a new standard in virtual instrument synthesis, seamlessly blending the authenticity of vintage sound with the versatility and performance demands of modern music production.

Technical information:

• Supported formats: VST3, AAX, and AU.

• Compatible with Windows 10 and 11.

• Compatible with macOS 10.15 (Catalina) to macOS Sonoma (version 14.x).

• Intel, AMD, and ARM compatible.

• Native Apple Silicon support (Rosetta not supported).

Price and availability

Alice-9 introductory price: €169 |32% OFF until May 13, 2025 at 11:59 pm CET (reg. price €249)

Get it here!

Special offer: Enjoy an additional 41% OFF with code ALICESPECIAL at checkout!*

*This special coupon is not combinable with loyalty discounts and is perfect for users without a loyalty coupon or with a lower discount. Valid until August 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM (CET).

The product is at an introductory period for the first four weeks after release or until the first official version is released; this implies that the product may receive improvements, changes, or fixes available through Aquarius Desktop updates.

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Please remember that trials expire 30 days after authorization, and we strongly recommend not using trial products in commercial sessions or any important project.

Alice9 user's manual

AL9 webpage: https://www.acustica-audio.com/shop/products/ALICE9